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to be kept quite separate ; because percep- 

 tion, as an operation of the mind, has no 

 existence but through the medium of im- 

 pressions on the organs of sense : percep- 

 tion, therefore, in the mind, and sensation 

 in the organ, although distinct operations 

 in themselves, are practically inseparable. 

 I am ready, for instance, to allow, that an 

 eye unassisted, sees nothing but light va- 

 riously modified ; but where will you find 

 such an eye ? We have all learned to dis- 

 tinguish by the sight alone, not only form 

 in general, but, likewise, its different qua- 

 lities ; such as hardness, softness, rough- 

 ness, smoothness, &c. and to judge of the 

 distance and gradation of objects : all 

 these ideas, it is true, are originally ac- 

 quired by the touch ; but from use, they 

 are become as invariably connected with 

 objects of sight, as the very perceptions of 

 the colours themselves. You may possibly 

 be able, so to abstract your attention from 

 all these heterogeneous qualities, as to see 

 light and colours only ; but, for my part, 

 I plainly see that old gypsey's wrinkles, as 



