245 



VII. 



An Essay 07i the Sacred Isles in the West, xvith 

 other Essays connected xvith that JFork. 



BY CAPTAIN F. WILFORD. 



INTRODUCTION. 



AT the moment of appearing before the tribu- 

 nal of the Asiatic Society, and of the pubhc, 

 it would be in vain to attempt to conceal my emo- 

 tion and anxiety. On the merit of the composi- 

 tion alone, I am conscious their judgment mus: 

 rest ; and this conviction agitates me with doubt 

 and apprehension. 



I have omitted no endeavour to render this work 

 as free from imperfections as my abilities would 

 allow ; but the si\bject is so novel, and the source 

 of information so remote from the learned in Eu- 

 rope, that I must confess I feel no small degree of 

 uneasiness on that account. Fortunately for me, 

 the Society, to which I have the honour of pre- 

 senting my work, will stand between me and the 

 public, for it is in the power of every member, 

 whether conversant with the Sanscnt lanouasre or 

 not, to ascertain the genumeness of all the autho- 

 rities cited by me ; the books, from which I have 

 drawn my information, being by no means rare 

 nor difficult to be procured. 



The grand outlines and principal features of this 

 essay are also well known to pandits and learned 

 men in India. A few passages, anecdotes, and 

 circumstances may be, perhaps, nnknown to many 

 of them : but these are perfectly immaterial ; and, 

 whether allowed to remain or not, neither my 

 foundation nor superstructure can be affected. 



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