The Hartlib Papers

     The possibilitie and great usefulnesse of an Universal character, whereby people of all the sundry nations of the World, how different soever in their proper languages, might with facilitie be inabled to hold a mutuall commerce, so far as not onely to understand each other by entercourse of writing, but also by way of a new-framed speech; is a businesse which in this latter age hath imployed the inquiry of many, and the endeavours of some ingenious and learned men. And doubtlesse were this attempt brought to its full perfection, it would evidence itself to be the rarest and most beneficiall invention which our times have given birth unto. I know no man whose industry hath carryed it on so far, or with so great dexterity, as the Bearer hereof Mr George Dalgarno: Conversing with whom about this subject, I found so much modestie in the Gentleman, so much rationality in his discourse, and probability in the way of his designe; that for experiment I commended two young men, Bacchelours in Arts, to his directions in this way, for the space onely of one fortnight, allotting them no more for this businesse then one hour in the morning, and one other in the afternoon of the said dayes. In which small time they attain'd to that skill, that they both fully got the use of the character, and were able therein to expresse as well their own conceptions, as the conceptions of any other (for any matter of ordinary concernment) which were imparted to them, and what the one writ, the other (though absent and no wayes acquainted formerly with the least hint) was able both to read in this artificial new language, & to render the interpretation thereof in the English tongue. Which truth, as it was much beyond my expectation, so I think my self obliged to bear witnesse to; and withall (so far as is in me) to recommend this worthy and candid Person and his designe to all such men of a publick spirit, whose abilities or places afford them means to give encouragement to so hopefull an attempt, tending so much to an Universal good, in a way not onely of Traffick and generall learning; but also of Religion.

     It seemeth to me a thousand pitties, that what in all likelihood will prove a means to bring much truth to light throughout the world, should prove it self abortive for want of help at home.

CORP. CHRISTI Coll. Cantabr.

   Calend. Maii, 1658

                         RICHARD LOVE, the Lady Margarets

                           Professour of Divinity in the

                            Universitie of Cambridge.

     Having procured the Testimony of so Reverend and Learned a person, I thought it expedient (for inciting of others to put their helping hands to the production of this (as yet) Infant designe, which now sticks at the birth) to publish therewith the Names of those worthie, and singularly ingenuous gentlemen, by whose Nursing care, (in their liberall contributions, according to their several places) it hath heretofore been preserved from proving abortive: to whom with all other publick-hearted persons, who do with them joyn herein, the sole both praise and patronage of this work of so Universal concernment (what ever be the fruits of it reaped by posterity) shall be diservedly due.

The University of Oxford         Sir Cheney Culpeper

Attourney generall Predeaux      Dr John Bathurst

Robert Boyle Esquire             Dr William Petie

Dr Theophilus Dillingham         Mr         Cooper

Dr William Dillingham            Mr         Staughton

Mr Thomas Woodward               Mr         Withers

Mr Jacob Stock                   Mr Thomas Branker

Colonel Antony Morgan            Mr         Berrie

Captain John Sparrow             Mr         Gold

Captain David Henchman           Mr         Floyd

Mr William Croon                 Mr         Baccous

Mr William Bates                 Mr         Cumberland

Mr Francis Lodwick               Mr John Tillotson

Mr Abraham Hill                  Mr Charles Bale.

Mr          White                Mr Thomas Slater

John Sadler Esquire

Mr Law: Fogge

Mr Tho: Pockley