CAP. III. Of the Division of that which the Schooles call Humane Learning, and first of Tongues or Languages.
THAT which he Proposes in the Third Chapter is to speake
- 1. Of the division of humane Learning, made by
- The Schooles.
- Himselfe.
- 2. Of Languages, where he proposes,
- 1. Their uselessenesse.
- 2. A Dispute about the way of Attainement, Whether that by Grammar be the best.
- 3. Errors of Grammar.
- 4. Advancements, by
- Hieroglyphicks.
- Symbolismes.
- Steganography.
- Universall Character.
- Language of Nature.
The first part of his undertaking, I shall not stand much upon, because the good man ha's hinted at some others worthy of more consideration, the good man (for I feare I offend when I call him Master Webster, because of pag. 11.) is offended that knowledge should be divided into Speculative and Practicall: Naturall Philoso∣phy hath for its object, Corpus Naturale mobile, and the end is not Speculati∣on, and so its practicall. Mathematicks hath taught men to build houses, &c. therefore that is Practicall, and the Schooles would have them Speculative. A sad thing, and worthy the Animadversion of this great Re∣former.
Now if the Schooles should answer, that the end of these Sci∣ences may be practised, and yet they may be speculative, I know not what he would reply. I am much given to observe the course of his ratiocination, which alwaies ends in Mystery. See then