Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. 309 



main. The situation of Austral Asia connects it with the In- 

 dian Archipelago. Its occupation by Enghsh colonies brings 

 it in relation with British India. Of that new country, where 

 every thing is strange, much is yet to be learnt. Its singular 

 physical geography, its peculiar productions, the phaenomena 

 of its climate, present numerous subjects of inquiry : and vari- 

 ous difficulties are to be overcome, in the solution of the pro- 

 blem of adapting the arts of Europe to the novel situation of 

 that distant territory. The Asiatic Society of Great Britain 

 will contribute its aid towards the accomplishment of those im- 

 portant objects. 



" Remote 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 Asi- 

 atic empire, its influence extends far beyond its direct and local 

 authority. Both within its territorial limits and without them, 

 the public functionaries have occasion for acquiring varied in- 

 formation, 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 afforded, for acquisition of accurate ac- 

 quaintance with matters presented to their notice. One requi- 

 site 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 return to their native coimtry. Here may 

 be arranged the treasured knowledge which they bring with 

 them ; the written or the remembered information which they 

 have gathered. Here are preserved in public and private reposi- 

 tories, 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. 



" An Association, established in Great Britain, with views 

 analogous 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 

 Madras, at Bcncoolen, will furnish inducement t() those who, 

 during their sojourn abroad, have contributed their efforts for 

 the promotion of knowledge, to continue tlieir exertions after 

 their return. It will serve to assemble scattered materials, 

 which are now liable to be lost to the public for want of a ve- 

 hicle 



