INTRODUCTION. XIX 
at least a very copious and useful mineralogical 
collection. 
All those who are conversant with Oriental Halhcd ’ s 
Oriental MSS. 
Literature* must be well acquainted with the 
distinguished merits of the Editor of the Gentoo 
Code of Laws in that branch of erudition, and 
be aware that a collection of Indian Works, 
made by such a man, cannot but be an object of 
intrinsic value. Accordingly, the Trustees having 
received intelligence that the Oriental Library 
of Nathaniel Brassey Halhed, Esq. might be 
obtained at a reasonable price, did not hesitate to 
make the acquisition ; and, in the year 
obtained the whole of it for the sum of ^ 550 . 
It consists of ninety-three volumes, fourteen of 
which are in the Shanskrit language, and the rest 
chiefly Persian: and to these have been added 
twenty six volumes recently purchased of the Ex~ 
ecutors of the late Colonel Hamilton, the Trans¬ 
lator of the Hedaya, and the four Vedas in the 
Shanskrit language presented by Colonel Polier ; 
besides thirty-two volumes which came with the 
trophies of our Egyptian expedition, and various 
other curious and valuable articles. 
Samuel Tyssen, Esq. who, during a short but Tyss ^ ns Saxon 
active life, had spared neither labour nor expence 
d 2 in 
