BOOK I PART III
tain order and proportion. The first impulse,
therefore, is here broke into pieces, and diffuses
itself over all those images, of which each par-
takes an equal share of that force and vivacity,
that is derived from the impulse. Any of these
past events may again happen; and we judge,
that when they do happen, they will be mixed
in the same proportion as in the past.
If our intention, therefore, be to consider the
proportions of contrary events in a great num-
ber of instances, the images presented by our
past experience must remain in their FIRST
FORM, and preserve their first proportions.
Suppose, for instance, I have found by long ob-
servation, that of twenty ships, which go to sea,
only nineteen return. Suppose I see at present
twenty ships that leave the port: I transfer my
past experience to the future, and represent to