Mr. Bew on Blindnefs. 175 
quainted with, by means of his other fenfes. 
Thus, for example, if we prefent a violet to him, 
and demand of him what ideas he has of its 
qualities; he will be able to anfwer with great 
preeifion reflecting its fmell, &c. which, as 
well as the name of the violet are foft, fweet, 
and pleafing. But, with regard to the colour, 
he will be wholly unable to conceive any idea 
of it, except what takes place from very diftanc 
analogies: the plaintive melody of the flute, the 
foft fmoothnefs of furfaces, &c. In like man¬ 
ner, by appofite aflfociations, he may compare 
the intenfe colour of fcarlet to the glow of a fur¬ 
nace, the noife of a trumpet, or the odour of 
aromatics ; becaufe they feverally affed his fenfes 
with intenfe excitements. 
But whatever amazing information, the fenfes 
of hearing and touch, may afford the blind ; thefe 
powers would, neverthelefs, be tranfient and 
ineffedual, were not the impreflions and ideas 
they excite in the mind, preferved and matured 
by the afliftance of the memory. It is chiefly 
by the afliftance of the memory, that the blind 
acquire the exquifite advantages, derived frorri 
the other fenfes. In this refped, providential 
benevolence feems to have determined the 
greateft compenfation, for the fevcre deprivation 
of the fenfe of fight. The foul of the blind man, 
tind iff faded by the never ceafing variety which 
is aUvays prefent to the organs of vifion, when 
awake. 
