\ 
[4 
munication; fome fuppofing it made to Adam; while others 
confider the promulgation of the Mofaic law as its era. With- 
out producing the pofitive arguments that may be urged againft 
this opinion, we may obferve, that it is unneceflary to have 
recourfe to it: for however inadequate the energy of any in- 
dividual human intelle& may feem to the completion of alphabetic 
writing in its prefent form; yet a fucceflion of inventive powers 
might have raifed it from the rudeft beginning to the moft 
aftonifhing excellence. ‘This appears to be now the prevalent 
opinion: yet though admirable ingenuity and erudition have been 
exerted in detailing the gradual expanfion of the art from its 
nafcent rudiments, feveral chafms in the progreflion feem to be 
ftill unfilled. 
To attempt the fupply of zhis deficiency, and to give a con- 
nected hiftory of alphabetic whiting, is the obje& of the paper now 
fubmitted to the confideration of the Academy. 
Tuat the propriety of the links, which I fhall venture to fupply, 
may be more clearly feen, it is unavoidable that I fhould trace 
the progrefs -of writing as far as Warburton and others have 
defcribed it. Alphabetic letters denote founds; it is however 
probable, that the firft ftep was a delineation of. the forms of 
things; the conception, not the words exprefling it, was what 
offered itfelf for communication, and it readily prefented a na- 
turally refembling, permanent mark. Here it may be obferved, 
that moft inftituted figns may be traced to others fuggefted by 
nature; thus articulate words marking ideas by compact were 
probably 
