114 On the Origin of, &c. 
phabetical writing was in reality a human 
invention; and had its origin in. those same 
powers of reason and understanding, to which 
all the other inventions that have contributed 
to the comfort and happiness of mankind, 
and which seem in many instances to have re- 
quired even a greater exertion of ingenuity 
and contrivance, are universally and justly 
ascribed. 
ON 
=, ee 
