possess in a singular degree that of habituating native learners and native writers to an unmixed Bengáli vocabulary; and by supplying every necessary term of art, science, or general literature, would in time, it is to be hoped, throw out of use altogether those inharmonious and disfiguring exotics which are such sad blots in ordinary Bengáli discourse.

No. 5. AN ABRIDGMENT OF JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY, in English and Bengalee, &c. &c. by John Mendies, Serampore, 18:2. 8vo. pp. 298. This work is simply what its title professes, an abridged English Dictionary, from Johnson, i. e. of the terms explained only, omitting the English explanations, for which Bengáli ones are substituted: it contains about 22,000 English words covering 298 pages octavo in double columns, to each of which are affixed as many Bengáli words usually as the line admits. There are however no means of distinguishing the applications, e. g. "Beam, s. fat; ifs; ; it." To the Native this is satisfactory enough, as he obtains four several senses in which the English word beam is employed, viz. those of a cross timber in building, the horizontal arm of a pair of scales, a ray of light, and the pole of a carriage. But had these several significations been given in English also, he would have obtained a large increase of information in that language, and the European student while yet a tyro, (when he ceases to be such he has rarely need to consult a Dictionary at all,) is enabled to distinguish in which of the four very different senses of the term "beam," he is to apply the four Bengáli words by which it is rendered.

In the explanations also are found many Hindustání terms for which suitable Bengáli words exist. In a work of this nature however, the first too of its kind (the incomplete labours of Forster alone excepted), many huge difficulties were to be overcome, for which due allowance being made, Mr. Mendies deserves very high credit for diligence, discrimination and accuracy. The defects of this volume are, of course numerous, chiefly those however above noticed, which will, we have no doubt, be largely remedied in a subsequent edition, now, we are glad to understand, in preparation; for the work is by no means superseded by the bulky volume of Rám Comal Sen, as will appear below. The original price was moderate, 8 Rs. The book is now scarce, though occasionally to be met with at various prices.

No. 6. A DICTIONARY OF THE BENGALI LANGUAGE. Vol. 1. Bengalee and English, abridged from Dr. Carey's 4to. Dictionary, Serampore, 1827.

This work, being simply an abridgement of Dr. Carey's, exhibits precisely the same general characteristics, save that the etymologies are altogether omitted, and also (most judiciously) the duplicates and triplicates under e and age. These omissions, with many curtailments in the explanatory portion, have reduced the two ponderous quartos to one convenient octavo, containing pp. 531, which, on an average of 48 words to each page, of double columns, gives above 25,000 words for the extent of this Dictionary. Of these however, a large proportion are the easiest derivative formations, for which a dictionary is rarely if at all

required. It includes, besides, the same large admixture of Hindustání terms, without furnishing the student with any means of ascertaining which are such, and which genuine Bengáli. This we esteem a capital defect in any dictionary embracing these foreign admixtures, which, if to some extent colloquially current and even found in the columns of Native newspapers, and in some of the inferior Native publications, are yet altogether so clumsy, inelegant and inharmonious generally, that there can be little doubt they will, with the advancing cultivation of the vernacular dialect of the province, fall gradually into disuse; they ought therefore carefully to be distinguished, and rendered easily in all cases distinguishable by tyros in the language, in order that they may from the first be known and avoided.

With the above exceptions this work will doubtless prove useful. It has had, we believe, an extensive sale, and may yet be had at, we understand, 6 Rupees, i. e. one-half its original price.

No. 7. A DICTIONARY, in Bengalee and English, by Tara Chand Chukruburtee. Calcutta, 1827.

This little volume of 246 pages in double columns, averaging 15 words in each, exhibits a total of about 7,500 Bengáli words with English meanings. The work, as to its execution generally, is respectable, though so meagre as to be open to the same objections more particularly noticed under article 11 below. The intelligent Native compiler (who, by the way, very absurdly calls himself a foreigner, in his native land!) dedicates his book to Mr. Wm. Adam, to whom he candidly and thankfully acknowledges himself indebted for large and liberal aid in its compilation. The work is well printed (as is every work issuing from the Baptist Mission Press), but was most unconscionably dear. We recollect paying the sum of six rupees to Messrs. Thacker and Co. for it, at its first appearance: it may now be had at half or a third of that sum.

Its usefulness, like that of all Dictionaries of so limited an extent, - must be nearly confined to the secondary classes in schools. Usually it gives no more than one, or, except in rare instances, two meanings at most, and that to words having, it may be, from six to a dozen distinct applications! To Europeans reading Native works, therefore, it must be nearly useless; and taking in so very inconsiderable a portion of the current English of books and conversation, it can be of but small aid even to the Native who should desire to consult it in the course of his English reading. See No. 11, below.

