their proficiency ;" and also appearing to be expedient under the circumstances stated by the council of the college, I have determined, in concurrence with the judgment of the other members of the government on the spot, to sanction the adoption of it; subject to the future approbation of the patron and visitor; with whom it rests, in pursuance of the rule above mentioned, "to determine, from the reports of proficiency made to him after the public examinations, what students may be permitted to quit the college, as having completed the prescribed course of study." It may be expected that the prospect of early emancipation, thus held out to those who have already attained one language, will stimulate their utmost diligence and exertion in acquiring another; and whilst their own credit is raised by quick proficiency in proportion to their time of study, their labours will be gained to the service for which they are destined, some months sooner than if they had been kept from it to the end of another year. It must be remarked, however, that an option only is proposed to be given, of leaving the college, when qualified by a competent knowledge of two languages; without imposing the necessity of quitting it upon any student, who, from a praiseworthy desire of excellence, or from a wish to obtain the honourable distinction of superior proficiency at the annual examinations, may prefer to remain attached to the college till the expiration of the ensuing year. Such instances of peculiar merit have on former occasions received appropriate notice from this chair; and cannot fail of being always distinguished by the highest approbation. "Before I conclude, I must express the particular satisfaction which I feel, in not having received from the college council the report of a single instance of irregularity among the students; and although, in the general statement of debts contracted by them, I am concerned to observe a considerable amount, in some instances, they appear to be chiefly those of students who have shewn the same inattention to their studies as their expences; and have consequently been detained in the college beyond the customary period. Such detention cannot be admitted as any excuse for the contraction of debt, on the contrary, with reference to the cause of it, in the student's own conduct, it must be con sidered an aggravation of demerit. The information I have received from the council of the college, of the general conduct of the professors and officers of the institution, calls upon me to declare my entire satisfac tion with their attention, zeal, and able discharge of their respective duties. Mr Hunter, the secretary of the college council, and one of the examiners, being absent on the public service, his place has been supplied, with not less diligence than ability, by Lieutenant Galloway, mentioned in the visitor's discourse of last year, as versed in the Arabic language, and employed in the translation of a celebrated treatise of Mohummudan law. Lieutenant Roebuck, of the Madras establishment, who has been already noticed as the joint editor of the Hindoostanee Dictionary, and who is now engaged in publishing an English and Hindoostanee Dictionary of the technical terms used in naviga tion, compiled during his passage from England to Bengal, has also acted, in the absence of Lieutenant Lockett, as assistant secretary to the college council, and as one of the examiners, in both of which situations his assiduity and zealous application of talents and knowledge, have entitled him to the fullest commendation. "The learned professors of the college have distinguished themselves, as usual, in the past year, by composing, or promoting, works of literature and utility, in the languages respec tively taught by them. I will not detain you by an enumeration of such works, or of other literary undertakings and publications, under the patronage of the college and the government, since the period of the last disputation. But a list of them, which I possess, will be delivered to the secretary of the college council, for the purpose of being printed, as has been customary, with the report of this day's solemnities, for general information." Catalogue of literary works, the publication of which has been encouraged by government, at the recommendation of the council of the college of Fort William, since the period of the disputation held in 1810. 1.-An Arabic Miscellany, compiled by Shekh Ahmud, a learned native of Yemen, and now attached to the college. This work is partly composed of selections, in prose and verse, from various authors in the Arabic language; and partly of original pieces by the editor, who is himself a poet. It is now in the press, and will be à valuable class-book for students of Arabic in the college; as well as generally useful in facilitating the study of the language. 2.-The Soorah, an esteemed Arabic dictionary, with the significations in Persian. An edition of this popular work, which has been rendered into Persian from the Sehah, and is in more general use than its Arabic original, or the Kamoos, has been undertaken by Moulavee Shookr Oollah, with the aid of other learned natives; and if correctly printed, will be an important acquisition to Arabian and Persian literature. It is calculated to occupy one thousand four hundred quarto pages. 3. The Noojoom ool Foorkan, an index to the Koran, similar to the Index Verborum, annexed to the editions of the classics in unum Delphini. Mustafa Khan, an Afghan, is the author of this work; and Moulavee Neamut Ashruf the editor. It must be very useful, not only to those who read the Koran, and books of the Mohummudan religion and law, immediately connected with it; but to readers of Arabic in general; by enabling them to refer to the texts which are constantly cited from the Koran. 