WHITE DUCK 107 



and finally producing a reaction. In this instance the 

 impression is the story of a duck described as beau- 

 tiful, the reaction an incredulous smile. The parti- 

 cular connections it strikes into are determined by 

 our past experiences and the association of the pre- 

 sent impression with them. The impression arouses 

 its old associates; they go to meet it; it is received 

 by them, and rearranged by the mind. It is the fate 

 of every impression thus to fall into a mind pre- 

 occupied with memories, ideas, and interests. This 

 mental escort is drawn from the mind's ready-made 

 stock. Our philosopher adds: "In all apperceptive 

 operations of the mind a certain general law makes 

 itself felt — the law of economy. In admitting a new 

 experience we instinctively seek to disturb as little 

 as possible the pre-existing stock of ideas." 



All this is illuminating and helpful, since it enables 

 me to see into my smiling reader's mind and to indulge 

 in a smile on my part. For with what in this case 

 will the object described (a white duck) connect 

 itself ? What are the memories, ideas, interests, 

 already in stock, which will be its associates and form 

 its escort and take it in ? They are of the duck as he 

 has seen, eaten, and known it all his life — the familiar 

 duck of the farmyard, a heavy bird that waddles 

 in its walk and is seen dibbling in horse-ponds or in 

 any mud-puddle. It is the bird which the hen-wife 

 fattens for the market while her husband is fattening 

 the pigs. If any pleasing memories or associations 

 connect themselves with it they are not of an aesthetic 

 character : they refer to the duck without its feathers, 



