INTRODUCTION. 
XIX 
at least a very copious and useful mineralogical 
collection. 
All those who are conversant with Oriental 
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 1796, 
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 r 
lator of the Hedaya, and the four Vedas in the 
Shanskrit language presented by Colonel Boiler ; 
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 
active life, had spared neither labour nor expence 
d 2 in 
Hal bed’s 
Oriental MSS. 
Tyssen S s Saxo® 
Coins. 
