have here endeavoured to explain is to Bengal, intimately related
to the Shanscrit both in expressions, construction and character.
It is the sole channel of personal and epistolary communication
among the Hindoos of every occupation and tribe. All their business
is transacted, and all their accounts are kept in it; and as their
system of education is in general very confined, there are few among
them who can write or read any other idiom: the uneducated, or eight
parts in ten of the whole nation, are necessarily confined to the
usage of their mother tongue.
“The Shanscrit, or sacred language of Hindostan, from whence the
dialect of Bengal immediately proceeds, is supposed by its professors
to be the most antient and most excellent in the world. They assert
that it exceeds every other language in the number of its letters,
and esteem this excess as an incontrovertible argument of its
antiquity and superiority.
[Illustration: The Bengalese Alphabet]
“The Bengal Alphabet, like that of the Shanscrit, consists of FIFTY
letters, in the following order.
“_First Series._
অ _o_ আ aa ই _ee_ ঈ ee
উ _oo_ ঊ oo ঋ r_ee_ ৠ ree
ঌ l_ee_ ৡ lree এ a ঐ i
ও o ঔ ou অং ung অঃ oh
“_Second Series_.
ক k_o_ খ k,h_o_ গ g_o_ ঘ g,h_o_ ঙ ng_oo-o_
চ ch_o_ ছ ch,h_o_ জ j_o_ ঝ j,h_o_ ঞ gn_ee-o_
ট t_o_ ঠ t,h_o_ ড d_o_ ঢ d,h_o_ ণ aano
ত t_o_ থ t,h_o_ দ d_o_ ধ d,h_o_ ন n_o_
প p_o_ ফ p,h_o_ ব b_o_ ভ b,h_o_ ম m_o_
য j_o_ র r_o_ ল l_o_ ব w_o_ --
ষ sh_o_ ষ sh_o_ স s_o_ হ h_o_ ক্ষ khy-_o_
“It is to be observed, that in the Bengal alphabet, all the names of
the consonants commence with the respective consonants which they
denote; as _ko_, _go_, _jo_, &c. whereas in English, seven of them
are preceded by a vowel: _ef_, _el_, _em_, _en_, _ar_, _ess_, & _ex_.
It follows from hence, that the short vowel of the Bengalese is
invariably subjoined to the consonant with which it is uttered, and
never precedes: as ক and গ always stand for k_o_, and g_o_, and in no
case for _o_k, or _o_g.
“The vowels, as used in composition, when joined with consonants,
have a very different figure from those which are in the first series
of the alphabet. I shall here insert a table of the forms of vowels
in composition, corresponding to those which are initial or single.
“_A Table of the corresponding Vowels._
অ _o_ ক k_o_ (the included vowel.)
আ aa কা kaa এ a কে ka
ই _ee_ কি k_ee_ ঐ i কৈ ki or k_o_-i
ঈ ee কী kee ও o কো ko
উ _oo_ কু k_oo_ ঔ ou কৌ kou
ঊ oo কূ koo অং ung কং kung
অঃ _o_h কঃ k_o_h
“By the original structure of this language every consonant
inherently possesses the short vowel on which its utterance depends;
it is plain therefore on this principle, that no two consonants could
have been joined together, and successively pronounced in the same
syllable, but that a vowel must necessarily have intervened. As an
expedient to remedy this inconvenience, a set of distinct characters
were invented, called ফলা P,h_o_laa, or adjuncts. They are certain
subordinate and subsidiary figures, that may be attached to each of
the consonants in the alphabet respectively, to provide against the
too frequent recurrence of the internal vowel.
“These _P,holaa_, are presented in a distinct series or alphabet,
consisting of eleven subservient marks or signs, for different
letters; which are here joined to ক k_o_, the first of the single
consonants, and which may, in the same manner, be applied to all the
other letters.
“The twelfth word of the series, (which seems to be added by the
Bengalese merely to fill up the rhythm) relates to another subject,
which will be explained in a subsequent remark.
“The reader must remember, that the letter র r_o_, in its proper
character, is never joined to any other letter or adjunct; but its
figure is entirely changed by a connection with other consonants, as
will be seen in the following series.
“_The twelve_ P,HOLAS.
