society. If we estimate at a shilling a day what is lost by the inaction, and consumed in the support, of each man thus chained down to involuntary idleness, the public loss will rise in one year to one hundred thousand pounds; in ten years to more than a sixth part of our circulating coin. "I am afraid that those who are best acquainted with the state of our prisons will confess that my conjecture is too near the truth, when I suppose that the corrosion of resentment, the heaviness of sorrow, the corruption of confined air, the want of exercise, and sometimes of food, the contagion of dis eases, from which there is no retreat, and the severity of tyrants, against whom there can be no resistance, and all the complicated horrors of a prison, put an end every year to the life of one in four of those that are shut up from the common comforts of human life. 66 Thus perish yearly five thousand men, overborne with sorrow, consumed by famine, or putrified by filth; many of thein in the most vigorous and useful part of life; for the thoughtless and imprudent are commonly young, and the active and busy are seldom old. According to the rule generally received, which supposes that one in thirty dies yearly, the race of man may be said to be renewed at the end of thirty years. Who would have believed till now, that of every English generation, an hundred and fifty thousand perish in our gaols? that in every century, a nation, eminent for science, studious of com merce, ambitious of empire, should willingly lose, in noisome dungeons, five hundred thousand of its inhabitants; a number greater than has ever been destroyed in the same time by the pestilence and sword!" Without 'calling Mr. Pratt a moralist or a malcontent, we will forgive him his synonims for the humanity of this pas sage. In his advertisement the author expresses an earnest wish that the ten concluding sheets might be first perused, as they are devoted to a heart-felt consideration of the important circumstances of the country at the present moment. Gentle reader, what were we to expect when thus requested to begin the book at the end on account of its immediate importance? We looked for a scheme to pay off the national debt, or a method of securing our fleet against a submarine attack, or a plan of fortification for London, or directions how to march to Paris, or something equally important and equally practicable. No, gentle reader, we have first, a picture of the gaieties of London taken from the newspapers, paragraphs respecting routs, and balls, and grand dinners, and the fashionable arrangements of the week from the Morning Post; and this is called a grand metropolitan moving picture! It is indeed an important picture: the country must indeed be miserably degraded in morals and intellect when the public papers are filled with such trash; when the "fashionables," as they are called, can take a pride in having their follies and prodigalities advertised, and when they are not punished for the publication, with general contempt. Next comes a sketch of the debates upon the war, remarks upon the speed of the mail coaches, an account of the arrival of the definitive treaty, a list of public charities, and an extract from Langhorne's Hymn to Humanity. In truth, after having perused these ten sheets we cannot conceive how the country is to be benefited by them at the present moment, unless they be served out to the volunteers as car. tridge paper. We have now finished the Gleanings; if Mr. Pratt will give us for the future pictures with less varnish, we shall be glad to take up his volumes. The present work has too many extracts, and too much prittle prattle; but Mr. Pratt has taken measure of the public taste, and knows how to fit it. That his works should last is a secondary considera. tion. ART. VI. Essays by the Students of the College of Fort William in Bengal: To which are added, the Theses pronounced at the Public Disputations in the Oriental Languages, on the 6th of February, 1802. 8vo. pp. 228. Calcutta printed. THESE essays, as the frugum primitie of an institution established on the sound-, est principles of justice and of wisdom, and which bids fair to revive the droop ing learning of the east, will be welcomed by every lover of science, and every friend to humanity. It is well known, that the Marquis of Wellesley, among other important services which he has rendered to the East India company, founded a college at Fort William for the instruction of the junior civil servants of the company, in all those branches of literature and science, which may be deemed necessary to qualify them for discharging the duties of different offices, constituted for the administration of the government of the British possessions in the East Indies. It is not so generally known, perhaps, what those branches are, and on how very extensive a basis this establishment is founded. Presuming that most of our readers will feel the same gratifi. cation that we did on being made acquainted with the collegiate studies, we make no apology for transcribing, from the second volume of the Asiatic Annual Register, the following concise account of them: It is enacted, that "professorships shall be established as soon as may be practicable, and regular courses of lectures commenced in the following branches of literature, science, and knowledge: Arabic, Persian, Sanscreet, Hindustanee, Bengal, Telinga, Mahratta, Tamula, Canara