tional quality of other sensations; we
need not be surprised that the high rate of vibration which yields a
sharp note to the ear should involve somewhat the same feeling
that is produced by the high rate of vibration which, to the eye,
yields a violet colour. These affinities escape many minds; but it is
conceivable that the sense of them should be improved by accident
or training. There are certain effects of colour which give all men
pleasure, and others which jar, almost like a musical discord. A
more general development of this sensibility would make possible
a new abstract art, an art that should deal with colours as music
does with sound.

We have not studied these effects, however, with enough attention,
we have not allowed them to penetrate enough into the soul, to
think them very significant. The stimulation of fireworks, or of
kaleidoscopic effects, seems to us trivial. But everything which has
a varied content has a potentiality of form and also of meaning.
The form will be enjoyed as soon as attention accustoms us to
discriminate and recognize its variations; and meaning will accrue
to it, when the various emotional values of these forms ally the
new object to all other experiences which involve similar emotions,
and thus give it a sympathetic environment in the mind. The
colours of the sunset have a brilliancy that attracts attention, and a
softness and illusiveness that enchant the eye; while the many
associations of the evening and of heaven gather about this kindred
charm and deepen it. Thus the most sensuous of beauties can be
full of sentimental suggestion. In stained glass, also, we have an
example of masses of colour made to exert their powerful direct
influence, to intensify an emotion eventually to be attached to very
ideal objects; what is in itself a gorgeous and unmeaning ornament,
by its absolute impressiveness becomes a vivid symbol of those
other ultimates which have a similar power over the soul.

_Materials surveyed._

Sec. 18. We have now gone over those organs of perception that give
us the materials out of which we construct objects, and mentioned
the most conspicuous pleasures which, as they arise from those
organs, are easily merged in the ideas furnished by the same. We
have also noticed that these ideas, conspicuous as they are in our
developed and operating consciousness, are not so much factors in
our thought, independent contributors to it, as they are
discriminations and ex