Ixii APPENDIX. 



your invitation is flattering, I will not, however, fail to make every opportunity of keeping awake our cor- 

 respondence, connected with the sciences and polite literature of the Hindus. 



The formation of societies for the promotion of the knowledge of science and literature in general, 

 as well as of arts and manufactures, is beneficial to the country where such bodies are united j but 

 when they link with similar societies, or individuals of talent, in other countries by correspondence, the 

 benefit arising therefrom is universal, especially when those learned men communicate their ideas to one 

 another without regard to nation or religion. 



In this good work the Europeans have far surpassed other nations; and allow mc to express my admi- 

 ration of the plan the Society has adopted for the diffusion of knowledge, by opening a correspondence 

 with the natives of Hindustan, who cannot but feel immeasurable pleasure and gratitude, at the con- 

 viction that their rulers, in common with your Society, are ever watchful to promote the welfare of the 

 ruled, by the dissemination of the knowledge of literature and arts among them. 



As the Report of the Calcutta Agricultural Society, of which I have the honour to be Vice-president, 

 will soon be published, I need not give }'0U an account of the same here. 



Some time ago I published a Bengalee Spelling-book, in imitation of a similar useful work in English, 

 by Mr. Lindlcy Murray, a copy of which, as well as a copy of the first volume of a copious Dictionary, 

 entirely in Sanscrit, compiled by me, on the plan of an encyclopedia, I beg leave to send, and request the 

 Society will have the goodness to give them a place in their library, allowing me at the same time per- 

 mission to transmit the subsequent volumes, with the Preface and Appendix, when issued from the press. 



Having lately had occasion to refer to the Agni Purana, I found a passage therein which convinced me 

 that the division of the day and night into twenty-four hours, from midnight to midnight, by Europeans, 

 is of Sanscrit origin ; and as it may be a point deemed desirable to be known by many English gentlemen, 

 I beg leave to transcribe the original, accompanied with a translation of it. 



" Ghatike dve Muhiirtah syat taistrinsatya diva nise; Cbaturvinsati Bclabhir ahoratram pracha- 

 cshate." 



" Sv'iryodayadi vijneyo Muhurtanam crainah Sada, Paschimad ard*ha ratnidi Horanam vidyate craniah." 



" Two ghaticas make one muhurta, of which thirty make a day and night. Twenty-four belahs are said to 

 constitute a day and night. It is to be remarked that the course of the muhurtas is invariably from sun- 

 rise, and that of the horas from midnight." 



The interpretation of the above two quatrains is this; that thirty muhurtas are equal to a day and 

 night, which two are comprised in twenty-four belas or horas, and that the computation of day and night 

 by thirty muhurtas is from sun-rise to sun-rise, and that by twenty-four belas or horas from midnight to 

 midnight. Hence it appears that the word hour is probably derived from the Sanscrit term bora, espe- 

 cially when the exact correspondence of the latter with the Greek and the Latin hora is considered. 



Wishing you success in your benevolent exertions towards effecting the objects of your interesting 

 Society, I remain, with due respect and regard. Gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 



Radhacant Deb. 



Calcutta, the 20th of May 1827. 



