. Neither
reason nor habit can accustom us to a present danger, the nature and
extent of which we do not know, nor can they lessen our dread of
unexpected things however often we meet with them. But how can we
guard our pupil against such accidents? I think the following is the
best plan. I will tell my Emile, "If any one attacks you at night, you
are justified in defending yourself; for your assailant gives you no
notice whether he means to hurt you or only to frighten you. As he has
taken you at a disadvantage, seize him boldly, no matter what he may
seem to be. Hold him fast, and if he offers any resistance, hit him
hard and often. Whatever he may say or do, never let go until you know
exactly who he is. The explanation will probably show you that there
is nothing to be afraid of; and if you treat a practical joker in this
way, he will not be likely to try the same thing again."

Although, of all our senses, touch is the one most constantly used,
still, as I have said, its conclusions are the most rude and imperfect.
This is because it is always used at the same time with sight; and
because the eye attains its object sooner than the hand; the mind
nearly always decides without appealing to touch. On the other hand,
the decisions of touch, just because they are so limited in their
range, are the most accurate. For as they extend no farther than our
arm's length, they correct the errors of other senses, which deal with
distant objects, and scarcely grasp these objects at all, whereas all
that the touch perceives it perceives thoroughly. Besides, if to
nerve-force we add muscular action, we form a simultaneous impression,
and judge of weight and solidity as well as of temperature, size, and
shape. Thus touch, which of all our senses best informs us concerning
impressions made upon us by external things, is the one oftenest used,
and gives us most directly the knowledge necessary to our preservation.

The Sense of Sight.

The sense of touch confines its operations to a very narrow sphere
around us, but those of sight extend far beyond; this sense is
therefore liable to be mistaken. With a single glance a man takes in
half his own horizon, and in these myriad impressions, and judgments
resulting from them, how is it credible that there should be no
mistakes? Sight, therefore, is the most defective of all our senses,
precisely because it is most far-reaching, and because its operations,
by far preceding