BOOK I PART II
pute without understanding perfectly the sub-
ject of the controversy. It is evident the idea
of darkness is no positive idea, but merely the
negation of light, or more properly speaking,
of coloured and visible objects. A man, who
enjoys his sight, receives no other perception
from turning his eyes on every side, when en-
tirely deprived of light, than what is common
to him with one born blind; and it is certain
such-a-one has no idea either of light or dark-
ness. The consequence of this is, that it is not
from the mere removal of visible objects we re-
ceive the impression of extension without mat-
ter; and that the idea of utter darkness can
never be the same with that of vacuum.
Suppose again a man to be supported in the
air, and to be softly conveyed along by some
invisible power; it is evident he is sensible of