2^4 ■^''« ^(ikefield on the Origin 



On the Orksin of Alphabetical Characters, 

 By Gilbert Wakefield, B. A. late Fellow of 

 Jefus College, Cambridge. Read March lo, 1784. * 



A T this period of time, when the human 

 ** ^ mind has acquired fo much honour by 

 the introduftion of fuch aftonifhing improve- 

 ments, into the various departments of philo- 

 fophy and fcience, beyond the example of former 

 ages ; thofe fpeculations, which tend to aggran- 

 dize the dignity of reafon, are received with 

 avidity, and admitted with a readier acqui- 

 efcence. We are apt to conclude, that the 

 fame ingenuity and ftrength of faculties, which 

 have been able to inveftigate the fublime laws 

 of the planetary fyftem, to adjuft the tides, to 



• The unfettled fituation of the author, and his abfence 

 from books, would not fufFer him to difcufs the following 

 fubjeft in any other than a popular manner. The moil 

 fatisfaftory authorities, however, might be produced for 

 every aflertion of importance, and much more might have 

 been alledged to the purpofe of the queftion. But the 

 reader mull condefcend to take the attempt, as it is offered 

 to his notice. With refpeft to the Armenian language, 

 with which the author is not acquainted, it is faid to be 

 of more modern date, than the other oriental tongues, and 

 to have a great affinity to the Greek. 



difen tangle 



