may be considered buried. I had nearly completed the work when a translation by Mr T. P. Manuel came to my notice. That version was published at Calcutta in 1860, and is not very generally known. It gives a very fair idea of the work, but the translation is not sufficiently close to answer the purpose for which this work is intended. I am told there is another translation, published in India, by a Muhammadan gentleman, but I have not met with it.

The original Arabic work has been translated into German by Professor Dieterici of Berlin. Our Hindustani translator, in his Preface, tells us something of the great. work from which it is derived. It is a kind of Encyclopædia of considerable extent. Notices of the work have been published by Professor Flügel in vol. xiii., and by Professor Dieterici in vols. xv. and xviii. of the Zeitschrift des Deutschen Morgenlandische Gesellschaft.

The present translation has been made from the excellent edition of the Text published by Drs Forbes and Rieu, and the chapters and paragraphs follow the arrangement there observed.

The style of the Hindustani translation is considered very pure and elegant, and the language is generally clear and perspicuous, but it contains a very large proportion of Arabic words. The nature of the subject rendered the introduction of many Arabic scientific terms a matter of necessity, but still these foreign words are often employed when pure vernacular words might have been used with advantage. however, is the general fault of these translations.

This,

III. ON THE VARIETIES OF FORMS AND FIGURES,

15

IV. COMPLAINTS OF THE ANIMALS,

V. ACCOUNT OF THE HORSE,

VI. CONSULTATION OF THE KING WITH HIS MINISTER,

VII. DISSENSIONS BETWEEN THE MEN AND JINS,

VIII. CONSULTATION OF THE MEN,

IX. CONSULTATION OF THE ANIMALS,

X. THE FIRST MESSENGER,

XI. DELINEATION OF A MESSENGER,

XII. THE SECOND MESSENGER,

XIII. THE THIRD MESSENGER,

XIV. THE FOURTH MESSENGER,

XV. THE FIFTH MESSENGER,

XX. ACCOUNT OF THE DRAGON AND SEA-SERPENT,

ORIGINAL PREFACE.

IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MOST MERCIFUL.

INFINITE praise is due to the Self-existent, who, not

withstanding the identity of matter, bestowed various figures on all possible bodies, and, having distributed the human race in genera and species, gave to each one distinct powers. Thanks without bounds are owing to that Creator, who brought the human species from the secret store-house of nonentity into the expanse of existence, and gave to it the distinction of superiority over all creatures. Having adorned the race of man with the jewel of speech, He clothed it with the garment of knowledge. What ability does poor feeble man possess to express his gratitude for these blessings, and what power is there in the broken pen to discharge this obligation in writing?

COUPLETS.

Ah! how shall we perform His praise when the tongues of the prophets have proved deficient? Here all men who appreciate the banquet of His genius exclaim only-" Who can know Thee?" Where has this poor mortal obtained the

intelligence to approach Thee as he ought? Still man has sufficient power to surround Him with praise.

Blessings unbounded are due to the Chief of Messengers, the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad the Pure, who having brought sinners out from the valley of perdition, has led them to a place of rest in the road of salvation. Through this we have received the distinction over all nations, in accordance with the gracious text, " Ye are the best people.” 1

Muhammad is the chief of the universe.

is the guide of man and of life.

Muhammad

He it is who makes intercession for sinners. He is our defender in the day of judgment.

Blessings and peace be on his posterity and on his companions, through whom the religion of Islám obtained strength, and by whom the road of salvation has been shown

to us.

After this (exordium), that most humble of individuals, Ikrám 'Alí, represents that, in obedience to the kind suggestion of that renowned gentleman, of high dignity and great authority, excelling all the doctors of the time in learning, and in wisdom surpassing the intelligence of the eleven (imâms), Mr Abraham Lockett (may his prosperity continue!)—and upon the invitation of his brother and teacher, Mawlawí Turáb ’Alí (may his shadow endure !)—he, Ikrám 'Alí, came to Calcutta, and under the guidance of fortune, after receiving much consideration, he was so highly favoured and patronised that the aforenamed gentleman (Mr Lockett), in the kindness natural to him, caused the writer to be ap1 Kurán, Súrat iii. v. 106.