350 ORIGIN OF LETTERS, 



it is a Symbol." The former may be truly said to derive its 

 origin from that imitative faculty which is so conspicuous in the 

 human species ; tho latter is founded in necessity or convenience, 

 and becomes significant by compact : the one hath only an imme- 

 diate reference to sensible obji cts, which present themselves to the 

 sight ; thp other to mental conceptions : in short, the fonver is ap- 

 plicable to hieroglyphic representations; the latter comprf hnit: 

 symbols and marks for sounds, significant of ideas by adoption. 

 Hence we may conclude, that all representations, marks, or cha- 

 racters, Which were ever used, by any nation or people, must hare 

 been either imitative or symbolic*. 



[Astle. 



SECTION II. 



On the Origin of Letters, and the Invention of Alphabets. 



THE art of drawing ideas into vision, or of exhibiting the con- 

 ception of the mind by legible characters, may justly be deemed 

 the noblest and most beneficial invention of which human i 

 unity can boast : an invention which hath contributed more than 

 all others to the improvement of mankind. 



This subject has engaged the attention and perplext-cl tin- 

 sagacity, of many able and judicious persons for more than 

 two centuries : some of the most respectable writers have rca. 

 soned upon erroneous principles, and, by their works, have ob- 



* Aiaip ipti Si TO OMOIiiMA T* ZTfMBOAOY, KtxQifn TO /ui Susl^aa Tr.y {>uriv CITJ-> 

 Tu -T^ay/nare; xara TO JtvaTW a7rii^vi^itf-9aj BaXnai, xat ax l;nv f$' iiu.~v iiri 

 /.xirxTrXs'ra*. T > ys <ru/^CXar, iroi trftttn TO oAov $>' iifjiiv ij^ii, TI x< ix juiurr 

 t})i(Ta ( uV6 -rtt nptrefaz lirnitas' 



A representation or resemblance differs from a symbol in as much as (he re- 

 semblance aims as far as possible) (o represent the very nature of the tiling, nor 

 is it in our power to shift or vary it : but a symbol or sign, is wholly in our 

 power, as depending singly for its existence on our imagination. Aminon. in 

 lib. de Interp. p. 17, b. 



The above in the meaning to be annexed to the word symbol, the pri.-iripal 

 u nid- being to explain things ; but the great Lord Baron truly obi-erM--., 

 " That the first di.-temper of learning is, when men study words and :iolii'.;. 

 Shaw's Baron, vol. i. p. S3. That excellent writer was SH> stronglv ini;., 

 Vfith thiii sentiment, that he makes the same observation in different parts of hi* 

 works. It i-, ^aid of IMutan -li. (Sat, like a true philosopher, he regarded things, 

 more than word*. 



