Words being the signs of things, their
meaning must necessarily change as much, _at least_, as things
themselves change; but this variation in their import more
frequently depends on accidental circumstances. Among the ideas
connected with a word that which was once of primary, becomes only
of secondary importance; and sometimes, by degrees, it loses
altogether its connexion with the word, giving place to others with
which, from some accidental causes, it has been associated.
Two or three instances will illustrate the truth of these remarks.
In an ancient English version of the New Testament, we find the
following language: "I, Paul, a _rascal_ of Jesus Christ, unto you
Gentiles," &c. But who, in the present acceptation of the word,
would dare to call "the great apostle of the Gentiles" a _rascal?
Rascal_ formerly meant a _servant:_ one devoted to the interest of
another; but now it is nearly synonymous with _villain. Villain_
once had none of the odium which is now associated with the term;
but it signified one who, under the feudal system, rented or held
lands of another.
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