of his entire discussion? It plainly means not completely conceivable, not knowable in the details of form. The continent is, but we have no chart of it; we not only may talk about it and think about it, but we must do so. It is an indestructible element of thought. Plainly a conception so positive and necessary must have some predicates; it would perish instantly without them. Re-assured, therefore, we will go forward and inquire what they are.

§ 2. Another way in which the infinite is set aside as a subject of thought is by denying to the conception any positive character. It is affirmed to be a negative notion only. The statement is well made by Sir William Hamilton, and is pronounced by Mr. Spencer to be "clear and conclusive." "The mind can conceive, and consequently can know, only the limited and the conditionally limited. The unconditionally unlimited, or the Infinite, the unconditionally limited, or the Absolute cannot positively be constructed to the mind. They can be conceived only by thinking away from or abstraction of those very conditions under which thought itself is realized, consequently the notion of the Unconditioned is only negative --- negative of the conceivable itself. * * * We cannot positively represent, or realize, or construe to the mind --- as here understanding and imagination coincide --- an infinite whole, for this could only be done by the infinite synthesis in thought of finite wholes, which would itself require an infinite time for its accomplishment."* This presentation is open to

*First Principles p 74.