Figure. Name. Power.
ক্য ky-_o_ ky-_o_
ক্র k_o_r_o_ kr_o_
ক্ন k_o_n_o_ kn_o_
ক্ল k_o_l_o_ kl_o_
ক্ব koo-_o_ kw_o_, or sometimes koo.
ক্ম k_o_m_o_ km_o_
কৃ kirr_ee_ kr_ee_
কৢ kill_ee_ kl_ee_
র্ক ark_o_ rk_o_
ঙ্ক ungk_o_ ungk_o_
ষ্ক ashk_o_ shk_o_
সিদ্ধি sh_ee_dd,h_ee_ ----
“The compound letters may be formed by three methods: either by
placing one letter immediately under another, or by blending two
letters together, so as to make one character from their union; or by
making the first of the two consonants much smaller than the other
letters. This last mode seems to be the most common.
“সিদ্ধি sh_ee_dd,h_ee_, called the twelfth _P,holaa_, is a word
always prefixed to the class of vowels contained in the first Series
of the alphabet. _Sheedd,hee_ is part of a Shanscrit sentence, which
means _be it properly performed_; and as these words are usually
prefixed to the class of vowels, that Series has obtained the name of
_sheedd,hee_.
“_The Series_ Sh_ee_d,h_ee_.
সি দ্ধি র স্তু
sh_ee_ dd,h_ee_ r_o_ st_oo_
অ আ ই ঈ
_o_ aa _ee_ ee
উ ঊ ঋ ৠ
_oo_ oo r_ee_ ree
ঌ ৡ এ ঐ
l_ee_ lee a i
ও ঔ অং অঃ
o ou ung oh
অ _o_, is always an initial letter.
আ aa, is also initial.
“I shall set down a few of the most common contractions of letters
which are constantly used by all the Bengalese, as being more
expeditious, as well as more elegant than a simple junction of the
single letters, whose office they perform.
ক্র kr_o_, stands for ক্র the kirr_o_ _Pholaa_.
[#] _o_kt_o_, is ও to blended with ক k_o_; its regular form is [#].
কু k_oo_, stands for ক k_o_ with hr_o_sw_oo_kaar.
[#] ung_o_, is compounded of ঙ ng_oo_-_o_ with গ g_o_ subjoined.
[#] _o_ggy_o_, is another figure for the _Pholaa_ [#].
[#] m_oo_, is ম m_o_ and ব w_o_ compounded. The simple form is [#].
[#] _o_shn_o_, for [#] i. e. ণ aan_o_ subjoined to ষ sh_o_.
[#] sh_oo_, initial and medial, [#] sh_oo_, final; two figures for
[#].
[#] This figure stands for both [#] _o_tt_o_ and [#] t_oo_.
[#] g_oo_, is used for [#].
[#] h_oo_, stands for [#].
[#] _o_hr_o_, is kr_o_ _Pholaa_ subjoined to হ h_o_.
[#] tr_o_, stands for [#].
[#] roo, is used instead of [#].
[#] _o_hl_o_, is ল l_o_ subjoined to হ h_o_.
[#] _o_nd_o_, compounded of ণ aan_o_ and ড d_o_.
[#] _o_hj_o_, is হ h_o_ and জ j_o_ blended together.
[#] _o_hm_o_, a compound of হ h_o_ and ম m_o_.
[#] _o_st_oo_, is স s_o_ and ট t_o_, with hr_o_sw_oo_kaar subjoined.
[#] _o_str_o_, is the letter স s_o_ compounded with ট t_o_, and the
kr_o_ _Pholaa_.
[#] j_oo_, stands for [#].
[#] _o_gd,h_o_, [#] _o_dd,h_o_, [#] _o_nd,h_o_, represent ধ d,h_o_
severally subjoined to গ g_o_, দ d_o_, and ন n_o_.
[#] this figure is called _o_rdd,h_o_-t_o_, i. e. _semi-to_; for
_o_rdd,h_o_ signifies _half_. It is used for the letter ত t_o_
without its internal vowel; and in the middle of a word is generally
represented by ২ the numerical figure of _two_.
[#] _o_ty_o_, is the preceding [#] blended with the _kyo pholaa_.
