BOOK I PART III
ter of fact we remember, is more or less con-
vincing according as the fact is recent or re-
mote; and though the difference in these de-
grees of evidence be not received by philos-
ophy as solid and legitimate; because in that
case an argument must have a different force to
day, from what it shall have a month hence; yet
notwithstanding the opposition of philosophy,
it is certain, this circumstance has a consider-
able influence on the understanding, and se-
cretly changes the authority of the same argu-
ment, according to the different times, in which
it is proposed to us. A greater force and vi-
vacity in the impression naturally conveys a
greater to the related idea; and it is on the de-
grees of force and vivacity, that the belief de-
pends, according to the foregoing system.
There is a second difference, which we may