Sidor som bilder
PDF
ePub

nerally employed to represent it. This principle was adopted by Bishop Wilkins, by Franklin, and by Jones, who has been followed and improved by Dr. Wilkins, Mr. Shakespear, and some other distinguished orientalists; and its elegant simplicity and want of nationality will probably ensure its very general adoption.

One principle to be kept in view, in the construction of a perfect alphabet, is the representation of each sound by one single letter; and, as in using the limited Roman alphabet, adherence to this rule is impossible, it became necessary to vary the characters by other prosodial, or accentual marks, and by combinations.

In constructing an entirely new alphabet, Dr. Butter is of opinion, that the following principles should be strictly adhered to, as far as they are consistant with each other. First, brevity; no encouragement should be given to contraction, the grand source of corruption. Second, perspicuity; every letter, written with care, should be at once distinguishable from every other. Third, capability of being connected with the preceding and following letters, without lifting the pen. There is no difficulty in constructing abundance of different alphabets on these principles, and Dr. Butter has adopted the simplest figure which presents itself; namely, a line, diversified with loops, hooks, and central turns.

AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL

SOCIETY OF CALCUTTA.

The second annual examination of vegetables, cultivated for the supply of the Calcutta market, took place on the 16th January, at the Town-hall, in the presence of the Right Honourable Earl Amherst and the Countess Amherst, patron and patroness of the society, Lady Sarah Amherst, Sir Charles and Lady Grey, and a very numerous assembly of members and visitors.

About 120 malees, or native gardeners, attended, and it was highly gratifying to observe a display of kitchen-garden produce, not inferior to any hitherto seen in this country, and far exceeding, in extent and variety, all preceding exhibitions. It was an agreeable treat to see such numbers of thin-skinned large potatoes, cauliflowers, knoll-coles, turnips, peas, beets, broccoli, &c. A considerable degree of difficulty seemed to be experienced in determining upon the fittest subjects for the prizes, for at each call for a shew the tables were literally filled, and seemed groaning under the weight of articles claiming attention and deserving praise.

A curious model of a steam-engine, made by Goluk Chunder, blacksmith of Tittighur, near Barrackpore, without any

[blocks in formation]

All

I had occasion to remark the strange aptitude of a Turk to differ from a Frank, even in his most trifling habits. The house next to the barber's shop was in progress of building, and there was a man writing down some inventory. the persons I saw engaged were working in a manner opposite to our usage. The barber pushed the razor from him-ours draws it to him; the carpenter, on the contrary, drew the saw to him, for all the teeth were set in-ours pushes it from him, for all the teeth are set out; the mason sat while he laid the stones ours always stands; the scribe wrote on his hand, and from right to left-ours always writes on a desk or table, and from left to right; but the most ridiculous difference existed in the manner of building the house. We begin at the bottom and finish to the top this house was a frame of wood, which the Turks began at the top, and the upper rooms were finished, and inhabited, while all below was like a lanthorn. However absurd these minutiæ may appear to you, they are traits of Turkish character, which form, with other things, a striking peculiarity. It is now more than four centuries since they crossed the Hellespont, and transported themselves from Asia to Europe; during all that time they have been in constant contact with European habits and manners, and, at times, even penetrated as far as Vienna, and so occupied the very centre of Christendom. while all the people around them have been advancing in the march of improvement, in various ways, they have stood still and refused to move; and such is their repugnance to any assimilation, that almost all the men who attempted to improve them, have fallen victims to their temerity, or the Turks themselves have perished in resistance; and, with very few exceptions, the great body of them are, at this day, the same puerile, prejudiced, illiterate, intractable, stubborn race, that left the mountains of Asia. And so indisposed are they to amalgamate with us in any way, that they still preserve a marked distinction in the greatest as well as in the minutest things -not only in science and literature, but in the movement of a saw and a razor.Walsh's Narrative.

Yet,

LIBRARY AT ABO.

