xxii Amiual Address, [February. 1907^ 



one Associate. One of these, Mr. J. Macfaz'lane, was tlie Honorary 

 Secretary of the Society. As Librarian of the Imperial Library, 

 Mr. Macfarlane had shown an unfailing coui-tesy, a deep interest 

 in his Avork, a ^ense of duty and a desire to help the public in 

 every way possible, which had earned for him widespread popu- 

 larity. In this Society also, as Secretary, he had shown himself 

 most painstnting and considerate ; he did good work for us ; 

 and his advice in regard to library matters was especially valu- 

 able. T am sure, gentlemen, that you would desire me to give 

 expression to our great regret at Mr. Macfarlane's early death, 

 and oiu* deep sympathy with his young wife in her sore bereave- 

 ment. . 



I conofratulate the Societv on the marked increase in its 

 membership during the last two years. In 1901 the total 

 number of paying members was 269. In 1904: it was 276 ; 

 during the same period the non-paying membership rose from 59 

 to 67. In 1905 the paying membership had risen to 288, and in 

 1906 to 335 — the total membership having risen from 343 in 

 1904 to 407 in 1906, the net actual increase during the year 1906 

 itself being 50 members. This is surely very satisfactory. At 

 the same time I cannot help feeling that there are men who 

 ought to be members of this Society and are not. A very large 

 number of those who come to India or who are employed in this 

 country, are educated men who ought to be interested in such subjects 

 as engage the attention of this Society. More than that, their 

 work is of such a character that it would be greatly improved if 

 they gave themselves to the study of such subjects. 



Take for example my own service. Surely a member of 

 that service may be expected to be deeply interested in the differ- 

 entiation of races, and in the study of their languages, of their 

 history and antiquities, and even more of their present customs 

 and characteristics. Surely such study must be of the gxeatest 

 interest; and surely it would be of great profit to any man of 

 education destined either for judicial or executive work in this 

 country. I most certainly do not think that proficiency in Indian 

 languages alone ought to be regarded as an adequate claim to 

 advancement in the public service. It is a serious blunder to 

 promote men with a turn for study and a facility for passing ex- 

 aminations to situations for which they are otherwise unfit. But 

 I most certainly do think that a knowledge of the language of the 

 people is essential for that free intercourse with them by which 

 alone can be acquired that knowledge of their customs, charac- 

 teristics and feelings, the importance of which cannot be over- 

 stated. We hear a great deal at the present time about the 

 power of sympathy in government and in the intercourse between 

 races. I believe that power to be incalculable. But sympathy, 

 if partly a quality of the heart, is also an attribute of the mind. 

 It is at least partly informed. To put myself in another's place, 

 and so to be in a position to treat him as I should like to be 

 treated if in his place, I must understand him. I must know 

 something about his history, about his environment, about what 



