English
, which is modest, thoughtful and sincere, and which perhaps may recommend the People, though it has spoiled the Tongue. We might perhaps carry the same Thought into other Languages, and deduce a greater Part of what is peculiar to them from the Genius of the People who speak them. It is certain, the light talkative Humour of the
French
has not a little infected their Tongue, which might be shown by many Instances; as the Genius of the
Italians
, which is so much addicted to Musick and Ceremony, has moulded all their Words and Phrases to those particular Uses. The Stateliness and Gravity of the
Spaniards
shews itself to Perfection in the Solemnity of their Language, and the blunt honest Humour of the
Germans
sounds better in the Roughness of the High Dutch, than it would in a politer Tongue.