I56 ALPHABETICAL SYSTEM," &C. 



be found among the natives, f Much, however, may- 

 be done by patience and attention. The field is ample; 

 and he who has leifure and perfeverance to attain a juft 

 knowledge of its boundaries, will probably find his 

 labours rewarded beyond his moft fanguine expectation. 



+ Every writing that has hitherto come under obfervation, has 

 been full of the grofleft inaccuracies; even thofe ftamped by the 

 higheft authority ; fuch as official papers from the king of Ava 

 to our government. How far the Palit, or facred language, in 

 which their religious ordinances are written, may be exempted 

 from this remark, it is impoflible to fay. The Priejis are almoft 

 the only people converfant in it, and few even among them are 

 celebrated for the accuracy and extent of their knowledge. Be- 

 tween Rdmu and IJldmabdd, only one perfon has been heard of, 

 and to him accefs has not hitherto been obtainable. Enquiry 

 feems to favour an opinion, that an acquaintance with both lan- 

 guages is absolutely neceflary to effect r.he important purpofes that 

 at prefent introduce themfelves to our notice, and which are to 

 prove the inhabitants of Siam, Ava, and Aracan, to be one and 

 the fame people in language, manners, laws, and religion ; and 

 features of the ftrongefl refemblance between them and thofe of 

 Afam, Nepal, and Tibet; and eventually to add another link to 

 the chain of general knowledge, by furnifhing materials for fil- 

 ling up the interval that feems at prefent to ieparate the Hindus 

 from the Chinefe, 



