CHAP. I.
I. The Introduction.II. The Original of Languages.III. The firſt Mother-tongues.IV. Their ſeveral Off-ſprings.
§. I.
N the handling of that ſubject, I have here proposed to treat of, I shall digest the things which to me seem most proper and material to be said upon this occasion, into four parts; according to this following Method.
In the first Part I shall premise some things as Præcognita, concerning such Tongues and Letters as are already in being, particularly concerning those various defects and imperfections in them, which ought to be supplyed and provided against, in any such Language or Character, as is to be invented according to the rules of Art.
The second Part shall contein that which is the great foundation of the thing here designed, namely a regular enumeration and description of all those things and notions, to which marks or names ought to be assigned according to their respective natures, which may be styled the Scientifical Part, comprehending Universal Philosophy. It being the proper end and design of the several branches of Philosophy to reduce all things and notions unto such a frame, as may express their natural order, dependence, and relations.
The third Part shall treat concerning such helps and Instruments, as are requisite for the framing of these more simple notions into continued Speech or Discourse, which may therefore be stiled the Organical or Instrumental Part, and doth comprehend the Art of Natural of Philosophical Grammar.
In the fourth Part I shall shew how these more generall Rules may be applyed to particular kinds of Characters, and Languages, giving an instance of each. To which shall be adjoyned by way of Appendix, a Discourse showing the advantage of such a kind of Philosophical Character and Language, above any of those which are now known, more particularly above that which is most general use in these parts of the World; namely, the Latine.
Laſtly, There ſhall be added a Dictionary of the Engliſh tongue, in which ſhall be shown how all the words of this Language, according to