SECT. XV. 3. CLASSES OF IDEAS. 



If we re-excite the ideas, in which they differ, 

 it is called diftinguifhing. If we re-excite thofe in 

 which they correfpond, it is called comparing. 



3. Invention is an operation of the fenforium, 

 by which we voluntarily continue to excite one 

 train of ideas, fuppofe the defign of railing water 

 by a machine ; and at the fame time attend to all 

 other ideas, which are connected with this by 

 every kind of catenation ; and combine or fepa- 

 rate them voluntarily for the purpofe of obtaining 

 fome end. 



For we can create nothing new, we can only 

 combine or feparate the ideas, which we have al- 

 ready received by our perceptions : thus if I wifli 

 to reprefent a monfler, I call to my mind the ideas 

 of every thing difagreeable and horrible, and com- 

 bine the naftinefs and gluttony of a hog, the ftupi^ 

 dity and obftinacy of an afs, with the fur and awk- 

 wardnefs of a bear, and call the new combination. 

 Caliban. Yet fuch a monfter may exift in nature, 

 as all his attributes are parts of nature. So when 

 I wifti to reprefent every thing, that is excellent, 

 and amiable ; when I combine benevolence with 

 cheerfulnefs, wifdom, knowledge, tafte, wit, beau- 

 ty of perfon, and elegance of manners, and aflb- 

 ciate them in one lady as a pattern to the world, it 

 is called invention ; yet fuch a perfon may exift,- 

 fuch a perfon does exift ! It is < . , 



who is as much a monfter as Caliban. 



4. In refpecl to confcioufnefs, we are only con- 

 fcious of our exiftence, when we think about it ; 

 as we only perceive the lapfe of time, when we at- 

 tend to it ; when we are bufied about other objects, 

 neither the lapfe of time nor the confcioufnefs of 

 our own exiftence can occupy our attention. Hence, 

 when we think of our own exiftence, we only ex- 



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