duction into the portal of Indian knowledge; devoid of any knowledge of the languages myself, I owe to the happy genius of ihis individual the encouragement and the means of obtaining what I so long sought. In the following papers you will observe fifteen different dialects, and twenty-four characters were necessary for this purpose. On the reduction of Seringapatam, in 1799 not one of our people could translate from the Canarese alone. At present we have these translations made not only from the modern characters; but the more obscure and almost obsolete characters of the Sassanums (or Insciiptions) in Canarese and in Tamul; besides what have been done from the Sanscrit, of which in my first years in India, I could scarcely obtain any information. From the moment the talents of the lamented Boria were applied, a new avenue to Hindoo knowledge was opened. and though I was deprived of him at an early age, his example and instructions were so happily followed up by his brethren and disciples, that an establishment was gradually formed, by which the whole of our provinces might be gradually analized on the method thus fortuitously begun and successfully followed so far. Of the claims of these individuals and the superior merits of some, a special representation has laid before this government since 26th September last unanswered. How they are to be disposed of on my departure for Bengal is still in doubt. The attachment existing, and increased in 18
