ever been deemed necessary. 
ESSAYS BY THE STUDENTS OF THE COLLEGE OF FORT WILLIAM, XC. 
Innguage and manners, that to acquire an ac- 
curate knowledge of the latter, an attentive 
examination of the structure of the former has 
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 ob- 
serve, that they receive their peculiar charac- 
ter from the national character of the people 
Who speak them. 
¥¢ Our own language, for instance, agree- 
able to the studious, reflecting, and phlegma- 
tic disposition of the people of England, dis- 
plays 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 expres- 
ging 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 attend- 
ed 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 ge- 
nius of a people, may also be collected from 
their language. From the openness and bold- 
ness of expression in our own, we discern 
evident marks of that nobleuess 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 asser- 
tion confirmed by observation of the oriental 
languages ; in every sentence of which ap- 
pear that humility and slavish submission, or 
that haugbtiness and despotic insolence, 
whieh have ever been the characteristics of 
Asiatics, in the respective situations of sub- 
Jects and soyereigns, dependents and lords.” 
“ Whether the religion or govern- 
ment, climate or education, produces 
most effect on the national character, is 
a problem which, though frequently dis- 
cussed, has never been satisfactorily re- 
solved ;” Mr. Martin therefore dwells 
upon these several causes, which undoubt- 
edly'co-operate in forming the national 
“character. On the effects of religion, in- 
deed, he has only glanced: he might, 
‘with advantage, have noticed some of . 
the most striking instances of its opera- 
tion. If he had adverted to the mild 
genius of the Peruvians at the time of 
their discovery by Pizarro, clearly de- 
675) 
rived from the object of their worship, 
and the superstition inculeated by their 
Incas, and contrasted it with the fero- 
cious character of the Mexicans, also de- 
rivable from the savage rites of their re- 
ligion ; if he had noticed the effects of 
polytheism, and the obscene and licen 
tious mythology of the ancients, it would 
have illustrated an argument which, how- 
ever, Mr. Metcalf doubtless thought was 
too obviously true to stand in need of 
illustration. he manners and habits of 
a people, moreover, are to be in a great 
measure inferred from the nature of the 
government to which they are subject, 
the laws by which their conduct is regu- 
lated, and the education which prevails 
among them. 
We are very much disposed to think 
that e/imate too operates more powerfully 
than is generally imagine’ ; Mr. Hume 
altogether denies the influence of ‘phy- 
sical causes on the genius and nature of 
man. Weare strongly disposed to think 
that moral causes, such as government, 
religion and education, are, in reality, 
but effects fowing from physical ones. : 
After all, perhaps, it is by social inter« 
course, as Mr. Martin observes, that 2 
knowledge of the character and circum- 
stances of any nation can be, with cer- 
tainty, attained. The christian mission- 
aries 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, 
of necessity, make it a principal object to 
encourage and promote the most unre- 
served communication, it is that we 
must rely for the most copious and valu- 
able information, as to the manners and 
customs of the natives of India. 
The “character and capacity of the 
Asiatics” are treated of in three essays, 
respectively, by Mr. Wood, Mr. Martin, 
and Mr. Newnham, who agree in repre- 
senting them, asindeed most of the au- 
thors have done, as indolent, cruel, and 
abject. The influence of climate is not 
overlooked by thesegentlemen; Mr.Wood 
concedes a great deal to it, and seems very 
much of our opinion, that religion and 
government are secondary causes, and 
climate a primary one. Climate and re- 
ligion, says he, most forcibly conspire to _ 
determine the character of the natives of 
Hindoostan; the former paves the way 
for any impression the latter may be wil- 
ling to establish, which, when once re- 
ceived, it throws also every obstacle ‘in 
ow x2 
