A BISCOURSE, &C. S3 



be confessed^ that vory little light is yei tbrown 

 on tli(^ History of Man in those regions — the 

 mine is sfill unexplored^ and from the notice in 

 the writings of the Seignor Margarette and 

 others on Luconia and the Pbilipine Islands, 

 much may still be expected 'm aid of what bas 

 already been siig"gested. 



From the intimate political connection now 

 opening with the Spanisb possessions in both beni'- 

 ispheres, th^ peiiod is^ I trust, not far distant, 

 when an intercourse between onr Society and si- 

 milar institutions existing at Manilla^ may bring 

 to light much interesting information. Under 

 exisiing circumstances^ it vvill natiirally occur^, 

 that no time sbowld be lost ^n opening corres- 

 pondence, and in encouraging the most unre- 

 served and cordial coramunication. . 



Had I not already tresspassed too long on your 

 time, I shouid have been inclined to indulge at 

 some length on the prospect which the projected 

 enterprize to Japan afFords in aid of our re- 

 «earches in that quarter. From the distinguish^ 

 cd talents of Dr. Ainslie, the English Secreta- 

 ry to the S«)cietyj who proceeds as Commissioner 

 on the part of the English Governraentj we 

 have jast grounds for anticipating the acquisi- 

 tion of mnch that is to be learnt from these re- 

 mote and iaterestiug couatries. 



