The Tales of the 60 Mandarins

London: Casell & Company, Limited, 1890. Hardcover. Very Good. Hardcover. VERY SCARCE. P.V. Ramaswami Raju was an Indian author of the late 1800s, most known for his book Indian Fables. Raju was a graduate of Madras University and a member of the Asiatic Society. He was a lecturer at University College, London and studied for the bar in England, where was to be admitted to the Inner Temple before returning to India. This is a book of fairy tales, and according to the author's preface, "In a country like India, or China, where people from all parts of Asia, if not the world, meet for commercial purposes, there is a free exchange, not only of commodities, but also of ideas. In the course of such friendly communion, not seldom the speakers cite proverbs, tales, and traditions..." The origins of these tales may be Chinese, Indo-Chinese, Central Asian, Persian, Turkish, Arabian, or Hindu. Raju presents a smorgasbord of these tales, including titles such as "The Giant Tabalan and the Boy Tuck", "The Boa-constricor and His Wife", "The Ocean of Milk", and "The Magic Ruby on the Head of a Serpent." A very entertaining book containing 60 tales. Includes a number of black-and-white illustrations, some full-page. Small octavo. Grey cloth-covered boards with title in black and gilt to front cover and spine. Two colored illustrations to front cover. Covers show some signs of handling and wear at edges. Spine has been sunned to brown and is slightly cocked. Front and rear pastedowns and endpapers are slightly soiled. Previous owner's name on front free endpaper. Pages are yellowed, with occasional foxing or minor stain, but generally clean and clear. 280 pages. LIT/072525.