This volume contains copies of, or extracts from, letters sent to the Royal Asiatic Society between 1846 and 1852. They are written into a leather-bound volume with the title 'Extracts' on its front cover. Besides the letters which cover 93 pages, there are subsequently some rough pencil notes and a diagram in a different hand (possibly a child's) followed by blank pages and an index at the end of the manuscript.
Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1823- London, England'List of the Principal Budhistical works from the Pali in Chinese character by Mt Gutzlaff' - a list of works with titles in both Chinese and English, and with some description of the manuscripts, compiled by Karl Friedrich August Gützlaff in 1845. The manuscript bears a note: "this has been copied by a native of Japan is incorrect in orthography" in the same hand that has added annotations and title to the manuscript.
Gützlaff Karl Friedrich August 1803-1851'Copy of a letter by the Rev. C. Gutzlaff, dated Victoria, Hong Kong, 24 August 1846, on the subject of Buddhist literature'. Gutzlaff is replying to Colonel Sykes' enquiry about Buddhist literature and explains that the largest collection he has seen is on the 'Golden Island' and consists of 'beautifully bound volumes in yellow covers'. These were a present more than a century ago and the inscriptions he has seen are in Sanskrit. Gutzlaff then explains that collections in China are superseded by those in Siam (Thailand). He also informs that 'the land where Pali books are most valued is Cambodia'.
Gützlaff Karl Friedrich August 1803-1851'Copy of a letter addressed to Col. Sykes by Dr. Gutzlaff, dated Hong Kong, 24 January 1851' in which he writes of the difficulties of interpreting the Buddhist literature as it is in verse and he cannot find anyone that can give an adequate explanation of it. He writes that the ancient literature writes of pilgrims between India and China and of the difference in Buddhism between the two countries.
He also writes of the statistical investigation of the country and information that he is gleaning from merchants. He writes that the Royal Asiatic Society will publish his Japanese grammar.
Gützlaff Karl Friedrich August 1803-1851Within the Royal Asiatic Society collections are several lists and catalogues relating to Asiatic material which are not part of the Society's own collections. These have been gathered within this catalogue. They are:
- 'A Catalogue of Indian Idols, Indian Paintings, Drawings, &c. which were collected by Mr. Simpson, during a long Residence in India in the Company's Service. Which will be Sold by Auction by Mr. Christie, at his Great Room, in Pall Mall, On Saturday, May the 26th, 1792, at Twelve O'clock.' This is a photocopy of the original document.
- 'List of Oriental Works purchased at Erzerum, translated from the St Petersburg Journal of Dec 20 1829/ Jan 9 1830' - handwritten list.
- 'Catalogue of moghrebine arabic Manuscripts in the possession of Jakob Graberg of Hemso' - handwritten, dated Florence, 26 April 1830.
- 'Sale of Dr. A. Clarke's Library: Desirable for the R.A.S.' - handwritten list, undated.
- 'Catalogue of Malayan Book's by Thomas Beighton - handwritten list, undated.
- 'List of the Principal Budhistical works from the Pali in Chinese character by Mt Gutzlaff' - handwritten, dated 1845.
- 'A List of the Oriental Coins preserved in the British Museum, B. Dorn' - handwritten list, undated.
- 'Catalogue of Malay books the property of Inchi Mahomed' - handwritten list, undated.
- 'Catalogue of the Chinese Library of University College, London' - handwritten volume, dated to 1885.
- 'Lost of lithographed Malay texts in the alphabetical catalogue of Leiden University Library under Kikayat and Shair' - handwritten list, 2 sides, undated, post 1900.