OF A

Plan for translatuig and publishing such interesting and valual'le IVnrks on Eastem Fïislory, Science r ami Hclles-Lettres as orr still in MS. in the l.ibrarirs of thc Universities, the British Muséum , and the East-hulia FFouse , and in otlier Collections , in dsi a aiul Africa as wcll as in Europe ; and for providing Eunds to carry t/us abject into execution

i. The extensive and valuable collections of Oriental MSS. wliich are deposited in our public and 'private libraries , bave long attractcd the attention of tlie learned of lliis and otlier countries; and it bas been suggested tbat sonie means , oflering a rcasonablc prospect of success, may be devised, by wbich the public may be put in possession of ail tbat is valuable in Eastcrn literalure, and an opportunity be preseuted for sbcwing tbat tbis country is nol at présent backward in contributing to the advancement of Oriental learning , in rvhich she lias long lielrf the forenaost rank. The intcicsting relations, moreover, in which tbis country stands with tbe East , affurding as lhey do thc best opportunities for carrying such a prnject into effect , and at the saine time proiuising botli to Euglaud and ils Euslern pos-

session* the raost bénéficiai rcsults , may hc mentioned as additional motives for engaging in such an undertaking.

i. The advantages likcly to be derived f-om a more extensive cultivation of Oriental literature in this country raay be considered as applicable to Biblical Criticism , Ecclesiastical and General Hislory , Biography, Belles-Lettres, the Arts and Sciences, and Gcograpby.

3. With reference to Biblical Criticism and Ecclesiastical llistory, we know that oui- Scriptures, partieulary those of the Old Testament, abound in modes of expression, and allusions to custoras , in roany* cases impcrfectly understood in Europe , but still prevailing in the East. That light confessedly derived from the Arabie and other sister dialects of the Hebrew, has been thrown on the text of Scripture by the Rabbinical and other commentators , few witl deny ; yet volumes on Arabie Grammar , Rhetoric, and the more ancien! productions of the Arabian pœts, which approach most ncarly in style and sentiments to some parts of the Hebrew Bible, still lie in MS. in our iibraries, either entirely neglected , or at best accessible to few.

4- In the Syriac language, which approximates Still nearcr than the Arabie to the Hebrew in its form and modes of expression , there are in our Iibraries unpublished Grammars and Dictionaries, and even Commentaries on the Scriptures , written by the Bishops and other learned raembers of the Oriental churches, together with MS. Works of the grcatest value to Divines, on Ecclesiastical History and Divinity, composcd by the fathers of the Syrian and Arabian churches. The collection also of the late Mr. Rieh , now placcd in the British Muscum by the libcrality of l’urliaincnt , contains perhaps the most valuable MSS. of the Syriac Scriptures now in existence ; and it is of the grcatcst importance to Biblical criticism that g collation of them sbould be mode and published.

5. Pcrhaps no peoplo possess more extensive stores of History, Biography, and l’olite Literature, than the Aralis and Pcrsians. The accotait» which their historical and bio-

graphical Works cnntain of their own ami (lie sutTonnding countries, arc neccssnrily the principal sources from whicli information can be olitained 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 furnish the most authentic details on this interesting subject, will always amuse and instruct the general reader, while they furnish matcrials of the greatest importance to the historian. In Polite Literature, and especially in Works of fiction , they hâve perhaps never bcen excelled , and m studying such of their Works in Belles - Lettres as hâve been already printed in any Européen language , regret must bc felt that but few of these books , which are so well calcolated to afiford us pleasure, hâve been translated.

6. Whatever may bc our présent superiority over Asia in the arts and sciences, it cannot be uninteresting to the inquiring mind to recur to the sources from which we derived the first éléments of our knowledge. In this respect Asia must be recognizcd as the elder sister and instructress of Europe ; and altbough the hordes of barbarians , which poured forth like a torrent from hcr north - western régions, effectually extinguished the light which she at first imparted, yet we are indebted to the Mohammedan courts of Cordova , Grenada , and Seville , for its restoration, as it is to them that Europe owes the rudiments of many of hcr now highly cultivated arts and sciences.

7. From Asiatic works on the Mathematics and Medicine perhaps much light is not now to be expectcd. To trace the progress of these sciences , bowever , under the Caliphat, when science had declined among the Greeks, cannot bc 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 bc discovcred in an Arabian dress, as was tbe case with the treatise on Conic Sections by Apollonius Pergaeus brought to Europe by Golius , and translated by Hallcy.

