individuals confidered as thus connected, which name, by gathering them together into one clafs, ferves in a curt manner to exprefs the whole of thefe individuals as diftinct from others. Thus the word animal ferves to denote every being which hath self-motion; and the words man, horse, lion, &c. answer fimilar purposes. This is the first and most common fort of abftraction; and it is of the most extenfive use, by enabling us to comprehend in our reafoning whole kinds and forts, inftead of individuals without end. The next fort of abstract ideas and terms comprehends a number of individual objects confidered as connected by fome occafional relation. A great number of perfons collected together in one place, without any other relation but merely that of contiguity, are denominated a crowd: in forming this term, we abftract from fex, from age, from condition, from drefs, &c. A number of perfons connected by being fubjected to the fame laws and to the fame. government, are termed a nation; and a number of men fubjected to the fame mili tary may tary command, are termed an army. A 42. Abstract terms are a happy invention: it is by their means chiefly, that the particulars which we make the subject of our reafoning, are brought into clofe union, and feparated from all others however naturally connected. Without the aid of fuch terms, the mind could never be kept fteady to its proper fubject, but would perpetually be in hazard of assuming foreign circumstances or neglecting what are effential. In a word, a general term denotes in a curt manner certain objects occafionally combined. We can, without the aid of language, compare real objects by intuition, when these objects are prefent; and, when abfent, we can compare them by means of the ideas we have of them: but when we advance farther, and attempt to make inferences, and draw conclufions, we always employ abstract ་ abstract terms, even in thinking. It would be as difficult to reafon without them, as as to perform operations in algebra without figns : for there is scarce any reasoning without fome degree of abftraction; and we cannot abstract to purpose without making use of general terms. Hence it follows, that without language man would scarce be a rational being. 43. The fame thing, in different refpects, has different names. With respect to certain qualities, it is termed a fubftance; with respect to other qualities, a body; and with respect to qualities of all forts, a fubject: it is termed a paffive fubject with respect to an action exerted upon it; an object with respect to a percipient; a caufe with respect to the effect it produces; and an effect with refpect to its cause. I NDE X. [The volumes are denoted by numeral letters, the pages by A Bftract idea) defined iii. 402. Abstract ideas Abstraction) power of iii. 401. Its ufe iii. 402. 403. Rules for ac- Accent) defined ii. 361. The mufical accents that 415. How far af- Accent and pause Action) what feelings are raised by human actions i. tion as in the head iii. 377. Internal action may Affectation) defined ii. 11. Affection) to children accounted for i. 82. To blood- Agamemnon) of Seneca cenfured ii. 193. Allegory iii. 108. &c. More difficult in painting than 297. Amynta) of Tafso cenfured ii. 167. Amor patria) accounted for i. 88. Amphimacer ii. 460. Analytic) and synthetic methods of reasoning compa- Anapæftus ii. 460. Anger) explained i. 95. &c. Sometimes exerted a- Animals) |