682 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Oct. 



Previous to the actual descent, the Euphrates passed up rather a bad rapid, 

 and stemmed the strong current as far as the town of Bir in the most satisfactory 

 manner, displaying the Sultan's standard, and saluting him with 21 guns, which 

 were returned from the castle and by the acclamations of the astonished 

 Moslems, who crowded both banks to be really certain that iron could be made 

 to float, and to surmount the force of a current, now overcome for the first time, 

 and God was blessed for such a creation, and sending men amongst them, ten 

 of whom could take their town, was added. 



Since the departure, 101 miles of the river have been carefully surveyed in 

 the following manner. A boat was dispatched ahead usually for a distance of 

 twenty or twenty-five miles, sounding, and taking bearings, which being placed 

 on paper when the officer returned, he became pilot to the vessel for the 

 distance examined ; and a second set of bearings, with a double set of soundings, 

 were taken from the vessel's deck. Simultaneously with the water operations 

 thus carried on by Lieutenant Cleaveland, Messrs. Eden, Charlewood, 

 FitzJames, and Hector, there were two other sets on land; viz. a chain of 

 grand trigonometrical angles along the principal heights, based on astronomical 

 points, by Lieutenant Murphy, R. E. ; and a smaller one, with a succession of 

 short base lines from bend to bend, by Captain Estcourt, who is now laying 

 down a map with his details of the ground, &c, and also embracing the labors of 

 all his coadjutors : so that it is hoped, that the map of the important part of this 

 great river will be sent home almost immediately*. A similar method of survey- 

 ing is to be organized immediately on board the Tigris, so as to carry the work 

 on to Bussora in the same manner, each vessel taking a separate section of the 

 labor. 



Our land parties, as well as the water, naturally involved much intercourse 

 with Arabs, who have shewn themselves well disposed, except in one instance, 

 when it became necessary to fire a 9-pounder blank to save a Sheik, their enemy, 

 who was attacked whilst in our boat. 



The state of the river is very favorable, although we run aground, owing to 

 the deception caused for the moment by a bright meridian sun : but the deep 

 part of the river was 420 yards wide at the spot in question, where we remained 

 some days digging the vessel out, nor did she suffer in the slightest degree-}". 



XI. — The Governor General's Conversazione. 

 On Tuesday, the 9th of November, was held the first of a series of 

 entertainments, which we hail as the harbingers of a new era for Science 

 and Research in India. Acting on the example of the Duke of Sus- 

 sex, President of the Royal Society, Lord Auckland, as Patron of the 

 Asiatic Society, has expressed a desire to assemble around him at these 

 periodical parties, in a social way, not only the members of the Society, 

 but all residents and visitors at the metropolis, who are known to culti- 

 vate the fine arts, the sciences, or literature, and to collect on his tallies 

 for their inspection and amusement, in the language of our motto, 

 ' whatever is performed by man or produced by nature.' Thus without 

 interfering with the formal proceedings and records of the several 

 scientific bodies, those who contribute thereto will have the satisfaction 

 of knowing that their donations or their inventions will be likewise 

 viewed by the head of the Government, and by a much more numerous 

 assemblage than could ever be enticed to an ordinary meeting. Distant 

 merit will feel that it is sure of appreciation, and ambition secure of noto- 

 riety. Schemes for scientific exploration — plans of national improvement 

 — useful mechanical invention — promising talent in the fine arts, — will be 

 brought forward, canvassed and encouraged, where encouragement is due, 



* Also the specimens already collected in the different scientific departments of 

 geology, natural history, &c. 



-}- The above report' was addressed to the Bombay Government, previous, of course, 

 to the disastrous hurricane which wrecked the Tigris, and destroyed so many 

 lives. — Ed. 



