324 THE SENSES, 



of his guests. It suffices to pitch tlie gustatory key with either 

 of these, then follow up with Swiss champagne at three 

 shillings the bottle or so. The object is to please. The 

 guests will be pleased : effect identical. 



In discussing the qualities of hearing and vision, it was 

 easy to prove the reality of a harmony an accordance of 

 certain sounds with certain other sounds, of certain colours 

 with others. Exists there a condition of harmony between 

 sounds and tastes each to each? The case is beset with 

 difficulties, not experienced whilst sight and hearing were 

 in debate. Whatever the subject investigated, the process 

 of reasoning acquires precision so soon as the functions of 

 number and quality can be successfully brought to bear. 

 Acoustics and optics are both reduced to mathematical data 

 and formulas : not so the science of taste and smell. 



Cooks knights of the cordon bleu will swear to the har- 

 monies of gustation. The probability is, they are right ; else 

 why should there be repugnance to turbot with currant-jelly, 

 or roast-lamb with soy? Perfumers, again, will tell you 

 that the mingling of scents in such manner that they shall 

 compose well, and come agreeably commended to the nose, 

 involves a knowledge of smell harmonies both varied and 

 profound. That, too, may be. One may accept the state- 

 ment on faith ; but one cannot make it the subject of mathe- 

 matical demonstration. 



From this, might it not seem that our Herschels and 

 Brewsters, our Wheatstones and Savarts, are the mere plod- 

 ding realists ; our Udes and Soyers, our Piesses and Rimmels, 

 the veritable poets men inspired by an ardour they know 

 not what ? Again, this may be. 



In all animals endowed with taste (some would seem not 

 to have this sense), the special organism consists of the tongue 

 and soft palate. Normally, taste is the result of soluble matter 

 coming immediately in contact with the tasting organs : still, 

 not invariably. Thus, electricity can give rise to the sensa- 



