OF A

Plan for translatmg and puhlishing such intcretting and valuaJble ^Vorks on Easb-rn Hislory, Science, and BeUes-Letlres as are still in lUS, in the Libraries of thc Universities, thr British Muséum , and the Kast-India House , cuid in olher Collections, in Asia and Africa as well as in Europe; and for providing Fonds to carry this ohject into execution

«. Tue extensive and valuable collections of Oiiental MSS. «vliicii are deposited in our [iiiblic and privale lll.iuries , bave long attracted tlie atteiilioii of Ibe learned of ibis and otber couiitries; and it bas been siigj’cstcd tbat soiiie mrans, otl'cring a reasonable iiiospeel of siiccess, niay be devisrd, by xvbich tbe public may be put in possession of ail tbat is valuable in Easterii litciMtiire, and an oppuitunity be presented for sbcwiiig tbat tbis country is not al présent backward in contributiug lo tbe advancement of Oriental Icarning, in «bicb sbe bas long beld the foremost rank. Tbe inteiesting relations, inorcovcr, in xvhicb tbis country stands with tbe East, aifording as lliey do Ibe besi opportunities for carryiiig sucb a project into elfect , and al thc saine lime piuniising both In Englaiid and ils Easlcrii pos-

sessions the most bénéficiai results , may he racntioned as additional motives /or engaging in such an undertaking.

a. The advantages likely to be derived from a more extensive cultivation of Oriental llterature in this country mny be considered as applicable to Biblical Criticism , Eccle* sinstical and General History, Biograpliy, Belles- Lettres , the Arts and Sciences, and Gcograpby.

3* With refcrence to Biblical Criticism and Ecclcsiastical Ilistory, we know that our Scripturcs, pai*tlculary those of the Old Testament , abound in modes of expression , and al> lusions to customs , in many cases imperièctly understood in Europe , but still prevailing in the East. That light confessedly derived from the Arabie and olher sister dialecte of the Ilcbrew, has been thrown on the text of Scripture by the Rabbinical and other commentators , few will deny; yet volumes on Arabie Grammar, Rhetoric, and the more ancient productions of the Arabian poets , which approach most nearly in style and sentiments to some parts of the llebrew Bible, still lie in MS. in our librarics, either entirely neglected , or at best accessible to few.

4 . In the Syriac language, which approximates still nearer than the Arabie to the Ilcbrew in its form and modes of expression , thçre are in our librarics unpublishetl Gramroars and Dictionaries, and even Commcntnrics on the Scriptures , written by the Bishops and other lenrnetl mombers of the Oriental chui'ches, togelher with MS. works oflbegreatest value to Divines, on Ecclesiastical Ilistory and Divinity, coiiiposed by the fathers of tlie Syrian and Arabian chnrches. The colleclion also of the late Mr. Rudi , now placcd in the British Muséum by the lil>eraiity of Parliament, contains perbaps the most valuablc MSS. of the Syriac Scripturcs now in existence ; and it is of the grcatest importance to Biblical criticism that a collation of them should be made and published.

5. Perhaps no people possess more extensive stores of Ilistory, Biography , and Polite Lileraliire , than the Arabs and Persians. The acrounls whieb ihcir bistorical and bio-

graptiical worls contain of their owd and the suirounding countries , are necessarily the principal sources froin which information can bc obtained relative to the history of those régions, and of the extraordinary persons to whom they hâve given birth. Their historiés of the Crusades in particular , which fumish the most authentic details on this iiiteresling subject, will always amuse and instruct the general reader, while they furnish materials of Üie greatest importance to the historian. In Polite Literature , and especially in Works of fiction , they hâve perhaps never beeu excclled , and lu studying such of their Works in Belles - Lettres as hâve bcen aiready printed in any European language , regret must bc felt that but few of tbese books , which are so well calculated to afford us pleasure , hâve been translated.

6. Whatever may be our présent superiority over Atia in the arts and sciences, it cannot be uninteresting to the inqniring mind to rccur to the sources from which we derived the first éléments of our knowledge. In this respect Asia must be recognized as the elder sister and instructress of Europe; and although the hordes of barbarians, which poured furth like a torrent from her north - western régions, effectually extinguished the light which she at first impurted, yet we are indebted to the Mohammedan courts of Cor> dova , Grenada , and Seville , for its restoration, as it is to them that Europe owes the rudiments of many of hcr now highiy cultivated arts and sciences.

7. From Asiatic works on the Mathematics and Medicine perhaps much light is not now to be expocted. To trace the progress of these sciences, however, under the Caliphat, when science had declined among the Grecks, can* not 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 Pergacus brought to Euro[>e by Golius , and translated by Hallcy.

