[1] Bealings. Woodbridge – Suffolk 3d October 1824
Dear Sir,
you are, I know, perfectly acquainted with the language in which I have the honor of addressing you. I am but a poor hand at writing French, although I can manage to read it – and I therefore write in my own language. I am much obliged and flattered by the tenor of your kind and instructive letter of 10 April. I should little deserve your attention and condescension if I could presume to suppose myself capable of giving you any information on any subject connected with the Sanskrit language or literature. Be assured that it is no affectation of self-abasement when I declare myself in comparison (if comparison can at all be made) profoundly ignorant. – The trifling remark which I ventured to make to our respected friend Dr Noehden, and which appears to have reached you, on the mode of spelling certain Eastern names, refered to their appearance in English, not in Latin. The reasons which you give for your mode of orthography in the latter language are convincing. I am much pleased to see that you have adopted the approved orthography of Sir Wm Jones. Some marks on Eastern Philology have been published in England in so barbarous a stile of spelling as to detract much from their utility.
There is one paint which now occurs to me that I have often thought might have been advantageously adopted by Sir Wm Jones and his followers. It is the substitution of K, where convenient, for our hard C. In well know names, of places particularly, it would not be expedient – such as Calcutta, Calicut &c. In these, and such words as these, no inconvenience can arise. But in such as Kartikeya, Valmiki &c. which I believe he writes V Carticeya, Valmici. the pronounciation is equivocal. I prefer, when it can be conveniently used, the K in preference to C hard. – But I will not trouble you with any more of my impertinences on these points.
At the time when living among Hindus and hearing but little of my own language, I learned a little of some of their dialects and made some enquiries into their mythology which comprehends [2] so much of what they call learning, very few Europeans knew much about such matters. I speak of 30 or 40 years ago. To know a little then was some distinction. But as I have for many years almost lost sight of India and its concerns, and have added very triflingly to the little I had long ago gathered, that little has now, when hundreds in India, Germany, France, & England, know infinitely more, shrunk to almost nothing. And living remote from London, and mixing but little in Literary Society, I scarcely know what is going on in the Oriental world. The Courtesy, however, even of my own Literary Countrymen in now and then speaking of my poor labours with commendation, is pleasing. To the Literati on the Continent I am still more indebted – and feel myself highly gratified and honored by the extreme courtesy and kindness of all that I have had the good fortune to meet – as well as by their occasional flattering mention of my writings: not to omit the high honor of having my name enrolled among t[he] illustrious names of some Literary Societies.
When you revisit England I hope I may have the pleasure of being presented to you. I now and then pay a short visit to London – and I trust my kind friend Dr Noehden will inform me of your arrival. It would be too much to hope that you may be able to run down to my house in Suffolk. It is but a days journey (80 miles) from London. You can breakfast there and dine at Bealings.
You notice having commenced the formation of an Indian Museum. I have a good many pictures (many of the subject of the Ramayana) images &c relating to Hindu Mythology – some of which have been engraved for the Hindu Pantheon. Such things you say are rare and difficult to be met with on the continent. Such a collection as mine, of metallic casts especially, could not be made except by the accumulation of many years. But a few casts and pictures are now and then offered for sale in London. They are rather expensive. I was many years making my Collection – some of them years of tumult, anarchy, war, invasion, famine &c – when even temples were not spared – in the Countries of the Mahrattas. I had been much at Poona, and over those Countries, and had opportunities from extensive acquaintance and official communication with natives, to make my wishes known as to such things – many more brought to me, and I purchased them as a considerable expence. I think it is likely that my images only must have cost me more then £ 300.
