Oct. 1858.— Mar. 1859.] In Roman Characters. 



183 



four. The three zeds and three esses are similarly dis- 

 tinguished. Such complications are perplexing in type and 

 unsuited to cursive writing. 



On a comparison of these four schemes, it is seen that 

 the mode of designating the vowels is nearly the same in 

 all ; that Sir W. J ones adopts a system of supra-linear marks 

 to distinguish the consonants, and that his followers, ad- 

 mitting the propriety of the principles laid down by him, 

 have confined their modifications to the substitution of infra- 

 linear signs differing only in the greater or less simplicity of 

 their application. 



If a printer is asked, whether with an ordinary fount of 

 types, it is easier to add diacritical marks above or below the 

 line, he will give the preference to the former and to those 

 of the simplest description only. The use of accentual signs 

 above the line, is of ordinary occurrence in every press. Hence 

 the original scheme proposed by Sir W. Jones possesses this 

 advantage, of facility of application, in an eminent degree. 



The chief objection brought against it consists in the 

 similarity of the sign employed to distinguish long vowels 

 and certain consonants, and in the liability of such marks, 

 when used in juxta position, to create confusion. Its minor 

 defects consist in the absence of letters required for certain 

 sounds in the Hindi and the Dravidian dialects, (which formed 

 no part of his plan,) in the unnecessary re-duplication of the 

 signs employed to express ^ and ^, and in the compound 

 marks over two of the zeds. In other respects, his system 

 presents a marked advantage over all others, whether it be 

 viewed as applicable to the resources of an ordinary printing 

 office, or to employment in manuscript. 



It may be urged, that the objection raised to complicated 

 diacritical signs can be overcome, as in fact it is, by casting 

 types for the purpose. But a fundamental object to be kept 

 in view in any scheme of general application, is facility of 



