BOOK II PART III
ruption must weaken the idea by breaking the
action of the mind, and hindering the concep-
tion from being so intense and continued, as
when we reflect on a nearer object. The fewer
steps we make to arrive at the object, and the
smoother the road is, this diminution of vivac-
ity is less sensibly felt, but still may be observed
more or less in proportion to the degrees of dis-
tance and difficulty.
Here then we are to consider two kinds of
objects, the contiguous and remote; of which
the former, by means of their relation to our-
selves, approach an impression in force and vi-
vacity; the latter by reason of the interruption
in our manner of conceiving them, appear in a
weaker and more imperfect light. This is their
effect on the imagination. If my reasoning be
just, they must have a proportionable effect on