xxii Mr. H. T. Colebrooke's Discourse. 



Of that new countiy, where every thing is strange, much is yet 

 to be learnt. Its singular physical geography, its peculiar produc- 

 tions, the phsenomena of its climate, present numerous subjects 

 of inquiry : and various diflBculties are to be overcome, in the so- 

 lution of the problem of adapting the arts of Europe to the novel 

 situation of that distant territory. The Asiatic SociETi' of Great 

 Britain will contribute its aid towards the accomplishment of those 

 important objects. 



E emote as are the regions to which our attention is turned, 

 no country enjoys greater advantages than Great Britain, for 

 conducting inquiries respecting them. Possessing a great Asiatic 

 empire, its influence extends far beyond its direct and local au- 

 thority. Both within its territorial limits and without them, the 

 public functionaries have occasion for acquiring varied informa- 

 tion, and correct knowledge of the people, and of the country. 

 Political transactions, operations of war, relations of commerce, 

 the pursuits of business, the enterprise of curiosity, the desire of 

 scientific acquirements, carry British subjects to the most distant 

 and the most secluded spots. Their duties, their professions, lead 

 them abroad : and they avail themselves of opportunity, thus af- 

 forded, for acquisition of accurate acquaintance with matters, 

 presented to their notice. One requisite is there wanting, as 

 long since remarked by the venerable founder of the Asiatic 

 Society of Bengal, it is leisure : but that is enjoyed, on their re- 

 turn to their native country. Here may be arranged the trea- 

 sured knowledge, which they bring with them ; the written or the 

 remembered information, which they have gathered. Here are 

 preserved in public and private repositories, manuscript books, 

 collected in the East ; exempt from the prompt decay, which 

 ' would there have overtaken them. Here, too, are preserved, in 

 the archives of families, the manuscript observations of individuals, 

 whose diffidence has prevented them from giving to the public the 

 fruits of their labours, in a detached form. 



