102 On Figurative Language. 
oral language by the name of that little 
animal ? 
Words deriving their origin from a meta- 
phorical source, are, without doubt, much 
more numerous than we are generally aware 
of. The names of all qualities and properties 
were, when first applied to express those 
qualities, used. in a figurative meaning ; and 
to this class must be added all the names of 
ideas which are denominated intellectual, as 
has been stated in the foregoing pages. The 
words round, square, hard, soft, high, low, 
and all similar ones, it is highly probable, 
(not to use stronger language) are of this 
description; but the words affection, passion, 
understanding, spirit, inspiration, perception, 
invention, motive, habit, with many hundred 
others, are so evidently in this predicament, 
that no reasonable doubt can be entertained on 
the subject. 
Language is in a state of constant flux. 
Words, in the progress of speech, are continu- 
ally undergoing various and important changes. 
These changes are beautifully described in 
Horace’s Art of Poetry: 
Ut silvis folia privos mutantur ia annos, 
Prima cadunt ; ita verborum vetus interit <etas, 
Et juvenum ritu florent modo nata vigentque. 
