BOOK I PART II
the first species of distance is found to be con-
vertible into the second, it is in this respect a
kind of cause; and the similarity of their man-
ner of affecting the senses, and diminishing ev-
ery quality, forms the relation of resemblance.
After this chain of reasoning and explication
of my principles, I am now prepared to an-
swer all the objections that have been offered,
whether derived from metaphysics or mechan-
ics. The frequent disputes concerning a vac-
uum, or extension without matter prove not
the reality of the idea, upon which the dispute
turns; there being nothing more common, than
to see men deceive themselves in this particu-
lar; especially when by means of any close re-
lation, there is another idea presented, which
may be the occasion of their mistake.
We may make almost the same answer to the