the sum which is thus collected beyond the expense may be regarded as a tax; but it is a tax of which no reasonable man complains, because he feels that while, on the whole, the transmission of letters is effected cheaper than it would be in private hands, it is also performed incomparably better. The tax, too, has one advantage over most others: every person contributes exactly in proportion to the benefit which he derives from the institution, and he who derives no benefit, pays nothing. This last condition would not, indeed, apply to the transit of letters by steam to and from India; for, as the income could not at first be expected to equal the expense, the difference would be a charge upon the public finances. The probable advantages, however, would be so great, that the charge ought to be incurred; and it is very evident that those who enjoyed those advantages at less than their proper share of the cost, could have no cause to complain, and that no man ought to feel aggrieved at being expected to forward or receive his letters, through an establishment maintained solely on account of its public utility, and where he had his value, and more than his value, for his money. If the carriage of letters may, in any case, be confined to an exclusive channel, why not between England and India? And if it may without wrong, ought it not, when a great public object is to be attained by the restriction, which cannot be so well effected in other way? any hoped, that this view of the subject may be thought worth the consideration of both the East-India Company and his Majesty's Ministers; and if they should see reason to think it a sound one, that they will suffer nothing to

shake their conviction.

? It is to be

It has been assumed that, in the event of steam-communication being established between England and India, the route selected would be that by the Red Sea; and this, indeed, admits of little doubt. We must learn a good deal more of the Euphrates than is known at present, before we can venture to pronounce an opinion on the probability of a permanent communication by that route; and the passage by the Cape seems so universally given up, as ineligible for steamers, that it is scarcely worth while to discuss its pretensions. The only question of interest relating to this part of the subject is, whether the communication shall be confined to Bombay only, or, by being directed in the first insstnce to Point de Galle, be extended from thence to all the presidencies. The residents at Bengal and Madras are very earnest in favour of the latter plan, and its adoption does not appear likely to interfere materially with the interests of Bombay. The three points for consideration, in determining the question, seem to be,-first, the comparative facility of forwarding the mails; secondly, the convenience of passengers; and thirdly, the probable practicability of each route through out the year.

With regard to the first, there does not appear any very decisive ground of preference as to speed. The distance between Point de Galle and Calcutta, it is calculated, may be performed by a steamer in about ten days. The usual period occupied in communicating between Bombay and Calcutta, is about twelve days; it has been performed in less, and probably

might generally be effected in ten days, by suitable arrangements. If, therefore, the two passages between the Red Sea and Bombay, and the Red Sea and Point de Galle, could be effected with equal facility, the difference in point of time to Calcutta would be nothing. But then it must be recollected, that the route of the dawk lies through several of the native states, and is liable to various accidents, from which the navigation of the Bay of Bengal is exempt. For certainty, therefore, if not for speed, the latter course is to be preferred. The distance from Ceylon to Madras being much less than to Calcutta, it is obviously better for Madras that Point de Galle should be the starting-place for the Red Sea. According to a recent statement, the number of letters arriving at, and despatched from, Calcutta and Madras, as compared with the number to and from Bombay, is in the proportion of above three to one. Where the interests of the majority and that of the minority clash, the latter, of course, must give way; but, for a reason to be assigned under the third head, it appears probable that even Bombay would not, on the whole, be a sufferer by the selection of Point de Galle. It is an important recommendation of this line that it will, at all times and under all circumstances, afford not only a direct but a safe communication with Calcutta, the seat of the Government of India. By selecting Point de Galle, also, the despatches of the British Government, to and from Ceylon, might be forwarded by steam, and, of course, without charge.

The conveyance of passengers is not the primary object of the proposed establishment; but it is an important part of the plan, as a source of revenue. A statement, resting on the same authority as that relating to the letters, shews the number of passengers, to and from Calcutta and Madras, to be also about three times that of persons proceeding to and from Bombay. A large proportion of them would prefer the speed and regularity of steam-conveyance to any other; but then they must have facilities for embarking or disembarking at the spot where their duty or pleasure may call them. Without altogether agreeing in the opinion of one of the witnesses, before the House of Commons, in 1834, that a passenger for Calcutta might as well be in England as at Bombay, it is certain that many would shrink from a tedious, expensive, and perhaps dangerous journey over-land. As far, therefore, as the transit of passengers is concerned, the route by Bombay would be for Bombay only; that by Point de Galle would be

for all India.

The third consideration relates to the comparative practicability of the two plans at all seasons; and, on this ground also, the preference is due to that which takes Point de Galle as a rendezvous. It is even admitted by the warmest advocates of the Bombay plan, that the south-west monsoon would, during its continuance, operate as a serious check to the navigation between that port and the Red Sea. The other route, if not altogether free from this objection, is much less open to it; the impediment to a constant communication is less serious, and there seems little reason for doubt that a steamer from Bombay, going by Point de Galle, might generally reach

the entrance of the Red Sea, as early as if it proceeded by a more direct route. On this ground, then, as well as on those previously considered, Point de Galle commands a preference.

The only drawback on all these advantages is a small additional expense of branch steamers, from Point de Galle to Bombay and Calcutta; but this expense might be expected to be nearly reimbursed by the additional number of passengers, and the remaining deficiency, if any, ought not to weigh against the general benefit of India.

