PREFACE. THE research for a simple, unalterable, and universal standard of weight and measure, has frequently exercised the ingenuity and attention of many of the first legislators and mathematicians in every age; but that such Standard existed from all antiquity, has not I believe been so much as 'surmised-far less will it be supposed that we are to look to India for the most unexcep tionable evidence, in support of a fact, which is doubtless most clearly, though incidentally, deducible from Holy Scripture. If this were a hasty or inconsiderate observation, it might's claim to be treated as such; on the other hand, when a diligent and protracted research has served to amplify and strengthen the proofs, whether in reference to past or existing usages, to modern or ancient nations, to the whole range of sacred or profane literature, it may well bespeak an indulgent hearing; nor can there be a doubt, that the result of a rigid inquiry will produce® an equally delightful assurance on the mind of every impartial reader, as it has on that of the author; that the Bible stands alone, unequalled for its antiquity, consistency, and truth; that its institutes and precepts moreover, of whatever kind, whether of moralor spiritual tendency, are suited equally to every description and stage of society, and calculated alike to the same great ends, which characterize the perfection of goodness and wisdom. The discovery of these particulars, has been arrived at, through many an unpromising and intricate path, in which men of far greater capabilities have bewildered themselves to no purpose-till a certain perception of their reality has been attained, the faithful, though imperfect report of which, may probably induce others to examine for themselves, and establish to the satisfaction of the most enlightened scholar, that all knowledge must of necessity have come by inspiration; that man in the image of his Maker was once created perfect in all his faculties: that man fallen from this high estate, declined proportionally in his intellectual powers, till, in the ages subsequent to the flood, true and genuine science was obliterated in the family of Ham, though faint traces of it long subsisted in the descendants of Shem, in whom some adherence to the worship of the only true God, was always more peculiarly found. If the disquisition promised no other advantages than the solution of this contested question, it would well repay any pains bestowed on it, for without this, the history of mankind is a riddle which defies all human explanation. The conviction of this argument identifies it with Scripture, and incontestably proves that all true science can only emanate from the Source of Truth, and subsist by, and through that Source of Truth-that whatever is contrary to, or short of the perfection of science, originates exclusively in a declension from GOD. Reader, think me not presumptuous in averring these conclusions. We have not all the same visual powers: some observe an object but imperfectly, some more distinctly; but whether imperfectly or distinctly, the object is the same. This great object before us, is Perfect Truth. If I have not made good my case; if from a deficiency of vision I have not discern. ed, or from the defects of understanding or education, or better gifts, have not reported fully and faithfully, what I have seen, it may be apprehended and explained better by others,-but for itself, it will bear the strictest investigation, and will ever re. main unchangeably the same. This then is the result of my report, that the inexplicable analogy between the weights and measures of all nations, between the nomenclature and standards of each, appears by various well authenticated testimonies, to have been derived either by the intervention of the wars, or dispersions, or commerce of the Jews, from the Holy Scriptures, and that the standard or rule by which they were regulated, as might be expected, coming from the Source of all Truth, was in its origin adapted to all ages, and all circumstances and ranks of society; that it was founded moreover on the most profound mathematical principles, and forms at this present day the peculiar desideratum of our most eminent legislators. Further, that chronology, or the elementary principles there of, when closely examined, subserves in a remarkable manner to the corroboration of Scripture history, and to the elucidation of a very curious and interesting department of Prophecy.-Lastly that there is every show of probability, that the Jews imparted to the earliest astronomers of antiquity, those valuable facts which these are reputed to have first discovered: and that to the Egyptian and Chaldean we are indebted, not for the first acquaintance with, or the advancement, but the deterioration of astronomy. Pursuing a peculiar bent of mind, the analysis of Indian weights and measures, led me some years ago to a study, which, schoolboy like in search of a butterfly, I carried on as an amusement. From the Indian I was led to inquire into the systems of other nations: the field opened out before me, objects multiplied, till at length I had gathered sufficient information to sketch out a little system; that system, composed of facts culled from general literature, is here presented to the public, and I hope will stimulate more favoured and talented scholars to illustrate and confirm what I have merely ventured to outline. I am indebted to many authors for illustrations which I have acknowledged with suitable expressions of obligation. In regard to chronology, I consider myself bound to state more explicitly, how much I owe to the luminous and valuable dissertations of Dr. Hales: if I have ventured to differ from him, It is always with respect and kindness. To Mr. Ward's account of the Mythology of the Hindoos, I ascribe the notices relative to the opinions of the early philosophers, compiled from Cudworth, Bryant, and Maurice. It is a pleasing office to bear testimony to the very liberal en. couragement which has at all times been extended to me, in this, and other researches of a like nature, connected with the statistics of India, by the Executive Governments. The ample list of subscribers to this work, bespeaks a noble interest in the success of measures for the better understanding and administration of the laws of the country; those members of the public service, therefore, who have favoured the issue of my labours, will receive this humble tribute of praise to their disinterestedness from me, and I trust in due time reap a more full reward in the review of extensive benefits accomplished through their indivi |