40 
MEMOIR OF ARISTOTLE. 
highest rank in society ; and this plan we may sup- 
pose he put in operation in performing the task as- 
signed him by Philip ; modified no doubt according 
to the character and circumstances of the extraordi- 
nary youth for whose instruction it was prepared. 
According to the principles laid down in that book, 
the two years immediately following puberty consti- 
tute that important era which is especially adapted 
for improving and strengthening the bodily frame, 
and for acquiring that corporeal vigour which is one 
main- spring of mental energy. During this interest- 
ing period, with the proper management of which the 
future happiness of the whole life is so connected, 
Aristotle observes, that the intellectual powers ought 
indeed to be kept in play, but not too strenuously 
exercised, since powerful exertions of the mind and 
body cannot be made at once, nor the habits of 
making them be simultaneously acquired. Agreeably 
to this principle, Alexander was encouraged to pro- 
ceed with alacrity in his exercises until he attained 
the highest possible degree of perfection in them ; 
after which the whole bent of his mind was diverted 
to the acquisition of science and philosophy. 
The curiosity of the young Macedonian was too ar- 
dent, and his judgment too acute, to rest satisfied with 
the meagre and superficial doctrines which then com- 
prised the sum of popular instruction. The discern- 
ment of his preceptor easily perceived that his mind 
was capable of being trained to whatever is most subtle 
in distinction, and exalted by whatever is most lofty in 
speculation ; and that his faculties, by thus expanding 