languages; Mahom medan law, Hindoo law; ethics, civil jurisprudence, and the law of nations; English law: the regulations and laws enacted by the governor-general in council, or by the governors in council at Fort St. George and Bombay respectively, for the civil government of the British territories in India; political economy, and particularly the commercial institution and interests of the East India company; geography and mathematics; modern language of Europe; Greek, Latin, and English classics; general history, ancient and modern; the history and antiquities of Hindustan and the Deccan; natural history; botany, chemistry, and astronomy." "The essays and theses here published, were composed by the students, under the following statutes enacted by his excellency the most noble the governor-general, patron and visitor of the college of Fort William. "Statute VI. Of public disputations in the oriental languages. destined to exercise high and important fune- Every student shall compose one essay or declamation in the English language, during the course of each terin. The subject of these essays or declamations shall be proposed by the council of the college." The disputations in oriental languages were held at the college hall on the sixth of February, 1802, being the anniversary of the commencement of the first term of the college. After the distribution of the prizes and honorary rewards, the honorable the acting visitor, George Hilaro Barlow, Esq. in absence of the noble patron and founder, who was called to a distant quarter of the empire, addressed the students in a short appropriate speech, expressive of his satisfaction at their ge neral good conduct and proficiency. This volume contains nine essays; three "on the advantages of an acade mical institution in India, considered in a moral, literary, and political point of view," respectively by Mr. Martin, Mr. Elliot, and Mr. Bayley; three "on the best means of acquiring a knowledge of the manners and customs of the natives of India," by Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Martin, and Mr. Metcalf; three "on the charac ter and capacity of the Asiatics, and par ticularly of the natives of Hindoostan," by Mr. Wood, Mr. Martin, and Mr. Newenham. • Here it is impossible not to be struck with the wisdom aud judgment which dictated the choice of these subjects. The object of the first is clearly to direct the attention of the students to the nature and views of the institution of which they are members, to impress them with a just sense of its importance, and of the value of those advantages which are now within their reach, and which, if they suffer to pass away without profiting by them, must be dishonourable to their character, and detrimental to their interests. The second, by enquiring the best means of taining a knowledge of the manners id customs of the natives of India, takes r granted the necessity of such knowdge; and in plain language tells the udents, that whatever situation they cupy, whether they are employed in e legislative, judicial, or commercial le, an acquaintance with the hereditary ages and opinions of those for whom ey legislate, and with whom they have y dealings, must be the foundation of ery liberal, and politic, and just prinle of conduct. In the third essay, a Il more enlarged and comprehensive ew of the subject of the second, seems be recommended. The question, as is stated for discussion, seems to say to e students, “a knowledge of the manrs and customs of the Asiatics is necesury, but it is not all that is necessary; on must mark the operation of these anners and customs, and observe what Fect they produce upon their character capacities; you must apply your knowdge. In order to conciliate the affec. ons of those under your sway, and seare their fidelity, make yourself acuainted with their character, that you ay not unintentionally, and through gnorance do violence to their prejudices, ad shock their feelings." Before we read a line of any one of hese essays, such were the reflections rich came across our minds on looking ver the contents of the volume, where Se subjects of them are stated. It is me to notice the essays themselves, which do credit to the good sense, and That is more, to the good feelings of heir respective authors. The more important and immediate advantages of an academical institution in India are so obvious, that it can excite to surprise if the three gentlemen who employed their pens in the enumeration them, should coincide in their opitions, and cast their eyes on the same ob. ects. So striking indeed is this coincideace, that there is scarcely a sentiment any one of the first three essays, which is not to be found in one of the other two. Mr. Martín, after anticipating the disovery of many treasures of literature, which an intimate acquaintance with oriestal languages alone can bring to light, proceeds thus: "But these studies, though valuable in themselves at all times, derive additional importance when considered in a political point of view. Justice is the pillar which supANN, REV. VOL. II. ports the fabric of human society. Its strict and impartial administration has, almost in every age and country, been esteemed the firmest bond for conciliating the affections, If, therefore, any specks may have arisen, to and securing the obedience of its subjects. dim the lustre and stain the purity of a system, so essential to the happiness