BOOK I PART III
First then I observe, that the present impres-
sion has not this effect by its own proper power
and efficacy, and when considered alone, as a
single perception, limited to the present mo-
ment. I find, that an impression, from which,
on its first appearance, I can draw no conclu-
sion, may afterwards become the foundation of
belief, when I have had experience of its usual
consequences. We must in every case have ob-
served the same impression in past instances,
and have found it to be constantly conjoined
with some other impression. This is confirmed
by such a multitude of experiments, that it ad-
mits not of the smallest doubt.
From a second observation I conclude, that
the belief, which attends the present impres-
sion, and is produced by a number of past im-
pressions and conjunctions; that this belief, I