H. In what particular language do you mean? For, if you do not confine your queftion, you might as reasonably expect me (according to the fable) “to make a coat to fit "the moon in all her changes." are. B. Why? Are they not the fame in all languages? H. Thofe neceffary to the communication of our thoughts B. And are not the others alfo ? H. No. Very different. B. I thought we were talking of Univerfal Grammar. H. I mean fo too. But I cannot answer the whole of your question, unless you confine it to fome particular language with which I am acquainted. However, that need not disturb you: for you will find afterwards that the princi ples will apply univerfally. B. Well. For the present then confine yourself to the neceffary Parts: and exemplify in the English. H. In English, and in all Languages, there are only two forts of words which are necesary for the communication of our thoughts. These are the common names, and I fuppofe you use them according to the common acceptation. H. I should not otherwife have chofen them, but becaufe they are commonly employed; and it would not be easy to to difpoffefs them of their prefcriptive title: befides, without doing any mifchief, it faves time in our difcourfe. And I use them according to their common acceptation. B. But you have not all this while informed me how many Parts of Speech you mean to lay down. or more. H. But I That shall be as you please. Either Two, or Twenty, In the strict sense of the term, no doubt both the neceffary words and the Abbreviations are all of them Parts of Speech; because they are all useful in Language, and each has a different manner of fignification. think it of great confequence both to knowledge and to Languages, to keep the words employed for the different purposes of fpeech, as diftinct as poffible. And therefore I am inclined to allow that rank only to the necessary words and to include all the others (which are not neceffary to speech, but merely fubftitutes of the first sort) under the title of Abbreviations. * "Res neceffarias Philofophus primo loco ftatuit: accefforias autem & " vicarias, mox." 3 I. C. Scaliger de Caufis L. L. cap. 110.. B. Merely Substitutes! You do not mean that you can difcourfe as well without as with them? H. Not as well. A fledge cannot be drawn along as smoothly, and easily, and swiftly, as a carriage with wheels; but it may be dragged. B. Do you mean then that, without using any other sort of word whatever, and merely by the means of the Noun and Verb alone, you can relate or communicate any thing that I can relate or communicate with the help of all the others? H. Yes. It is the great proof of all I have advanced. And, upon trial, you will find that you may do the fame. But, after the long habit and familiar use of Abbreviations, your first attempts to do without them will seem very aukward to you; and you will stumble as often as a horse, long used to be fhod, that has newly caft his shoes. Though indeed (even with those who have not the habit to struggle against) without Abbreviations, Language can get on but lamely: and therefore they have been introduced, in different plenty, and more or less happily, in all Languages. And upon these two points-Abbreviation of Terms, and Abbreviation in the manner of fignification of words-depends the refpective excellence of every Language. All their other comparative advantages are trifling. B. I like your method of proof very well; and will certainly put it to the trial. But before I can do that properly, you must explain your Abbreviations: that I may know what they stand for, and what words to put in their room. H. Would you have me then pafs over the two neceffary Parts of Speech; and proceed immediately to their Abbreviations ? B. If you will. For I fuppofe you agree with the common opinion, concerning the words which you have distinguifhed as neceffary to the communication of our thoughts. Thofe you call neceffary, I fuppofe you allow to be the figns of different forts of Ideas, or of different operations of the mind. |