My Dear Uncle,

In my undergraduate days, a residence in Göttingen during the Long Vacation of 1874 was a critical point in my life. Then for the first time, under the tuition of Professor Theodore Benfey, I came into close relations with a great scholar of the modern type, and gained some insight into modern methods of literary investigation; and my thoughts have ever since turned towards the border lands between European and Asiatic civilisation. That visit, like many other things, I owe to you; and now I send you the result, such as it is, the best that I can do, asking that you will allow it to go forth with your name attached to it.

I remain always, your affectionate nephew,

WILLIAM MITCHELL RAMSAY.

King’s college, Aberdeen,

17th September, 1895