ISGO.j On recent Russian Researches. 197 



On recent Russian Researches. — Ry Rev. J. Long. 



After searching in vain among Europeans in Calcutta for copies of 

 the Transactions of the Imperial Academy of St. Petersburgh, I pro- 

 cured them at last in the Library of a native friend. It is to be 

 deeply regretted there is so little literary and scientific intercourse 

 between St. Petersburgh and Calcutta, for the Russians have long 

 laboured with great research in the investigation of the literature 

 and antiquities of Asia and particularly of Central Asia ; and with the 

 extension of Russian power and influence to the frontiers of India, 

 we may expect that much light will be thrown on the mental and 

 social state of the people of Tibet, Bokhara, Khorasan, Kirghistan 

 and Ariana. Russia from the prominence she assigns to linguistic 

 qualifications among her functionaries, and from her position as a 

 Semi-Asiatic power, seems preeminently marked out as a pioneer in 

 Asiatic Science and Ethnology ; the works she has already published 

 and the liberal patronage of the Czar afford bright hopes for the 

 future. 



The Imperial Academy of St. Petersburgh was highly favored by 

 Alexander the 1st of Russia, and the late Emperor shortly after his 

 accession attended with his family its anniversary and patronised 

 it in various ways by appointing its members to oriental and scientific 

 missions and making grants of money for special oriental objects. 

 The Academy has, on various occasions, encouraged and aided scien- 

 tific voyages such as those of Pallas, Gmelin ; though it has of late 

 years rather helped with its counsel while the Imperial Government 

 have defrayed the expenses, as in the cases of — M. Baer who spent 

 three years 1853-57 investigating the fisheries of the Caspian. — M. 

 Helmersen on geological researches in Olonez. — M. Sehrenck, zoological 

 and ethnological enquiries in the countries bordering on the Amour. — 

 Middendorffs and Borstch's zoological and botanical researches on the 

 coasts of the sea of Aral. — M. Abich on the geology of the Caucasus. 

 — M. Struve, trigonometrical surveys between the Atlantic and 

 Caspian. 



In 1856, an annual prize of 3000 roubles was founded by Count 

 Ouevarof to be adjudicated by the Academy for encouraging works 

 on Russian history and the drama. Previous to that eight annual 



2 » 



