On Figurative Language. 75 
The first shews the nature and use of figu- 
rative language; the second traces it to its 
source, and deduces from it some properties 
of language hitherto, I believe, but little 
known. — fo; o4R / 
-L. The nature of figure is generally un- 
derstood, and‘ has been ‘critically explamed 
by writers: on rhetori¢,) both ancient and 
modern: © Figure is a: change of words, 
éither from their original meaning,’ or from 
their most usual and commonly received ac- 
ceptation.. This change, according to the 
different circumstances under which it was 
used, was denominated by the ancient writers 
on oratory, (whom the moderns have copied) 
tropus, figura, metaphora, translatio, and 
many others; all which terms imply a change 
in the use of certain words in a discourse, and 
a turning of them from what may be called 
their original and proper meaning. Thus 
when we say, that the Roman empire flourish- 
ed under Augustus, that splendid victories 
were gained, and that the arts were culti- 
vated—the words flourished, splendid, and 
cultivated, ave obviously metaphorical, being 
transferred from their proper acceptation to 
one that is merely analogical, and one only 
of real or fancied resemblance. 
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