tity of wine or beer may afford; but we believe also that these cases are fewer than are generally supposed. Timothy was such an instance, and it is worth while carefully to observe what was, by the pen of inspiration, addressed to him, " use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thine often infirmities." The calculations which have been made by the Temperance Societies of the sums expended on liquors are not more just, than surprising and fearful. The saving which will amount, by abstinence, in the course of a year, even to the moderate drinker, is indeed very great. And we verily believe that had men, in this country, been all under the influence of the abstinence principle, the heavy commercial distress which has recently been felt, would never have occurred. We have heard it said of one man in the country, and he not what could be called a drunkard, that he himself, from his own shewing, had purchased, in the course of his career, and for his own house consumption, as much wine as would float one of the largest war ships! Think of this. Monghir, Feb. 1835. L. III.-Bengálí Proverbs, translated and illustrated. To the Editors of the Calcutta Christian Observer. GENTLEMEN, Accompanying is a small collection of Bengálí proverbs, which I have made since the publication of the tates °d (re. viewed in your pages in the No. for March, 1834), and now offer to your acceptance for insertion in your valuable periodical. It, I conceive, may be, on the whole, the best medium through which to present them to all who are interested in the details of the native character and habits, and especially to the Missionaries of the various denominations, to whom I am supported, by your expressed opinion in the review referred to, in believing this species of collection may prove of considerable service. These proverbial passages are of incessant occurrence in native speech and composition. Many of such as I have brought together are of universal notoriety; others more or less confined in usage to certain localities. Some may probably admit of applications that I have not mentioned, either because readily inferrible from the one assigned, or because they were unknown to me; and probably, too, some errors have mingled with what is yet, I trust, on the whole as accurate as this species of compilation could well be expected to be rendered. Proverbs are sententious, and consequently always more or less obscure or ambiguous; and though I can safely assert there has been no deficiency of effort to avoid error, I must, doubtless, expect to be proved not always exempt from it; মনিনাঞ্চ মতিভ্রম । "Even the sacred sages are liable to mistakes and misconceptions;" and if the observation of all ages has corroborated the A A truth of the Sanskrit aphorism, how shall any inferior intellect or diligence presume to have attained perfection! Your obedient Servant, Howrah, 10th March, 1835. W. MORTON. Bengáli Proverbs, intended as a sequel to the volume reviewed in the Number of the Calcutta Christian Observer, for March 1834, and furnished by the same author. 1. পেটে খাইলে পিঠে সয় | When the stomach is fed, the back will bear. This proverb is spoken to excuse the endurance of indignity for gain, or to justify toilsome labours for necessary support. 2. হাটের মাঝে ব্রহ্মজ্ঞান । What, talk of Divine knowledge in open market! A dissuasion from the injudicious introduction of religious topics, or the offering of advice at unfavourable seasons, and when the minds of men are utterly indisposed to listen to it. 3. ভেড়ার গোয়ালে বাছুর মড়ল । or আদাড় বনে শিয়াল বাঘ । A calf may be chief in a pen of sheep. So-The jackal may be tiger in a ginger grove. Both proverbs are a sneer upon an insignificant or incompetent person, boasting among inferior people, dependants, or those to whom he is a stranger, of his eminence or ability. 4. স্বর্গে গেলে ও ঢেঁকির ধানভানা ঘুচে না । Though one should rise to heaven, the pounding of corn would not cease. Said by or in reference to persons who cannot hope to escape from toil and trouble by any change of place or situation; they are inevitable. 5. চাষা জানে কি মদের স্বাদ। Knows the clown the taste of wine? An answer to a pert ignoramus, to one who reviles or depreciates what he understands not. 6. ভেঙ জানে কি আদার স্বাদ | Does the frog know the taste of ginger? গাদা জানে কি মধুস্বাদ । Does the ass relish the savour of honey? Both used in the same application as No. 5. 7. অনুমানাধীন ঈশ্বরজ্ঞান । The persuasion of a God is a matter of inference. A reproof of one who refuses to believe, on rational grounds, what he has not himself seen-who rejects the reasonable evidence of honest testimony or legitimate argument. 8. ধান চাউল নাই আড়ি ভাগর ৷ A huge basket without either paddy or rice (to put in it). In ridicule of useless and disproportionate preparatives; or of "much ado about nothing." 9. পুণ্যবানের পাসকুড়ও ভাল । Even the ash-heap of a good man is a choice spot. Uttered in justification of continuing in a reputable service without much apparent inducement of gain or other worldly advantage. 10. নাচে ভাল পাক দেয় মন্দ | She moves her steps well in the dance, but turns ungracefully. A phrase used in finding fault with operations, &c., which are defective in some particular or other. 11. মুৰ্খ পণ্ডিত বিবাদে দড়। A fool is obstinate in dispute with a wise man. A reflection on a self-conceited and pertinacious ignoramus. 12. ভালকের হাতে খন্তা ৷ Put a spade in a bear's paw! A sarcastic reflection on an incompetent person promoted to an office of importance, or one requiring ability and skill. 13. কুকুরের লেজে ধরে নদী পার । He lays hold of a dog's tail to cross the river! Said of one who scruples not to use the aid of the ignoble, or employ mean expedients to effect his object or advance his interest. 