“I shall now proceed to a few marks of reference commonly used by the
Bengalese.
“[#] This figure is always put at the top of every writing, and is
meant as an invocation to G_o_nash, the Deity of Knowledge and Arts;
it is called G_o_nashar aak_o_r_ee_, or the crook of _Gonash_. So the
Mahometans always begin with the letter [#] _aleph_, as a token of
the unity of God.
“[#] Chaandb_oo_ndaa, is a mark put over certain letters to give them
a very forcible nasal expression.
“৺ Eeshw_o_r, is properly one of the deities of the Hindoo Trinity.
The name of God was supposed too holy to be inserted among the
general class of words, and was therefore written at the top of
the page, and wherever this name should occur in a sentence, the
mark here specified was put as a reference to it. The form still
remains, but the usage is degraded into a mere compliment: for in
all petitions, or letters from inferiors to their superiors, the
name of the person addressed is now put at the top, and this sign of
reference occupies the place in the body of the letter, where the
name should regularly have been inserted.
“[#] Sree properly signifies prosperity, and is prefixed to every
name which they mean to mention with respect; as sree sree Raam, sree
sree G_o_nash.
“One or more of these titles of Hindoo deities is first written on
every piece of paper, as an amulet or charm, before any letter,
petition or other writing whatever, is committed to it. In the same
manner the Mahometans universally apply their _Bismillah_ (or, _In
the name of God_.) as we formerly wrote _Emanuel_ at the top of
letters, and still continue to commence a ledger with LAUS DEO.
“The denominations of the cardinal numbers are so irregular in
Bengalese, that I find it will be necessary to exhibit them as far
as one hundred. And it must be observed as a particularity, that the
ninth numeral of every series of ten, is not specified by the term of
nine in the common order of progression, but takes its appellation
from the series immediately above; as for instance the number _twenty
nine_ is not expressed by _nobeesh_, which should seem the proper
denomination, but is called _oonteesh_, or one less than thirty. So
_thirty nine_ is _oonchaa-leesh_, or one less than forty.
১ 1 ২১ 21 ৪১ 41 ৬১ 61 ৮১ 81
২ 2 ২২ 22 ৪২ 42 ৬২ 62 ৮২ 82
৩ 3 ২৩ 23 ৪৩ 43 ৬৩ 63 ৮৩ 83
৪ 4 ২৪ 24 ৪৪ 44 ৬৪ 64 ৮৪ 84
৫ 5 ২৫ 25 ৪৫ 45 ৬৫ 65 ৮৫ 85
৬ 6 ২৬ 26 ৪৬ 46 ৬৬ 66 ৮৬ 86
৭ 7 ২৭ 27 ৪৭ 47 ৬৭ 67 ৮৭ 87
৮ 8 ২৮ 28 ৪৮ 48 ৬৮ 68 ৮৮ 88
৯ 9 ২৯ 29 ৪৯ 49 ৬৯ 69 ৮৯ 89
১০ 10 ৩০ 30 ৫০ 50 ৭০ 70 ৯০ 90
১১ 11 ৩১ 31 ৫১ 51 ৭১ 71 ৯১ 91
১২ 12 ৩২ 32 ৫২ 52 ৭২ 72 ৯২ 92
১৩ 13 ৩৩ 33 ৫৩ 53 ৭৩ 73 ৯৩ 93
১৪ 14 ৩৪ 34 ৫৪ 54 ৭৪ 74 ৯৪ 94
১৫ 15 ৩৫ 35 ৫৫ 55 ৭৫ 75 ৯৫ 95
১৬ 16 ৩৬ 36 ৫৬ 56 ৭৬ 76 ৯৬ 96
১৭ 17 ৩৭ 37 ৫৭ 57 ৭৭ 77 ৯৭ 97
১৮ 18 ৩৮ 38 ৫৮ 58 ৭৮ 78 ৯৮ 98
১৯ 19 ৩৯ 39 ৫৯ 59 ৭৯ 79 ৯৯ 99
২০ 20 ৪০ 40 ৬০ 60 ৮০ 80 ১০০ 100”
In respect to the Bengalese types with which Halhed’s grammar is
printed, he thus observes, “The public curiosity must be strongly
excited by the beautiful characters which are displayed in the
following work: and although my attempt may be deemed incompleat or
unworthy of notice, the book itself will always bear an intrinsic
value, from its containing as extraordinary an instance of mechanic
abilities as has perhaps ever appeared. That the Bengal letter is
very difficult to be imitated in steel will readily be allowed by
every person who shall examine the intricacies of the strokes,
the unequal length and size of the characters, and the variety of
their positions and combinations. It was no easy task to procure
a writer accurate enough to prepare an alphabet of a similar and
proportionate body throughout, and with that symmetrical exactness
which is necessary to the regularity and neatness of a fount.
