184 LETTERS FROM PROFESSOR CARLYLE 



Oriental writers that have hitherto puzzled me not a little ; and above 

 all, by getting hold of a dictionary of the vernacular language of the 

 country, and by putting things in such a train as to insure further 

 information upon that subject, I trust I shall have it in my power to 

 throw light upon many passages in the different Oriental dialects, and 

 particularly in SS., that have not hitherto been explained for want of 

 having recourse to such a key. I had the honor of conversing with 

 Your Lordship upon this head in London, and was not a little 

 gratified in finding my sentiments respecting this (I think) neglected 

 mode of criticism, so congenial to Your Lordship's. 



From Syria I proceeded by the way of Rhodes, Cos, Chios, &c. 

 to Smyrna, occasionally touching or staying at any place where I 

 hoped to pick up information. From Smyrna I took a vessel to the 

 Dardanelles, and from thence was conveyed in a Turkish row-boat to 

 Constantinople. 



It will give Your I^ordship pleasure to know that the idea of our 

 proposed edition of the Arabic SS. was received with the most lively 

 mark of gratitude and delight by every one to whom I commvuiicated 

 it. The different sects of Christians seemed to vie with each other 

 in applauding the plan, and in proffers of assistance towards 

 rendering it as completely effectual as possible. I have just heard 

 from my friend and neighbour, Mr. Frederick North, governor 

 of Ceylon, who tells me he has established in that island 150 

 Protestant schools, and has had the Liturgy of the Church of 

 England translated into the different Oriental tongues there in use. 

 It gave me the sincerest pleasure to be able to inform him of the 

 benevolent scheme promoted by Your Lordship, in which I am an 

 humble instrument. I trust we shall have it in our power, before he 

 quits his government, to furnish him with the essential foundations 

 of religious education. In the mean time, one is happy to find that 

 he has chosen such a work to pave its way as our most admirable 

 Liturgy. I assure Your Lordship I feel impatient to begin the work; 

 and I am gratified in finding, by accounts from London, that every 

 thing will be ready for my entering upon it as soon as I return. 



