Page:Ralcy H. Bell - The Mystery of Words (1924).pdf/71

 the gray matter that education conceivably is possible. Thus only may a part of the brain be taught a new function; and thus only may it be cultivated to receive and to bring forth that of which it previously was incapable. It is true that no physical changes have been observed in the gray matter cultivated by act of will often repeated; but if physical interference may disturb nervous function, it follows that physical changes have occurred in the substance during the process of its education.

If the brain-cells could teach themselves, there would be no conscious effort—no consciousness of will-power—in the learning of a language. There must be effort back of the stimulus to initiate it; and back of the effort there must be purpose; and back of all there must be will-power to stabilize and to make continuous the purpose in a series of intelligent efforts. The detached question of will, imagination, and personality, is quite another matter.