of the soul confdered. 409

the body should be liable to no disorder, con-trary to the nature of mechanism; or thesoul should feel no disorder, contrary to thecondition of their union: for then it wouldnot be sensible even of the right order anddisposition of the body.

XV. I might speak to every particular inthe present objection : but that would be tootedious. It hath been observed, that percep-tion (of external objects) is regularly excitedby certain modified motions through the or-gans (a): and if these modified motions aredisturbed, or modified after an unwontedand strange manner (as it is impossible theyshould not in the present case) how can per-ception be regular ? And this is applicable tomore difficulties than the present. Some peo-ple stick by their bottle so long, till they donot know the persons they fat down with;Now if the like should happen in the fit ofa fever, or other disease; where is the won-der! It would be a wonder indeed, if such asoft and yielding substance as the sensory,suffered as little alteration, as if it had thestrength and firmness of brass. (See N° 1 2.

{a) Note at (») N° 15. of the last.

above.)