140 EXCURSIONS noUNJ) LONDON. 



clev as the parent of thought, is certainly but 

 Hs offspring. 



Man does not think because he speaks, 

 but speaks because he thinkr Fndowed 

 with reflection, he felt that he could 

 nutate the cries which struck his ear, and 

 by this means recal the idea of objects not 

 immediately before him. 



All people enjoy the blessing of speech, 

 because they all enjoy the gift of thought, 

 and nothing can afford a stronger proof o 

 their common origin. All languages, though 

 different among themselves, resemble each 

 other in their constructions, 'and present 

 nearly the same basis to him who analyses 



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them. Melodious, in temperate climates, 

 harsh in cold countries, language presents 

 as many varieties as, there are different lati- 

 tudes, but its elements are every where the 

 same. All have originated from the wants 

 and relations of those who invented them. 

 Languages become less figurative as nations 

 approach towards civilisation ; thus the lan- 

 guage 