Mr. Bolts (who is supposed to be well versed in this language)
attempted to fabricate a set of types for it, with the assistance
of the ablest artists in London. But as he egregiously failed in
executing even the easiest part, or primary alphabet, of which he
has published a specimen, there is no reason to suppose that his
project, when compleated, would have advanced beyond the usual state
of imperfection to which new inventions are constantly exposed.
“The advice and even sollicitation of the Governor General prevailed
upon Mr. Wilkins, a gentleman who has been some years in the India
Company’s civil service in Bengal, to undertake a set of Bengal
types. He did, and his success has exceeded every expectation. In a
country so remote from all connexion with European artists, he has
been obliged to charge himself with all the various occupations of
the Metallurgist, the Engraver, the Founder, and the Printer. To
the merit of invention he was compelled to add the application of
personal labour. With a rapidity unknown in Europe, he surmounted
all the obstacles which necessarily clog the first rudiments of a
difficult art, as well as the disadvantages of solitary experiment;
and has thus singly on the first effort exhibited his work in a
state of perfection which in every part of the world has appeared
to require the united improvements of different projectors, and the
gradual polish of successive ages.”
The gentleman here spoken of was Charles Wilkins, Esq., a descendant
of the learned Bishop Wilkins, and one of the founders of the Asiatic
Society. He was afterwards created Doctor of Laws, and appointed
Librarian to the East-India Company at their establishment in
Leadenhall Street. He was reputed to be the best Shanscrit scholar in
Europe.
BENVENUE.
Half a crown paid by a new workman to the Chapel when he commences,
which is always spent. If a journeyman wrought formerly in the same
printing house, and comes again to work in it, he pays but half a
benvenue. If a journeyman smout more or less on another printing
house, he pays half a benvenue.--_M._ _See_ ANCIENT CUSTOMS.
This custom is still retained in printing offices, and the amount
generally paid is the same as it was in the seventeenth century,
though the value of half a crown then was considerably more than it
is now. Under particular circumstances the Chapel sometimes takes
less; and the workmen always add something each, so as to be able
to provide bread and cheese and a draught of porter to welcome the
new comer. The word is now pronounced _Bevénue_; it is evidently a
corruption of the Fr. _bien venu_ or _welcome_.
BIBLE ORTHOGRAPHY.
Many religious works are printed with numerous extracts from the Holy
Scriptures without any reference to the Book, Chapter, or Verse,
and as they are frequently made from memory, they are generally
inaccurate. I am clearly of opinion that wherever a quotation
is made, it should be given literally as it appears in the work
from which it is taken, otherwise it is worse than useless,--for
it misleads. With regard to extracts from the Bible, I hold it
indispensable that they should be given without the slightest
variation from the original; but as many words in the Bible vary in
their orthography from Johnson’s Dictionary, which is the book of
reference generally in use, and as the authorized editions of the
Scriptures differ in this respect from each other in many instances,
I have collated the King’s Printers, the Oxford, the Cambridge, and
the Edinburgh editions with Johnson’s Dictionary and with each other,
for the purpose of enabling the printer to preserve uniformity in
orthography with little trouble to himself in reprints of the Bible,
and in extracts occurring in religious works, according as the author
may prefer any of these editions.
These variations from each other do not extend to words but are
confined to the orthography, and to the difference of the same
expression being given in one word, in two words, or in being made a
compound word; thus in the Cambridge and the Edinburgh Bibles there
are a great number of compound words, while in the King’s Printers
and Oxford Bibles the same words are given either joined together as
one word or made into two words; and we find very few compound words,
except proper names. I have also given the Bible orthography where
Johnson gives two ways of spelling a word. The result will be seen in
the following Table; which also shows the variations, to a certain
degree, that have taken place in the language during the last two
hundred years.
