86 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [No. 1. 



high sense of the important services rendered to it by this zealous 

 and distinguished member, and recently testified its gratitude by- 

 subscribing for the portrait which now graces its Meeting room. 



Dr. Walker, whose zealous and disinterested devotion to science 

 is well known, was a sincere and cordial friend to, and promoter 

 of the objects of the Society. 



Captain Hayes was a well known Persian and Arabic Scholar, 

 and for some time acted as Secretary to the Society. His services 

 in that capacity were acknowledged by a vote of thanks passed 

 in May 1851. 



Such losses as the above, and as that of Sir Henry Lawrence 

 and Hon'ble Mr. John Colvin, who also took an earnest interest in 

 the Society's welfare, are not to be immediately or easily repaired. 



By the death of the Baron Yon Hammer Purgstall the cause of 

 Oriental Literature has lost one of its brightest ornaments, and 

 most ardent advocates, and the Society its oldest and not least 

 distinguished honorary member. He devoted a long life of 82 years 

 to the study of the Arabic, Persian and Turkish languages, and 

 the success with which he prosecuted his researches is attested by 

 the numerous works which he has left behind him. The Society is 

 especially indebted to him for a valuable paper on the navigation of 

 the Arabs, published in the Journal. 



Finances. — The steady improvement which the finances of the 

 Society were gradually making, has received a severe check by the 

 recent disturbances. The collections during the last year have been 

 less than what was anticipated, while the statement of outstanding 

 assets continues to be nearly the same as at the close of 1856. 



The total receipts during the last year as shewn in the statement 

 No. 1, have been Es. 19,828-12-3, exclusive of the subscriptions 

 (Rs. 2,676) for the purchase of the Stacey Coin collection, which 

 have been deposited on a separate account in the Bank of Bengal. 



The receipts include an item of Rs. 765-5-4, being a part of the 

 loan recovered from the Oriental Publication Fund. 



The disbursements amount to Rs. 24,001-2-1, inclusive of a sum 

 of Rs. 4,000, which have been invested in Government Securities. 

 The cash balance iu hand is Rs. 2,330-9-3, which added to the 

 remaining loan Rs. 1,734-10-8, due from the Oriental Publication 



