I a strict medical and moral treatment | bours, who threatened her with perproduced a wonderful improvement. sonal violence if she did not procure The lady appeared before us a well- some means of recovery for him, she bred female, capable of rational and being known to have got his property pleasing conversation. I announced in her possession by unfair means. the change with the greatest pleasure, have been grossly insulted by a wife but in answer I received the most for having cured her husband, a thing abusive insulting letter I ever received she did not calculate upon. But these in the whole course of my life. I was cases are no longer brought to me. I astonished beyond measure; I thought have, however, had plenty of other the party must be mad; but I soon causes of vexation from the want of found that it was not madness, but proper feeling in the nearest relatives, wickedness, which dictated the an- those feelings having sometimes been swer. I appealed to the lady's nearest caused or aggravated by the temper relation, a brother, and by him was and habits of the patients previous to made fully acquainted with the treat- the mental disease being visible. I ment his truly virtuous, amiable, have been severely censured by a faand highly accomplished sister had ther for not treating his son with more met with, before being put under my severity, repeatedly telling me that if care. It was soon determined to re- I would give him a right good beatmove her from Spring Vale, and place ing, often, he was sure it would do her in a receptacle for incurable fe- him more good than any thing else. male lunatics. Her brother opposed I have had the same urged upon me by it; the lady herself opposed it. A a husband in the treatment of his party came for her, but were obliged wife; and because I would not deto return without her. Letters of grade myself by this practice, I have abuse and gross falsehood were writ- lost patients that I had no doubt ten upon the occasion, sufficient to fill would have recovered under kind a moderate sized volume; and I was treatment, had they been permitted for a time under a great temptation to to remain long enough, and who never publish them, by way of exposure. did recover under any other. I have But at last, as might be expected, the been insulted and abused for not party opposed to me and her ladyship curing a patient in a month, whose prevailed by mere dint of falsehood, case at least required six; but then and she was taken away. Never can it was said that I had cured one in a I forget her last words to me; they month, and if I cured one in a month, were, May the Almighty for ever I might cure another; and not only bless you, and all your family; I shall the impatience and want of confidence, always remember your kindness to but the relations or pretended friends me with feelings of gratitude, and of the patients teasing them with frenever forget you in my prayers.' She quent visits, and talking on family was put into a situation the most cal- affairs, have caused fresh irritation, culated to produce a relapse, and she and even prevented, I am confident, did relapse; and after a few years of recovery, in several instances; and dreadful mental perturbation, death yet to all this I must submit, as well came to her relief, while in the prime as to the being suspected of keeping of life. those who were not insane. It is now the case with a patient as unfit for liberty as any at Spring Vale, and few cases of mental derangement have acquired so much notoriety as her's did previous to being brought hither; but she tells the people that she is not insane, and never was insane, and she obtains credit with some who are ignorant as to what insanity is, and no doubt they tell it to others. "The two last cases made me too notorious to be troubled with any more inmates whose friends did not wish for recovery, and on this score I have been at rest ever since. Previously. I had a number of them, and of cases where the recovery, not being expected, was the cause of the most malignant feelings in those who were expected to rejoice at the event. I have been insulted by a mother on the recovery of her son from a most deplorable state of mental disorder; she having placed him under my care to quiet the clamours of her neigh 66 'My feelings were the most wounded, and my pity the most excited, by a lady being taken away by force from Spring Vale, to be put upon a charity, by which eleven shillings per week were saved to a relation, who possessed a clear income of at least eleven pounds per week, without any family but his wife. The lady, for such she was in manners and education, was extremely visionary; but she had taken a great fancy to Spring Vale, said she was a princess, and that it was her favourite palace; that my children were her grandchildren, the swans which she fed daily were a king and queen in disguise, &c. When the people came to take her away, she was in a dreadful state of agitation, and declared most vehemently that nothing on earth should force her away; and in stating her objection, she discovered a strange mixture of sanity and insanity, repeating,' If I am not well enough to return to my own family, where I wish to go, let me stop where I am happy amongst my own people, and my dear little princes and princesses.' I really durst not force her into the chaise, which waited a long time for her, while