178 Bibliographical Notice. [No. 2. 



great caution must be observed by those who are disposed to differ 

 from him. "With the exception of Burnouf, no other scholars have 

 devoted themselves thoroughly to the study of Buddhistic Sanskrit 

 literature* and it would add greatly to the reputation of St. J. if he 

 would publish the collections which he has made of Buddhistic- 

 sanskrit words. 



" His profound knowledge and his talents render Hiouen Thsang 

 the most distinguished of those Chinese Pilgrims, who under the 

 influence of pious zeal visited India ; and his long residence in, and 

 extensive travels through this country, qualify him above all his 

 countrymen to give an accurate and intelligent report of it. De- 

 scended from a distinguished family, he was born in 602, A. D. and 

 acquired early in life a knowledge of the sacred Buddhistic writings, 

 as also of the general literature and history of his country. He 

 devoted himself with special zeal to the study of the works of Lao- 

 teen and of Tsheng-tsen or Confucius. In his 20th year he received 

 the highest monastic orders. Subsequently he sought out all cele- 

 brated masters, conversed with them and examined their doctrines ; 

 but a comparison of their doctrines with those of the sacred writ- 

 ings convinced him, that there were most important differences 

 between the two systems, and he was undecided to which to give the 

 preference. He resolved therefore to visit "Western countries, and 

 to consult other learned men on those points which disturbed his 

 mind. 



" The object of this notice permits but few remarks on his travels. 

 He left his native land in 629 and traversing the great sandy desert 

 Schamo on the north-west boundary of China, arrived at the capital, 

 of the Uigurs, which as well as its inhabitants are called by him 

 l'gur and which is probably the modern Hami or Khamil. He then 

 proceeded by Dsungarei and over the Musur Dabaghan, the northern 

 extremity of the Tsong-ling or Belurtag, in crossing which, he en- 

 countered dangers and difficulties which are described with great 

 graphic power. From the valley of the Jaxartes, situated westward 



* Burnouf's 4< Introduction a l'histoire du Buddhism Indien" is well known, as 

 is his posthumous work, " Le Lotus de la bonne loi, traduit du Sanskrit, accom- 

 pagne d'un commentaire et de vingt et un memoires relatifs au Buddhism." 



