A grammar of the Malayan language, with an introduction and praxis..

INTRODUCTION. xlix
expression of " The Lord, Dominus," as in the phrase of
Jlc^Ji-i ^y tuhan sakali-an alam " The Lord of all worlds," or
in the compound ^js^V* mahd-t/lhan " The mighty Lord," and
should not have been substituted, in a vocabulary, for the essen-
tial name of the Deity.
Of my own qualifications for this attempt to furnish a Malayan
Grammar and Dictionary, less imperfect than what have been,
in most instances, produced by those who have gone before me
in the same career, I shall speak as briefly as possible. During
the period of my residence in Sumatra, at a very early time of
life, I devoted somewhat more than the common attention ne-
cessary for all stiangers, to the attainment of the language of
the country, under the guidance of an elder brother (long since
lost to me and to the world *), who had himself made an ex-
traordinary proficiency, although not in the habit of committing
his acquirements to writing. With this advantage I acquired a
competent facility in communicating with the natives, and was
master of their epistolary correspondence ; but it was not until
my return to England in the latter end of 1779? t^'^t I applied
myself to the study of their literature, or laid any regular grounds
for the composition of tlie present works. These, amidst a va-
riety of pursuits and serious occupations, by which their pro-
gress has been too long retarded, have gradually pi'ofited by
my advancement of knowledge in the superior parts of the
language, and from simple beginnings, have increased in bulk
and improved in matter and form, to the state (very far indeed
n
from
* Mr. JOHN MAUSDE^ died in London on the 13th April 1786, having then
nearly completed his fortieth year.