The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of Smart, B. H., Beginnings of a New School of Metaphysics, etc. CUL-DAR91.5. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: First transcribed by Paul H. Barrett. Prepared by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 7.2022. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR91 contains early notes on guns & shooting. Darwin's draft of recollections of Henslow, 1861. Notes on the moral sense. Wallace pension. 'a sketch of the principal events in my life' & list of Darwin's works. Loose notes found with CUL-DAR119 'Books to be read'.See Barrett's important notes here: CUL-DAR91.4-55

[5]

In Athenaeum

"Smart— Beginning of a New School of Metaphysics".— gives my doctrines about origin of language — & affect of reason. reason could not have existed without it.— quotes Ld Mondobbo.— language commenced in whole sentences.— Signs — ⸮ were signs originally musical!!!??—

At least it appears all speculations of the origin of language.— Must presume it originates slowly — if these speculations are utterly valueless — then argument fails — if they have, then language was progressive.

[5v]

We cannot doubt that language is an altering element, we see words invented — we see their origin in names of People. Sound of words — argument of original formation.— declension &c often show traces of origin—

Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)