8. Frora the mercantile pursuits of tlic Aralis, fbrcign culmines were explorcd, and commercial establishments formed I > y tliem , at an early period of their history ; and it is nnticipolcd tbat accounts of their travels may bc discovered , not lew interesting tban thosc of lbn Batuta , noticed by Mr. Bnrckhardt, and of whicli some specimens hâve heen pubÜshed by Kosegarten and Apetx, or of the two Mohammcdans who visited India and China in the nioth centnry, translatcd and published by the learned Renaudot.

9. But while the litcraturc of the East in general is highly worthy of our notice , that of British India lias an cspeciul claim to our regard. The possession of a more intimate acipiaintance witli the History , Geography , Statistics , Laws , and Usages of that portion of our Empire , must bc productive of good both to the governors and the govemed ; and to procure meanS for obtaining information on tliese sub- |ecU is one of the principal designs of this Prospectus.

10. The object proposed is, to publish, free of expense to the Authors, translations of the whole or parts of such Works in the Oriental languages as the Oriental Translation Coiumittce shall approve. Tliese translations are generally to 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 muitiply copies of such Works as are scarcc , and to furnisb students at a moderate expense with coirect copies of the best Asiatic Works, to which they might not otherwise hâve access.

11. It is not intended to confine the operations of the Committee to Works in the Arabie, Persian, and Syriac languages ; it is their intention to translate and publisb standard and interesting Works in Sanscrit , Chiaese , Pâli , Cingalese , and Burmese ; in the languages of Tbibel , Tartary , and Turkey ; in the Malayan , and other dialects of the Eastern Archipelago; and in the numerous dialects ofllindustan, and the Southern peninsula of India.

u. It cannot be expected that the publication of Oriental texts and translations can lie eflected to any considérable

estent , by the efforts of individuels , for none but a public body can commaml the funds , or furnish the literary means necessary for such an undertaking. The Royal Asiatic So- ' ciety of Great Britain and Ireland, which was instituted for the advancement of Oriental litcrature, is the only Institution in this country to which the public can look with any prospect of success for the accomplishmcnt 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 ob|eet of this Prospectus to make known. They hâve subscribed largely front their funds ; hâve recommended a Committee, consistiug of individuals weil known for their xeal and attainments in Eastem literature , to superintend the editing , translating , and printing of the tvorks that arc 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 promote the proposed ubject, and the strongest guarantee to the public that such wnrks as may be recommended for publication will be executed in a manner that will render them worthy of the patronage that is now solicited.

i3. For the pnrjiose of directing the attention of Scholars to the literature of the 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 tnoney, in sums of from L. S. 5o to L.S. 100 each , and four gold mcdals of the value of fifteen guineas each , inscribed with the names of the individuals to whorn they are presented. Translators whose Works are approved, will be cntitlcd to either description of ren ard, unless they expressly limit their views to the medals. Tire rewards and medals will be conferred at the Annual Meeting; and success on une occasion will not disqualify for receiviog rewards or medals at future anniversaires. Any Member of the Committee who sends a work for npproval , whether with a view to obtaining a reward or medal , or merely tu bave il printed at the Committce's expense , is tu cease

to act on thc Committee until a decision is given ou his work.

14 . The Oriental Translation Committee now appeal to the liberaiity of tlie public for such pecuniary aid as will enable them to clfect the objects proposed in this Prospectus. The sums contributed will be appropriated exclusivcly to the execution of the plan above detailed , and tbe accoimts will be examined, and a report made annually to the Subscribers of the application of tlie Funds, by an Auditor , who is to be elccted by and from the body of the Subscribers. A report of the progress made in translating and printing during tlie ycar will also bc made to the Subscribers annually, and notices will lie given of such Works as the Coimnittee may intend to print at tlie expense of the Funds contributed by the Subscribers.

■ 5. The terms of subscriplion are, that every individus! or institution subscribing Ten Guineas or upwards annually , will be entitled to one fine-paper copy of every work translatcd , printed , and published by the Committee , witli the name of the individual or institution subscribing printed on the back of the title-page. Individuals or Institutions subscribing Five Guineas annually , will be entitled to auy of the Works published by the Committee to the amount of tlieir subscription, at half the price paid for tbera by Non-suhscribcrs. The remaining copies , a fier a certain number has liccn given to the Translater or Editer lbr présentation , will be disposcd of by the Committee in such a manner as they may consider most conducive to their objects, and to the advancemeut of Oriental literature.

