" In examining the history of mankind, as well as in examining 

 the phenomena of the material world, when we cannot trace the 

 process by whieh an event has heen produced, it is often of import- 

 ance to be able to show how it may have been produced by natural 

 causes. Thus, although it is impossible to determine with certainty 

 what the steps were by which any particular language was formed, 

 yet if we can show, from the known principles of human nature, 

 how all its various parts might gradually have arisen, the mind is 

 not only to a certain degree satisfied, but a check is given to that 

 indolent philosophy which refers to a miracle whatever appear- 

 ances, in the material and moral worlds, it is imable to explain." — 

 DuGALD Stewart. 