of millions, and in which their interests are so deeply involved; whatever tends to dissipate and erase them, excites our gratitude, and engrosses our attention. The clouds which have obscured its path will now retire and disperse; while the success which must inevitably crown the steps of industry, will enable us to introduce the solid advantages of European literature; will promote the cultivation of wealth, by giving vigour and dispatch to bu siness; and will be the means of accelerating the progress of civil society, by enlarging the channels of intercourse. Our credit too, as of our conquests, not by the vain effusion of a nation, is interested in marking the progress innocent blood, or the destruction of millions of the human race; but by a generous and liberal communication of the arts and sciences; while policy requires, that the people, whom our arms have rescued from the galling bonds of Asiatic slavery, should, while they acknowledge the necessity, experience the benefits of their submission. "If then it be of acknowledged moment ledge, and to render ourselves acquainted with to acquire the principles of general knowthe languages of those countries which we may hereafter govern, it is of proportional importance to consult the experience of history; as a field, exhibiting the varied operations of the human understanding, and a theatre, representing the various changes and pas sions of the human heart. Unfurnished with any ideas on general policy, and unaccustomed to contemplate the objects which wise and salutary laws ever have in view, we should be totally unable to form any just estimate of the systems of ancient legislators, or of their influence on the general happiness of the people. History, by pointing out the objects of true worth and value, teaches us to despise the brilliancy of those martial exploits, which, though they may have procured the tempo Tary applause and admiration of mankind, have ever been condemned by the calm and dispassionate suffrage of posterity. It will encourage us, by the numerous examples which it displays of a noble disregard to private interest, when opposed to the great claims of society, to love, and imitate those qualities which we admire and extol in others; and will prompt us to resist the progress of that degenerate spirit, which sacrifices, withinterest to the base indulgence of sloth and out a blush, the considerations of duty and appetite. But there is no feature in the institution that shines with brighter or more distinguished lustre, or that more demands our gratitude and esteem, than the asylum it affords against X x that ridicule and contempt, which moral excellence too often meets with in society. However great our qualifications, or brilliant our endowments, unless supported on the firm basis of religion and morality, they can sparkle only with a tinsel brilliancy. If in delineating the character of one who claimed the admiration of mankind, after having ascribed to him eloquence, valour, and every accomplishment that is most shining and captivating, it were to be said, that he indulged in every vicious inclination, was unaccompanied by truth, and uninfluenced by virtue; by that one stroke alone the whole character would be sunk and degraded. How honorable are such sentiments as these; what a pledge do they afford, that if the individual who now utters them should at any future period of life be promoted to any rank or station where his power and influence are conspicuous, he will exert them in the distribution of justice, and the defence of innocence. Mr. Elliot has thus expressed the same feelings: "In a moral point of view, the advantages of an academical institution will be equally conspicuous. Pleasures and amusements, unless restrained within moderate bounds, soon lead to extravagance and licentiousness. Coming into the country at an early age, it can hardly be expected that young men should have any strong or fixed ideas of the truth of their religion; and whatever they may have, are too often obliterated by a constant intercourse with men, who are, perhaps, as deficient in moral principle as in their knowledge of the true religion. Nor is this all: a very short course of dissipation places them in the power of men, who want not the inclination to render them instrumental in the perpetration of the most dishonest and unworthy actions, to the disgrace of their country and the dishonour of the religion which they profess. As we believe our religion to be infinitely more pure than that of India, and our morality more refined, it is incumbent on us to shew that our actions are not at variance with our ideas; and to evince the truth of that religion, by displaying its efficacy on our conduct. The paths of vice hold out so many, and such powerful allurements, that nothing but a firm and solid foundation of religion, integrity and morality, can resist their power. It becomes therefore a primary object of the institution to check, in the very beginning, the progress of dissipation and vice; to instill the principles of religion and virtue; to eff force the necessity of order and industry; and to warn the inexperienced of the dangers and snares which await them in their passage through life. I cannot omit to observe two circumstances, which will tend very greatly to conciliate to the British government the good will and esteem of the natives of India, and which may be ranked among the