I should have broken silence on this subject at a much earlier period, had it not been for the utter uncertainty I have been in as to the exact course which the gentlemen who are aggrieved by the publication in question intended to pursue, and what kind of proceedings they were resolved to institute, and against what person or persons.
I must observe further that I was summoned as a witness both for the prosecution and for the defence, at the late trial, and expected that I should have an opportunity of stating in the witness-box some of the facts, or giving some explanation of the matter, so far as it affected myself.
But the Counsel for the prosecution did not require my evidence, though I was in attendance under my subpoena, while for the defence no witnesses were summoned at all; I had, therefore, no opportunity of explaining anything.
This being the case, I take the earliest opportunity of putting on record the chief points of my connection with the Nil Durpan, because an explanation seems due to the Association of Landholders, (who represent the gentlemen aggrieved by the publication) and to myself.
First, as to the way in which the work in question was brought to light to the public.
About the month of October or November last the Reverend Mr. Long brought to my notice the existence of this drama in the original Bengali, and a Native hawker, who was commissioned by the Native author to sell the book, brought me a copy, which I purchased. Until that lime I had never heard of the work.
The drama bore the mark of a Dacca printing press, and the date of its publication was the 2nd. of Assin, corresponding to the middle of September. From conversation with Mr. Long and with the Native hawker, I felt quite satisfied that the drama was the genuine production of a Native resident in the Mofussil. On dipping into the original 1 was struck with the thorough knowledge of village life which it displayed, with the pointedness of the Bengali proverbs, some of which were new, while others were familiar to me, and with its colloquial style and Vernacular idiom.
After this the drama was translated by a Native with my sanction and knowledge, as some persons were desirous of seeing it in an English form, and 500 copies were
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