THIRD PRINCIPLE.

AS THE HUMAN MACHINE, LIKE A COMMON PIECE OF MECHANISM, WEARS OUT MOST RAPIDLY WHERE THERE IS THE GREATEST FRICTION AND STRAINING, RELAXATION, OF BOTH OUR MIND AND BODY, IS AN INDISPENSABLE CONDITION TO OUR HAPPINESS.

THOUGH in accordance with a wise rule of Providence, labour, either of the mind or body, is an indispensable requisite to our health and happiness, as I have endeavoured to prove in my last essay; it is however not less in accordance with the laws by which our whole nature is regulated, that, to keep both our mind and body in a proper tone, we must vary our occupations in such a manner as to relieve them alternately; for both the good health of our body and a cheerful state of our mind, depend not so much on a sound state of either, as on a just equilibrium between them. By not attending to this very important law of our nature, much harm is often done to our constitution

before we are old and wise enough to act for ourselves.

It is therefore not enough that by education we endeavour to develope all the powers, intellectual and physical, of a human being; but we must likewise endeavour to do this harmoniously. Man ought always to be considered as a twofold being, influenced by moral as well as by physical causes; and neither the mind nor the body ought to be cultivated at the expense of the other. Nor must we demand from either of them more work than they are capable of performing without detriment to their nature and to their ulterior development. In fact no organ of the human mind and body can bear an uninterrupted, or for too long a time protracted exercise, without detriment to its organization, and without danger to the function which it has to discharge. And as all our organs, mental as well as physical, form a bond of union of the most intimate nature, so that every one of them greatly depends for its well-being on that of others, it is wise to avoid whatever may disturb this divine harmony of our soul and body, on which our health and happiness so much depend. The moment however that one system of our nature predominates, this harmony is already disturbed, and our health and happiness will

and must be affected by it. And as even the least want of harmony, or a disease slight in itself, if not checked at its birth, but permitted to increase, in consequence of the reciprocal influence which our mind and body exert on each other, may gradually assume the most alarming aspect; and as it is often very difficult to say how far it is safe to try the strength of either our mind or body; it is much better to stop before the strength of one or both of them is totally exhausted, than later to mourn a mischief, which is perhaps beyond man's healing power.

What occupation is more attractive than the reading of a book strongly engaging both our heart and soul; what more exciting and absorbing than to record the passing thoughts of a reflecting mind? However, if either of these occupations be indulged in for too long a time, or not relieved by any other in which our heart and mind have no direct or strong interest; our gratification is sure not to last. Nay every pursuit, in particular if a mental one, which is absolutely exclusive and unremitted, is but too apt to become a feverish one; and he who pauses occasionally from such labours, will often gain more in cool reflection than he loses in actual effort. For to exercise the mind when it is already overworked, is not only obnoxious to its

energy, but likewise very seldom, if ever, produc tive of valuable acquisitions. Thus, the most innocent and the most praiseworthy occupations, such as reading, meditation or writing, if carried to excess, may become as destructive to our health, peace and happiness, as the most reprehensible modes of dissipation. And though a cultivated and active mind often so supports the body, that, for the time, the latter is rather strengthened than exhausted by exertion,bodily exertion also, if not relieved by proper intervals of that wholesome repose, which alone can refresh man's weary frame, and restore the necessary tone to an overworked nervous system, may easily become highly pernicious to the health of both our mind and body. In general, however, it is certainly more dangerous to overwork the mind than the body. Therefore, the moment we perceive that our spirits begin to flag, we had better cease all mental labour; and as air and exercise are great remedies in harmonising the pulses of both our heart and mind, the best remedy, when the mind is full of fret and fever, is, at least in general, to put the body in motion, for the purpose of restoring the necessary equilibrium. For the perfect development of all our powers, and the confirmation of a vigorous and healthy constitution, of both our

mind and body, a well regulated or well balanced activity, mental and physical,—or study and bodily labour, motion and rest, well mixed together, will then be found most wholesome. Nay, such a well-proportioned alternation of varied studies and recreations, or of mental efforts and bodily occupations, constitutes the true secret of human happiness. And fortunate, very fortunate indeed is that being, who can afford to give only so much time each day to professional or similar avocations, as may be found compatible with the daily enjoyment of life, with reading, writing, domestic and social intercourse, and with all man's other duties of philantrophy and devotion.

"All work and no play makes man both dull and stupid.”

Further, if bodily exercise shall be truly beneficial and invigorating to the human constitution, it must not only be in the open air, but also of a nature to occupy the mind as well as the body; for it is a law of our nature that mind and body work together. All wholesome motion therefore depends on a co-operation of our mind and body, and both must be directed to the same end, and at the same time, or the effect thereof will be but imperfect. To a healthful and energetic action of the muscles a full and