It must be observed too, that the pleasures of the sight are not near so complicated, and confused, and altered by unnatural habits and associations, as the pleasures of the taste are; because the pleasures of the sight more commonly acquiesce in themselves; and are not so often altered by considerations which are independent of the sight itself.

But things do not spontaneously present themselves to the palate as they do to the sight; they are generally applied to it, either as food or as medicine; and from the qualities which they possess for nutritive or medicinal purposes they often form the palate by degrees, and by force of these associations.

Thus opium is pleasing to Turks, on account of the agreeable delirium it produces.

Tobacco is the delight of Dutchmen, as it diffuses a torpor and pleasing stupefaction.

Fermented spirits please our common people, because they banish care, and all consideration of future or present evils.