be made signs of ideas, unless those signs can be so made use of as to comprehend several particular things; for the multiplication of Words would have perplexed their use, had every particular thing need of a distinct name to be signified by. To remedy this inconvenience, [3.] Language had yet a farther improvement in the use of general Terms, whereby one Word was made to mark a multitude of particular existences: which advantageous use of sounds was obtained only by the difference of the ideas they were made signs of; those names becoming general which are made to stand for general ideas, and those remaining particular where the ideas they are used for are particular.

Besides these names which stand for ideas, there [are] other words which men make use of, not to signify any idea, but the want or absence of some ideas simple or complex, or [of] all ideas together; such as are nihil in Latin, and, in English, ‘ignorance' and 'barrenness.' All which negative or privative words cannot be said properly to belong to or signify no ideas-for then they would be perfectly insignificant sounds-but they relate to positive ideas, and signify their absence.

Words ultimately derived from such as signify sensible ideas.—It may also lead us a little towards the Original of all our notions and Knowledge, if we remark how great a dependence our words have on common sensible ideas; and how those which are made use of to stand for actions and notions quite removed from sense have their rise from thence, and, from obvious sensible ideas are transferred to more abstruse significations, and made to stand for ideas that come not under the cognizance

of our senses: v. g. imagine, apprehend, comprehend, adhere, conceive, instil, disgust, disturbance, tranquillity, &c. are all words taken from the operations of sensible things, and applied to certain Modes of Thinking. Spirit, in its primary signification, is breath; angel, a messenger: and I doubt not but, if we could trace them to their sources, we should find, in all Languages, the names which stand for things that fall not under our senses to have had their first rise from sensible ideas. By which we may give some kind of guess what kind of notions they were, and whence derived, which filled their minds who were the first beginners of Languages; and how nature, even in the naming of things, unawares suggested to men the originals and principles of all their Knowledge: whilst to give names, that might make known to others any operations they felt in themselves, or any other ideas that came not under their senses, they were fain to borrow words from ordinary known ideas of Sensation; by that means to make others the more easily to conceive those operations they experi[enced] in themselves, which made no outward sensible appearances; and then, when they had got known and agreed names to signify those internal operations of their own minds, they were sufficiently furnished to make known by Words all their other ideas: since they could consist of nothing but either [1.] of outward sensible perceptions, or [2.] of the inward operations of their minds about them.

Distribution. But, to understand better the use and force of Language as subservient to instruction and Knowledge, it will be convenient to consider,—

First, To what it is that names, in the use of Language, are immediately applied.

Secondly, Since all (except proper) names are general, and so stand not particularly for this or that single thing, but for sorts and ranks of things, it will be necessary to consider, in the next place, what the sorts and kinds-or, what the species and genera-of things are, wherein they consist, and how they come to be made. These being well looked into, we shall the better come to find [1.]the right use of Words; [2.] the natural advantages and defects of Language; and [3.] the remedies that ought to be used to avoid the inconveniences of obscurity or uncertainty in the signification of Words; without which it is impossible to discourse with any clearness or order concerning Knowledge: which, being conversant about propositions, and those most commonly universal ones, has greater connexion with Words than perhaps is suspected.

CHAPTER II.

OF THE SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS.

Words are sensible signs necessary for communication.Though Man has great variety of thoughts, and such from which others as well as himself might receive profit and delight, yet they are all within his own breast, invisible, and hidden from others; nor can [they] of themselves be made appear. The comfort and advantage of society not being to be had without communication of thoughts, it was necessary that man should find out

of our senses: v. g. imagine, apprehend, comprehend, adhere, conceive, instil, disgust, disturbance, tranquillity, &c. are all words taken from the operations of sensible things, and applied to certain Modes of Thinking. Spirit, in its primary signification, is breath; angel, a messenger: and I doubt not but, if we could trace them to their sources, we should find, in all Languages, the names which stand for things that fall not under our senses to have had their first rise from sensible ideas. By which we may give some kind of guess what kind of notions they were, and whence derived, which filled their minds who were the first beginners of Languages; and how nature, even in the naming of things, unawares suggested to men the originals and principles of all their Knowledge: whilst to give names, that might make known to others any operations they felt in themselves, or any other ideas that came not under their senses, they were fain to borrow words from ordinary known ideas of Sensation; by that means to make others the more easily to conceive those operations they experi[enced] in themselves, which made no outward sensible appearances; and then, when they had got known and agreed names to signify those internal operations of their own minds, they were sufficiently furnished to make known by Words all their other ideas: since they could consist of nothing but either [1.] of outward sensible perceptions, or [2.] of the inward operations of their minds about them.

Distribution.

But, to understand better the use and force of Language as subservient to instruction and Knowledge, it will be convenient to consider,

First, To what it is that names, in the use of Language, are immediately applied.

Secondly, Since all (except proper) names are general, and so stand not particularly for this or that single thing, but for sorts and ranks of things, it will be necessary to consider, in the next place, what the sorts and kinds-or, what the species and genera-of things are, wherein they consist, and how they come to be made. These being well looked into, we shall the better come to find [1.] the right use of Words; [2.] the natural advantages and defects of Language; and [3.] the remedies that ought to be used to avoid the inconveniences of obscurity or uncertainty in the signification of Words; without which it is impossible to discourse with any clearness or order concerning Knowledge: which, being conversant about propositions, and those most commonly universal ones, has greater connexion with Words than perhaps is suspected.

CHAPTER II.

OF THE SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS.

Words are sensible signs necessary for communication.— Though Man has great variety of thoughts, and such from which others as well as himself might receive profit and delight, yet they are all within his own breast, invisible, and hidden from others; nor can [they] of themselves be made appear. The comfort and advantage of society not being to be had without communication of thoughts, it was necessary that man should find out