5 



small end, and roll towards the great ; the 

 consequence is, that the bandage will not stay 

 up, but constantly falls down towards the 

 small end ; because the last round of the 

 roller forming a greater circle than the for- 

 mer, slips over it, and so alternately, till 

 the whole falls down : whereas, were they 

 to begin at the great end, the last round of 

 the roller forming a lesser circle than the 

 former, would support it, and so support 

 each other to the end. This is an instance of 

 prejudice, shutting impenetrably the under- 

 standing, against the irresistible rays of ma- 

 thematical demonstration, which the sceptic 

 who doubts his own existence, never doubted. 



Nor can such an instance be found a- 

 mong the vulgar and illiterate ; but when 

 we look at their theories, we cannot be 

 surprised at any practice. I shall take notice 



