CHAPTER V.

THE INFLUENCE OF EDUCATION.

The higher conception of education--The ordinary course pursued in schools--Too many subjects studied at one time, and too large a number of scholars under the supervision of one teacher--Little opportunity to study individual characters and tendencies--Numerous subjects of study tend to confuse the mind rather than invigorate it--Illustrative cases--Teachers only in part to blame--Courses pursued in colleges--The importance of avoiding over-stimulation of any portion of the system in the period of youth--Ball clubs; rowing clubs--A similar tendency to over-stimulation of the brain in study prevalent in England--Over-exertion in the use of the brain tends strongly to create weakness and instability of action, and a condition which may be transmitted to children 73