BOOK III PART II
is not any thing real in the objects, but is the off-
spring of the sentiments, on which alone time
is found to have any influence.^18
We acquire the property of objects by acces-
sion, when they are connected in an intimate
manner with objects that are already our prop-
erty, and at the same time are inferior to them.
Thus the fruits of our garden, the offspring of
our cattle, and the work of our slaves, are all of
them esteemed our property, even before pos-
session. Where objects are connected together
(^18) Present possession is plainly a relation betwixt a
person and an object; but is not sufficient to counter-
ballance the relation of first possession, unless the for-
mer be long and uninterrupted: In which case the rela-
tion is encreased on the side of the present possession,
by the extent of time, and dlminished on that of first
possession, by the distance, This change in the relation
produces a consequent change in the property.