DANGER OF EMPLOYING AMBIGUOUS TEEMS. 77 



proofs we possess of the existence of the things they re- 

 present, the extra precision of scientific language, and the 

 great love of truth amongst scientific men, ambiguous terms 

 are much less frequent in those sciences than in any other 

 subjects. The number of words used by different persons 

 to convey their ideas is very different. Thus whilst Shakes- 

 peare is said to- have used 15,000, an ignorant agricultural 

 labourer employs only about three hundred; and it is 

 stated that no Australian language contains terms expres- 

 sive of numbers exceeding four. 



Brevity is the pith of mind. Redundancy of language 

 is never found with deep reflection. Verbiage may indi- 

 cate observation, but not thought. He who thinks much 

 says but little in proportion to his thought. He selects 

 such language as will convey his ideas in the most ex- 

 plicit and direct manner. He tries to compress as much 

 thought as possible into a few words. c An era is fast ap- 

 proaching when no writer will be read by the majority, 

 save and except those who can effect that for bales of 

 manuscript ifi&'the hydrostatic screw performs for bales 

 of cotton, by condensing that into a period that before 

 occupied a page.' l 



Words often excite only very imperfect ideas, and 

 many terms are comparatively empty of meaning ; and it 

 is by means of familiar and extensive use of such terms, 

 that some persons are enabled automatically to make 

 empty speeches, and write shallow essays. Also the in- 

 accuracy of thought and language of many persons, who 

 venture to speak publicly to their fellow-creatures upon 

 the most momentous subjects, is painful to behold, and 

 would be diminished by proper training in science. 



Most scientific ideas and terms are capable of analysis, 



1 Cottar. 



