e the connexion in our fancy betwixt the
property and the relation is not so great, but that it
requires to be helped by such an intention.

From all these circumstances, it is easy to see how
perplexed many questions may become concerning the
acquisition of property by occupation; and the least effort
of thought may present us with instances, which are not
susceptible of any reasonable decision. If we prefer
examples, which are real, to such as are feigned, we may
consider the following one, which is to be met with In
almost every writer, that has treated of the laws of nature.
Two Grecian colonies, leaving their native country, in
search of new feats, were informed that a city near them was
deserted by its inhabitants. To know the truth of this
report, they dispatched at once two messengers, one from
each colony; who finding on their approach, that their
information was true, begun a race together with an
intention to take possession of the city, each of them for
his countrymen. One of these messengers, finding that he was
not an equal match for the other, launched his spear at the
gates of the city, and was so fortunate as to fix it there
before the arrival of his companion. This produced a dispute
betwixt the two colonies, which of them was the proprietor
of the empty city and this dispute still subsists among
philosophers. For my part I find the dispute impossible to
be decided, and that because the whole question hangs upon
the fancy, which in this case is not possessed of any
precise or determinate standard, upon which it can give
sentence. To make this evident, let us consider, that if
these two persons had been simply members of the colonies,
and not messengers or deputies, their actions would not have
been of any consequence; since in that case their relation
to the colonies would have been but feeble and imperfect.
Add to this, that nothing determined them to run to the
gates rather than the walls, or any other part of the city,
but that the gates, being the most obvious and remarkable
part, satisfy the fancy best in taking them for the whole;
as we find by the poets, who frequently draw their images
and metaphors from them. Besides we may consider, that the
touch or contact of the one messenger is not properly