233 



he true, of the objects which we see or feel, or of matter: hut as 

 a difference must he confessed hetween matter and other properties, 

 of whose reality we have also a sensible testimony, so we cannot 

 deduce an inference from analogy, where we have ascertained 

 diversity; on points where matter and spirit agree, we may found an 

 inference: as, in a mere question of existence, which is common to 

 both, from witnessing that no material constitutions arise spon- 

 taneously, without a formation, by the causes of which they consist, 

 we infer that causation is equally necessary to spiritual forms; be- 

 cause as both exist, this point of analogy justifies the inference so 

 far as the analogy goes. 



31. And this reference to causation brings us up to the true 

 solution of the matter. It has been shewn that every identity is 

 made by the combination of differentials, or of causes separately 

 different from the effect. Hence if it be asked whether there is any 

 thing which is not solid? we may ask, what makes that property 

 which we call solidity] to which it must be replied, other properties 

 which are different from that of solidity; for if they are not diffe- 

 rent, then solidity exists per se, or has sprung into existence of its 

 own accord, which is as much as to say that it has capabilities, be- 

 fore it is; and is contrary to the standing axiom of tx nihilo nihil 

 &c. already sufficiently remarked upon. 



32. Some grosser facts might also be urged against this doc- 

 trine of universal materialism, or against our second alternative, viz. 

 that infinitely divisible particles, constituting the subtilest fluids, 

 pervade substances by filling infinitely minute interstices of appa- 

 rently solid masses. Still grosser facts may be urged against this 

 doctrine : as that fluids so subtile as to pass through the most dense, 

 should certainly pass more readily through the more porous sub- 

 stances. Thus, light, which is transmitted through glass, a matter 

 having no perceptible interstices under the most powerful magnifier; 

 light, so readily transmitted by glass, should certainly be transmitted 

 through a stone four inches thick, the texture of which is sufficiently 

 open to permit a filtration of the grosser aqueous fluids. 



33. This digression becomes tedious: the case is, that which it 

 has been stated in our preliminary articles; the various causes which 

 are contained in the world, as well those in the smallest sphere as 

 those of one half of the universe, hold, with respect to each other, 

 certain relations by which they combine and make effects, differing 

 from themselves; these causes respectively, of course, retain their 

 existence in this work of causation; but two are different from one, 

 and it is upon the same principle that an effect is different from its 

 causes. Some causes that are combined in masses preserve their 

 identity; that is, they are recognized or not lost in the combination : 

 this is determined by that further relation, before spoken of, which 

 things have with our faculties. 



34. It will be seen from the general tendency of this, which I 

 have called a digression, that the first alternative is the one which I 

 am disposed to adopt; and which may be re-stated thus: properties 

 I I 



