to words, merely to suit the exigencies of his rhymes. To a Native, all this is simple enough, because he follows without effort the modifications of a compatriot, who necessarily conforms to the natural harmonies of his mother tongue. The poem is "a joy for ever" to the Hindus of the North West Provinces, on account both of its matter and of its form. In the opinion of Hindus (with the small exception of Sanskrit-knowing Pandits) the work of Tulsi Dás is the finest composition in the world—it is simply perfect; each verse of it is held in reverence exceeding that felt for the Bible by Europeans. It is hardly too much to say that no one can be in sympathetic unison with Hindu people except through the medium of the verses of Tulsi Dás; and this results from the universality with which they are read, recited, and adored. The subject of Rámá's love, and obedience, and his glorious achievements, is held to be the grandest theme which can engage the attention of man; and the verses of the famous author of the Rámáyana are esteemed faultless in the way they rehearse these holy deeds. Such being the nature of the book, it is evident that Mr. Growse has rendered an important service to his country by supplying a translation which enables Englishmen to understand what the living Hindus hold to be the book of books. By so doing, he has provided a bond of sympathy between the two races which it should be the great aim of Government to foster and strengthen. When the present harrying legislators stay their ill-doing hands, let us hope that the real work of social improvement in India will resume its course, aided by such kindly influences as those made available by the useful labours of Mr. Growse." Allen's Indian Mail.
"It is with unmixed pleasure that we welcome the publication of Mr. Growse's translation of the famous epic of modern Hindustan—the Rámáyana of Tulsi Dás. This remarkable book is the Bible of Northern India, and is even more honoured by all classes of the community there than the Bible itself in England. No audience can hear its passages read without the strongest emotions, or can listen without tears to its pathetic descriptions. It is impossible for the European to understand the Hindus of to-day or to awaken their sympathies unhelped by the adored verses of Tulsi Dás. Again and again missionaries have remarked that the impassive faces of a crowd break into smiles or looks of eager interest when a recognised verse of their beloved poet may happen to be quoted. Unhappily for the European, Tulsi Dás produced his book three hundred years ago, in a form of Hindi now become archaic, and he did not hesitate to treat the words of the vulgar tongue in which he wrote in a very rough way indeed. He arbitrarily altered both the sense and the shapes of words in order to adapt them to his metre or rhyme; and he made his verses a very storehouse of colloquial corruptions of speech. These peculiarities are no drawback to native readers, who follow without effort the variations unconsciously regulated by the natural harmonies of their language; but to the European each verse is a stumbling-block. Great, therefore, will be the joy among all lovers of the noble Hindi language that Mr. Growse, by completing his excellent translation of the Rámáyana, has opened this almost sealed book to the perusal of every Englishman who desires to master its contents.
"The form of Mr. Growse's book is worthy of the subject; for it is a handsome quarto volume enriched with numerous autotype illustrations taken from an illuminated manuscript in the library of the illustrious Mahárájá of Benares; and there are reproductions of photographs of places rendered famous by association with the life of the poet. The literary merit of the translation has already been pronounced upon, for several sections of the book were published while the work of translation was proceeding. It is sufficient to say that it places Mr. Growse in the first rank of Hindi scholars. He deserves unmeasured gratitude for thus wisely utilising the facilities he possessed; for the courage which impelled him to undertake the difficult task; and for the fortitude which sustained him through the long and laborious undertaking. It is a pleasure to the student to compare his faithful translation with the original, and to recognise the skill with which the obscurities of the text are clarified. The happy way in which Hindî idiom is transfused into the idiom of England is simply marvellous. The translation is the most important contribution to Hindî literature which has yet been made; and, even when the famous poem of the ancient Chand Bardái shall be made accessible to European students, it can scarcely take a higher place than the fascinating rhymes of Tulsi Dás. The former will possess a high scholarly interest by carrying the grand vernacular of Northern India to its farthest historical point; but the latter will ever command the attention of the friend of India. No one can reach the hearts of Hindú prince or peasant who is ignorant of the Rámáyana of Tulsi Dás. By supplying the means for extending the study of this renowned poem, Mr. Growse has performed a service to his country which no honours can repay. His intellect and labour have opened the door of sympathy between European and Hindú, and a wise policy will incite all who can be influenced to make full use of the means thus provided for establishing bonds of unity between Native and European. The moral tone of the poem is unimpeachable; for it was the just pride of its composer that not one indelicate word or allusion is to be found in his pure verses."—Homeward Mail, October 1883.
