27^ Oriental Literature. [Chap. XIV. 



language, but without success. The Brahmans, 

 either systematically averse to the use of any 

 means for gaining proselytes to their religion and 

 habits, or suspecting tliat some improper use was 

 intended to be made of the information solicited, 

 uniformly refused to instruct any one in their sa- 

 cred books. But, at length, won by the address 

 and persuasion with which the application was 

 presented, and being convinced that no intention 

 hostile to them or their religion was entertained 

 by the applicants, they yielded. Mr. Nathaniel 

 B. Halhed, before mentioned, was the first En- 

 glishman who acquired a knowledge of the Sanscrit, 

 He was soon followed in this interesting acquisi- 

 tion by Mr. Charles Wilkins and sir William 

 Jones, who were not long in giving to the public 

 the fruits of their labours. 



The first translation ever made from the sacred 

 language of the Brahmans into English was hy 

 Mr. Wilkins, and published in 1785. This trans- 

 lation was from the Mahaharat, an epic poem much 

 esteemed among the Hindoos, and which, in the 

 original, is very voluminous, consisting of more 

 than four hundred thousand lines, of which Mr. 

 Wilkins translated one third, but published only an 

 episode, entitled Bhagmt-Gecta. The publication 

 of this work excited great curiosity in the literary 

 world, and was the occasion of increased attention 

 to eastern learning. In 1786 a second translation 

 from the Sajiscrit language, by sir William Jones, 

 was laid before the public. This was Sacontala, a 

 dramatic poem of great antiquity, and indicating 

 considerable refinement, both of sentiment and 

 manners, among those who could produce or relish 



