date

1831 Nov. 5 Language § ││ Properties
1831 Nov. 5

Language

§ ││ Properties desirable

On this, as on other occasions, by desirable properties, understand properties subservient to the end in view: as to which see §2. Ends in view.

Correspondent and opposite to the desirable properties are the undesirable: by its undesirable properties of which this instrument is susceptible understand any such properties by which its subserviency to the end in view is diminished.

Those properties are not capable of being in every instance designated by the words by which the several correspondent and[?] properties are designated, with no other addition than that a portion of a word designative of the negation[?] or opposite of the word to which it is expressed: for example, non-use - use, &c.[?]

Not merely its quality in the character of an instrument of communication in regard to ideas or language of use to man: another use, which it is of, is that of an instrument of fixation as applied to ideas: as being capable of having any of its constituent elements employed by any and every man in retaining any idea which has happened to arise in or be called up in his mind, in such sort as to cause it to lie[?] as it were in readiness to be taken at any time into contemplation, and taken for the subject of consideration. In this sense, the mind being likened to a sea, language[?] may be likened to an anchor, by which ideas may be fastened in it, each of them in a determinate shape, and at any time be put into employment; and thus prevented from being, like a portion of gas, indeterminate in shape, and of a nature to fly off and as it were evaporate sooner or later after the first instance in which they have made their appearance in the mind.
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