The museum and library of Abo in Finland have been involved in the dreadful calamity which has lately befallen that town, which was destroyed by fire. The British public have subscribed nearly £900 for the relief of the inhabitants. An effort is now making in this country to restore the library. We subjoin the following extract of a circular letter from Mr. Bowring:

"When I visited Finland a few years ago, the university of Abo was in a most prosperous and improving condition. It had many distinguished professors, and was the seat and the source of the civili

zation of the whole country. A literary journal was established there, and almost all the works published in Finland issued from the press of Abo. Attached to the university were a valuable museum of natural history, extensive philosophical apparatus, and a library consisting of more than thirty thousand volumes, rich in records, and unpublished manuscripts relating to the history of Finland and Sweden. With the exception of about eight hundred volumes, of which not more than two hundred form perfect works, the whole of this interesting collection perished in the flames; and the circumstances were so much the more distressing, as the library funds had been wholly exhausted, and even anticipated for years, in order to gain possession of works which were then obtainable, and which were deemed of great importance to the establishment. In a country like Finland, so little visited, so far removed from the attention and sympathy of the civilized world, the destruction of the only large public library is a calamity, the greatness and extent of which can hardly be estimated here.

[ocr errors]

I have been addressed by some valuable Finnish friends on the subject, and have been requested to ascertain whether many of the literary and scientific individuals of our country would not probably contribute their own writings or those of others, to repair the dreadful loss with which Finland has been visited. And I have ventured to say, that I feel persuaded numbers would be found cheerfully to assist in the re-formation of their library. The inhabitants of Finland are almost universally poor, but as universally desirous of instruction; and of late many men have appeared among them, who have done no inconsiderable services to science, philosophy, and the belleslettres. So much have even the Finnish peasants been touched by the destruction of the Abo library, that in some places where money is little known, they have subscribed the produce of their farms towards its restoration: and among them

the villagers of Wichtis sent fifty barrels of rye; the University of Dorpat has contributed 394 scientific works, besides many philosophical instruments and collections in natural history. One liberal Russian bookseller (Mr. Hartmann, of Riga) has presented books to the value of 5,357 silver rubles, or nearly £800 sterling. His townsman, Mr. German, sent 193 volumes. Dr. Hassar, of Petersburg, 995; and Professor Storch (whose works on political economy are so well known), 269. Many other useful and generous donations have been received; and I confidently trust that examples so honourable will find many imitators here. Messrs. George Cowie and Co., of No. 31, Poultry, have kindly undertaken to receive and forward any works, instruments, &c., which may be liberally given to the Abo University Library. I shall be most happy to communicate any particulars I possess; and if information be desired from the spot, the venerable Archbishop of Finland, Dr. Tengstrom, or M. John Julin, will, I am sure, be most happy to furnish it.-JOHN BOWRING."

"Transactions of learned and scientific Societies will be particularly acceptable."

We trust that nothing more is necessary than the bare announcement of this application, to induce all who read it to contribute whatsoever they are able towards this very laudable object.

ORIENTAL. DESCRIPTION.

The following account of a visit to the Rainbow, British man of war, by a Hindu, appears in the Jami Jehan Numa :

[ocr errors]

"Wonders of the Rainbow, man of war!-Mirza Eywaz Khan, son of the late Nouroz Khan, a nobleman of the court of the Nawab Azof-al-Doulah, and himself in the service of Mr. Donnithorne, salt agent at Hidgelee, being about to return to his home, took leave of that gentleman, and then called upon the officer who has charge of the ships that touch at Kedgeree. Through that gentleman's friendship he had an opportunity of going on board the Rainbow, a royal vessel, when he was struck with astonishment at the elegance and splendour of what he beheld-sufficient to efface from recollection the beauties of the Taj. He said to the unworthy writer of this article, that what he saw was never witnessed even in magical illusions, or in the bowers of enchantment. It is impossible to find out, or explain, that of which no description has ever been given. It is sufficient to declare, without any hesitation, that the houries of Paradise are not better lodged than they could be on board the Rainbow. He who has not seen this ship has not yet gathered the

rose

rose from the pleasure garden of existence. This account has been written in accordance with the saying, that the description of a treat enjoyed by one person is half a treat to others."

THE GARDEN OF THE HESPERIDES.

M. Pacho, the French traveller in Cyrenaica, has discovered the situation of the garden of the Hesperides. In a paper which he read before the Geographical Society of Paris, on the 2d May last, he refutes the opinion of those who place the garden near Berenice, and, supporting his hypothesis by the description of Scylax, and by several passages in Herodotus, Lucan, and the anonymous Periplus, he fixes its position on the summit of the promontory of Phycus, or Ros-al-Sem, where he discovered, near an ancient port frequented by the Phoenicians, the same trees and shrubs mentioned by Scylax in his description as well as other topographical details given by this geographer on this subject, and which, M. Pacho observes, cannot be found elsewhere than in Cyrenaica.

RELIGIOUS SECTS IN ABYSSINIA.

