Some Observations on the originality, extent, and importance of the Mathematical science of the Hindoos; with Extracts from Perfian Translations of the Leelawuttee and Beej Gunnit — By Edward Strachey, of the Bengal Civil Establishment.
THE character which Sir William Jones has given of Persian tranflations from the Sanscrit is enough to deter men from the labour of examining them. To discover the full extent of Hindoo learning the Sanscrit originals should be studied.
Nevertheless some of these translations have their value. If examined attentively and without prejudice, they will, on many points, give an insight into Hindoo science without hazard of deception, although they are justly open to a general objection of confusion and inaccuracy.
The translator seldom distinguishes the text from his own additions, but he sometimes introduces matter which he must have been incapable of supplying, if he had not had access to some extraordinary means of information, which means I conclude to be the original work he pretends to translate, or some other Hindoo books of science.
In works which are avowedly translated from ancient or obscure authors, but are suspected to abound with interpolations, we cannot pronounce any proposition to be original, without a previous consideration of its nature, and of the circumstances of the translator and the reputed author.
