X THE PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE. 



been efleemed the nurfe of fciences, the inventrefs 

 of delightful and ufeful arts, the fcene of glorious 

 aclions, fertile in the productions of human genius, 

 abounding in natural wonders, and infinitely di- 

 verfified in the forms of religion and government, 

 in the laws, manners, cuftoms, and languages, as 

 well as in the features and complexions of men. 

 I could not help remarking how important and 

 exterifive a field was yet unexplored, and how 

 many folid advantages unimproved : and when I 

 confidered, with pain, that, in this fluctuating, 

 imperfect, and limited condition of life, fuch in- 

 quiries and improvements could only be made by 

 the united efforts of many, who are not eafily 

 brought, without fome preffing inducement, or 

 ftrong impulfe, to converge in a common point, 

 I confoled myfelf with a hope, founded on opi- 

 nions, which it might have the appearance of 

 flattery to mention, that, if in any country, or 

 community, fuch an union could be effected, it 

 was among my countrymen in Bengal; with fome 

 of whom I already had, and with moft was defi- 

 rous of having, the pleafure of being intimately 

 acquainted. 



You have realized that hope, Gentlemen, and 

 even anticipated a declaration of my wifhes, by 

 your alacrity in laying the foundation of a Society 

 for inquiring into the Hiftory and Antiquities, the 

 Natural Produclions, Arts, Sciences, and Litera- 

 ture, of Ajia. I may confidently fortel, that an 

 inftitution fo likely to afford entertainment, and 

 eonvey knowledge, to mankind, will advance to 

 maturity by flow, yet certain, degrees ; as the 

 Royal Society, which, at firfi. was only a meeting 



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