150 Mr. Harvey's Obfervations 
it by that accurate and invariable method, which 
can be acquired only by a due attention to the 
analyfis and fynthefis of founds? For this attention 
would perhaps be.the root of greater improvement ; 
inafmuch as found and language fhould be the infe- 
parable index of the fenfe; becaufe, without accuracy 
therein, a juft. difcrimination of ideas could not 
always take place ; and certainly, as reafon can beft. 
operate when the fenfes are all in unifon, con- 
trarieties fhould not be joined, where an individual 
truth is propofed.. Words fhould therefore be analo- 
gous in principles, both as to found and to,appear- 
ance.* But, though I may fay with Mr. Locke,*f ** that 
** Tam not vain enough to think that any one can 
* pretend to attempt the perfect reforming the 
** languages of the world, no not fo much as of his 
‘* own country, without rendering himfelf. ridicu- 
** Jous,” yet fomething may be done at every oppor- 
tunity to favour progreffive improvement, rather 
than the corruption of language. 
Iam well aware that little offers in this matter to 
flatter our hopes with any early probability of 
amending 
* «The Greeks had, in the whole ftru€ture of their 
. language, a proper regard to the ear, as well as to the 
““ underftanding; and employed the whole power of ele- 
« mental founds to make their language both foft and 
* manly in the pronunciation,” 
Origin and Progrefs of Language. 
+ Onthe Human Underftanding. Book iii, Chap. 11. 
