1807.] 
ig not a more extensively useful axiom, 
even among the precepts of religion, than 
that which upholds that the labourer is 
worthy of his hire; and I strongly suspect, 
that neither the pride nor the refinement 
that induce particular individuals syste- 
matically to reject this hire, are to be 
ranked among the prejudices that are 
ultimately beneficial to society. At the 
same tine with respect to my own im- 
mediate pursuit, I cannot but occasion- 
ally lament that no national institution, 
no incorporated benevolence, nor ‘ pa- 
ternal bounty of government,” enables 
me to extend the influence of my labours 
and discoveries, beyond the circles of at 
least comparative opulénce, 
Having dwelt thus long, with no inten- 
“tion of detracting from the merits of a 
paper by which I confess myself to have 
been highly interested and instructed, on 
some of the statementsof fact, which ap- 
pear to Want revision, Mr. M. will, [ 
hope, excuse me, if I proceed ina future 
number to combat the practical applica- 
tion of one of his doctrinal statements; 
namely, the identity of the means to be 
adopted in the education of the deaf and 
dumb, and of persons who labour under 
impediments “of speech:—a doctrine 
which I mean to object to even to such 
an extent, as to expose the absolute im- 
propriety of suffering those two classes 
to join together in the same exercises, or 
miugle in the same seminary. In the 
mean time, Sir, I remain Mr M’s, and 
Your’s, &c. - J, THELWALL. 
Bedford-place, Sept. 24, 1807. 
ee 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
A BOUT six or seven years ago, an 
ingenious friend, then resident in 
the metropolis, knowing my taste for 
every branch of literature connected 
with the study of biblical history and 
antiquities, communicated to me a pro- 
posal which had been recently set on 
foot for the institution of a society, 
the object of which was to be the 
promotion. of Eastern learning; and 
although my own acquirements as an 
orientalist were confined to a superficial 
acquaintance with the Hebrew language, 
T became very anxious for the success of 
tins undertaking, and was happy on be- 
ing informed that my name had found a 
place in the list of those who might be 
considered as founders of this society. 
On paying my annual visit to London, 
} saw, in the hands of twe or three gen- 
Inquiry relative to a proposed Oriental Society. 
445 
tlemen, a printed list of members, 
amounting in number to above forty, 
amongst whom were several celebrated 
orientalists, a learned bishop, and some 
other eminent divines, professors of dif- 
ferent Universities, and three travellers 
of the highest literary reputation; 1 
short, members so numerous and so re- 
spectable, as seemed to insure success to 
this or to any institution, 
The plan of this intended society was, 
as I understood, to hold occasional meet- 
ings, to subscribe a small sum annually 
for expences of a room, lights, fires, &c. 
to collect such essays as the ditierent 
members should furnish, and to print, 
from time to time, such as a majority or 
a committee might approve of. I was 
informed that a respectable bookseller 
had offered to undertake the publication 
uf the Transactions at his own expence, 
furnishing each member with a copy, on 
being allowed to dispose of a certain 
number of copies to the public. One 
gentleman, I was assured, who shewed 
the utmost zeal for the institution of this 
society, had collected such a number of 
essays and papers on the various subjects 
of Eastern history, antiquities, geography, 
natural history, philology, &c. as would 
have formed a very interesting volume, 
and contained the result of observations 
made in the East by tliree or four ingenious 
travellers, aud some critical discussions 
and antiquarian anecdotes, contributed 
by learned members who, although they 
had derived their knowledge merely froim 
books, were perfectly qualified to furnish 
valuable communications. 
Irom the number of those who were, 
on the very first proposal, willing to en- 
courage the institution, and the rank and 
talentsof many members, | wasinduced to 
entertain hopes that it would, before this 
time, have been permanently established, 
and that several volumes would have been 
given to the world. That such an insti- 
tution does not exist in England, is a sub- 
ject of astonishment to every intelligent 
foreigner with whom L have conversed 
for several years, and to many ingenious 
literary characters within the circle of my 
private acquaitance. If any of your 
correspondents would inform me why the 
above-mentioned proposal failed, or why 
some other plan has not been adopted for 
eijecting the same object, it would be es- 
teemed a considerable favour by, Sir, 
Your's, &c. 
Bath, eo 
November, 10, 1807. 
Ta 
