________________
Остовив, 1888.
main purpose. We used to discuss not only the chief problems and results of antiquarian and literary research, but also the social, political, and religious condition of modern India. In these conversations, I was often struck with the fairness and impartiality of his remarks on men and matters. He never showed any jealousy of the merits of others, but freely acknowledged what was worthy of praise in their work and character; nor did he allow his judgment to be clouded by national vanity. A point which did him great honour was his feeling towards his former master, Dr. Bhân Dâji. Though fully conscious of the weaknesses of the latter, he felt for him as only an Indian pupil can feel for his Guru. He was still devoted to him, tan and man, with the same devotion which he had shown so often during Dr. Bhân Dâji's lifetime. On literary, historical, and linguistic questions, we often differed very considerably. His bearing in such discussions was always perfectly self-possessed and gentlemanly. It was not easy to induce him to give up an idea which once had taken root in his mind. But in spite of a great sensitiveness he always openly acknowledged a defeat. Though he had, as was only right and just, a very good opinion of him. self, and of the ability of his countrymen, he more than once made the apparently sincerely meant remark, that the Hindus did not possess the same mental strength as the Western nations, and he never found the least difficulty in admitting the fact that their ancestors had borrowed much from the Greeks and other foreigners with whom they came into contact. Of the social, political, and religious life of modern India, especially in the Native States, he gave me more trustworthy accounts than almost any other of my numerous Hindu acquaintances, whose statements were only too often biassed one way or the other. His amiable frank character, his keen intelligence, and his extensive learning, made him very dear to me. I shall never forget the pleasant days, when I used eagerly to look forward to the announcement that the Panditjt had come; and I gladly acknowledge now, as I have done already on special occasions, that I have learnt a great deal from him.
MISCELLANEA.
297
ment service. But I failed, partly because he did not possess a sufficient knowledge of the English language, and partly because his terms were rather high, and he claimed a certain independence in his position. He was, however, by no means quite neglected. Besides the no doubt liberal pay for the work which he did for Drs. Burgess and Campbell, he received generous assistance from the Kathiâvâd Chiefs and other patrons, as well as, on the completion of his inscriptions from Nêpâl, the whole savings, nearly one-half, of the original Government grant of Rs. 2,000. With such occasional help, he seems to have been able to live not uncomfortably, except in the last months of his life, when he became very infirm. In his last letter, dated the 27th January, 1888, he, for the first time, complained of his circumstances. He told me that, after suffering more or less during four years, he had become for the last two months so weak in body as to be unable to leave his bed, and that, though, only 49 years of age, he was quite an old man and unable to work for his livelihood. He asked me, therefore, to apply to the Divân of Junagadh for a pension. I fulfilled his request at once, and the courteous reply of Mr. Haridas Behâridâs leaves no doubt that Pandit Bhagvânlâl would have received help, if he had not died so soon. In spite of his bodily weakness and his cares, he continued his literary work to the last. In the letter of the 27th January last, he added, after describing his infirmity,-"But my mental power is, on the contrary, good. I have engaged a graduate [of the University.] Having taught him with great trouble, I make him write [my] articles (péparo lakhavum chhum)." Some time before his death he made a will, bequeathing his coins and copper-plates to the British Museum, his papers and MSS. to the Asiatic Society of Bombay. Mr. Vajeshankar G. Ozhâ of Bhâunagar has informed me that Pandit Bhagvânlal's admirers in Kathiâvâd intend to raise a fund in order to perpetuate his name by the endowment of a scholarship in connection with the Bombay University. I trust that all European Orientalists will join with his compatriots in order to do honour to the memory of their distinguished colleague who spent his whole life in the pursuit of disinterested scientific work. G. BÜHLER.
Vienna, May 18th, 1888.
His worldly circumstances were unfortunately never very satisfactory. When I made his acquaintance, he was engaged in business with, or was working in the office of, a native merchant in Bombay. I believe he kept this connection up also later, though he was temporarily employed by Dr. Burgess and by Dr. J. M. Campbell, the compiler of the famous Bombay Gazetteer. During my stay in India, I repeatedly tried to secure for him a permanent place in the Govern
CALCULATION OF HINDU DATES. No. 18.
In the Kittar stone inscription of the Kâdamba king Jayakêsin III., from the Bel
