1S35.] Asiatic Society. 351 



Society should request the Government to withdraw the exception alluded to the 

 Secretary's letter, and to make over the whole of the publications lately in pro- 

 gress at the Education Press. And that the President be requested to address 

 the Governor General in Council, on the subject." 



The proposition, as at first worded, applied the epithet " liberal" to the " offer 

 of Government," and accepted the offer, " with the exception of the works 

 reserved." It also bound the Society to complete all the works they took over. 

 In the conversation that ensued, the Secretary stated, that much misapprehen- 

 sion existed as to the amount expended by Government upon Oriental litera- 

 ture. He had ascertained, that in the whole ten years, since the publication of 

 such works was commenced, no more than 60,000 Rupees had been devoted to 

 that object; in fact, it was not so much, for this had been the whole charge for 

 printing, aud included translations of English works into the native languages. 

 All the charges for translating, for care of the depository, &c. must be considered 

 as part of the expenditure on education, with which the Society had no concern. 



Mr. Macnaghten thought it needless to bind themselves to complete the works, 

 as Government required no such pledge. He would merely express a disposition 

 to complete the publications. 



Mr. Turton asked what works were excepted by Government. The Secre- 

 tary said, there were two ; the Fatawa Alemgiri, and a Treatise on Spherical 

 Trigonometry, in Arabic. 



Sir John P. Grant thought this did not sufficiently appear, and moved an 

 amendment (seconded by Captain Forbes) to the effect, that Government should 

 be requested to specify what works they intended to except. 



Mr. Bushby gave his private opinion, that the Society would be permitted to 

 take over the whole, without exception, if they desired it. Mr. Turton pressed 

 the point. Mr. Macnaghten expressed his opinion, that we should ask for all 

 the unfinished publications. The President thought the proposed reference for 

 further information unnecessary, for they had it before them — the amendment 

 would have the effect of asking for the two works excepted. 



After some further conversation, it appearing to be the general wish that 

 Government should be asked to transfer all the unfinished works without excep- 

 tion, Sir J. P. Grant withdrew his amendment, and the original motion was 

 modified accordingly. 



Mr. Turton wished the word liberal omitted. He could not consider the 

 offer of what the Government looked upon as "mere waste paper," a liberal 

 offer. The term might be misconstrued, and it was disrespectful to use a word 

 that seemed to be introduced by way of irony. This opinion being assented to 

 all round, the word was taken out, and the resolution was put as above, and car- 

 ried unanimously. 



Mr. Macnaghten then proposed that a letter, becoming the dignity of the 

 Society, in terms respectful to Government, abstaining from any bitter reflections, 

 should be written to the Royal Asiatic Society at Home, forwarding copies of the 

 correspondence with Government. This it was incumbent upon them to do in 

 testimony of their zeal for Oriental literature. He moved accordingly — 



u That a copy of the correspondence be sent to the Royal Asiatic Society, in 

 order to show that this Society has not been deficient in zeal in the cause of 

 Oriental literature, as well as in order to engage the support of that powerful 

 body to the cause which this Society has so strenuously but so unsuccessfully 

 endeavoured to uphold." 



