ABSTRACT
The Period wherein the English Tongue received most Improvement I take to commence with the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth's Reign, and to conclude with the great Rebellion in Forty-two. [. . .] From that great Rebellion to this present Time I am apt to doubt whether the Corruptions in our Language have not, at least, equalled the Refinements of it; and these Corruptions very few of the best Authors in our Age have wholly escaped. During the Usurpation, such an Infusion of Enthusiastick Jargon prevailed in every Writing, as was not shaken off in many Years after. To this succeeded that Licentiousness which entered with the Restoration; and from infecting our Religion and Morals, fell to corrupt our Language.1
