Asiatic College. 385 



Also a paper from James South, Esq. accompanied with a cata- 

 logue of double stars, arranged according to the order of their 

 right ascension. 



New Observatories. — The reviving taste for Astronomical pur- 

 suits is exemplified, not only by the formation of the Society just 

 alluded to, but also by the intended establishment of two new 

 Observatories. One of which is at the expense of Government, 

 and is to be built at the Cape of Good Hope; with an observer, 

 assistants, &c. The other is to be built at Cambridge, j)artly at 

 the expense of the University, and partly by public subscription. 

 The Plumian professor is to be the observer at this latter place ; 

 since it appears that, by the foundation deed, he is bound to ob- 

 serve; and his duties are there laid down with great minuteness. 

 Both these observatories are to be furnished with the best instru- 

 ments our artists can make. The observations made at Cam- 

 bridge are to be printed annually, and circulated amongst the 

 different observatories on the continent : a measure which can- 

 not be sufficiently applauded, and which affords the best check 

 against any negligence on the part of the observer. The obser- 

 vations made at the observatory at Oxford, are suffered to moulder, 

 in their manuscript state, on the shelves of the Royal Society. 



ASIATIC COLLEGE. 



The first Report of the College for Asiatic Christian and other 

 Youth, instituted at Serampore in August 1818, Under the pa- 

 tronage of the Marquis of Hastings, has just been published. 

 The Committee observe. That slow as may have been the pro- 

 gress it has made, they can say with truth that every view they 

 have taken of the subject has served more fully to impress them 

 with the necessity of weighing with the utmost care, every cir- 

 cumstance respecting an institution, the judicious planni'ng of 

 which, or the reverse, must in a great measure decide whether 

 it shall ultimately fall useless to the ground, and like a heap of 

 ruins remain only to discourage others from attempts of the same 

 nature, or abide a blessing to the various tribes of India, 



We quote with pleasure the following passages, which show 

 that the immediate and distinct object of the College is liberally 

 to enli>,'htcn the people of India, and to diffuse a competent 

 knowledge of arts and sciences, unconnected with any exclusive 

 system of religious instruction. 



Tjie Committee observe, " that they arc fully convinced of the 

 importance of supporting native youths who "are not Christians 

 while they prosecute their studies, as well as those who are. This 

 will i)e attended with little disadvantage. As a brahmun can- 

 not, without losing cast, eat with a soodra, nor even under the 

 same roof with a brahmun of another j)rovince. all vouth who 



Vol. 55. No. 2G5. 7i;«// 1820. Li ' ' are 



