which those Ideas are expreffed, all fuch at- Obf. V1. tempts must be vague and uncertain; and when examined are commonly found to be

erroneous.

As to the First part of the Inquiry, it will be fufficient for the prefent to mention, that the general Idea alluded to is MOTION

*As he reduces all other verbs to this general Idea, he does not even except the verb fubftantive: which, in the opinion of fome late writers among the French, is the only verb, which exifts, and that every other verb is formed by the union of the verb, and participle. Though he differs very widely from that opinion, yet he was pleased with the observation, as it fhews how high a place they thought it neceffarily held in the tablet of Ideas. And he conceives it to be no fmall confirmation of his Syftem, that in the moft perfect of all languages, (and which on many accounts feems to be the most proper groundwork for Inquiries into the origin of Language,) that the fame word, which fignifies existence, fignifies alfo motion. And nothing coud be more natural than this affociation. For as all things are denominated from their actions, effects, and external figns; what more conftant, more striking evidence of existence coud there be than the visible fign of Motion? E therefore from the fignification of eo, fignified alfo fum, as the words, which are called verba motus et geftus, fuch as ßeiveiv, wopeveDαij xeiDai, venire, incedere, &c. are used for effe. And thus general idea, and connected with every action, is redundantly ufed in conjunction with participles to exprefs the particular action denoted by the verb from which the participle comes. So that βαίνων ειμι, λέγων ειμι, γραφων ειμι, is literally the fame 25 βαίνων βαίνω, λέγων λεγω, γράφων γραφω, independent of their emphatical sense, in which the latter expreffions seem sometimes N 2

as a

to

HAVERFIELD LIBRARY
OF ANCIENT HISTORY

OXFORD

Obf. VI. the most general and comprehenfive, that can be formed: That this idea was made

ufe of as the Interpreter of all others, not because, after a deliberate furvey, its connection with every action was foreseen; but merely from the inexperience and imperfection of human knowledge, when, for want of fufficient difcrimination, a new idea was most easily communicated through the affistance of one already known. This will appear the more natural, if we compare it with common practice even in these enlightened days, in which we may frequently obferve those especially, who are unaffifted with the knowledge of more than one language, having recourfe to general terms to exprefs particular ideas. What action does not to do represent and for what object is not thing a fubftitute? Indeed all knowlege is compa

to be used. E therefore is used metaphorically and in a fecondary fenfe, when it fignifies to be: and as fuch occafioned no embarraffment, when connected with participles expreffive of reft, fuch as κειμένος ειμι : no more than when the Italians fay in equal contrariety of terms, if taken literally, ftava andando for I was going.

rative,

1

rative, and all language, strictly speaking, me- Obf. VI. taphorical, All Ideas of things were formed. from the relations which objects and actions have one to another; and they were affimilated or diftinguished only by comparison. According to the process of knowledge and experience these relations become more and more remote; till at length a particular class of words and ideas may be found to preferve a strict connexion between the individuals, which compose the class, and yet seemingly have lost all connexion with another class though ultimately belonging to the fame origin. The particular difference and general union of these claffes of Ideas and words, is like the compofition of a Picture compofed of different parts, which have a relation to one whole. In a well chofen and well-ordered historical subject, the general union of particular parts and the harmony of the groups, exhibit to the eye even at the first view an attention to one end and one common intereft. The two Groups which are most diftant are yet united by the middle group;

and

Obf. VI. and their common intereft confpires to point out the principal character, who is the foul and spirit of the subject, and on whom depends the action of the fubordinate parts. In the fame manner two words, or two claffes of words, may be expreffive of ideas, unconnected in themselves, but yet united by an intermediate affociation, through which we afcend to the general idea, which is the principle and effence of the rest, and from which they derive their several powers however variously modified.

As to the Second part of the Inquiry, the primary and original found by which the general Idea was denoted, is fuppofed to have been arbitrary and fymbolical, not chofen on account of any fuppofed relation to the nature of motion, but ufed, for its fimplicity, to exprefs the original Idea. From this element it is conceived that all other words were formed, and all ideas communicated, not by imitation or fymbolically, for that were now unneceffary, but by derivation and metaphor, in reference to the general Idea, the conftituent and energy of

every

1

every action. Except one clafs of words, Obf. VI. which are imitative, denoting particular founds, &c. and another, fignifying perfonal relation; neither of them formed by reference to the general Idea, as they are not expreffive of action; but formed one by imitation of the thing fignified; and the other daxtınas, or by pointing to the perfon and thing understood. Inftances of which still exist, ¿de fignifying ego, tu, ille. The proper names of places are also excepted, as being posterior to the state of the language, which is the fubject of the Inquiry: though they often appear to have become proper from general Ideas of fituation, ftrength, &c.

He therefore imagines that the names of things were not formed capriciously and by chance, but with fome view not indeed to their real nature and effence, but to their nature as obvious in external adjuncts, in their actions, effects, appearances, &c. and denoted by means of the general Idea, and of the primary found expreffive of that Idea.

And