国立情報学研究所 - ディジタル・シルクロード・プロジェクト
『東洋文庫所蔵』貴重書デジタルアーカイブ

AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

In publishing my journal of an archæological tour in Indian Tibet, undertaken on
behalf of the Indian Government, I wish in the first place to express my sincere thanks
to Dr. J. H. Marshall, C.I.E., Director-General of Archæology, who made all necessary
arrangements in connection with my deputation—no slight addition to the already heavy
burden of his office—and who has followed my journey with the keenest interest. As in
the spring of 1910 he went home on long leave, Dr. J. Ph. Vogel, while officiating for
him, undertook to arrange for the publication of my materials. His proposals met with
the approval of the Government of India in the Education Department, and it was decided
that my report should consist of two volumes both fully illustrated : the first containing
a personal narrative of my journey and the second dealing with the historical chronicles
and inscriptions collected in the course of my tour. It is a matter of no small satis-
faction that, thanks to the liberality of the Indian Government, my results will be made
available in so excellent a form. Dr. Vogel's thorough revision of the whole text has in
many ways greatly added to the value of the publication. To Mr. H. Hargreaves, Acting
Superintendent in the Archæological Department, I am indebted for assistance in
verifying references and preparing a map to illustrate my itinerary. Here I wish also to
record my sincerest thanks to the following ladies and gentlemen who have been good
enough to read through my first rough manuscript of the journal :—to Dr. John Hutchi-
son of the Church of Scotland Mission in Chamba ; to Mrs. S. A. Becker-Chapman of
Herrnhut ; and to Messrs. J. E. Wilkinson and J. Thom of Simla.

I owe my gratitude also to the Public Works Department for placing their resthouses
in the Satluj Valley at my disposal. At Poo and Leh I was the guest of the Moravian
Missionaries who did their utmost to assist me in my work. Of the greatest importance
was my meeting Mr. G. C. L. Howell of the Indian Civil Service in Spiti, at a time when
I was suffering from illness. His hospitality, knowledge of local conditions and ready
help were of the greatest possible assistance in furthering my undertaking.

A. H. Francke.