290 On an Universal written Character. 
made to represent a general idea, that idea will be 
recalled to the mind whenever its sign is seen, and 
will be expressed in the manner usual in the lan- 
guage into which it 1s translated. 
It is farther to be remarked, that every language 
has not adjectives derived from the same words. 
This defect is supplied by constructing with the 
genitive case. But as both these ways of construc- 
tion, viz. with an adjective and genitive case, are 
proper to all languages, as far as I know, though 
not in the same individual words, I think. the diffe- 
rence of idiom, in this case, can produce no con- 
fusion. © Thus, in English, we say equally, the soud’s 
powers, or the powers of the soul. In Russ, they 
use hatchestva dushi, &F kaichestva dusheunij; viz. 
qualrfications of the soul, ox the soul’s qualifications. 
In Latin we can only say vires animi, that lan- 
guage not possessing an adjective derived from 
animus. It is evident, however, were a Roman to 
see soul’s powers, or dushevnz) sili, written in charac- 
ters, he would be at no loss to know the meaning, 
and express it in Latin words. 
It. is not my intention, at present, to exemplify 
the mode of formation, or to define the import of 
‘the various classes of adjectives which are found in 
language; I shall only hint that an appropriate 
termination will be found predominant in each 
class. To define the meaning of adjectives, and 
reduce them to determinate classes, is a work of 
