VI 
PREFACE. 
now be of any advantage But on further comparing the Russian 
officer’s account with Mr. Shaw’s epitome, it became evident that the 
latter was a far more valuable and useful document. In length it is 
about the same: thus, though not more detailed, it is far clearer, more 
exact and has the merit of bringing out the essential points of the 
history in their proper sequence and proportions. It contains, more¬ 
over, no matter imported from outside, and unacknowledged, sources. 
That Mr. Shaw was acquainted with Messrs. Michell’s book there 
can be no doubt, and judging from the interest he took in the history 
of Eastern Turkistan, he must certainly have read Captain ValikhanofPs 
review of the Khoja period ; yet there is nothing among his papers to 
show that he detected in it a summary of the work that he was en¬ 
gaged in translating and editing. 
Meshed ; 
The 10th March 1896- 
N. ELIAS. 
