45 2 Mr. olenie’s Method of comparing 
trically, and to fix general laws in relation to them, is 
the object of this paper ; which, as it treats of a fubjedt 
as new as it is general, I flatter myfelf, will not prove 
unacceptable to this learned Society. It would be alto- 
gether fuperfluous for me to mention the great advan- 
tages that muft neceffarily accrue to mathematics in ge- 
neral, from an accurate inveftigation of this fubjedl, fince 
its influence extends more or lefs to every branch of ab- 
ifradt fcience, when any data can be afcertained for rea- 
soning from. I fhall, in a fubfequent paper, take an op- 
portunity of fhewing how, from the theorems after- 
wards delivered in this, a method of reafoning with finite 
magnitudes, geometrically, may be derived, without any 
eonfideration of motion or velocity, applicable to every 
thing to which fluxions have been applied; and fhall 
now proceed to the fubje£t of this paper, after premifing 
the two following definitions. 
DEFINITION I. 
Magnitude is that which admits of increafe or decreafe. 
DEFINITION II. 
^Quantity is the degree of Magnitude. 
By magnitude, befides extenfion, I mean every thing 
which admits of more or lefs, or what can be increafed 
or 
