438 Asiatic Society. [May, 



We have consequently to consider the best mode of discharging our accumulated 

 debt, and of reducing our monthly expenditure so as to bring it clearly and certainly 

 within our monthly income. 



With reference to the contract with Messrs. Sherriff and Co. for our new buildings, 

 a resolution of the Society directs our defraying the amount of this item by the sale of 

 the necessary sum from our Government Securities. This will reduce our capital to 

 12,800 Rupees, yielding a monthly income of 42: 10: 8. 



The bill to the Baptist Mission Press is so long due, and of such considerable 

 amount, that we must take immediate steps to place it in course of liquidation. The 

 Bishop's College Press demand has been made, moreover, under circumstances which 

 render it a matter of justice to that establishment that the amount should be paid with 

 as little delay as possible. 



I have therefore to beg your sanction for a further sale of our Securities to the 

 amount of 1182 Rs. to be paid to Mr. Ridsdale for the part of the " Transactions" now 

 published. This reduces our capital to 11,618 Rupees. 



To meet the Baptist Mission Press claim, I propose — 1st, that we make over the 

 balance of 4730 Rupees, applicable to Oriental publications, and accumulated from our 

 Government allowance of 500 Rs. per mensem ; and, 2dly that for the balance of 2618 Rs. 

 of the same account we pay a monthly instalment of 500 Rupees, applying thereto the 

 allowance we receive from Government for Oriental publications ; and that pending the 

 payment of these instalments, we discontinue all Oriental printing, translations, &c„ 

 by which a further debt must otherwise be contracted. 



Our capital thus freed from all incumbrance will be reduced to the scanty sum 

 of 6888 Rupees. 



Should these propositions be agreed to, we will still possess funds to the amount of 

 6888 Rupees, which it seems expedient to reserve for one object alone, namely the 

 publication of future volumes of Transactions of the Physical Class. 



I must here mention two sources of expenditure almost immediately before us, at 

 all events to be met in the course of the year ; I allude to the forthcoming volume 

 of Researches of the Physical Class, and the furnishing of the new Museum apartments. 

 For the former, as already shewn, I fear we must have recourse to our " Securities." 

 The means for the latter (which may be estimated at about 1200 Rupees) I would pro- 

 pose to collect by subscription among the members of the Society. 



Current Expenditure. 



From the items above specified, it is evident that we now expend per mensem 167 Rs. 

 beyond our income. We must accordingly either reduce our establishments within 

 corresponding limits, or devise some means of increasing our permanent pecuniary re- 

 sources. 



I proceed to take up the items of our expenditure seriatim, which will enable us to 

 see where the pruning knife may be most advantageously applied. 



1. Oriental Publications— WO Rupees. 

 This sum we are bound to expend, whether in new works, or in paying for the old by 

 the instalments, as above suggested. 



2. Journal,— supplied to 126 members $ 1/8 per No. and 12 Nos. to learned So- 

 cieties.— 207 Rupees 



