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nation for another, double for single letters, aspirate for inaspirate, et vice versa. This was kindly brought to my notice by a friend, but rather too late to enable me entirely to alter the sheets: and lest I should "perpetuate a provincial or inelegant pronunciation," a considerable proportion of the errata is devoted to the correction of these errors, according to the system laid down in Note 3, Appendix C.

In preparing an Introduction to the Sidath' Sangarawa, I proposed to lay before my readers, a comprehensive history of the Singhalese language, with select specimens from nearly the whole of its standard writers. But as I proceeded with the task, I found my difficulties neither few, nor, in many cases, surmountable. The great variety of Singhalese books, the paucity of information regarding their writers, the difficulty experienced in the collection of even the little known of them, and the absence of a library to which ready access may be had; added to the incessant excitement of a profession, whose claims upon my attention left me but little leisure, induced me to contract my original design; and to prepare for the press the comparatively few materials I already possessed. But if it should be permitted me hereafter, under Divine Providence, to revise these sheets, and to present the public with a second edition, I am not without hopes that I may not only effect considerable improvement in the translations, but also obtain larger and more valuable accessions to this history of Singhalese literature, which from the causes already alluded to, is far more brief than even the available materials would have enabled me to present the reader.

To the Singhalese scholar there is perhaps little in these pages calculated to excite interest. But to the European I hope they will prove both interesting and valuable. The specimens of poetry and prose, independently of their intrinsic merit as Oriental compositions, may present him with a picture of the manners of the Singhalese, and

exhibit the peculiarities of thought and feeling which actuate Eastern writers. They may also serve, under the judicious guidance of a teacher, as a Delectus for both beginners and advanced students; and will furnish appropriate subjects for different exercises in composition and translation.

I am fully sensible that future researches into the Singhalese language-a department of literature which has not been to any extent explored by Europeans-will lead to the discovery of errors and imperfections in my humble labours. With reference to defects of style, perfect correctness perhaps cannot, and, I believe, ought not to be expected from me; I can, therefore, scarcely persuade myself to offer an apology. I may, however, remark, that if the investigations contained in the pages now presented to the public, be the means of awakening a spirit of inquiry in the minds of my country.. men;-of inviting the attention of the settler in Ceylon to the language of the Singhalese,-of prompting him to a critical study of, and a philosophic research into, the native literature,-and of giving him a stimulus to the study of a language, little understood, less cultivated, much neglected, and to a great extent slighted,-the writer's chief aim will have been attained.

It now only remains for me, in conclusion, to notice the assistance I have received during the progress of this work.

My especial thanks are due to the Government of Ceylon, and more particularly to the Hon'ble C. J. MacCarthy, Esq., Colonial Secretary, for the kindness and liberality with which I have been permitted the free use of their Press for the publication of this Grammar.

I cannot also omit to mention with thankfulness the name of Mr. J. Capper, the late indefatigable Secretary to the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, but for whose kind suggestion and encouragement I should probably never have undertaken this work.

* See specimen of an exercise in Appendix C.

1

Besides tendering my sincere thanks to Mr. W. Skeen, the talented Government Printer, for the arduous task of revising these sheets for the Press, I beg to record my lasting obligations to Mr. A. M. Ferguson, for his kind assistance; and my acknowledgments to Mr. J. R. Blake, for whose valuable suggestions I am very greatly indebted.

J. A.

THE

SIDATH SANGARAWA

SINGHALESE GRAMMAR.

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