I. 

 A DISCOURSE 



DELIVERED AT A MEETING 



OF THE 



ASIATICK SOCIETY, 



ON THE ISTH OF JANUARY, 179S. 



BY SIR ROBERT CHAMBERS, KNIGHT. 

 PRESIDENT. 



Gentlemen*, 



If I commence with diffidence and timidity the duties 

 of an office to which your luffrages have advanced me, 

 it is not merely becaul'e I conlider the objects of our 

 refearches, as by their extent difficult to be compre- 

 hended, or by their variety difficidt to be methodized ; 

 for obftacles like ther9 will only be encountered by me 

 in common with you, and if they are encountered 

 with vigour, they may be furmounted by diligence. 



My fears proceed from difcouragements peculiar to 

 myfelf. He who fits in this chair is expoled to cen- 

 fure not only by his own defedfs, but by the virtues of 

 his predeceirors. I am to fuperintend the inquiries 

 and prefide at the meetings of this learned Society, in 

 the place liicceHively vacated bv two Prefidcnts, not 



Vol. VI. A ' only 



