162 OF SECONDARY PROPOSITIONS. [CHAP. XI. 



will appear, that the formal laws to which the operations of the mind 

 are subject, are identical in expression in both cases. The mathe- 

 matical processes which are founded on those laws are, therefore, 

 identical also. Thus the methods which have been investigated 

 in the former portion of this work will continue to be available 

 in the new applications to which we are about to proceed. But 

 while the laws and processes of the method remain unchanged, 

 the rule of interpretation must be adapted to new conditions. 

 Instead of classes of*, things, we shall have to substitute propo- 

 sitions, and for the relations of classes and individuals, we shall 

 have to consider the connexions of propositions or of events. 

 Still, between the two systems, however differing in purport and 

 interpretation, there will be seen to exist a pervading harmonious 

 relation, an analogy which, while it serves to facilitate the con- 

 quest of every yet remaining difficulty, is of itself an interesting 

 subject of study, and a conclusive proof of that unity of cha- 

 racter which marks the constitution of the human faculties. 



PROPOSITION I. 



5. To investigate the nature of the connexion of Secondary Pro- 

 positions with the idea of Time. 



It is necessary, in entering upon this inquiry, to state clearly 

 the nature of the analogy which connects Secondary with Primary 

 Propositions. 



Primary Propositions express relations among things, viewed 

 as component parts of a universe within the limits of which, 

 whether coextensive with the limits of the actual universe or 

 not, the matter of our discourse is confined. The relations ex- 

 pressed are essentially substantive. Some, or all, or none, of the 

 members of a given class, are also members of another class. 

 The subjects to which primary propositions refer the relations 

 among those subjects which they express are all of the above 

 character. 



But in treating of secondary propositions, we find ourselves con- 

 cerned with another class both of subjects and relations. For the 

 subjects with which we have to do are themselves propositions, so 

 that the question may be asked, Can we regard these subjects 



