the capital of Ladákh: but I ascertained that the road to go to Yarkand was very difficult, expensive, and dangerous for a Christian; therefore, after a sojourn of twenty-five days, I resolved to return to Lahore.

I was on my return near the frontier of Kashmír, when, on the 16th of July 1822, I was agreeably surprised to find Mr. MOORCROFT at Himbáp. He was alone: I acquainted him with all my circumstances and designs, and, by his permission, remained with him. I accompanied him on his return to Léh, where we arrived on the 26th of August. In September, after Mr. TREBECK's arrival from Pítí, Mr. MOORCROFT gave me to peruse the large volume of the "Alphabetum Tibetanum," wherein I found much respecting Tibet and the Tibetan literature; and being desirous to be acquainted with the structure of this curious tongue (at the departure of Mr. MOORCROFT from Léh, to proceed to Kashmír, in the last days of September), I begged leave to remain with Mr. TREBECK, who obtained for me the conversation and instruction of an intelligent person, who was well acquainted with the Tibetan and Persian languages; and by this means I obtained considerable insight into the Tibetan.

At Mr. MOORCROFT's request, before his departure, I translated into Latin a letter written in the Russian character and language (procured by MIR IZZAT ALLAH, of Dehlí, the companion of Mr. MOORCROFT), dated Petersburg, the 17th of January 1820, and addressed to the Chief Prince of the Panjâb, RANAJIT SING; which, as Mr. MOORCROFT informed me, after his arrival at Kashmír, he sent to Calcutta.

During the winter in Kashmír, after my return with Mr. TREBECK, considering what I had read and learned on the Tibetan language, I became desirous to apply myself to it, and to learn it grammatically, 60 as to penetrate into those numerous and highly interesting volumes which are to be found in every large monastery. I communicated my ideas respecting this matter to Mr. MOORCROFT; who, after mature consideration, gave me his approbation, favoured me with money for my necessary subsistence, and permitted me to return to Ladákh: nay, he recommended me to the chief officer at Léh, and to the LAMA of Yanglaia Zanskar. Being prepared for the journey, I left Kashmír on the 2d of May 1823, after having passed there five months with Mr. MOORCROFT.

After my return to Ladákh, I arrived at Léh on the 1st of June 1823, and delivered Mr. MoORCROFT's and MIR IZZAT ALLAH's letters and presents to the KALÚN. This prime minister recommended me in a letter to the LAMÁ of Yangla; gave me a passport; and favoured me with eight pounds of tea. From Léh, travelling in a south-westerly direction, I arrived on the ninth day at Yangla; and from the 20th of

June 1823, to the 22d of October 1824, I sojourned in Zanskár (the most south-western province of Ladákh), where I applied myself to the Tibetan literature, assisted by the Lámá.

During my residence in Zanskár, by the able assistance of that intelligent man, I learned the language grammatically; and became acquainted with many literary treasures shut up in three hundred and twenty large printed volumes, which are the basis of all Tibetan learning and religion these volumes, divided into two classes, and each class containing other subdivisions, are all taken from Indian Sanskrit, and were translated into Tibetan. I caused to be copied the contents of these immense works and treatises, in the same order as they stand in the printed indices. Each work or treatise begins with the title in Sanskrit and Tibetan, and ends with the names of the authors, translators, and place where the author wrote, or the translation was performed. As there are several collections of Sanskrit and Tibetan words, among my other Tibetan writings, I brought with me a copy of the largest, taken out of one of the above-mentioned volumes, consisting of one hundred and fifty-four leaves, every page of six lines.

As I could not remain longer in that country with advantage to myself, I left it; having agreed with the Lámá to pass the winter of 1824-5 with him at Súltánpúr in Kúlú (whereto his relations, also the wives of two chiefs of Salúb, commonly descend for every winter, and whom he was desirous to visit there,) and to arrange the collected materials for a vocabulary in Tibetan and English. The LAMA was detained by some business, and was prevented leaving Zanskár.