8. Frotn tlie mercantile piirsiiits of tlie Aral>s, foreign coiiDlrics wcrc cxploretl , ami commercial establisliiiienis formerl by llicm, at an early |>cri(>d of thcir histnry ; ami it is anticijKitcil that nccounis of thcir Iravel* may be discovcrc«l , not Icsï intcresling tlian ihosc of Ibn Batuta , noticed by Mr, Ttm-cUiaidt , ami of whicli somc s|iecimcns bave bocn publisbcil by Kosej’aricn and Apetr, or of thc two Molianimcdaii* wbo visited India, and China in ihr ninth centnry, trandalcd and published by thc learne<l Renamiot.

c). Ilnt whilc thc lilcraturc of the East in general ia ' highiy worthy of onr notice , that of Britisli India bas an espccial daim to our regard. The possession of a more iotimate acqnaintancc witli the History, Geography , Statistics , Laws , and Usages of that portion of our Empire, mnst be productive of good both to thc governors and the governed ; and to procure nicans fbr nbtainiug information on these sub> jects is one of the jn-incipal designs of this Prospectus.

10. The objcct propo.sed is, to publish, free of expense to the Authors , translations of the whole or parts of siich Works in the Oriental languages as the Oriental Translation Coromittee shall approve. These translations are generally lo be accompanied by the original texts printed separately , and such illustrations as may be considered necessary. By the publication of the original text it is intended to mullipiy copies of such Works as arc scarce , and to fiimish students at a moderate expense with correct copies of the best Asiatic Works, to whicb they might not otberwise bave aocess.

11. It is not intended to confine the operations of the Committee to Works in tlie Arabie, Persian, and Syriac languages ; it is their intention to translate and publish standard and interesting Works in Sanscrit, Chinese, Pâli, Cingalese, and. Burmesc ; in the languages of Thibet , Tartary , and Turkey ; in thc Malayan , and other dialects of thc Eastem Archipciago f and in the niimerous dialects of Hindustan, and the Southern peninsula of India.

13. It cannot be expected that the pnbliration of Oriental texts and translations can be effeeteil to any considérable

extent, by thc efforts of individuals, for none but a public body can command tlie funds , or furnish thc literary means necessnry for such an undertaking. The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, which was instituted for the advaucement of Orientol literature , is the only Institution iu this country to which thc public can look with ony prospect of success for the accomjdishment 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 n>ake known. They bave subscribed largely from their funds ; hâve recoinmended a Gommittee, consistiiig of individuals well known for their zeal and attainmcnts in Eastem 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 tlic Gommittee : — thus affording the best proofs of their readiness to promote the proposed object , and the strongest guarnntee to the public that such Works as may be recommendcd for publication will be executcd in a inanncr that will render them worthy of the patronage that is now solicited.

i3. For thc purpose of dirccting the attention of Scholars to the literature of the East, and encouraging translations, the Oriental Translation Gommittee will give annually, for such Works or portions of works as they consider deserving of distinction , Ibiir rewards in money , in sums of from L. S. 5o to L S. I oo each , and four gold medals of the value of fificen guineas each , iuscribed with the names of the individuals to whom they are presented. Translalors vrhose works are approved, will be ciititicd lo either description of renard, unless they expressly limit their views to the medals. The rewards and medals will be conferred at the Annual Meeting ; and success on one occasion will not disqualify for recciving rewards or medals al future anniversaries. Any iMeiuber of the Gommittee who sends a work for approval , whether with a view to obtaining a reward or medal , or merelv lo hâve il printed al the Cominitlee's ex[>ensc , is to ceasc

to act on tlie Coraniittce until a itccisiun is given oo bis Work.

■ 4 . The Oriental Translation Committcc now appeal to tlic libcrality oi' the ]iublic for such |>ccuniar}' iiiii as will enablc tbcni to elTect the objects proposée! in this Prospectus. Tlic sums conli'ibuted will bc appropriated excliisivcly to tlie execution of tlie plan above dcbiilcd , and tbc accoiint.s will be examined, and a report made annually to the Subscribers of tlie application of the Funds, by an Aiiditor , who is to be clccted by and from the body of the Subscribers. A report of the pragress made in translating and printing diiring tlie year will also bc mode to tlie Suliscribers annually, and notices will be given of such Works as the Committee niay intend to priât at tlie expense of tbc Funds contributed by tlie Subscrilicrs.

