Indian Antiquary Vol 57

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 91

APRIL, 1928)
BOOK-NOTICES.
died at Pondicherry, the record of his death would have been indubitably entered in the registers of the "Etat-Civil." This leads me to conclude that he died elsewhere. According to Mr. Cotton, he must have died at Mylapore. It is not proved by any inscription about him ; nor was there any tomb built over his grave. Therefore nobody can say, with certainty, the exact place of his death.
I think, it is but a hypothesis, that Mr. Manucci in his second will would have also indi. cated the place where he wished to be buried and the properties which he bequeathed to his heirs.
As his will with its codicil was deposited in the registry of the Conseil Supérieur by the Capuchin monk Thomas on the 23rd August 1720, I suppose he must have died on the 22nd or 23rd August of that year; for such deposits are made the very day or the day after the testator's death. Till we find something to prove the contrary we may safely assume that the celebrated Venetian died on the 22nd or 23rd of August 1720.
I am still going on with my researches to find out the exact day of his death and shall publish in extenso any new discoveries I may make in the course of my studies.
YOTE ---Writers spell in different ways the name Manucci: Manuch Nicolas-Macucho Senhr NicolaManuchee Monsr-Manuche Senor-Nicolao Mannuci-Manooch--Senhr Nichola Manuch-Signor Niccolao Manucci-Manoucha-Manuchy- Nicolas Manook-Manuch Dr. Nicoln Manouchy-Manouchi
The true spelling is Nicolao Manuchy in conformity with his signature found in different records which are in the Pondicherry archives.
MISCELLANEA. IONICOLES, A NAME FOR THE PARSEES. upon then the strictest engagements to cultivate
the Land: for according to their Maxima, it was The term Ignicole, obviously from the Latin
a pious and meritorious Action, to plant a Tree, unicola. Gre-worshipper, appears to have been to water a Field. or to make a barren spot of earth invented by Sir John Chardin, to describe the
yieldt fruit. Whereas the Philosophy of the people now known universully as the Pareees or
Mahometans, tends only to the enjoying of the Persians. His books of travel in tho seventeenth
things of this World, while one is in it, without
the century, thongh famous, seem never to have become
haaving any more regard to it than a Highway, popular, and perhaps that is why Ignicole, AS A
through which one is to pass quickly." Again on descriptive natne, fell flat. But it occurs twice
p. 129 he writes: "If Persia was inhabited by in Lloyd's translation of Chardin's French account
Turks, who are still more slothful, und less engaged of his Travels in Persia, published in 1720 and
in the things of this Life than the Persians, and reprinted in 1927 in a fine production of the
cruelly severe in their manner of government, it Argonaut Press under that title, with an introduc.
would be still more barren than it is. Whereas, tion by Sir Percy Sykes. Chardlin had evidently
if it was in the hands of the Armenians, or of those & great admiration of the original inhabitants of
people called Ignicoles, one could quickly find it Persia, and on p. 138 of the Argonaut Prese edition
appear again in all its Ancient Glory and Primitive he writes: "The religion of the Ancient Persiang,
Splendor." who were Ignicoles, or worshippers of Fire, lay'd
R. C. TEMPLE BOOK-NOTICES. THE GLORIES OF MAGADHA. By J. N. SAMADDAR. NCCRINDLE'S ANCIENT INDIA AS DESCRIBED BY 2nd Ed. Kurtaline Press, Calcutta.
PTOLEMY : reprinted from the Indian Antiquary. I am glad to see that Professor Samaddar's
By SURENDRANATE MAJUMDAR SASTRI, with excellent book on the Glories of Magadha has run
Introduction and Notes. Calcutta 1927. to a second edition, which it well deserves. I wish it every success, especially as it has been produced
Professor Majumdar Sastri has produced a most under sad circumstances of health. The excellence
useful book and done Indian Scholars & great service of the work is proved by the willing assistance
by this reprint of McCrindle's well-known work the Professor has received from various well-known
of over forty years ago. The original had become scholars and needs no further recommendation, very scarce and is moreover not in & form that is but I must add that the many plates are very
pleasant to read, whereas this Edition is clear, fine and most useful to those engaged in research.
if not so handy as the former one. Professor There is besides much new information carefully Majumdar's introduction is good and most useful, compiled which will go far to make the book one
and his notes to Ptolemy's difficult text are up that scholars cannot ignore.
to date. What more can be said of a reprint ? R. C. TEMPLE.
R. C. TEMPLE.