A Universal Alphabet, Grammar, and Language: Comprising a Scientific Classification of the Radical Elements of Discourse: and Illustrative Translations from the Holy Scriptures and the Principal British Classics: To which is added, A Dictionary of the Language.
London: Richard Griffin and Company, Publishers to the University of Glasgow, [1855]. First edition. A very good copy. Later marbled boards with printed paper spine label. Quarto. [12], vii, [1], 34, [2], 152, [2], 44, iii, [1], [2] , ix, [1], [2], [140] pp. Item #15524
George Edmonds (1788-1868) was an English teacher, lawyer, and scholar, who lived his entire life in Birmingham. He is remembered principally for the present volume, which enlarges upon John Wilkins' An Essay Towards a Real Character and a Philosophical Language (1668). Edmonds believed that the principle reason Wilkins' system wasn't adopted was that it was too hard to pronounce. Here, he proposes a modified pronunciation system for the language. This work is divided into three parts, an "alphabet, classification of radicals, and grammar of the philosophic language;" parallel texts of excerpts from English works of note (Shakespeare, Milton, Locke, the King James Bible, etc.) alongside their translation into the new language; and a dictionary of the new language.
Other works by Edmonds include The Philosophic Alphabet, with an explanation of its principles…(1832), George Edmonds Appeal to the Labourers of England, an exposure of aristocrat spies, and the infernal machinery of the poor law murder bill (1832); George Edmonds's Three Half-Penny English Grammar (1837), and various political and legal tracts.
Price: $950.00