NATIVE LITERATURE, OR Proverbs, Tales, Fables and Historical TO WHICH IS ADDED A TRANSLATION IN ENGLISH. BY J. F. SCHÖN, D.D., F.R.G.S., CHURCH MISSIONARY. SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. THE orthography in the present work differs in several particulars from that adopted in previous publications. Years of observation, and much correspondence with Herrn G.. A. Krause, while the latter was residing in Tripoli, surrounded by Hausa people of every province, have convinced me of the necessity of introducing changes to bring it in harmony with the system proposed by Professor Dr. Lepsius in his second edition of the "Standard Alphabet" (London, 1863). I am well aware that objections will be made to the introduction of a new system, because it is new; but no objections will have any weight with me on that score. We aim at perfection, which time alone can bring. Other writers of previously unwritten languages, though professing to have adopted Lepsius' system, will find the same necessity in the course of time of introducing changes, in order to bring their works more in harmony with the standard. Many profess to have adopted the system, |