CHAP. XXII.

OF MIXED MODES.

MIXED modes are complex ideas consisting of several combinations of simple ideas of different kinds; as obligation, drunkenness, lie. I call them Mixed Modes to distinguish them from the more simple modes, which consist only of simple ideas of the same kind. Mixed Modes are not marks of real beings, but combinations of independent ideas, and thereby distinguished from Complex Ideas of substances.

or not.

In receiving its simple ideas the mind is passive; but in these combinations it often exercises an active power for it can compound its simple ideas, without examining whether they exist together in nature Hence they are called notions, as existing in thought, not in reality; though several of them may be taken from observation: for the idea of Hypocrisy might have been formed from the observation of one who made a shew of good qualities which he had not; or in the mind only, without such a pattern to fashion it by: since in the beginning of languages and societies among men, several complex ideas must have been in their minds, and in use, and

so the ideas framed, before the combinations they stood for ever existed.

Complex ideas may be acquired by explaining the terms that stand for them; thus the ideas of sacrilege or murder may be got by an enumeration of the simple ideas they comprehend, without seeing either of them committed.-A mixed mode receives its unity, that is, its quality of being considered as one idea, from the name, which always represents such a combination: thus, though-there is no reason in nature, why the killing of an old man should not be a complex idea, as well as the killing of one's father, (which we call parricide); yet not having a precise name, it is not considered as a species of action distinct from that of killing any other man. The reason of making mixed modes is to communicate our thoughts with dispatch: where combinations of particular ideas can seldom happen, the trouble of enumerating the simple ideas is preferable to that of loading the memory with names of complex ideas. Hence it is that there are in every language many particular words which cannot be rendered by any one single word of another, according to the customs and manners of each nation: (as oгpanioμos among the Greeks,-proscriptio, among the Romans.) Hence too the same language is constantly varying, according to the combinations of ideas which new customs and opinions bring with them: the words reprieve

and appeal stand for ideas which could not be enumerated without a long periphrasis.

There are three ways by which we get the complex ideas of mixed modes. 1. By experience, and observation of things themselves: thus by seeing two men wrestle, we get the idea of wrestling. 2. By invention, or voluntarily putting together several simple ideas in our own minds: so the first inventor of printing or etching had an idea of it in his mind, before it ever existed. 3. By explaining the names of actions we never saw, or notions we cannot see, and setting before our imaginations all those ideas which compose them. All our complex ideas are ultimately resolvable into simple ones, though perhaps their immediate ingredients are also complex ideas thus the mixed mode which the word lie stands for, is composed of these simple ideas-1. articulate sounds-2. Certain ideas in the mind of the speaker-3. Words the signs of those ideas-4. Those signs put together by affirmation or negation, otherwise than the ideas they stand for in the mind of the speaker.

:

The simple ideas which have been most modified, are those of thinking, motion, and power: the two first comprehend all action; and the last is that from which these actions are conceived to flow.-Action being the great business of life, men must have settled names of the modes of action, distinguished

by their causes, means, objects, ends, instruments, time, place, &c. and also of powers fitted for each action:-the power or ability of doing any thing, acquired by frequently doing the same thing, we call habit a readiness on every occasion to do a particular thing, we call disposition. If we examine any mode of action,-viz: consideration and assent, (actions of the mind)-running and speaking, (actions of the body)-revenge and murder, (actions of both together,) we find them so many collections of simple ideas united in complex names.

Power being the source whence all action proceeds, the substances wherein these powers are, when putting them in action, are called causes; and the substances thereby produced, or the simple ideas introduced into any subject by the exertion of that power, are called effects.-The efficacy in the subject producing the new substance or idea is called action; the simple idea changed or produced in the subject operated on is called passion. Many words which seem to express some action, signify nothing of the mode of operation, but barely the effect, with some circumstances of the subject wrought on, or of the cause operating; thus, creation, annihilation, contain no idea of action or manner of production, but barely of the cause and the thing done :when we say, the cold freezes water; though freezing seems to import some action, yet it is nothing but

an effect; and contains no idea of the action whereby what was fluid is become hard.

CHAP. XXIII.

OF THE COMPLEX IDEAS OF SUBSTANCES.

We observe several simple ideas constantly to go together; and presuming them to be united in one subject, we call them so united (for the sake of dispatch) by one name. We are apt afterwards inadvertently to consider this complication of many ideas together as one simple idea; for not imagining how these simple ideas can subsist of themselves, we suppose some substratum from which they result, and which therefore we call substance: so that our notion of pure substance in general is only a supposition of we know not what support of such qualities as are capable of producing simple ideas in us; which qualities are commonly called accidents. If we enquire in what colour or weight inhere;-the only answer is in solid extended parts: and if we ask in what solidity and extension inhere ;-we can only reply in something; that is, we know not what; and have no distinct idea about it.

Our Ideas of particular substances are acquired by