( 5 ) 



of our Prefident, and proved to us by his own example, 

 that neither the cares of Government, nor the multi- 

 farious dutit^sof aGovernor General, are inconfiftentwith 

 a very confiderable and ufeful degree ot attention to 

 uifidt'uk refearches. 



Such have been the two former Prefidents of the 

 JlJiaUck Society. That by the choice of this learned 

 allembly I am called into the place which they have va- 

 cated, as It deprefles my hopes, lb it muft excite my 

 diligence. Abilities no man has the power of conferring 

 on liimfelf, but fidelity and induftry are always attain- 

 able. 



When" fome refpedtable members of this Society 

 firil mentioned to me their own wilh and that of others 

 that I (liould fucceed Sir John Shore in this chair, 

 I told them, with great franknefs a/id fmcerity, that I 

 did not think I had either health, or leifure, or ability 

 to perform as I could wifli t!ie duties of the office ; and 

 particularly, that I thought myfeif deficient in one at- 

 tainment which might be expecled in a Prelident, in 

 as much as I have but a flight and fuperficial know- 

 ledge of any j^ifuitick language. Some qualifications 

 for the prelidency the partiality of friendlhip may per- 

 haps difcover in me, and thefe, whatever they may be, 

 fhall be devoted, as far as health and freedom from bu- 

 fmefs will permit, to the purpoies of the Society. If 

 it is now too late, at the age of fixty, greatly to increaie 

 my own liock of Oriental literature, I will at leaft en- 

 deavour to promote the increaie of it in others. 



" Fj fungar vice cofis ; acutum 

 *' RedJtre qua ferrum vukf, exfors ipfe fecand'i^ 



A3 II. NAR- 



