PECULIAR FACULTY IN MAN. 
335 
cardinal point for the purpose of first-knowledge, 
or for refreshing the perceptive operations of it, we 
instinctively notice and record on our memories 
the relative bearings of objects connectedly and 
simultaneously observed therewith ; we likewise 
are apt at times and especially when somewdrat 
divided in opinion, to call to our aid the recollection 
of those very connected objects w r hich had formerly 
impressed some cardinal point (or rather the four 
points) on our mind, and then to compare our pre¬ 
sent relative position as respects those connected 
land-marks to deduce a conviction of the actual 
spot in the horizon equivalent to one or other of 
those points ; thus I bear in my memory the po¬ 
sition and direction of Plymouth Sound, and I can 
as I now sit stretch out my arm parallel with the 
eastern coast of, and I have a conviction that in so 
doing I point nearly south, again, in tracing our 
course to some distant spot by the aid of this said 
faculty, we instinctively take into account as assis¬ 
tant directors, objects noticed on the w ay from it, 
and since indeed we cannot make our way without 
experiencing minor interruptions in our path, w T e 
need the power of rectifying these errors of devi¬ 
ation by considering relative positions of these 
encountered bodies, moreover it appears that if 
blindfolded, or if pursuing our course during the 
dark, we are not capable of proceeding uniformly or 
correctly to the desired point ; this sense therefore 
is not simply internal or mental, it requires the sense 
of sight to perceive the straight lines presented by 
the natural bodies and subjects on the w r ay, and 
therewith to regulate our course conformably to 
obstructing objects to compensate for deviations, 
and to compare the various straight lines one wdth 
another for a discretionary consideration of our 
•s 
position from time to time. One of the commonest 
errors among philosophers that I know' of, is to 
