1 2 8 On the UTlLlTr of defining 



The obligation mentioned in this laft example refts upon the 

 complete fupply afforded in refpect to the object: defired. It 

 muft not, at the fame time, be understood, that the fupply de- 

 noted by copia, is always much more than adequate to the exi- 

 gency. The term cannot be applied where there is any want, 

 but it occupies all the interval between the mere abfence of 

 this and that exuberance, which fuggefts a quantity more than 

 adequate to any poffible demand. " Minimam copiam poetarum 

 " egregiorum extitiffe *." Though there was no want of diftin- 

 guifhed poets at the period referred to, yet there was the fmallefl 

 number to which copia could be applied. " Ex majore copia nobis 

 " quam illi fuit eligendi poteftas f." The major copia is here op- 

 pofed to the minor ,and the exiflence of that latitude clearly proved, 



in which it has been faid that the fubftantive is taken. In the 

 one cafe, copia denotes what minifters to the gratification of the 

 caprice, and in the other, to the full fupply of the wants of 

 mankind. 



Abundantia differs from copia, in denoting greater plenty, 

 and in implying that the object to which it is afcribed, poffeffes 

 more than fufficient means for fatisfying any want. It comes 

 from ab and unda, and has at firft referred to a river when over- 

 flowing its banks. 



Praefertim incertis fi menfibus, amnis abundans 

 Exit, et obduclo late tenet omnia limo J. 



*. 



Circumfluere omnibus copiis atque in omnium rerum abun- 

 u dantia vivere §.'" In the climax formed in this fentence, the 

 laft fubftantive denotes fomething beyond the fatisfaction of 

 want. It expreffes fomewhat to fpare, which would be loft if 

 not ufed. " Non erat abundans, non inops tamen **. Cicero 



here 



* Cic. de Or. 85. b. § Cic. de Am. 52. 



\ Cic. de Inv. 62. b. ** Cic. in Brut. 238. 



% Virg. Georg. 1. 115. 



