Vlll THE INTRODUCTION. 



allowed to avow in the purfuit or fupport of the objects 

 of his perfonal credit, to accept the fir ft ftation in a de- 

 partment, in which the fuperior talents of my immediate 

 followers in it would mine with a luftre, from which 

 mine muft fuffer much in the comparifon ; and to ftand 

 in fo confpicuous a point of view, the only ineffective 

 member of a.body which is yet in its infancy, andcom- 

 pofed of members with whofe abilities I am, and have 

 long been, in the habits of intimate communication, 

 and know them to be all eminently qualified to fill their 

 refpective parts in it. 



On thefe grounds I requeft your permiffion to de- 

 cline the offer which you have done me the honour to 

 make to me, and to yield my pretenfions to the Gen- 

 tleman whofe genius planned the Inftitution, and is 

 mod capable of conducting it to the attainment of the 



great and fplendid purpofes of its formation. 



■ 

 I at the fame time earneftly folicit your acceptance of 



'fervices in any way in which they can be, and I hope 



that they may be, rendered ufeful to your Refearches. 



I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, 



Your mod obedient and moft humble Servant, 

 WARREN HASTINGS, 



Fori William, 

 January 30, ITS ■!■. 



On the receipt of this Letter, Sir William Jones 

 ■was nominated Prc.fi dent of the Society ; and, at their 

 next meeting, he delivered the follovnng Difcourfc. 



