Feb. 1846.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. xix 



The Secretary suggested that a work of this kind would be highly- 

 gratifying to many of the Society's correspondents both oriental and 

 scientific, if presented to them, as usual with the Society's own publi- 

 cations. 



It was therefore proposed by Dr. Hseberlin, seconded by the Secre- 

 tary, and carried unanimously : 



That the Society do purchase 30 copies of Dr. Wise's work for presentation to its 

 correspondents. 



The Secretary was requested to communicate with Dr. Wise as to 

 the price. 



Read a letter from the Society's London Agents announcing ship- 

 ment and enclosing Bill of Lading for 3 cases and 1 bundle specimens 

 of Natural History from the Royal Academy of Christiana, per ship 

 Persian, Capt. Edington. 



Read the following letter : 



Henry Torrens, Esa., Secretary to the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 



Sir, — We have received your favor of the 3d September, ordering us to return 

 to India about half of the stock of the Asiatic Researches received from Mr. John 

 Murray in March, 1844. 



We have had the volumes named in your letter divided into equal proportions, 

 in case of accident to the vessel, and have shipped one portiou packed in six cases 

 by the Euphrates, Capt. Wilson, and for which we beg to enclose you a Bill of 

 Lading. We annex a memorandum of the cost of the cases and the shipping 

 expenses upon them amounting to ,£18-2-0 — which sum we shall place to the 

 debit of the Society. The Researches were received from Mr. Murray in sheets 

 and in the absence of instructions we have not thought it advisable to subject the 

 Society to the expenses of boarding so large a number of volumes without orders 

 to that effect. 



The shipment has not been insured, but should you think it necessary it can be 

 done in Calcutta, upon the receipt of this advice, nearly as cheap as it could have 

 been effected here. 



The second portion of the Researches will be forwarded by the next vessel for 

 Calcutta. Should you think it necessary to effect it, insurance on both shipments 

 may be done at the same time, as the next will be a duplicate of the present. 



We shall be obliged by your saying what we are to do with the Researches that 

 will, after the second shipment, still remain in our hands. We have some time 

 since expressed our inability to dispose even of one set, and were the Researches 

 advertised we fear the result would not be satisfactory. We shall have do objec- 

 tion to continue the care of the Researches, but if we cannot make sales it is only 

 reasonable that we should charge warehouse-room for the books. We shall be 



