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the poct had imbibed. He was dehghted to hear of the Queen’s Hindustani studices, and expressed continued admiration of the intellectual power of his Sovereign.
Some persons here may call nto (question the utility of the study of Oriental languages and literature, and declare it to be a mere idle curiosity. But T believe it 1s ol the highest matenal advantage to all classes n this country. ‘The statesman will b far better able to grapple with Asiatic questions, understand the real wants ol the people dircetly through them, and escape falling into fatal administrative blunders. A\ poct will vrow richer and loftier i his Imagination, the sast being the affectionate mother and tender nurse of the poetical child.
Some of the minor poets of Mr Trals list might drink deep at the running fountains of the immortal pocts of the Fast, and convey their sublimer ideas to thetr hrethren of the West. As it is, the poets here do not atall avail themselves of half the accumulated poctical treasure of mankind. What pros- peets for a master of fiction ! "The lhast s 1 cclebrated storehouse for the perpetual loan of Dbeautiful scenes and plots. Once romance in the Hindustant language consists of seventeen thick octavo volumes,
and is appropriately named “T'he Garden of
Imagination.” It s, perhaps, the most powerful work of imagination extant i the world. T'he novelist might deseribe scenes and introduce plots that would startle the simple people of the West, and make them thirst after the literature of the last. Byron owes much of his inspiration to his personal acquaintance with — Oriental nations. The hest of his essays, @ Warren Flastings,” Macaulay owed to his knowledge of the East. And for his marked success as novelist, ‘Thackeray was no hittle indebted to his carlier connection with India.
What o valuable information can a play-
wright or anactor derive from Lastern literature t The multiplicity of - nations,
rcligions, characters, and dresses in the L of the sun cannot fail to offer him a uscful inspiration. Daily illustrations ol the evolu- tion of modern civilization and of the gradual advancement of human thought must needs give him valuable food for reflection. An actor like Mr. TIrving or Mr. John Hare may give such a dramatic representation ol iastern scenes as will drown the stage tears, or keep them laughing for hours. An artist might paint a strange scenery, @ new animal, or a fresh plant every day of the year withort o hanetine his materials,
PHE STRAND MAGAZINE.
What a vast ficld will be open to the musicians ! T have often wondered how it was that in the concerts and the drawing- rooms here none of the exquisite musical mstruments ol the Itast could, by chance, get admission. s it because we possess no good instruments that can entertain Lnghish - cars, or hecause the inglish artists cannot, owing lo ignorance, appreciate them? The excel- lence of our instruments can be undoubtedly proved, and the fault will, I am alraid, lie at the doors of ignorance and prejudice. We can certainly say that it would be an un- common treat to the lovers of music il an ciminent player like Madame Albant were to cive here a performance on the Zaouvs, Saringe, and Selar,
What splendid prospects for the members of the medical profession ! 'T'he knowledge of a Mohammedan language will place at the disposal of @ medical man here the keys of 1 system of medicine and therapeutics simply unknown to the Luropeans. The system contains remedics for certain chronic discases pronounced incurable by European physicians, which the profession here will do well to borrow.
As for religion, it can only be said that not a4 single patriarch or prophet of note has ever been born in Lurope. The Last s the Dlessed land for the birth and work ol the chosen children of the Almighty. The lansuage which the Patriarch - spoke and wrote, and in which he delivered his orations, and through which he transmitted his Divine message to mankind, cannot but appeal to (he highest instinets of his followers, and particularly to those who have taken upon (hemselves the responsible work ol mimster- ing to the soul ol man.
1 was much surprised to hear the Duke of Connaught break the conversation Hin- dustani during the course of an mterview | had with His Royal Flighness a few weeks ago.The words which fell from the lips of the Duke were neither slang nor ungram- matical, hut pure Hindustani unhke thosc venerally used by military - ofhicers., I'he cultivation of Oriental studics among members of the Royal Family of England will certamly render more assistance to the cause of Oriental learning in this country than all the books written, meetings held, and lectures delivered in furtherance of the same object.
The aristocracy of England always show their good sense by faithfully following the cxample of Royalty in all that s good, oreat, and noble. We respecttully recom- mend the above for their consideration.