ON METHODS OF TAKING IMPRESSIONS OF 

 INSCRIPTIONS. 



Communicated by T. W. Davids, Esq, 



Here are some ancient writings engraven upon rocks which poseth all that 

 see them. — Knox, in Philalethes, p. 228 



It is well-known that Ceylon is exceedingly rich in 

 old inscriptions, many of which are probably of great value, 

 and would, if deciphered, throw as great a flood of light on 

 Ceylon History as the Asoka inscriptions on that of India. 



Their decipherment is not hopeless. It is true they are 

 graven in old and forgotten alphabets, but the sounds hidden 

 beneath the veil of these strange forms, are the sounds 

 of a language of which a great deal is already known, and 

 of which we are learning daily more and more. And as to 

 the forms themselves we are not hopelessly in the dark : we 

 know they are to be read from left to right, we know on 

 what principle the vowels are expressed, we know what are 

 the consonants to which the vowels give life. Several of 

 the more modern inscriptions have already been translated, 

 and inscriptions in cognate characters have been deciphered 

 in India. 



Nothing however, can be done without the opportunity 

 of large comparison : and for this purpose the small number 



A 



