Proceedings of the late Dr Christie in India. 155 



acres of ground on the hills, went home a few years ago, after 

 a residence there of six or eight years, with L. 6000. 



I have written some instructions for making meteorological 

 observations which the Government are now publishing, and 

 intend to distribute at the principal stations throughout this 

 presidency. They have also written home for twenty-five sets 

 -of meteorological instruments which I recommended, and I hope, 

 that, in less than another year, an extensive series of observa- 

 tions will be instituted, according to my plan, over the whole 

 of this vast country. The same thing will be done in the Bom- 

 bay territories, and I intend to communicate my plan to the So- 

 ciety of Calcutta. A friend of mine, Mr Thorburn, will make 

 similar observations, and with instruments of the same kind, at 

 Alexandria in Egypt, and thus, in a few years, we may expect 

 to obtain more extensive, complete, and precise, information 

 than has ever yet been contributed to this interesting and useful 

 branch of science. I will send you a copy of my instructions. 



I lately sent a report to Government, giving an outline of my 

 researches since I arrived in the Madras territories, to which I 

 have had the following reply : " Extract from the Minutes of 

 Consultation, dated 11th September 1832. Head the following 

 letter from Dr Alexander Turnbull Christie, dated 5th Septem- 

 ber 1832. 



" Ordered that the foregoing highly interesting paper be 

 brought to the notice of the Honourable the Court of Directors, 

 and that a specimen of the porcelain clay, procured by Dr Christie 

 at Mangalore, be likewise transmitted to the Court." 



The porcelain clay alluded to I discovered on the coast near 

 Mangalore. It is very fine, and closely resembles that of which 

 the beautiful Sevres ware is made, viz. the porcelain earth of Li- 

 moges in France. I also found it on the Neilgherries. 



I am to have the allowance of an officer in charge of a sur- 

 vey, which, with my ordinary pay and allowances, will give me 

 rather more than 700 rupees a month. This will do more than 

 cover my expenses. I am also to have a subassistant survey- 

 or, who draws tolerably well, and an apprentice, detached on my 

 account from the survey department, &c. 



I am sorry to say that the allowances granted to me by the 

 Government must be sanctioned by the Court of Directors who 



