358 OF THE NATURE 



body feems to be doubtful. The mind has one 

 mode of perception when we deep, and another 

 when we are awake; after death, (he will per- 

 ceive in a manner ftill more different ; and the 

 objeds of fenfation, or matter in general, may- 

 then have no more exigence with regard to her, 

 than our bodies, with which we have no farther 

 conne(ftion. 



But, though we admit the exiftencc of mat- 

 ter, and that it cxifts in the very manner we per- 

 ceive it; yet, in comparing it with the mind, wj 

 Ihall find the latter endovi-ed with qualities fo op- 

 pofite, that we cannot hefitate concerning the 

 difference of its nature, and the fuperiority of 

 its rank. 



It is impofTible to recognife the mind under 

 any other form than that of thinking, which is 

 extrem.ely general, fimple, and uniform. Tliis 

 form is not divifible. extended, impenetrable, 

 nor polfeffes any other quality ot iimtter. The 

 mind, therefore, which is the fubjecl of this 

 form, muft be indivifible and immaterial. Our 

 bodies, on tlie contrary, as well as all external 

 objeds, have many forms, each of which is com- 

 pounded, divifible, and deftrudible; and the 

 whole are only relative to the different organs 

 by which we perceive them. Our bodies, and 

 matter in general, therefore, poifefs noconftant, 

 real, or uniyerfal properties, which can enable 

 VIS to acquire a certainty of their exiftence. A 

 Vlind man has no idea of the images of bodies 



pieicnted 



