be more judicious to commence with only three
or four hours' vigorous application each day, and gradually protract
the period of study five or more minutes every successive day, until
the brain may be called into vigorous action six or eight hours with
impunity.

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828. Why can there be no fixed period for mental labor? What is said
of the practice of retaining pupils of all ages the same period of
time in the school-room? 829. Show that the action of the brain is
influenced by habit, as well as the muscular system. What suggestion
to those persons that commence a course of study at a late period in
life?

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830. The amount of mental power is greatly influenced by the general
health. Such is the intimate connection of the different parts of the
system, particularly the digestive apparatus, with the cerebral
organs, that except there be vigor of constitution, and freedom from
disease, mental efforts will be feeble and of little avail.

_Observation._ The prevalent opinion, that individuals who are feeble
or diseased may acquire a collegiate education, and thus become useful
to themselves and the community, is very generally erroneous. Such
persons should enter upon a daily and systematic course of physical
training, and their labor should be in the open air, in order that the
system may be invigorated and freed from disease.

831. The moral feelings exert a controlling influence over the
functions of the muscular, digestive, and respiratory organs. They
also exert an influence, perhaps, more powerful upon the nervous
system. While fear and anxiety depress, hope and the enlivening
emotions, facilitate the functional activity of the brain, and
increase its power for mental exertion. By a proper and systematic
education of the moral feelings, they are not only a source of
happiness, and productive of right conduct, but aid in the culture of
the intellect. Consequently, we should cultivate a feeling of hopeful
trust in the future, and a firm reliance upon the laws which the
Creator has given us for our guidance.

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830. Show that the amount of mental power is modified by the general
health. What is said of feeble persons acquiring a collegiate
education? 831. Do the moral feelings exert a controlling influence
over the principal functions of the system? What is the effect of a
proper and systematic culture of the moral feelings?

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