4. The Kholasut ool Hisab, an Arabic treatise on arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, with a Persian commentary. The original treatise, which is held in high estimation, and exhibits a complete view of the state of the sciences, on which it treats, among the Arabs, was composed by Shekh Buhaood Deen. The Persian comment, which includes a translation of the original, was written by the late Moulavee Roshun Alee, whilst attached to the Arabic department of the college; and Moulavee Jan Alee the present head moulavee in that department is associated with Tarnée Churn, in editing the work; which, it may, therefore, be expected, will be correctly printed. 5. The Sekunder-nameh of Nezami, a celebrated Persian poem, on the subject of the heroic achievements of Alexander the Great; with a commentary. This work is edited by Budar Alee and Hoosein Alee, moonshies of the college, well qualified to superintend the publication; and the edition of the commentary to the original poem, which is in many places obscure, will be useful, not only in illustrating the particular work to which it is annexed, but in explaining the figures used by Persian poets in general. 6. The Sidhanta Cannadi, a system of Sanscrit grammar, and esteemed to be one of the best treatises, in elucidation of the grammatical principles of that ancient and difficult language. It is edited by Babooram Pundit, proprietor and conductor of the Sanscrit press. 7. The poetical works of Meer Tukkee, in the Hindoostanee language; edited by Turnee Churn, head head moooshee in the Hindoostance department of the college; Meerza Kazim Alee Jewan, and Gholam Akbur, also attached to that establishment, under the inspection of Captain Taylor, the Hindoostanee professor. Meer Mohummud Tukkee, the author, was a native of Agra, but educated at Delhi, and afterwards resided at Locknow, where he died a short time ago. His works consist of epic poems, odes, and other poetical pieces, composed chiefly in the Oordoo, or Hindoostanee language. The whole of these will be included in the proposed edition of his Hindoostanee poems, but not his compositions in the Persian language, which are few and of less celebrity. Meer Tukkee is generally allowed to hold the second place in the order of Hindoostanee poets, and by some, his epic poetry is judged to rival, if not excel, that of Souda. 8. A collection of oriental pre verbs, by Dr William Hunter, secretary and examiner to the college. In a course of reading and oral inquiry, for the purpose of completing his Hindoostanee and English dictionary, Dr Hunter collected a number of proverbs in the Arabic, Persian, Hindoostanee, and Punjabee languages; finding in them allusions to manners and customs, which have not been explained in any book yet published, and are not generally known. It ap peared to him that a publication of the proverbs collected by him, with such illustrations as might be requsite to shew their origin, or application, would promote the cause of oriental literature, and at the same time throw light on the genius and sentiments of the people whose proverbial sayings are exhibited. In this view, the compilation, which, it is calculated, will fill above seven hundred octavo pages, cannot fail of being interest ing; and an able execution of the work may be expected from the talents and learned knowledge of the compiler. In his absence, the publi cation is superintended by Lieutenant Roebuck, hereafter mentioned, whose researches have, also, contributed largely to the collection. 9. An English and Hindoostance Dictionary of technical terms and phrases used in navigation; particu larly in use among the Lascars, and other native seamen of India, in working a ship; comprising also the names given by them to the different parts of a vessel, and its appurtenances; with a collection of the usual words of command, and a grammar of the dialect to which the dictionary relates: by Lieutenant Roebuck, of the Madras establishment, at present acting as assistant secretary, and one of the examiners of the college of Fort William. This work, which was originally suggested and commenced by Dr Borthwick Gilchrist, was prosecuted by Lieutenant Roebuck, on his voyage from England to Bengal, and has been revised and fi nished since his arrival in India, with the aid of experienced serangs, and other competent persons, from differ ent ports. It is intended for the use of European mariners, in all ships wherein Asiatic seamen are employed; and cannot fail of proving highly useful to the officers of the regular Indiamen, and the extra ships of the company; as well as to those engaged in the trade from port to port in India, or in the pilot vessels, or other service of the country. 10. An Oorya and English vocabulary, by Mohun Pershad Takoor, native librarian to the college, and author of a Bengalee and English vocabulary, already published. The Oorya language is the vernacular dialect of the province of Orissa; and as no dictionary or vocabulary of it has been yet printed, the present work will be of considerable utility. The compiler is well qualified for his undertaking, being a good English scholar; besides his knowledge of se veral other languages, Asiatic and European. The following works mentioned in the The following works mentioned in the discourse of the visitor of the public disputation of 1810, have been since completed and printed. 1. The second volume of a grammar of the Persian language, by M. Lumsden, Esq. L. L. D. professor of the Arabic and Persian languages in the college of Fort William. "The whole of this valuable work, comprising the most copious grammar extant of the Persian language, a considerable portion of the elements of Arabic inflexion, and observations on the structure of both languages, considered with reference to the principles of general grammar, is now printed, (though not yet published,) and cannot fail of securing to its author that celebrity as an oriental scholar and grammarian, to which his talents, learning, and industry so justly entitle him.' 2. The first volume of the Mukamat-i Hureeri has been published, and the second volume is in course of publication, under the inspection of the Arabic professor, by Moulavee Allah Dad, and Jan Alee, attached to the Arabic and Persian departments of the college, with a glossary, which will be highly useful in elucidating the difficult passages of this work, as well as of other Arabian authors. 