A Proposal for Correcting, Improving and Ascertaining the English Tongue

To the Mott Honourable ROBERT Earlof OXFORD, &. .

My Lorp,

ESS HAT I had the Honour. a of mentioning to Your. 7 LorpDsuHip fome time ago C2ZES in Converfation, was not anew Thought, juft then ftarted by Accident or Occafion, but the Refule of long Reflection; and I have been confirmed in my Sentiments by the Opinion of fome very judicious Perfons, with -whom. I: confulred. They all car foun me ike . be: of gréarer Ue rowards fhe fmprovemient of “Knowledge “and PoTenet, than (ie Allerton Method for Correéting, Enlarging an Acere taining our Language; and they think ic a Work very poffible .to be compafled, under the Prétection ‘of a Prince, the Countenance and Encouragement of a Miniftry, and the Care of proper Perfons chofen for fuch an Undertaking. I was glad to find your Lorpsuie’s Anfwer in fo different a Style, from what hath been commidnly made ufe ‘of on the’ like Occafions, for fome Years. paft, That all fuch Thoughts muft be. deferred to.a Time of Peace: A “Topick which fome have carried fo far,: that chey would not have us,: by any means, think of preferving. our Civil or Ree ligious Conftirysion, Liscaule. we were engaged:in a War-abroad. Ie will be among =the: diftinguifhing Marks of your Miniftry,: My Lorp, that you had-4 Genius above. all fuch Regards, and that no reafonable Propofal. for the Honour, the Advantage, or the Ornament .-of Your Country,—how= ever foreiga-to Your more ifpmediate Office, was -ever-rieglected .by You. I canfelss; ;the .Mesit:of this Candor and Condefcenfipn, is, very. much leffened, :-becaufe Your LoRDsxIp harddy leaves.;us. room’ to offer our good Wifhes,.,cemoving all our Diftcalties,’ and ‘Supplying our Wants, fafter than the ‘molt. yifionary Projector can. adjuft- his Schemes. And therefore, My I 6 R Dy. the Defign of this Paper is not fo much to offer You Ways and Means, as’to complain of a Grievance, the redrefling of which is to be your own Work, as much asthat of paying the Nation’s Debts, or opening a Trade into the South Seas and though not of fuch imimediate Benefit, as either. of thefe, or any other of Your glorious Actions, yet perhaps, in fucure Ages, not lefs to Vour Honour