concurrence is no
slight argument in favour of the reality of the distinction. We do not
say that these writers, or Hamilton himself, have always expressed this
distinction in the best language, or applied it in the best manner; but
we say that it is a true distinction, and that it is valid for the
principal purpose to which Hamilton applied it.

We do not agree with all the details of Hamilton's application. We do not
agree with him, though he is supported by very eminent authorities, in
classifying our conviction of axiomatic principles as _belief_, and not
as _knowledge_.[AX] But this question does not directly bear on Mr.
Mill's criticism. The point of that criticism is, that Hamilton, by
admitting a _belief_ in the infinite and unrelated, nullifies his own
doctrine, that all _knowledge_ is of the finite and relative. Let us
see.

[AX] Hamilton's distinction is in principle the same as that
which we have given in our previous remarks (pp. 18,
19). He says, "A conviction is incomprehensible when
there is merely given to us in consciousness--_That its
object is_ ([Greek: hoti esti]), and when we are unable
to comprehend through a higher notion or belief _Why or
How it is_ ([Greek: dioti esti])."--(Reid's Works, p.
754.) We would distinguish between _why_ and _how_,
between [Greek: dioti], and [Greek: pos]. We can give
no reason _why_ two straight lines cannot enclose a
space; but we can comprehend _how_ they cannot. We have
only to form the corresponding image, to see the manner
in which the two attributes coexist in one object. But
when I say that I believe in the existence of a
spiritual being who sees without eyes, I cannot conceive
the _manner_ in which seeing coexists with the absence
of the bodily organ of sight. We believe that the true
distinction between knowledge and belief may ultimately
be referred to the presence or absence of the
corresponding intuition; but to show this in the various
instances would require a longer dissertation than our
present limits will allow.

We may believe _that_ a thing is, without being able to conceive _how_ it
is. I believe _that_ God is a person, and also _that_ He is infinite;
though I cannot conceive _how_ the attributes of personality and infinity
exist together. All my knowledge of personality is derived from my
consc