s8z 
explosions of hydrogen gas in coal- 
mines, by a philosopher in this neigh- 
bourhood, which, 1 expect, will be the 
effectual means of saving the lives of the 
mniners from such a dreadful death. 
Your insertion of this communica- 
tion, on a subject of so much importance 
to the communsty, in your very respect- 
able Magazine, wall much oblige, 
Bishopwearmouth, Your’s, &c. 
Nov. 13, 1809. Rosertr Renney, 
Lo the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
HE bishop ef St. David’s has lately 
publishea at Caermarthen, and cir- 
culated throughout his diocese, a very 
jnteresting and curious little pamphlet, 
in which, under the title of ** Motives to 
the Study of Hehrew,” he has collected 
many extraordinary examples of self 
taught linguists; as this work is highly 
worthy of public attention, the surest 
method of rendering it generally known, 
3S to give a concise notice of it in your 
universally diffused publication, 
The Right Reverend author begins 
with a passage from Robertson, which 
affirms, that if the preterite and future 
tenses be well learned, (and these occupy 
but one page of the grammar,) “all the 
difficulty of Hebrew conjugations’ is 
overcome.” Next follow the opinions of 
Luther, Melanchthon, and other learned 
men, on the utility and necéssity of un- 
derstanding the Hebrew language; in- 
deed, the delight which Melanchthon 
found in the study of it, is forcibly exe 
pressed in bis own words: “ Omnibus 
mundi regnis omniumque opibus longeé 
antepono,—l far prefer it to all the 
Kingdoms of the world, and the riches 
of all.” bi 
The extreme facility with which this 
‘host ancient and sublime language may 
be learned, is demonstrated by several 
passages from different authors, who 
mention the astonishing progress made 
by children of both sexes; by persons 
advanced in age; and of all conditions of 
life; and it appears that many had be- 
come masters of the Hebrew in one 
month’s time; cthers in one week; some 
in the course of twelve lessons, each 
lesson of two hours, &c. 
The particular necessity and utility of 
Hebrew to the ministers of the gospel, 
are earnestly inculcated by the bishop, in 
quotations from various writers, eminent 
for their piety, and distinguished for their 
learning ; and these passages are followed 
by an address to the clergy, on the same 
On the Study of the Hebrew Language. 
iss as 
important subject. But perhaps the 
most powerful stimulus to the study of 
Hebrew, is the example of those self- 
taught linguists, whom his lordship next 
proceeds to notice: the first-of those is 
Mr. Hill, respecting whom an account 
was published (at Strawberry Hill) in 
1757, by Spence, From this it appears, 
that Robert Hill, an apprentice to 2 
sah at Buckingham, having, about the. 
year 1716, obtained some fragments of 
books, contrived, by studying at night, to 
acquire a knowledge of Latin; and soon 
afterwards, a gentleman encouraged his 
literary zeal, by instructing him in. the 
rudiments of Greek; as a return for 
which, Hill tanght him how to angle. The 
sight of some Hebrew quotatiuns, in an 
English book, induced him inmediately 
to study the sacred language, and with 
the help of such grammars as he could 
obtain, and accidental conversation with 
itinerant Jews, he soon conquered all its 
cificulties: from his own experience, he 
used to declare, that he would engage to 
teach any person of moderate abilities, 
the Hebrew tongue, in six weeks, at one 
hour each morning, and another each 
afternoon, 
The bishop’s next exampleis, a small 
society of persons in humble life, at 
Darlington, in the county of Durham, 
who now (1809) meet three times a 
week, and read together some portions 
of the Hebrew bible, which they compare 
with ,the English version. Their ’ only 
teacher is Mr. George Byers, a skinner 
and furrier, who himself learned, without 
a grammar, from a Jew, at Darlington, in 
the course of a few weeks. Mr. Byers 
was induced to this study, by the account 
of Hill, above-mentioned ; and he has 
read the Old Testament through more 
than once in Hebrew. 
His lordship then presents us with a 
letter from Sir William Ouseley, on the 
subject of avery ingenious linguist. Mr. 
Price, of Worcester, who, eleven or 
twelve years ago, called upon SirWilliam, 
in Loudon, and surprised him by his 
acquaintance with the Arabick, Persian, 
and Turkish languages, which he had 
taught himself, amidst all the occupa- 
tions of business, being a very wealthy 
and respectable tradesman. ‘¢ What 
were his first inducements to the study of 
languages, (says Sir William,) I know 
not, but such is the facility with which 
he acquires them, that in a few weeks 
the Sanscrit yielded to his persevering 
diligence ; and he has, within the last — 
year, rendered himself, toa ‘surprising ~ 
oie degree, 
