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NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
With regard to the Parsi Religion M. Darmesteter's translation of the Vendidad, published in the fourth volume of our Series, has attracted general attention among Zend scholars; and though it has given rise to controversies, it has received the highest praise even from those who differed most widely from the translator's principles. Such controversies are not only unavoidable in the interpretation of ancient texts, but are really most desirable and most useful for the advancement of Oriental scholarship. We may expect at least one more volume from the pen of our distinguished collaborateur.
The later Parsi or Pahlavi literature has found its first successful interpreter in Mr. E. W. West, and no contribution has been more gratefully received by Oriental scholars than his translations of the Bundahis, Bahman Yast, and Shâyast-laShấyast. The second volume, now in the Press, will contain the Dâdistân-i Dinîk, and possibly he Mainyô Khard.
Professor Palmer's translation of the Qur'an lies finished before us in two volumes, and seems to have raised quite a new interest in a work which was often supposed to be unreadable except in Arabic.
As to the works of Confucius and Lao-tze it was well known that they were in the very best hands. Professor Legge's translation of the Shû King, Shih King, and Hsiảo King has proved acceptable to scholars both in Europe and in China, and his forthcoming translation of the Yi King is looked forward to with the highest interest.
With regard to myself I think I may say that I have tried to fulfil my duties as Editor to the best of my power and judgment. I have been blamed, I know, for not making this Series of Sacred Books more attractive and more popular, but to do so would have been incompatible with the very object
