Message-ID: <Pine.NEB.4.63.0602192313280.6607@panix3.panix.com>
From: Alan Sondheim <sondheim@panix.com>
To: Cyb <cybermind@listserv.aol.com>,
"WRYTING-L : Writing and Theory across Disciplines" <WRYTING-L@LISTSERV.UTORONTO.CA>
Subject: From Art. 14., "The Monthly Review for August, 1759"
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 23:13:46 -0500 (EST)
From Art. 14., "The Monthly Review for August, 1759" John Yeomans' _The Abecedarian, or Philofophic Comment upon the Englifh Alphabet. Setting forth the Abfurdities in the prefent Cuftom of Spelling, the Superfluity of Letters in Words, and the great Confusion that their ill Names, and double Meanings are of to all Learnings. With modeft Propofals for a Reformation of the Alphabet, adapting fpecial Characters for that Purpofe, at being the only Means practicable whereby to render the fame distinft, uniform, and univerfal. Alfo, a Word to the Reader, fhewing the Indignity of Ill Habits in Lecturers pointing out to them the Beauties and Excellency of graceful and fine Reading. Likewife a Syllableium, or Univerfal Reading Table, for Beginners, calculated after the prefent Ufe for the Way of all Schools throughout the kingdom. Together with a Difcourfe on the Word, or A-Tau, tetragrammatical, preceding thofe Tables._ [...] "Words are not, as some gross ears interpret, only a grinding or chafeing of found of types and letters, ftriking the outer ear by the operation of the breat or fpirit; but they are very man or mono, principle, and very felf, everlafting, of infinite, dread-united meaning, the exprefs difpofition of his nature in the heart, and not in the inked or graven fign. They are fpirit, and they are life; they are death, and they are deftruction; and their types are purely banners to avocate and fummon the mind back to itfelf, when ftolen or ftrayed away, and to regulate the fenfes in wifdom, truth, and holinefs. The word is very God and very Devil, good and evil, virtue and vice; and letters are as fhadows to reflect the life. Herewith blefs we God, and therewith curfe we men, who are formed after the fimilitude of God. _In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God,_ &c. We have only ufe for letters now to help and comfort us in this mortal ftate; for in the immortal, every good man fhall be able to will at will, felf-quicken, felf-move, and alfo felf-comfort; always pure, always in order; at once hearing the most pleasant and fweetest love-chord harmony; tafting without fufeit ambrofia, and the all that is good, and delicious. Sufceptible of inbred divinity! fmelling the moft fenfible perfumes; knowing all things, intuitive of all things, and all in all with God himfelf. The plain fignification of _word, verd,_ or _green,_ or _verb,_ is perennial or durablenefs; being of _virtue_ or _worth-ue,_ or _werthe,_ of the family of _vir's_ and _viri's,_ man's name or the NAM; and nothing but what is virgin virtuous can be manly, or is worthy of that venerable and divine appellation; but differently, is vicious, unnatural, unworthy, ungodly. None, for this caufe, fhould open their lips unwordily; forafmuch as the very word itfelf is _werthy_ or _werde._ And the holy fcripture faith exactly to this effect: _Let all who name the name of Chrift depart from iniquity._ Neverthelefs, fhould there be no found heard at all from the lips, or corporeal tongue, or man's own felf be apprehenfive by letters, yet in fecret whifperings the heart pronounces, and the will and fpirit do utter within, amazing languages." Amazing languages, indeed! What a will or fpirit that muft be which dictated fuch to our author! The reader will, doubtlefs, by this time, think we have difplayed very fufpicious marks of our author's being _non compos_; and therefore very incapable to draw up the beft plan, that _ever was, or ever can be projected,_ for the improvement and eftablifhment of the Englifh language. According to his own requeft, therefore, and on his own terms, we confign _him, and his proposals, to be cancelled, and his name and honour to be buried in the duft._