Sect* iV.] Hindoo Literature. 273 



in In 1787 Mr. Wilklns again laid the republic 

 of letters under obligations to him, by publibhino- 

 a version of the Heeto-pades, or Amicable Inst rue- 

 tmi, a series of connected fables, interspersed with 

 moral, prudential, and political maxims. These 

 Avere followed by several other versions from tlie 

 Sanscrit of less importance, by Mr. Wilkins, sir 

 William Jones, and some anonymous hands. 



In addition to the various translations which have 

 been made from this ancient language, its struc- 

 ture, beauties, and antiquity have been the sub- 

 jects of much ingenious and instructive iuvestiga- 

 tion within a few years past. Among these the in- 

 quiries of Mr. Halhed* and especially of sir Wil- 

 liam Jones, deserve particular attention, and the 

 highest praise f . To father Paolino, formerly pro- 

 fessor of oriental languages in the Propaganda 

 at Rome, the public are also indebted for some 



* Mr. Halhed is of opinion that the Sanscrit was, in ancient 

 periods, current not only over all India, considered in its largest 

 extent, but over all the oriental world ; and that traces of its ori- 

 ginal diffusion may still be discovered in almost ever}' region of 

 Asia. 



f *' The Sanscrit language, whatever be its antiquity, is of a 

 wonderful structure -, more perfect than the Greek, more copious 

 than the Latin, and more exquisitely refined tlian either j yet 

 bearing to both of them a stronger affinity, both in the roots of 

 verbs and in the forms of grammar, than could possibly have been 

 produced by accident 3 so strong, indeed, that no philologer could 

 examine them all without believing them to have sprung from 

 some common source, which, perhaps, no longer exists. There 

 is similar reason, though not quite so forcible, for supposing that 

 both the Gothic and the Celtic, though blended witli very ditfcrent 

 idioms, had the same origin with tlie Sanscrit : and the old Per^ 

 sian might be added to the same family." See sir William Jones'f 

 Third Discourse before th^ Asiatic Society, 



Vol. II. T 



