The power of Attention in improving the Perceptions. Introductory Observations.-Mr. Locke's Definition of Discernment applicable to Conception.-Evils arising from the want of clear and accurate Ideas. -How these are to be obtained.-Conception to be exercised in early Life, on the Objects of Perception. First begins to operate on the Objects of Perception.- Necessity of exercising it upon sensible Objects.- How it may be exercised on moral Propositions.- Observations upon the Method to be pursued in reading History.-Premature Cultivation of Imagination, burtful to Judgment.-Other Obstacles to its Im- provement examined.-Mode of Female Education Different Modes of Reasoning.-Use of General Terms. Character of those who object to the Cultivation of the Reasoning Faculty in the Female Sex.-Other Objec- tions stated and examined.-Means to be employed in preparing the Mind for the Exercise of Abstraction. LETTER I. On the Necessity of obtaining a Knowledge of the Intellectual Faculties, in order to their proper Cultivation.-How this Knowledge is to be acquired.-Futility of endeavouring to cultivate the Faculties out of the Order prescribed by Nature.—A short Analysis of the Plan to be pursued.-Reflections. MY DEAR FRIEND, HA AVING endeavoured to point out the neceffity of paying an early and unremitting attention to the active powers of the human mind, it now remains for me to attempt an examination of the principles upon which we ought to proceed in the Improvement of the Intellectual Faculties. If we admit, as a fundamental principle, that the true end of education is to bring VOL. II. all all the powers and faculties of our nature to the highest perfection of which they are capable; it evidently follows, that an adequate knowledge of these powers and faculties is abfolutely neceffary towards the accomplifhment of the end we have in view. The diffufion of this fpecies of knowledge would doubtlefs correct many errors, both in theory and practice; and did it once become general among those with whom the first years of life are commonly spent, would produce confequences of the utmost importance to fociety. But where are we to fearch for this defirable information? Muft we turn to the voluminous works of philofophers, and there feek for this hidden treasure, amid all the rubbish of conjecture and hypothesis? Such a task would be, to the generality of our sex, impoffible: nor were it poffible, would it probably be attended with much advantage. To explore the nature of the human mind is, indeed, the proper object of metaphyfical enquiry; but few philofophers have |