This is a kind of truth, which is so direct and obvious in its nature, so open to the apprehension, and so familiar to the mind of all men, that it seems to have escaped philosophical inquiry and critical examination. As it is, however, a species of truth of more universal extent than any other, and of more immediate importance in every stage and sphere of life; and especially, since by the decree of Providence it has been made a principal foundation of those supreme and sublime truths, which are the main object of this analysis, it demands, in this place, a logical consideration 3.

ἀλλὰ περὶ τῶ ἐσομένω, καὶ ἐνδεχομένω. τὸ δὲ γεγονὸς ἐκ ἐνδέχεται μὴ γενέσθαι. διὸ ὀρθῶς Αγάθων,

"On the evidence of facts, as regards our external senses, the reader should study the original and profound “ Inquiry" of Dr. Reid. Also Campbell's Dissertation on Miracles.-Editor.

FACTS

SECT. II.

The Principle of Facts.

ACTS have a most intimate and inseparable connexion with physical science. As truths, they derive their existence from the same first principle, the notices and indications of the external senses; and had it not been for their close connexion with the subject of the succeeding chapter, they would have been entitled to the precedence in this logical arrangement, as they supply the foundation of all physical deductions; for without experiments, which are a species of facts, there can be no sound philosophy of

nature.

But whereas physics quit the first impressions made upon the senses by individual objects, and from phenomena and effects by the aid of experiment descend to the investigation of qualities and causes, in order to form general laws for the proof of particular

truths1, which are permanent, and will extend to all times and places so long as nature remains the same; facts, as truths, result immediately from the individual objects presented to the senses, from the phenomena and effects themselves, and though certain, are transient, and confined within the limits of time and place.

They are all particular independent truths, not deriving their proof from generals, as those of physics; but requiring for their confirmation, that a particular event, or series of events should occur to the ocular notice of a person or persons at a certain time and place; that a particular phenomenon appeared; or that a particular thing was heard, or seen, to be said or done. Thus for the proof of facts, the coincidence of a particular transaction, person, time, or place is absolutely required; and the evidence of the external senses of those who

Philosophia individua dimittit, neque impressiones primas individuorum, sed notiones ab illis abstractas complectitur; atque in iis componendis et dividendis, ex lege naturæ et rerum ipsarum evidentia, versatur. Atque hoc prorsus officium est atque opificium rationis. Bacon. De Augm. Scient. lib. ii. cap. 1.

were the immediate witnesses is the first

and last credential.

That on Friday the 13th day of March 1789, the university and city of Oxford expressed their loyalty and affection to our amiable and illustrious sovereign, the father of his country, and the friend of all men, and testified a universal and unbounded joy for his recovery from a long and dangerous sickness, and his resumption of the throne of these kingdoms, by a general illumination,-this is a fact of which we, who were present, were rejoiced to be convinced; and of which conviction the evidence of sight, the most familiar of the senses, was the adequate and sufficient cause.— Here was a full coincidence of all the particulars which are requisite to evince and establish

the truth of facts.

SECT. III.

Of Reasoning on Facts.

AR from being the consequences

FAR

or

conclusions of any process of reason, facts result immediately from the senses. They convince the mind, without its considering or attending to their physical or other causes, and become themselves, as first principles of reasoning.

As truths, each of them stands on its separate and independent basis, terminating and concluding in itself; so that all direct comparisons and judgments between one fact and another, or between a fact and any other thing, is irrelevant to their truth, and consequently all inductive reasoning is excluded. For moral and political purposes they are often indeed generalized and arranged in classes; but as truths, they want no general propositions from which they are to be deduced as consequences; and as they admit of no secondary principle, all reason