121 
1879.] Prof, fle Goeje’s Annals of Talari. 
rect, and tlie only solution that I can offer of the difficulty is that the 
second son was striving for the empire even from before the death of his 
father, and was not only in open revolt, but had gone the length of proclaim- . 
ing himself the Sultan, and of putting in circulation coins bearing his name 
a year before his father’s death, and that the Muhammadan historians have 
glossed over this part of his career. The only objection to this solution 
would be the tender age of the youth, but that would be removed if it be 
assumed that he had been set up by some disaffected grandees of his 
father’s court.” 
The Secretary reported that, with the consent of the Subscribers, 
the sum of Bs. 273-7-0, balance of the Stoliczka Memorial Fund, had been 
transferred to the Asiatic Society’s Servants’ Pension Fund. 
The Secbetaey road the following letter from Prof. J. de Goeje, 
dated 20th January, 1879, requesting help in obtaining subscribers for the 
publication of the Great Arabic Annals of Tabari, and said that he would 
be glad to receive the names of members who had already subscribed or 
wished to subscribe. 
“ Permit me to explain why I take the liberty of addressing you. In 
1875 a consortium of Orientalists resolved to undertake the publication of 
the great Arabic annals of Tabari. Though there was not known a single 
manuscript of the whole work, still several libraries possessed parts of it, 
from which it would be possible to restore the text. To get these volumes 
copied or collated, a relatively considerable sum of money was required, 
and a good number of subscribers was thought necessary to cover the costs 
of printing. I addressed myself for support to many promoters of science 
and had not bad luck. I had great expectations from India and was not dis¬ 
appointed. Dr. Blochmann wrote to me that it would be easy for him to 
procure me 60 subscribers, and Dr. Eajendralala Mitra told Prof. Sprenger 
in a letter of earlier date, that Dr. Blochmann had already a dozen names 
on his list, and that he himself had a few more. Now by the illness and 
subsequent death of Dr. Blochmann, this most promising correspondence 
has been broken off, and I never received the list of subscribers, which Dr. 
Blochmann had given himself so much trouble to collect. I was at a loss 
to whom I might address myself for information, when Mr. A. Grote 
emboldened me to appeal to your kindness. So now I venture to recom¬ 
mend to you the interests of our undertaking, and to ask for your help in 
promoting them.” 
“ The first half volume of Tabari is nearly printed and will be published 
within two months.” 
