Those who wish for a more particular investigation of the subject of alphabetic writing may consult the following authors : Hermannus Hugo de prima 8cribendi origine, 1617 ; a small tract evincing diligence in re search, though not distinguished by much ingenuity or acuteness. Enquiry into the Antiquity and Original of Letters, 1726 ; nearly of the same character as the pre ceding, and disfigured with credulous observations on the antediluvian letters. Mons. Gebelin's Monde Primitif, vol. iii. 1775 ; a work of vast erudition, but which, in treating of subjects of remote antiquity, re curs often to conjecture instead of proof. Wilkins' Essay on a Real Character, and Philosophical Language ; in which he proposes his reformed alphabet, already particularly noticed. Bishop Warburton's Divine Lega tion, particularly the Dissertation on Hieroglyphic Cha racters ; a dissertation distinguished by much of the characteristic erudition, ingenuity and vigour of thought, for which the bishop is justly celebrated. Conjectural Observations on the Origin and Progress of Alphabetic Writing, 1772 ; a tract containing some curious obser vations on the origin of letters, though in several points rather inconclusive. Astle on the Origin and Progress
of Writing ; a very valuable work, so far as regards the history of writing in Europe, from the decline of the Roman Empire downwards ; but in regard to the remote history of alphabetic writing, vague and unsatisfactory. Gilbert Wakefield's Dissertation on the Origin of Al phabetic Writing, in the 4th volume of the Transac tions of the Manchester Society. \Vise's Essay on the Origin of the Language and Letters of Europe. Win der's Essay on Knowledge. Jackson's Chronological Antiquities, Ancient Universal History, vols. iii. and ax. Anselm Bailey's Introduction to Language. Lon don Philosophical Transactions, vol. xvi. N' 182. t ol. xl. N° 445. vol. xlviii. N' 87. Sir William Jones's Essay out the Orthography of Asiatic words, in the first volume of the Asiatic Transactions.