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



An Association, established in Great Britain, with views ana- 

 logous to those, for which the parent Society of Bengal was 

 instituted, and which happily are adopted by Societies, which 

 have arisen at other British stations in Asia, at Bombay, at Ma- 

 dras, at Bencoolen, will furnish inducement to those, who, during 

 their sojourn abroad, have contributed their efforts for the pro- 

 motion of knowledge, to continue their exertions after their re- 

 turn. It will serve to assemble scattered materials, which are 

 now liable to be lost to the pubUc, for want of a vehicle of publi- 

 cation. It will lead to a more diligent examination of the treasures 

 of Oriental literature, preserved in pubHc and private Ubraries. 

 In cordial co-operation with the existing Societies in India, it will 

 assist their labours, and will be assisted by them. It will tend 

 to an object, first in importance : the increase of knowledge in 

 Asia, by diffusion of European science. And whence can this be 

 so effectually done, as from Great Britain ? 



For such purposes we are associated ; and to such ends our 

 efforts are directed. To further these objects, we are now assem- 

 bled : and the measures, which will be proposed to you. Gentle- 

 men, are designed for the commencement of a coiu-se, which, I 

 confidently trust, may, in its progress, be eminently successful, 

 and largely contribute to the augmented enjoyments of the in- 

 numerable people, subject to British sway abroad ; and (with 

 humility and deference be it spoken, yet not without aspiration 

 after public usefulness,) "conspicuously tend to British prosperity, 

 as connected with Asia. 



