146 THE DATE OF THE HIKAYAT INDEBAPUTEEA. 



the Malay Hihayat Seri Rama (derived from a Tamil version) goes 

 back to that period we know, because Archbishop Laud had ac- 

 quired the Bodleian copy in 1633. Perhaps the fact that of the 

 Hihayai Inderaputera there are Bugis Macassar and Achehnese 

 redactions is contributory evidence of its age. 



In the Singapore edition and in some of the MSS. of the 

 Hilcayat there are a large number of pantun. 



It is to be hoped that from the many MS 8. a critical and 

 scholarly edition of this romance may some day be prepared. 

 Meanwhile it would help towards that end if the " Commissie voor 

 de Volkslectuur " of Netherlands India were to print in its ex- 

 cellent series a text or texts from the two MSS. in Batavia. 



5» 



Jour. Straits Branch. 



