31 2 Presidents Address to the Bombay As. Soc. [MaV, 



which they seem fitted to make on those resorting to them. They are 

 worthy of attention only as they may illustrate the civil and religious 

 history, or practices, of the country. The grants of land, engraven on 

 copper. plates, many of which are still to be found in different parts of the 

 country, are next to them in importance in the advancement of antiquarian 

 research. One of these was translated by Dr. Taylor. Mr. Wathen has 

 been successful in decyphering the most ancient of those in our museum ; 

 and the results, as stated by him in his communication in the Journal of the 

 Asiatic Society of Bengal for August last, are both curious and useful. 

 Ancient coins are occasionally found in different parts of the Presidency, 

 and the Native States to the northward, which may aid in the correction, 

 or enlargement, of such Genealogical Tables as have been lately published 

 by Mr. Prinsep of Calcutta*. 



There is a small body of Armenians in Bombay, from which something 

 interesting might be learnt. A dissertation by one of them on the anti- 

 quity of their native language, with notes by Mr. Dickinson, has lately 

 been transmitted by us to the Royal Asiatic Society, and cannot fail to be 

 acceptable. There cannot be a doubt that the Armenians can fill up im- 

 portant blanks in our Church History, which, to the undue neglect of the 

 orientals, is principally formed on the authority of the Roman and By- 

 zantine Fathers. 



The Beni-Israel of Bombay, and the adjoining territories, amount to 

 about eight thousand. It is to he regretted that no considerable account 

 of them has yet appeared, particularly as they have been long settled in 

 the country, refuse the appellation of Jew, and are probably a portion of 

 the Ten Tribes, never amalgamated, as the body of them probably was, 

 with those of Judah and Benjamin. 



The researches of our members on antiquities, and other subjects of 

 observation and rational inquiry, have not been confined to India; but I 

 cannot longer detain you by alluding either to their results, or by attempting 

 to form, what is unnecessary, and what in me would be presumptuous, an 

 estimate of the enterprize and intelligent observation and research of our 

 Malcolms, Elphinstones, Pottingers, Riches and Burneses. The con- 

 tiguity of our Presidency to Persia, Arabia, and Egypt ; and the prospect of 

 increased intercourse with these countries, by steam navigation, afford 

 ground to hope that our geographical and historical knowledge of them 

 will ere long he greatly enlarged. There is scarcely a country *of Asia, 

 which, even, in our present circumstances, does not furnish visitors to 

 Bombay, who prove themselves ready to communicate to intelligent inquir- 

 ers, informati m on places never as yet surveyed by any modern European 

 traveller. Mr. Wathen has been able, from conversing with Muhamma- 

 dan pilgrims, to prepare a brief, but interesting, memoir of Chinese Tar. 

 taryt. 



I owe to the meeting an apology for the many imperfections of the 

 sketch which I have rapidly taken. I have rather endeavoured to mark 

 our progress, than to point out, what would perhaps have contributed 

 more to our encouragement, the advantages and means of further advance- 

 ment. Our Society, I may be permitted to hope, will soon again be inspir- 

 ed with its pristine zeal, at the same time that it is directed by its accu- 

 mulated experience; maintain the character which it has earned for itself; 

 and prove not unworthy of its incorporation with the Royal Asiatic Society 

 of Great Britain and Ireland, an incorporation which must be admitted, 

 notwithstanding some disadvantages, to be beneficial, as it secures that 

 literary sympathy and communication which is greatly to be valued, and 

 the circulation of our papers, with no expense to ourselves, and now in a 

 convenient form, throughout the world. 



* Such coins are occasionally worn as personal ornaments by natives, who Lave 

 no idea of their value, 

 f See Asiatic Society's Journal for December, 1835. 



