In the volumes now offered to the public, it has been my zealous endeavour to supply those minutiÆ and details, which have not, in any distinct manner, been heretofore tendered to its consideration. A residence of more than twenty years in Bengal, during which period I had every opportunity of visiting the several districts under that presidency, has enabled me to afford considerable insight into a variety of topics, which, whether to the statesman, the merchant, the military, or the civil character, should prove highly important, and guide, not only to a just conception of the characters of the natives, and of the European society, in India, but to the removal of that host of doubts, prejudices, and national opinions, which, if suffered to prevail, must occasion every object to be seen through a false medium.

With the view to render my labors more acceptable to my juvenile readers, whose welfare is attended to in every page, it appeared to me expedient to adopt rather a familiar, than a didactic, style; so as to lead towards the goal of instruction, in that easy manner which is generally found best suited to that intention. The same principle induced me to avoid any arrangement under abstract heads, or chapters; as well as to render the contents at large philosophically diffuse.

The mode adopted in my former publication, ‘The Wild Sports of the East’, namely, of spelling the Hindostanee words according to English pronunciation, having been highly approved, is continued on this occasion. This plan appears particularly necessary in a work intended chiefly for the use of persons proceeding to India; since nothing could be more unpleasant than a deficiency in respect to intonation; which, being once established in error, must prove extremely difficult of correction.

While studying to supply the several desiderata left unnoticed by those gentlemen who have written on subjects relating to India, I felt it incumbent on me, both from a sense of delicacy, and from the conviction that they had already passed through more able hands, to avoid whatever topics had been abstractedly considered. Therefore, such of my readers as may seek for particular information regarding the religious tenets of the several sects, the languages of the East, the literature, &c., &c., should consult those eminent authors to whom the world is so much indebted. The whole of their works may be obtained by application to Messrs. Black, Parry, and Kingsbury, of Leadenhall Street, London, from whose ample catalogue I beg leave to cull the following, as being particularly applicable to the use of students laudably intent on obtaining the most valuable sources of oriental learning.

The works of Doctor Gilchrist stand pre-eminent, and, while they do honor to himself, are highly creditable to the discrimination and liberality of the East India Company, under whom he held a Professorship. In the purchase of the few volumes necessary towards the equipment of a gentleman proceeding to India, the whole of Doctor Gilchrist’s philological publications ought to be included. Dr. Wilkin’s edition of Richardson’s Persian Dictionary is equally indispensable to writers, who may be desirous to attain a proficiency in the Persian language, by which they become eligible for officers of the highest rank: but, to cadets, who do not wish to go to the expence of two volumes, quarto, the Abridgement, by Mr. Hopkins, in one volume, royal octavo, is particularly recommended. Dr. Wilkins’s Sanskrita Grammar will also be found eminently serviceable; while his translation of the Heetopades will afford much insight into the narratory idiom of the Hindus. Richardson’s Arabic Grammar, as also Sir W. Jones’s Persian Grammar, or Gladwin’s Persian Moonshee, and his Gulistan of Sady, should not be omitted. Sir Wm. Ouseley’s Essay towards facilitating the reading of Persian Manuscripts, will prove a substantial aid. Balfour’s Forms of Herkern, in Arabic and English, should be provided; together with Rousseau’s Dictionary of Mahomedan Law Terms. Mr. Colebrooke’s Digest Of Hindu Law, is indispensable; and I strongly recommend his Treatise on the Husbandry and Internal Commerce of Bengal. Sale’s Koran will supply the fullest information regarding the fundamental principles of the Mahomedan religion; and Reynell’s Memoirs, united with his Atlas, and Map, or Arrowsmith’s Map of India, on a larger scale, will prove the best guides in acquiring the geography, together with many local matters extremely interesting to persons travelling in any part of our territory, but especially in Bengal. The Ayeen Akbekry will shew what Hindostan was under the government of Akbar; and the Asiatic Researches, and Asiatic Annual Register, will be found to display an immense variety of subjects connected with natural history, &c. The Tour made, under the auspices of Marquis Wellesley, by Doctor Francis Buchanan, through the Mysore, Canara, and Malabar Districts, may be considered one of the most valuable productions of the age; inasmuch as it details, with philosophic consideration, and, in most instances, with alchemic precision, a variety of matters relating to the climate, the soil, and those various articles of produce, as well as the mode of manufacture, which cannot fail to prove highly interesting to those either engaged in mercantile speculations, or who thirst after useful knowledge. This work is published by Messrs. Black, Parry, and Kingsbury.

With respect to those regulations published for the control, or guidance, of persons proceeding to, or residing in, India, fluctuations must at times take place. Messrs. Black, Parry, and Kingsbury, publish yearly a Directory, under the immediate authority of the Court of Directors, the latest edition of which ought to be purchased in the first instance.

Soliciting my readers’ indulgence regarding any typographical errors, which may, notwithstanding the greatest attention in correcting for the press, occasionally appear, and anxiously hoping that he may at least be amused, if not instructed, by the perusal of my pages, I consign them to the consideration of a discriminating, just, and liberal public; trusting that my motives, at least, will be rewarded by its approbation.

London, January 1, 1810.