202 



tion is true only by chance ; for any number of similar constructions 

 may be produced which will not constitute equations ; thus discipulus 

 docetur is not = discipulus se docet, &c. It is evident, therefore, that the 

 Professor endeavours to confound the Latin Passive Voice with reflexive 

 phrases. 



i\gain, applying those novel principles to vertitur inter ea caelum, we 

 find that vertitur is not reflexive ; for the source of the action is dis- 

 closed by coelum ; and as it is not reflexive, it is not passive. The Pro- 

 fessor leaves it "no character at all." 



In support of his views, he appeals to French reflected verbs, and is 

 very unlucky: — "Many European languages afford examples of this 

 iiYiQ passive) use of the reflexive." In those languages a passive signi- 

 fication is frequently expressed by a reflexive form, though this is rarely 

 the case except in the third person. This does not prove the reflexive is 

 passive, or the passive reflexive. If we receive Mr. Kay's doctrine, the 

 French for I am flattered i^je me flatte, instead of on me flatte; and the 

 Latin for tliou lovest thyself is amaris. To such absurdities does Mr. 

 Kay's theory of the Passive Voice lead. 



If, then, some of our foremost grammarians entertain such obscure 

 or absurd notions of the Passive Voice, can we wonder that the less 

 expert and less learned grammarians of India have been puzzled with 

 it ? Some of the best English scholars reject the English Passive ; shall 

 we be surprised that the MunsMs have not been able to detect the Urdu 

 Passive ? Certainly not. My assertion, therefore, of independent Hin- 

 dustani Passive tenses can no more be invalidated by pleading against 

 me the authority of the MunsMs than the authority of Gilchrist or 

 Eorbes. mere authority can impair the investigation, argument, and 

 inferences which have been exhibited. My analysis and reasoning are 

 unconnected with any peculiar theory or favourite speculation; they are 

 rigidly applied to the features of the construction ; conducted according 

 to the essential nature of the Passive Voice, and the clearest analogies 

 of language ; and their consequences confirmed by the consistency and 

 harmony to which they lead. 



Being satisfied of the Passivity of the preterite tenses, I drew up the 

 following simple and consistent statement : — 



1. The preterite tenses of transitive verbs are pure Passive forms. 



2. The subject, when directly spoken of, is in its simple state as the 

 nominative case, and requires the verb containing the Passive assertion 

 to agree with it in gender and number. 



'3. If the subject of the verb be placed under the government of ko, 

 the verb remains in its elementary form, singular and masculine. 



4. In the latter case it must be translated as impersonal Passive ; 

 but the appropriate pronoun may be supplied from the indirect nomina- 

 tive, or subject of the discourse, which has been put under the govern- 

 ment of ko. Thus : — 



^Auraton ne larUyon ho mdrd. (|^U ^uyj^ 



