14 



such a? would be confirmed by our senses, provided they were 

 qualified to take cognizance of the objects, or that the objects 

 were within this sphere. He is best qualified to make a com- 

 parison, whose experience is the most extensive ; or who makes 

 the best use of it, so as to comprehend in his judgment the 

 greatest number, and the most pertinent facts, which apply to the 

 question. 



36. As inference is founded on supposed analogy, the whole 

 business of the examination of evidence, and the right of deduc- 

 tion, revolves upon the truth of the analogy, or of the points of 

 similitude upon which the inference is founded. If the analogy 

 between two things is perfect, the two things are identical, and 

 are to be distinguished from one another only by some associated 

 properties or circumstances. Hence an inference which is true of 

 one must necessarily be true of the other, provided the dis- 

 tinguishing properties or circumstances are not in either case 

 essential to the truth of the inference : if they are, a difference 

 may exist in these respects which may render the analogy imper- 

 fect, and the inference untrue. 



