Forlong - Rivers of Life

Preface. xli
Indian gentlemen wbo have so frequently given him important aid, and always
entered most fully into the spirit of the work. Without his Indian friends he
never could have proceeded, at least with such confidence, through several of his
chapters, especially those treating of the non-Aryan and early Aryan races, much of
which yet remains to be published. He looks back with pleasure to many morning
and evening hours spent with all classes from Mahā Rājas to princes, nobles and
commoners, learned Pandits in every department of liternture (and in India this
means religion also) to obscure Brahmans and illiterate pietists, who nevertheless knew
half their sacred books by heart. With all, the Chart even in its early crude forms,
was a never-failing source of interest and discussion, which sent them back, they said
(though this was sotto voce) to their scholars and books with extended views of
the whole scope of religions, and a determination to study other faiths so that they
might know their own aright. The author trusts that this also will be the spirit
in which the West will receive these volumes.
He has not been authrized to mention any of his friends by name, although
under deep obligations to several, not only in correction of proofs and preparation of
index, but also for help in many obscure translations, and for a host of illustrations.
He is especially indebted to English friends, many of whom, and among them some of
the kindest and most interested, have passed away to that silent shore where at least
for them have been for ever solved the great problems of Life.
EDINBURGH, December 1882.