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X. Analytical Account of tJie Pancha T antra, illustrated with occasional 

 Translations. By Horace Hayuan Wilson, Esq. M.R.A.S., Secretary 

 to the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 



Read June 5, 1824. 



" As the active world is inferior to the rational soul, so Fiction gives to mankind what History 

 denies, and in some measure satisfies the mind with shadows, when it cannot enjoy the sub- 

 stance." — Loud Bacon. 



What the profound observer, quoted above, pronounced generally of fic- 

 tion, is peculiarly pertinent, when applied to the Hindus. The history of 

 their progress, in the arts of civilized life, is so clouded with mythology, 

 and overcast by time, that our efforts to penetrate the obscurity, have been 

 hitherto of little avail. As the mind, therefore, has little substantial grati- 

 fication to expect, from this branch of intellectual enjoyment, it may be 

 permitted to indulge in the shadows, that are abundantly presented, and 

 dwell with more interest, than the subject would otherwise excite, on the 

 copious materials afforded by the mass of Hindu fable, within its reach. 



The elucidation, which such an inquiry promises to afford of the past 

 manners of the Hindus, before they were metamorphosed, and degraded 

 by the influence of foreign subjugation, constitutes an advantage of more 

 tlian imaginary value. We see what they were, more distinctly, than through 

 the medium of any general description ; and can trust to their own pictures 

 of themselves, more confidently, than to any crude and imperfect exhibi- 

 tions, delineated from present experience, or circumscribed research. In 

 this point of view, therefore, Hindu fable becomes a valuable accession to 

 real knowledge, and serviceably supplies that want of sober history, which 

 all Oriental inquirers have such perpetual occasion to lament. 



It is not only with respect to themselves, however, that the fictions of the 

 Hindus are calculated to add to our stock of knowledge : and the influence, 

 which they have exercised on the state of manners in Europe, will only be 

 duly appreciated, when we shall be better acquainted with the extent of the 

 obligations we owe them. By whatever channel they may have been con- 

 veyed to the West, the Oriental origin of most of the tales, which first 



Vol. I. Y 



