ascending the throne became so cruel as may be considered a reproach to humanity, the history of the world proves that in those countries where the absolute monarchy prevails; such is the real state of things and the progress in knowledge, in

improvement, and in crvilization is of very slow growth. It is most painful to contemplate how India groaned under Mahomedan sway whose cruelty deluged the country with flood of bloods. No country was ever placed in a more humble state than India, the slave of slaves had even trampled upon it at a period when Mahomedans occupied the throne, it is by the wise dispensation of the Most High that we are after centuries of misrule now placed under the government of an enlightened nation foremost in the van of ciyilzation. Under the care of such a Government education and information have been of late years rapidly diffused among the people. It is also to be remarked here that the foundation of schools and colleges, the formation of Universities and the construction of Railways bespeak the wealth and civilization of our rulers whom we must always remember with gratitude, and who had protected us from the

violence and depredation of Mahomedan rulers whose deeds we must now contemplate with horror and consternation. The days of mutiny, those days of peril are gone, we hope never to return again, and we now desire that those who at present continue at the helm of Indian affairs will not allow the vessel of state to be tossed to and fro by the storm of mutiny.

I must apologize here for briefly touching on a subject relating to Her majesty's Goverment of India. My excuse must be that I could not refrain from noticing the prom inent feeling of gratitude towards those persons who direct the springs of Government of India; who are the guardians of our religion and faith; who have established law and order throughout the length and breadth of Her majesty's dominion; and who have thus fulfilled their mission in the East by doing every thing conducive to the welfare of the Country,

In submitting my work to the candid judgment of the public, I beg to observe that I have nothing spared to render my work pleasing and interesting to them, and I venture to think that my discourse on the beauties of Shakespear's Drama as also on se

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several quotations out of it, will be graciously received by my native and European friends. I cannot expect that during the long course of my literary career, the reader will not be able to discover any accidental error in my work, to which I have devoted nearly three years of my existence, but I entreat he will condescend to overlook such an error as considering the same to be occasioned through inadvertence.

In the first instance I thought that it would be impossible on my part to render my work correct and complete, but I am glad to say that by the infinite mercy of God I have been spared to bring to a close this my humble work. I must confess here that after the publication of my Dramatic Poem on Life and Death of Hector, I had the pleasing duty of presenting my addresses to several European and native learned gentlemen, but I beg leave to observe that only my European friends were glad to receive my addresses and my works very kindly and to give me due encouragement for undertaking such an arduous task an arduous task as that of writing a Dramatic Poem in English. I am sorry that my native friends except one or two did take

no notice of me, the spirit of patriotism which had formerly actuated the natives, I believe, no longer existed! I regret much that I am compelled to write thus of my countrymen.

I am at a loss to understand why have I not found welcome reception from my countrymen while the foriegners were pleased to treat me very kindly ; but I shall here express a hope that posterity will only redress my grievances. What rapture will it not give me if I shall have future generations to appreciate the merits of my work! Shall it not satisfy me that an Addison of a future time will not only dwell upon the blemishes but also upon the beauties of my work? What a matter of regret is it to pass over all the valuable parts of a man and to make remarks upon his demerits only ? I must therefore agree with the great and learned author who once complained very pathetically like myself. The learned author says "If the present generation will not hear my voice, hearken, O posterity to you I call and from you I expect redress !"

1

If any learned gentleman be desirous of orraigning me before the tribunal before which I am going to submit my humble work, I must

beseech him to treat me generously; let him not endeavour to conceal the merits of a man when he

will expose his faults. I know if there be a future Zoilous the scourge of Homer there must be a Ptolemy Philadelphus of a future time.

As to the satire and abuse I must here premise that neither my education nor the system of my religion will permit me to entertain even a desire of unbecoming retaliation, situated as I am, I shall bear them tranquilly. The attempt of the learned critics of the present time against me, I hope, must not be in the same light as the Athenians' shell against Aristides. They were tired of hearing him called the just; I believe, I shall have no reason to experience the like treatment from them. I shall candidly confess that I always love and honor the fame and name of illustrious gentleman more than my own paltry renown. I am indeed not só vain as to pretend to say any thing by way of recommending my work, but simply beg leave to quote the opinion of a gentleman who addressed me in the following manner :-"I consider you in the literary world as a poet and philosopher and with the exeption of a

every