unequalled brevity and beauty, I have, for the most part, omitted them, because they are generally taught in schools, and indeed regarded as part of a school course. En passant I may mention that seven or eight years ago I printed and published them, in a separate form, with an analysis and translation in English, and that a Second Edition of this work is now in the Press. Bible proverbs, and those obviously Sanskrit, are also omitted, because this collection is designed to be Dravidian. Translations from Western proverbs I have for the same reason left out.
In this edition, as in the First, the proverbs are arranged in alphabetical order. This of course is the easiest method. Some years ago I thought of classifying the subjects somewhat after the plan of Amarakosha, a Sanskrit Dictionary, wherein objects are divided into separate classes, as Supernals, Infernals, Men, Animals, &c. A division of subjects on the principle of a commonplace book was also thought of, and a friend whose judgment I greatly respect, suggested an index, Although each of the methods referred to has much to recommend it, at length I gave them all up, and resolved to adopt the easiest—the alphabetical arrangement. Had I decided otherwise, the work must have been delayed; and as in my case “the day is far spent,” I might not have been able to accomplish my purpose.
On the analogy of the proverbial expressions current in all countries, many scraps of sentences, mere allusions, similitudes, and the like, are included in this collection, though not proverbs in the proper sense of the term. The objects of Nature, habits, and dispositions of animals, government, agriculture and commerce, domestic and religious usages supply a large number of proverbial expressions. The incidents of classical literature contribute many that prove highly acceptable to those who have
