240 ON THE LANGUAGES AND tiTERATURE 



It seems to be qviite original, and is said by the Bar- 

 mas and Siamese to iiave no affinity with either of 

 their languages. I have met no learned man of the 

 race, nor have had any opportunity of cultivating 

 the language, but I have been informed by a Tala- 

 poi?i that they possess many ancient histories in this 

 language; which is not impossible, as they seem to 

 have attained civilization, at a more early period 

 than the Barmas ; and, though now reduced, to have 

 been formerly a great and potent nation. In the 

 early Portugucze histories they are denominated the 

 Pandalus of Man ; and they are supposed to have 

 founded the ancient Kalaminham empire, at a very 

 early period. The name Kalatnhiham, mentioned by 

 the Portugueze, is probably connected with the 

 Siamese name of the nation, Ming-mon. The Mm 

 alphabet, if I can depend on the specimens of the 

 character shown me by a Barman of some learning, 

 is only a slight variety of the Barma-BaU, with which, 

 it corresponds, in the power and arrangement, as 

 well as the form of the characters. I have, however, 

 had little opportunity of investigating this subject; 

 and, expecting to have visited Pegu, did not avail my- 

 self of that opportunity to the fullest extent. The 

 examination of the ]\Iu)i character and language, has 

 no peculiar diificulty, and may be easily accomphshed 

 by the first literary inquirer who may visit Pegu; and 

 I still indidge the hope that my future inquiries may 

 be attended with success in investigating their rela- 

 tions. 



X, TiiAV. — The Thay language is that which 

 is used by the Siamese, who, in their own 

 tongue, assume this name as their national ap- 

 pellation. By the Barmas, they are denomi- 

 nated Si/an, from whence the Portugueze seem to 

 have borrowed their Siam and Siaof?i, from whom 