I did all in my power to persuade her to go. I therefore requested that she might remain a few days longer, and I promised to do all in my power to reconcile her to leaving. But the next day the same party came at full drive, and with it the relation before alluded to. He treated me with most insulting language, and finding that it would be impossible longer to keep down my rising anger, I contented myself with giving him permission to break open the door of the room, where the poor creature had locked herself in, and left the house. On my return, she was gone, and the females were all weeping most bitterly. They declared that her entreaties and prayers upon her knees, and after those, her execrations upon them if they forced her away, were more terrific than any thing they had ever heard before; and the female keeper who came for her said,' Well, I have been a keeper these sixteen years, and I never was witness to such a heart-cutting scene before.' The gentleman had the assurance to leave a threat that he would complain of my conduct to the visiting magistrates. Had this been a case likely for recovery, I would have made an offer to have kept her for nothing, for a trial of cure; but of that I had no hopes, and had some time before expressed a wish that she might be taken home, under the impression that I could not remove her mental complaint; and I did expect that she would in a little time be reconciled to her new situation; but I was informed she never was, that she led a life of great misery for some time, and died suddenly. I think it a little singular, that though this transaction took place many years ago, yet I have never seen the gentleman alluded to since. "I once had a scene as cruel in the intention as the above, by two sons against their father; but in that instance I did lose my temper, made the sons glad to quit the spot, and kept my patient till he recovered. Hence, if I have had in my practice many vexations, and met with many disappointments, I have also had my pleasures and consolations. I have often seen the tears of gratitude flow, and heard the blessings and prayers for me and mine, of those who have perfectly recovered at Spring Vale from a sore malady. (To be concluded in our next. ) APHORISMS FROM THE WRITINGS OF THE REV. ROBERT HALL. (Continued from col. 396.) 117. THE advocate of necessity and the champion of liberty will, in the same state of moral proficiency, act precisely the same part in similar circumstances. 118. He who consults impartially the dictates of conscience, confirmed and enlightened by revelation, will seldom feel himself embarrassed with respect either to the nature or the order of his duties. 119. As it is seldom safe for an accountable creature in his most elevated moments to lose sight of those motives which are founded on eternal prospects and interests; so least of all can they be dispensed with in the season of successful temptation. 120. The sense of an ever-present Ruler, of an avenging Judge, is of the most awful and indispensable necessity; as it is that alone which impresses on all crimes the character of folly, and shows that duty and interest in every instance coincide. 121. Rewards and punishments, awarded by omnipotent power, afford a palpable and pressing motive, which can never be neglected without re creature. nouncing the character of a rational | perpetuity of God's promises, are the greatest contrast the universe pre122. With the firm belief of a re-sents, so the practical impression of warding and avenging Deity, who this truth, however obvious, is the bebinds duty and happiness, though ginning of wisdom, nor is there any they may seem distant, in an indis- degree of moral elevation to which it soluble chain; whatever usurps the will not infallibly conduct us. name of virtue, is not a principle, but a feeling; not a determinate rule, but a fluctuating expedient, varying with the tastes of individuals, and chang-discoveries of science into shade, and ing with the scenes of life. 123. Without the intervention of a superior will, men being essentially equal, morality is only a stipulation, or silent compact, into which every individual is supposed to enter, as far as suits his convenience, and for the breach of which he is accountable to nothing but his own mind. 124. It is not the province of reason to awaken new passions, or open new sources of sensibility; but to direct us in the attainment of those objects which nature has already rendered pleasing, or to determine among the interfering inclinations and passions which sway the mind, which are fittest to be preferred. 125. In the best moral precepts issuing from human wisdom, there is an incurable defect in the want of authority which robs them of their power over the conscience; they are obligatory no farther than their reason is perceived; a deduction of proofs is necessary, more or less intricate and uncertain, and even when clearest, it is still but the language of man to man, respectable as sage advice, but wanting the force and authority of law. 126. The veneration we shall feel for the Bible, as the depository of saving knowledge, will be totally distinct, not only from what we attach to any other book, but from that admiration its other properties inspire; and the variety and antiquity of its history, the light it affords in various researches, its inimitable touches of nature, together with the sublimity and beauty so copiously poured over its pages, will be deemed subsidiary ornaments, the embellishments of the casket, which contains the pearl of great price. 