Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/98

 position which may, perhaps, be very justly questioned. For, in the first place, it ought to be considered, that every Tongue has its own peculiar Form, as well as its proper Words; not communicable to, nor to be regulated by the Analogy of another Language: Wherefore he is the best Grammarian, who is the perfectest Master of the Analogy of the Language which he is about; and gives the truest Rules, by which another Man may learn it. Next, To apply this to our own Tongue, it may be certainly affirmed, that the Grammar of English is so far our own, that Skill in the Learned Languages is not necessary to comprehend it. Ben. Johnson was the first Man, that I know of, that did any Thing considerable in it; but Lilly's Grammar was his Pattern: and for want of Reflecting upon the Grounds of a Language which he understood as well as any Man of his Age, he drew it by Violence to a dead Language that was of a quite different Make; and so left his Work imperfect. After him, came Dr. Wallis; who examined the English Tongue like a Grammarian and a Philosopher at once, and showed great Skill in that Business: And of his English Grammar one may venture to say, That it may be set against any