1839] Asiatic Society. 955 



The great importance of the literature of India to the Scandinavian north, and con- 

 versely the importance of that of the latter to India, prompts to a more intimate con- 

 nexion of our Societies. I have the honor to he, Sir, 



With sentiments of respect and esteem, 



Jas. Prinsep, Esq. Your most obedient servant, 



Secy. As. Soc. Bengal. CHAS. C. RAFRY, Secretary. 11. S. N. A. 



Library. 



Read a letter from J. P. Grant, Esq. officiating Secretary to the Government of 

 India, Revenue Department, forwarding the following Books : — 



Illustrations of Indian Botany, No. 12. 



Dr. Wight's Illustrations of Indian Plants, Nos. Hand 12. 



Read a letter from the Messrs. Bowditch, sons of the late Mr. N. Bowditch, 

 forwarding for presentation the 4th volume of the " Mecanique Celeste, by La Place," 

 translated by their father, with a commentary. 



Boston, August 18th, 1839. 

 Sir,— We send you, for the use of the Royal Asiatic Society, the first and last 

 volumes of our father's commentary on the " Mecanique Celeste". 



Before his death Mr. Bowditch prepared a few notes to the fifth volume, but 

 they are imperfect, and therefore will not be published. 



May we be allowed to refer to your notice the Appendix to the memoir of the 

 translation, wherein you will find the disposition we have made of his library. In 

 England our determination to make the " Bowditch Library" a free public institution, 

 has been received with approbation by Sir John Herschel and others, and there- 

 fore we have taken the liberty of mentioning it to you. 

 We remain respectfully, yours, 



N. J. BOWDITCH, 

 J. BOWDITCH, 

 F. D. BOWDITCH, 

 W. G. BOWDITCH, 



Children of Nathaniel Bowditch 

 To the Secretary of the Royal Asiatic Society, Calcutta. 



Resolved— That the thanks of the Asiatic Society be conveyed to the Messrs. Bow- 

 ditch, for their valuable donation ; and that the Society further offer their cordial 

 approval of the generous resolution regarding the disposal of the Bowditch Library. 



Read a letter from Major Jervis, Provisional Surveyor General, conveying a bro- 

 chure by M. Reinhard. Bombay, 10th Dec. 1839. 



Sir, — On my way through France by the overland route to this country, I was 

 charged by my distinguished friend Monsieur Reinhard, Membre de l'lnstitut, to pre- 

 sent the accompanying volume in his name to the Asiatic Society of Bengal. And 

 although not as yet a member of your distinguished body, I venture to assure you 



