Naturally, if the volition to act clumsily be repeated a sufficient number of times, the muscles learn independent clumsy action with as much facility as they would have other- wise acquired independent cleyer and scientific action, Hence the importance of knowing which is the most approved and effectual methed of sctting to work, and of being informed of fhe result, good or bad, of cach attempt, while the volition is still in active force, and before the ‘habit’ of muscular action, perfect or imperfect, is fully formed.
We all know that, whether we are dealing with morals or with muscles, it isa matter of much difficulty to overcome a bad habit, and to form a different and a better one relating to the same course of action.
When the pupil begins to learn to row the brain has many things to think of ; it has several orders to distribute simul- taneously to its different employés—the various muscles required for the work—and these employés are, moreover, ‘new to the business.’ They have not yet, from want of practice, developed the vigour and strength which they will require hereafter ; and also they know so little of what they haye to do that they require incessant instruction from brain headquarters, or else they make blunders. But in time both master and seryants, brain and muscles, begin to settle down to their business. he master becomes less confused, and gives his orders with more accuracy and less oblivion of details ; the servants acquire more vigour, and pick up the instructions with more facility. At last the time comes when the servants know pretty well what their master would have them do, and act spontaneously, while the master barely whispers his orders, and has leisure to attend to other matters, or at all events saves himself the exertion of having momentarily to shout his orders through a speaking- trumpet. Mcantime, as said before, the servants can only obey orders; and, if their original instructions have been blunders on the part of the master, they scttle down to the reproduction of these blunders.
Now it often happens that an oarsman, who is himself a
