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31 X 653

TO

WARREN HASTINGS, Esq.

Late Governour General of Bengal,

UNDER WHOSE AUSPICES,

AS THE DISTINGUISHED PATRON OF SHANSCRIT
AND PERSIAN LITERATURE,

THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THE ORIENTAL TRANS-
LATIONS HAVE HITHERTO APPEARED.

TO HIM,

AS THE HONOURED PATRON AND FRIEND OF A
BELOVED AND MUCH LAMENTED BROTHER,

IS THIS TRIFLE,

(AS A SINCERE THOUGH HUMBLE TRIBUTE OF ESTEEM AND GRATITUDE)

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PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.

In the extensive plan which is carried on under the direction of the great Governour of the Universe, an attentive observer will frequently perceive the most unexpected ends accomplished by means the most improbable, and events branch outin to effects, which were neither foreseen, nor intended by the agents which produced them. A slight view of the consequences which have hitherto resulted from our intercourse with the East-Indies, will sufficiently evince the truth of this assertion.

The thirst of conquest and the desire of gain, which first drew the attention of the most powerful and enlightened nations of Europe toward the fruitful regions of Hin

dostan, have been the means of opening sources of knowledge and information to the learned and the curious, and have added to the stock of the literary world, treasures, which, if not so substantial, are of a nature more permanent than those which have enriched the commercial.

The many elegant translations from the different Oriental languages, with which the world has been favoured within these last few years, have not failed to attract merited attention; and the curiosity awakened by these productions, concerning the people with whom they originated, has been gratified by the labours of men who have enjoyed the first rank in literary fame.

Still, however, the writers in every branch of Oriental literature have to contend with disadvantages too numerous and too powerful to be easily overcome. The names of the Heroes of Greece and Rome are rendered familiar at a period of life when the mind receives every impression with facility, and tenaciously retains the impressions it re

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