208 



tween them, even when a perfect vacuum is supposed: 

 but this suggestion not being, in that case, founded in 

 reahty, is a mere imagination. It is this imagination that 

 so far imposed on Dr. Clarke and others, as to persuade 

 them to think there is something, where, in fact, there is 

 nothing: an imagination which, arising from an early as- 

 sociation, cannot be got rid of, as Clarke and his corres- 

 pondent allowed; though, by an accurate investigation, it 

 is proved to be a deception. 



When bodies are distant from each other, there is no- 

 thing to prevent another body from being placed between 

 them, if none be already so placed. This denial of any ob- 

 stacle is what is called capacity : it is nothing positive, but 

 merely a possibility, inferred from uncontinuous distance. 

 Still, it will be said, that there is an interval between 

 distant bodies, otherwise they could not be distant; and 

 this interval may be measured, and therefore it is extend- 

 ed. Now, this interval is what is called space; and, con- 

 sequently, space is something real and extended. 



To this argument, which comprehends every thing that 

 can be said, in favour of the reality of space, I answer, 

 that this interval is, in nothing real, different froai dis- 

 tance: and this latter, indeed, is measurable, by means 

 of a solid line, reaching from one of the distant bodies 

 to the other, and consequently extended. To such a line 

 measures may be applied: but, without conceiving such 

 a line, the measures Avould be applied to nothing, which 

 is an evident absurdity. 



Hence 



