From: Wilhelm HI Bleek (20 July 1870)

From: Wilhelm HI Bleek (20 July 1870)

Correspondence

A letter from Wilhelm Bleek to Sir George Grey, sent from Cape Town on 20 July 1870. Bleek writes that the naming of the Alfred Basin docks recalls Grey's contributions to the colony's prosperity. He reports on the South African diamond fields and conversations with geologist Hübner. Bleek discusses his study of the Khasi language and his attempt to establish it as the link between the sex-denoting and so-called monosyllabic languages, and so challenge the prevailing language classification idea that Chinese is the most primitive. He notes that Lepsius and others support his view. Despite this, he prioritises studying the Bushman language and now has an "excellent opportunity" to do so with 28 Bushmen prisoners at the Breakwater. He awaits news of his pension and hopes to hear about Grey's health from Mr Danmar.

20 July 1870

Wilhelm Bleek (letter to Sir George Grey 20 July 1870), George Grey (Sir), Bushman (Wilhelm Bleek' opportunity to study - language at Breakwater), Bushmen (Wilhelm Bleek' opportunity to study 28 at Breakwater), language (Wilhelm Bleek' opportunity to study Bushman - at Breakwater), Breakwater Prison (Wilhelm Bleek' opportunity to study 28 Bushmen and their language at), Bishop of Natal (John Colenso), John Colenso (Bishop of Natal), letter (Wilhelm Bleek's to Sir George Grey 20 July 1870), Alfred Basin (completion), inauguration of July 1870 (naming of docks), pension (Wilhelm Bleek waiting to hear about his), Hübner (geologist)

1. For a short summary of this letter, see Dr OH Spohr's typewritten notes on Wilhelm Bleek's letters to Sir George Grey (C10.19.1-26).