109 



need be told." (Section 5?.) " Of visible points we see at 

 all times an equal number. It is every whit as great when 

 our view is contracted and bounded by near objects, as when 

 it is extended to larger and remoter. For it being impossible 

 that one minimum visibile should obscure or keep out of sight 

 more than one other, it is a plain consequence that when my 

 view is on all sides bounded by the walls of my study, I see 

 just as many visible points, as I could, in case that by the 

 removal of the study walls and all other obstructions, I had 

 a full prospect of the circumjacent fields, mountains, sea, 

 and firmament : for so long as I am shut up within the 

 walls, by their interposition every point of the external ob- 

 jects is covered from my view : but each point ihat is seen, 

 being able to cover or exclude from sight one only other 

 corresponding point, it follows that while my sight is con- 

 fined to those narrow walls, I see as many points or minima 

 visibilia as I should, were those walls away, by looking on 

 all the external objects, whose prospect is intercepted by 

 them. Whenever therefore we are said to have a greater 

 prospect at one time than another, this must be understood 

 with relation, not to the proper and immediate, but the 

 secondary and mediate objects of vision, which properly be- 

 long to the touch." (Section 82.) 



Adam Smith, the elegant eulogist of Berkeley, elucidates 

 his theory in his Essay on the External Senses; and his ex- 

 quisite illustrations are well entitled to the applauses he be- 

 stows on his predecessor. He has added many improve- 

 ments of his own, to the merit of which he modesti}' dis- 



