in the word _influence_ as
there is in the word _authority_. Does it seem that _influence_ is the
right word here?

4. _Talents._ The history of this word is an interesting one. In origin
it is Greek, and there it was the name of a weight, which in silver had
a certain money value. The same word appearing in Hebrew had a similar
meaning. A Hebrew talent in silver would be worth something over
seventeen or nineteen hundred dollars of our money. In the New Testament
(see _Matthew_ XXV, 14 to 30), Christ utters the parable of the talents.
We now use the word to mean intellectual ability or capacity, or skill
in accomplishing things, or some special gift in some art or science. It
is probable that this figurative meaning of the word has originated from
the parable, and although many writers have criticised the use of
_talent_ in our sense, it has become well established in the language.

5. _Odious._ The Latin word from which _odious_ is derived means
_hatred_. An _odious_ thing is a thing to be _hated_. Our word _odium_
differs slightly in use from our word _hatred_. We exercise _hatred_,
but we endure _odium_.

6. _Desire._ The origin of this word is not certain, but it was probably
derived from the French words which mean literally _from the stars_ or
_constellations_.

7. _Immense._ This word is derived from two Latin words which mean
_cannot be measured_.

8. _Coalition._ The two Latin words from which _coalition_ is derived
mean _to grow with_; consequently, a _coalition_ is a thing composed of
several elements which have grown together. We should not expect a
_coalition_ to be suddenly formed; it must come about by process of
growth.

9. _Appease._ Literally, _appease_ means _to make peace_. It also means
_to satisfy_, and is derived directly from the Latin. We try to
_appease_ those who are in passion and try to _calm_ those who are in
trouble or apprehension. Does Macaulay use the word properly when he
speaks of _appeasing_ indignation?

10. _Fluency._ The Latin word from which _fluency_ is derived means _to
flow_. Accordingly, a _fluent_ person is one from whom speech flows
smoothly and readily. To lack _fluency_ Macaulay considers an
unfortunate defect in Francis.

11. _Asperity._ The Latin word _asper_ means _rough_ or _harsh_, and was
applied to things which had a rough surface. Macaulay uses the word as
we now know it, in the same figurative sense in which we now sometimes
use the word _roughness_.