127. It is the property of bigotry to acquire an additional degree of malignity by being concentrated on one point, and directed to one object. 128. As the frailty of man, and the 89.-VOL. VIII. 129. The annunciation of life and immortality, did it contain no other truth, were sufficient to cast all the reduce the highest improvements of reason to the comparative nothingness which the flight of a moment bears to eternity. ESSAY ON MENTAL IMPROVEMENT. AN enlightened and well-cultivated mind is, next to piety, the most desirable acquisition that can engage our wishes. Intelligence is the glory of man; for it is "the image of Him that created him," and is that which elevates our species so decidedly above every order of mere animals. But although God has given us rational powers, yet the improvement and exercise of them he has confided to ourselves. An intellectual capacity is our natural inheritance; but unless this inheritance be cultivated, it will be barren and unprofitable. Hence we find, that those whose minds have never been improved by any kind of education, are raised but a very few degrees above the brute creation. It would perhaps be difficult to determine, whether there is a greater distance between an educated European, and an untutored savage, or between that savage and the "halfreasoning elephant:" but there is this difference in the cases, that, between the brute and the savage, there is a barrier which can never be passed by the former; whereas, between the barbarian and the philosopher there is no such obstacle; since had the one possessed external advantages equal to the other, his capacity and knowledge would very probably have been equal also. For we have heard it asserted by persons, who have had the tuition of blacks as well as of whites, that they could never discover any defect in the mental capacity of their sable pupils; they always, upon an average, manifesting equal vigour of intellect and susceptibility of instruction to the other boys. 2 D From these remarks, then, it will be evident, that it is the duty of every rational being to use his utmost efforts in storing his mind with useful knowledge; and that none can neglect this duty without contracting guilt. But when I speak of knowledge, I have not an indiscriminate reference to all kinds of acquirements. In the scale of truths, some are essential, some important, others useful and pleasing, while many are trifling and scarcely worth knowing. An acquaintance with God-his attributes and laws; with Christ and redemption; with the holy Spirit-his offices and agency; and with the nature and condition of man-is supremely important; because it is connected with our everlasting welfare. The Bible is the only authentic source of divine truth. A knowledge of the human heart, its deceitfulness and wickedness; of the human mind, its infirmities and capabilities, is highly needful. The works of God in nature and providence, may be studied with unspeakable advantage. The history of nations and individuals, the rise and fall of empires and states, as well as a geographical knowledge of the different countries, &c. in the world, is both a useful and ornamental part of the mind's furniture. An acquaintance with languages, especially our own, mathematics, logic, and many other sciences, is useful, not only as an enlargement of our knowledge, but as a cultivation of the powers of the mind. Several considerations must have their share in directing us in our selection of studies. No one person can know all that may be known; every one must therefore consult his genius, or peculiar turn of mind, together with his situation and prospects in life, that he may direct his attention to those subjects in which he is likely to be most successful, and which promise to be the most profitable. Sanctified knowledge is in a very high degree friendly to piety; for the more extensive and intimate is our acquaintance with God and his works, the broader will be the basis of our piety, and the loftier and nobler the superstructure of holiness which we can érect upon it. It is true, we niust distinguish between what is essential and what is only useful. The knowledge of our sinfulness, guilt, | and danger is the only thing that can effectually humble our proud hearts. Nothing can arouse us from our guilty stupor, and thoroughly divorce our affections from sin, but a deep conviction of its malignant nature and dreadful consequences; and nothing can eradicate our inbred enmity to God and holiness, and silence the clamours of an accusing conscience, but a discovery of the love of God in the work of redemption, and a persuasion of our own personal interest in the same. But an acquaintance with other things, though not indispensable to the existence of piety, may lend a subsidiary and valuable aid in promoting it. Whatever tends to develop the character of man and the perfec tions of God, whatever illustrates the power, wisdom, truth, and benevolence of the Great Supreme, must render material assistance to our piety. With what rapturous delight did the Psalmist record and celebrate the wonderful works of God in nature, providence, and grace. "How manifold," exclaims he, 66 