1863. ] Literary Intelligence, Se. 167 
a contemporary Hindu prince at Paithan. I now begin to entertain 
serious doubts about the Vikramaditya era also. I believe that era 
too was introduced by the Buddhists or rather the Jainas, and that 
it corresponds to the victory obtained by Mithridates over the Ro- 
man general Crassus, 53 years before Christ. When we remember 
that there is a difference of four years between the Christian era and 
the birth of Christ, we can easily understand the Vikramaditya era 
being dated 57 years before Christ; but I hope to return to this 
subject at length on another occasion. 
ee ees 
Livernary INTELLIGENCE, CORRESPONDENCE, &e. 
Dr. Sprenger writes to Mr. Grote from Paris, March 24th. 
“T frequently had heard complaints that there was little doing at 
Paris in oriental literature. As far as the study of Arabic and 
Persian is concerned [I would not say that they are just. On the 
contrary I find that the pursuits of the new generation of orientalists 
have taken a new and better turn. Instead of dwelling on grammati- 
eal subtleties and illustrating notes by notes, they enter into the 
subject. Without underrating the merits of oriental authors, they are 
not blind to their faults and endeavour to give us an idea of the con- 
dition of the east in bye-gone ages, considering language as a means 
to attain this object. To this school belongs the grandson of a man 
who was of a very different turn of mind—de Sacy. It is impossible 
to overrate the beneficial influence of M. Mohl, he is au fait on every 
topic, indefatigable, frank and ready to assist each and every one in 
his studies. To his endeavours the ‘ Collection d’ouvrages orientaux’ is 
due, the plan and execution of which leaves nothing to desire. M. 
Schafer who has spent the greater part of his life in diplomatic service 
at Constantinople and Teheran, and who has visited Yaman, has col- 
lected a number of MSS. of the existence of which I had not an idea, 
as the 3,¢= of Ibn Kelby the leading work on the genealogy of Arabic 
tribes, the w,#J|3,35 42 the best book on the geography of Arabia, 
the Gly®J| Gl! of Baladzory which treats on the history of the 
noble families of the empire of the Khalifs from Mohammad to his 
time, including a biography of the prophet which I have found quoted 
no where except in the Icaba—so rare it was in the east ;—and three 
works on the ¢l;* or system of revenue, of which only one had been 
