ON SENSATION AND ITS OBJE 



IF we proceed to examine the relation which 

 exists between the impressions made by exter- 

 nal objects on the organs of sense, with which 

 animated beings are endowed, and the sensa- 

 tions which are, in consequence, excited ; we 

 shall find, that although it is very true, that in 

 order for sensations to be produced, the agency 

 of external means on the sentient principle is 

 absolutely necessary ; it is, nevertheless, most 

 certain, that the sensation itself does not abide 

 in the external substance by which the impres- 

 sion is made, but in the living and animated 

 being alone. 



That this is the fact, will appear, if the ef- 

 fects are examined, which are produced by the 

 same impressions on beings of different classes, 

 as well as on the same individual at different 

 times. It is very probable, that impressions 



