New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-31
CONVENTION of PHILOLOGISTs
THIRD pAy-EyESrSG SESSION.

PoUGHKEEPsIE, July 29.-After the pleasant
episode Of the social reunion at Mr. Eastmans the Asso
citation reassembed in the church The question OF the
appointment OF a committee TO report upon the estab
lishment Of Pathological Institution was postponed un
til the next meeting
j. Hammond Turnbull, esq, then read an elaborate
paper on What be taken TO preserve the
Indian languages Of American The speaker glanced at
the various speculaons OF nqurers who have taken
fancu theory the nature OF these languages
and showed that this futile pursuit. while the care
u and patient comparison OF these languages had been
scarcely entered upon. The American languages differ
from the IndoEurOpean In grammatical structure and
of thought The Indian languages deal especially
in syDthessand this characterzes the primary words
well as sentences The author adduces many ex-
ampes showing the defects Of the vocabulary method Of
studying the Algonquin family OF languages with which
he especially acquainted. 1t is quito impossible TO
translate Indian names verbs into English names or
verbs. constant aim Of the student or translator
should be to replace the Indian synthess by accurate
analysis These languages must also be studied In their
roots They constantly changing to their words
but their roots remain the The classification OF
the roOtverbs any of these languages would be
valuable contribution to the knowledge OF them
than has yet made The article exhibited ut length
and by variety Of examples the principles governing
this class Of languages.
The next paper was read by the Rev. Thomas Hurl-
burt of Canada Mr. Hurburt has spent nearly 20 years
missionary among the Indians in British America
He presented to the Association copies Of the New Tesla
ment in the Cree and obwa languages The speaker also
exhibited q grammar in the Cree and the Ochlbwa
languages in which he had preached for 80 years This
he proposes to rewrte and then present the manuscript
to the Association. During his missionary life Mfr Hurl-
burt has Travelled 10000 miles had intercourse with
40 different tribes OF Indians had abundant opportunities
Of studying their character, habits religions, End his
tory He exhibited copies OF newspaper which he pnD
lshed several years the Cree language casting the
TYNE SET N he performing
OF printing well as editing Although be had no eX-
perience in the mechanic arts yet he had built win ms
hands several houses constructed several boats in
OF which he sailed through the whole length OF Lake
Superior and used 10 shoe his own horses and perform
various other needfu mechanical operations He is
Of considerable learning, good powers OF obserVa'
M HnTIbSrt also read Valuable and interesting paper
upon the Indian languages exhibiting an intimate ac'
quaintance with their genius and structure The speaker
said these languages limitations OF nature,
expressions of SURPRISE but specimens of the
moHosyiabc|iko the Chinese as the nrst-to the in.
aeeuonal OF last stage Ike the European or Aryan ana
Semitic. They belong 70 the Agguti-Eatiye languages
which the most OF ASIA part OF Europe, ana all
America and Polynesia These LANGUAGES are the most
exquisite pieces OF mechanism ever presented TOT human
study They the wonderful products OF the Instincts
and innate powers OF the human mind; The speaker
alluded to the analogy existing between the Iulklsh IAN
guage and that OF these Indians the regularity pefvadng
the system OF conugation and decenson-and the trans
parency and Eligibility Of the whole structure. In the
grammar OF the Indian languages have before us per
which we can study II watching the building
of cells in crystal beehive They contain all the parts
there being 200 is popularity. There ia an infinite
labyrinth the infection OF the verbs In the Ochbwa
we NAV have 10000 and In the Cree 100000 infections
from one verbal loot, each OF which through
all the forms OF mood and tense He had derived from
root Ochib 0OOO 900 forms He stated the
principles of these languages and gave copious exam
pies illustrative OF them and the paper throughout held
undivided attention OF the Association and Of the
audience, notwithstanding the lateness OF the hour.
II some OF societies would invite Mr.. Hurlburt 10
lecture upon this subject they would be highly pleased
and instructed II the means Will be provided TO enable
him his time for few years 10 arranging cas
styling giving the public tho results OF his long
course of observation and study OF the Indian languages
great benefit would accrue 10 this branch OF Pholog
cal Sclence.