ree
_Numbers_; a Singular, Dual, and Plural: We have no Dual Number,
except perhaps in _Both_: To make this plainer, we shall
transcribe the six Declensions from that Antiquary's Grammar.

I would ask these Gentlemen, and why not credit Dr. _Hickes_? Is he
not as much to be believ'd as those Gentlemen, who have transcribed
so plain an Evidence of the six Declensions to shew the positive
Unreasonableness and unwarrantable Contradiction of their Disbelief?
Did he make those six Declensions? or rather, did he not find them in
the Language, and take so much pains to teach others to distinguish
them, who have Modesty enough to be taught? They are pleased to say we
have no Word now in use that admits of Cases or Terminations. But let
us ask them, what they think of these Words, _God's Word_, _Man's
Wisdom_, the _Smith's Forge,_ and innumerable Instances more. For in
_God's Word_, &c. is not the Termination _s_ a plain Indication of a
Genitive Case, wherein the Saxon _e_ is omitted? For example_, *Godes
Word*, *Mannes Wisdom*, *Smi[dh]es Heor[dh]*. _Some will say, that were
better supplied by _his_, or _hers_, as Man _his_ Thought, the Smith
_his_ Forge; but this Mistake is justly exploded. Yet if these
Gentlemen will not credit Dr. _Hickes_, the _Saxon_ Writings might
give them full Satisfaction. The _Gospels_, the _Psalms_, and a
great part of the _Bible_ are in _Saxon_, so are the _Laws_ and
_Ecclesiastical Canons_, and _Charters_ of most of our _Saxon Kings_;
these one wou'd think might deserve their Credit. But they have not
had Learning or Industry enough to fit them for such Acquaintance, and
are forc'd therefore to take up their Refuge with those Triflers,
whose only Pretence to Wit, is to despise their Betters. This Censure
will not, I imagine, be thought harsh, by any candid Reader, since
their own Discovery has sufficiently declared their Ignorance: and
their Boldness, to determine things whereof they are so ignorant, has
so justly fix'd upon them the Charge of Impudence. For otherwise they
must needs have been ashamed to proceed in manner following.

We might give you various Instances more of the essential
difference between the old _Saxon_ and modern _English_ Tongue,
but these must satisfy any reasonable Man, that it is so great,
that the _Saxon_ can be no Rule to us; and that to understand
ours, there is no need of knowing the _Saxon_: And tho' Dr.
_Hickes_ must be allow'd to have been a ver