_Doux_ in French signifies soft as well as sweet.

The Latin _dulcis_, and the Italian _dolce_, have in many cases the same double signification.

That sweet things are generally relaxing, is evident; because all such, especially those which are most oily, taken frequently, or in a large quantity, very much enfeeble the tone of the stomach.

Sweet smells, which bear a great affinity to sweet tastes, relax very remarkably.

The smell of flowers disposes people to drowsiness; and this relaxing effect is further apparent from the prejudice which people of weak nerves receive from their use.