Hindu artists being more skilful in metallurgy than in perspective, I farther indulge the, hope, that in the latter line my Work may, if haply introduced among them, be ultimately of utility in contributing to their improvement; nor, perhaps, will even the amateur or artist of Europe' easily find more graceful models of outline than some of my plates will afford him.
My Work has, as is generally the case, exceeded in bulk what I originally intended, although, as will appear, I have well filled both page and plate, (for the plates, though but one hundred and five in number, contain nearer two than one thousand mythological figures, attributes, and subjects,) and have resorted to some artifices to increase their contents. Being unable to read the sacred books of the Brahmans, as Mr. Wilkins, Mr. Colibroke, Mr. Wilford and others are, and as Sir William Jones (alas!) was, I have, as acknowledged, very freely availed myself of the labours of these learned Gentlemen, and shall be well pleased if, in return, they can benefit in any way from my publication.
Of such friends as have favoured me with the gift, or loan, of materials, I have made grateful mention; and I will here generally thank many others who made me obliging offers of asistance that it did not suit me to accept. In this I could do myself honour by names eminent for learning and virtue, both in England and in India; some of whom, however, and the obligation is the greater, I am not so fortunate as to call friends personally, but they have been such to my work, and I heartily thank them. Other zealous friends in both portions of the globe have most kindly and profitably exerted themselves in favour of my work; such will accept my cordial acknowledgements.
To Mr. Wilkins, whose kindness has been so promptly extended to me on every occasion, mythological and miscellaneous, I must, however, thus return thanks in a more pointed manner; and should do it more particularly were it not that the pride, which I cannot conceal, of the counte-
