Major Price’s Extracts from the Mualijdt-i-Dard Shekohd. 41 
which is in the brain; but in the act of speech, the energy of that spirit 
is exerted upon the lungs, the breast, the throat, mouth, tongue, and lips, all 
of which are endowed with life, and all more nearly situated to the brain, 
the central abode of the reasoning spirit. It is for these reasons that the 
object of the reasoning faculty is more perfectly known to the hearer, 
through the medium of speech, than to him who reads, through the medium 
of what is written. 
Since, then, speech is more immediately derived from, and in situation 
more closely connected with the reasoning spirit, than can be alleged 
of the faculty of writing, the operation of the mind being more remote 
from its object, through means thus artificial, which means, at the same 
time, are destitute of the vital principle, I say that speech is like the immor- 
tal spirit, while writing is the type of the perishable body; and therefore 
I contend that the searchers after knowledge will sooner arrive at their 
object through this living and spiritual medium of speech, than through 
the other corporeal and perishable one of writing. Such is my discourse 
upon Speech. 
DISCOURSE THE SECOND. 
ON THE FACULTY OF WRITING. 
Writine is included among the mathematical sciences, and is peculiar to 
man alone, to the exclusion of all other animals; for other animals, how- 
ever destitute of the faculty of reason, participate with man in the power 
of speech and of mechanical contrivance, but not so in writing. Thus 
there are animals which participate with man in language, the greater part 
of them making use of particular calls to one another, which are to them 
in the place of speech to mankind. Most irrational animals also will utter, 
in safety and repose, sounds very different from what they do in alarm or 
weariness. The domestic fowl, for instance, has a call peculiar to itself, by 
which it makes known to its mate its sense of peace and enjoyment; and 
the key in which it warns its kind of the approach of danger, when the 
bird of prey is hovering round, is distinguishable by all. The notes of the 
male, when inviting it to its roosting-place, or to lay its egg, as if in the 
voice of command to deposit its burden, are not less distinct and intelligible. 
Vor. III. G 