16 . The Committee propose to open communications with tbe Literary Societies, the firitish Governors and Consuls, and learned individuals in Asia and Africa, for the purpoge of procuring scarce and valuable Oriental MSS. They also intend to coinmunicate witb tbe Oriental scholars in tins and other countries , for thc pnrpose of bringing to light texts and translations of valuable Oriental works, which may now lie in MS. in public and privale libraries ; and tlius ,

by every availabte meaiis, to endeavour to préserve what miglit otherwise be irrecoverably lost , and to make known original Works and translations which miglit otherwise never meet the public cyc.

17. TheCommitteeconfidently expect that valuable translations will be obtained from Asia, as tbey fecl assured that many civil and military office rs residing there have bitberto been deterred from translating Oriental Works by their having no opportimity Ibr puhlishing tlie resuit of tlieir laliours in England, As that opportunity is now offered , it is hopcd thaï they will be stimulated by the desire of improvement in the Asiatic languages, and the prospect of acipiiring celebrity in Europe, to make translations and avait themselves of the means of publication preseoted in this Prospectus. For the purpose of obtaining Translations and Subscriptions from Asia, learned men in India, Ceylon, Penang , China, etc. will be inviled to form themselves into Corresponding Committees.

18. The willingness alrcady evineed to further this design , induces the Committcc to entertain the most livcly bopes of success. From the list of distinguished names prefixed and appended to this Prospectus they hâve the grcatest encouragement to proceed , and hnve every reason to expect that the execution of the plan will be materially assisted by the Ilritish llniversities.

ig. It is requested that those individuals who are willing to becoine subscribers to the Oriental Translation Fund will send their names and addresses to the Secretary, Mr. WitLiiM Hl’ttmaïiü , at tlie Mouse of the Royal Asiatic Society, Nr. 14, Grafton Street, Bond Street, London; and that they will inform him where their subscriptions will be paid. Subscriptions will also be received by sueh Houscs of Agency as may be nominated by the Corresponding Committecs in Asia.

CüPY or A LeTTER FROM THF. REV. PrüFESSOR LEE TO SlR

Alexander Jorkitok , Rnt.

London, April 17, 1877.

Bear Sir :

1 now proceed to lay bcfore ypu a more detailed account of what I believe ought to be donc, and what , I think, the Royal A sia tic Society can do, flowards improving the State of Oriental literature in tbis country. But , perbnps , it will be best to State, in the first place, the situation in which wc now arc, and then to proceed to suggest the retnedy. I shall be particulnr on the Arabie and Persic only, because the detail would be too long to do so in every case ; and 1 shall begin with the Arahic. In this department , then , a tolérable grarnmar bas never yet tnade its apj>ea rance in this country. The work of Richardson is mcagre in the ex freine, and better calculated to set the learner ont wrong, ami to keep liiin so, than to benefit him in acquiring the Arabie lan* guage. The admirable works of Colonel Baillie and Mr. Lumsden are unfinished, and likcly to remain so. In this case the learner must hâve recoursc either to the Grammaire Arabe of M. de Sacy , or to one of the grammars puhhshcd in Latin by tlie Catholic missionaries ; in the lattcr of which, however , he will bave the mortification to fiud very gréai defects, and, in some cases, views on the subject quitc forcign to the genius of that Janguage. M. de Sacy bas supplied many of the déficiences, and corrcctcd many of tlie errors

of preceding writoi on Arabie grammar, but vahiablc as bis work is , it leaves somcthing to be de&ired through tiw omission of the piosody , and bis paradigm of tbc verb ducs not quitc agréé with the views of the Arabian grnmmarians. lu the Latin graminar of Guadagnoii , indeed , a prosody is to be found, but this is full of mistakcs, as Clarke bas shewn. If he bave recourse to the work of Mr. Gladwin on this subject, he wiil here find end les s difiiculties. The only work of much value on this subjcct, is the littlc book puklished by Clarke at Oxford , about t5o years ago. But tiiis reqnires the greatest stretch of attention to understand the rides, and of principles nothing is said. Il is surely much to be regret* tcd , that we hâve no good clementaiy work of this kind in English: and still more so to find that there is not the least prospect of having onc , until some step be taken , either by the Royal Asiatic Society, or some other body capable of bea» ring the expenses incident to such an undertaking.