As the winter was daily approaching, by his counsel I continued my march, to pass the snowy mountains before the passage would be obstructed by any heavy fall of snow; and I arrived at Súltánpúr, in Kúlú, without any danger; and from thence passing by Mandí, Sukédhí, and Biláspú, on the 26th of November of the last year I reached Sabathú. On my arrival, I expected the LAMÁ would follow me in about ten days: he came not; and at present I have no hope he will join me, as the pass in the Himalaya is now closed against him.

At my first entrance to the British Indian territory, I was fully persuaded I should be received as a friend by the Government; because I supposed that my name, my purpose, and engagement for searching after Tibetan literature, were well known, in consequence of Mr. MOORCROFT's introduction; to whom, before my return to Tibet in the last half of April 1823, when I was in Kashmír, on his writing and recommending me to the Secretary of the ASIATIC SOCIETY in Calcutta, and requesting him also to forward me some compendious works on the stated subjects, I promised, by my hand-writing in the same letter, that

I would stand faithful to my engagement to study, and to be diligent in my researches.

I think I have given an intelligible account of my history and past proceedings. Now, in the following points, viz. respecting my objects and plans for the future, as also the length to which I purpose to carry my travels and researches, I beg leave to add, the civilized and learned world is indebted to Great Britain in many respects for useful discoveries, inventions, and improvements in arts and sciences: but there is yet in Asia a vast terra incognita of Oriental literature. If the ASIATIC SOCIETY of Calcutta would engage for the illuminating the map of this terra incognita, (as in the last four years of my travelling in Asia I depended for my necessary subsistence entirely upon British generosity,) I shall be happy if I can serve that Honourable Society with the first sketches of my research. If this should not meet with the approbation of Government, I beg to be allowed to return to Mr. MOORCROFT, to whose liberality and kindness I am at present entirely indebted for my subsistence; or, if it pleases the Governor-General of India, that I shall be permitted to remain under your protection until my patron's return from his present tour to Bôkhára.

After my arrival at this place, notwithstanding the kind reception and civil treatment with which I was honoured, I passed my time (although not without doubt of a favourable answer to your report, yet) with great tranquillity, till the 23d instant; when, on your communication of the Government's resolution on the report of my arrival, I was deeply affected, and not a little troubled in mind; fearing that I was likely to be frustrated in my plans. I have now endeavoured to recollect and to arrange my ideas, as well as my knowledge of the English language will admit; and I humbly beseech you to receive these sincere accounts of my circumstances, and that you will be pleased to forward them, for the better information and satisfaction of his Excellency the Governor-General in Council, and with my humblest acknowledgments for his Lordship's regard respecting the manner in which I should be treated.

I beg to apologize for my tardiness in writing, for the rudeness of my calligraphy, and for any unpolite expressions which I may have used. ALEXANDER CSOMA KÖRÖSI.

Sabat hú, Jan. 28th, 1825.

(Signed)

[Since the above date, M. KÖRÖSI has been residing in Calcutta, under the auspices of the ASIATIC SOCIETY there; to whom he has communicated much novel and valuable information on the literature of Tibet.-ED.]

ART. XIV.-Notice of the Circumstances attending the Assassination of Professor SCHULTZ, while visiting Kurdistán in the Year 1829: in a Letter from Major Sir HENRY WILLOCK, K.L.S. M.R.A.S. &c. &c. to Captain HARKNESS, Secretary R.A.S.

Read March 15th, 1834.

I AM possessed of particulars relating to the untimely end of a very zealous traveller in Persia, a native of Hesse; who was murdered in Kurdistán, during the autumn of 1829. He has not lived to reap the fruit of his exertions, neither have his notes and observations yet met the public eye.

