arrata, and short notices of the authors represented in the selections, Then only will be realised the ideal set forth by the distinguished originator of the scheime when he said, "The general plan of the volumes will be historical and critical. The selections, if judiciously made, will serve to illustrate linguistic, and literary evolution and help to illuminate many a dark corner of social, religious and adminis- trative history. Each volume will be furnished with an introduction, glossary, notes and appendices.” Mr. Goswami's work suffers by being the first of its kind in Assam; and there are many phases of Assamese language and literature which were lost sight of by the original compiler, and which might be adequately represented in the supplementary volume. The historical and dramatic literature of Assam, which constitutes its chief distinction from the other vernacular literatures of India, might be more amply represen- ted. Selections from works compiled under the commission of the state, such as the treatises on elephants and horses and other similar productions, might also find place in the supplementary volume. New classics which have been raked up by the labours of recent investigators might also be represented in that volume.
As the compilation and publication of the proposed supplementary volume are evidently a matter of delay, we venture to place these selections before the learned world with a short sketch of the life and works of the editor which will naturally illustrate many aspects of Assamese language and literature and throw light on many authors and pieces included in the Typical Selections. In lieu of the much desired historical introduction from the pen of Mr. Goswami, which would have given evidence of his vast erudition and life-long acquaintance with the literature of ancient Assam, we insert here a very carefully compiled note on Assamese language, and literature by Mr. Goswami and Rai Sahib Padmanath Gohain Barua. This note was submitted in 1907 to Mr.
