on the English Alphabet. 205 
though differently written, in other languages. For 
indeed no one language can fufficiently explain 
its own founds unlefs viva voce; therefore, in order 
to give any explanation upon paper, continual 
reference muft be had to analogous founds in 
fome other language; for as the adamant mutt 
be applied to illuftrate every gem of the fame . 
kind, fo, to explain one language, affiftance is to 
be fought for in others, as has been done in 
the courfe of this Paper: and if the arrange- 
ment of the Alphabets (oppofite page 177*) be 
correct, or nearly fo, then may the Englifh be 
allowed to poffefs, in that table, the greateft number 
of 
* Having frequently thought, that machinery might be 
conftru&ted, by an ingenious artift, for imitating the founds 
of the human voice, as well as organs have been formed 
for the imitation of the tone and powers of various mufi- 
cal inftruments, I was not greatly furprized at finding, by 
a paragraph in the General Evening Poft of May 91, and 
by an account in the Analytical Review for the laft month 
(June) that a M. Von Kempelen, of Vienna, has lately 
invented fuch a machine, and publifhed a defcription of 
it, with plates, Experiments therewith would incontro- 
vertibly decide upon the nature and comparative powers 
of each language it may be brought to imitate. At prefent 
‘it is faid to give correétly the found of all the vowels 
« and all the confonants; but the latter are combined 
“and exprefied with fome difficulty. Of confequence 
‘¢ the ingenious inventor has, found it better fuited to 
Italian, French, and Latin, than to his native language. 
** But he has hopes of introducing confiderable improve- 
* ments, and arranging it in fuch a manner, that it may 
be played upon with keys, in the manner of an Organ, 
‘© and with equal facility.” 
