338 



Report on the Mackejizie Manuscripts. 



[April 



Altogether it seems to be a valuable docmnent, for occasional re- 

 ference. It was written on country paper, completely eaten through 

 by termites, causing distinct perforations, so as to leave some words 

 irrecoverable or doubtful. It has however been restored with sufficient, 

 and satisfactory, accuracy. A full translation might be desirable ; as 

 being adapted to present the learned in Europe, or elsewhere, with 

 a more complete view of the precise nature of native literature, in 

 the Tamil country, than could elsewhere be obtained ; and certainly 

 such as no European could prepare. 



MS. Book, No. 16. — Countermark (not legible). 



Section 1. A Malay alam book containing an account of Kerala de- 

 sam, translated into Tamil. 



This book is the Kerala Ulpatti translated, as noted at the end of the 

 document, from the Malayalam MS. of the late Mr. Ellis. On compa- 

 rison with the copy of the original Kerala Ulpatti, in this collection, it 

 was found that the translation was begun, not at the commencement, 

 but farther on ; the omitted portion being appended at the close. The 

 translation also differs a little in a few places from the original, inti- 

 mating some small differences in the two copies of the original. The 

 book (No. 16) containing this translation being in a greatly injured state, 

 arising, not as usual from insects, but from having seemingly been ex- 

 posed to damage from sea- water, it claimed attention, if from this cause 

 alone. In consequence the whole has been re-copied ; and, at the same 

 time, the proper order of the translation restored. 



Section 2. A copy, from an original manuscript, in the possession of 

 the lady of Cannanore, in the Malayala country. 



It is (improperly) styled the Kerala Ulpatti. 



Subsequent to a certain flood, and in the Cali yuga era 3491, the 

 Kerala raja was crowned, at twenty-five years of age ; and he ruled six- 

 ty-three years. A list of fifteen kings, and the period of each one's rule 

 is given. A prophecy of an astrologer is then introduced, intimating 

 that evil days to the Kerala country would come ; foreigners would 

 rule J the king would turn Mahomedan, and the country adopt 



