would dare to rise against the decisions of these
quasi-infallible specialists, and brand him as an ignorant fool?

Let us remember the case in point of Louis Jacolliot, who spent twenty
years in India, who actually knew the language and the country to
perfection, and who, nevertheless, was rolled in the mud by Max Muller,
whose foot never touched Indian soil.

The oldest peoples of Europe are mere babes com-pared with the tribes
of Asia, and especially of India. And oh! how poor and insignificant are
the genealogies of the oldest European families compared with those of
some Rajputs. In the opinion of Colonel Tod, who for over twenty years
studied these genealogies on the spot, they are the completest and most
trustworthy of the records of the peoples of antiquity. They date from
1,000 to 2,200 years B.C., and their authenticity may often be proved
by reference to Greek authors. After long and careful research and
comparison with the text of the Puranas, and various monumental
inscriptions, Colonel Tod came to the conclusion that in the Oodeypore
archives (now hidden from public inspection), not to mention other
sources, may be found a clue to the history of India in particular, and
to universal ancient history in general. Colonel Tod advises the earnest
seeker after this clue not to think, with some flippant archaeologists
who are insufficiently acquainted with India, that the stories of
Rama, the Mahabharata, Krishna, and the five brothers Pandu, are mere
allegories. He affirms that he who seriously considers these legends
will very soon become thoroughly convinced that all these so-called
"fables" are founded on historical facts, by the actual existence of
the descendants of the heroes, by tribes, ancient towns, and coins still
extant; that to acquire the right to pronounce a final opinion one must
read first the inscriptions on the Inda-Prestha pillars of Purag and
Mevar, on the rocks of Junagur, in Bijoli, on Aravuli and on all the
ancient Jaina temples scattered throughout India, where are to be found
numerous inscriptions in a language utterly unknown, in comparison with
which the hieroglyphs will seem a mere toy.

Yet, nevertheless, Professor Max Muller, who, as already mentioned, was
never in India, sits as a judge and corrects chronological tables as is
his wont, and Europe, taking his words for those of an oracle, endorses
his decisions. Et c'est ainsi que s'ecrit l'histoire.

Talking of the venerable Ge