fituation when it is unwholefome or deftruc tive; and when it is healthy, they allow us, or rather they entice us, to remain in it. But the defire of changing our fituation neceffarily fuppofes fome idea of externality; or of motion into a place different from that in which we actually are; and even the defire of remaining in the fame place fuppofes fome idea of at leaft the poffibility of changing. Thofe fenfations could not well have answered the intention of Nature, had they not thus inftinctively fuggested some vague notion of external existence.

That Sound, the object of the fense of Hearing, though perceived itself as in the ear, and nowhere but in the ear, may likewife, instinctively, and antecedently to all obfervation and experience, obfcurely suggest fome vague notion of fome external fubftance or thing which excites it, I am much difpofed to believe. I acknowledge, however, that I have not been able to recollect any one inftance in which this fenfe feems fo diftinctly to produce this effect, as that of Seeing, that of Smelling, and even that of Heat and Cold, appear to do in fome particular cafes. Unufual and unexpected Sound alarms always, and difpofes us to look about for fome external fubftance or thing as the caufe which excites it, or from which it proceeds. Sound, however, confidered merely as a fenfation, or

as

as an affection of the organ of Hearing, can in moft cafes neither benefit nor hurt us. It may be agreeable or difagreeable, but in its own nature it does not feem to announce any thing beyond the immediate feeling. It should not therefore excite any alarm. Alarm is always the fear of fome uncertain evil beyond what is immediately felt, and from fome unknown and external caufe. But all animals, and men among the reft, feel fome degree of this alarm, ftart, are roufed and rendered circumfpect and attentive by unufual and unexpected Sound. This effect, too, is produced fo readily and fo instantaneously that it bears every mark of an inftinctive fuggeftion of an impreffion immediately ftruck by the hand of Nature, which does not wait for any recollection of past observation and experience. The hare, and all thofe other timid animals to whom flight is the only defence, are fuppofed to poffefs the sense of Hearing in the highest degree of activeness. It seems to be the fenfe in which cowards are very likely to excel.

The three fenfes of Seeing, Hearing, and Smelling, feem to be given to us by Nature, not fo much in order to inform us concerning the actual fituation of our bodies, as concerning that of thofe other external bodies, which, though at some distance from us, may fooner or later affect that actual fituation, and eventually either benefit or hurt us.

ACCOUNT

OF THE

LIFE AND WRITINGS

OF

ADAM SMITH, LL. D.

From the Tranfactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

[Read by Mr. STEWART, January 21, and March 18, 1793-]