n education, or in pursuing any profession or
trade, none of those influences that promote the proper functions of
the body, and tend to increase physical ease, should be neglected.
For, if the brain is occupied with disagreeable sensations, it cannot
concentrate its power as effectively in the various employments of
man.

_Observations._ 1st. The situation, ventilation, light, and warmth of
a school-room, together with the arrangement of the benches, do much
to influence the concentration or distraction of the operations of the
mind. Let there be attached to the school-house a spacious yard
planted with trees; let its architecture be attractive; let the
windows be arranged with regularity, and not with the elevation of a
convict's cell, and the benches, in every respect, be adapted to the
different scholars, so that the position of each may be comfortable,
and we mistake if there is not a greater improvement, in a given
time, in such a school, than where there is an apparent disregard to
the pleasure or comfort of the scholars.

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836. What is the effect if the brain concentrates its energies on more
than one object at a time? How illustrated? 837. What should be
regarded in pursuing any employment? Why? What is said in reference to
the arrangement of school-rooms?

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2d. Mechanics' shops should receive as much attention, relative to
their situation, light, warmth, &c., as school-rooms. If these are
duly observed, the nervous influence transmitted from the brain to the
muscles will be more stimulating, as well as more abundant;
consequently, labor will be performed with less exhaustion.

838. _Repetition is necessary to make a durable impression on the
mind._ "The necessity of judicious repetition in mental and moral
education, is, in fact, too little adverted to, because the principle
which renders it efficacious has not been understood. To induce
facility of action in the organs of the mind, practice is as essential
as it is in the organs of motion.

839. "In physical education we are aware of the advantages of
repetition. We know that if practice in dancing, fencing, skating, and
riding, is persevered in for a length of time sufficient to give the
muscles the requisite promptitude and harmony of action, the power
will be ever afterward retained, although little called into use;
whereas, if the muscles have not been duly trained, we may reiterate
practice