The English missionaries about to enter Abyssinia give the following account of the state of religion there:

[ocr errors]

They are now divided into three principal religious parties. One says, that Christ is God and man, by Himself, without having required the help of the Holy Spirit in his incarnation: another says, that He became man by the power of the Holy Ghost: and the third holds that Christ was only a man, till the Holy Ghost descended upon Him in Jordan at His baptism. The first faith is called, "the faith of the Two Nativities;" the second," the faith in the Unction ;" and the third," the faith in the Three Nativities." This is almost the single point of religion, on which they have been speaking for years. That there are those who deify the Virgin Mary, as we have heard here, does not appear to be true. Their old Coptic Bishop, of whom we have written before, lives in Tigré he is said to be in a state of perpetual intoxication if the life of the head of the church be such, what must be the spiritual condition of the people!

:

"The political state of the country is much the same as it was. The King has nothing at present for his support, but what the governors are pleased to give him: he has no soldiers. The governor of Samen Helle Mariam, who sent Girgis, is dead; but his son, who is an intimate friend of his, has succeeded him. The Governor of Shoa Selassy takes the title of king, and is by far superior to all others in power."-Miss. Reg.

MEDICAL EFFECTS OF TRANSITION FROM INDIA TO EUROPE.

When an invalid has suffered under the cholera and biliary fluxes, and chronic hepatic obstructions of an Indian climate, and comes home to this more cold and moist climate, to recruit the enervation occasioned by a long tropical residence, the first effect is generally very favourable, partly from the benefits of the sea voyage, and the gradual manner in which the migration takes place towards this more temperate, cool, and bracing atmosphere. But, by and by, the sedative impressions of a cold English winter are too much for the enfeebled and irritable state of the habit to resist; the skin becomes dry and inactive, without perspiration; the liver, long subject to obstruction, is now affected with torpor and congestion; the bowels are confined, and the bile accumulates in large and unhealthy quantities in the first passages; then the head begins to feel affected, sudden fits of giddiness occur, with wind at stomach and indigestion, Perhaps and the gout speedily invades. such an invalid, feeling the chilling and torpefying effects of the cold, betakes himself to a town residence, and carefully shuts himself up within doors, more fearful of the cold air without, than of the half-suffocating atmosphere he breathes in his close air-tight chambers within. In this situation he daily loses more and more that healthy energy of the brain and nervous system on which depends the whole functional accounts of the frame. He gets more and more susceptible to the cold; and although he hardly stirs out of doors, excepting to pay an occasional visit, or make one at a dinner party, or attend to social engagements with his friends, and then taking the utmost care to protect himself against the weather, yet he is sure every now and then to suffer severely from exposures, of which he was entirely unconscious at the time. This man takes little exercise, breathes a most impure mephitic air, crams his stomach well at dinner (his only or chief enjoyment), buries himself up nightly in a well-curtained bed, feels himself languid, drowsy, unrefreshed, nervous, low-spirited, flatulent, and affected with many other uncomfortable sensations in the mornings. The circulation comes now to partake in the disturbance of the functions; it is habitually directed to the head in excess. The gout, if he has had it, becomes more and more abortive in its efforts to seize the old place in the feet; it rises towards the knees or elbows, or threatens to attack the stomach. The invalid in this state is living with a sword suspended over his head by a hair. After some exposure to the weather and a full dinner, perhaps the brittle thread snaps, and he is in a mo

ment

ment in the convulsive struggles of apoplexy, or finds his constitution a wreck under paralysis.-Rennie on Gout and Nervous Disorders.

NUMERICAL FORCE OF TURKEY.

The depopulation of half of the Ottoman territories is so great, that even including Greece and Egypt in the provinces of Turkey, the mean number of inhabitants of this empire is but at the rate of 294 individuals per square league, whilst the number in France is 1,200, in England 1,600, in the Netherlands and Lombardy 2,000. The same number of individuals collected in Paris on a surface of four or five square leagues, would in Turkey be dispersed over a territory of 1,700 leagues; and in order to make a levy en masse of 30,000 or 40,000 men, the whole military population of a country much larger than Sicily or all Belgium. In the Turkish provinces in Asia, in order to collect a population equal to that of London, it would be necessary to assemble all the inhabitants dispersed over a territory of 7,000 square-leagues, that is, as large as half Italy or all England. There exists, doubtless, in these provinces a population sufficient to furnish a levy en masse of 400,000 men, or an efficient army of 200,000. But it is easy to conceive the difficulty of raising such a force, when it is considered that each of the soldiers who are to compose it is separated from his nearest comrade by an interval of three leagues and a half: a corps of 1,000 men may be surrounded with a desert of 300 square miles. the Persian army, the troops of which are so little formidable that they could not make head against the Russian troops a single day in the last campaign, penetrated into Asiatic Turkey in 1822 without meeting a single obstacle. They invaded the northern and southern provinces at the same time, and were about to take possession of Erzeroum and Bagdad when the cholera put them to flight. Thus the Turkish provinces in Asia, far from being able to succour those in Europe, would require aid to oppose the Russian armies of the Caucasus. The whole population of Turkey in Europe may be thus estimated:

