Liverpool, March 31. 1851.
_Defoe's Project for purifying the English Language._--Among the many
schemes propounded by De Foe, in his _Essay upon Projects_, published in
1696, there is one which still remains a theory, although eminently
practicable, and well worthy of consideration.
He conceived that there might be an academy or society formed for the
purpose of correcting, purifying, and establishing the English language,
such as had been founded in France under Cardinal Richelieu.
"The work of this society," says Defoe, "should be to encourage polite
learning, to polish and refine the English tongue, and advance the so
much neglected faculty of correct language; also, to establish purity
and propriety of style, and to purge it from all the irregular
additions that ignorance and affectation have introduced; and all these
innovations of speech, if I may call them such, which some dogmatic
writers have the confidence to foster upon their native language, as if
their authority were sufficient to make their own fancy legitimate."
Never was such society more needed than in the present day, when you can
scarcely take up a newspaper, or a periodical, a new poem, or any modern
literary production, without finding some new-coined word, perplexing to
the present reader, and a perfect stumbling-block in the way of any future
editor.
Some of these words are, I admit, a welcome addition to our common stock,
but the greater part of them are mere abortions, having no analogy to any
given root.
A society similar to the one proposed by Defoe might soon be established in
this country, if a few such efficient authorities as Dr. Kennedy would take
the initiative in the movement.
He who should first establish such a society, and bring it to a practicable
bearing, would be conferring an inestimable boon on society.
I trust that these hints may serve to arouse the attention of some of the
many talented contributors to the "NOTES AND QUERIES," and in due season
bring forth fruit.