I mention all this in the hope of inducing you to come hither – and I hope we shall be able to get Dr Noehden to accompany you. In my visits to the continent [3] I have been at your beautiful City. My fellow travellers and I remarked a peculiar air of gentility about the Inhabitants of Bonn. We approached it on a Sunday – and met and saw more respectably dressed people than we ever saw in or about any town or city on a journey of some thousands of miles. You will very properly smile at our John Bullism – but we did certainly remark that the approach to Bonn had more the appearance of that to one of our first rate towns (Oxford for instance) than any we saw in all our journeyings. We meant this, you are aware, as a compliment. I know not if you Bonnians will so take it. I must not omit to account and apologize for not having earlier thanked you for your letter now under acknowledgement. Just as I received it I was setting off with my family for a Summer journey; and we are but recently returned. My letters, it is true, may be written any where – but the occupation of travelling, visiting &c. renders one indisposed to write. In the cause of our journey I met at Cheltenham our worthy friend Sir John Malcolm. He was quite well. The papers announce his appointment to Governor of Madras – a situation which will be highly gratifying to him. He and I went to India about the same time – (Cadets of 1781) – and we have been long acquainted. He is indeed a very worthy man; of exceedingly useful talents, and of varied and extensive information on Eastern matters. Can I be of any use to you in forwarding your Collection for your Museum? If I can, command me freely. I go, as I have said, now and then to London. I am a great streetwalker and poker into holes and corners; and can without trouble and at as little cost as any body, pick up Indian Subjects such as you mention – of pictures, bronzes, bas reliefs in stone &c. If you can render me useful, be particular in specifying how – in what line of subjects – to what sum you restrict me – where I am to deposit them – how forward them – how pay for them &. &.
Should you favor me with any communications, direct your letter to me at „72 1t Paulʼs Church Yard.“ It is my Booksellers and my House of business in London.
It is not likely that I shall ever publish further on Indian matters. My Hindu Pantheon is out of Print – and a 2d Edition is rather wanted. But I do not think I shall have the heart to undertake it. My time has become fully occupied with other things. I have written nothing on Eastern subjects since the completion of Reesʼ Cyclopædea, in which my articles on the Mythology (chiefly) Literature &. of the Orientals exceed 500 in member. None earlier than the letter I. There is something under Rama, Ramayana, Mahabarat, Veda, Purana, Vishnu, Siva, Parvati, Saraswati, Sita, Om, and scores of other theme refered to, in which the leading points of their histories are condensed – but they are not worth your [4] consulting. Heartily wishing you health and happiness – and the pleasing prosecution of your valuable labours. I have the honor to be with great respect Dear Sir your much obliged & faithful humble Servant
EdeMoor
Professor AW. de Schlegel
& & &
Bonn
Dear Sir,
you are, I know, perfectly acquainted with the language in which I have the honor of addressing you. I am but a poor hand at writing French, although I can manage to read it – and I therefore write in my own language. I am much obliged and flattered by the tenor of your kind and instructive letter of 10 April. I should little deserve your attention and condescension if I could presume to suppose myself capable of giving you any information on any subject connected with the Sanskrit language or literature. Be assured that it is no affectation of self-abasement when I declare myself in comparison (if comparison can at all be made) profoundly ignorant. – The trifling remark which I ventured to make to our respected friend Dr Noehden, and which appears to have reached you, on the mode of spelling certain Eastern names, refered to their appearance in English, not in Latin. The reasons which you give for your mode of orthography in the latter language are convincing. I am much pleased to see that you have adopted the approved orthography of Sir Wm Jones. Some marks on Eastern Philology have been published in England in so barbarous a stile of spelling as to detract much from their utility.
There is one paint which now occurs to me that I have often thought might have been advantageously adopted by Sir Wm Jones and his followers. It is the substitution of K, where convenient, for our hard C. In well know names, of places particularly, it would not be expedient – such as Calcutta, Calicut &c. In these, and such words as these, no inconvenience can arise. But in such as Kartikeya, Valmiki &c. which I believe he writes V Carticeya, Valmici. the pronounciation is equivocal. I prefer, when it can be conveniently used, the K in preference to C hard. – But I will not trouble you with any more of my impertinences on these points.
At the time when living among Hindus and hearing but little of my own language, I learned a little of some of their dialects and made some enquiries into their mythology which comprehends [2] so much of what they call learning, very few Europeans knew much about such matters. I speak of 30 or 40 years ago. To know a little then was some distinction. But as I have for many years almost lost sight of India and its concerns, and have added very triflingly to the little I had long ago gathered, that little has now, when hundreds in India, Germany, France, & England, know infinitely more, shrunk to almost nothing. And living remote from London, and mixing but little in Literary Society, I scarcely know what is going on in the Oriental world. The Courtesy, however, even of my own Literary Countrymen in now and then speaking of my poor labours with commendation, is pleasing. To the Literati on the Continent I am still more indebted – and feel myself highly gratified and honored by the extreme courtesy and kindness of all that I have had the good fortune to meet – as well as by their occasional flattering mention of my writings: not to omit the high honor of having my name enrolled among t[he] illustrious names of some Literary Societies.