In the ncxt place, wliat hâve we in lexicography ? If we cxcept the loxicons of Golius and Castell , we hâve nothing we can recommend as a général dictionary. Wilmet, indeed , bas compiled a very nscful work for a few pnrticular book s : but then that work is scarce , not to insist on its uselessness in a general way. But this objection will go in a great degree against the Icxicons of Golius, Castell , the Kamoos , and the Soorah * for in these we find scarcely one of the terms of art , without whicli hardly a single book in Arabie eau he made oui. Werc it nceessary here lo go into the detail, I could shew, that scarcely a translator is to be named, from Pococke down to the présent day , who has not had his labor grcatly increased through the omission of tcchnical terms in thosc dictiouaries. This remark exfend* to every science, to works on iheology, and even to the commoncst expressions in use among the Arahians. Again , let a man take any book of poetry, or of proverbial expressions, such as the work of Meidani , and try his liand with any of the dictionarics just mentioned. 1 hâve no doubt hc will make oui a sensej but, very iikely , a sense quite

different from tliat intendcd by the author. If Meninski is substitutcd for these lexicographe» , thcn 1 believe he would i'md himself intïnitcly more bewildcred. Ilere we hâve nothing to point out the construction of the verbs, the several conjugations in which they are found, or the senses thcy bear in these conjugations. Many of the words are erroneously explained : and in every case we hâve a ,,rudis indigestaque ,, moles. “ Dr. Wilkins's édition of Richardson's I’ersiau and Arabie dictionary is a very great improvement of tliat work, but 1 venture to suggest it would be best to hâve separate dictionaries of each. Tliat few should be found to understand the Arabie and Persic, with helps like these, is certainly not to be wondered at ; the wonder is, how any thing has been made out. The French and German literati bave felt this in ail its weight, and hâve very propeiiy betaken themselves to the scholiasts and vocabularies containing the ternis of art , and to the native grammarians and commentators on grammar, and hence hâve found, what they could find no* where else, their progress to be solid and dclightful.

In the next place, what can we be said to know of Oriental history, I mean Arabie and Persian , if we except the Works of Pococke, Reiske and a few others? In the Persian , not so much as one historian has yet been printed or translated : and yet our libraries abound with the most valuable works, reserved only for worms’ - méat, or to go back into their native élément the dust ! The historiés of Persia , its dynasties and wars , of Hindustan, of Tartary , and other adjacent countrics , are shewn in our libraries , just as „our rarer monsters are,“ mcrely to excite the surprise of the ignorant.

Then , of Arabian and Persian poetry, and the belles lettres, how much do we know? We hâve, indecd , a few élégant exlracts printed at Calcutta, for which the Honorable East-India Company deserves the thanks of the country, but how arc they to be made out? Will any one attempt to make out the Deewan of Motanabbi, or of Khdjah Hiifiz, with the assistance of the dictionaries of Golius, etc.? If he docs, 1 will

only say, be will attcmpt to do tbat, in which no one ever y et did or ever shall, succeed ; and of tliis, aller a short trial, l tbink lie will be perfectly convinced. If lie mcans to do any thing likely to satisfy liimself, or to bcnefit mankind, he must recur to thc native commentaries , or ^ which is nearly tlie

saine thing , he must hâve a learned native at bis elbow.

But suppose an individual bardy enough to get throngh ail thèse difficultés, and to publish tbe resuit of his labors for tlie bcnefit of others ; suppose bina to bave labored for years, to translate some valuable and interestîng work , and then suppose hira to print it for the bcnefit of mankind : what must now be his mortification to find, that he can perliaps sell six copies ; and that he must labor for years to pay the debts he has contractcd in printing and publisliing his book? If a man will sup|>ose this, he will suppose notbing more than has more than once taken place, and which will per-

haps induce him to believe, that few individuels will ever

fhink of laboring to bis extent , and fewer still of giving to the world the resuit of lheir labors.

What has here been slated with référencé to Arabian and Persian lilerature few will perliaps nndertake to deny ; and if so, when we consider our connections with tbe East, partial lary in a mercantile point of view , 1 tliink ail must be convinced , that therc exists a necessity , that something sliould be done on a more liberal scale than has hithertu liecn altcmptcd.

