484 Analysis of the Mackenzie Manuscripts* [ June, 



Observntion, The foregoing is a sort of catalogue raisonnfe, although 

 not in logical method. The preparation of it must have demanded 

 considerable pains and care. I imagine that several persons must have 

 been engaged in its arrangement. The language is neat and correct, 

 wherever there is detail or explanation. Altogether it seems to be a 

 valuable document for occasional reference. It was written on country 

 paper, completely eaten through by termites, causing distinct perfora- 

 tions ; so as to leave some words irrecoverable or doubtful. It has 

 however been restored with sufficient, and satisfactory, accuracy. A 

 full translation might be desirable, as being adapted to present the 

 learned in Europe, or elsewhere, with a more complete view of the pre- 

 cise nature of native literature in the Tamil country, than could else- 

 where be obtained ; and certainly, such as no European could prepare. 



Manuscript JBooTc, No. 16. Countermark (not legible.) 



Section 1. — A Malayalam book, containing an account of Kerala desam> 

 translated into Tamil. 

 This book is the Kerala Utpatti translated, as noted at the end of 

 the document, from the Maliyalam MS. of the late Mr. Ellis. On 

 comparison with the copy of the original Kerala Utpatti, in this collec- 

 tion, it was found that the translation was begun, not at the commence- 

 ment, but farther on ; the omitted portion being appended at the close. 

 The translation also diners, a little in a few places, from the original ; 

 intimating some small differences in the two copies of the original. The 

 book (No. 16,) containing this translation, being in a greatly injured 

 state, arising, not as usual from insects, but from having seemingly been 

 exposed to damage from sea water, it claimed attention, if from this 

 cause alone. In consequence the whole has been re-copied ; and at the 

 same time the proper order of the translation restored. 



Section 2. — A copy from an original manuscript in the possession of the 

 Lady of Cannanore in the Malayala country. 



It is (improperly) styled the Kerala Ulpatti. 



Subsequent to a certain flood, and in the Call yuga era 3491, the 

 Kerala raja was crowned, at twenty-five years of age ; and he ruled 

 sixty-three years. A list of fifteen kings, and the period of each one's 

 rule is given. A prophecy of an astrologer is then introduced, in- 

 timating that evil days to the Kerala country would come ; foreigners 

 would rule; the king would turn Muhammadan; and the country 

 adopt that religion. The birth of the child, through whom these 

 changes were to happen is then particularly adverted to, being the 



