Oriental Literature.
The Times, 1824-08-26T00:00:00

As a kind of sop, we suppose, to the literati for the suppression of the freedom of discussion, the King of France has been advised to is.ue a decree for the eincou- ragement of Oriertal learning. There is certainly no great reason to fear any display of liberal opinions in the writings of the disciples otM ahomet or Zoroaster: still less is it probable that liberalism, coming through such a puzzling medium, will find its way aMOng idle arid desul- iory readers. The decree is, in fact, a mere empty show, ant will deceive none but~ its authors. [The Mfoniteur of Alonday, 23d August.I "OFFICIAL PART.-REPORT TO THE KIMN(. "PARIS, AUG. 20. Sire,-At the time of tthe revival of letters, when tbe natioAis of Europe, scarcely emerged from barbarism, gave themselves up with cntbusiasm to the search after the precious remains of antiquity, Francis 1., eager to favour the moveinent of his age, established the royal printing-office, and cauased it to publish a great number of an- cient AMSS., preserved, but forgotten, in the mnonasteries. The ex- ainple of this freat prince was i-itated by his successors. Tbre ro5 al presses did not cease to form important and precious collec- tions, which the munificerice of the kings, could draw from oblivion. In our days a new direction has been given to rite minds of the studious. lhe study of antiquity no longer sufflices for the insatiable ardour of the learned. Onie wouid sav, we had exxhausted those fruitful sourcrs from which all modern literature has issued. We desire to know other arts, other systems, ocher languages; we demand from the old nations placed at the extremities ot the acrth, the numerous writings whicil they posse`s, and wlhichl we are impatient to enjoy: it is the spirit of all the people of the earth that we seek to know and to judge. he Governments of Europe vie with each other in second- ing thlis impulse. 'I'lTe King of Prussia has founded, at Bonir, an University, dedicated to the study of the lang"ares of Asia: the King of Bavaria, the Duke of (Gotha, and the King of Denmark, sent into Arica to collect manuscripts. Ilolland gives successors to the Schulteni; and Russia lavishes on the learned encouragemients slnd rewards. In this general nioveruecnti, thie first rank ought to belong to France. The treasures of its libraties-the advantage which it ihas of possessing the iiiost precious collections of Oriental types in Eu- rope-the number and tire personal merit of the French lileruti-all ensure it thii useful and flattering sup.riority. * But the indiyidual zeal of tre laborious men who have devoted thremselves to these arid studies is not enough : it requires to be fa- vouired and seconded by a powerful hand. Why should that not be done now tfr Oriental literature whlich was done in the lUth and 17th centuries fbr tire study of' all uilty and classical literature? Alight not a collection of tihe pril,cipal Orientat works be undertaken wlinch should1 be published under tlie auspices of yotr Majesty, like tfic great Byzantirre collection, tire collection of the Councils, and of the historians of terance, forrerly executed ,at the Itoyal prirrtirrg-office? It would he easy for tire Royal printing-office to execute this unr- dertakirg without interrupting tircordinarycourscof its labours, andl even rvithout incurring any considerable expense. Pupils are maiii- tainred in that est blisirrent to be instructed in the typographical nanagemrent of Oricita l characters. - The desire of liastening and extending their instruction caused a very useful article to be added to thie decree wliich established them, but tile execution of it has unhiappily been neglected. * Tire eighth article of this decree was, in f-act, conceived ir these ternis Our Chief Judge, illrrister of Justice, may anthrorize the print- ing of thie necessary work in tire Orienutals languages, as well tor the instruction of thie pupils as to keep up in tire coriipositors the know- ledgc tnd habits of their work. " And the 9th article providled for the reinrbarsemrent of tie expenses by nieans of sale. Tlrese regulattions suffice f r the ac- cornnplishrrent of the pianr, the object and adrantages of which I have just pointedout. -1 1 therefore propose to yourr Majesy to grart your approbation to tlis plani, a4d to order tIrat Article 8 of the Decree of tire 228 of .Marci, 1813,0 may at length be carried irrto execution. - Tnc Frecnchl litcrati will, I doubt not, be eager toconicur in this Irriplrtant enterprise, and to contribute, bv their attemItiOlr arid their counsels, to tie new monurnernts whicir yourr Inlajesty will con- seerrute to tire glory of letters aird of France. l am, with the riost profourr(t respect, Sire, your Majesty's most liurrible, most obedient, and most fattlrtil servant and srbject, the Keeper et the Seals, Secretarv of State, Al inister of Justicc. "C. DJE PEYRONNET. Approvedv, * LOUIS. * By tie King, The vKeeper of the Seals, &c. (bC. D) PEYRONNNET." iuth tire 1 Moniter" arrd Etuire' give this date, 183. ORIENTAL LITERATURE.