The deceased has strong claims on the commiseration and sympathy of the Royal Asiatic Society; inasmuch as he was a fellow-labourer in the desire to promulgate a better knowledge of Asia to his brethren in Europe; and, with this view, I shall offer no apology for directing attention to the merits of a distinguished foreigner, who has established a title to public respect and consideration.

M. SCHULTZ was deputed by the French Government to make scientific researches in Persia, and to examine the antiquities of the country. He reached Tabríz in the beginning of 1829; and remained there eight months, to improve his acquaintance with the habits of the people, and his knowledge of the Persian and Turkish languages.

Learned, and particularly well versed in the ancient history of the East, he was a person eminently qualified for the execution of the duties he had undertaken.

His zeal led him to visit unfrequented countries; and the danger which necessarily attends such enterprises gave additional excitement to this great impulse of his mind.

The quarter of Kurdistan lying south of Aromea is, perhaps, as little known as the most remote and inaccessible parts of Asia; and was, therefore, an object of peculiar interest with Professor SCHULTZ. He was strongly advised, by such of his English friends whose experience enabled them duly to appreciate the danger and difficulty of the undertaking, to relinquish his favourite scheme of penetrating into this unexplored region; and, at all events, not to prosecute such an intention, unless it were sanctioned by the approbation of the Governor of Aromea.

ASKAR KHÁN (formerly ambassador to France during the reign of NAPOLEON) happened to be the officiating authority on that part of the Persian frontier; and he strongly urged Professor SCHULTZ not to trust himself amongst a people over whom the Prince Royal had no controul; and distinctly stated, that he could not be answerable for his safety.

Unfortunately, such sentiments rather tended to kindle, than to allay the Professor's zeal.

M. SCHULTZ quitted the Persian frontier, in the month of November, 1829, never to return.

Albágh, a mountainous district of Kúrdistán, borders, to the north, on the Persian province of Aromea; and is connected, to the south and south-west, with Diarbekr and Ván. The predominant population of this range are Muhammedan Kúrds, of the Súní sect. Amongst them are settled a considerable family of Christians, of the Nestorian creed, governed by a spiritual and temporal Chief of their own persuasion, who assumes the title of Malik. With this interesting colony, which is tributary and subject to the Khán of the Hirki and Hirkárí Kúrds, M. SCHULTZ Commenced; but the notes and observations he made on this tour were lost, and have never been recovered. These Kúrds, profiting by the natural defences and difficult approach of their country, have remained independent, alternately shewing the semblance of a recognition of sovereignty to the Persians or Turks, as symptoms of attack have been manifested by either of these Powers. The Khán has but a limited general sway over the population; who, jealous of any encroachment on their liberty, regard him rather as an elder, than as an absolute prince. The watchful habits of a community surrounded by powerful neighbours, together with a certain hardihood which generally characterizes mountaineers, have stamped on this people the imputation of ferocity, and which the late act proves was not unmerited. However, as their necessities lead them to the disposal of the produce of their soil, and to the exchange of commodities, at Aromea; and therefore impose a certain degree of restraint on their conduct, and induce them to a respectful observance of such suggestions on the part of the Prince Royal of Persia as do not infringe on their independence; Professor SCHULTZ imagined that a recommendation from His Royal Highness, with which he was provided, would ensure his safety, and probably obtain civilities and attentions from the Chief.

Two non-commissioned officers of the regular army of ABBAS MIRZA, natives of Aromea, formed a part of the suite of M. SCHULTZ. They had on many occasions visited the country, and served as guides. Thus he appeared as travelling under the particular patronage and protection of His Royal Highness; but, unhappily, the very precautions which the Professor took to secure good treatment occasioned his destruction.

Barbarous and savage nations cannot be brought to comprehend that men in easy circumstances quit the comfort and luxuries of their homes, to encounter fatigue, hardship, and danger, in the acquirement of novel information: and as M. SCHULTZ's inquiries aimed at a knowledge of the resources of the country, and led him to an examination of the ores