[ocr errors][merged small]

Thus

2,280,000 1,440,000 Servia and Bosnia ......... 1,680,000 Wallachia and Moldavia... 1,840,000 Macedonia......... 1,160,000 1,490,000

...

Albania and Dalmatia Livadia or Greece Proper

Morea.......

The Cyclades

850,000

420,000 80,000

Total population ......11,240,000 The average number of inhabitants for a square league is 480, varying from 860

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Men should not speak of in-door concerns, nor should women speak of outdoor affairs. Unless performing sacrifi

cial, or funeral rites, men and women should never hand any thing to each other. When they do give and receive, they must put what they give in a basket; if there be no basket, then both parties must kneel and place the thing to be given on the ground, then it may be taken. Men and women must not draw water out of the same well, nor bathe in the same place, nor sleep, though at different times, in the same bed, nor borrow of each other, nor wear the same

piece of clothing. What is said by the women in-doors must not go out, nor must what is said by the men out of doors be mentioned in the house. When a man enters the house he must not speak, nor sing, nor read with a light trifling At night tone, nor point with his finger.

he must travel with a lantern: if he have no lantern he must stop. When a female goes out she must cover her face, and at night carry a lantern: if she has no lantern she must not proceed. In walking on the road the male sex must take the right and the female the left. Le Key.Chinese Chronicle.

ERRORS OF POLYGLOTTISTS.

The Franks, who have commonly a very bad ear, and who consequently mangle in their pronunciation the sounds of eastern dialects, sometimes amuse themselves in drawing up immense tables of words of different languages which they pretend to compare together. These words, ill-understood, and rendered still more defective by their alphabets, have a general apparent resemblance; but there would be found not a shade of affinity between them, if pronounced by natives. Thus a resemblance has been discovered between the Finnish word erek and the Arabic word arak; but I wish these manufacturers of polyglottic jokes would hear an Arab and a Fin pronounce the respective words, and they would perceive the vast interval which separates

them

them, and the difference of the organs wherewith the two people articulate sounds, which in a vile transcription in Latin letters appear to be the same. In short, no sensible mind can be seduced by these optical illusions of polyglottism, and must even be disgusted at seeing individuals sitting in judgment, with all the solemnity of critics, upon tables and atlasses of words which can bear no investigation, and which appear to be a sort of learned recreation rather than serious works. It is, in fact, a species of

[merged small][ocr errors]

East-India College at Haileybury.

GENERAL EXAMINATION, May, 1828.

ON Thursday, the 29th of May, a Deputation of the Court of Directors visited the College, for the purpose of receiving the Report of the General Examination of the Students.

The Deputation, upon their arrival at the College, were received by the Principal, Professors, Assistant Professors, and the Oriental Visitor.

Soon afterwards they proceeded to the Hall, accompanied by several visitors, where, the students being previously assembled, the following proceedings took place:

A list of the Students who had obtained prizes and other honourable distinctions was read.

Mr. William Francis Thompson delivered an English essay : the thesis was"The circumstances of Great Britain and of other countries which have had settlements in the East compared and contrasted."

The Students read and translated in the several Oriental languages.

Prizes were then delivered by the Chairman according to the following report: Medals, Prizes of Books, and other honourable Distinctions obtained by Students leaving College at the Public Examination, May, 1828.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

John M. G. Robertson, prize in classics, and highly distinguished in other departments.

Robert Deane Parker, prize in Sanscrit, and with great credit in other departments. Chas. Walter Kinloch, prize in Hindoostani, and highly distinguished in other departments.

James Dewar Bourdillon, prize in law, and with great credit in other departments.

Thomas Hamilton Pillans, prize in mathematics, and with great credit in other departments.

William Hunter, prize in Arabic, and highly distinguished in other departments. Highly Distinguished. Smith, D. White, Tottenham.

Passed

« FöregåendeFortsätt »