3 July 1812

Evidence Introd

Introd

Ch 23 Technically appropriate

'.1. Sketch Law

Of technically appropriate evidence: i.e. of evidence considered as regulated by the pleadings and other proceedings in the case.

'.1. Technically appropriate evidence under statute law.

After all that, in the course of this work, hath as yet been said on the subject of evidence though now brought to a close - a conception which by a professional reader at least will be apt to be entertained, is - that of the proper field of evidence a full moiety remains still unvisited.

But if of this supposed remaining moiety the particulars be looked into, it will be found that if it can not be said of them with strict truth that of the questions /subjects therein touched /treated/ upon there is not one that bears any relation to evidence, yet at any rate that there is not one of them the mention /consideration/ of which could with propriety find a place in a work which, like the present one, has for its subject the nature of evidence considered as such and without reference to the nature of the particular fact individual fact or sort of fact /individually or specifically considered/ to the proof or disproof of which it is desisted.

The question whether heat be itself a particular sort of body, or only a mode of being of which all bodies are susceptible, is a question of evidence, since it is in the ground of evidence that it is discussed, and by the light of evidence, if ever, and by any thing, that it will be determined. But this being admitted, it is a consequence that will not follow is, that the question whether heat be a body or no is a question fit to constitute part of the contents of a work on the subject of evidence.