FOR TRANSLATING AND PUBUSHING WORKS, ETC

the light which she at first jmparted, yet we are indebted lo the Mahommedan courts of Cordova , Granada, and Seville , for its restoration , as it is to them that Europe owes the rudiments of many of her now highly cultivated arts and sciences.

7. From Asiatic works on the Mathematics and Medicine perhaps much light is not now to be expected. To trace the progréss of these sciences, however, under the Caliphat, when science had declined among the Greeks , cannot be uninteresting to the philosopher. And as many of the most celebrated of the Greek authors were translated into Arabie, under the patronage of the court of Bagdad , it is not improbable that some long-lost Greek works may be discovered in an Arabian dress, as was the case with the treatise on Conic Sections by Apollonius Pergaeus brought to Europe by Golius, and translated by Halley.

8. From the mercantile pursuits of the Arabs, foreign countries were explored , and commercial establishments formed by them , at an early period of their history ; and it is anticipated that accounts of their travels may be discovered, not less interesting than those of Ibn Batuta, noticed by Mr. Burckhardt, and of which some specimens hâve been published by Kosegarten and Ajjetz , or of the two Mohammedans who visited India and China in the ninth century, translated and published by the learned Renaudot.

9. But while the literature of the East in general is highly worthy of our notice, that of British India has an especial claim to our, regard. The possession of a more intimate acquaintance with the History, Geography, Statistics, Laws, and Usages of that portion of our empire, must be productive of good both to the governors and the govemed ; and to procure means for obtaining information on these subjects is one of the principal designs of this Prospectus.

10. The object proposed is, topublish, free of expense to the Authors, translations of the whole or parts of such works in the Oriental languages as the Oriental Translation Committee shall approve. These translations are generally to be accompanied by the original texts printed separately , and such illustrations aé 'may be considered necessary. By the publication of , the original text it is intended to multiply copies of such works as are scarce , and to furnish students at a modçrate expense with correct copies of the best Asiatic works , to which they might not otherwise hâve access.

11. It is not intended to confine thé operations of the committee to works in the Arabie, Persian, and Syriac languages ; it is their intention to translate and publish standard and mteres-

APPENDICE, A. PnOSPECTCS OF A PLAN

ting works in Sanscrit , Chinesc , Pâli, Cingalese, and Burinese : in thc languages of Thibet , Tartary , and Turkey ; in the Malayan, and other dialects of the Eastern Archipelago; and in the numerous dialects- of Hindustan, and the Southern peninsuta of India.

12. lt cannot be expected that the publication of Oriental texts and translations can be effected to any considérable extent, by the efforts of individuels, for none but a public body can command the funds , or furnish the literary means necessary for such an undertaking. The Royal Asiatic Society of (ïreat Britain and Ireland, which was instituted for the advanceinent of Oriental littérature , is the only Institution in this country to which the public can look with any prospect of success for the accomplishment of such a project : and the Council of that Society hâve expressed their willingness to co-operate in the execution of the plan which it is the object of this prospectus to make known. They hâve subscribed largely from their funds; hâve recommended a Committee , consisting of individuels well known for their zeal and attainments in Eastern literature, to superintend the editing, translating, and printing of the works that are to be published; and hâve granted the use of their house for the transaction of the business of the committee : — thus affording the best proofs of their readiness to proinote the proposed object, and the strongest guarantee to the public, that such works as may be recommended for publication will be executed in a manner that will render them worthy of the patronage that is now solicited.

13. For thc purpose of directing the attention of Scholars to the literature of thc East, and encouraging translations, the Oriental Translation Committee will give annually, for such works or portions of works as they consider deserving of distinction, four rewards. in money, in sums of from L. S. 50 to L. S. 100 each, and four gold medals of the value of fifteen guineas each, inscribed with the names of the individuals to whom they are presented. Translators whose works are approved, will be entitled to cither description of reward, unless they expressly limit their views to the medals. The rewards or inedals will be conferred at the Annual Meeting : and success on one occasion will not disqualifv'for receiving rewards or medals at future anniversaries. Any Member of the Committee who sends a work for approval, whether with a view to obtaining a reward or medal, or merely to hâve it printed at the Committee’s expense, is to cease to act on the Committee until a decision is given on his work.