15. The terms of snbscriptioii are, tliat every individual or iustitution subscribiiig Tcn Guincas or upwards annually, will be entitlcd to one fine-paiier copy of every work translated, printed , and jiublislicd by tlie Committee, witli the name of the individuai or institution subscribing priiitcd on tbc back of the title-page. Individuals or Institutions subscribing Five Guineas annually , will be entitled to aoy of tlie Works published by the Committee to the amount of their subscription, at half the price jiaid ior tliem by Non-siibscnbers, The rcmaining copies , nfter a certain number lias been given to the Translater or Editer for présentation , will be disjioscd of by the Committee in such a manner as they may consider most conducive to their objeets, and to the advancement of Oriental literature.

16. The Committee propose to open communications witli the Literary Societics, the ilritish Governors and Consuls, and learned individuals in Asia and Africa, fur tlie purpose of procuring scarce and valuablc Orientai MSS. They also intend to communicate with the Oriental scholars iu this and other countries , for the piirpose of bringing to light > texts and translations of valuable Oriental wnrks, whieh may now lie in MS. in public and private libraries ; and tliiis ,

bj everj available means , to endeavour to prcserve irliat niight ollierwise be irrecoverably lost, and to make knuwn original Works and translations which miglit olhcrwise ne ver meet tlie public eye.

17. The Committee confideutly expect that valuable translations will be obtained front Asia , as they fecl assured that many civil and inilitary officcrs residing therc bave liithcrto been deterred front translating Oriental Works by their liaving no opportunity for publishing tlie resuit of their labours in England. As that opportunity is now offercd , it is hoped thaï they will be stimulated by the desire of iniprovement in the Asiatic languages, and the prospect of acquiring celebrity in Europe , to make translations and avail themselves of the means of publication presented io this Prospectus. For the purpose of obtaining Translations and Subscriptiont irom Asia, learned men in India, Ceylon , Penang , China, etc. will be inviled to form themselves into Correspouding Committees.

18. The willingness aiready evinced to further this design , induces the Committee to entertain the most liveljr hopes of success. From the list of distinguished names pre- (ixcd and appended to this Prospectus they hâve the greatest encouragement to procecd , and hâve every reason to expect that the execution of the plan will be materially assisted by the British Uuiversities.

19. It is rcquested that tliose individuals who are willing to becoine subscribers to the Oriental Translation Fund will send their names and addresses to the Secretary, Mr. William Huttmabh, at the Ilouse of the Royal Asiatic Society, Nr. i 4 , Grafton Street, Bond Street, London; and that they will inform him where their subscriptions will be paid. Subscriptions will aiso bc received by such Houses of Agency as may bc nominated by the Corresponding Committees in Asia.

Coït or * Lkttï» prou tuf. rev. Profemor Lee tü Sir Alexaroku JonniTOR , Krt.

LuiuIod , April 17, 1827.

De.(r Sir :

1 now procccd to lay before vou a more dctailed accoiint of what I belicve ought to he done, and what , I tliink, the Royal Asiatic Socirly can do, lowards Iniproving tlie State of Orientai literatiire in tliis coimiry. But , pcrliaps , it will be best to State, in the first place, the situation in uliich we now are, and then to procecd to snggcst the lerncdy. I sball be particular on the Arabie and Persic only, berause the detail wonid bc too long to do so in every case ; and 1 sball begin wilh the Arabie. In tins department, then, a tolerable grammar bas never yet made its appearance in tins country. The Work of Richardson is mcagrc in the exlreme, and l>ettcr calculatcd to set the luarner ont xvrong, and to keep him so, than to benefit him in acqiiiring tbe Arabie language. Tbe admirable Works of Colonel Baillie and Mr. Liimsden are iinllnished, and likely to remain so. In this case the learner mnst bave recoursc either to the Crainmairv jirabe of ]M. de Sacy , or to one of the grammars piiblished in Latin by tlie Catholic missiouaries ; in the latter of which, however , he will bave the mortincalion to Gnd very great defects, and, in some eases, views on the subject qnite forcign to the genius of that language. M. de Sacy bas supphed many of the déficiences, and corrccted raany of ih’e errors

of preceJing writers on Arable grammar, but vatuable as bis Work, is , it leave.s something to be desired throngli the omission of the prosody , and liis paradigm of the verb does not quite agréé with tlie views of the Arabian grammarians. In the Latin grammar of Gnadagnoli , indeed , a prosody it to be found, but this is fuU of mistakes, as Clarke bas shewn. If he bave recourse to the work of Mr, Gladwin on tliis subjeet, he will here find endlcss di/hculties. The only work of much vainc on this subject, is the little book published by Clarke at Oxford, about i5o years ago. But this reqiiiret the greatest stretch of attention to understand the rides, and of principles nothing is said. It is surely much to be regretted , that we bave no good elementary work of this kind in English : and still more so to find that there is not the leasl prospect of having one, until some step be taken , eitlier by the Boyal Asiatic Society, or some other body capable of bca~ ring the expenses incident to such an undertaking.