No. 8. fstæts, or A DICTIONARY OF THE BENGALI LANGUAGE, with Bengáli synonyms, and an English interpretation, compiled from native and other authorities, by the Rev. W. MORTON Missionary S. P. G. F. P. Bishop's College, 1828.

This is a good sized octavo volume of 600 pages and explains, on an average of 25 to 26 words to a page, between 16,000 and 17,000 words.

It is the only work of its class, i. e. the only Dictionary of the Bengáli language which gives the interpretation both in Bengali and English. The synonyms are in fact a Bengáli interpretation, and that much fuller than as given in the school dictionary of Rám Chandra Sharma, be

sides containing more than double the number of words, and an English interpretation, also fuller and more complete than in any other dictionary extant. The first few half sheets are less full than the subsequent portion of the work, from the circumstance of the compiler's having enlarged his plan after they were printed off. Although the absolute number of words explained, nearly 17,000, appears smaller than that given in some other dictionaries, it must be observed that the deficiency is only seeming; and arises from the omission, 1st-of all exotics whatsoever; 2nd, of numerous vulgar words and corruptions of words in use only among the very low and uneducated; and 3rd, of those regular and easy derivatives which, the radical term from which they are formed being always given, can occasion no difficulty whatever to the merest tyro in the language. These circumstances considered, this Dictionary is even much fuller than most of others, i. e. in all the primitive vocables, current compounds, and less easy derivatives of the language; offering to the students besides, the vast advantage of a double interpretation; a Bengáli one by which he acquire the synonyms of the language, is enabled to diversify his style, and explain himself to Natives-an English one by which he is put in possession of very numerous meanings, in his own tongue, of one of the most extensive vocabularies of the East.

The student should be apprized that no parts of speech are markedthe compiler proceeding on the plan of the Native grammarians, as both more philosophical in itself and the only one really applicable to the language. By that plan all words are either names, verbs, or connecting particles; the name includes what we call nouns or pronouns, adjectives and adverbs; the same word too is so generally used in the triple application, that the distinction in a dictionary would always be useless, frequently confusing and leading to misapprehension rather than precision. The simple expedient of a semicolon (;) when a new part of speech is intended in the explanation of the same word, answers all the purposes of distinction and is at the same time a great saving in space, and in clearness to the eye.

It is the opinion of good judges that with this Dictionary for the pure Bengáli, the synonyms, and a very full explanation, and Mendies's (No. 9,) for exotic and botanical terms, and some of the lower vocabulary, the student of the Bengáli language would be sufficiently furnished for prosecuting to almost any extent an acquaintance with its literature. For a reverse dictionary, Mendies's No. 5, is the best, because the fullest yet the most select, hitherto published. R. C. Sen's is both too indiscriminate and too mixed.

CINSURENSIS.

[To be continued.]

Missionary and Religious Entelligence.

1.-MISSIONARY AND ECCLESIASTICAL MOVEMENTS.

The detail of Missionary and Ecclesiastical movements since our last is calculated to excite feelings both of the most lively satisfaction and unfeigned sorrow. The following new labourers connected with the American Western Board of Foreign Missions, arrived on the William Gray, after a passage of six months. Rev. H. R. Wilson, and lady, for Lodiana. Rev. J. H. Morrison, and lady*, for Allahabad. Mr. J. Craig, lady and one child, for Seháranpur. Mr. R. Morris, lady and two children, for Lodiana. May they be long permitted to labour in this dark land!-From our correspondence, and the daily prints we perceive that the following efficient labourers have been removed by death. Rev. Mr. Knorp, and Mrs. Knorp of the Church Missionary Society at Benares, of jungle fever. Rev. Mr. Perry and Mrs. Perry, American Mission, Jaffna, Ceylon, of cholera. Rev. Mr. Reed of the American Baptist Mission at Bankok. The Rev. Mr. Dean of the same Mis. sion, has been obliged to remove from ill health. The Mission in Siam, though promising so well but a short time back, is now almost suspended.-The Rev. W. P. Lyon, and Mrs. Lyon reached Benares in safety on the Bhaga rutty. Rev. Geo. Pearce and Mrs. Pearce returned during the month from Bombay. We regret to hear that Mr. P. is not much improved by his trip.

2.- DISTRICT CHARITABLE SOCIETY.

