WRITINGS OF FRAN9OIS BERNIER      xxxiii

[An exceedingly well printed book. Valuable appendices, considering
the period when published, and a preface that practically contains all that
was then known about Bernier. The translator was handicapped by
an evident want of any acquaintance with the East, and has therefore
failed to bring out the extreme accuracy of much that Bernier records.
Monsieur de Monceaux's letter to Mr. H. O., and the valuable state¬
ment regarding the Mogul Revenues (see pages 455-460 of my edition),
have been omitted. As stated elsewhere, I have used Mr. Brock's
translation to some extent as the basis for my own.]

In a prospectus, dated Edinburgh, 20th June 1825, The travels of
pyancis Bernier, and his Account of the Court of the Great Mogul,
2 vols., is announced as a work under preparation for Constable's
Miscellany. This book was never included in that series, and it is
possible that the edition described above, No. 17, was originally pre¬
pared for it.    At present I have not been able to verify this.

Bernier's   Travels;   comprehending   a  description  of   the   Mogol             18

Empire including the Kingdom of Kashmir, etc. etc. etc.    Translated Calcutta 1826.
from the French   by John Steuart.       Condo et   compono  quae mox          1 vol.

depromere possim.    Calcutta ; Printed at the Baptist Mission Press,           8vo.

II Circular Road, 1826.

[Title-page. One leaf, dedication, dated Calcutta, tst January 1826,
to Captain George Anderson Vetch, of the Bengal Army.^ Pages i.-iii.
Translator's Preface. Page iv., blank. Pages v.-vi., Advertisement,
which contains many mistakes relating to Bernier's career and other
editions of his works. Pages vii.-viii. Contents. Pages 1-58, Letter
to Monsieur Chapelain. The series of nine letters to Monsieur de
Merveilles pages 59-143) from which the concluding six paragraphs as
well as the answers to the five questions put by M. Thevenot have been
omitted. Pages 144-213, Letter to Monsieur de la Mothe le Vayer,
containing the description of Dehli and Agra, etc. At the end six pages
of correspondence, being reprints of a series of letters signed 'Oscar,'
' Censorious,' and ' A Subscriber,' which appeared in the India Gazette,
ranging in date from 12th January 1826 to 18th February 1826, relating
to the forthcoming publication. ' Censorious ' appears to have seen the
MS., or perhaps proof-sheets, as he condemns the book from every point
of view. ' Oscar,' who was perhaps Captain Vetch, replies, appealing
for fair play; ' Most critics, Mr. Editor, have the grace to wait at least
till the game is fairly started, and then give the vieti holla ; but this
poacher in the fields of criticism takes a pot-shot at his prey in its seat,
while with palpitating breast it is about to open on the public view.'

r Fifty-fourth Regiment Native Infantry, in charge of the construction of the
road from Benares to Allahabad.    Bengal Artny List for 1826.