On an Universal Character. 97 
to paper respecting it, I put this essay into the 
hands of a gentleman, who I know to be much 
more capable of such investigations than I am, and 
desired him to turn his attention to it in a particu- 
lar manner, which I assured him he would find to 
be much less difficult than he would at first sight 
apprehend, and left it with him, without giving any 
explanation of the mode of notation that had occur- 
red to myself. When I next met with him, about 
a fortnight afterwards, I found that he had entered 
into the subject with great ardour, and had made a 
progress in it much greater than I believed to be 
possible. He had devised a mode of notation to- 
tally different from mine ; and, I believe, equally 
comprehensive and simple. He had formed the 
outlines nearly of a complete grammar, arrang- 
ed with the most beautiful simplicity, and with 
such peculiarities as give this written language 
such precision above all spoken languages as must 
tend greatly to improve, without deranging, the 
spoken language of all who shall use it. I have 
requested him to proceed till he completes the 
whole: for, as he advances, he finds that the signs 
may not only be more simplified than he first thought _ 
of; but also that, by this simplification, the zdeas may 
be rendered more distinct and precise. He thinks 
at present, that about five hundred characters are all 
that can be wanted for any purpose inlanguage. These 
are to be varied by moveable signs denoting genc- 
Vy Oo L. V. N 
