Page:The Hindu Pantheon.djvu/11



MY DEAR SIR,T is not, perhaps, usual, but I am little read in the history of such things, for an author to inscribe two works to the same person. Permit me, however, to dedicate a second, though a smaller, work to YOU.

When I compiled the former, we stood in a different relation to each other—YOU a GOVERNOR, I one of your subalterns—now we are merely, what I am not a little proud and happy in saying we at all time have been, FRIENDS. In the first case, a prudent forecast, laudable and honourable will be admitted, of bettering my fortunes, might have been supposed to mingle with other sentiments. Now, continents and oceans are interposed between us, and we may never meet again: this Dedication of my humble Work cannot, therefore, flow from feeling less. pure than those of GRATITUDE and ESTEEM. These would, of a