ADVERTISEMENT
As to the utility of the present publication no objection can be justly offered. Before our late extensive conquests of the Dutch settlements on the Malay islands our trade to the east of Hindoostan was very confined, but since our establishment at (Pulo Pinang) Prince of Wales's Island, it has become of such consequence as to render every means of facilitating a communication between us and the Malays, an object of national importance. Since our conquest of these, how much more that has become a desideratum must be self evident.
In this view of its utility we confine ourselves to Britain alone: but when it is considered, that we are offering to the public a Grammar and Dictionary of a language which has become the Lingua Franca of a portion of the globe more extensive that that of any other tongue in the world, we hope, we are in some measure clearing the way for the future labours of the philosopher, the navigator, and the merchant of every nation.
Untill now the only assistance to be obtained by the Malay scholar was through the medium of Bowrey's Grammar, printed a century ago[1], a work of great industry and merit, that distant period considered, and to which in the present volume we acknowledge our many obligations.
- ↑ In the year 1701, with a dedication to the then directors of both companies, before they were united, in which the names of each are printed at full length. No account can be traced of Mr. Bowrey or his book in the present Remembrancer's Office, so as to do him the credit due to his memory, or foresight, which the publisher is desirous of doing, who, though engaged in extensive business ever since May 1752, never could see more than three copies, notwithstanding his frequent enquiries.
