Published in 1812, this study of Malay in its written form was begun during William Marsden's service with the East India Company in Sumatra (1771-9). He continued his textual work in England upon his return, thus putting his practical knowledge into a solid scholarly frame. An expert in Asian languages and an outstanding Malay scholar in the English-speaking world, Marsden (1754-1836) was a fellow of the Royal Society from 1783 and later its vice-president...