1837.] Inscriptions on the columns at Delhi, SfC. 1049 



lopes and snakes. The inscription occupies the exact situation here 

 represented.' 



The allegory of ancient mythology is a distinct study, a language 

 more difficult to read than any of our ' unknown tongues' when the 

 superstitions are once swept away from practice and memory. I cannot 

 yet attempt any explanation of the symbols common to the caves and 

 the coins. But Buddhism still flourishes in neighbouring countries, 

 and thither we must refer for elucidation of these and the thousand 

 other mysteries and anecdotes of the saint's history pictured in stone 

 and in fresco on the deserted caves and temples of his once thriving 

 followers in India. 



V. — Further notes on the inscriptions on the columns at Delhi, Allaha- 

 bad, Betiah, #c. By the Honble George Turnour, Esq. of the 

 Ceylon Civil Service*. 



I have read with great interest, in the Asiatic Journal of July 

 last, your application of your own invaluable discovery of the Lat 

 alphabet, to the celebrated inscriptions on Feroz's column, at Delhi. 



When we consider that these inscriptions were recorded upwards of 

 two thousand years ago, and that the several columns on which they 

 are engraven have been exposed to atmospheric influences for the 

 whole of that period, apparently wholly neglected ; when we consider 

 also, that almost all the inflections of the language in which these in- 

 scriptions are composed, occur in the ultimate and penultimate sylla- 

 bles, and that these inflections are chiefly formed by minute vowel 

 symbols, or a small anuswara dot ; and when we further find that the 

 Pali orthography of that period, as shewn by these inscriptions was 

 very imperfectly defined — using single for double, and promiscuously, 

 aspirated and unaspirated consonants ; and also, without discrimina- 

 tion, as to the class each belonged, the four descriptions of n — the sur- 

 prise which every reasonable investigator of this subject must feel 

 will be occasioned rather by the extent of the agreement than of the 

 disagreement between our respective readings of these ancient records. 

 Another very effective cause has, also, been in operation to produce 

 a difference in our readings. You have analysed these inscriptions 

 through a Br ahmanized Sanskrit medium,whilel have adopted a Buddhis- 



* We consider it a duty to insert this paper, just received, in the same volume 

 with our version of the inscription, adding a note or two in defence of the latter 

 where we consider it still capable of holding its ground against such superior 

 odds 1— Ed. 



