Chapter X
1. Letters and Learning are the Foundation of all Arts and Sciences, neither could they Flourish, till the same were perfectly found out. The first knowledge thereof was derived unto us from the Jewish Tongue, which we must acknowledge to be the Original of all humane Learning; And Letters were so highly valued by them, that the mistaking of a Letter in the SACRED WRIT (as they say) destroyeth the World.
The Jews, and also the Phoenicians, and the most Eastern Parts, do Write from the left to the right hand; all the Western Parts of the World, do Write from the right to the left; and the reason as some give, is because the first were left-handed men; and the latter, Men that used the Right hand in all exercises.
But the Ethiopians, Chinensians, and those parts of the Globe writ down from head to foot. The Cahallists of the Jews Trading most in numbers; and the Massorites in Vowels and Accent; the Egyptians in Hieroglyphicks; the Greeks in Letters; and the Europians in Arms and Ensigns of Honour; the first Letters being those that God writ with his own hand.
Pliny thinks that Letters were always with the Assyrians, yet believes they were invented in Egypt by Mercury. Athanasius thinks that the Phoenicians were the first Inventers thereof. And Pliny concludes that Cadmus First brought them into Greece. Josephus is of the mind that Letters were before the Flood.
Letters and learning Book III, Chapter 10, Section 1
Roman capital alphabet
Image from proof plateSaxon or ancient English alphabet
Image from proof plateRelated text(s) Abbreviations
German or text alphabet
Image from proof plateGreek alphabet
Image from proof plateHebrew alphabet
Image from proof plate
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