Thus GIRARD, taking advantage of an idea first started by Fenelon, produced his "Synonymes." But while, in every manual art, every great workman improves on his predecessor, of the art of the mind, notwithstanding the facility of practice, and our incessant experience, millions are yet ignorant of the first rudiments; and men of genius themselves are rarely acquainted with the materials they are working on.

Certain constituent principles of the mind itself, which the study of metaphysics curiously developes, offer many important regulations in this desirable art.

We may even suspect, since men of genius in the present age have confided to us the secrets of their studies, that this art may be carried on by more obvious means than at first would appear, and even by mechanical contrivances and practical habits.

A mind well organised may be regulated by a single contrivance, as by a bit of lead we govern the fine machinery by which we track the flight of time.

Many secrets in this art of the mind yet remain as insulated facts, which may hereafter enter into an experimental history.
Johnson has a curious observation on the Mind itself.