118 Shasti'i, H. P. — Avcieut Bengali Literature. [Nov. 



The following gentleman is a candidate for election at the next 

 meeting : — 



Frank Finn, Esq., B.A., proposed by Surgeon-Captain A. W. 

 Alcock, seconded by A. Pedler, Esq. 



The following gentleman has expi-essed a wish to withdraw 

 from the Society : — 



Count H. Condenhuve. 



The SfX'RETAry reported the death of the following members : — 



Professor William Dwright Whitney (Honorary jMember). 



Babu Gyandra N;ith Chaiulhury, ) ^r\ t -^r i \ 



TTT Ti,r X 1 11 (Ordinary Members). 



W. M. Osmond, Esq. ) ^ '' ^ 



The Secketaey read a Circular from the Royal Society of New 

 South Wales, enumerating prizes to be given for original researches 

 on certain subjects connected with Australia. This can be seeii in 

 the Society's Office. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. The Topograplitj of the Arabian Sea in the neighbourhood of the 

 Laccadive Islands. — Bg Commander C. F. Oldham, R. N. Communicated 

 by the Natural History Secretary. 



2. The Physical features of some of the Laccadive Islands, ivith some 

 suggestions as to their mode of formation. — By Commander C. F. Oldham, 

 R. N. Communicated by the Natiiral History Secretary. 



3. An Accotmt of the Shore and ShaJloiv-water Brachyura collected 

 on board H. M. Survey Steamer, "Investigator," during 1893-94. — By 

 A. Alcock, Esq., M.B., C.M.Z.S., and A. R. Axdei!SOX, Esq., B.A., M.B. 



4. On a Neio Species of Flying Lizard from Assam. — By A. 

 Alcock, Esq., M.B., C.M.Z.S. 



The papers will be published in the Journal, Part II. 



5. Ancient Bengali Literature under Muhammadan Patronage. — By 

 Pandit Hara Prasad Shastri, M.A. 



Ala-Uddin Husain Shah was one of the greatest Sovereigns of 

 Bengal. He rose from the humble position of a menial servant to a 

 Kayastha officer, of the later Illias Shuhi Dynasty of Bengal. It is said 

 that his Master, Subuddhi Khan, did not scruple even to beat his 

 humble Muhammadan Servant. The secret of Husain's success ap- 

 pears to have been his conciliatory policy towards the Hindus. He gave 

 high offices under the State to learned Brahmans and shrewd Kayas- 

 thas. Rup and Sanaton were his ministers. Hir-anya and Gobardhan 

 held under him the Viceroyalty of the whole of Satgaon. Tlie family 



