40 Notes on the Eran Inscriptions. [No. 1, 
avowed object of correcting the errors of such a scholar as Prinsep, it 
is naturally expected that he should take some precaution to ensure 
accuracy, and not blunder even in those places where the unfortunate 
subject of his criticism happens to be correct.”* This is directed at 
me ; and I reply to it. 
Where have I come “ forward with the avowed object of correcting 
the errors of such a scholar as Prinsep” ? Are the words of such an 
avowal producible? Or can it be inferred, from anything I have put 
on paper, that my purpose was that here alleged? Adverting to the 
Eran inscriptions, I have expressed myself as follows, concerning their 
original decipherer : “‘ Had Mr. Prinsep inspected the documents, in 
discussion, with the advantage of the facilities I have been able to com- 
mand, it is beyond question that his conclusions respecting them would 
have differed, as on matters of moment, so as to points of unimport- 
ance, from those he has recorded. Writing under obligation of the 
reserve impressed by this consideration, I shall stay to expatiate on 
but a few of the discrepancies, touching secondary details, which, on 
collation of our results, the attentive reader will discover. At the 
same time, I have weighed these cases, one and all, with my best 
diligence.”+ My chief aim, as to the Eran inscriptions, was to read 
and to translate them anew. That, all along, I studiously aimed, 
wherever it was practicable, not to provoke comparison of my own 
work with that of my predecessor, will, I believe, strike most of my 
readers. 
The Baba, on the other hand, has thus delivered himself with 
respect to ‘such a scholar as Prinsep,” ‘the unfortunate subject of” 
my “criticism :” “ Prinsep, notwithstanding his untiring diligence 
and splendid critical acumen, was obliged, owing to his own want of 
familiarity with the Sanskrita, to depend upon his interpreters; and 
they, blind to the importance of the work upon which he was so 
ardently engaged, neglected their duty, and trifled with him in all 
matters in which he could not readily detect the imposition they prac- 
tised upon him. Hence it is, that his translation of the Eran re- 
* Journal As. Soc. Beng., 1862, p. 394. 
+ Journal As. Soc. Beng., 1861, p. 16. 
Mr. Prinsep was guided solely by Captain Burt’s facsimiles; and I had 
pored for two whole days on the incised originals. 

