104 On Figurative Language. 
and divisions, and, in a word, every mode in 
which they have been affected. 
How imperfect the foregoing attempt is, in 
proportion to the importance and difficulty of 
the subject, I am fully sensible. 'The exam- 
ples for illustration in many cases, perhaps in 
most, will not, I am afraid, be deemed very 
fortunate. Researches into etymology have 
been almost entirely overlooked: to pursue 
them, indeed, was not by any means my prin- 
cipal object. Fewer authors have been con- 
sulted, or referred to, than is perhaps con- 
sistent: with the importance of the subject, or 
the respect which I owe to this society. But 
these, and other imperfections, some of which, 
perhaps would have been precluded had my 
leisure and opportunities been more adequate 
for the subject than they are, I have no doubt 
the candour of the society will overlook. » 
