IN the Preface it has been already mentioned, that some few Tales were left untranslated. The outlines of them, six in number, will be found in the following pages, and, in the notes, my rea­sons for not giving them at length.

Whether the BAHAR-DANUSH will be deemed worth the applica­tion I have bestowed upon it, I feel anxiously doubtful of; as the par­tiality for my own labour does not prevent me seeing that my author’s descriptions are often too free, and that the incidents in some tales are triflingly uninteresting. The unfa­vourable light in which he has placed the conduct of so many of the eastern ladies deserves reproof, as one or two instances of female depravity would have been sufficient to contrast with the perfections of his virtuous characters.

It seems to have been his object, to make the imperfections of many a foil to the brilliant virtues of the heroine of his novel, who loved so truly, that she could not survive the loss of her husband; and in the constancy of his hero, he doubtless meant to exemplify a generous mind, proof against general accusa­tion, or abuse. So much in apology for the author. If we wish for a true picture of Asiatic manners, we must take the bad with the good, or be deceived.