212 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [JSTo. 2 



hydrographic surveys of India, and of botanic gardens under the 

 superintendence of a series of able and accomplished men of science 

 the formation of an Oriental fund for the publication and diffusion 

 of ancient Indian literature, the appointment of a Government 

 archaeologist, and the grant of pecuniary aid which, the Asiatic 

 Society has for many years past received from Government for the 

 support and extension of its museum, bear ample witness both to the 

 independent and co-operative action of Government in furthering 

 those objects, for the advancement of which the Society was originally- 

 founded. The contemplated transfer of the Society's collections to 

 Government as the nucleus of an imperial museum, and the measures 

 now pending for a more general and systematic registration of 

 meteorological observations, are further actual evidence of a similar 

 enlightened disposition, and in your Excellency's acceptance of the 

 office of its patron, the Society will receive an assurance that under 

 your Excellency's rule, the advancement of science in its widest 

 sense, the rescue from oblivion of the records of the past, the obser- 

 vation and orderly co-ordination of actual phenomena under the 

 influence of human thought, and the wider diffusion of the embodied 

 results of human experience for tlie instruction of the future, will not 

 less than heretofore be deemed worthy objects of an enlightened and 

 progressive Government." 



HIS EXCELLENCY'S KEPLY. 



"To the President and Members oe the Asiatic Society 

 oe Bengal. 



" Gentlemen, — " I accept with pleasure the office of patron of the 

 Asiatic Society of Bengal ; and I can assure you of my earnest desire 

 to do all that I legitimately can, for the furtherance of the important 

 objects which the Society has at heart. 



" I have perused with much interest the statement embodied in the 

 address just presented, regarding the results already accomplished by 

 the Society, and the ends towards which it is still striving. I am 

 persuaded that the Society's operations are well worthy of co- 

 operation and encouragement on the part of the Government in this 

 country, in that they foster those scientific studies which practically 

 conduce to civilization, and to material progress ; while on the 

 other hand, they effect great moral good by guarding the valuable 



