A grammar of the Malayan language, with an introduction and praxis..

xxviii INTRODUCTION.
late Dutch East-India Company, and a distinguished member
of the Batavian philosophical society, addressed to my friend
jvir. CHARLES HOLLOWAY of ^encooleu (froiu whom I received
it), accompanied with two well executed drawings made from
stone images of Siva or Mahadeva, and JBhavani, under the
appellations of JRhairava and Batu-Bharav^, and also with
copies of long inscriptions carved upon the back of these or si-
milar images. The characters and language of the inscriptions
are stated to be equally unknown to the natives of the interior
of Java (where they were found) and to the Brahmans of bengal
to whom he had shewn them. But upon examination the
characters prove to be no other than the square Pali, consi-
dered as sacred in the Binna or Ava country, and in Siain.
Of this my late worthy and ingenious friend col. m. symes, in
his account of an embassy to Ava, gives a specimen, taken
from a beautiful manuscript containing an account of the ceremony
used in the consecration of rhahaans or priests ; which
Pali manuscript he afterwards presented to earl spencer, and
is now in the magnificent library of that nobleman. Being my-
self so fortunate as to possess an original alphabet and other
materials for ascertaining the language of the inscriptions, I
hope (with the aid of Mr. wilkins) to succeed in translating
them.
Very probable it is that the inhabitants of both islands, Java and Sumatra, be-
fore they had embraced the Mahometan faith, were of the religion of Brahma.
Will you let me have for a moment again the letter from Mr. Marsden, in order
to peruse the requests of that learned gentleman, and should I be able to furnish
him with any information, I shall be happy to embrace the opportunity.
I remain, &c.
To Charles Jlolloway, Esq. A. CouPEHUS."
Ci^cuUa.