134 THE CREATION OF MATTER 



sound, an offensive smell, a nauseous taste, a severe 

 blow. The lightning perilously near startles ; the thunder 

 alarms, but does not drive it from its seat. Many tastea 

 and smells strike it unto immeasurable disgust, but not 

 unto falling from its throne. 



(3) The union is of unlike natures. The perceiving 

 nature on the view we now present belongs to a sphere 

 high above the organ of perception. It has powers high 

 as heaven above every material element. And yet it is 

 brought into perfect union with the brain, and they 

 co-operate with, and minister to, each other as true 

 yokefellows. Their characteristics meet as at mathe- 

 matical points. Their properties are measured for each 

 other, in order to union, with an accuracy as perfect as 

 those of atom for atom, or of the ether for molecules. 

 Atoms cling to atoms cohesively and chemically, and 

 sometimes with exceeding great tenacity. No explana- 

 tion can be given of the ordered action of these forces, 

 save that the substances are so adjusted to each other 

 as to act in this manner, are so adjusted by intelligence. 

 But far more must we postulate adjustments of the most 

 extraordinary nature, of the most exquisite perfection, 

 in order to the possibility of stable union and combined 

 action of natures so diverse as those of the perceiving 

 nature and the organ of all perception, and far more must 

 we ascribe these adjustments to a great understanding. 



The correspondences between the two natures. There 

 are then two natures the perceiving and the perceived ; 

 the subject and the object; the sense power and the 

 phenomena of matter. All that follows is true, whatever 

 view may be taken of the nature in which the perceptive 

 power inheres. 



1. These two powers are distinct and independent. 

 The power of producing impressions is totally different 