Lkttkr tq tbe Honorable Coi. ht of Directors or tiie Honorable East- India Company.

Honorable Sir s,

2 had , six years ago , tbe bonor of presenting you witl» «* copy of my édition of tbe celehrated lodian philosophical poem, entitled iihagavad - Gîta , the first Look cver printed oo the continent of Europe in tbe Sanscrit languagc and in tbe original Dëvanugari charactcr.

Tbe first Volume of my édition of tbe Râmayana, the rnost ancien t epic poem of India, lias just becn published , and I havo charged my bookseller to transmit to you tbe ntitnher of copies , for uhicli 1 was honored with your subseription. 1 hâve, in a Prospectus, priulcd in London , and in tbe Latin préfacé préfixée! to tbe first volume of tbe lext , show n tbe importance of tbis work , and the extensive resca relies it in volves.

I rejoice at baving tbe présent fresb opportiinity of testifying my respect for your honorable body by olïcring you a Gopy of my édition of tbe llitôpadcsa , an ingénions collection of fables and moral sentences, wliicli lias served as a class - l>ook in tbe colleges both of Fort William and Hayleybury , and is , indeed , emineiitlv adapted to tliat purpose, when the teacbei lias a correct édition to assisl birn.

Silice tbe begiuning of tbis century encouragement» bave

been graoted , partly by your Honorable Court , and partir by the govcmmeut at Calcutta , lo tbe study of the Sanscrit languagc, in ordcr to form civil as well as military servants ol the Company , who, bv having acquired a knowledge ol' the vcrnacular Indien dialects , might no longer be l'cduced lo dépend on the aid of native interpreters. What originally was intended for a particular object only, has turiicd to the prolit of science. Several learned Englishmen in India , and , mure reccntly , sonie among the scholars of France and Gcrmany , attractcd solely by the historical and philosophical inlcrest of the subject , hâve devoted tliemselves to the study of Sanscrit literature ; and you cannot but contcinpl.de with satisfaction , hoir your intentions have been secondetl by an uuion of talent and érudition , inde|>cndcot of your own immédiate influence.

Much still remains to be donc. The elementary liooks, particularly the Dictionary, stand greatly in need of impruvenient, which can be prepared only by the publication of a greater uuinber of Sanscrit books , edited according to tlie principles of Sound criticism , and accompauicd with such aids as are requisite for lheir being thoroughly understood.

Those , who would deny that the study of Sanscrit is uscful for young Englishmen , destiued for auy brandi of the public service in India , would only betray their own ignorance. The Sanscrit languugc is and can never cease to be , the Lcy to the aucient It^islation and religion , to the man- 11ers and cuslums of India. The modem provincial languages, which are inostly derived froiu that source, ofler indeed only few diflicuities in their structure. It is, however, impossible to acquire them to any degrce of perfection , witliout having prcviously been imbued with the national gcnius , which is indelibly impressed on the parent longue , une of the most admirable productions of huinan intellect.

l’roud of the approbation of a niagnaniuious sovereign , and cncouraged by a Government friendly to the promotion of letters, I ofler you lhese reflections, and the results of my labors , only froin a wish of cipressing publicly my

high sense of what you and your predecessors bave donc fur tbe advaneemcnt of science.

I bave tbe honor to bc witb the greatest respect , Honorable Sirs ,

Your obedient humble servant

A. W. ScHLEGEL.

Tu I’ROFESSOR SchLEGEI. , ETC.

Sir,

East India House tbe 1 1 . February i8ào.

I am commanded by tbe Court of Directors of tbe East India Company to return to you their best acknowledgemenls for tbe Copy that you bave bcen so obliging as to présent to them of tbe fàrst part of your édition of the Hitopadesa, to which they bave gi'eat satisfaction in assigning a place in tbe Company ’s library , and I am to request that the Court may be furnished witb ten copies of tbis édition when complété.

Witb regard to the favorable opinion whicb you express of tbe adaptation of a correct édition of this Work as a Class Book in the East India College , I am directed to acquaint you , that the Court hâve already acted upon a similar impression , having caused a large mimbcr of copies to bc printed especially for that purpose, many of whicb stiii remain.

I bave the honor to be ,

Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant P. Auber.