“Sir,—Few
occurrences in the literary world are, I think, calculated to produce
greater pleasure than the establishment of the Asiatic Translation Fund,
which has just taken place. As a whole its regulations are excellent, but
there is one to which I wish to call attention by the medium of your paper,
which has, I know, been pretty generally disapproved of. This is the
proposal to publish certain translations in the French language. Far be it
from me to depreciate that language or to undervalue its excellences, which
all must acknowledge to be great: but still at a time, when our own tongue
is advancing into popularity on the continent, and when it is in fact
commencing a struggle for supremacy with the French, it must be owned to be
unwise to play into the enemy’s hands in this manner. Nothing more
contributed to the universal spread of our antagonist’s arms than the
universal spread of her language, and nothing has more contributed to the
universal spread of her language than the custom prevalent amongst too many
of our authors of taking for granted an acquaintance with that language,
and thus, in a manner, enforcing the acquisition of it. Let us hope that
this want of generalship will soon be amended, that our future fashionable
novels will not like Almacks be written half in one
| 406 | APPENDIX. |
“Having thus given vent to my patriotic feelings on this subject, you will allow me to inquire in what manner the Fund means to proceed with such translations from the Sanscrit, as are executed by foreign writers. It is to be hoped that the English translation of these will be superintended by some one acquainted with the original (the foreign translator if possible), or otherwise it is to be feared that much of the spirit of the Sanscrit will be suffered to evaporate in this complicated process. I am glad to observe that such numbers of learned foreigners have come forward on this occasion.
“This Society has certainly filled up one great hiatus in the list of the English literary associations; but there is another almost equally important to supply, which no steps appear to be taking. I allude to the want of a Geographical Society—a want which is the more singular, as our nation has always been, and still is, the very foremost in promoting geographical discoveries. The establishment of a society would of course do little if anything towards the augmentation of our spirit of enterprise, because it is already at the greatest height it can be supposed possible to attain to, but still it would furnish a point of union to travellers and scientific men, and a depository for geographical information, which it is shameful that we should want. I am convinced that if such an association were now to be formed it would in a few years become even more eminent and more eminently useful than the famous society of Paris. A library would soon be formed, for it cannot be conceived that the travellers who have shown themselves so eager to present their works to our continental rivals would be backward in paying the same compliment to us. Few things could be conceived more interesting than an evening party (what our neighbours would call a soirée) at the rooms of the Society, after the return of some distinguished traveller, his drawings, maps, curiosities, &c. lying on the tables, and himself in the centre of a circle of busy inquirers, anxious ever to catch a glance at the celebrated man.
| GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. | 407 |
“With the earnest wish that these hurried remarks and suggestions may, by their insertion in your journal, attract the attention of some one of influence in these matters,
“I remain, sir, yours, &c.
“P.S. I am irresistibly induced to make this rambling letter yet more rambling by inquiring whether Sir Walter Scott is yet in town, and what is his residence. I would keep watch at his door for four and twenty hours, were it only to catch a momentary glimpse of the wizard of the North. Please to answer this in your next.”
