Make your system interesting, lively, and inspiriting, and your scholars will neither be able nor willing to slumber over it.

Every one knows what an effect is produced on the physical faculties by a succession of the same sound; for instance, by the long continued chiming of a single bell; it induces a drowsiness which we find it impossible to resist, except by turning our attention to another thing; but let a number of bells strike out into a merry peal, how quickly we are aroused, how lively we become, whilst their various _changes_ secure the attention and interest which their pleasing and spirited tones first excited.

And just so it is with the mind in the matters of education; you must give a variety of tones, a newness of aspect to your lessons, or you will never be able to keep up a lively attention in your scholars.

For this purpose I would particularly recommend to the attention of all concerned, the chapters in this volume on geometry, conversation, pictures, and likewise that on the elliptical method.

By adopting the plan recommended in these chapters, the children will have something to do, and to do that something they must be _active_.