In the next place, what hâve we in lexicography ? If we except the lexicons of Golins and Castell , we hâve no* thiog we can recommend as a general dictionary. WiLmet, indeed , has compiled a very useful work for a few particular books : but then that work is scarce , not to insist on its uselessncss in a general way. But this objection will go in a great degree against the lexicons of Golins, Castell , the Kamoos , and the Soorah ; for in these we llod scarceljr one of the terms of art , without which hardly a single l>ook in Arabie can be made ont. Were it necessary here to go into the detail, I could shew, that scarcely a translalor is to be named, from Pococke down to the présent day, who has not had his labor greatly increased throngh the omission of technical terms in those dictionarics. This reraark exfends' to every science, to works on theology, and even to the commonest expressions in n.se among the Arabiams, Again , let a man take any book of poetry, or of proverbial expressions, such as the work of Meidani , and try his iiand with any of the dictionaries just mentioned. I hâve no doubt he will make ont a sensc; but, very likely , a sense quite

different frora tLat intemled by tlie autlior. If Meninski it subslituted for tlicse Icxicographers , theo 1 believe lie would find binisclf infinitely more bewildered. Uere we bave nothing to point out tbe construction of thc verbs, tbe several conjugatioDs in which they are found, or tlie senses tbey bear in these conjugations. Many of tbe words arc erroncously explained : and in every case we bave a ,,rudis indigestaipie ,, moles. “ Dr, VVilkins's édition of Richa^'dson's Persian and Arabie dictionary is a very great improvement of that Work, but I venture to suggest it would bc best to bave separate dictionaries of each. That few shnuld be found to undersiand tbe Arabie and Persic, witb helps like these , is certainly DOt to be wondered at ; tbe wonder is, how any tliing bas bcen made out. The Frencb and German literali bave felt this in ail its weight, and bave very properly betaken themselves to tlie scboliasls and vocabiilaries conlaining tbe terms of art , and to thc native grammarians and commentators on grammar, and hence bave found, wbat they could find nowbere eise, their progress to bc solid and deligbtful.

In thc next place, wbat can we be said to know of Oriental history, I mean Arabie and Persian , if we except tbe Works of Pococke , Reiske and a few others ? In tbe Persian , not so much as one bistorian bas yet bcen printed or translated : and yct our libraries abound witb tbe most valuable Works, reserved only for worms'-meat, or to go back into tbeir native élément tbe dust I The historiés of Persia , its dynasties and wars , of Hindustan, of Tartary , and other adjacent couutries , are sbewn in our libraries, just as „our rarer munsters are,“ merely to excite tbe surprise of tbe ignorant.

Tbcn , of Arabian and Persian poetry , and tbe belleslettres, bow mucb do we know? We bave, indeed , a few élégant cxtracts printed at Calcutta, for wbicb tbe Honorable East-lndia Company deserves tbe thanks of tbe coiintry, but how are tbey to be made out? W'ill any one attempt to makc out tbe Deewau of Motanabbi, or of Kliâjah Hiifiz, witlitlie assistance of tbe dictionaries of Golius, etc.? If be dues, 1 will

only say, be will atlempt to do that, in which no one ever yet did or ever shall, sncceed ; and of ihis, after a short trial, I thiiik he will be perfectly convinced.' If he tncans to do any thing likely to satisfy himself, or to bencflt mnnkind, hc raust recur to the native commentaries , or , which is nearly the

same thing , he nuist hâve a learned native at his elbow.

But suppose an individual hardy enongh to get through ail these difhcullies, and to puhlish the resuit of his labors for the hcnefit of others ; snp{X)se him to hâve labored for years, to translate some valuable and interesting work , and then suppose him to print it for the benefit of mankind : what must^ now be his mortification, to find, that he can perhaps sell six copies ; and that he must labor for years to pay the debts he bas contractcd in printing and publishing his book? If a inan will suppose this, he will suppose nothing more than has more than once takcn place, and which will perhaps induce him to believe, that few individuals will ever

think of laboring to his exlent, and fewer slill of giving to the W'orld the rc.sult of iheir labors.

What has here been stated with référencé to Arahian and Persian lilerature few will perhaps undertake to deny ; and if so, when we consider our connections with the £ast, particulary in a mercantile point of view, I think ail must be convinced , that there exists a necessity , that something should be done on a more liberal scale than has hitherto been attemptetl.

