BOOK I PART III
ity on the colours without either multiplying
or enlarging the figure. This operation of the
mind has been so fully explained in treating of
the probability of chance, that I need not here
endeavour to render it more intelligible. Every
past experiment may be considered as a kind of
chance; I it being uncertain to us, whether the
object will exist conformable to one experiment
or another. And for this reason every thing that
has been said on the one subject is applicable to
both.
Thus upon the whole, contrary experiments
produce an imperfect belief, either by weaken-
ing the habit, or by dividing and afterwards
joining in different parts, that perfect habit,
which makes us conclude in general, that in-
stances, of which we have no experience, must
necessarily resemble those of which we have.