Their
Alphabet Differs But Little From That In Richardson's Arabic
Grammar.
They always write with the vowel points.
Their priests
even affect to know something of foreign literature. The priest of
Benowm assured me that he could read the writings of the Christians:
he showed me a number of barbarous characters, which he asserted
were the Roman alphabet; and he produced another specimen, equally
unintelligible, which he declared to be the Kallam il Indi, or
Persian. His library consisted of nine volumes in quarto; most of
them, I believe, were books of religion - for the name of Mohammed
appeared in red letters in almost every page of each. His scholars
wrote their lessons upon thin boards, paper being too expensive for
general use. The boys were diligent enough, and appeared to possess
a considerable share of emulation - carrying their boards slung over
their shoulders when about their common employments. When a boy has
committed to memory a few of their prayers, and can read and write
certain parts of the Koran, he is reckoned sufficiently instructed;
and with this slender stock of learning commences his career of
life. Proud of his acquirements, he surveys with contempt the
unlettered negro; and embraces every opportunity of displaying his
superiority over such of his countrymen as are not distinguished by
the same accomplishments.
The education of the girls is neglected altogether: mental
accomplishments are but little attended to by the women; nor is the
want of them considered by the men as a defect in the female
character.
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