119 



We have seem that no object would appear as it exists, and 

 that therefore visioai would be comparatively useless to U5, if 

 it were not for the habit of mentaHy converting visible into 

 tangible objects. The organ of sight \yould be far ever im- 

 perfect without this exercise of the mind. It was not requi- 

 site to consider what assistance is contributed to this effecrt 

 bj tlie love of novelt}^ ia investigating the mere improvement 

 »f the organ of vision ; though doubtless it operates in n^ 

 small degree in promoting that intellectual exercise, so jae- 

 cessarj to its perfection. But it claims an important share 

 of our attention, when we direct our enquiries to |be affec- 

 tions of the mind, as moved and influenced by the objects of 

 sight. 



We hav€ hitherto sketched a history of the combined in- 

 fluence of ihabit and the love of novelty, as they affect us 

 from their birth to their maturity, in relation to the objects 

 of those senses we have already discussed ; but it would be 

 tedious in every part of the subject to advert to minutiae that 

 cannot have escaped the most heedless observer. The eager- 

 ness with which infants relinquish one glittering object for an- 

 other more novel, must have forced itself on every one's notice. 

 Nor are those circumstances less obvious, which evince the 

 full growth of this passion in the mind ; and we cannot look 

 back without strong feelings of interest, to the first instance 

 of our absolute submission to its powerful influence. There 

 is no one that does not cherish the recollection of the solici- 

 tude he felt, in expectation of the first change of scene he 



