that Dr. Brown was an exception. In his writings "the lighter graces of poetry are interspersed amongst the demonstrations of a profound and original metaphysics. Never was philosophy so abstruse, yet never was it seasoned so exquisitely, or spread over a page so rich in all those attic delicacies of the imagination and the style, which could make the study of it attractive."* It ought also to be further observed, that the poetry, which is doubtless to be found in Dr. Brown's philosophical works, is not only exquisite in itself, but invariably subordinated to the reasoning. His imagination is yoked to his argument, and it is only for the purpose of carrying it forwards with greater rapidity and power that he ever gives to the former the reins. In short, that splendour of fancy which sometimes, it must be confessed, eclipses thought, serves, in Dr. Brown, as it always should do, to set it in the clearness of noon-day before the view of the reader. Were it as certain, that the man who is not a poet must be a metaphysician, as that Dr. Brown possessed, in an eminent degree, the higher qualities of both, the writer of the present work might venture, on that ground, to prefer some claim to the character of a Mental Philosopher. No one can be more fully aware, than he is himself, how impossible it is for him to shed over his work those graces of style which give to the pages of Vide Prospectus for a Monument to the memory of Dr. Brown, by one of the most eloquent writers of the present day. Dr. Brown so irresistible an attraction. He has not, accordingly, been guilty of the folly of attempting it. His sole effort has been to render the principles he advocates as intelligible as the abstract nature of the subjects would allow. He has aimed only at correctness and perspicuityto think with accuracy and clearness himself, and to convey to his readers a distinct conception of his meaning. He ventures not to say, nor even to imagine, that he has been uniformly successful. In a volume comprehending so wide a variety of topics, each of them requiring for its full elucidation considerable power of abstract thought, it were presumption to conceive that there are no mistakes of doctrine as well as of phraseology; and he expects to derive much instruction from the friendly remarks (for he will not anticipate any of a different description) of the various critics who may honour his work with their notice. He trusts, however, that it will not be entirely useless. He can with truth say, that his object in thus venturing to appear at the bar of the public, has been to advance the interests of what he acknowledges is to him a favourite science. He regards that science as being even yet in a state of infancy; and when succeeding writers shall have carried it, as they doubtless will, to a higher point of advancement than that to which it has at present attained, he trusts that, though he may be constrained by their labours to relinquish some of his present sentiments, he shall not be the last to offer them his thanks. In committing this volume to the press, the Author has had more immediately in view the benefit of his junior brethren in the ministry; and of that large body of British youths whom the advancing spirit of the age will compel to devote some attention to the subjects on which it treats, and who may feel their need of some such assistance as the present Work attempts to supply. At the same time it has not received any such peculiar adaptation to either of these classes as to render it, on that account, less fit for circulation beyond the boundary of the circle just referred to. The connexion between some of the doctrines of Mental Science, and various parts of Theological Truth, has indeed been exhibited; and it is hoped that this circumstance will not render the volume less acceptable to those whose religious opinions are in harmony with the sentiments of the Writer. Yet he is not aware that his Theology has influenced his philosophical opinions. He rests the views he entertains concerning the nature and properties of the human mind, upon the ground on which he believes in the ductility, &c. &c. of gold-on the ground, that is, of observation alone. He has endeavoured to examine the substance mind, as we examine the substance gold; and he has ascribed no properties to it but such as in this manner he found, or, at least, fancied he found it to possess. He has certainly rejoiced to see that what he regards as the true principles of Mental Science, are in union with those views of revealed truth, which appear to him of great and paramount importance; his faith in both has been confirmed by the discovery of the alliance. Yet it would be to do injustice to the Work to suppose that it attempts to found a system of Mental Philosophy on any peculiar religious opinions. It is conducted on philosophical principles; and it respectfully invites the candid attention of the man of science, as well as of the friend of religion. A regard to brevity has prevented the Author's enlarging on some points upon which he wished to enter more fully. He deemed it, on various accounts, inexpedient that the work should extend beyond one volume. Should it happen to obtain so much favour from the public as to render a second edition necessary, he has it in contemplation to expand considerably that part which treats on Moral Science, or rather to introduce additional topics and discussions; and either to abridge the former part, or to add another volume, as circumstances and the advice of friends may seem to direct. In its present form he solicits for it the kind consideration of his friends, and the candid attention of an enlightened public. BLACKBURN ACADEMY, 1828. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION.-All philosophical inquiries relate to Matter or Mind— 1 Inquiries limited to the phænomena of Mind-its essence unknown, but not material—its properties to be ascertained by observation alone-the only questions are, What are the elements of our Thoughts, &c. and the order of their occurrence-the nature of Thoughts, Ideas, Sensations, &c. are the Mind itself in particular states 37 |