certain Processes of the Human Understanding. 87 



breadth in different minds. Present any one with a wholly novel combination, 

 and he must pause to analyse. 



The facts so far observed are no more than an analysis of the process of learn- 

 ing. The scholar slowly acquires a class of complex ideas, called syllables ; from 

 these he acquires another more compounded, as they coalesce into another class 

 called words. To this I may add, that, as ordinarily takes place in our complex 

 ideas, the combination is entirely (or, to a great degree) different in character 

 from the parts of which it is primarily composed. But, of this there are better 

 examples ; the sounds of the letters are to some extent preserved in most words. 

 Another reason why the example was calculated to mislead is worth notice, — in 

 speech, the sounds of most words are necessarily successive ; and this alone might 

 tend to conceal the simultaneousness of the mental act. But it will be at once 

 recollected that, in reading, the eye has commonly passed over many words, before 

 the tongue has performed its office. 



The general inference is this, — that by habit, groups of signs, of movements, 

 oi facts, thoughts, sensations, or phenomena, acquire certain relations to each 

 other ; and these being acquired, it is the combination alone that becomes the 

 object of thought. 



The parts come simultaneously to the apprehension or sense ; they do not_ 

 even necessarily require to be complete ; it is enough if the character is kept. 

 Hence the deceptions in drawing — the faces in the fire, and the innumerable illu- 

 sions of the eye and ear; and, perhaps, all the senses. 



I think that some more simple illustration of these facts may be satisfactory. 

 Mr. Stewart employs several, but for the most part they are not sufficiently fa- 

 miliar to convey much in the way of illustration. Before I proceed to their 

 analysis I shall, therefore, endeavour to apply the same investigation to some 

 very common and familiar acts, with which most persons must be acquainted. 

 In first learning to ride, there are certain niceties of posture and action, but still 

 of a very simple and easy nature, to be simultaneously attended to. These the 

 finished equestrian (unless he be a riding master) performs unconsciously, and 

 perhaps has forgotten in their separate forms. A simple volition executes for him 

 a compound posture of movement. But, look at the tyro, he learns in a few 

 minutes all the simple rules that are to be taught ; but he cannot govern the 

 gallop, or ride skilfully and with a firm and graceful seat over the bar or wall. 



