Translation from Hering 73 



the standpoint of the physiologist, and is also proved by 

 our unconsciousness of many whole series of ideas and 

 of the inferences we draw from them. If the soul is not 

 to slip through the fingers of physiology, she must hold 

 fast to the considerations suggested by our unconscious 

 states. As far, however, as the investigations of the pure 

 physicist are concerned, the unconscious and matter are 

 one and the same thing, and the physiology of the un- 

 conscious is no " philosophy of the unconscious." 



By far the greater number of our movements are the 

 result of long and arduous practice. The harmonious co- 

 operation of the separate muscles, the finely adjusted 

 measure of participation which each contributes to the 

 working of the whole, must, as a rule, have been laboriously 

 acquired, in respect of most of the movements that are 

 necessary in order to effect it. How long does it not take 

 each note to find its way from the eyes to the fingers of 

 one who is beginning to learn the pianoforte ; and, on the 

 other hand, what an astonishing performance is the playing 

 of the professional pianist. The sight of each note occasions 

 the corresponding movement of the fingers with the speed 

 of thought — a hurried glance at the page of music before 

 him suffices to give rise to a whole series of harmonies ; 

 nay, when a melody has been long practised, it can be 

 played even while the player's attention is being given 

 to something of a perfectly different character over and 

 above his music. 



The will need now no longer wend its way to each 

 individual finger before the desired movements can be 

 extorted from it ; no longer now does a sustained attention 

 keep watch over the movements of each limb ; the will 

 need exercise a supervising control only. At the word of 

 command the muscles become active, with a due regard 

 to time and proportion, and go on working, so long as they 

 are bidden to keep in their accustomed groove, while a 

 slight hint on the part of the will, will indicate to them their 

 further journey. How could all this be if every part of 



