86 On Figurative Language: 
we suppose that the word paz in Latin, ori- 
ginally, in its proper sense, meant agreement, 
and peace in a figurative one, from the circum- 
stance that an agreement precedes peace ; but 
that, in process of tune, another word, pactum, 
came to be used for agreement, and pax was 
confined to the meaning peace ; we imagine it 
will be readily granted, that paar again 
becomes figurative, when it is made to denote 
any thing besides a termination of hostilities, 
even if it were made to express that very idea 
which it was originally used to convey. 
We asserted above, that the first language 
of men must have been nouns, or the names 
of sensible objects,* because without these no 
verbal communication can be attempted, or 
even imagined. It is certainly possible for the 
communication of ideas to be carried on by 
means of nouns oply, when duly assisted by 
the gestures and actions of the persons speak- 
ing, and by indicial references, i.e. the. 
pointing to different objects remarkable for 
the quality or action meant to be expressed. 
It is a circumstance of frequent occurrence 
among rude or savage tribes, to have recourse 
to actions significant of the meaning intended. 
* Gen. ii. 20. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and te 
the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field. 
