134 INFANCY. 



the idea which the image of it formed in his eye, and he ma rf 

 affirm with truth, that he beheld an object terrible in its aspect 

 and enormous in its size. Hence the notion of spectres, and 

 of horrible figures, is founded in nature, and depends not 

 solely on imagination. 



When we have no idea of the distance of objects by a pre- 

 vious knowledge of the space between them and the eye, we 

 try to judge of their magnitudes by recognizing their figures. 

 But when their figures are not distinguishable, we perceive 

 those which are most brilliant in color to be nearest, and 

 those that are most obscure to be at the greatest distance. 

 From this mode of judging many deceptions originate. When 

 a number of objects are placed in a right line, as lamps in a 

 long street, we cannot judge of their proximity or remoteness 

 but by the different quantities of light they transmit to the 

 eye. Of course, if the lamps nearest the eye happen to be 

 more obscure than those which are more remote, the first will 

 appear to be last, and the last first. 



CHAPTER V. 



OF INFANCY. 



BY the term Infancy is meant that portion of life which 

 commences at birth, and terminates at the period when ani- 

 mals have acquired the power of self-preservation, without 

 any assistance from their parents. This period varies greatly 

 in different animals. Of course, when different species are 

 mentioned, the term infancy must have very different limita- 

 tions with regard to time. 



The state of infancy, in the human species, continues 

 longer than in any other animal. Infants, immediately after 

 birth, are indeed extremely helpless, and require every assist- 

 ance and attention from the mother. Most writers, however, 

 on this subject, seem to have exaggerated not only the imbe- 

 cility, but the miseries of the infant state. 



Though infants remain longer in a state of imbecility than 

 the young of other animals, they are by no means more help- 

 less. The instant after birth, they are capable of sucking 

 whatever is presented to their mouths. When in the same 



