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AN ESSAY 
ON THE ORIGIN 
Alphabetical Characters. 
BY THE 
REV. WILLIAM TURNER, JUN. A. M. 
» (Read April 15, 1813.) 
Ir we examine the various. contrivances 
which have contributed to the improvement 
and the happiness of mankind; whether we 
consider the extent and iniportance of the 
effects, or the simplicity of the means. by 
which these effects are produced, we shall find 
none more calculated to excite our astonish- 
ment, our admiration, or our gratitude, than 
the art of writing by means of Alphabetical 
Characters.. It has been asserted, and perhaps 
with truth, that without this art no high de- 
gree of civilization is attainable. However 
this may be, it is at least certain, :that if we 
were at present deprived of it, we should 
lose one of the most important and efficacious 
means of improvement which we possess. 
The origin of this art, simple and elegant 
as it is, is buried in the remotest antiquity, 
and it is difficult, perhaps impossible, to as- 
