142 



3^h- This simplification not only renders the sounds of 

 our language less agreeable to the ear, but it also restrains 

 us from disposing the sounds in the manner that might 

 be the most agreeable; tying down words to a particular 

 situation, and forbidding almost every kind of inversion or 

 transposition. 



THE GREEK. 



In this, and this only, most of the characters of the pri- 

 meval language are found. It is perfectly original, being 

 underived, in the opinion of the most profound antiqua- 

 rian and ablest linguist of the last century,* from any 

 other Oriental language, with the exception of a few words, 

 borrowed from the Phcenicians, Thracians, and Scythians; 

 and in its structiu'e, it totally differs from all of them. 



In* this, the relation of nouns to each other, and of 

 verbs to time, person, and number, are denoted in the 

 most natiu-al manner, and with the greatest precision and 

 accuracy, by mere changes of, or additions to, the termi- 

 nation. 



It is equally happy, in expressing every modification of 

 perception, passion and emotion, which may arise in, oc- 

 cupy, or agitate the human mind. 



The dual number, in all cases, it almost exclusively 

 possesses. Adam Smith, from misinformation, conceived 



this 



* Hemstediiisins; see the Frencli translation of Herodotus, Vol. I. p. 2"«i. 