LiTTia TO TIE Uo:*OIIEBLS CuL'HT Ur DiIUCTORB OT THE Hokohable Ea>t- Imiia Compabt.

Houobabli Sibs,

I had , six years ogo , lhe tiuiior of presenting you witb ■ copy uf my édition of llie celeliratrd lodiaii philosophical poem , entitled Bliagavud - Cîlû , lhe first book ever printed JD tha continent of Europe in tiie Sanscrit lauguage and in tha original Dêvanâgari cliarauler.

The (irst Volume uf iny édition of thc Uâmnyana, the most ancicnt epic poem of. India, bas just bcen publislied , and I bave cbarged my bookseller to transmit to you tbe Duiiibcr of copies , for i\ liicli I tvas bonored witb your subscription. 1 bave, in a Prospectus, printed in London , and in tbe Latin préfacé prefixed to the first volume of tbe lest , sbown the importance of tins work , and tbe extensive researchcs it in vol vos.

I rejoice at baving tbe présent fresh opportunily of testifying my re.spect for your honorable body by olfering you a Copy of my édition of tbe llitô|iâdêsa , an ingenious collection of fables and moral sentences , wbicb bas served as a class • book in tbe colleges both of Fort William and Haylcybiiry , and is , indeed , eminently adapfed to that purpose , when the teacher bas a correct édition to assist bim.

Since tbe beginning of this century encouragements bave

bec*n grantcd , parlly by your lloiiorabie Court , and partly by t}je güveinmeut at Culculta, to lhe study of tbe Satiscrit Jaiiguagc , in order to form civil as well as rnilitary servants of lhe Company, who, by baving acquired a knowleilge of lhe vcrnacular Indian dialects , mîght no longer be rcdiiccd lo dépend on lhe aid of native interpreters. What originuliy was intended for a particular object only, bas turned lo lhe profit of science. Several learoed Englishmeu in lodia , and, more recenlly , some among the scholars of Fl •unce and Gcrmany , attracted solcly by the bistorical and philosuphical -intcrcst of the subject , bave devoled themselves fo tbe study of Sanscrit literature; and you cannot but contemplate wilb satisfaction , bow your intentions bave been seconded by au union of talent and érudition , indc[>cndcut of your own immédiate influence.

Mucb sliil remains to be doue. The clementary books, pai'ticularly the Dietionary, stand greatly in need of improvement, whicii can be prepared only by the publication of a greuter number of Sanscrit books , edited according to tbe principles of Sound criticism, and accompanied witb such aids as are requisite for tbeir being tboroughly uiidcrslood.

Those, who would deny tbat tbe study of Sanscrit is uscful for young Englisbmen , destincd for any brandi of tbe public service in India , would only betray tbeir own ignorance. Tbe Sanscrit languuge is and can never cease to be , tbe key to the aucient législation and religion , to tbe manners and customs of India. Tbe modem provincial languages, which are mostly derived from that source, olfer indeed only few diillcultics in tbeir structure. It is, bowever, impossible to acquire tiiem to any degree of perfection , with- . out baving prcviously been imbued w'ilb the national genius , which is indelibly impressed on tbe parent longue , one of tbe most admirable productions of buman intellect.

l^roud of tbe approbation of a magnaniroous sovereign , and eneouraged by a Government friendly lo tbe promotion of letters, 1 ofl'cr you tbese rcflcctions, and the résulta of my labors , only from a wish of expressing 1 publicly mj

liigli sense uf wliat you ami yuiir predccesaors hâve donr for tbe advanrement of scicDce.

I bave thc bonor to be witb tbe greatest respect ,

Honorable Sirs ,

Your obedient hambie servant

A . \V. ’ScHLEGEL.

To PaoFKSSOR ScBLEOEL, ETC.

SiB,

East India House tbe II. February i83o.

I am coinmanded by tbe Court of Directors of tbe East India Company to return to you their best acknowledgements for tbe Copy that you bave becn so obliging os to présent to them of tbe (irst part of your édition of tbe Hitopadesa, to which they bave great satisfaction in assigning a place in tbe Company's library , and I am to request that tbe Court may be furnished witb ten copies of tbis édition when complété.

Witb regard to tlie favorable opinion which you express of tbe adaptation of a correct édition of tbis Work as a Class Book in tbe East India College , I am directed to acquaint you, that tbe Court bave already acted upon a similar impression , baving caused a large number of copies to be priutiid especially for tbat purpose, many of which still remain.

I bave tbe bonor to be ,

Sir ,

Your most obedient humble servant P. Auber.