principles upon which we were to proceed in our inquiry into the manner of signification of words.

Which do you mean?

B.

H.

The same which Mr. Locke employs in his inquiry into the Force of words: viz.-The two great purposes of speech.

B.

And to what distribution do they lead you?

H.

1. To words necessary for the communication of our Thoughts. And

2. To Abbreviations, employed for the sake of dispatch.

B.

How many of each do you reckon? And which are they?

H.

In what particular language do you mean? For, if you do not confine your question, you might as reasonably expect me (according to the fable) "to make a coat to fit the moon in all her changes."

B.

Why? Are they not the same in all languages?

H.

Those necessary to the communication of our thoughts

are.

B.

And are not the others also?

H.

No. Very different.

B.

I thought we were talking of Universal Grammar.

H.

I mean so too. But I cannot answer the whole of your question, unless you confine it to some particular language with which I am acquainted. However, that need not disturb you: for you will find afterwards that the principles will apply universally.

B.

Well. For the present then confine yourself to the necessary Parts and exemplify in the English.

H.

In English, and in all Languages, there are only two sorts of words which are necessary for the communication of our thoughts.

And they are?

B.

H.

1. Noun, and

2. Verb.

B.

These are the common names, and I suppose you use them according to the common acceptation.

H.

I should not otherwise have chosen them, but because they are commonly employed; and it would not be easy to dispossess them of their prescriptive title: besides, without doing any mischief, it saves time in our discourse. And I use them according to their common acceptation.

B.

But have not all this while informed me how you many Parts of Speech you mean to lay down.

H.

That shall be as you please. Either Two, or Twenty, or more. In the strict sense of the term, no doubt both the necessary 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 signification. But I think it of great consequence both to knowledge and to Languages, to keep the words employed for the different purposes of speech, as distinct as possible. And therefore I am inclined to allow that rank only to the necessary words*: and to include all the others (which are not necessary to speech, but merely substitutes of the first sort) under the title of Abbreviations.

B.

Merely Substitutes! You do not mean that you can

discourse as well without as with them?

H.

Not as well. A sledge 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.

* "Res necessarias philosophus primo loco statuit: accessorias autem et vicarias, mox."

J. C. Scaliger de Causis L. L. cap. 110.

And, upon trial, you will find that you may do the same. But, after the long habit and familiar use of Abbreviations, your first attempts to do without them will seem very awkward to you; and you will stumble as often as a horse, long used to be shod, that has newly cast 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 signification of words-depends the respective 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

pass over the two necessary Parts of Speech; and proceed immediately to their Abbreviations?

If

B.

you will. For I suppose you agree with the com