principal advantages of this institution. "The first is, the great advantage which is hereby extended to natives of learning and abilities. India has been long descending by slow degrees into the gulph of barbarism and ignorance, and learning and the arts have been gradually falling into disrepute and obscurity. The ample field which this institu tion proposes to itself, comprehending the languages, literature, arts, and sciences of all the more polished nations of Asia, will not fail in a few years to assemble the most learned men from all parts, by affording then suitable encouragement. Nor does it end here. The student will come into active life with a taste for eastern literature, and extend that patronage so happily begun; the shoots of science will again spring up and flourish, and the east will regain its once well merited celebrity. "The other circumstance I had to mention, is the conviction which will be afforded to the natives of India, of the earnest desire of the supreme government, that they may not be ruled by men, ignorant of the genius of the country and its inhabitants; but by those who, from a regular course of diligence and study, have attained a perfect knowledge of the subject. This will inspire a confidence that the laws will be administered with justice and impartiality; that every respect will be shewn to their usages and customs, and every indulgence to their prejudices; in fine, they will cease to consider themselves as a conquered people, and unite with one soul in a general wish for the permanency and prosperity of the British empire." Of the essays "on the best method of acquiring a knowledge of the manners and customs of the nations of India,” we are rather inclined to give preference to Mr. Martin's; Mr. Metcalf, however, is Mr. Hamilton is busied about the ima powerful competitor for the palm.— portance of acquiring this knowledge, rather than about the means of obtaining it; and he is totally ignorant of a truth which is brought forward and enlarged on by both the other gentlemen, namely, that the genius and character of a people is often to be inferred from their language, and that language, therefore, is not mere. ly the key of knowledge, but is knowledge itself.-Mr. Martin says, So intimate is the connection between language and manners, that to acquire an accurate knowledge of the latter, an attentive examination of the structure of the former has ever been deemed necessary. So sensible were the Romans of the influence of language in forming the manners of men, that it was their most serious care to extend, with the progress of their arms, the use of the Latin tongue; and we need only advert to those languages now existing in the world, to observe, that they receive their peculiar character from the national character of the people who speak them. "Our own language, for instance, agreeable to the studious, reflecting, and phleginatic disposition of the people of England, displays its power of expression, chiefly on grave subjects, and on the stronger emotions of the mind; whereas the language of the French, sympathizing with their delicacy, refinement, and sensibility, surpasses our own in expressing the nicer shades of character, is copious in whatever is delicate, gay, or amusing, and is perhaps the happiest language for conver sation in the world. An examination of the structure of language must be always attended with great advantages, as being very nearly connected with the philosophy of the human mind." Mr. Metcalf makes the same remark: "The general character and peculiar genius of a people, may also be collected from their language. Froin the openness and boldness of expression in our own, we discern evident marks of that nobleness of mind and freedom of spirit, which dignify the Briton; whilst the politesse and suavity of diction in the French tongue, bespeak that gaiety of disposition, and elegance of manners, which adorn the well educated inhabitant of France. Thus every language carries in itself the stamp of the nation who converse in it, an assertion confirmed by observation of the oriental languages; in every sentence of which appear that humility and slavish submission, or that haughtiness and despotic insolence, which have ever been the characteristics of Asiatics, in the respective situations of subJects and sovereigns, dependents and lords." "Whether the religion or government, climate or education, produces most effect on the national character, is a problem which, though frequently discussed, has never been satisfactorily resolved;" Mr. Martin therefore dwells upon these several causes, which undoubtedly co-operate in forming the national character. On the effects of religion, indeed, he has only glanced: he might, with advantage, have noticed some of the most striking instances of its operation. If he had adverted to the mild genius of the Peruvians at the time of their discovery by Pizarro, clearly de rived from the object of their worship, We are very much disposed to think After all, perhaps, it is by social intercourse, as Mr. Martin observes, that a knowledge of the character and circumstances of any nation can be, with certainty, attained. The christian missionaries enjoy "peculiar opportunities of investigating the spirit of Hindoo the ology, and of explaining the structure of their language. From these zealous and inquisitive men, therefore, who must, The "character and capacity of the i |