Mr. H. T. Colebrooke' s Discourse. xxi 



particular dialects and idioms, to which they bear relation ; for 

 their own sake, that is, for the literature which appertains to them ; 

 and for the analysis of language in general, which has been 

 unsuccessfully attempted on too narrow ground, but may be pro- 

 secuted, with eifect, upon wider induction. 



The same is to be said of Chinese literature and language. This 

 field of research, which is now open to us, may be cultivated with 

 confident reliance on a successful result ; making us better ac- 

 quainted with a singular people, whose manners, institutions, 

 opinions, arts and productions, differ most widely from those of 

 the West ; and through them, perhaps, with other tribes of Tar- 

 taric race, still more singular, and still less known. 



Wide as is the geographical extent of the region, to which 

 primarily our attention is directed, and from which our association 

 has taken its designation, the range of our research is not confined 

 to those geographical limits. Western Asia has, in all times, 

 maintained intimate relation with contiguous, and not unfrequently, 

 with distant, countries : and that connexion will justify, and often 

 render necessary, excursive disquisition beyond its bounds. We 

 may lay claim to many Grecian topics, as bearing relation to 

 Asiatic Greece ; to numerous topics of yet higher interest, con- 

 nected with Syria, with Chaldsea, with Palestine. Arabian litera- 

 ture will conduct us still further. Wherever it has followed the 

 footsteps of Moslem conquest, inquiry will pursue its trace. 

 Attending the Arabs in Egypt, the Moors in Africa; accompanying 

 these into Spain, and cultivated there with assiduity, it must be 

 investigated without exclusion of countries, into which it made 

 its way. 



Neither are our researches limited to the old continent, nor to 

 the history and pursuits of antient times. Modern enterprise has 

 added to the known world a second Asiatic continent; which 

 British colonies have annexed to the British domain. The situation 

 of Austral Asia connects it with the Indian Archipelago. Its oc- 

 cupation by English colonies brings it in relation with British India. 



