142, Mr. Haruey's Obfervations 
If any one, neverthelefs, fhould chance to be fo 
completely fatisfied with our mode of forming words, 
as to think that there is not any room for its improve- 
ment, he muft indeed be a very fuperficial, or a 
very precipitate obferver; fince nothing can be 
advanced in defence of defects which an eafy invefti- 
gation would enable him to condemn, but, that 
neceffity alone has fo long retained them. For, 
indeed, however they may be examined, it is to be 
feared that the faults of our Alphabet are too invete- 
rate to allow of being, in any fhort time, effectually 
repaired, unlefs (which would be vain to expect) 
all the literature of the Englifh language, worth 
preferving, fhould be reprinted. ‘This much, how- 
ever, may be derived from the examination, that it 
may poffibly excite fome further curiofity and 
enquiry concerning a fubject, which, without 
queftion, is not too far beneath the pride of man, 
or the ftubbornnefs of opinion to inveftigate: ‘* Ne 
* quis (igitur) tanquam parve faftideat Grammatices 
elementa: non quia magne fit opere confonantes. 
4 vocalibus difcernere, ipfafque eas in femivocalium 
numerum, mutarumque partiri; fed quia interiora 
“‘ velut facri hujus adeuntibus, apparebit. multa 
rerum, fubtilitas, qua non modo acuere ingenia 
puerilia, fed exercere altiffimam quoque erudi- 
** tionem ae fcientiam poffit.”* 
ec 
The 
* Quindill. Inftitut. Lib, ii, 
