1837.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 707 



Sir B. MalKin, seconded this motion. Though his Indian acquaintance with 

 Dr. Mill and his capability of appreciating his local studies was less than that 

 of other members, he had enjoyed his friendship at more remote date, and at 

 a greater distance than many. The wide scope of his friend's knowledge em- 

 braced the east and the west. It had been observed of him at college, that bis 

 knowledge was equally remarkable for area and for depth : certainly its depth bad 

 not. diminished by his sojourn in India, while its area had wonderfully extended. 

 This motion being likewise carried, Sir Edward Ryan prefaced his third 

 proposition by reading the following eloquent passage from Dr. Wilson's reply 

 to the address presented to him on his departure in December, 1832. 



" If I can judge of your sentiments by my own, T can fully appreciate the 

 motives which induce you to seek to preserve memorials of those who have 

 taken an active part in the labours of the Society. One of the most interesting 

 decorations of the room in which we are accustomed to assemble is to me, to 

 all, the portrait of our illustrious founder; and I am sure you will agree with me 

 that the apartment would possess a still dearer interest were such decorations 

 multiplied ; did the countenances of Colebrooke, Wilford, Wilkins, and 

 other distinguished members look down complacently upon the labours of their 

 successors. I need not add, how irresistible are such influences upon the human 

 mind, and how well calculated are such memorials to give wholesome stimulus to 

 youthful energies. It is not from a merely selfish motive therefore that I accede 

 to your request, but in the hope that even in this way 1 may contribute, how- 

 ever feebly, to the great ends of our Institution ; at the same time I am not 

 insensible of the kindness which lias prompted the proposal, and if I do feel vain 

 it is that you should have thought me worthy of the honor of being perpetually, 

 as far as any tiling human is perpetual, present among you." 

 He concluded by proposing, 



That to meet the wishes of his numerous friends anxious to subscribe for 

 the preservation of a memorial of Dr. Mill in the Society's rooms, he be 

 requested on his arrival in England to sit for his picture to some eminent 

 artist. 



The Secretary in seconding this proposition, said he had been called on at 

 a late festive meeting to bear testimony to Dr. Mill's great talents and learn- 

 ing, and had felt some humiliation at his total incompetency to answer such 

 a call, for indeed it would have been naught but presumption in him to speak to 

 merits so far beyond his criticism. Happily in these rooms no such testimony 

 was required, for here all knew his learning and his value. He could not how- 

 ever omit to make public acknowledgment of the kindness and aid he had always 

 received from Dr. Mill, in his capacity of Editor of the journal ; to whicn Dr. 

 Mill's contributions had been ever among the most valuable. A circumstance 

 worthy of mention had enabled him to hear what the pandits thought of his 

 attainments in Sanskrit, for Dr. Mill was so scrupulous of accuracy that he 

 never put a page of his own composition to press until it had undergone the 

 scrutiny of several natives of learning. On asking an opinion of one of the most 

 learned of these, Kamala'ka'nta had begged to be allowed to express it in verse, 

 and he now held in his hand what might really in some degree be regarded as a 

 diploma of the Vice-President's Sanskrit proficiency. " Where, said the pandit, 

 among all the English who have studied our language, was there yet one who 

 could compose a poem in the style and language of our most classical ages ? Verily 

 he is Ka'u'da'sa come again among us*." 



Museum. 

 Read a letter from Dr. J. T. Pearson, stating that in consequence of his 

 departure from Calcutta, he was compelled to resign his situation as 

 Curator of the Society's museum. 



The catalogue which he had undertaken to prepare of the objects ofNatuial 

 History in the museum, was in a forward state ; that of the birds was ready, and the 

 remainder he hoped to complete on his way up the river to join his new station. 



The secretary said that the aid the museum had now received from government 

 pledged the society to maintain it in an efficient state, and some arrangement was 



* We have taken the liberty of publishing this poetical tribute with a translatiou 

 atfoot.-ED. 



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