fiderable affistance for detecting and even correcting the latter. A young mind, not then directed by any commanding interest to other pursuits, was thus eafily ingaged: and four or five years after, was published the first edition of the treatise on the Harmony of Language; a work, however, of which I foon learnt to see the imperfections so strongly, as to cease to desire that it should spread in the world. Nevertheless I had the gratification to find that, tho fent abroad without a name, my book crept into fome credit with thofe with whom I most defired it fhould have credit, those who could beft fee and appretiate its defects. Hence I was induced, as matter occurred, to note, with a view to future leifure, whatever might contribute to its improvement. And looking to your Father's practice, who did not fcruple occafional remiffion of severer ftudies to write on the painter's art, I thought myself not without warrant, from his example, to give some of my time to inquiry concerning a fifter art, which may furely claim the first dignity in the fifterhood. The subject indeed, to be completely treated, would require labor in no fmall amount, and qualifications perhaps hardly to be found in one man. man. For those who have fufficient booklearning, rarely poffefs any adequate knowlege of fpoken languages; and where thefe acquifitions may meet, it can scarcely fail that pursuits more interefting will deny the neceffary leisure, and perhaps the necessary inclination. In myself, I know, book-learning, acquaintance with living tongues, leisure, and industry, are all deficient ; and yet I think it poffible that more of all together may not foon meet in another. Hence I have been led to imagine that by profecuting improvement of my early work, I might serve the caufe of English letters: and thus it has at length been brought to the flate in which it now paffes to you. In the cause of English letters, the new empire with which you have connected yourfelf, and in which you hold an official fituation under the government of the mothercountry, is interested equally with the mothercountry itself. The people of both countries, by the favor of divine Providence, flourishing and spreading, are extending the use of their common language, already perhaps the richest of modern tongues in excellent works in every branch of litterature. With their prosperity, the the intereft of the topics I have treated of courfe extends. Nor are the humbleft offices always the leaft important, but often the most useful and moft neceffary. That my book however should invite extensive reading, is out of queftion; it is only among the more diligent cultivators of English letters that it muft look for confideration: but if it finds no favor with them, the failure will be owing, I think, to its own deficiency and not to a total infignificancy in its fubject. Such as it is I truft you will accept it kindly, as a pledge of my refpect for your late excellent Father and of friendship for yourself. I am, dear fir, with much esteem and regard, yours, WILLIAM MITFORD. Exbury, June 1804. Cause of deficient Explanation of the Harmony of Language. Divifion of Language under two heads.-Origin of Verse.→→→ Origin of Melody.-Definitions.-Origin of Measure.- |