Indian Antiquary Vol 18

Author(s): John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 36

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(JANUARY 1889.
There was immense joy and rejoicing all over the kingdom when the Princess for the first time after her recovery from her terrible illness, rode through the city, and the fame of the fair-haired youngster who had cured her, when so many others had failed, spread far and wide, and every one, high and low, sought his friendship and did him honour. Nor was our hero's sister tardy in her attentions towards him, now that he stood so high in the royal favour. She sent messergers to invite him to make her house his home, and expressed herself highly concerned in his welfare ; but her brother knew her too well to be carried away by these manifestations of her regard, and sent her word that he could do well without a sister who had discarded him when he was poor, and wanted now to make up to him only because he was rich and powerful.
Now that his beloved daughter was thoroughly cured, the king thought it high time that the promised reward should be bestowed upon her deliverer. So he sent for his astrologers and bade them fix upon a day on which to celebrate the Princess's wedding with the young merchant. But our hero's heart was not as light as it should be, considering that he was loved by the Princess as much as he loved her, and that they both looked forward to their union with the greatest raptare; for he saw that the proud nobles and grandees of the king's court looked upon him as a mere upstart and a creature of circumstances. He thought, therefore, of going back to his own country to solicit his father's forgiveness and bring him over with all his friends and relatives to celebrate his nuptials with the king's daughter with fitting pomp and coremony. So he obtained the king's permission, and fitting out a magnificent ship sailed in it to his native country.
His father was both surprised and happy to see him back again and greeted him with the greatest kindness, for his heart was glad to find that his son had at last shown himself possessed of those qualities that he prized in a merchant's son, by making the most of the money he had placed in his hands. So he made preparations on a grand scale and sailed with a train of friends and relatives towards the country of his daughter-in-law elect, and there amidst universal rejoicing, the nuptials of the illustrious pair were celebrated with immense pomp, and the promised half of the kingdom was soon made over to the happy bridegroom.
Oar hero, however, did not forget, amidst all this pomp and rejoicing, the poor friend who had assisted him in his poverty. He duly sent for him, and not only returned to him with interest the money he had so generously placed in his hands when he was poor and needy, but bestowed upon him a high post as a reward for his unselfish and disinterested friendship.
MISCELLANEA.
PROGRESS OF EUROPEAN SCHOLARSHIP. may be mentioned that of the date and time No. XII.
fixed for reading the edicts publicly. He also Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen points out that Asoka's instructions for the Gesellschaft (Journal of the German Oriental inspection-tours of his higher officials agree Society) for 1887; Vol. xli.
with those of the Brahmaņical law-givers, and (a) The first part opens with a continuation of with the Rájaniti, and offers a new derivation Prof. Bühler's Essays on the Aboka Inscrip- for sakhindlashbhs in the first edict from tions. The present paper deals with the flakshnárambhaḥ. In the second edict, he exdetached edicts of Dhauli and Jangada, and plains chakiy as the fut. part. pass. of the comprises text (in the Dôvanagari and Roman Prakṣit verb chak to be able,' a representative characters), translation, and notes. The text is and possibly a relation of the Sanskrit sak. founded on Dr. J. Burgess's paper impressions, The Mahârâshtri form chay occurs in Panyachecked by paper rubbings obtained by General lachchhí, vs. 202, and in Hêmachandra's Prakrit Cunningham. Owing to its nature, a summary Grammar, IV. 86 (sakes chayatara-tira parah), of the contents of the paper would be useless and in the Défikosha. Amongst new explanations given by Dr. Bühler! This is followed by a reprint of Dr. Ignaz