184 



Proceedings of Societies : 



[July 



brought forward, sufficient to be a guide for similar researches in after 

 periods and dynasties, and ^vhich I wish to be equally illustrated, whe- 

 ther of the Ommiades of Spain, of the Fatimites of Eg\'pt, of the 

 minor kingdoms of the West of Asia on the decline of the court of 

 Eagdad, of the Siljuks, of the Moguls of Ghinges Khan, of Persia, and, 

 of farther East — of the Ghisnivides, Goarides of the Pitan Kanes, and 

 of the family of Timour, at Delhi, and of the numerous sovereignties 

 both of Hindostan and of the Dekkun. 



I have reason to believe that the price of books (whatever it may be 

 in Persia, India, or Cabul) in Western Asia, is far from exorbitant, 

 having just received two volumes from Egypt of considerable intrinsic 

 value, for which I only paid 123 Piastres or 23 shillings, and would 

 not wish you (as I am making similar purchases throughout the Maho- 

 medan world) to give, on ordinary occasions, above one pound or 30 

 to 100 Piastres, for a single volume. 



But as some peculiarly scarce, interesting and valuable works, may 

 be offered, I shall beg of you to use your own discretion, as to their 

 prices and immediate purchase, or in first letting me know, what is 

 asked for them or in that of the alternative of having them, if possible, 

 copied. 



You may rest assured, I shall be perfectly satisfied with your decision, 

 and shall be grateful, (should you be inclined to meet my wishes) if 

 you will, as soon as you have ascertained that the books selected are 

 pertinent to my objects, to pay for them, and I will instantly on re- 

 ceiving your letter, transfer the amount to your Bankers in London, 

 including any expence on their transmission to 13 Belgrave Street, 

 London— the mode of which, I must leave to your friendly arrange- 

 ment. 



I have the honour to be, 

 Sir, 



Your obedient Servant. 



(Signed) Munstek. 



Lord Munster's communication is referred to the Committee of Papers, 

 who are requested to farther by all means in their power the wishes 

 of bis Lordship. 



Read the following letter from the same Nobleman, accompanying 

 his Index of books desired. 



SiE, — I trust the Literary Society of Madras will kindly accept the 

 accompanying Memoir, rather as a literary curiosity than for any actual 

 merit it possesses, but I trust the subject and object— for which I 



