第 47 节
作者:
垃圾王 更新:2021-02-24 22:51 字数:9321
After Romer had defended; in Hindostani; the thesis that the Sanskrit is the parent language in India; and Swinton; in Persian; that the poems of Hafiz are to be understood in a figurative or mystical sense; there came a Bengali declamation by Tod senior on the position that the translations of the best works extant in the Sanskrit with the popular languages of India would promote the extension of science and civilisation; opposed by Hayes; then Carey; as moderator; made an appropriate Bengali speech。 A similar disputation in Arabic and a Sanskrit declamation followed; when Carey was called on to conclude with a speech in Sanskrit。 Two days after; at a second assemblage of the same kind; followed by a state dinner。 Lord Wellesley presented the best students with degrees of merit inscribed on vellum in Oriental characters; and delivered an oration; in which he specially complimented the Sanskrit classes; urged more general attention to the Bengali language; and expressed satisfaction that a successful beginning had been made in the study of Marathi。
It was considered a dangerous experiment for a missionary; speaking in Sanskrit; to avow himself such not only before the Governor…General in official state but before the Hindoo and Mohammedan nobles who surrounded him。 We may be sure that Carey would not show less of his Master's charity and wisdom than he had always striven to do。 But the necessity was the more laid on him that he should openly confess his great calling; for he had told Fuller on Lord Wellesley's arrival he would do so if it were possible。 Buchanan; being quite as anxious to bring the mission forward on this occasion; added much to the English draft〃the whole of the flattery is his;〃 wrote Carey to Fullerand sent it on to Lord Wellesley with apprehension。 This answer came back from the great Proconsul:〃I am much pleased with Mr。 Carey's truly original and excellent speech。 I would not wish to have a word altered。 I esteem such a testimony from such a man a greater honour than the applause of Courts and Parliaments。〃
〃MY LORD; it is just that the language which has been first cultivated under your auspices should primarily be employed in gratefully acknowledging the benefit; and in speaking your praise。 This ancient language; which refused to disclose itself to the former Governors of India; unlocks its treasures at your command; and enriches the world with the history; learning; and science of a distant age。 The rising importance of our collegiate institution has never been more clearly demonstrated than on the present occasion; and thousands of the learned in distant nations will exult in this triumph of literature。
〃What a singular exhibition has been this day presented to us! In presence of the supreme Governor of India; and of its most learned and illustrious characters; Asiatic and European; an assembly is convened; in which no word of our native tongue is spoken; but public discourse is maintained on interesting subjects in the languages of Asia。 The colloquial Hindostani; the classic Persian; the commercial Bengali; the learned Arabic; and the prim鎣al Sanskrit are spoken fluently; after having been studied grammatically; by English youth。 Did ever any university in Europe; or any literary institution in any other age or country; exhibit a scene so interesting as this? And what are the circumstances of these youth? They are not students who prosecute a dead language with uncertain purpose; impelled only by natural genius or love of fame。 But having been appointed to the important offices of administering the government of the country in which these languages are spoken; they apply their acquisitions immediately to useful purpose; in distributing justice to the inhabitants; in transacting the business of the state; revenual and commercial; and in maintaining official intercourse with the people; in their own tongue; and not; as hitherto; by an interpreter。 The acquisitions of our students may be appreciated by their affording to the suppliant native immediate access to his principal; and by their elucidating the spirit of the regulations of our Government by oral communication; and by written explanations; varied according to the circumstances and capacities of the people。
〃The acquisitions of our students are appreciated at this moment by those learned Asiatics now present in this assembly; some of them strangers from distant provinces; who wonder every man to hear in his own tongue important subjects discussed; and new and noble principles asserted; by the youth of a foreign land。 The literary proceedings of this day amply repay all the solicitude; labour; and expense that have been bestowed on this institution。 If the expense had been a thousand times greater; it would not have equalled the immensity of the advantage; moral and political; that will ensue。
〃I; now an old man; have lived for a long series of years among the Hindoos。 I have been in the habit of preaching to multitudes daily; of discoursing with the Brahmans on every subject; and of superintending schools for the instruction of the Hindoo youth。 Their language is nearly as familiar to me as my own。 This close intercourse with the natives for so long a period; and in different parts of our empire; has afforded me opportunities of information not inferior to those which have hitherto been presented to any other person。 I may say indeed that their manners; customs; habits; and sentiments are as obvious to me as if I was myself a native。 And knowing them as I do; and hearing as I do their daily observations on our government; character; and principles; I am warranted to say (and I deem it my duty to embrace the public opportunity now afforded me of saying it) that the institution of this college was wanting to complete the happiness of the natives under our dominion; for this institution will break down that barrier (our ignorance of their language) which has ever opposed the influence of our laws and principles; and has despoiled our administration of its energy and effect。
〃Were the institution to cease from this moment; its salutary effects would yet remain。 Good has been done; which cannot be undone。 Sources of useful knowledge; moral instruction; and political utility have been opened to the natives of India which can never be closed; and their civil improvement; like the gradual civilisation of our own country; will advance in progression for ages to come。
〃One hundred original volumes in the Oriental languages and literature will preserve for ever in Asia the name of the founder of this institution。 Nor are the examples frequent of a renown; possessing such utility for its basis; or pervading such a vast portion of the habitable globe。 My lord; you have raised a monument of fame which no length of time or reverse of fortune is able to destroy; not chiefly because it is inscribed with Maratha and Mysore; with the trophies of war and the emblems of victory; but because there are inscribed on it the names of those learned youth who have obtained degrees of honour for high proficiency in the Oriental tongues。
〃These youth will rise in regular succession to the Government of this country。 They will extend the domain of British civilisation; security; and happiness; by enlarging the bounds of Oriental literature and thereby diffusing the spirit of Christian principles throughout the nations of Asia。 These youth; who have lived so long amongst us; whose unwearied application to their studies we have all witnessed; whose moral and exemplary conduct has; in so solemn a manner; been publicly declared before this august assembly; on this day; and who; at the moment of entering on the public service; enjoy the fame of possessing qualities (rarely combined) constituting a reputation of threefold strength for public men; genius; industry; and virtue;these illustrious scholars; my lord; the pride of their country; and the pillars of this empire; will record your name in many a language and secure your fame for ever。 Your fame is already recorded in their hearts。 The whole body of youth of this service hail you as their father and their friend。 Your honour will ever be safe in their hands。 No revolution of opinion or change of circumstances can rob you of the solid glory derived from the humane; just; liberal; and magnanimous principles which have been embodied by your administration。
〃To whatever situation the course of future events may call you; the youth of this service will ever remain the pledges of the wisdom and purity of your government。 Your evening of life will be constantly cheered with new testimonies of their reverence and affection; with new proofs of the advantages of the education you have afforded them; and with a demonstration of the numerous benefits; moral; religious; and political; resulting from this institution;benefits which will consolidate the happiness of millions of Asia; with the glory and welfare of our country。〃
The Court of Directors had never liked Lord Wellesley; and he had; in common with Colebrooke; keenly wounded them by proposing a free trade movement against their monopoly。 They ordered that his favourite college should be immediately abolished。 He took good care