1843.] Asiatic Society. 1023 



Year, month, age of the Moon, the day of the week, the hour it began, the position 

 occupied, and its duration, are stated. 

 29th October, 1843. 



The paper was not considered as worth printing, as being for so very short a 

 period, and the number of cuts considerable. 



Kead the following Letter from Major Hough, accompanying the Life Preserver 

 to which it refers : — 



To H. Torrens, Esq. Secretary to the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 

 Sir, — I do myself the honor to transmit, for submission to the Asiatic Society of 

 Bengal, a " Cloth Life Preserver," which is so portable and cheap, as to render it very 

 useful to all individuals, whether on board of Ship, or on board of Boats in any river. 



I have the honor to be, Sir, 



Your obedient servant, 

 Calcutta, 24th Oct. 1843. W. Hough, Major. 



P. S.— A description of the " Life Preserver" is annexed to this letter: — 

 Description of the " Cloth Life Preserver." 



It is made like a Jacket without sleeves, composed of two pieces of cloth sewn to- 

 gether, so as to form the front and back. There being two cloths to each, the space 

 between the two is easily inflated by means of the wooden tube placed in the front, 

 by blowing into it. It can only be inflated when the cloth is wet. The tapes, above 

 and below, which pass through the loops, are meant to fasten the Life Preserver round 

 the neck and waist. When inflated, it will float any man — for, in proportion to the 

 bulk of a man's body, must the size of the Life Preserver be increased. It is in use in 

 the British Army at Home, and its cost is about one shilling. A cork, or piece of 

 wood, and a piece of string, or tape, should be attached to the tube, as a stopper ; to 

 prevent the egress of air, or of the ingress of water. 



The Americans have rendered all kinds of furniture " Life Preservers" on board of 

 Steamers ; but, I do not find any so personally useful as that I submit, since the user 

 can swim with it to land, &c. It is also available to travellers generally, having to 

 cross rivers, &c, being portable. It is superior to the " Chinese Bamboo Life Pre- 

 server," and is better and cheaper than the " Air-tight Hats and Caps," which cost 

 16 to 14 Rs. and are too costly for the Private Soldier, or those in the lower ranks of 

 the people. It can be renewed, at pleasure, while there may be difficulty in procur- 

 ing an adequate supply of Hats and Caps ; and even Bamboos may not always be 

 procurable. The " Cloth Life Preserver" is admirably adapted for " Regimental 

 Swimming Parades;" and may, annually, save the lives of many men, women, and 

 children, both European and Native. 



Read the following Letter accompanying the valuable paper to which it refers : — 



H. Torrens, Esq. Secretary to the Asiatic Society. 



My dear Sir,— I have the pleasure to send you a sketch of Aracanese History. 

 You will be able to judge whether it is of sufficient interest to lay before the Society, 

 a point which from my Aracan bias I feel uncertain about. Yours very truly, 



A, P. Phayre. 



