Excerpt from Literary Leaves or Prose and Verse, Vol. 1 of 2: Chiefly Written in India

I published the first edition of this work with fear and trembling, and though I have somewhat less anxiety on the present occasion, I am very far indeed from feeling confident of success. The very kind and favorable terms in which both the London and Calcutta critics have been pleased to speak of my productions and the many flattering and most valuable letters that I have received from my native country from authors of unquestionable genius and high celebrity and to most of whom I am personally a stranger, have encouraged me to publish this new edition - the first being out of print. I could wish it were consistent with delicacy to mention the names of those eminent individuals who have condescended to recognize the claims of an obscure countryman in a foreign land. But though, if it were fitting, I should eagerly adduce such authorities in my favor, and it might possibly be attributed to vanity or presumption, I can safely say that I should be actuated by a very different feeling. They who are confident of their own merits do not readily admit the necessity of such support.

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