'A Dictionary, Persian, Arabic, and English; with a Dissertation on the Languages, Literature, and Manners of Eastern Nations' [‎13v] (31/1826)

X
DISSERTATION.
we shall see, at one view, the great points of
variation between the writers of the East and W est.
Amongst the Oriental historians, philosophers,
rhetoricians, and poets, many will be found, who
would do honour to any age or people: whilst their
romances, their tales, and their fables, stand upon
a ground, which Europeans have hardly yet found
powers to reach . 21
In various other lights, the usefulness of the
Persian and Arabic languages will appear evident,
on the slightest examination. The high political
consequence of the Persian, in the affairs of India,
is too obvious and too generally acknowledged to
require arguments to enforce it; whilst the Arabic,
totally neglected, or studied with inattention, has
never been viewed, in Hindustan, by Europeans,
in the important light it merits. Yet the inter
course which the Arabians have maintained with
that country is ancient and intimate. For many
centuries previous to the discovery of the Cape of
Good Hope, they were the chief traders in the
East; and the commodities of India flowed into
Europe, by the w r ay of Egypt and Syria, almost
solely through their hands. Their commercial
settlements skirted the Indian coasts : their trans
actions with the Gentus were extensive; and their
language found its way where even their arms and
their religion had made no impression. The trans
actions, sometimes amicable, but oftener hostile,
in which the Hindu rajahs were engaged with the
Muhammadan princes, long before the accession
of the house of Timur, opened likewise numberless
channels for the introduction and incorporation of
this great Muhammadan language; and gave it,
in time, such an universal currency in Hindustan,
that not only two-thirds of the Persian, now in
general use there, is pure Arabic; but a half, per
haps, of the Hindustan or Moor is Arabic and
Persian : in the Malay they also both abound ; and
they appear even to have found a place in the
vulgar Ndgri and Bengal. But that which has
chiefly astonished me, is to find Arabic technically
used, even in the Code of Gentu Lam. If such
words are actually in the original Sanskrit, it is a
circumstance which will require a very nice ex
planation : for, upon general principles, we must,
on that ground, question the antiquity of those
laws ; having at present no foundation to believe,
that the Arabic was introduced into Hindustan
earlier than the Muhammadan invasion A.D. 708,
during the Caliphat of the first A1 alld. But it
they are not in the original Sanskrit, and only
occur in the Persian translation by the Pundits ;
there appears to be the same impropriety in their
modernizing or translating those ancient law-words,
as there would have been, had Sir A\ illiam Black-
stone given only the English of such terms as Cer
tiorari or Fieri facias, and omitted the original
names of the writs. 22 *
Having now traced the progress of the Arabic
and Persian languages as far as is consistent with
reason, or conducive to utility ; I shall proceed to
observations on other points, which will be chiefly
comprehended under two heads: First, Lights
which Eastern language and literature may throw
upon ancient history and mythology. Secondhj,
Customs apparently originating in Asia, which,
since the downfall of the Roman power, seem to
have influenced the manners of modern Europe.
In the investigation of those subjects, I am un
avoidably led to question the opinions of some ot
the most eminent men in the literary world ; who,
little acquainted with the languages of the East,
and entangled in the labyrinths of ideal system,
have built upon a basis of no solidity, and ex
tended error instead of discovering truth. Yet,
wherever I venture, on any ground, to differ from
exalted characters, I wish it may be understood,
that I lose nothing of that respect to which they
are so justly entitled. It is the lot of humanity to
err. We may venerate a Herodotus or a Newton,
without enslaving the mind by an acquiescence
in their failings: we may admire the noblest
efforts of human wisdom, without equally re-
# The Code of Gentu Laws having been translated through
the medium of the Persian language will account for the number
of Arabic terms used in that work, and which certainly were not
in the original Sanskrit .—(Editor s note to the second Edition.)