REQUISITES OF LANGUAGE. 259 



capriciously, refused. Of the propositions in which 

 it was formerly used, those which were true in virtue 

 of the forgotten part of its meaning are now, by the 

 clearer light which the definition diffuses, seen not 

 to be true according to the definition ; which, however, 

 is the recognised and sufficiently correct expression 

 of all that is perceived to be in the mind of any one 

 by whom the term is used at the present day. The 

 ancient formulas are consequently treated as preju- 

 dices ; and people are no longer taught, as before, 

 though not to understand them, yet to believe that 

 there is truth in them. They no longer remain in 

 men's minds surrounded by respect, and ready at any 

 time to suggest their original meaning. The truths 

 which they convey are not only, under these circum- 

 stances, rediscovered far more slowly,, but, when re- 

 discovered, the prejudice with which novelties are 

 regarded is now, in some degree at least, against them, 

 instead of being on their side. 



An example may make these remarks more intel- 

 ligible. In all ages, except where moral speculation 

 has been silenced by outward compulsion, or where 

 the feelings which prompt to it have received full 

 satisfaction from an established faith unhesitatingly 

 acquiesced in, one of the subjects which have most 

 occupied the minds of thinking men is the inquiry, 

 What is virtue? or, What is a virtuous character? 

 Among the different theories on the subject which 

 have, at different times, grown up and obtained cur- 

 rency, every one of which reflected as in the clearest 

 mirror the express image of the age which gave it 

 birth; there was one, brought forth by the latter half 

 of the eighteenth century, according to which virtue 

 consisted in a correct calculation of our own, personal 

 interests, either in this world only, or also in the next. 



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