1864.] 



Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 



477 



second Alphabet renders the use of a second language more easy, 

 might not the hours required to master the second Alphabet be well 

 spent ? His suggestion then was this : whether the vernacular Alpha- 

 bet of Nagri type or better the Nagri itself might not still be used 

 for the lowest form of instruction and the expression of the most 

 vernacular form of languages by villagers and children ; also perhaps 

 for matters of accounts and some village records, whether the higher 

 education of all the more educated classes might not still be con- 

 ducted in the Persian character, so much the best for cursive epistol- 

 ary and ordinary business transactions ; and whether, for the higher 

 official business and record, for the higher literature, languages and 

 science, the English language might not T gradually be brought in, 

 instead of attempting to force the Soman character before the English 

 language. 



For September, 1864, 



The Monthly General Meeting of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 

 was held on the 7th instant. 



Captain W. N. Lees, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



The Proceedings of the last meeting were read and confirmed. 



Presentations were received — 



1. Prom Lieutenant Waterhouse, a set of Photographs of ruins 

 at Pathari. 



2. From Major General A. Cunningham, a rubbing of an Arme- 

 nian Inscription from a grave-yard in Behar. The Inscription was 

 sent to Mr. J. Avdall, by whom it has been translated, He says— 

 " It is devoid of any public or literary interest." 



3. From Lieutenant E. C. Beavan, a collection of Indian Lepi- 

 doptera and a grass Parrakeet. 



4. From J. Cock, Esq., a collection of Coleoptera from Assam. 



5. From W, L. Heeley, Esq., a Mantis. 



6. From Major C. Herbert on the part of A. Grote, Esq. a 

 Kangaroo. ? ' 



7. From Mr. C. Swaris, a Bird of Paradise. 



8. From Captain A. B. Melville, a set of Stereoscopic Photo- 



