does not appear that any composition in a living language, of a higher date than about five hundred years, can be of popular use, unless we learn it from our infancy. The language of our own Scriptures becomes now peculiar in many respects, and distinct from the popular speech. It is supposed, that the Arabic Translation is upwards of a thousand years old. Had there been no interruption in the profession of Christianity in Arabia, the ancient Translation might possibly have sufficed: in like manner as the Hebrew is still understood by the Jews, and the Syriac by the Syrian Christians. But when a new religion is to be proposed to a people, we must use the most dignified medium, and present it in the language which is in popular use. The present Arabic Translation in the Polyglot is perfectly intelligible to those who will study it with a lexicon; but we certainly cannot offer it at this time as conveying the meaning of the Christian Scriptures to the Land of Yemen, or Arabia the Happy.

Soon after Sabat, the Arabian, had been converted to Christianity*, the object which chiefly occupied his thoughts, was a translation of the

* See an account of his conversion in "The Star in the East."

Scriptures for his native country. He himself could easily read and understand the existing translation; for he is a learned man, and acquainted radically with every dialect of the language; and it was by means of that translation that he himself became a Christian *; but he says he should be ashamed to offer the Bible to his countrymen in its present form; such a version would neither be acceptable to the learned, nor intelligible to the unlearned.

This noble Arabian has been now three years, or more, employed in translating the Scriptures into the Arabic Language, with the aid of other learned Asiatics, under the superintendance of the Rev. H. Martyn, who has himself been long a student of the Arabic Tongue. Mr. Martyn has lately stated their reasons for undertaking a new translation, which the Author will here subjoin,

*The copy of the New Testament, which fell into the hands of Sabat, was one of the edition published in 1727 by "the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge." revised by Salomon Negri. An investment of these Arabic Testaments was sent about 1759, to the Society's Missionaries in Calcutta, who circulated them through different provinces. The following is a well-attested fact: They sent some copies to the Mahomedan Priests at Delhi, who " requested that the supply might be continued." See Proceedings of the Society of that period.

in deference to the learned at home, who may think some further explanation necessary.

"Of the Arabic version of the Polyglot, the "late Professor Carlyle, in his copy of Proposals "for printing a new edition of it, speaks in the highest terms, and observes, that it was used "both by Jews and Christians as a faithful and

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elegant representation of their respective books "of faith. But even supposing that both Jews "and Christians are satisfied with the translation,

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no one, who has had an opportunity of observing "the degraded state of these people in the East, "would admit them as competent judges of the "Arabic. The Professor has adduced, in favour "of the version in question, the opinions of Erpenius, Gabriel Sionita, and Pocock; names of "high consideration in Arabic learning, particu

larly the last. It is certain, however, that such "of the Mahomedans as have seen this version, "think very differently of it. If we would invite "the fastidious Mussulman to review the sacred "law which he supposes abrogated, let us not

neglect our present opportunities; but, with "such an instrument as Sabat in our possession, "let us attempt at least, to send forth the Scrip"tures in a style which shall command respect, " even in Nujed and Hejaz."

Mr. Martyn adverts to the new edition of the Polyglot translation, now publishing in England, under the patronage of the Bishop of Durham, and highly commends the design. "We rejoice," writes he, "to hear that the old Polyglot is going "forth at last in a new dress. It may be useful "to some in Asia, as it was to Sabat."—And, in regard to the extent of country through which the Arabic is spoken, he observes, that the Arabic translation is of more importance than one-fourth of all the translations now in hand. "We will "begin," says he, "to preach to Arabia, Syria, Persia, Tartary, part of India and of China, "half of Africa, all the sea-coast of the Mediter❝ranean and Turkey; and one tongue shall suffice "for them all."

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The proposal for publishing the Arabic Bible has already met with a very liberal patronage în India. It is intended to publish an edition of the New Testament, in a splendid form, for the use of the chief men in Arabia and Persia, resembling, as nearly as possible, their own beautiful writing. The Universities, and literary bodies in Europe, will, no doubt, be disposed to subscribe for some copies of this truly classical Work. It is stated in the last accounts, dated May 1810, that the translation of the New Testament was

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expected to be finished, by the end of the present year, 1811.

THE ARABIC SCHOOL

FOR THE

TRANSLATION OF THE SCRIPTURES.

THE REV. Henry Martyn, B. D. Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, went out to India about five years ago. His qualifications for the general superintendance of scriptural translation, are truly respectable. After acquiring the highest academical honours in science, and a just celebrity for classical knowledge, he devoted himself to the acquirement of the Arabic and Hindostanee Languages. His mind was strongly impressed, at an early period, with the duty and importance of communicating the revealed Religion to heathen nations. He had a spirit to follow the steps of Swartz and Brainerd, and preach to the natives in the woods; but his peculiar qualifications, as a critical scholar, have fixed him to the department of translation. He had not been long in Bengal before he was joined by Sabat and Mirza, and