“1. To _Satyavarman_, the sovereign of the whole earth, were born three sons; the eldest, _Sherma_; then _Charma_; and thirdly, _Jyapeti_. “2. They were all men of good morals, excellent in virtue and virtuous deeds, skilled in the use of weapons to strike with, or to be thrown, brave men, eager for victory in battle. “3. But _Satyavarman_, being continually delighted with devout meditation, and seeing his sons fit for dominion, laid upon them the burden of government, “4. Whilst he remained honoring and satisfying the gods, and priests, and kine. One day, by the act of destiny, the king, having drunk mead, “5. Became senseless, and lay asleep naked; then was he seen by _Charma_, and by him were his two brothers called. “6. To whom he said: What now has befallen? In what state is this our sire? By those two was he hidden with clothes, and called to his senses again and again. “7. Having recovered his intellect, and perfectly knowing what had passed, he cursed _Charma_, saying, Thou shalt be the servant of servants: “8. And since thou wast a laugher in their presence, from laughter shalt thou acquire a name. Then he gave to _Sherma_ the wide domain on the south of the snowy mountains. “9. And to _Jyapeti_ he gave all on the north of the snowy mountains; but he, by the power of religious contemplation, obtained supreme bliss.” After this testimony from Sir W. Jones—wrung from him, as it would seem, against his own wish and will—Lieutenant Wilford’s essays became more numerous and more startling every year. At last, however, the coincidences became too great. The MSS. were again carefully examined; and then it was found that a clever forgery had been committed, that leaves had been inserted in ancient MSS., and that on these leaves the Pandits, urged by Lieutenant Wilford to disclose their ancient mysteries and traditions, had rendered in correct Sanskrit verse all that they had heard about Adam and Abraham from their inquisitive master. Lieutenant (then Colonel) Wilford did not hesitate for one moment to confess publicly that he had been imposed upon; but in the meantime the mischief had been done, his essays had been read all over Europe, they retained their place in the volumes of the “Asiatic Researches,” and to the present day some of his statements and theories continue to be quoted authoritatively by writers on ancient religion.