are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all." To the Christian, the most trivial object will suggest a lesson on the perfections of Jehovah, and will thus enhance the fervour of his devotion. It must, however, be conceded, that natural knowledge, in many cases, produces the contrary effects, by 66 puffing up the mind," and filling it with pride and self-complacency; and the consequence is, that the Spirit is grieved, and darkness and deadness are brought into the soul. But then this is not its natural effect: it is our depraved hearts that convert food into poison; for there is not a blessing that God can bestow upon us, but we can abuse to our own injury. " Knowledge is a talent, which qualifies its possessor to be extensively useful to mankind. "There was," says an inspired writer, "a little city, and few men in it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city, yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then I saw that wisdom is better than strength." A striking verification of the foregoing sentiment, is recorded of the famous AR CHIMEDES, whose amazing skill in mechanical science rendered him alone formidable, and even superior to a whole Roman fleet. Without learning, what would be the divine, the statesman, or the physician?! Vain were their efforts to benefit mankind, if they were not well acquainted with the principles of their respective sci ences. commodity of social commerce: hence, the conversation of an ignorant man must always be characterized by folly, insipidity, or vulgarity. He must either observe a stupid taciturnity, or open his mouth to excite our derision or disgust. But we ought to cultivate our minds for the sake of promoting our own happiness. Knowledge is the food, the riches, the strength of the soul. Those who deem it unnecessary to happiness, might, with equal propriety, pronounce an insect to be as happy as an archangel; for it is not corporeal, but intellectual endow riority; and an advance in knowledge is a receding from the insignificance of an insect, and an approach to the majesty of an angel. Wisdom is also indispensable to teach the judicious application of all other talents. Of what avail is wealth, or power, if intrusted with ignorance? they may be mischievous; but they will rarely be beneficial. Learning always invests its pos-ments which give the latter his supesessor with influence and authority; and these are talents which, if conscientiously employed in the cause of truth and piety, enable him to be the instrument of much good. It is acknowledged that intellectual endowments, like other good things, may be misused, and, when they are so, nothing is so dangerous; strength of mind, when associated with depravity, effects above all other things the most disastrous and wide-spreading mischief. But the abuse of a thing can never supersede its use. No one wishes the sun annihilated, because its beams facilitate the commission of crime. Ignorance must always be undesirable. From ignorance, nothing hopeful can result: it is a tree which bears no useful fruit; its only characters are deformity, barrenness, and death. Intelligence is an essential attribute of social refinement and pleasing manners; its absence must completely disqualify us from being interesting companions; and friendship, let it not be once named, if it be not founded in enlightened sentiment! An ignorant friend approximates to a contradiction in terms. Intelligence cannot, it is true, impart suavity of disposition, neither can it supply its absence; but it can impart to it a rich and beautiful lustre. All the nameless charities of social life it embellishes with a graceful colouring; it throws a halo around the domestic circle, and enhances the value of every interchange of kindness and affection. Conversation is one of those fertile and elevated sources of pleasure with which man is favoured above the brute. But knowledge must furnish the materials of conversation; knowledge is the great and universal But although knowledge promotes the happiness of a good man, we own it cannot make a bad man happy. Profound knowledge may be associated with great moral turpitude; and when it is so, it can neither recommend us to the favour of God, nor secure us from physical evil. The most stupendous intelligence, if at variance with the supreme Being, must be miserable; and the more powerful the light of his understanding the more exquisite will be his wretchedness; because he must be so much the more sensible of the evils to which he is exposed. Besides, as piety, or obedience to God, is the first dictate of our rational nature, so if that dictate be violated, the harmony of the soul must be at an end: a general insurrection among the lower faculties will prevail; the understanding will in vain demand the obedience of the passions and inferior powers. The principle of picty being lost, the moral machine is dislocated in its most essential part, so that it can only "move to confusion, and operate to mischief." In such a being, we behold a mighty and most disastrous wreck; a noble building in awful ruins. We see the fragments of departed grandeur disjointed and lying in confusion. In short, sin is the disease of the soul, and as effectually disqualifies it from tasting real enjoyment, as sickness disqualifies us from tasting sensitive pleasure. But knowledge, when placed on piety as its proper basis, is highly conducive to |