or 
On Figurative Language 83 
Thus a connection, in a long process of reason- 
ing, is called a link in the chain of reasoning. 
But not only the words link and chain are 
obviously used in a transferred sense, but 
likewise connection and process, (which seem- 
ingly express intellectual, as aptly as sensible 
ideas) are in the same predicament, because 
they are traced at once to cunnecto, to tie 
together ; and procedo, to yo forward. Rea- 
son, too, 1 am confident, is a word of the same 
stamp, though I cannot now recur to what 
grammarians call its etymon, 7. e. its true or 
proper meaning. Suppose, however, we allow 
the word reason to mean, in its proper accepta- 
tion, a faculty of the mind, yet, in the progress 
of language, it becomes to be used in a trans- 
ferred meaning, in several instances. By a 
process, to be hereafter explained, it becomes 
averb, I reason. It stands not only for the 
act, but also for the thing acted or done, i.e. 
the thing reasoned, the conclusion. It stands 
likewise for cause or motive, as in the following 
expressions: “ the sea arose by reason of 2 
great wind ;” and, “ they received the men by 
reason of their victuals.” It may sustain 
other meanings; but it is not my object to 
comprize them all. | 
In the language of rude and savage nations, 
the number of words, in a proper sense, 
L2 
