cxxiv Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Nov. 1844. 



Read a letter from Lieut. J. Latter, B. N. I. addressed to the Secretary, 

 on the subject of the Bhuddist Coin sent round by Captain MacLeod, from 

 Moulmein, which was referred to the Editors for publication in the 

 Journal. 



Read extracts of letters from Major T. B. Jervis, Regent's Park, accom- 

 panying some new and very beautiful specimens of Lithography and Gly- 

 phography, as follows : — 



I enclose in this packet a specimen of my Lithographic press, " Argemone Mexi- 

 cana," copied out of Wight's Flora, a most splendid specimen of art, and am in 

 treaty to do all the plates for the London Royal Asiatic Society. I have spoken 

 to Wilson, with whom I am on intimate terms, to arrange with your Society for 

 the plates of the Asiatic Journal and Society, and any embellishments you may re- 

 quire, which I will execute at my Amateur press rather cheaper and quicker than 

 you can get them done in Calcutta or England. If you approve of them, I shall be 

 obliged by your giving these specimens as much publicity as possible, and shall be 

 glad if I can do any thing to forward the cause of science in India. If you would 

 communicate with my brother, Col. Geo. Jervis, chief Engineer in Bombay, I have 

 no doubt you would get contributions from that quarter, and he would tell you ex- 

 actly the cost of all that I have sent out to him, and to yourself. More beautiful 

 lithography than that of the flower, you have never seen, and the probability is that 

 an immense accession of information would flow in from all quarters, if only parties 

 could get their illustrations accurately and cheaply lithographed. 



I should be happy if you would refer to my brother for some most curious and 

 valuable specimens forwarded to him of the application of Lithography to cheques, 

 passes, receipts, &c. applicable to the Salt, Opium, and other such departments. — 

 Papers and documents so prepared, would never be imitated, or admit of erasures 

 without detection. 



T ask your kind excuse for this brief and plain address, and should be most happy, 

 if 1 could in any way express the obligation under which you have laid us. 



Yours very truly, 



(Signed) F. B. Jervis* 



Observations of the Comparative use and merit of the various kinds of Artisticai 

 Illustration, by Major T. B. Jervis, F.R.S. 



The art of Printing has materially contributed, in the designs of Providence, to the 

 civilization of the world, and to the promotion of the gospel ; in fulfilment of which 

 objects we hail every improvement in this so simple and ready means of communica- 

 ting our thoughts and experience to others : — yet how much, that is instructive and 

 valuable, escapes the power of the pen 1 how many lovely tints, how many undefin- 



