Page:Mind (New Series) Volume 8.djvu/96

82 A. F. EAVENSHEAE : Here we have statements of A, B, C, to show that A', B', C', respectively satisfy the conditions of trustworthiness with regard to their assertions about A", B", C" ; and those of A", B", C", as to the reliability of A'", B'", C'". If, now, the last three agree in an assertion X we have confirmation of the same kind as in the " self-corroborative chain," joined with a number of steps or removes such as we find in the " self- infirmative chain ". We have constructed in fact what might be more aptly termed a "bridge" than a "chain". This process is not a mere conjunction of the two former ; for the assertion X, it should be noticed, does not pass through all the groups of assertors. We are supposed to get that directly from A"', B'", C'". It is the reliability the opportunities, capacity, sincerity of the various as- sertors that is vouched for in successive stages. These are of course quite arbitrarily represented in the diagram. The number of persons in the different stages might vary largely ; the contributions of the different witnesses, indicated by the number of cross-lines drawn from the letters in the diagram, might be very unequal ; nor need the stages themselves be so distinctly marked as in the figure. It is, however, quite unnecessary for the present purpose to attempt to represent on a diagram the ramifications of testimony in the full complexity of their actual occurrence. We may yet keep their variety in mind, and may also add in thought the further complication produced by the in- troduction at every stage of corroboration by extraneous evidence. After the utmost has been done in the direction of getting knowledge first-hand, whether scientific or practical, the evidence in great part finally assumes this form. We can- not entirely sever any portion of knowledge from its context. When the historian makes use of the admissions of Claren- don in favour of the Parliamentarians, he first adduces contemporary testimony and other evidence to show the part played by his author in the public affairs of the time. This comes to the historian largely through manuscripts or books ; perhaps fortified by the independently established history of some library of repute, or place of public record ; perhaps guaranteed by generations of trustworthy editors and commentators spanning the interval from that time to this ; possibly even the part taken by famous publishers may enter into the total sum. In the acceptance of Living- stone's accounts of the countries through which he passed, are not the relevant grounds in part the esteem in which he was held by his contemporaries, coupled with their