I have thought that this character, with its features more or less strongly marked, has shown itself sometimes amongst us, marring the good and amiable qualities of those in whom we can least bear to see such a defect, because there is in them really so much to interest in their favour.  Now the number of persons of extraordinary abilities who may be here at any one time can depend on no calculable causes:  nor, again, can we give any reason more than what we call accident, if there were to be amongst us at any one time a number of persons whose whole tendency was decidedly to evil.  But if, in these respects, the usual average has continued, if there is no lack of ability, and nothing like a prevalence of vice, then we begin anxiously to inquire into the causes, which, while other things remain the same, have led to a different result.  And one cause I do find, which, is certainly capable of producing such a result:  a cause undoubtedly in existence now, and as certainly not in existence a few years back; nor can I trace any other besides this which appears likely to have produced the same effect.  This cause consists in the number and character and cheapness, and peculiar mode of publication, of the works of amusement of the present day.  In all these respects the change is great, and extremely recent.  The works of amusement published only a very few years since were comparatively few in number; they were less exciting, and therefore less attractive; they were dearer, and therefore less accessible; and, not being published periodically, they did not occupy the mind for so long a time, nor keep alive so constant an expectation; nor, by thus dwelling upon the mind, and distilling themselves into it as it were drop by drop, did they possess it so largely, colouring even, in many instances, its very language, and affording frequent matter for conversation.

The evil of all these circumstances is actually enormous.  The mass of human minds, and much more of the minds of young persons, have no great appetite for intellectual exercise; but they have some, which by careful treatment may be strengthened and increased.  But here to this weak and delicate appetite is presented an abundance of the most stimulating and least nourishing food possible.  It snatches it greedily, and is not only satisfied, but actually conceives a distaste for anything simpler and more wholesome.  That curiosity which is wisely given us to lead us on to knowledge, finds its full gratification in the details of an exciting and protracted story, and then lies down as it were gorged, and goes to sleep.  Other faculties claim their turn, and have it.  We know that in youth the healthy body and lively spirits require exercise, and in this they may and ought to be indulged:  but the time and interest which remain over when the body has had its enjoyment, and the mind desires its share, this has been already wasted and exhausted upon things utterly unprofitable:  so that the mind goes to its work hurriedly and languidly,