those of another, in proportion as individuals are rightly in- 
structed, and under the influence of the moral law and that 
of revelation. If we compare the collective acts of any 
body of Englishmen of the present day—say, for example, 
of mechanics with those of men in the same position a 
hundred years ago, we shall not fail to observe a great im- 
provement. The standard of conduct is higher, and the 
fact that they are responsible to moral laws is recognised. 
494 - On Memory. 
ON MEMOKY. 
E propose to discuss the subject of memory, which 
stands prominently forward amongst the most im- 
portant endowments and distinguishing attributes of reason- 
ing man, and wanting which faculty he would be little better 
than the brutes that perish, who although in some instances 
possessing memory do not use it, so faras we know, for 
inductive or reasoning purposes; and because the whole 
question is surrounded with difficulty, and opens up a wide 
field to the studious and philosophic mind, as well as to 
the lover of psychological investigations, it affords an addi- 
tional reason for research and inquiry, and will well repay 
the trouble bestowed upon it. 
Memory may be described as the repository or recep- 
tacle of ideas. It is a faculty of great importance, and 
capable of almost boundless improvement; it is this faculty 
alone which connects us with the past, and without which 
the past would be useless. It can recall not only the by- 
gone scenes and transactions of our own lives, but the events 
of history, ancient and modern, sacred and profane. It 
enables us to retain and call up the truths of science and of 
religion, and were it not for this power it would be fruit- 
less to listen to the voice of instruction, even could there 
be a teacher to instruct. 
If memory has its pains, it has also its pleasures; and it de- 
pends on ourselves whether it shall become our friend or our 
foe, our tormentor or our comforter through this earthly pil- 
erimage and the countless ages of eternity, according as we 
store it with dross or enrich it with pure gold. | 
Memory may be defined as that faculty or power of the 
mind which receives, retains, and reproduces, as occasion 
requires, all sorts of ideas presented to the understanding. 
