20 



OF TASTE. 



BOOK I. 



CHAPTER I. 



OF THE ELEMENTARY SENSES OF TASTE. 



These are simply the five senses ; each of which, it may be 

 observed, is capable of producing two different kinds of sensa- 

 tions upon the mind. The first kind of sensations seem merely 

 for the purposes of the animal economy, and are enjoyed by 

 many other animals in common with man. 



The second kind of sensations are peculiar to man, and are 

 acquired by practice in and reflection on the first kind of 

 sensations. Thus, at first, we are satisfied with food or liquor 

 of simple and mild qualities; but by practice we come to 

 relish mixtures of sweet, bitter, acid, or astringent substances. 



In music likewise, we at first choose or prefer simple sounds, 

 with which we are pleased or affected according to the nature 

 of the emotion which they are adapted to excite ; afterwards 

 we come to relish particular combinations of dissimilar sounds, 

 in what is called harmony ; and in this perception of compli- 

 cated sounds we even acquire such an exquisitely delicate sen- 

 sation, that the smallest discord disturbs our pleasure, 



