xcviii Proceedings of the Asiatic Society : [Oct. 1845. 



Read the following note from the Baron des Granges, accompanying 

 the presentation referred to : — 



To the Secretary of the Asiatic Society. 



Baron des Granges humbly presents to the Secretary of the Asiatic Society, a few 

 specimens of his first crop of Nutmegs in his Plantation at Mergui — which Nuts become 

 more remarkable, as they are not only the first raised, and in so high a latitude as Mergui, 

 but because they will be under the circumstances, also the last grown at Mergui, at least 

 in the Baron's Plantation. 



Calcutta, 9th August, 1845. 



Read the following letter from James F. Corcoran, Esq. : — 



To H. Torrens, Esq., &c. &c. &c 



Dear Sir, — I have been advised by persons who know best about these matters, to 

 defer the publication of the Guldastae Ish/c until the public are somewhat more acquaint- 

 ed with me ; because as that book is a mere collection of tales, and is high-priced 

 besides, I should not get sufficient subscribers for it until people know what ability I 

 possess to get creditably through such a work. I have, therefore, determined on first 

 publishing the little book of translation, (whose Prospectus I beg herewith to send,) in 

 order that as the price is low and the original in universal estimation, there may be a 

 chance of its selling well and of paving the way for the more voluminous Guldastae Ish/c- 

 which would then be viewed with some respect ; as a stranger, with whom, though per- 

 sonally unacquainted, yet of whose merits we have heard enough to give him a warm 

 welcome. 



I entertain great hopes that your patronage will be extended to me, and if, through 

 your influence, the Asiatic Society would condescend to honor me with theirs, my little 

 work would glide glibly into existence. 



James Corcoran. 

 Calcutta, 23rd June, 1845. 



Ordered that the Society subscribe for ten copies of the work, and that 

 it do afford Mr. Corcoran the advantage of making his work better 

 known by printing the advertisement and specimens in the Proceedings. 

 They are as follows : — 



Advertisement of a new Translation of Esop's Fables, into the Urdu Language, by Mr. 

 James Francis Corcoran. Respectfully dedicated to Robert Haldane Rattray, Esquire, 

 B. C. S. Judge of the Sudder Nizdmut and Diwdni Addlat. 



The Grecian Fabulist has for some years been before the Public in a Hindustani dress; 

 and some explanation may therefore be deemed necessary, as an apology for the present 

 repetition. I presume not to say that the translation now offered is better than the one 

 we have : this the Public must decide. I may, however, exhibit those pretensions to 

 their patronage which I imagine to be mine ; and this done, I will patiently await 

 their judgment. 



In the present version I have endeavoured, first, to render the Urdu more colloquial 

 and spirited than it is in the old translation ; and, secondly, the moral of each fable has 



