Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Adams, James
ADAMS, JAMES (1737–1802), philologist, entered the Society of Jesus at Watten, and afterwards became professor of languages at the college of St. Omer. He left for Edinburgh on the breaking out of the French revolution. After serving as a missionary for many years he died at Dublin, 7 Dec. 1802. He had it in contemplation to publish his ‘Tour through the Hebrides,’ being much disgusted with the work of that ‘ungrateful depreciating cynic, Dr. Johnson.’ His work on the ‘Pronunciation of the English Language’ contains, according to Park, ‘many ingenious remarks on languages and dialects, though the style of the writer is characterised by much whimsical eccentricity.’ He was the author of the following works: 1. ‘Early Rules for taking a Likeness’ (from the French of Bonamici), 8vo, 1792. 2. ‘Oratio Academica, Anglice et Latine conscripta,’ 8vo, 1793. 3. ‘Euphonologia Linguæ Anglicanæ, Latine et Gallice scripta,’ 1794, 8vo. 4. ‘The Pronunciation of the English Language vindicated from imputed Anomaly and Caprice, in two parts, with an Appendix on the Dialects of Human Speech in all Countries, and an Analytical Discussion and Vindication of the Dialect of Scotland’ (Edinb. 1799, 8vo). 5. ‘Rule Britannia, or the Flattery of Free Subjects paraphrased and expounded,’ 8vo, 1768. 6. ‘A Sermon preached at the Catholic Chapel of St. Patrick, Soho Square, March 7, the day of public fast,’ 8vo, 1798.
[Oliver's Collectanea S. J., 41; Foley's Records, vii. 3; Lowndes's Bibl. Man.; Brit. Mus. Cat.]