Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/70

 of those, that are not so much excercised in the Oriental Languages.

And the Author, finishing this Book in the Year 1667. shewrethsheweth [sic] (as a general Example of all his Calculations) in what YeaYear [sic] of all the severall Periods, Æra's, Epocha's and Accompts before mention'd, the Year of our Lord Christ did then happen.

But this is not all, that is to be expected from this Author; since himself intimates pag. 179. Sed mandum de Tabula; de his enim aliisque, quæ ad Annos præsertim Mensesque Orientales pertinent, alibi, Deo volente, fusius agemus: Which doubtless to the Learned (considering what is already publish'd by him) will be very acceptable.

O give the Reader the summe of what is said in this well considered and useful Tract, it is as follows;

Language is a Connexion of Audible Signs, the most apt and excellent in whole Nature, for Communication of our Thoughts and Notions, by Speaking. Written Language is a Description of the said Audible Signs, by Signs Visible. The Elements of Language are Letters, viz. Simple Discriminations of Breath or Voice, Articulated by the Organs of Speech.

The Alphabet consists of so many Letters, as there are to be found such Simple Difcriminations. And the Written Alphabet ought to be just so many single proper Characters, design'd to signifie the Sound or Power of each Letter. And these are the Storehouse of Nature, the Elements and Materials, out of which all Languages are made. These Letters have their Material and their Formal Causes, and Organs proper to each. Their Matter is various, viz. Breath or Voice, i. e. Breath vocalized by the Operation of the Larynx. Their Form is constituted by the Motions and Figures of the Organs of- Speech, affecting the Breath or Voice with a peculiar Sound, by which each Letter is discriminated.

Now to find out their just Number, First, Find out the different Kinds of Matter, of which Letters are made; and these are in general, Breath, when only Spirit or Breath is articulated; and Voice, when Articulation Rh