118 



circle of light of the diameter of his pupil ; and that as he 

 enlarged his notion of space, the circle of light encreased its 

 dimensions ; but without extending to the degree of magni- 

 tude, during his blindness, which it attained after he acquired 

 the use of his sight. It is therefore natural to suppose, that 

 the first objects he perceived would appear to him at least 

 as large as to others, if there was no other peculiarity in his 

 sensations. But according to Cheselden he conceived that 

 all the objects he saw were as close to his eye, as those which 

 he touched, \vere to his hand. No wonder then that every 

 object should appear larger to him than to others, when 

 (subtending an equal superficies to both) he esteemed it to 

 be in contact with his eye, and they perceived it at its proper 

 distance. 



These considerations perhaps afford a sufficient explana- 

 tion of the variance between the actual circumstances of this 

 young man, and those we would previously be inclined to 

 expect. He had a manifest advantage over the infant who 

 is totally destitute of all idea of space. He therefore ac- 

 ^\iired more speedily the art of seeing. And upon the whole 

 it may be considered, that the peculiarities of his case yield 

 a strong confirmation of the doctrine, they seem on a super« 

 ficial view to subvert. 



This topic has perhaps detained us too long 5 but as it fonns 

 JS<(><;iiiW«S and important a part of the history of our habits, 

 it was necessary to render it at lea'st intelligible, and 1 confess 

 I had iK)t the »rt of acconiplishing this in fewer words. 



