Brinton.] diU [March 20, 



and Indian oceans. This resulted at last in his selecting the 

 Kawi language, a learned idiom of the island of Java, Malayan 

 in origin but with marked traces of Hindu influence, as the point of 

 departure for his generalizations. His conclusions were set forth 

 in the introductory essay above referred to. 



The avowed purpose of this essay was to demonstrate the 

 thesis that the diversity of structure in languages is the neces- 

 sary condition of the evolution of the human mind,^ 



In the establishment of this thesis he begins with a profound 

 analysis of the nature of speech in genei*al, and then proceeds 

 to define the reciprocal influences which thought exerts upon it, 

 it upon thought. 



Portions of this work are extremely obscure even to those who 

 are most familiar with his theories and style. This arises partly 

 from the difficulty of the subject ; partly because his anxiety to 

 avoid dogmatic statements led him into vagueness of expres- 

 sion ; and partly because in some cases he was unce^otain of his 

 ground. In spite of these blemishes, this essay remains the most 

 suggestive work ever, written on the philosophy of language. 



§ 3. The Final Purpose op the Philosophy op Language. 



Humboldt has been accused of being a metaphysician, and a 

 scientific idealist. 



It is true that he believed in an ideal perfection of language, 

 to wit: that form of expression which would correspond through- 

 out to the highest and clearest thinking. But it is evident from 

 this simple statement that he did not expect to find it in any 

 known or possible tongue. He distinctly says, tliat this ideal is 

 too hypotheticjfl to be used otherwise than as a stimulus to in- 

 vestigation ; but as such it is indispensable to the linguist in the 

 pursuit of his loftiest task — the estimate of the efiorts of man 

 to realize perfection of expression. f 



* This is found expressed nowliere else so clearly as at the beginning of § 13, 

 where the author writes: " Der Zweclc dieser Eiiileitung, die Sprachen, in der 

 Verschiedenartiglteit ilires Baues, als die nothwendlge Grundlage der Fort- 

 bildung des mensclilichen Geistes darzustellen, und den wechsel seitie-en Ein- 

 fluss des Einen auf das Andre zu erortern, hat mich genothigt, in die Natur der 

 Kpraclie iiberliaupt einzugelien." Bd. vi, s. 106. 



t " Der Idee der Spraclivollendung Dasein in derWirklichlveit zu gewinnen." 

 Ueber (He VerschiedenheU, ss. 10 and 11. The objection which may be urged that 

 a true philosophy of language must deal in universaLs and not confine itself to 

 mere difTereiitiations (particulars) is neatly met by Dr. Scliasler, Z)te .EZe??ie«<e 

 der Philosophischen SpracJiwissenscha/t, etc., p. 21, note. 