One question remains, and this relates to the frequency of communication. Little difference of opinion now exists on the point. It seems agreed, that the communication ought to be monthly, and, indeed, if less frequent, it would be useless to establish it at all. If the mail-coaches of England travelled at their present rate, but were despatched only once aweek, their speed would be useless, and the expense incurred in obtaining it might as well be saved. Rapidity of transit, without frequent despatch, is of small value. A monthly communication with India by steam would be of incalculable benefit to the mercantile interests of the two countries— to the good government of India, and by consequence, to the prosperity of its immense population.

C.

We do not concur in all the views taken by our Correspondent. We are not blind, indeed, to the recommendation which a plan of steam-communication with India would derive from its adoption by the ruling authorities, and it is probable that many of the supporters of the scheme in question regard it only as a pis-aller,—better than none at all. Up to this moment, there is no ground for even suspecting that the ruling authorities meditate any plan of their own, and the conflict of interests in India seems to warrant the conclusion that no scheme of general utility will emanate from thence. Under these circumstances, unless the Government or the Company (if it is necessary to make a distinction between the two) give a distinct intimation that a Government scheme is in contemplation, we are still of opinion that that of the Association, so far as it has been disclosed, deserves public encouragement. Our Correspondent has not done justice to this plan, which does not profess to be a pecuniary speculation; and with respect to the policy of a grant of postage, though such a grant may be objectionable upon principle, we see no practical inconveniences likely to arise from its concession for a limited time, and merely for the purpose of aiding the funds.-EDITOR.

ARABIC PARTICLES.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-The writer of the following paper, in his progress through the works of certain of the Arabian Grammarians, to which he was stimulated by the encouragement given to Oriental learning by that truly great man, Marquess Wellesley, could not help being struck by the peculiar corroboration of Horne Tooke's doctrine afforded by their notices on the subject of the Particles. The following are a few instances, should you deem them worthy publication.

It is proper to premise, however, that the Arabian Grammarians, who are, it is thought, superior to those of most nations, almost universally agree that the indeclinable words in their language have no separate signification; nor does it appear to them, with some exceptions, they ever had any.

The author of the Kafeea Ibni Hajib, says:

"The word, which has no meaning in itself, is the particle, as,

دمین

والي and

to, and from, because they both require, for the explanation of their meaning, other words, as, Bussora, and Koofa; and these particles are called P, because that word signifies side, or extremity: That is, being on one side, compared to the noun and verb, which are chief or leading members of a sentence; whereas the particle never is "

Again: "A particle is a word which defines or explains a meaning in other words, and on that account, from being only a part or portion, requires a noun; or verb, or both."

From the Misbah:-"The particle is a word possessing a certain signification; but neither that of a noun or verb; as, for example, J, and J. The reason of this is, that the noun can predicate and be predicated of

and the verb predicates, although it be not predicated حديثا او محدث عنه

of; but the particle can do neither, and is a mere tool between them both." From the Memhul, a commentary on the Wafi: "The particle is a word, which cannot stand alone in the understanding; or, which has no distinct meaning by itself, or, without other words joined to it."

Again, "What was stated of the qualities of words in the commencement related generally to the three kinds, noun, verb, and particle; but this definition of the particle forms a division or class, logically speaking, ai, which leaves out the noun and verb; because we know of no word among the verbs and nouns which in usage is incapable of an independent sense, so that it might depart from its original adaptation."

Now it is undoubtedly true, that the particle is seldom used in its original or independent sense, and from this arises the definition; but, let us see what the grammarians themselves say of these words, and the reasons they have for the definitions they give.

From. This particle is placed to signify 'beginning' in place or time; also perspicuity' and 'paucity;' as for example, “I went from, or beginning, Bussora."

It is to be remarked that in any but affirmative propositions, This is, however, contrary to the opinion of the people of Koofa.

من

is explete.

The saying

is sophistically explained; it is here a particle of

paucity, as there was a little, or some rain; the phrase being originally

, when. By some they are esteemed nouns, by others particles; but their signification is the same with i. e. beginning, in reference to past time;

as, for example,

دمین

le, I have not seen him beginning Rujub,' or

. من ذا رجب or, من اذا كان رجب since Rujub : the derivation is probably

In some dialects of the Arabic, these words are pronounced A, and A, which leaves little doubt of their derivation.

, To. This particle is used to denote the end or object of a beginning, it also signifies 'a side,' &c.

Sometimes it has the meaning of , or with, and that appears to justify the belief that is derived from the verb, which signifies, among other meanings, 'to join.'l seems to have been misunderstood by some, for the explanation in the Soorah is,

لابتداء الغاية منتهي

not 'the beginning of the end,' but the end or object of a beginning.'

It may be remarked here, in reference to the derivation, that the last letter of this word is permuted from.

but as it is used as

مع

, To, until, signifies the same with le very much, it may be presumed it also is derived from a verb signifying to

join.

ومع

is admitted to be a noun, and signifies with, companionship, junction,' &c. The particle, is synonimous with

.مع

The particle is used to denote the peculiar appropriation or application of a thing: it also signifies a cause, and sometimes, from. It is at times explete, and has the meaning of, in an oath.

On the above, it may be remarked, that and the of appropriation appear to be from the same root, as they all signify to join, to connect, to intertwine, or weave,' &c.

لو

or if, is called the particle of. It is not necessary to detail the comparison made between this word and the conditional, which is nearly

the same, but merely to mention that signifies 'giving, granting,' &c. , From, signifies separation, distance, avoidance, side,' &c.