The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-27
The Old Literature OF India,

/ The Government of India has taken step
which should ensure to it the gratitude of al
enlightened Hlndoos and of all those in general
Interested in Sanskrit philology. 1t has resolved
10 allot annually sum not less than G2400 to
the purpose of purchasing and making known
important Sanskrit MSS, to be preserved here
after from loss In one OF the public libraries
Of India, or in the home library of the India
Office.
The circumstances connected with this liberal
resolution deserve especial mention. The
learned Radha Krlshna, Chief Pandit to the
lae Lahore Durbar, had presented the Sanskrlt
/ Text Society with a catalogue of his splendid
! library of Sanskrit MSS, and was in conse-
ouence requested by this society 10 supply it, if
| possible, with other similar catalogues of the
! Ms. libraries OF learned natives, so that their
| existence and contents might be made known
to the world at large. The learned Pandit not
only readily promised to accede TO the request
Of the society, but improved the opportunity
BY petitioning the Goyernor'Genera TO use
his power and influence to the same end.
Sir John Lawrence submitted the letter of
Pandit Radha Krishna to Mr.. Whitley Stokes,
the Secretary 10 the Legislative Council OF
india, ana it was this accomplished scholar
relebrated not only as a Celtic philologer
and editor of several standard works on Hindoo
law but as familiar also with many of the yer
.naculars OF India-Who expanded the wish of
/ ibe Lahore Pandit into an elaborate scheme
from which will date new era of Sanskrit re-
II search in india. According 10 this scheme,
NOW become law by the resolution of the Gov
fenment of India, competent gentlemen will be
sent on tours in India to explore the existence
mi old SAnsKrt MSS, relating especially TO the
IVedas. the Hindoo law, Sanskrit grammar, leXi-
Biography, ard philosophy, TO purchase them, or
II this be not possible, TO have faithful copies
taken OF them, and to send originals or copie5
10 tbe library to be designated by Government
Var their ultimate preservation. or such MSS.
Complete lists will be compiled, and trans =
mitted not ouly TO the Government OF India,
Ent also 10 the India Office and to scholars in
Fnrope so as to elicit from them suggestions
IA be acted upon in the progress of this re-
tearch. An annual grant OF $500 TO the Asiatlc
Society of Bengal, ipS addition to that OF 5000
annually already received from Government by
|hst learned body, will be moreover devoted to
fbe publication of these Sanskrit works, and
fbus 10 extending the usefulness of the scheme
heyOnds the bounds of the fortunate libraries
T6ch will come into possession of these literary
reasures. The gentlemen in India recom-
nended by Mr.. Stokes in his regard for the
gOrbDg OF his plan, are the cele--
Ultra in Bengal Mr.. Burnell In Madras,
Srhly accomplished and distinguished mem,
~ az the Madras civil service, and DR.. Bishter
5,oiessor of Sanskrit in the Elphinstone College
BOmbay. This scheme Mr.. Stokes himself
III. upon as the commencement of great and
%nortant task. But 1t Is one of those COM
nTTcements which, when grasped by minds like
w. stokes, is sure OF success; and we are con-
asnt that it will prove TO be one of those wise
uHasures. too, which will go far to win the
naSs OF all enlightened Hindoos, aud
eaunSthen their good feelings towards those who
" eyer their destinies.- London A1,ea@um.