164 fcUESTldtfS ANf> ftEMARKS/'&C. 



astronomy and mathematics. I would long ago have 

 accomplished my design (which I never meant as a 

 ■promise to-be- performed in all .events) of examining 

 the heavens in company with an intelligent Hindu 

 astronomer, if such a companion could have been 

 found in this province: but, though I offered, ample 

 stipends to any Hindu astronomer who could name, in 

 Sanscrit, all the constellations which 1 should point 

 out ; and to any Hindu physician who could bring 

 me all the plants named in Sanscrit books, I was as- 

 sured by the Brahnen whom 1 had commisioned to 

 search for such instructors, that no Pandit in Bengal 

 even pretended to possess the knowledge which 1 re- 

 quired. Lieut.W i l f o r d , however , has lately favoured 

 me with a Sanscrit work, procured by him at Benares, 

 containing the names, figures, and positions of all 

 the asterisms known to ancient or modern Hindus, 

 not only in the Zodiac, but in both hemispheres, 

 and almost from pole to pole. That work I translat- 

 ed with attention, and immediately consigned it to 

 Mr. Davis, who, of all men living, is the best qua- 

 lified to exhibit a copious and accurate History of $n~ 

 dian Astronomy, 



DIoCOURSE 



