140 OF LAWS IN GENERAL. 



partly to the vividness with, which the terms of the relation 

 have been cognized, will be the degree in which the con 

 stancy of connexion is perceived. 



The succession in which relations are generalized being 

 thus determined, there result certain derivative principles 

 to which this succession must more immediately and ob 

 viously conform. First is the directness with which 

 personal welfare is affected. While, among surrounding 

 things, many do not appreciably influence us in any 

 way, some produce pleasures and some pains, in various 

 degrees ; and manifestly, those things whose actions on the 

 organism for good or evil are most decided, will, cocteris 

 paribus, be those whose laws of action are earliest ob 

 served. Second comes the conspicuousncss of one or both 

 phenomena between which a relation is to be perceived. On 

 every side are phenomena so concealed as to be detected only 

 by close observation ; others not obtrusive enough to attract 

 notice ; others which moderately solicit the attention ; others 

 so imposing or vivid as to force themselves on consciousness ; 

 and, supposing conditions to be the same, these last will of 

 course be among the first to have their relations general 

 ized. In the third place, we have the absolute frequency 

 with which the relations occur. There are coexistences and 

 sequences of all degrees of commonness, from those which 

 are ever present to those which are extremely rare ; and 

 manifestly, the rare coexistences and sequences, as well 

 as the sequences which are very long in taking place, 

 will not be reduced to law so soon as those which are 

 familiar and rapid. Fourthly has to be added 

 the relative frequency of occurrence. Many events and ap 

 pearances are limited to certain times or certain places, or 

 both ; and, as a relation which does not exist within the 

 environment of an observer cannot be perceived by him, 

 however common it may be elsewhere or in another age, we 

 have to take account of the surrounding physical circum- 



