22 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Jan. 



distinct volumes for each year has failed, because there has not been 

 material enough, or funds enough, to produce two volumes, and each 

 series has, I think, lost in general interest by being isolated. More- 

 over the Proceedings now absorb all the smaller papers which are of 

 interest, while the issue separately of all these parts, numbers, and 

 volumes adds to the cost. 



My own opinion, therefore is, that if we are to have only a con- 

 tinuance of the present state of things, it would be wiser to revert to 

 the old system of publication of all papers in one series, issuing the 

 numbers of that series at regular intervals, of say two months. But 

 if, on the other hand, as I think we are justified in anticipating, we 

 do receive such an accession of strength, as will place the funds at the 

 disposal of the Society, for such publications on a much more satis- 

 factory footing ; then, I believe the Council would be able to secure 

 the fitting publication of sufficient material in both series to form two 

 concurrent volumes. In this case, the division would be advantage- 

 ous. In this matter also, the decision entirely rests with the mem- 

 bers of the Society at large. A reference to the accounts of the 

 Society will shew you, that the Council have been fully alive to the 

 importance of improving and enlarging your Journal and Proceed- 

 ings. They have steadily increased the allotment to such purposes 

 out of the general funds of the Society, so far as was consistent with 

 the other demands on these funds. If you go back only a few years 

 you will see that in 1864, the allotment for publications was only 

 3,500 Rs. ; this was also the amount in 1865 ; in 1866, this sum 

 was increased to 4,400 Rs. ; and in 1867, and 1868, to 5,000 Rs. 

 This is very nearly one-half of the whole income of the Society. And 

 I would also ask you to remember the fact, that were that income 

 doubled, there would be very little increase in the cost of establish- 

 ments for management : and that more than a half of that 

 increase would be available for the extension and improvement of 

 your publications. Cannot this be accomplished? Are we to sit 

 down in despair of seeing our finances in a more flourishing state ? 

 Are we to be content to see the most valuable papers seek for 

 publication elsewhere, because we are unable to pay for their 

 illustrations here? I would appeal to my fellow members of the 

 Society, and ask them, to aid their Council in this respect. I 



