110 COSMIC PHILOSOPHY. [ft. u. 



containing some unknown liquid, thrust into the n.outh by 

 another person in the dark. Here the only clue to the cha- 

 racter of the liquid is its taste ; and when, by its peculiar mild 

 pungencv, the liquid is recognized as bromide of potassium, 

 the psychical process consists of a gustatoiy sensation ^^ms an 

 act of classification by which the sensation is grouped with 

 other like sensations previously received. The example is .i 

 good one, as showing us also the obverse case. If bromide of 

 potassium has not been previously tasted, the result is simply 

 gustatory sensation unattended by perception ; or rather, it is 

 gustatory sensation generically classified as mildly pungent, 

 but not specifically referred to any known liquid, and there- 

 fore only partially interpreted. There is perception, but it is 

 incomplete. 



It is not pretended that these psychological truths are 

 established by the crude and fragmentary exposition here 

 given. The numerous observations and experiments upon 

 which they are based would be very interesting to recount ; 

 but our space does not admit of detailed proof, nor is it 

 needed ; since these truths are the common property of psy- 

 chologists, and will be questioned by no competent student of 

 the phenomena of mind. Referring, for minute and elabo- 

 rate proof, to Mr. Spencer's " Principles of Psychology," let 

 us be content with setting down the implication which is 

 common to all these conclusions ; namely, that between the 

 various psychical processes thus far contemplated, which in- 

 clude alike the measurement of celestial distances by the 

 astronomer, and the direct perception of objects by the un- 

 learned child, or indeed by the ape or dog, there is generic 

 identity. The fundamental characteristic which is common 

 to them all is the reception of certain groups of sensations, 

 accompanied by the classification of these groups of sensa- 

 tions, and of the relations between them, according to their 

 various likenesses and unlikenesses. The difference between 

 the highest and the lowest of the processes thus brought 



