JS4 Remarks on the above by E. C. Baylcy , Esq. [No. 2> 
Remarks on the above by E C. Bayley, Esq., C. S. 
As the relic with which the above note deals has also been for 
some time before myself, and as the conclusions to which T have 
come do not altogether, even as to the phonetic values of the letters 
of the inscription, concur with those above given, I presume to offer 
a few remarks. 
I would venture in the first place, with all deference, distinctly to 
join issue with Babu Rajendra Lai as to the language proper of the 
Ariano-Pali inscriptions. To give the position which he assumes in 
his own words I quote from p. 182 :—“ The only Arian records of any 
length that have yet been translated are the A'soka edicts of Kapur 
di giri and the vase inscription from Wardak, and they are both in 
nearly pure Pali. If they differ at all, the difference is due to their 
bearing a closer resemblance to the Sanscrit than Pali.” 
If this assertion were even to its fullest extent accurate, I would 
point out in the first place, that the first example quoted gives no 
support whatever to the conclusion deduced from it. The language 
of the Asoka inscription was the language of Asoka—whose capital 
was in Behar. It was probably issued as a quasi religious edict even, 
and may have therefore rather adopted a sacred dialect than the 
current vernacular of that province, but even if it were not so, it 
proves little or nothing as to the vernacular of the countries North 
of the Jhelum. Asoka would, in a document of the nature of that he 
was promulgating, adopt naturally the alphabet, but not the dialect 
of the locality, except perhaps in some very minor particulars. 
As to the Wardak inscription, it must be remembered that in the 
first place a very considerable proportion has even yet not been trans¬ 
lated at all. Much of this is, so far as the characters go, legible 
enough ; for there is no dispute as to the phonetic value of the letters. 
Had they been capable of transmutation into “pure Pali” I am 
certain that they would hardly have so baffled Rajendra Lai himself; 
who would long since in such a case have solved the enigma of their 
meaning. 
Even in the parts which he has rendered into English, there are 
some phrases which are hardly to be taken as “pure Pali” without 
a straining of the phonetic value of the letters, which, to say the 
least, is of doubtful admissibility ; but passing over this point, there 
