JOURNAL 



ASIATIC SOCIETY, 



Contributions towards a History of the development of the Mineral 

 Resources of India, By S. G. Tollemache Heatly, Esq. 



It is often imagined that whatever of scientific or commercial enter- 

 prize has been exhibited in India, bears a very modern date under the 

 British rule ; and that the fortunes once so rapidly accumulated here as 

 to originate the mythus of the rupee tree, were simply the results of 

 systematic trading in some, and of systematic peculation in others. Such 

 an idea* was easily suggested by the fact, that the already known 

 produce of India, and the silk of Cathay, and the spice of Serendib 

 commanded immediate sale, and enormous prices in the markets of the 

 West; that the private trade of the factors bore a very respectable 

 proportion to that of their Hon'ble Masters ; that rajahs and dewans 

 were thickly sprinkled over the land ; and that nuzzeranas were legal 

 and weighty in amount, and fine in carat. It was difficult therefore to 

 conceive any inducement for men to engage in the arduous and difficult 

 task of opening new paths to wealth, when the beaten tracks offered 

 certain affluence to moderate exertions. Yet it will be found by the 

 historical student of that period, that in spite of all these serious 

 temptations to engage in active political intrigue, or to confine them- 

 selves to the less harassing duties of mercantile speculation, many 

 a clear and powerful intellect employed its energies in the honourable, 

 though wearing, task of developing the resources of the country : and 

 that in many instances they effected, though unaided, almost as much 

 No. 129. New Series, No. 45. 5 o 



