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Chap. XV.] Modern Languages. 02;j 



the eighteenth century is distinguiiihcd, we may 

 also mention, as a peculiarity of the ag-e, equally 

 worthy of remark, the extensive knowledge which 

 has been acquired, by learned philologists, within 

 a few years past, of many other living languages, 

 even some of the most barbarous and unpolished. 

 The amount of information communicated by 

 modern voyagers and travellers on subjects of this 

 nature, is great and valuable. Among these 

 Strahlenberg, Sonnerat, Marsden, Thunberg, For- 

 ster, and many others, are entitled to honourable 

 distinction. 



The idea of tracing the origin and history of na- 

 tions through the medium of inquiries into their 

 respective languages, if not first conceived, was cer- 

 tainly tirst reduced to practice, to any considera- 

 ble extent, in the cer^tury under review. It is be- 

 lieved that the first considerable specimen of an 

 inquiry of this nature was given to the world by 

 Mr. Jacob Bryant, a gentleman whose profound 

 erudition, critical sagacity, and unwearied labour, 

 are among the signal honours of the age *. Nearly 

 about the same time appeared the celebrated and 

 voluminous work of M. Court de Gebclin, be- 

 fore mentioned, in which, with great learning, 



* It is impossible for any friend to virtue and sound learning 

 to pronounce the name of this veteran in literature without vene- 

 ration. In his Observations and Inquiries relating to various Parts 

 of Ancient History, and in his Nen: System, or Anaksis of /Indent 

 Mythology , he has displayed an extent and a minuteness of in- 

 formation truly wonderful, perhaps unequalled by any other in- 

 dividual living; and a degree of critical acumen, and philosophic 

 soberness of inquiry, joined with a love of truth, and especially 

 of Evangelic truth, which entitle him to the lasting gratitude 

 both of the pliiiosopher and the christian. 



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