It is solely in defence that the truth is now told.
I have never read Sir Richard's translation of _The Scented Garden_,
for the simple reason there is none in existence (notwithstanding all
that has been said to the contrary); the only two copies were destroyed
by his widow. But I have read another translation of the book, mainly
the work of a man who was also an Orientalist and a distinguished
soldier, which, though doubtless inferior to Burton's, is more than
sufficient to give one full knowledge of the character of the book.
I have read also Burton's original and unexpurgated edition of _Alf
Laylah wa Laylah_ and his Terminal Essay, including the Section which
is omitted in all later editions, and certain other unpublished notes
of his on the same subject. Lady Burton also talked with me freely on
the matter. I know therefore of what I speak, and am not in the same
position as Lady Burton's latest accuser, who declares with quite
unnecessary emphasis that she has never read _The Arabian Nights_,
and of course never saw the burnt manuscript of _The Scented Garden_.
She is therefore obviously disqualified to express any opinion on
the subject.
So far as I can gather from all I have learned, the chief value of
Burton's version of _The Scented Garden_ lay not so much in his
translation of the text, though that of course was admirably done,
as in the copious notes and explanations which he had gathered together
for the purpose of annotating the book.
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