The late Mr. Thomas Bensley, who was printer to the University
of Oxford, told me, about the year 1805, that they had a sealed
copy there, as a standard to read from; if this be the case, it is
difficult to account for their copies of late years having numerous
variations from the earlier editions. I think it very desirable that
there should be a standard edition that we could refer to, as a pure
text; and it would also be desirable to know on what authority these
variations are made in the holy Scriptures, for every word, every
point, nay every capital letter, I believe, was carefully considered
before it was adopted in the first edition of the authorized version
in 1611, and this too by a considerable number of the most learned
men of the kingdom, who had the direction of the work.
With regard to the words in the Bible printed in Italic characters,
Dr. Myles Smyth, one of the two appointed Revisers of the authorized
version, in the Preface to the first edition, published in 1611,
gives the following reason for their use:--
“Moreouer, whereas the necessitie of the sentence required any thing
to be added (for such is the grace and proprietie of the Ebrewe and
Greeke tongues that it cannot, but either by circumlocution, or by
adding the verbe or some word, be vnderstood of them that are not
well practised therein), wee haue put it in the text with an other
kinde of letter, that it may easily bee discerned from the common
letter.”
The Preface was written and affixed by the King’s command. The first
Edition of the Bible was printed in Black Letter, and the “other
kinde of letter” was roman; when the Black Letter was disused, and
the Roman character substituted, the “other kinde of letter” was
changed to Italic. Dr. Smyth was afterwards Bishop of Gloucester.
----------------+----------------+-----------------+----------------+----------------
King’s Printers.| Oxford. | Cambridge. | Edinburgh. | Reference.
----------------+----------------+-----------------+----------------+----------------
Adoram |Hadoram |Hadoram |Hadoram |Gen. x. 27.
Agar } |Agar |Agar |Agar |Gal. iv. 24.
Hagar } |Hagar |Hagar |Hagar |Gen. xvi. 1.
alabaster box |alabaster box |alabaster-box |alabaster-box |Matt. xxvi. 7.
algum trees |algum trees |algum-trees |algum-trees |2 Chr. ii. 8.
_alledgeth_ |_alledgeth_ |_alledgeth_ |_alledgeth_ |Job viii. _Head._
alledging |alledging |alledging |alledging |Acts xvii. 3.
Alleluia |Alleluia |Alleluia |Alleluia |Rev. xix. 1.
almond tree |almond tree |almond-tree |almond-tree |Eccl. xii. 5.
almug trees |almug trees |almug-trees |almug-trees |1 Kings x. 11.
Alpheus |Alphæus |Alpheus |Alpheus |Acts i. 13.
ambassage |ambassage |ambassage |ambassage |Luke xiv. 32.
ancle |ancle |ancle |ancle |Acts iii. 7.
any wise |any wise |any wise |any wise |Mark xiv. 31.
apple tree |apple tree |apple-tree |apple-tree |Joel i. 12.
Arimathea |Arimathæa |Arimathea |Arimathea |Mark xv. 43.
armourbearer |armourbearer |armour-bearer |armour-bearer |1 Sam. xiv. 7.
Aser } |Aser |Aser |Aser |Rev. vii. 6.
Asher} |Asher |Asher |Asher |Gen. xxx. 13.
ass colts |ass colts |ass colts |ass-colts |Judg. x. 4.
asswaged |asswaged |asswaged |asswaged |Gen. viii. 1.
aul |aul |awl |awl |Exod. xxi. 6.
ax |ax |axe |axe |1 Sam. xiii. 20.
axe |axe |axe |axe |Luke iii. 9.
axletrees |axletrees |axle-trees |axle-trees |1 Kings vii. 32.
bakemeats |bakemeats |bake-meats |bake-meats |Gen. xl. 17.
Balac } |Balac |Balac |Balac |Rev. ii. 14.
