138 Mr. Harvey's Obfervations 
Alphabet, in refpeét to marking that variety of 
founds, in which it is certainly richer, as I fhall by 
and by attempt to prove, than many of the modern 
languages; though as to characters for exprefling 
thofe founds with due exactnefs, there are un- 
doubtedly few languages fo deficient. 
‘It is not my intention, however, ‘to write an 
effay upon the general conftruction of the language ; 
neither fhall I here endeavour to recapitulate all 
the various conjectures, which have been written, 
relative to the invention of alphabetical characters ; 
nor fhall I dwell upon the hiftory of their improve- 
‘ment, progrefs, and diverfity ; as thefe are circum- 
flances, wherewith almoft every one is well acquaint- 
ed: But I fhail confine this paper chiefly to fome | 
obfervations, on the variety of founds in the Englifh 
language, and the impoffibility of a diftinét and 
sational notation thereof by our prefent alphabet, 
perverted as it too often is; with fuch reference to, 
the Alphabets of other languages, as may ferve to 
elucidate and explain the fubjecét; and with fuch 
authorities, as may teftify its importance, And 
though, perhaps, it would require a long feries of 
years to improve our Alphabet, by repairing its 
defe&s, and pruning away its redundancies, yet 
certainly the enquiry fhould not be deemed con- 
temptible ; fince, as a learned and ingenious Member 
of this Society* well obferves: “ Of all humar 
-* See Effays Hiftorical and Moral, by the Rev. G. 
Gregory, D, D. 
arts, 
