3 But, before we descend to the more particular considerations, we are to
present you concerning Colours, I presume it will be seasonable to propose
at the very entrance a Distinction; the ignorance or neglect of which,
seems to mee to have frequently enough occasioned either mistakes or
confusion in the Writings of divers Modern Philosophers; for Colour may be
considered, either as it is a quality residing in the body that is said to
be coloured, or to modifie the light after such or such a manner; or else
as the Light it self, which so modifi'd, strikes upon the organ of sight,
and so causes that Sensation which we call Colour; and that this latter may
be look'd upon as the more proper, though not the usual acception of the
word Colour, will be made probable by divers passages in the insuing part
of our discourse; and indeed it is the Light it self, which after a certain
manner, either mingled with shades, or some other waies troubled, strikes
our eyes, that does more immediately produce that motion in the organ, upon
whose account men say they see such or such a Colour in the object; yet,
because there is in the body that is said to be coloured, a certain
disposition of the superficial particles, whereby it sends the Light
reflected, or refracted, to our eyes thus and thus alter'd, and not
otherwise, it may also in some sense be said, that Colour depends upon the
visible body; and therefore we shall not be against that way of speaking of
Colours that is most used among the Modern Naturalists, provided we be
allowed to have recourse when occasion shall require to the premis'd
distinction, and to take the more immediate cause of Colour to be the
modifi'd Light it self, as it affects the Sensory; though the disposition
also of the colour'd body, as that modifies the Light, may be call'd by
that name Metonimically (to borrow a School term) or Efficiently, that is
in regard of its turning the Light, that rebounds from it, or passes thorow
it, into this or that particular Colour.

4 I know not whether I may not on this occasion add, that Colour is so far