1837.] Historical Sketch of the Kingdom of Pandija. 



147 



way. The statements of the supplementary MS. were by no means 

 implicitly taken ; dates in MSS. are sometimes faulty from transcrip- 

 tion, but a translator cannot alter them ; and finally though a prevailing- 

 ly favorable opinion is given of the Supplementary Manuscript, yet a 

 doubt at p. 76 plainly appears,whether its testimony can be maintained, 

 and at p. 77, the " submitting the evidence of manuscripts implicitly to 

 the test" of the author's " own discretion," is expressly declined, and 

 judgment left with the readers. Professor Wilson is quite right in exer- 

 cising his judgment and discretion ; and only unfair in his mode of treat- 

 ing the translator and commentator. That five names will not do for 

 the record of 3000 years is certainly true ; such a position of the Sup- 

 plementary Manuscript was not intended to be designated as " trust- 

 worthy :" it was expressly noted unfavourably ; but the Professor cer- 

 tainly knows that all Hindu accounts of Vicramaditya are extravagant ; 

 and the simple truth probably is, that, under the guise of a miraculously 

 long reign, they wish to cover over a period disastrous to Hindu ascen- 

 dancy, and derogatory to their country's glory. Accurate records of 

 that period must be sought for elsewhere, and not from among the 

 Hindus. 



Being fully disposed to admit and believe that among the manuscripts 

 of the Mackenzie collection there are many valuable documents, 

 more so certainly than the Supplementary Manuscript, I shall hope 

 to see the whole brought into full development. Abstracts, how- 

 ever they may serve to give a general idea, will not suffice in critical, 

 or doubtful cases : either the original, or else a faithful, literal, and cri- 

 tical, translation becomes then indispensible. On this plan it would give 

 me pleasure to be able to consider my previous humble researches with, 

 chiefly my own materials, as a sort of vestibule to the Mackenzie tem- 

 ple; or, if the idea may be better, as a porter's lodge to the park and 

 mansion of a peer of the realm. 



Adverting to the " Historical Sketch of the kingdom of Pandi/a" 

 (Art. 9, No. 6, J. R. A. S.) it is not without great hesitation that I make 

 any remarks ; as far as personal considerations are concerned, I cer- 

 tainly would avoid doing so ; but there is some tone of dictation and 

 confidence in the Professor's manner ; his name and authority confer of 

 themselves a sanction of his statements ; and hence a few comments 

 may prevent mistakes in others, and ultimately subserve an important 

 public object which 1 purpose to announce in the sequel. These consi- 

 derations, chastened by the most entire respect for the high attainments 

 of the Professor in Sanscrit literature, will guide my observations. 



