ORIENTAL SERIES.

vi PREFACE.
are likely to be found named in the works of European
writers.
It must be understood from the first that this work
is derived entirely from the publications of European
scholars. I have not resorted to original Sanskrit autho-
rities. My remaining span
of life would at the best be
quite insufficient for an investigation of their manifold
and lengthy volumes. But I have gleaned from many
European writers, and have sought to present a summary
of the present condition of our knowledge of the religion
and mythology of Ancient India.
The work is no doubt very defective. The full harvest
of Sanskrit learning has not yet been gathered in, but
the knowledge which has been stored by former labourers
ought to be made readily available for the service of their
successors, to lighten their labours and strengthen them
for onward progress. There is nothing in this book for
which authority is not to be found in some one or more
of the many works upon Hindu literature and religion,
but the aim has been to condense and bring together in
a compact form that information which lies scattered in
many volumes. Hindu mythology is so extensive, and
the authorities are often so at variance with each other,
that I cannot but feel diffident of the success of my
labours. I have worked diligently and carefully, I hope
also intelligently, but mistakes have no doubt been made,
and it may be that matters have been passed over which
ought to have been recorded, and others have been printed
which might well have been left unnoticed. But while
I have no expectatiqn of any near approach to perfection,
I do hope that a good beginning has been made, and
that a basis has been laid on which a greater and more
worthy structure may hereafter be fais'ed. If the work is