much to learn from it, a beginner of ordinary intelligence and education can read it with profit and understanding.
In the translation the original has been closely followed, and such few modifications as have been made in the text have been carried out in consultation with the author himself and with his express approval. There are certain obvious disadvantages incidental to the fact that these Essays were originally written and issued as separate monographs: a considerable amount of repetition has been unavoidable, and it often happens that some point partially dealt with in an earlier Essay receives completer treatment in a subsequent one. An attempt has been made in this translation to remedy such inconveniences to some extent by giving references in footnotes ; and these and other footnotes added by myself have been enclosed in square brackets. For the further convenience of students I have prefixed to each Essay a brief summary of its contents based mainly on the section headings of the original. For the sake of symmetry, the main divisions of Essay II have been numbered. In the Indonesian words and phrases quoted the author's spelling has been followed. On the other hand, in geographical names (including the names of the various languages discussed) and in the titles of works cited, etc., concessions have been made to ordinary usage and to the Hunterian system which is generally followed in English works where Malay words are spelt in the Eoman character. Quotations appearing in German in the Essays have been translated; but when the ultimate source was in English the original words have been reproduced from that source.
My thanks are due to the Committee for Malay Studies of the Federated Malay States Government for having commissioned me to translate the work, to the author for his cordial consent and his assistance in clearing up doubtful points, and to the Council of the Royal Asiatic Society for having sanctioned the publication of the book by the Society.
The author also desires me to express his appreciation of the recognition thus accorded to his work.
