The Oriental Astronomer: being a complete system of Hindu astronomy, accompanied with a translation and numerous explanatory notes. With an appendix. by [Hoisington, Henry Richard, editor] - 1848

Jaffna: American Mission Press, 1848. First edition. Two parts in one volume. 8vo (22 x 14 cm) pp.[iv], 177, [1]; [2], 2, 145, [1, blank], [1, corrigenda], [1, blank]. In English and Tamil. Bound in contemporary half roan by M. Winslow, binder to the American Mission his ticket to front pastedown, morocco lettering-piece to spine. Somewhat rubbed, and spine beginning to come adrift. Contents in very good, clean condition. This text was published to combat popular Hindu astrology and assist Christian proselytizing: "Hindu astronomy is made the foundation of a vast system of astrology … There is probably no part of heathenism which has a more constant and operative influence on all classes of society than astrology in its popular developments. Here you may learn much of the bondage of this people." Henry Richard Hoisington, a missionary, provided the English translation; the Tamil text is ostensibly the translation of "Illamudeian" from an unspecified and unidentified Sanskrit source. Henry Hoisington (1801-58) arrived in Ceylon in 1833 and served repeatedly as Principal of the Batticotta Seminary between 1836 and 1849. Wesleyan missionaries reached Jaffna in 1814, establishing their press in 1825 – the present work is a rare example of a secular text from their press.