398 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



[Oct. 



Manuscript book, No. 19— Countermark 228, Sarvardha Chintamani- 

 jyotisha, a work ou astrology. 



This book on the same general subject, does not seem to be complete ; 

 since only about one-third is written on, and the break appears abrupt. 

 The ink is a little pale ; but the paper good, and in good preservation. 



Abstracts of such works are impracticable. Both of these fall within 

 the compass of remarks, which will be found elsewhere made on the 

 importance of a full development of native astrology. 



It is entered in Des. Catal. vol. 1, p. 254, art. ii. 



Manuscript book, No. 15— Countermark 908. 



Section 1. Rules of observance in the Onam festival in Malayalam. 



A general festival of four days corresponding with the Dipali, dated 

 from Maha Bali, and the circumstances of the Vdmana avatdra, said to 

 have been transacted in the Malayalain country. During this festival, 

 bathing, putting on new cloths, looking at spectacles, or joining proces- 

 sions, are the matters detailed ; referring to manners and customs, but 

 also shewing how carelessly Hindu fiction deals with distant times and 

 places. 



Section 2. List of books in the library of the Travancore raja. 



A catalogue amounting to 181 books is given, the titles, being writ- 

 ten both in Telugu, and Tamil, characters. Sections 3 to 5, relate to 

 district productions in Travancore, and to revenue details : a consider- 

 able portion of the book is occupied with mere tabular lists, which 

 might have been of statistical value to a District Collector at the time. 



Orher sections from 6 to 18, inclusive may be seen specified in the 

 Descriptive Catalogue, vol. 2, page 108; but, in the book iiself, they 

 are now in confused arrangement, sometimes are mere memoranda; and, 

 in other cases are rough translations from the Malayalam. On look- 

 ing over the whole, it is found, that the contents (where of any value), 

 are anticipated by abstracts of Malayalam papers, and, for the rest, 

 the matter appears to require no further attention. The book would 

 need restoration, did the contents merit it : which I judge not be the 

 case ; and therefore pass it as it is. * 1 & 