When you revisit England I hope I may have the pleasure of being presented to you. I now and then pay a short visit to London – and I trust my kind friend Dr Noehden will inform me of your arrival. It would be too much to hope that you may be able to run down to my house in Suffolk. It is but a days journey (80 miles) from London. You can breakfast there and dine at Bealings.
You notice having commenced the formation of an Indian Museum. I have a good many pictures (many of the subject of the Ramayana) images &c relating to Hindu Mythology – some of which have been engraved for the Hindu Pantheon. Such things you say are rare and difficult to be met with on the continent. Such a collection as mine, of metallic casts especially, could not be made except by the accumulation of many years. But a few casts and pictures are now and then offered for sale in London. They are rather expensive. I was many years making my Collection – some of them years of tumult, anarchy, war, invasion, famine &c – when even temples were not spared – in the Countries of the Mahrattas. I had been much at Poona, and over those Countries, and had opportunities from extensive acquaintance and official communication with natives, to make my wishes known as to such things – many more brought to me, and I purchased them as a considerable expence. I think it is likely that my images only must have cost me more then £ 300.
I mention all this in the hope of inducing you to come hither – and I hope we shall be able to get Dr Noehden to accompany you. In my visits to the continent [3] I have been at your beautiful City. My fellow travellers and I remarked a peculiar air of gentility about the Inhabitants of Bonn. We approached it on a Sunday – and met and saw more respectably dressed people than we ever saw in or about any town or city on a journey of some thousands of miles. You will very properly smile at our John Bullism – but we did certainly remark that the approach to Bonn had more the appearance of that to one of our first rate towns (Oxford for instance) than any we saw in all our journeyings. We meant this, you are aware, as a compliment. I know not if you Bonnians will so take it. I must not omit to account and apologize for not having earlier thanked you for your letter now under acknowledgement. Just as I received it I was setting off with my family for a Summer journey; and we are but recently returned. My letters, it is true, may be written any where – but the occupation of travelling, visiting &c. renders one indisposed to write. In the cause of our journey I met at Cheltenham our worthy friend Sir John Malcolm. He was quite well. The papers announce his appointment to Governor of Madras – a situation which will be highly gratifying to him. He and I went to India about the same time – (Cadets of 1781) – and we have been long acquainted. He is indeed a very worthy man; of exceedingly useful talents, and of varied and extensive information on Eastern matters. Can I be of any use to you in forwarding your Collection for your Museum? If I can, command me freely. I go, as I have said, now and then to London. I am a great streetwalker and poker into holes and corners; and can without trouble and at as little cost as any body, pick up Indian Subjects such as you mention – of pictures, bronzes, bas reliefs in stone &c. If you can render me useful, be particular in specifying how – in what line of subjects – to what sum you restrict me – where I am to deposit them – how forward them – how pay for them &. &.
Should you favor me with any communications, direct your letter to me at „72 1t Paulʼs Church Yard.“ It is my Booksellers and my House of business in London.
It is not likely that I shall ever publish further on Indian matters. My Hindu Pantheon is out of Print – and a 2d Edition is rather wanted. But I do not think I shall have the heart to undertake it. My time has become fully occupied with other things. I have written nothing on Eastern subjects since the completion of Reesʼ Cyclopædea, in which my articles on the Mythology (chiefly) Literature &. of the Orientals exceed 500 in member. None earlier than the letter I. There is something under Rama, Ramayana, Mahabarat, Veda, Purana, Vishnu, Siva, Parvati, Saraswati, Sita, Om, and scores of other theme refered to, in which the leading points of their histories are condensed – but they are not worth your [4] consulting. Heartily wishing you health and happiness – and the pleasing prosecution of your valuable labours. I have the honor to be with great respect Dear Sir your much obliged & faithful humble Servant
EdeMoor
Professor AW. de Schlegel
& & &
Bonn
