106 On the Origin of 
be naturally led to prefer the plan of connect- 
ing his visible signs immediately with the 
words of spoken language, rather than with 
the ideas or external objects which those 
words denoted; the next enquiry will be into 
the prineiples upon which it is probable that 
the system of visible signs would be con- 
structed. 
But before we enter upon this enquiry it 
will be necessary to recall to our recollection 
the object which we had in view, 1m institu 
ting the present examination. 'This was to 
substantiate one very powerful argument in-fa- 
vour of the opinion we are considering, de- 
rived from the observation that the Divine 
Being never interposes todo any thing for us, 
which, by the exertion of our own natural 
faculties, we can do. for ourselves. For this 
purpose it is desirable to shew, if possible, 
that there is really nothing in the invention of 
letters which can be considered as beyond the 
reach of the unassisted powers of the human 
mind. In the present stage of our enquiry, 
therefore, it is not absolutely necessary that 
we should point out the very process accord- 
ing to which it actually did, or according to 
which it probably would, ‘present itself to the 
mind:; but merely to suggest aseries of steps 
which possibly might, produce this ‘effect. 
