LAWS OF NATURE. 357 



ascertaining what kinds of uniformities have been found per- 

 fectly invariable, pervading all nature, and what are those 

 which have been found to vary with difference of time, place, 

 or other changeable circumstances. 



3. The necessity of such a survey is confirmed by the 

 consideration, that the stronger inductions are the touchstone 

 to which we always endeavour to bring the weaker. If we 

 find any means of deducing one of the less strong inductions 

 from stronger ones, it acquires, at once, all the strength of 

 those from which it is deduced ; and even adds to that 

 strength ; since the independent experience on which the 

 weaker induction previously rested, becomes additional evi- 

 dence of the truth of the better established law in which it is 

 now found to be included. We may have inferred, from his- 

 torical evidence, that the uncontrolled power of a monarch, 

 of an aristocracy, or of the majority, will often be abused : 

 but we are entitled to rely on this generalization with much 

 greater assurance when it is shown to be a corollary from still 

 better established facts; the very low degree of elevation of 

 character ever yet attained by the average of mankind, and 

 the little efficacy, for the most part, of the modes of education 

 hitherto practised, in maintaining the predominance of reason 

 and conscience over the selfish propensities. It is at the same 

 time obvious that even these more general facts derive an acces- 

 sion of evidence from the testimony which history bears to the 

 effects of despotism. The strong induction becomes still 

 stronger when a weaker one has been bound up with it. 



On the other hand, if an induction conflicts with stronger 

 inductions, or with conclusions capable of being correctly 

 deduced from them, then, unless on reconsideration it should 

 appear that some of the stronger inductions have been 

 expressed with greater universality than their evidence war- 

 rants, the weaker one must give way. The opinion so long 

 prevalent that a comet, or any other unusual appearance in 

 the heavenly regions, was the precursor of calamities to 

 mankind, or to those at least who witnessed it; the belief in 

 the veracity of the oracles of Delphi or Dodona; the reliance 



