894 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Oct, 



Report of the Committee of Papers on the Museum reference of the 6th Sept. 1837. 



The question submitted to our consideration on the present occasion is, simply, 

 how we may best dispose of the Government grant of 200 rupees per mensem, 

 (which it has been resolved to accept,) towards the maintenance and improvement 

 of the Society's museum ? Whether a successor to Dr. Pearson shall be ap- 

 pointed, or any othtr mode of superintendence adopted ? 



The following considerations have induced us to recommend that the Curator- 

 ship shall not be filled up for the present. 



The objects that had accumulated in the museum prior to Dr. Pearson's 

 nomination having been once arranged by him, there will evidently be little to 

 employ a successor, unless additions could he made on an enlarged scale through 

 purchase or otherwise, for which sufficient funds do not exist. 



On the other hand, by employing the money now granted us in purchasing and 

 collecting specimens for the due preservation of which our present establishment 

 is sufficient, we shall in a year or two have amassed materials to give full occu- 

 pation to a professional superintendent, whom we may then appoint on our 

 former scale, should not the Government at home in the mean time place the 

 museum on a more comprehensive footiug. We therefore propose that the 200 

 rupees be carried to the general account, and that in consideration of this acces- 

 sion to our resources, opportunities be sought of adding to our museum by 

 purchase ; and of promoting physical or antiquarian research by such other means 

 as may present themselves from time to time. We would in the mean time place 

 the museum under a special Committee of three annual members subject to re- 

 election, as in the Committee of Papers, and three ex-officio members, viz. one 

 vice-president, the secretary and the librarian. We would further suggest — 



That this Committee should hold meetings at the rooms not less than once in 

 the week ; that their orders should be carried into effect, and their proceedings 

 recorded by the Secretary as in the Committee of Papers; and that all expenditure 

 should require audit from the latter Committee with exception of the ordinary 

 contingent, which maybe fixed at 100 rupees per mensem. 



That this Committee should give in an annual report of the progress of the 

 museum, at the anniversary meeting in January, and that they should be entrust- 

 ed with a general discretion for the disposal and exchange of duplicate speci- 

 mens for the benefit of the museum. 



For the Committee of Papers, 

 Asiatic Society's Rooms, i J. Prinsep, Secretary. 



20th Sept. 1837. 5 



Proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Cracroft, and resolved, 



That the Report be adopted in all its provisions : and that three gentle- 

 men be elected to act with the Secretary and librarian as a Committee for 

 superintending the museum. 



Dr. Corbyn spoke at some length in favor of renewing the curator's 

 appointment. He concluded by moving the postponement of the question 

 until a better meeting could be assembled, which was negatived. 



It was then moved by the Secretary, seconded by Mr. Hare, and re- 

 solved, that Mr. William Cracroft, Dr. G. Evans, and Dr. McClelland, 

 be requested to act as the museum Committee. 



Dr. Evans and Mr. Cracroft being present signified their acceptance of the 

 office. 



Library. 



The following works were presented on the part of the Royal Academy 

 of Bordeaux : 



" Mon portefeuille," a collection of drawings (lithographed for private presen- 

 tation) of Roman Statues and antiquities, by M. P. Lacour, Member of the 

 Academy, Corresponding member of the Institution, &c. 



Essai sur les HieVoglyphes Egyptiens, par P. Lacour, &c. 



