to amufe their readers and cover their own ignorance, by very learnedly difputing the propriety of the fimilie, instead of explaining the nature of the Conjunction.

But, pray, have you any authority for the derivation of thefe words? Are not all former etymologifts against you?

H.

one of its meanings) I beBut I am perfuaded that all

Except in IF, and BUT (in lieve they are all against me. future etymologifts, and perhaps fome philofophers, will acknowledge their obligation to me. For thefe troublefome conjunctions, which have hitherto caufed them fo much mistaken and unfatisfactory labour, fhall fave them

"qui face de plufieurs propofitions une, en les coufant & liant ensemble, "comme le marbre fait le fer quand on le fond avec lui par le feu; mais pour cela le marbre n'est pas pourtant, ny ne l'appelle lon pas partie de "fer; combien que ces chofes-là qui entrent en une compofition & qui "font fondues avec les drogues que l'on mefle, ont accouftumé de faire " & de fouffrir ne fçay quoi de commun, compofé de tous les ingrediens."Quant aux prepofitions on les peult accomparer aux pennaches ou autres "Ornemens que lon met au deffus les habillemens de Teftes, ou bien aux "bases & foubassement que lon met au deffoubs des Statues; pour ce qu'elles ne font pas tant parties d'oraifon, comme alentour des parties.” PLUTARCH, Platonic Questions.—9th. Amyot.

many

many an error and many a weary step in future. They fhall no more expofe themselves by unnatural forced conceits to derive the English and all other languages from the Greek, or the Hebrew; or fome imaginary primæval tongue. The Particles of every language fhall teach them whither to direct and where to ftop their inquiries: for wherever the evident meaning and origin of the Particles of any language can be found, there is the certain fource of the whole.

B.

Without a moment's reflection, every one must perceive that this affertion is too general and comprehenfive. The mixture which is found in all cultivated languages; the perpetual acceffion of new words from affectation as well as from improvement, and the introduction of new Arts and Habits, especially in learned nations; and from other circumstances; forbid the deduction of the whole of a language from any one fingle fource.

Moft certainly. And therefore when I fay the whole, I must beg to be understood with those exceptions. And, that I may not feem to contradict myfelf when we shall hereafter come to treat of them, I beg you likewise to re

member, that I by no means include in my affertion, the Abbreviations of language: for they are always improvements fuperadded by language in its progrefs; and are often borrowed from fome other more cultivated languages. Whereas the original Mother-tongue is always rude and tedious, without thofe advantages of Abbreviation. And were he once more in being, I fhould not at all doubt of being able to convince even Junius himself (who with many others could so far mistake the course and progress of speech, as to derive an uncultivated from a cultivated language) that, instead of referring the Anglo-faxon to his favourite Greek as its original, he must seek out (and I suppose he would easily find) a Parent for the latter.

But, I beg pardon, this is rather digreffing from my purpose. I have nothing to do with the learning of mere curiofity*: nor am any farther concerned with Etymology, than as it may ferve to get rid of the false philosophy received concerning language and the human understanding. If you pleafe, therefore, I will return to the Con

*

Il y a un point, paffé lequel les recherches ne font plus que pour la "curiofité. Ces verités ingenieufes et inutiles reffemblent à des étoiles qui, placées trop loin de nous, ne nous donnent point de clarté."

Voltaire, Sur la Societé royale et fur les Academies.

junctions

junctions I have derived; and, if you think it worth the while, we will examine the conjectures of other perfons concerning them; and see whether I have not something better than the authorities you ask after in my favour.

B.

I should be glad you would do fo.

ΕΠΕΑ

ΕΠΕΑ ΠΤΕΡΟΕΝΤΑ, &c.

CHAP. VIII.

ETYMOLOGY OF THE ENGLISH CONJUNCTIONS.

I F.

IF

Η.

F and AN may be used mutually and indifferently to fupply each other's place.

Besides having Skinner's authority for IF, I fuppofe that the meaning and derivation of this principal supporter of the Tripod of Truth *, are fo very clear, fimple and univer

* See Plutarch Περι του ΕΙ του εν Δελφοις,

Εν δε Διαλεκτική δη σε μεγιστην έχει δυναμιν ὁ συναπικς ετοσι συνδεσμα, ετε δη το λογικώτατον σχηματίζων αξιωμα. Το γαρ τεκνικον και λογικόν, ώσπερ ειρήται, γνωσις ακολεθίας, την δε προσληψιν ἡ αισθησις τω λόγω δίδωσινο όθεν ει και αισχρον ειπείν, εκ αποτρεψομαι τέλο είναι τον της αληθείας τριποδα τον λογον, ὃν την τα λεγοντος προς το προηγέμενον ακολεθίαν θέμενος, είτα προσλάβων την ύπαρξιν, επαγει το συμπερασμα της αποδείξεως. Τον εν Πυθιον ει δη μεσικη τε ηδέζαι, και κυκνων φωναίς και κιθαρας ψοφοις, τι θαυμαςον εσι Διαλεκτικης φιλια τόξο ασπάζεσθαι τε λόγε το μερος και αγαπαν, ώ μάλιςα και πλείσω προσχρώμενος όρα της φιλοσοφές.

fally