ABSTRACT
A S U F I saint once said, 'There are as many ways to God as there are human hearts: In the foregoing chapters I have sketched out the careers of six British orientalists, six out of the many who have striven. consciously or unconsciously. to build a bridge between the peoples of Europe and Asia. Original Ockley, lordly Jones. tireless Lane. tragic Palmer. impetuous Browne. patient Nicholson-these men, who are my personal heroes, all embarked upon oriental studies under different circumstances and for different apparent reasons. Now in this final chapter I shall tell yet another story. my own; which I do with all diffidence. being fully aware of my shortcomings. and the seeming immodesty of thrusting myself forward in this company. But mine is the story of an ordinary man born in an ordinary household. like one of millions scattered through this land. yet the voice of the East called me and I obeyed it. My story has perhaps a special relevance to the present times. in this century of the ordinary man and woman.
