1>48 AN ESSAY ON THE 



In going on with the collation, I soon perceived, 

 that whenever the word S'wetam, or S'weta-dwipa, 

 the name of the principal of the Sacred Isles, and 

 also of the whole cluster, was introduced, the 

 writing was somewhat diflerent, and that the 

 paper was of a different colour, as if stained. Sur- 

 prised at this strange appearance, I held the page 

 to the light, and perceived immediately that there 

 was an erasure, and that some size had heen ap- 

 plied. Even the former word was not so much 

 defaced, but that I could sometimes make it out 

 plainly. I was thunderstruck, but felt some con- 

 solation, in knowing that still my manuscript was 

 in my own possession. I recollected my essay on 

 Egypt, and instantly referred to the originals which 

 I had quoted in it, my fears were but too soon 

 realized, the same deception, the same erasures 

 appeared to have pervaded them. I shall not 

 trouble the Society with a description of what I 

 felt, and of my distress at this discovery. My 

 first step was to inform my friends of it, either 

 verbally or by letters, th^t I might secure, ^t least, 

 the credit of the first disclosure. 



When I reflected, that the discovery might have 

 been made by others, either before or after my 

 death, that in one case my situation would have 

 been truly distressful; and that in the other my name 

 would have passed with infamy to posterity, and 

 increased the calendar of imposture, it brought on 

 such paroxysms as threatened the most serious 

 consequences in my then infirm state of health. 

 I formed at first the resolution to give up entirely 

 my researches and pursuits, and to inforni Govern- 

 ment and the public of my misfortune. But my 

 friends dissuaded me from taking any hasty step; 

 and advised me to ascertain whether the deception 

 had pervaded the whole of the authorities cited by 

 iLe, or some parts only. I fojlowed their advice. 



