text:  Perfection in language as in every thing else is not to be attained and doubtless there are few of the most highly educated who would not in many cases assign different meanings to the same word; but if some confusion on this subject is unavoidable how much is that confusion increased as regards scientific subjects by the mass of memoirs written by parties who however acute their mental perceptions may be yet from want of early education do not assign to words that accuracy of signification and do not possess that perspicuity of style which is absolutely necessary for the communication of ideas! Those therefore who with different notions of language read the writings of such as we are alluding to either fail to attach to them any definite meaning or attach one different from that which the authors intended to convey; whence arises a want of reciprocal intelligence a want of unity of thought and purpose