on the Englifh Alphabet. 167 
the different modifications of language, are as ne- 
ceflary as for directing the various modulations of 
mufical 
here, therefore, in fome views, the language may be thought 
more beautifully fimplified, and more nearly refembling 
modes of the firft antiquity; though it can hardly be 
doubted, but it muft, in fome inftances, barter perf{picuity 
for fuch fimplicity. 
It is certain, that the French are obliged to ufe a great 
concourfe of accentual marks; having only fix charaéters 
to exprefs all their varieties of vowel founds, Perhaps, 
thefe deficiences, among other motives, might have induced 
Erafmus to call it, “ Lingua barbara et abnormis, que aliud 
JSeribit quam fonat, queque fuos habet ftridores et voces, vix 
humanas.” 
It would be better, however, to abate a little of the 
feverity, on the one fide, and a little of the too warm 
encomium on the ‘other; and then it will be allowed, 
that the ufe of our alphabet, though not as abfurd as that 
of the French language, is, neverthelefs, defettive in many 
inftances. Though there may be many, who, at frft fight, 
will not allow that it is fo. For, under the various ftates 
of this fhort life, which, in fo many ways modify the 
human heart; difference of opinion, whether concerning | 
things temporal or fpiritual ; things beneath human notice, 
or fuperior to its higheft wifdom, will ever be as much 
man’s leading charatteriftic, as difference of feature and 
complexion: he, therefore, who, upon all occafions, can 
1ew the greateft candour, towards the inofenfve bias of 
man, and the venial errors of opinion, will afford a com- 
parative indication of his progrefs in the knowledge of the 
mind : mutual conceffions are neceflary to mutual improve- 
ment ; this truth may be proved by experience, and all 
men, by turns, may ftand in need of, and enjoy its advan- 
tages, 