Balak } |Balak |Balak |Balak |Num. xxii. 2.
banqueting |banquetting |banquetting-house|banqueting-house|So. of Sol. ii. 4.
house | house | | |
barley bread |barley bread |barley-bread |barley-bread |Judg. vii. 13.
barley cakes |barley cakes |barley-cakes |barley cakes |Ezek. iv. 12.
barley harvest |barley harvest |barley-harvest |barley-harvest |Ruth ii. 23.
barley loaves |barley loaves |barley-loaves |barley-loaves |John vi. 9.
barley meal |barley meal |barley-meal |barley meal |Num. v. 15.
barley seed |barley seed |barley-seed |barley-seed |Lev. xxvii. 16.
Bartimeus |Bartimæus |Bartimeus |Bartimeus |Mark x. 46.
bason |bason |bason |bason |Exod. xii. 22.
battle ax |battle ax |battle-axe |battle-axe |Jer. li. 20.
battle bow |battle bow |battle-bow |battle-bow |Zech. x. 4.
_beastiality_ |_beastiality_ |_beastiality_ |_beastiality_ |Exod. xxii. _Head._
Beautiful gate |Beautiful gate |Beautiful gate |Beautiful gate |Acts iii. 10.
bedchamber |bedchamber |bed-chamber |bed-chamber |2 Sam. iv. 7.
befall |befall |befal |befall |Deut. xxxi. 17.
befel |befell |befell |befell |Mark v. 16.
beforetime |beforetime |before-time |beforetime |Jos. xx. 5.
Beor } |Beor |Beor |Beor |Num. xxii. 5.
Bosor } |Bosor |Bosor |Bosor |2 Pet. ii. 15.
beryl stone |beryl stone |beryl-stone |beryl stone |Ezek. x. 9.
birthday |birthday |birth-day |birth-day |Gen. xl. 20.
birthright |birthright |birth-right |birthright |Gen. xxv. 31.
Bloodguiltiness |bloodguiltiness |blood-guiltiness |blood-guiltiness|Ps. li. 14.
bloodthirsty |bloodthirsty |blood-thirsty |blood-thirsty |Prov. xxix. 10.
bondmaid |bondmaid |bond-maid |bond maid |Gal. iv. 22.
bondman |bondman |bond-man |bond man |Rev. vi. 15.
bondservant |bondservant |bond-servant |bond-servant |Lev. xxv. 39.
bondservice |bondservice |bond-service |bond-service |1 Kings ix. 21.
bondwoman |bondwoman |bond-woman |bond-woman |Gen. xxi. 10.
Bosor } |Bosor |Bosor |Bosor |2 Pet. ii. 15.
Beor } |Beor |Beor |Beor |Num. xxii. 5.
bowshot |bowshot |bowshot |bow-shot |Gen. xxi. 16.
box tree |box tree |box-tree |box-tree |Isa. xli. 19.
bramble bush |bramble bush |bramble-bush |bramble-bush |cLuke vi. 44.
brasen |brasen |brasen |brasen |Exod. xxxviii. 4.
bread corn |bread corn |bread-corn |bread-corn |Isa. xxviii. 28.
breastplate |breastplate |breast-plate |breastplate |Exod. xxv. 7.
briars |briers |briers |briers |Heb. vi. 8.
briers |briers |briers |briers |Isa. xxvii. 4.
brickkiln |brickkiln |brick-kiln |brick-kiln |2 Sam. xii. 31.
bridechamber |bridechamber |bride-chamber |bride-chamber |Matt. ix. 15.
brokenfooted |brokenfooted |broken-footed |broken-footed |Lev. xxi. 19.
brokenhanded |brokenbanded |broken-handed |broken-handed |Lev. xxi. 19.
brokenhearted |brokenhearted |broken-hearted |broken-hearted |Luke iv. 18.
burdens |burdens |burdens |burdens |Exod. v. 4.
burnt offerings |burnt offerings |burnt-offerings |burnt-offerings |Gen. viii. 20.
burnt sacrifice |burnt sacrifice |burnt-sacrifice |burnt-sacrifice |Exod. xxx. 9.
buryingplace |buryingplace |burying-place |burying-place |cGen. xxiii. 4.
busybody |busybody |busy-body |busy-body |1 Pet. iv. 15.
byword |byword |by-word |by-word |Deut. xxviii. 37.