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It may be doubted whether a composite language like the English is not a happier instrument of expression than a homogeneous one like the German. We possess a wonderful richness and variety of modified meanings in our Saxon and Latin quasi-synonymes, which the Germans have not. For "the pomp and _prodigality_ of Heaven," the Germans must have said "_the spendthriftness_. "[1] Shakspeare is particularly happy in his use of the Latin synonymes, and in distinguishing between them and the Saxon.
[Footnote 1: _Verschwendung_, I suppose. -- ED.]
That is the most excellent state of society in which the patriotism of the citizen ennobles, but does not merge, the individual energy of the man.