This admirable institution has pursued its useful and philanthropic course during the past year with unabated vigour. From the report, now before us, we perceive that the funds have not diminished; this is matter for congratulation. We learn also that there is a praise-worthy desire to economize and to dismiss from the lists of its pensioners all unworthy reci pients. This is requisite in all Societies be they ever so well conducted; evils will creep in, and abuses rise up which must be met and expelled. The only thing is to deal with them in a mild and kind but firm temper. The Society owes much of its past usefulness to the discretion and zeal of the late Secretary, Captain R. C. Birch, and we are happy to see that it has lost nothing of its active and useful spirit under the new Secretary J. G. Vos, Esq. The funds of the Society have been augmented by the munificent donation of a lakh of rupees from Dwarkanath Tagore, Esq. This fund is, we understand, to be applied to the relief of the indigent blind. Would that all our wealthy Baboos would imitate so worthy an example.

3. THE MUHARRAM AND CHARKH PU'JA'.

These two noisy and disgraceful festivals are past. The din and insolence of the former, and the cruelty and abomination of the latter, have ceased for a year. Our eyes are no longer assailed by the tortured Hindu, nor our ears dinned by the wild shriek of Hassan Hussain. But when shall they cease for ever? When shall the inhabitants of the earth keep Jubilee to Christ? This is known to God alone. It is our duty to use the means for weakening the prejudices and superstitions by which these things are upheld. Let the friends of humanity during this year do all in their power to weaken the force of these prejudices, and next year we hope to have the pleasure of recording the decrease of the barbarous and cruel deeds, connected with these unholy festivals. It is useless to attempt much at the time of their celebration; then the devotees are mad; but during the whole after year it may be attempted with success. We have much pleasure in recording the fact that the number of victims at the Charkh,

It is with the deepest sorrow that we stop the press to announce the death of Mrs. Morrison; she died of Cholera after an illness of a few hours and a residence of about three weeks in this land of mystery. She died, however, full of faith and joyful in God our Saviour.-ED.

were fewer than on any previous occasion, and the number of spectators diminished. We have no doubt that if the government were neutral in the matter, it would soon resolve itself into mere tamáshá. There is one thing connected with the subject which deserves the severest reprehension. It was first noticed by the "Reformer,” whose sentiments on the subject, because a Hindu, reflect the highest credit on him as a cosmo. polite. It appears that a number of natives erected a stage on which one of their number figured as a preacher of the gospel, and others sat dress. ed as native Christians. The name of Jesus was blasphemed by the hea then, and the solemn verities of our faith turned into ridicule. We do not ask for punishment to fall upon the parties-that is opposed to our peaceful and forgiving faith ;--but we ask for protection. Are we in Bagdat, or Pekin, or Jerusalem? Or are we in Calcutta the seat of a Chris tian Government, that these things should be so? Shall insult be wantonly offerred to the Christian faith, under a government so especially sensitive to protect the abominations of heathenism, and the errors of the Moslem? There is but one consolation under such a state of things, that when these acts of impiety are carried to an unbearable length under the sanction of any ruling power, God takes the work into his own hand. No force or power can stay his hand. How fearful a lesson for rulers and people is the conduct of Belshazzer, who, with the example of his father before him, not only captured the people of God but profaned the very vessels of the sanctuary to the service of Bacchus! Would that both rulers and people would remember that these things are fucts not fictions.

4. THE SECRETARYSHIP OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE. This appointment, which has become vacant by the elevation of J. C. C. Sutherland, Esq., has given rise to some discussion on the subject of secu lar pluralities. Report assigns the vacant post to Captain R. C. Birch, the Deputy Judge Advocate, than whom we know no one more fitting for or deserving of the post. His acquaintance with the language and people, his business habits, gentlemanly demeanour, suavity and perseverance, point him out as a very proper person for the office; but we fully agree with nearly the whole press that the interests of education in India are too momentous to be placed at the disposal of any one who cannot give his undivided attention and time to the subject? Nor should the working of the system be left in the hands of an amateur committee, who seldom work well, and who have generally as individuals, some favourite scheme which they are ever pressing, and are thence exceedingly difficult to manage by any Secretary. The subject of the education of India is one of such vast moment that the government should at once appoint a Board of Education, say of four, one for each presidency and one for the North Western Provinces and a Secretary, whose whole time should be devoted to carry out the most enlightened and effective plans for educating the country. This would doubtless involve expense, but what are a few thousand rupees compared with the education of the millions of India? By the way it has been intimated to us, that one of the local com mittees, refused an excellent teacher because he would not consent to conduct the public examination of the school on the SABBATH !!! and that this school is now examined on the day of rest, to oblige the native gentle. men of the committee and the commissioner! We think it behoves the committee to check such evils and to answer such serious charges as those contained in the letter of our correspondent "Caution" of the last month's Observer, that some of their teachers, while pledged to neutrality, introduce infidel books amongst the pupils, and in every way endeavour to cast reproach upon Christianity. If untrue, they should be met and answered; but if true they are a disgrace to a committee PROFESSEDLY latitudinarian-liberal on the subject of religion. The devout men on the committee should at least see into the matter, for the disgrace attaches as