for example, as well as in the Sanscrit, which is so closely united with; it, all vowels are known to be short that are not long by nature,, as au, aij &c, or by position, that is, by preceding two consonants; in the Latin and Greek prosodies, however, numerous ulterior rules are necessary regarding the quantity of compound and derivative words; some terminations in e, a, o, is, as, us, we long, while others are always short. Even after mastering these intricacies it requires considerable practice to understand every variation produced by what is named poetical authority: thus we find pater is short in the first syllable, while mater is long; legit, venit, and vidit in the present tense have the first syllable short, but in the preterite it is lengthened, without i any difference to the sight.
From all such intricacies the Sanscrit and Telugu system is free, the quantity is at once clear to the eye; while experience has in fact shewn that, as it has been attempted to explain it in the following work, the application of one hour a day for a week or fortnight, is sufficient for a learner to understand all the chief rules*[1] on the subject, and the same period will afterwards perhaps be requisite, to enable him to master the more intricate portions.
With regard to this volume it is only necessary to mention, that it wasoriginally composed at the kind suggestion of Richard Clarke, Esq.
- ↑ * That is, rules 1,2; 12-23; 48-64; 88-93; and then 120-134 on Rhyme: qne rule is often explained in. several paragraphs. The notes are in general intended for the advanced student, and the learner should for the present pass them over; particularly such as occur in the first twenty pages.
