lfactive sense。 Without the shy； fugitive；
often unobserved sensations and the certainties which taste； smell； and
touch give me； I should be obliged to take my conception of the universe
wholly from others。 I should lack the alchemy by which I now infuse into
my world light； colour； and the Protean spark。 The sensuous reality
which interthreads and supports all the gropings of my imagination would
be shattered。 The solid earth would melt from under my feet and disperse
itself in space。 The objects dear to my hands would bee formless；
dead things； and I should walk among them as among invisible ghosts。
RELATIVE VALUES OF THE SENSES
VII
RELATIVE VALUES OF THE SENSES
I WAS once without the sense of smell and taste for several days。 It
seemed incredible； this utter detachment from odours； to breathe the air
in and observe never a single scent。 The feeling was probably similar；
though less in degree； to that of one who first loses sight and cannot
but expect to see the light again any day； any minute。 I knew I should
smell again some time。 Still； after the wonder had passed off； a
loneliness crept over me as vast as the air whose myriad odours I
missed。 The multitudinous subtle delights that smell makes mine became
for a time wistful memories。 When I recovered the lost sense； my heart
bounded with gladness。 It is a fine dramatic touch that Hans Andersen
gives to the story of Kay and Gerda in the passage about flowers。 Kay；
whom the wicked magician's glass has blinded to human love； rushes away
fiercely from home when he discovers that the roses have lost their
sweetness。
The loss of smell for a