27 Aug. 1815

E  B — +

I. Prolego

Ch. Imperfections

4

Marks of Verity

The portions of space and time respectively designated by the designation made of the essential or essentially characteristic individualizing circumstances may be more or less (particular and) determinate. CJF Query use determinant and/or determinate in 18/19c??

Thus as to what regards space or place. Suppose the matter of fact alledged a true one, and a certain room in a certain house, situated in a certain street, in a certain town, in the statement in question the time alone is mentioned here will be in a certain degree a limitation set to the description of the place: in comparison of the cases in which not the town but only is mentioned, the designation, the mode of designation here employed will be […?] […?] more particular and determinate. To the mention of the town add that of the street—to that of the street add that of the side of the street, to that of the side of the street the house designated by the number if there is one: in the house designate the floor on which the room is situated: in the room, whether the middle or any one and which of its sides.

Suppose the matter of fact to be a state a quiescent state of things: the existence for example of a cabinet at one side of the room—say a box standing on the floor of the left-hand corner of that side of the room which is bounded by the street. Beginning with the one first mentioned, suppose at each successive step the space grows narrower and narrower the designation grows more and more determinate the designation to proceed through all the others in the order in which they are here brought to view the farther it proceeds on, the greater the degree of particularity.

When the particularity has reached its utmost limit, the portion designated in the narrative or statement as occupied by the portion of matter in question say a pistol, all the matters of fact being supposed true coincide most exactly with the portion of space actually and really occupied by it.

8 or 1

Individualizing circumstances may be more or less particular and determinate.

9 or 2

Place suppose a House. Individualizing circumstances more and more particular are

1. The town. 2. the street. 3. the side of the street. 4. the place in the length of the street. 5. the house. 6. the floor. 7. the room on the floor. 8. the part of the room i.e. whether exactly in the middle or [...?] to which side.

10 or 3

Matter of fact suppose (at the time in question) the existence of a certain quiescent state of things: say a cabinet on one side of the room, as above. Particularity or at its maximum when the existence of a pistol in that cabinet being the matter of fact in question, the exact portion of space really occupied by it is described as occupied by it.