On Figurative Language. 89 
included in the rest, A clear insight into the 
nature and genius of language, will, I am 
persuaded, détermine in favour of the hy- 
pothesis, that all the grammatical divisions of 
speech are, in thei origin, resolvable into 
modifications of nouns. 
A noun is converted into a verb, so as to 
answer every practical purpose, whenever by 
means of gesture, by peculiar utterance or 
intonation, or by position in a sentence, it is 
made to communicate the notion of motion or 
action. 
I beg leave to introduce here a short extract” 
from Mr. Jones’s excellent Greek Grammar: 
In explaining the origin of verbs, he says, 
(page 132. 2d edit.) “We acquire the idea 
of action, by reflecting on ourselves, or ob- 
serving others, in certain circumstances; and 
‘the most simple way which nature could at 
dirst.suggest of expressing these ideas, was to 
combine the name of the person or thing 
which acts, with the person or thing 
acted upon. Thus, om, and eye joined and 
abbreviated, is ow; and this term would be 
sufficient to express I drink wine, though 
originally it meant only wine J; association 
‘supplying to the speaker and the person 
addressed, the intermediate notion of 
drinking.” 
; M 
