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ture in the mind of some former sensation. But 

 by imagination we take a bit of one of these 

 pictures and a bit of another we select differ- 

 ent circumstances from a variety of things that 

 we have seen-^and by combining them together 

 according to some particular view, we form a new 

 creation, and obtain the idea of something that 

 we have not seen. 



" Very well, my little Bertha," said my uncle 

 smiling, " I like to see you exert your mind : 

 but I would alter one part of your definition 

 I would not confine the imagination to objects of 

 sight only; for though the mind dwells with 

 greater facility on those that have been supplied 

 by that sense, yet it is equally certain that our 

 other perceptive faculties contribute their share 

 also. The least imaginative person must recol- 

 lect the many pleasing images which have been 

 excited by the fragrance of distant fields, and 

 the melody of unseen birds; and if you will 

 accustom yourself to examine the process of your 

 own imagination, you will find that an ample 

 proportion of the subjects which pass through it 

 are derived from all your senses." 



" But, uncle, do you think that I have 

 such a metaphysical head as to be able to dis- 

 cover what is going on in my imagination ? A 

 thought comes, and though it is easy to per- 

 ceive the immediate circumstance that suggested 

 it, I am sure rny giddy mind could not trace it 

 further back than the first step." 