14. চড়কে রাম নাম ৷ This is like bawling out Rám at the Charak. (i. e. calling aloud on the name of a friend, lost in the crowd at the swinging festival, where one has no chance of being heard for the hubbub.) Said of vain attempts to discourse amidst a tumult. 15. ছেঁচড় লোকের আঁচড় বড়। A shabby fellow gives a severe scratch: (Being ever-ready with his fist or his tongue). Said of or to a low person who occasions much trouble or vexation. 16. বিড়াল সন্যাসী । The cat's turned saint, (or devotee). A sarcastic reflection on hypocritical devotion or interested pretences to religion, in order to make a gain of godliness; like the cat who feigned abstinence from mouse-flesh, only to lay the fears of her timorous prey to sleep, the more readily to devour it. 17. উচিত কথায় বন্ধ বেগড়ে । The friend is marred by fit-speaking. A lament over the effect of good counsel or just repro of, in depriving the adviser of the affection of his former friend, to whom it is unpalatable, the more so because needful. 18. চড়কে হাসি । 'Tis laughter on the Charak swing; (On which the devotee, suspended by a hook passed into the flesh of his back, is whirled round as an act of religious penance or merit). Said when external expressions of joy are used to disguise inward grief, vexation, or disappointment. 19. না উঠতে এক কাঁদি । Having the bunch of fruit without mounting the tree ! Alluding to the anticipation of gains without counting the cost, or "reckoning the chickens before they are hatched;" also applied to unexpected good luck, or gain unsought and untravailed for. 20. শ্মশান বৈরাগী । A grave-yard penitent! Referring to one who has been brought by misfortune, or the apprehension of death, to a momentary wisdom, as speedily forgotten when his alarm subsides or the pressure is removed. 21. বাঘে ছুঁতে আটার যা Look for eighteen wounds if you touch a tiger! Meaning that one has suffered, or may expect to suffer much in a difficult or hazardous undertaking. 22. মিছরীর টুকরাও ভাল । The least crumb of sugar-candy is sweet. Intending that small benefits and advantages enjoyed, or the least gifts and favours bestowed, are valuable and not to be despised. 23. মাসের উপাসী কি পারণা সহিতে পারে না । Aye! he who has fasted a month, wont admit the feast at its close! Spoken of one long accustomed to trouble, disappointment, or self-denial, ̧ to intimate the eagerness with which he hails a respite or enjoyment. 24. উল্কীর কালি কি ধুলে যায়। Will tattooed marks disappear with washing? Applied to an indelible disgrace, which is in vain attempted to be effaced by any subsequent efforts. 25. সাপের ঘরে কি বেঙ্গের বাসা । Will the frog take refuge in the serpent's hole? An excuse for declining to put one's self in another's power. But also the speech of the powerful and angry to the weak dependant, who, dissatisfied with his services, attempts to defraud or injure him, and so provokes a resentment that must, as is implied, be fatal. 26. ঘাড়ে পড়ে বাজালে সিদ্ধ। The instrument suspended from the neck is only proved when played upon. Meaning that exertions must not be intermitted, while any thing yet remains to be done necessary to the completion of the end in view; that nothing, in short, should be considered as effected, till the contemplated result be fully accomplished; as an instrument is useless till touched by the hand of the musician. 27. চোরা চায় ইদ পরব। or চোরা চায় ভাঙ্গা বেড়া । Thieves watch for a feast or a holiday, or-The thief looks out for a broken fence. Applied to evil-minded persons on the watch for opportunities of mischief, 28. বসিতে পায় না শুতে চায় । Where one may not sit down he fain would sleep! In rebuke of exorbitant desires and large expectations, where even much lower ones have already been reproved or disappointed. 29. এক গাছের ছাল অন্য গাছে লাগে না । The bark stript off one tree will never stick to another. A dissuasion from vain attempts to reconcile impossibilities, or to effect unnatural coalitions, &c. 30. খলের প্রীতি জলের রেখা। The love of the insincere is like lines drawn on water. Shewing how vain it is to look for lasting friendship or attachment from the selfish or the hypocritical. 31. সাপের পোঁদে খোঁচা । 'Tis pricking the serpent's tail! Said when a powerful or malicious person is provoked by one, to whom his resentment must be fatal. 32. পচা পোঁদে ৰিন্ধু তৈল । A gentle emollient to a running sore! A sneering reflexion on a poor and mean person aping the great and wealthy, and so occasioning only ridicule and mischief to himself. The oil in question is an expensive preparation, inapplicable to an inveterate sore, though useful in its earlier stage; so what suits one, ill fits another. 33. সন্ধ্যা নাই আহ্নিক নাই দিগম্বর হালদার । A Digambar Háldár' without either prayers or ritual services! A sarcastic reproof of one who neglects his proper duties; or of sanctified professions unsupported by corresponding conduct. The hypocrite and he who abandons his proper character, are alike to be disregarded, how ever high their titles or eminent their professions. N. B.-A Digambar is a naked Sanyási or mendicant devotee. Háldár is a title of respectable family. 34. ঘরে আছে নানা নিধি। খাতে দেয় না দারুণ বিধি। There is much wealth in the house, but afflictive Providence forbids the enjoyment of it. Uttered when grief, sickness, or other providential calamity takes away, amid abundant means, the power of enjoyment. 35. হাতে দৈ মুখে থৈ । তবু বলে কৈ কৈ ৷৷ Where is it? where is it ? says he, with the curd in his hand, and parched rice on his lip. e. i. the marks of the stolen food. Spoken when an act is stoutly denied, of which the proof is yet manifestly clear. 36. তাড়াই নাই তোর উঠন চষি। I don't drive you out, but I'll plough up your court-yard! A sarcastic reference to one who, amid protestations of inoffensiveness and good intention, does you actual mischief, or who indirectly effects what he abstains from openly attempting. |