Report. xv 



the office about to be vacant by Lord Hardinge's departure.* The Coun- 

 cil unanimously recommend Mr. Colvile's election, feeling persuaded that 

 it is not in some special acquirement, such as that of Oriental learning, 

 or in the profound knowledge of some department of natural or physi- 

 cal science, that the most requisite qualifications for their President 

 consist. General ability, love of literature and science, anxiety for 

 the interests and advancement of the Society, courtesy and encourage- 

 ment to its members and punctual attendance at its meetings, would in 

 the opinion of the Council, constitute qualifications very much more 

 conducive to their prosperity and effectiveness. The Council consider 

 the election of Mr. Colvile the best which could be made upon these 

 views, and they accordingly recommend that it take place at the next 

 general meeting after Lord Hardinge's departure. 



They further advise that as a mark of their high sense of the value 

 of Mr. Laidlay's great exertions during the past year, that gentleman 

 be elected a Vice President of the Society, retaining his office of Co- 

 Secretary ; further that Mr. H. M. Elliot be elected a Vice President, 

 in succession to Colonel Forbes. 



The Council lastly repeat their congratulations on the improvement 

 which has taken place in the circumstances and efficiency of the Society, 

 on the increase to its number of members, and the improvement of its 

 finances, exhibiting for the first time for several years, a balance on the 

 credit side, notwithstanding the exact application of each fund to its spe- 

 cial and authorized use. The Council also observe with much pleasure 



Arthur Broome. W. Seton Karr. 



John H. Pratt. H. L. Thuillier. 



W. B. O'Shaughnessy. G. Lamb. 



Welby Jackson. R. W. Frith. 



Jas. Dodd. Horeemohun Dey. 



Jas. C. Thompson. T. E. Rogers. 



S. Slater. Rommanath Tagore. 



J. W. Grant. Nrependernath Tagore. 



E. Currie. S. G. T. Heatly. 



Wm. Keane. Rajah Radhakant Deb. 



D. Stewart. 

 * It having been previously ascertained that the senior Vice-Presidents, the Lord 

 Bishop of Calcutta and the Ilon'ble Sir John Peter Grant, the former on account of 

 delicate health, and the second with reference to his being- about to leave India, could 

 not accept the office of President, if elected. 



