IT would ill become me, in addressing Members of the Uni versity of Oxford, to begin by urging the importance of a study of the Arabic language. Such a preface might be in place before a popular assembly with narrow notions not only of language but even of what constitutes utility. A learned body which cultivates with activity and success every branch of knowledge does not need to be persuaded that one of the most perfect and beautiful forms of human speech, one of the most widely extended, most enduring, and most in?uential languages of the world is worthy of the attention of its students. And if there were any tendency to overlook its importance (for there is a fashion in studies as in other things, and the curiosity which attracts to new subjects sometimes causes whole depart ments of learning to be neglected for a time), I should be forbidden to recognise it by the very conditions under which I address you. The merit of the Arabic language, literature, and history, as a study for Europeans, is the very reason of my own professorial existence. I am bound to assume that when the successive Sovereigns of this kingdom have for more than a century and a half maintained a Professorship of Arabic in either University, there is a sufficient reason for their bounty and since the Lord Almoner has done me the honour to appoint me to the office, and the University to admit me to it, I will not enter on an argument °which would seem to assume that the acts of such high authorities need a justification. I am also bound to recollect that the University maintains the Laudian Professorship, which has been distinguished by the names of several eminent scholars, the first of Whom, the illustrious Pocock, will always be had in remembrance wherever Eastern.
