ORDINARY MEETING.* 

 Professor E. Hull, LL.D., F.R.S., in the Chair. 



The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed, and the 

 following Elections were announced : — 



Life Member :— Eev. W. D. F. Fetter, M.A., Middlesex. 



Members : — H. J. Chinnery, Esq., Surrey ; Eev. G. W. Clements, M.i^ ., 

 Middlesex ; Frof. T. J. Malyon, LL.B., Australia ; E. A. Neatby, 

 Esq., M.D., Middlesex ; Eev. L. Eagg, M.A., Oxon, Oxfordshire ; 

 Cecil Eeddie, Esq., B.Sc, Fh.D., Derbyshire ; Eev. Frebendary 

 H. B. Southwell, M. A., Staffordshire ; Prof. J. E. Tucker, LL.D., 

 United States ; Eev. E. M. Webb-Feploe, M.A., B.Sc, Canada. 



Associates : — Et. Eev. Bishop Evington, D.D., Japan ; Friends Foreign 

 Mission (Eev. S. Baker, Sec), India ; Frof. E. Du Toit, M.D., 

 Switzerland ; Hon. G. F, Edmunds, United States ; Judge S. J. 

 Hanna, LL.D., United States ; Eev. W. H. Hazard, Fh.D., United 

 States ; Eev. G. Lakeman, M.A., B.D., Lancashire ; J. H. Eaper, 

 Esq., Middlesex ; Eev. J. Smith, D.D., Scotland ; Eev. F. R. 

 Tennant, M.A., B.Sc, Staffordshire ; H. T. Wills, Esq., M.A., B.Sc, 

 F.G.S., India ; Eev. G. Wiseley, D.D., Malta ; Miss J. A. Johnstone, 

 Scotland. 



Corresponding Members : — Et. Eev. Bishop of Eockhampton, Australia ; 

 Eev. Frofessor Legge, D.D., Oxford. 



Hon. Local Secretary : — Eev. J. C. Walter, B.A., Horncastle. 



The following paper was then read by the author : — 



BIBLICAL LANDS, THEIR TOPOGRAPHY, RACES, 

 RELIGIONS, LANGUAGES AND CUSTOMS, 

 ANCIENT AND MODERN. "{ By Hormuzd Rassam, 

 Esq. 



THERE have been so many erroneous theories propa- 

 gated regarding the origin and languages of the 

 different nationahties which now occupy the lands of the 

 Bible, that I have taken upon mysslf the critical task of 

 explaining in the best way I can the constitution of the 

 diverse races and how they are divided by creed and blood. 

 In quoting passages of scripture in support of my argu- 

 iments, I disclaim all intention of theological discussion, but 



* Dec. 7, 1896. Faper finally revised and passed for press, Dec. 1897. 



t This paper was prepared by Mr. Eassam in consequence of it having 

 been urged that the work of investigating the records on the monu- 

 ments and their comprehension by others, would be much advanced by a 

 paper describing those manners and customs, traditions, &c., in the East, 

 which are now fast dying out, and which he, as a Chaldean, is of all others 

 best acquainted with. — Ed. 



