328 Memoir on the Topes and Antiquities of Afghanistan. [July, 



to connect them with the individuals whose existence they commemo- 

 rate*. The relics which have accrued to Mr. Honigberger are how? 

 ever extremely curious, consisting of very minute bones, or their dust, 

 pearls, pieces of amber and rubies, and different kinds of sedimentary 

 remains, the nature of which can only become known by chemical ana- 

 lysis. These were found reposing within excavated (turned) cylinders, 

 of a soft striated stone, quite similar to that of which the shot and 

 shells of H. R. H. Abbas Mirza atMeshed are made. These cups, both 

 in their size and form, correspond to a model which is frequent enough 

 in India: they have a lid surmounted by a small knob. A roll of paper, 

 apparently the back of the Bujpatra, containing written characters, 

 occurred in one instance ; this precious fragment may unfold some 

 satisfactory evidence of the origin and design of the edifice which en- 

 closed it. Small burnt clay lamps, and occasionally square or oblong 

 clay receptacles, filled with osseous remains, gems, and thread, are among 

 the collection. If my memory does not deceive me, I think I remarked 

 small golden images of birds, while I am certain that many things 

 escaped my observation, and also that I retain but a very imperfect idea 

 of any individual relic, notwithstanding the candor and liberality with 

 which they were displayed to my view. I felt backward to gratify a 

 curiosity that had little to recommend it, and the brief and defective 

 notice I have now taken of Mr. Honigberger's discoveries, while it 

 can only convey but a faint trace of the facts which remain for original 

 analysis, I venture to believe will receive from that gentleman the only 

 construction that its motives can be supposed to meditate in making 

 jt. One object may indeed be gained, since Mr. Honigberger has 

 already embarked upon a long and perilous journey via Bakhtar to 

 his native landf, after having given charge of all his valuable ac- 

 quisitions to Chev. Allard, whose prospects of returning to Earope 

 seemed to offer a favorable passport for their transmission to Germany, 

 but which I have since learnt is likely to be protracted indefinitely. 

 Under such a view, the foregoing remarks, if deemed worthy of being 

 read before the Asiatic Society, may become known in Europe through 

 the medium of a journal which has already in these obscure regions (as 

 will soon be shewn) stimulated the development of antiquarian re- 

 search, and in this immediate instance is calculated to communicate and 

 preserve the merit of labors, which natural and adventitious causes 

 might otherwise tend to consign to oblivion. 



* There are inscriptions on the brass cylinders deposited in the topes ; see the 

 foregoing paper. — Ed. 



t See note of this traveller's adventure at Bamian, p. 246. It is fortunate that 

 he had left his coins and relics behind. — Ed, 



