45 a Abufes of Language. [Book X . 



for diftinft powers, and almoft for diftinct beings, in- 

 ftead of what they really are, only different modes of 

 the mind's acting ; jdly, Figurative language. 



The frequent ufe of abftract and general terms makes 

 us think in language more than we otherwife mould 

 do ; yet it is feldom that a chain of thought is carried 

 on in a regular chain of words, as if we were explain- 

 ing our thoughts to another, unlefs indeed when we 

 con over a fpeech or any tranfaction where language is 

 immediately concerned. 



