‘P_i_gmy’ used formerly to be spelt ‘p_y_gmy’, and so long as it was so, no Greek scholar could see the word, but at once he knew that by it were indicated manikins whose measure in height was no greater than that of a man’s arm from the elbow to the closed _fist_{241}. Now he may know this in other ways; but the word itself, so long as he assumes it to be rightly spelt, tells him nothing. Or again, the old spelling, ‘diam_ant_’, was preferable to the modern ‘diam_ond_’. It was preferable, because it told more of the quarter whence the word had reached us. ‘Diamant’ and ‘adamant’ are in fact only two different adoptions on the part of the English tongue, of one and the same Greek, which afterwards became a Latin word. The primary meaning of ‘adamant’ is, as you know, the indomitable, and it was a name given at first to steel as the hardest of metals; but afterwards transferred{242} to the most precious among all the precious stones, as that which in power of resistance surpassed everything besides. {Sidenote: ‘_Cozen_’, ‘_Bless_’} Neither are new spellings to be commended, which obliterate or obscure the relationship of a word with others to which it is really allied; separating from one another, for those not thoroughly acquainted with the subject, words of the same family. Thus when ‘_j_aw’ was spelt ‘_ch_aw’, no ne could miss its connexions with the verb ‘to chew’{243}. Now probably ninety-nine out of a hundred who use both words, are entirely unaware of any relationship between them. It is the same with ‘cousin’ (consanguineus), and ‘to cozen’ or to deceive. I do not propose to determine which of these words should conform itself to the spelling of the other. There was great irregularity in the spelling of both from the first; yet for all this, it was then better than now, when a permanent distinction has established itself between them, keeping out of sight that ‘to cozen’ is in all likelihood to deceive under show of kindred and affinity; which if it be so, Shakespeare’s words, “_Cousins_ indeed, and by their uncle _cozened_ Of comfort”{244}, will be found to contain not a pun, but an etymology{245}. The real relation between ‘bliss’ and ‘to bless’ is in like manner at present obscured{246}.