urs'd, _Pyrophilus_, we may be assisted
to judge of that famous Controversie which was of Old disputed betwixt the
_Epicureans_ and other _Atomists_ on the one side, and most other
_Philosophers_ on the other side. The former Denying Bodies to be Colour'd
in the Dark, and the Latter making Colour to be an Inherent quality, as
well as Figure, Hardness; Weight, or the like. For though this Controversie
be Reviv'd, and hotly Agitated among the _Moderns_, yet I doubt whether it
be not in great part a Nominal dispute, and therefore let us, according to
the Doctrine formerly deliver'd, Distinguish the Acceptions of the word
Colour, and say, that if it be taken in the Stricter Sense, the
_Epicureans_ seem to be in the Right, for if Colour be indeed, though not
according to them, but Light Modify'd, how can we conceive that it can
Subsist in the Dark, that is, where it must be suppos'd there is no Light;
but on the other side, if Colour be consider'd as a certain Constant
Disposition of the Superficial parts of the Object to Trouble the Light
they Reflect after such and such a Determinate manner, this Constant, and,
if I may so speak, Modifying disposition persevering in the Object, whether
it be Shin'd upon or no, there seems no just reason to deny, but that in
this Sense, Bodies retain their Colour as well in the Night as Day; or, to
Speak a little otherwise, it may be said, that Bodies are Potentially
Colour'd in the Dark, and Actually in the Light. But of this Matter
discoursing more fully elsewhere, as 'tis a difficulty that concerns
Qualities in general, I shall forbear to insist on it here.

* * * * *

CHAP. IV

1. Of greater Moment in the Investigation of the Nature of Colours is the
Controversie, Whether those of the Rain-bow, and those that are often seen
in Clouds, before the Rising, or after the Setting of the Sun; and in a
word, Whether those other Colours, that are wont to be call'd Emphatical,
ought or ought not to be accounted True Colours. I need not tell you that
the Negative is the Common Opinion, especially in the Schools, as may
appear by that Vulgar distinction of Colours, whereby these under
Consideration are term'd Apparent, by way of Opposition to those that in
the other Member of the Distinction are call'd True or Genuine. This
question I say seems to me of Importance, upon this Account, that it being
commonly Granted, (or however, easie enough to be Prov'd) that Emphati