410 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 



which he seems to mean an external object ; and thus it has- 

 been supposed, that no room was left in his theory of Language 

 for expressing the important phenomena of Mind. From this 

 it has appeared to be an inference, though certainly a very il- 

 logical one, that mental operations are merely the result of 

 the varied motions of matter. But it is probable that those 

 facts in the formation of languages advanced by Mr Tooke 

 which appear to have this last tendency would, if enquired 

 into, throw a fuither light on the progress of the human mind 

 as displayed in giving origin to various oral signs, without 

 at all influencing the question of materialism. If a full view 

 of the theory of language were exhibited, these facts would 

 come under consideration, and it would be necessary to attempt 

 an explanation of them. They are not, however, farther 

 connected with the observations contained in this paper than 

 as belonging in general to the theory of language, although 

 now alluded to from being suggested in consequence of the 

 contradictory sentiments which have been ascribed to the au- 

 thor now mentioned. 



The author of the present memoir indulges a hope that some 

 valuable instruction will ere long be derived either from the 

 criticisms of the learned on the doctrines which he has here 

 ventured to offer to their attention, or from exertions other- 

 wise made to cultivate a subject which undoubtedly lies open 

 to much improvement. 



XIV. 



i 



