Tris not often that we turn to the pages of the Chinese Recorder and Missionary Journal, for hamourons writing. There is generally something worth reading in it; but the matter is usually of a didactic character. It is not often that we find in the organ of the Protestant propaganda a genuine fresh piece of burlesque writing. We live however in strange days. An Attorney-General quotes Boz and Coz, and 80 grave Missionary may indulge sometimes ina comic vein. It is hard the devil should have all the best tunes, said John Wesley, and so it is hard that the Editor of a work devoted to the extension of knowledge relating to the Science, Literature, Civilization and History of China should not be allowed once ina way to relax into asmile. As it is, the Febraaty number contains an article quite worthy of "Puck." It is entitled "Connection between the Gaelic and Chinese Languages," and is placed mischievously enough in juxtaposition with a review of the recent publication by Edling, on the connection between Chinese and Hebrew. The writer assumes all the ingfromaliberal use of thesackbut." We airs of a profound' seeker after trath, and we have to read a fow sentences before we persuade ourselves that the whole thing is an elaborate joke.' We read at at first that "the study of phi-ology, viewed from any point we choose, te is a field of the docy interest and importance." There is a grand arrogance of claim in this sentence that attracts one irresistibly. We think of all Max Muller has done for us, and are overborne by the magnificent sweep of the assertion. In a frame of mind eager for new revelations, we read on. This is the next statement, "There is one peculiarity however bout this study, which to the uninitiated is such " perplexing one that a kind of doubt is apt to be entertained in reference to the whole subject. I refer to the kind of second sight it seems to give those who have penetrated most deeply into its Mysteries." There are several sentences more of this delicious banter, and then "Ossian" for that is the writer's nom de plume, proceeds to unfold the details of the subject, and to acquaint us with some of his' most conspicuous discoveries. They are preceded however by the following
through which words have passed, the "In many of the transitional tages most random changes have been made from one letter to another. Whenever possible, it is of course the duty of the student to restore such to their primitive form. For example, it is a very curious fact that a person with a very severe cold in the head has un insane tendency to pronounce the word moon
it be deemed an arbitrary proceeding, though it were spelled bool. Would to substitute m and n for b and 1
purity of language sternly demands Certainly not. A true r aa fo the that there sheld be no weak concession, bat that the word be at once restored to its original form."
To this unique illustration we may add the fact that the late Mr. Charles Kean habitually pronounced the "money" as if it were spelled " putty." Surely this is a curious and suggestive fact, from which the students of philology might deduce some results. We must however give one the most brilliant and marvellous illnstrations of Ossian's intuitive faculty of verification "Gaelic, Naomb holy, Chinese shing, holy. The difference between these two words appears so great that it would seem hopeless to endeavour to reconcile them. It is in such cases as these, however, that the critic finds himself in his true element. There is a point that can be alone explained on physical and gsthetic grounds. The Gaels were, and in fact are, noted for their exquisite system of music, This is evidenced by their musical instru ments, Naomb, which in its older form was undoubtedly Shang, is unquestion~ ably the result of a to frequent use of the bagpipes. A frequent indulgence in these has the result of discouraging sibilation. Anyove who has seen the facial distortions of an individual at work on this most charming of all instruments, will readily understand this, The reader will remember a somewhat parallel instance inthe Aramean, result
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.