Page:Philological Museum v2.djvu/282

272 On the Use of Dejinitions. removing farming capital to trade, if farming profits be be- low trading profits; our chance of any further success in our enquiry is gone: Ibi omnis EfFusus labor. There is an end at once of all hope of our carrying with us into the light of day the fair form of Truth which we trusted was accompanying our steps. While we are endeavouring to discern the classes and laws of facts, it may happen, that we are upbraided for delighting in darkness, because we find that it requires time and effort to make our way to the light ; the thief, it may be said, after Homer, delights in the mist ^ It may be supposed that they who say this, find that the mist in their neighbourhood is dis- persed or converted into a luminous halo by the mere bright- ness of their honesty ; we can only say, that we discern no heads encircled by such a glory. It may be said that the pick- pocket loves to put out the lamps ^ It might be supposed that this dignified rebuke can proceed from none but some member of the venerable corporation of The Lamplighters: but it touches not us ; for we complain that these, our worshipful masters, do indeed set up an abundant supply of lamps of all sorts of sizes and shapes ; and ever and anon, when men complain of darkness, construct and put forth another and another; but that all this avails us not, so long as there is in these lamps no drop of oil, no provision of enlightening matter. The way is just as dark as ever, and the only consequence is that, in addition to other lumber, we stumble over the lamps them- selves. W. » Whatelys Lecture on Political Economy. 1832. ^ Jbid.