Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Select Papers On Various Subjects, . Read Before A Literary Society In London.
attention , method , a right association of ideas , the annihilation of prejudice , 8 rc . & c .. From a . proper combination of these will result an experience sufficient to secure men from the disagreeable effects produced by many of those incidents that now confuse them , but which , by an extension of knowledge , would become trifling and ineffectual . In proof of what has been advancedwe findthat men seldom lose
, , the free use of their reason , however sudden the . call " to exert it may be , in circumstances that have any reference to the pursuits to which , they have been habituated . Thus , should a new proposition offer , a variety of methods b } r which it may possibly be solved directly offer themselves to the mind of the profound mathematician . Numerous instances of the simple and combined effects of the leverthe wedge
, , the screw , & c . occur to the mechanic on the inspection of a new . machine . The man of wit knows how to deaden the force of an unlooked-for effusion of a brother wit . Amidst the innumerable accidents to which the mariner is every moment liable , his recollection never fails him ; and in those countries infested with wild beasts , the nativeshowever suddenly attackedresort with wonderful facility to
, , those means ( if practicable ) which are necessary for their defence . Tims experience insures to each the command of those faculties essential to the pursuits in-which he is most usually engaged ; in to of this
order , therefore ^ fit men for the general exercise property , theory must be combined with practice . —Would the mathematician acquire what is called an insensibility to personal danger , so remarkable in seamen , he must be in situations requiring personal exertions ; or would the mechanic preserve his recollection when the shaft of ridicule is suddenly aimed , or the metaphj'sical enquiry unexpectedlproposedit will be essential not onlto have reflected on
y , y those species of subjects , but he must have mixed in-societies where they have been the topics of conversation . By this means , in proportion to his experience would each man ' s presence of mind be extended ; and notwithstanding the numerous apparent deviations from the general rule which mig ht be produced , I am inclined to thinkthatupona minute enquiry into the previous habits of the
, , , men who were the subjects of those deviations , these exceptions would in most instancei be discovered to be only apparent . Desirous of affording amusement , I shall close this attempt _ by selecting a few remarkable and happy instances of presence of mind . A gentleman on awaking saw his room filled with smoke ; he instantl to the door opening which flames rushed into the
. y ran , on room , ' and he discovered that the stair-case was on fire . A retreat , therefore , being cut oft' that way , he immediately tied the sheets and blankets together , and let himself down by means of them into the street . I scarcely need add , that a moment lost would have
rendered this impossible . During the ratification of the treaty of peace between the English aud Dutch , in the reign of Charles the Second , the fleets of the two nations lay along side each other in the river Med ' . vay . As an amuse-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Select Papers On Various Subjects, . Read Before A Literary Society In London.
attention , method , a right association of ideas , the annihilation of prejudice , 8 rc . & c .. From a . proper combination of these will result an experience sufficient to secure men from the disagreeable effects produced by many of those incidents that now confuse them , but which , by an extension of knowledge , would become trifling and ineffectual . In proof of what has been advancedwe findthat men seldom lose
, , the free use of their reason , however sudden the . call " to exert it may be , in circumstances that have any reference to the pursuits to which , they have been habituated . Thus , should a new proposition offer , a variety of methods b } r which it may possibly be solved directly offer themselves to the mind of the profound mathematician . Numerous instances of the simple and combined effects of the leverthe wedge
, , the screw , & c . occur to the mechanic on the inspection of a new . machine . The man of wit knows how to deaden the force of an unlooked-for effusion of a brother wit . Amidst the innumerable accidents to which the mariner is every moment liable , his recollection never fails him ; and in those countries infested with wild beasts , the nativeshowever suddenly attackedresort with wonderful facility to
, , those means ( if practicable ) which are necessary for their defence . Tims experience insures to each the command of those faculties essential to the pursuits in-which he is most usually engaged ; in to of this
order , therefore ^ fit men for the general exercise property , theory must be combined with practice . —Would the mathematician acquire what is called an insensibility to personal danger , so remarkable in seamen , he must be in situations requiring personal exertions ; or would the mechanic preserve his recollection when the shaft of ridicule is suddenly aimed , or the metaphj'sical enquiry unexpectedlproposedit will be essential not onlto have reflected on
y , y those species of subjects , but he must have mixed in-societies where they have been the topics of conversation . By this means , in proportion to his experience would each man ' s presence of mind be extended ; and notwithstanding the numerous apparent deviations from the general rule which mig ht be produced , I am inclined to thinkthatupona minute enquiry into the previous habits of the
, , , men who were the subjects of those deviations , these exceptions would in most instancei be discovered to be only apparent . Desirous of affording amusement , I shall close this attempt _ by selecting a few remarkable and happy instances of presence of mind . A gentleman on awaking saw his room filled with smoke ; he instantl to the door opening which flames rushed into the
. y ran , on room , ' and he discovered that the stair-case was on fire . A retreat , therefore , being cut oft' that way , he immediately tied the sheets and blankets together , and let himself down by means of them into the street . I scarcely need add , that a moment lost would have
rendered this impossible . During the ratification of the treaty of peace between the English aud Dutch , in the reign of Charles the Second , the fleets of the two nations lay along side each other in the river Med ' . vay . As an amuse-