bOG Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 



four ov five of the drawings in that time. Mr. Piddington had dwelt on 

 the enormous expense of colouring in this country, not dealing in figures 

 but 'leaving the Society to infer that this item of expenditure might ac- 

 count for the outlay complained of. In reply, without denying that colour- 

 ing was a very heavy expense, I stated that better colouring than was on 

 the table could be obtained for from Its. 5 to Rs. 10 per hundred drawings, 

 and I left it to members to look at the accounts and make their own calcula- 

 tions. 



You will see that this is a very different statement from the one published, 

 and I shall therefore esteemit afavour if you will allow this letter to appear 

 in the next number of >fCaCS^fetw3»urnal, 



I am, dear Sir, 



Your's faithfully, 



James Hume. 

 Esplanade Row, Maif 



Note. — The Editors^^ll^rinsert Mr. Hume's letter. Not pre- 

 tending to possess the accuracy of professional reporters they appli- 

 ed to Mr. Hume for a correct statement of his remarks at the discussion 

 regarding the " Burnes and Cantor drawings." Mr. Hume did not 

 comply with their request and has accordingly suffered a most uninten- 

 tional misrepresentation. As Secretaries, Dr. O' Shaughnessy and 

 Mr. Laidlay have again to state prominently that they are in no degree 

 responsible for any part of the expenditure referred to, all of which 

 had been incurred prior to their appointment. The accounts, unpublish- 

 ed for several years, they printed as they received them from the late 

 accountant. The Senior Secretary naturally objected to his being 

 " peremptorily questioned" regarding accounts and transactions which 

 Mr. Hume knew, he, Dr.O'S. had nothing to do with. When the accounts 

 for this year are published Mr. Hume will be most welcome to question 

 the Secretaries and Accountant as "peremptorily" as he pleases on 

 every item they present. Pending publication, the accounts for each 

 month are laid on the Library Table for the month ensuing, for the 

 perusal of the members, who would confer a great favour on the 

 Secretaries, and do good service to the Society by pointing out any 

 irregularity in the expenditure or deviation from the rules laid down by 

 the Society for the regulation of their outlay. 



