Lumsden's Arabic Grammar 'forms a complete treatise in itself, since it exhausts the Science of Arabic Inflexion' (Preface). The intended second volume on Arabic syntax was never published.

'Matthew Lumsden (1777-1835), orientalist, was the fifth son of John Lumsden of Cushnie, Aberdeenshire, and a cousin of Sir Harry Burnett Lumsden (1821-96), army general. After education at King's College, Aberdeen, he went to India as assistant professor of Persian and Arabic in the College of Fort William, and in 1808 succeeded to the professorship. In 1812 he was appointed Secretary to the Calcutta Madrasa, and superintended various translations of English works into Persian then in progress. From 1814 until 1817 he had charge of the East India Company's press at Calcutta, and in 1818 he became secretary to the stationery committee.

'Owing to ill health Lumsden left India on leave in March 1820, and travelled with his cousin, Thomas Lumsden, through Persia, Georgia, and Russia to England. An account of this journey was published by Thomas Lumsden in 1822. Lumsden returned to India in 1821. In 1808 he received the degree of LLD from King's College, Aberdeen. He died at Tooting Common, Surrey, on 31 March 1835.' (ODNB).

First edition; [xii], xix, [i], 705, [i]pp., woodcut device in Arabic on title, several leaves folding. Modern half calf, marbled boards, red morocco lettering piece, small repairs to inner margin of title, a very good copy.

Diehl, 80.