[Footnote 2: These Commentaries are yet unknown in Europe:
but Mr. White gives some hope that they may be imported and
translated by his friend Major Davy, who had read in the
East this "minute and faithful narrative of an interesting
and eventful period."
Note: The manuscript of Major Davy has been translated by
Major Stewart, and published by the Oriental Translation
Committee of London. It contains the life of Timour, from
his birth to his forty-first year; but the last thirty years
of western war and conquest are wanting. Major Stewart
intimates that two manuscripts exist in this country
containing the whole work, but excuses himself, on account
of his age, from undertaking the laborious task of
completing the translation. It is to be hoped that the
European public will be soon enabled to judge of the value
and authenticity of the Commentaries of the Caesar of the
East. Major Stewart's work commences with the Book of
Dreams and Omens - a wild, but characteristic, chronicle of
Visions and Sortes Koranicae. Strange that a life of Timour
should awaken a reminiscence of the diary of Archbishop
Laud! The early dawn and the gradual expression of his not
less splendid but more real visions of ambition are touched
with the simplicity of truth and nature. But we long to
escape from the petty feuds of the pastoral chieftain, to
the triumphs and the legislation of the conqueror of the
world - M.]