4 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



Rev. S. H. Kellog, D.D., read a paper on " Modern Hindi 

 as related to the ancient Sanskrit and Prakrit." 



In answer to a question from Rev. Prof. McCurdy, as to 

 the amount of Hindi Hterature in existence, Dr. Kellogg 

 said, the amount of Hindi literature in existence is very 

 great. At a meeting of the International Congress of 

 Orientalists held in Vienna, September, 1886, Mr. George 

 Grierson, B.C.S., presented a list of over 900 Hindi authors 

 and their works, which filled more than 2000 MS. pages. 



A large part of this literature is, however, of little intrinsic 

 value, being occupied with mythological poetry in praise of 

 this or that imaginary deity. There is, however, some epic 

 poetry, of which the best known \vork is the " Ramayan of 

 Tulsi Das," written in the 17th centur}^ ; a work, which 

 though not a translation, is based upon the " Ramayan of 

 Valniki." This work is not without literary merit, is very 

 popular, and has the excellence not always found in Hindi 

 mythological literature, of being perfectly clean. A consider- 

 able number of works exist which embody protests against 

 the superstitions and errors of Puranic Hindooism, and are of 

 a strictly ethical and religious character. 



The best example is to be found, probably in the writings 

 of Kabir Das, 15th Century, the founder of one of the 

 numerous sects which flourish in North India. These contain 

 much that is most excellent, and are marked by no small 

 degree of moral earnestness. Their popularity is great, not 

 only among his own professed disciples, but among Hindoos 

 of all classes through the Doab. 



Historical and scientific literature is almost exclusively 

 modern, and has been called forth by the combined influence 

 of Christian Missions and the educational work of the British 

 Government in India. It may be added, that with the ex- 

 ception of the last named class of modern works, the largest 

 part of Hindi literature of every kind is written in verse. 



