పుట:A grammar of the Telugu language.pdf/16

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PREFACE

Vii

have passed over in silence many points which called for clear elucidation.

Some have wished me to exclude all notices of errors and blemishes in style; but how is the sailor to shun shoals and sands unless they are pointed out in the chart? The poet (in 2 Henry IV., act 4, scene 4) observes that —

"The prince but studies his companions Like a strange tongue; wherein to gain the language, "Tis needful that the most immodest word Be look'd upon, and learn'd: which once attain'd, Your highness knows, comes to no further use But to be known and hated."

Unless we read their books, and have daily communications with the Hindus, what insight can we obtain into the minds of the people? We have no intercourse with them in society: we live among them, as oil upon water, without mingling.* Many an Englishman has been acquainted with the natives for years, while remaining entirely ignorant of the peculiarities of the Hindu character. Missionaries seek and enjoy greater facilities; and such as have studied the poems acknowledge that books are the best guides to an acquaintance with the mind of the people. Some have severely judged the Hindus from the stories contained in Sanscrit poems; but these are obsolete, and widely different from modern traits of character. In like manner the prejudices of Hindus regarding ourselves, can only be removed by a course of English reading.

We are well aware that an Englishman residing in France, Spain or Germany, must become acquainted with the favourite volumes of Rousseau, Calderon, or Goethe, before he can converse idiomatically, or enter into the feelings of those around him. And experience proves that the true key to those modes of thought, and peculiarities of expression, which in India occur daily, can be found only in the classics of India.

  • This was written before th broke oue Sepoy metiyt in 1857