1871. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 35 
for its own accommodation, and for the reception of its Library and 
other property. Our present house would thus, on the Govern- 
ment fulfilling its undertaking, become an additional source of re- 
venue to us. These advantages to the Society were the considera- 
tion for the transfer to the Government on behalf of the public of 
our exceedingly valuable, and in many respects, unique collections. 
And so far as the public are concerned, this transfer took effect from 
the time of passing the Act, for it was one of the terms of the Act, 
that the collections of the Society and the additions thereto (sub- 
sequently to be made) should, until the building was so far com- 
pleted, as to be in a condition to receive them, remain in the Socie- 
ty’s house under the care of the Museum Trustees, and should be 
open to all persons desirous to view the same under rules to be 
established by the Trustees. This term in the contract has been 
fully complied with. And the result has been, that for some time 
past, the Society has been in the situation of need, and embarrass- 
ment which I have already described. I do not wish to exaggerate 
the difficulty which the Council now experiences in merely main- 
taining the existence so to speak of the Society. It is enough to 
say that it is very great, and increases every day. By our contract 
with the Government no doubt we were bound to bear this burden 
for a time, and we have no right to complain that it has proved to 
be more heavy than we anticipated. But we are entitled to expect 
that the Government will perform its side of the bargain, at any 
rate to the extent of enabling us to get free of the most heavy of 
our obligations at the appointed date. I wish to assume that it 
will do so. Although it is plainly impossible that the Museum 
building should be completed on the 23rd March, we have reason 
to believe, indeed I may say we know, that the works will be re- 
sumed almost immediately, and will be carried on to some sort of 
completion at, perhaps, no very distant date. It will, however, be 
a very serious matter to us, if we should be compelled to remain 
‘in our present situation until the building be made fitted in 
any degree to receive the collections. And there is no reason, why 
we should be called upon to suffer in this way. There is certainly 
a choice of modes for the Government in which it can afford us 
relief, and I do not even now doubt that it will adopt one or the 
