[Isaac Taylor, like Thomas Williams, was a Dissenting minister, based from 1811 until his death in 1829 at Ongar, about 30 miles north-east of London. Taylor and his wife, Ann, both wrote books of advice and guidance: his titles included Advice to the Teens: Practical Helps Towards the Formation of One's Own Character (1818) and Character Essential to Success in Life: Addressed to Those who are Approaching Manhood (1820), though his most commercially successful publications were his illustrated travel books for children. Self-Cultivation was the best-selling of his advice books: it went into four editions in Britain and was also published in America.

Compared with Williams’ CPS lecture above, Taylor's focus is on self-improvement achieved through individual, private diligence rather than national improvement achieved through popular education. His emphasis on studying people as well as nature and technology is perhaps useful in reading the Mental Exercises, so many contributions to which deal with social and personal behaviour rather than abstract or scientific subjects. And the high value that Taylor places on training and exercising individual judgement, and on disciplining but not rejecting the legitimate pleasures of the imagination, resonates strongly with the views Faraday expresses in ‘On Imagination and Judgement’.]

The grand object of self-education is the mind; to cultivate the intellectual powers. This is the man's self; this is capable of much improvement; this imperiously demands our care; and this will, beyond all calculation, repay us.

On principle, then, aim to give these faculties their due. Many, as drawn by one delightful prospect or another, cultivate those powers of mind which are allied thereto.

This is only partial; it is liable to become desultory, or it may fail entirely. Principle will feel the bounden duty of enriching, training, and rendering effective, all the mighty, but dormant energies of intellect. To starve the mind, will be considered as a species of self-destruction. To suffer torpor to benumb, or perversion to debase any one faculty, will be ranked among errors of deep malignity.

Store, then, the perceptive powers with well-digested notions, upon every subject within reach. Be covetous of knowledge; and do not slightingly contemn any one species, as unworthy notice, if a fair opportunity offer of gaining an insight into its principles.