es (7) ine 
REMARKS 
* ON THE USE AND ORIGIN OF 
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE. 
- BY THE REV. WILLIAM JOHNS. 
(Read October 21, 1808.) 
Quanquam hoc videtur fortasse cuipiam durius, tamen 
audeamus imitari Stoicos, qui studiose exquirant, unde — 
verba sunt ducta.—CicERo. 
A CORRECT notion of the origin and 
use of Figurative Language will greatly assist 
us in discovering the principles according to 
which language has been formed and im- 
proved. ‘Though much light has been thrown 
on the subject of the formation of language 
by modern critics, and especially by Mr. Horne 
Tooke, yet I cannot help being of opinion 
that room is left for further discoveries ; and 
under this impression, I offer the following 
theory to the candid consideration of the 
society. 
This essay has a two-fold object, and natu- 
rally divides itself into two parts; but, as far 
as relates to my present purpose, the first is 
only subservient to the second. 
