The Greeks and Romans did not think it enough that they learn't their Nativetongue by mere Practice. When they grew up, they ftudy'd it in the Works of Grammarians, to obferve the Rules, the Exceptions, the Etymologys, the figurative Senses, the Structure of the whole Language, and it's Variations.

A learn'd Grammarian wou'd be in danger of making a Grammar too elaborate, and too full of Precepts. I think it wou'd be best to keep to a fhort and easy Method. At first, give only the most common Rules: the Exceptions will be learn't by degrees. The chief Point is to set a Learner, as foon as poffible, to apply the general Rules, by frequent Practice and afterward he will take a Pleafure in obferving the particular Rules that he follow'd at first, without heeding them.

This Grammar cou'd not fix a living Language: but it wou'd probably leffen the capricious Changes, by which the Mode governs our Words as well as our Cloaths. These fanciful Alterations may at length perplex and fpoil a Language, inftead of improving it.

§. III. MAY I not prefume here, from an Excess of Zeal, to offer a Proposal, which I readily submit to such a judi

cious SOCIETY? Our Language wants a great many Words and Phrafes. Nay I cannot but think that within these hundred Years, it has been cramp't and impoverish❜t by refining it. 'Twas then fomewhat unpolifh't indeed, and too verbofe: but we regret the Lofs of the old Language, when we find it in the Works of MAROT, AMIOT, the Cardinal D'OSS AT; in the moft humorous Writings, as well as in the most serious. It had fomething in it very fhort, fimple, bold, lively, and affecting. If I mistake not we have thrown out more Words than we have taken in. Now I wou'd have none loft; but new ones introduc'd. I wou'd have every Word authoriz'd, that we want, if it found fweetly, and be not ambiguous.

When we carefully examine the Signification of Words, we perceive there are fcarce any two that have exactly the fame Meaning. We find very many that do not point-out an Object diftinctly enough, unless we add a fecond Word. Hence comes the frequent Ufe of Circumlocutions; which oblige us to use feveral Words to express one Idea. It wou'd be proper to abridge our Language, by fixing one plain proper Word to express every Object, every Sentiment, and every Action. I wou'd even have feveral fynonymous

fynonymous Terms for one Thing. This is the way to avoid all Ambiguity; to vary our Expreffions; and to inake them all harmonious: feeing we might eafily chuse out of several fynonymous Words, that which runs fmootheft with the reft of the Period.

The Greeks had a great Number of these compounded Words; fuch as Pantocrator, Glaucopis, Eucnemides, &c. And tho' the Latins were more reserv'd in this Point, they imitated the Greeks a-little, as in Lanifica, Malefuada, Pomifer, &c. This way of compounding Words made their Language concife, and their Verfes more magnificent. Besides, the Greeks freely us'd feveral Dialects in the fame Poem; to make their Verfification more various and eafy. The Latins enrich't their Tongue with fuch Foreign Words as they needed. For instance, they wanted fome Terms that were proper for Philofophy, which began at Rome very late. So when they learn't Greek they borrow'd it's Terms to argue upon the Sciences. TULLY who was nicely fcrupulous about the Purity of his Language, very freely us'd fuch Greek Terms as he needed. A Greek Word, when first us'd, was reckon'd uncouth: however fome beg'd leave to use it: and then the

Permiflion

Permiffion they obtain'd, foon turn'd into Cuftom, and made it current Latin.

I am inform'd that the* ENGLISH refuse no Words that fit their Purpose; but

I hope it will not be thought a vain Digreffion, if I ftep a-little afide to recommend to the Gentlemen of our Nation, the forming of fuch an Affembly, [as the French ACADEMY. I know indeed that the English Genius is not fo airy and difcourfive, as that of fome of our Neighbours; but that we generally love to have Reafon fet-out in plain undeceiving Expreffions; as much as they to have it deliver'd with Colour and Beauty. And befides this, I understand well enough that they have one great Affiftance to the Growth of Oratory, which to us is wanting; that is, that their Nobility live commonly clofe together in their Citys; and ours for the most part fcatter'd in their CountryHoufes whereas it is from the frequent Conversations in City's, that the Humour, and Wit, and Variety and Ele gance of Language, are chiefly to be fetch't. But yet notwithstanding thefe Difcouragements I shall not stick to fay that fuch a PROJECT is now feafonable to be fet on-foot; and may make a great Reformation in the Manner of our Speaking and Writing. Firft, the Thing it-felf is no way contemptible. For, the Purity of Speech, and Greatness of Empire, have in all Countrys ftill met together. The Greeks Spoke beft when they were in their Glory of Conqueft. The Romans made thofe Times the Standard of their Wit, when they fubdu'd, and gave Laws to the World: And from thence by degrees they declin'd to Corruption; as their Valour, their Prudence, and the Honour of their Arms did decay and at last did even meet the Northern Nations half-way in Barbarism, a little before they were over-run by their Armys.

But befides, if we obferve well the English Language, we fhall find, that it feems at this time more than others, to require fome fuch Aid, to bring it to its laft Perfection. The Truth is, it has been hitherto a little too carelessly handled; and, I think, has had lefs Labour spent about its polifhing, than it deferves. Till the Time of King Henry the Eighth, there was fcarce any Man regarded it but Chaucer; and nothing was written in it which one wou'd be willing to read twice, but fome of his Poetry. But then it began

to

but borrow freely from any of their Neighbours. Such a Practice is very al-, lowable. In this Cafe, mere Use makes a Language common to all Men. Words. are but Sounds that we arbitrarily use to express our Thoughts: and thefe Sounds are in themselves of no Value. All People have the fame Right to use them. What matter is it then, whether a Word belongs originally to our Language, or comes from a foreign Country? It wou'd be very childish to take any Exception at fuch a Trifle as the Manner of moving our Lips, and fhaking the Air.

Befides, we have no Pretence for infifting upon this falfe Point of Honour. P.. Our

to raise it-felf a-little, and to found tolerably well. From that Age down to the beginning of our late Civil Wars, it was ftill fashioning and beautifying it-felf. In the Wars themselves it receiv'd many fantastical Terms, which were introduc'd by our Religious Sects; and many outlandish Phrafes, which feveral Writers and Translators, in that great Hurry brought in and made free as they pleas'd; and withal it was inlarg'd by many found and necessary Forms, and Idioms which it before wanted. And now when Men's Minds are fomewhat fettled, their Paffions allay'd, and the Peace of our Country gives us the Opportunity of fuch Diverfions; if fome fober and judicious Men wou'd take the whole Mafs of our Language into their Hands, as they find it, and wou'd fet a Mark on the ill Words; correct those which are to be retain'd; admit and eftablish the good; and make fome Emendations in the Accent, and Grammar: I dare pronounce that our Speech wou'd quickly arrive at as much Plenty, as it is capable to receive; and at the greatest Smoothness, which its Derivation from the rough German will allow it.

History of the Royal Society, p. 41, 428