3. Persian Selections, in six volumes, for the use of students of the Persian language. This work has been completed by Moulavies Allah Dad and Kurram Hoosein, under the inspection of the Persian professor. It is intended to be a class-book for Persian students in the college of Fort William; and being selected from works progressive in point of difficulty, is well calculated for improvement in that language. 4. The Persian Hidayah, or a Persian Version of that celebrated com mentary on the Mohummudan law, of which an English translation was formerly published by Captain Hamilton; with a translation, also, in the Persian language of the Sirajeeyah, on the Moosulman law of inheritance, well known by the English version of Sir W. Jones. Both these works are edited by Moulavee Mohummud Rashed, one of the law officers of the courts of Sudder Dewanny and Nizamut Adawluts, and are now completed, and published in four volumes. From the known talents and qualifications of the editor, who has revised the translation of the Hidayah, and himself translated the Sirajeeyah, there can be no question of the able execution, and consequent utility of this edition. 5. Mr H. Colebrook's translation from the Sanscrit of two authoritative treatises on the Hindoo law of inheri tance, the Daya Bhaga and Mitacshara, has been published, with annotations by the learned translator; and from the high estimation in which these works are held, the former in Bengal, the latter throughout India, must be deemed a most valuable accession to the means of knowing and administering the Hindoo law of suc cession. 6. Grammatical Rules of the Oordoo language, in Hindoostanee verse, by Moulavee Umanut Oollah, lately attached to the college. This, and the works hereafter mentioned, were described in the last discourse of the visitor. 7. The Lutaifi Hindee, a collection of humorous stories and anecdotes, in the Hindoostanee and Hindvee languages, and in the Persian and Nagree characters, with a vocabulary of the principal works in Hindoostanee and English, by Shree Laloo Lal Kub, bhakha moonshee in the college, with the aid of Lieut. Lockett, assistant secretary to the college council, and one of the public examiners. 8. A translation from Arabic into Hindoostanee, of part of the Ikhwan bos Sufa, a moral and philosophical table, of great celebrity in the origin al, by Moulavee Turab Alee, and others, under the inspection of Captain Taylor, Hindoostanee professor of the college, and Lieutenant Lockett. 9. The Ramayun of Tulsi Das, in the Purbi, or dialect spoken to the eastward of Delhi, from the Sanscrit press of Babooram Pundit. 10. Grammatical principles of the Brij Bhakka, or dialect of Brij, comprising Muttra, Bindrabum and the adjacent territory, as far as Gwalior, with an English translation, by Shree Laloo Lal Kub, the bhakha moonshee before mentioned, assisted by Captain Taylor, professor of the Hindoostanee language, to whom is inscribed this attempt to facilitate the study of one of the Indian dialects, considered to form a principal part of the basis of that language. A third volume of the Ramayuna of Valmeeki, in the original Sanscrit, with a prose translation and explanatory notes, by Mr Carey and Mr Marshman, has also been published since the date of the last disputation. A dictionary of the Vernacular diaJect of Bengal, which was mentioned in the visitor's last discourse, as undertaken by the professor of the Sanscrit and Bengalee languages, is now in the Serampore press; but from the extent of the work, and labour employed in tracing the etymologies, with a view to its more perfect execution, a considerable time will yet be required for the completion of it. It may be added, that the conductors of the mission press at Serampore, who have distinguished themselves by printing numerous works, in various Asiatic languages, have recently cast founts of types for the Gooroomookee Nagurec character, used by the Sikhs in the Punjab; as well as for the Telinga character; and that they have also succeeded in casting metallic types for the Chinese language. It may be further mentioned, in concluding this report on the subject of oriental literature, and particularly the advancement of it by the college of Fort William, that the library of this institution has been enriched by several valuable manuscripts, Persian and Arabic, and that measures have been taken, with the sanction of government, for rendering it, as oppor tunities offer, the public repository of scarce and useful books, in all the languages of Asia. View of the State of Literature and Literary Societies in PORTUGAL. From Halliday's present State of Portugal. 8vo. Clarke. Edinburgh 1812. LITERATURE was at a much lower ebb in Portugal some years ago than at present, and the sciences certainly owe a great deal to the Marquis of Pombal. Previous to his time, an author had to submit his works, both before and after they were printed, to the examination and censure of a great number of tribunals; and, what was still worse, these tribunals were almost all connected with the Inquisition, and composed of clergymen. Pombal conferred the office of censor upon a Board, which included some of the lay members of the government, and which was called "The Royal Board for the general examination and censure of Books," and every work, when printed, bore on the title-page, that it was published with the permission of that Board. This Board, however, has been set aside, and the office of censor is now per formed by the Board of Privy Council, "Meza de disembargo do Paço;" and the only real difficulty in publish ing books is the want of purchasers, that is, if they relate to the arts and sciences, or history; politics, of course, are out of the question. For many years past, the government has given every possible encour agc |