ON THE ARABIC I-ANGUAGE. 365 them, and may the eye of God be upon thee !

•* " 26th ofthe (lunar) month Saffer, year of the Hejra 1221. (May, 1806.)"

The accuracy of punctuation in the Arabic language is a matter that ought to be strictly attended to.

The foregoing observations will serve to prove the insufficiency of a knowledge of this language, as professed or studied in Great Britain when unaccompanied with a practical knowledge. These observations may apply equally to the Persian language.

If the present ardour for discovery in Africa be persevered in, the learned world may expect, in the course of a few years, to receive his* tories and other works of Greek and Roman <* When they write to any other but Muhamedans, they never salute them with the words, " Peace be with thee/* but substitute— " Peace be to those who follow the path of the true God," Salem aln min itaba el Uda.

" One of the objects I had in view in coming to Europe, was to instruct young Englishmen in the Persian language.

I however met with so little encouragement from persons in authority, that 1 entirely relinquished the plan. I instructed, however, (as I could not refuse the recommendations that were brought to me,) an amiable young man, Mr. S n, and thanks be to God, my efforts were crowned with success ! and that he, having escaped the instructions of self' taught masters, has acquired such a.knowledge of the prin ciples of that language, and so correct an idea of its idiom .

and pronunciation, that I have no doubt, after a few years* residence in India, he will attain to such a degree of excellence, as has not yet been acquired by any other English man." Vide Travels of Mirza Abu Taleb Khan, vol. i. p. 200.