532 
the propriety of using then, and not but, 
after it, will be evident trom this analysis. 
Other than becomes, one removed from 
whatever it 1s compared with, or cousi- 
dered in respect to; other but that, one 
remote except that, conveys a very diite~ 
rent idea; tae one and the oiher, means 
the come (positively) and the come (com- 
paratively) remote; ater than they, the 
come remote or a part fram (they) then: 
and, J conjecture that, im the latter and 
siuiiar mstances, calling than a copjune- 
tion, we have ignorantly perverted the 
ermwnal constraction of our language, to 
support a system which foreigners “have 
devised; for, surely other than they, ought 
to he othe than. them in any part of a 
sentence. ; 
The ali eagle of language in classes 
might, perhaps, be of use to learners, if 
it could be formed on fixed, invariable 
principles; but, in reality, there exist 
not nore than two sorts of words, the 
nown or name of a thing: many of our 
prepositions and conjunctions are forms 
of obsolete verbs inplying coming, going : 
and, the verb to be, which to us seems 
truly abstract, because unknown, is col- 
leoted from various verbs denoting those 
actions, or some common operation of the 
body; thus, tne Greeks express it by 
eis, as in forming the passive voice, the 
$ndiass and Persians ao by jana and 
shudan, all of which mean simply ¢e 
al : 
In the analysis of janguage and the 
derivation of words, conclusions as satis- 
factory as those of the mathematician 
can hardiy be hoped for; however far 
the investigator may have carried his 
researches: but, being myself of epinion 
that enquiries ef this sort, though fallen 
much into disrepute, are not altogether 
useless; and that a just notion of many 
paris of the English tongue can be ac- 
quired only by retracing them to their 
evginals; | beg leave to “recommend to 
the actention of the pinlologist, the dia- 
lects of Asia; an acquaintaince with 
wineh can alone give him a just idea of 
the miavner in which languag “eis con- 
structed. You's, &c, 
Marlow, QiKIENTALIS. 
Oetuber 11, 1807. 
—— a 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SiR, 
BADING in your useful and enter- 
taiing Miscellany tor April, a let- 
ter signed “ A Constant Reddet, ” offer- 
auesume remarks upon the usual mode 
Settlement by Composition preferable 
of settling the “ affairs of insolvent 
traders,” ‘T am induced to trouble you 
with a few thougits on that subject, 
wishing to convince the writer the con- 
clusions be draws trom the facts there 
stated, are not accordant with general ex- 
perience in matters of that nature. 
The writer begins by saying, “ that 
the provisions made by the bankrupt 
laws of this country, while they do jus- 
tice to the creditor, afford reasonable 
protection to the bankrupt,” and there- 
fore any other mode of settlement is im- 
proper, because it gives “a far greater 
mdulzence to a debtor than ts consistent 
with the wisdom of those laws’—allud- 
ing, as the writer adds, “ to the prevail- 
ing custom in some provincial towns, of 
making a a settlement by compromise, in- 
stead of issuing a commission.” If by 
“compromise,” is meant an extension of 
time to a debtor, without limitation, or 
fixing a period for payment of the debt, 
and withoat security, I agree with the 
writer, that in such a case It is more for 
the interest of the creditors to take out 
& commission, except in extensive mer- 
cantile concerns, where one of the parte 
ners is resident agroad ; but if by “ coms 
promise,” is meant composition, that is, 
the payment of a certain. proportion of 
an insolvent’s effects at different and 
stated periods, with good security, then 
TI should preter this mode of settlement 
to a commission, and for the reasons as- 
signed by the writer himself in this let- 
ter. When frand is suspected, when per- 
plexity, such as bill transactions appears, 
or when a mai) is not open, fair, and can- 
aid, in enquiries made by his creditors, 
who inspect into his affairs, then let a 
commission issue, as perhaps the only 
remedy to do justice to the creditors: 
but, on the thier hand, if no such cir= 
cumstances arise, and the conduct of the 
ulifortunate man is unimpeached, why 
fix a stigma on his name, by declaring 
him a bankrupt? Rather adopt a milder 
course, in justice to an honest character ; 
do not throw away the effects, by adopt- 
iag the tedious, formal, and expensive 
proceeding by commission: but exer 
cise the humane and commercial. discre- 
tion of British creditors, in following up 
: quick, decisive, and equally satisfac~ 
y mode of settlement by composition, 
Th, very reasons given by your * Cone | 
stant Reader,” for not agreeing to a set- 
tlement by composition, weigh in my 
mind as operating strongly to vii it. 
I wil briefly consider them. >.» 
First, 
