Ix APPENDIX. 



those preserved in Mr. Rich's collection * our knowledge of Biblical criticism could not but be greatly 

 advanced. But where, it may be asked, are we to look for an individual who can command time and 

 funds necessary for such a work ? Or, where for a market, provided it could be completed, likely to 

 make returns sufficient to pay the printer? The voice of fame only is, 1 fear, much too languid to call 

 forth adventurers of this kind; and this is perhaps, all that can be reasonably expected frojn labours 

 such as these. 



That such a consummation cannot be effected by the solitary labours of the Oriental professors in the 

 Universities, the Member of the Senate has justly remarked. The public is, indeed, highly indebted to 

 such men as Pococke, Hyde, Walton, and others, who have distinguished themselves in this career. But 

 generally, official duties, the want of funds, and a bad market, will always be sufficient to present insur- 

 mountable obstacles to speculations of this kind. I believe, nevertheless, that something may be devised 

 whereby these difficulties might be removed, and the interests of all likely to advance such an object, be 

 effectually united. In the constitution of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, I 

 think, we can find all the necessary requisites. We have, in this institution, the King for a patron, the 

 President of the Board of Control for a president, the learned and indefatigable Mr. Colebrooke for a 

 director, and for a body, men the most distinguished for their learning, candour, and talents, in this king- 

 dom. I have reason to believe, that there is a feeling favourable to such a project as this, both in the 

 Government and at the India House. Mr. Wynn, I understand, is anxious to do something towards 

 advancing Oriental literature; and some of the Directors of the East-India Company have expressed a 

 similar feeling. If, therefore, something feasible could be devised, there is reason to hope that funds 

 would not be wanting. 



In the next place, as the Member of the Senate has justly remarked, needy Arabs and Persians may be 

 obtained from the East, and these, in conjunction with the professors of the Universities, or other 

 Orientalists, whom a select committee of that Society might think proper to employ, would afford the 

 best pledges that such works would be well chosen and correctly executed. The Universities, moreover, 

 may not be averse to assist in the article of printing, which, I think, is probable, when works, recom- 

 mended as these would be, were brought before them. And, again, as the Society above-mentioned is at 

 present relying on the gratuitous assistance of its members for articles to compose the volumes of its 

 Transactions, it is not improbable they may be disposed to listen to some such project as this. 



I will add one consideration more, which is this. It must, I think, appear surprising, that a country 

 like this, having such extensive and daily extending intercourse with the East, both in a religious and 

 commercial point of view, should evince so little interest on a subject of such importance as the cultiva- 

 tion of Oriental literature; while on the Continent, there is not only a general interest excited and 

 maintained, far beyond any thing witnessed in former times, but also the patronage of the several govern- 

 ments is actually afforded, for what, in their case, can amount to little more than the gratification of 

 a literary curiosity. 



I can only say, in conclusion, that it is my intention to lay this correspondence before one ofthe Vice- 

 Presidents of the Royal Asiatic Society, with whom I have the honour of being acquainted, and should 

 any thing eventually grow out of it, the public will have to thank the Member of the Senate for his com- 

 munication. 



I am, Sir, your obliged humble servant, 



Samuel Lee. 



• Some of these MSS. are upwards of 1,000 years okl, and others present most valuable portions of the Philoxenian 

 or Neslorjan, exemplars. I myself have made considerable progress in such a collation ; but having already burnt 

 my fingers in speculations of this kind, lam not over anxious to try the experiment again. 



