466 On Mental Education. [1855. 



nature. Nothing can better supply them than the intimations 

 we derive from our senses ; to them we trust directly ; by them 

 we become acquainted with external things, and gain the power 

 of increasing and varying facts, upon which we entirely depend. 

 Our sense-perceptions are wonderful. Even in the observant, 

 but unreflective infant, they soon produce a result which looks 

 like intuition, because of its perfection. Coming to the mind 

 as so many data, they are stored up, and without our being 

 conscious, are ever after used in like circumstances in forming 

 our judgment; and it is not wonderful that man should be 

 accustomed to trust them without examination. Nevertheless, 

 the result is the effect of education : the mind has to be 

 instructed with regard to the senses and their intimations 

 through every step of life ; and where the instruction is im- 

 perfect, it is astonishing how soon and how much their evidence 

 fails us. Yet, in the latter years of life, we do not consider 

 this matter, but, having obtained the ordinary teaching sufficient 

 for ordinary purposes, we venture to judge of things which are 

 extraordinary for the time, and almost always with the more 

 assurance as our powers of observation are less educated. 

 Consider the following case of a physical impression, derived 

 from the sense of touch, which can be examined and verified 

 at pleasure : If the hands be brought towards each other so 

 that the tips of the corresponding fingers touch, the end of 

 any finger may be considered as an object to be felt by the 

 opposed finger ; thus the two middle fingers may for the 

 present be so viewed. If the attention be directed to them, 

 no difficulty will be experienced in moving each lightly in a 

 circle round the tip of the other, so that they shall each feel 

 the opposite, and the motion may be either in one direction or 

 the other looking at the fingers, or with eyes employed else- 

 where or with the remaining fingers touching quiescently, or 

 moving in a like direction ; all is easy, because each finger is 

 employed in the ordinary or educated manner whilst obeying 

 the will, and whilst communicating through the sentient organ 

 with the brain. But turn the hands half-way round, so that 

 their backs shall be towards each other, and then, crossing 

 them at the wrists, again bring the like fingers into contact at 

 the tips. If it be now desired to move the extremities of the 

 middle fingers round each other, or to follow the contour of 



