A Series of Definitions.

.

A Series of Definitions. We define a term by giving first the class to which it belongs ;." Man is an animal" (here the word animal is the class name); and, secondly, by giving the essential attri¬bute which distinguishes the term defined from others of the class, "Man is a reasoning animal." The class name used in the definition is called the genus. The attributes are called the differentia. A definition may be represented by the following dia¬gram: Here line i represents the term to be defined. Line 2 represents the genus. The figure marked 3 represents the attributes or differentia. We may have a paragraph formed by the enu¬meration of the different genera to which an object or idea belongs, or by the enumeration of a number of attributes or differentia, or by the use of a series of complete definitions. A. A SERIES OF DIFFERENTIA. The proposition is peace. Not peace through the medium of war ; not peace to be hunted through the labyrinth of intricate and endless negotiations ; not peace to arise out of universal discord ;. . . . not peace to depend on the juridical determination of perplexing questions, or the precise marking the shadowy boun¬daries of a complex government. It is simple peace, sought in its natural course and in its ordinary haunts. It is peace sought in the spirit of peace, and laid in prin¬ciples purely pacific. I.	-EDMUND BURKE, Conciliation with America.

B. A SERIES OF COMPLETE DEFINITIONS. Filial piety ! It is the primal bond of society ; it is that instructive principle which, panting for its proper good, soothes, unbidden, each sense and sensibility of man ! It is an emanation of that gratitude which, softening under the sense of recollected good, is eager to own the vast countless debt it ne'er, alas ! can pay for so many long years of unceasing solicitude, honorable self-denial, life-preserving cares ! It is that part of our practice where duty drops its awe ; where reverence refines into love ! It is the sacrament of our nature ! — not only the duty, but the indulgence of man it is his first great privilege—it is among his last, most endear¬ing delights.

-RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, Sfieech against Warren Hastings in Westminster Hall.,