Elements of the philosophy of the human mind. By Dugald Stewart. Rev. and abridged, with critical and explanatory notes, for the use of colleges and schools. By Francis Bowen ...

330 IMIAGINATION.
CHAPTER VIL[
OF ISIAGINATIONo
I. AnaZysis of Imagination.-In attempting to draw the
line between conception and imagination, I have already observed, that the province of the fobrmer is to present us with an
exact transcript of what we have formerly felt and perceived;
that of the latter, to make a selection of qualities and of circumstances from a variety of different objects, and by combining and
disposing these, to form a new creation of its own.
According to the definitions adopted in general by modern
philosophers, the province of imagination would appear to be
limited to objects of sight. 6" It is the sense of sight," says Mr.
Addison, " which furnishes the imagination with its ideas; so
that, by the pleasures of imagination, I here mean such as arise
fiom visible objects, either when we have them actually in view,
or when we call up their ideas into our minds by paintings,
statues, descriptions, or any the like occasions. We cannot, indeed, have a single image in the fancy, that did not make its
first entrance through the sight." Agreeably to the same view
of the subject, Dr. Reid observes, that "imagination properly
signifies a lively conception of objects of sight; the former
power being distinguished from the latter, as a part from the
whole. "
Inmagination not limited to objects of sight. - That this limitation of the province of imagination to one particular class of
our perceptions is altogether arbitrary, seems to me to be evident; for, although the greater part of the materials which
imagination combines be supplied by this sense, it is nevertheless indisputable, that our other perceptive faculties also contribute occasionally their share. How many pleasing images