1869.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 45 



fled Sanskrit scholars to carry Sanskrit works through the press, and 

 it would seem that the resolution to catalogue, and bring together 

 a complete series of Sanskrit literature, has by no means been taken 

 up too soon. 



I would hope that, on completion of the proposed Catalogues of 

 Sanskrit works, a similar step may be adopted with reference to the 

 numerous Persian and Arabic works which exist scattered in the 

 libraries of native Princes and gentlemen throughout the country. 



In connection with Oriental studies, it is a source of gratification 

 to hear from Babu Rajendralala Mitra, who has acted as Secretary 

 to the Fund, that from scholars in India, who appreciated the value 

 of Bopp's contributions to comparative grammar, a very considerable 

 sum has been remitted in aid of the Bopp Commemorative Fund. 



I cannot conclude without expressing to you the obligations under 

 which, in common with every member of the Society, I feel myself to 

 your executive officers and Council. When we first came together, and 

 had, with much anxiety, obtained a full knowledge of the heavy 

 amount of liabilities that were hanging over the Society, it was seri- 

 ously debated whether it would not be necessary to cease for a time 

 the publication of your Journal, and thus, in fact, give up the only 

 evidence we do offer to the outside world of our useful existence. 

 Ruinous as we felt that this would be, we thought honesty demand- 

 ed that our debts should be paid. If this misfortune has not fallen 

 upon the Society, — if instead of ceasing to issue your Journal, we have 

 been enabled to make the volume for the past year larger, and to bring 

 it before you more punctually than in former years, you owe your 

 thanks for this gratifying result to the devotion of your Secretaries ; 

 and above all, to the care with which the Finance Committee of your 

 Council have guarded your resources. To Col. Gastrell, as your 

 Treasurer, and to Dr. Partridge as a member of that Committee, we 

 all owe a very hearty expression of our thanks for the assiduity and 

 caution with which they watched over your interests. To the 

 Council at large, I must be allowed to express my own thanks for 

 the kindly support they have accorded to myself during the term 

 of my office. 



Allow me now to express my lasting obligation for the unmerited 

 honour you conferred on myself by placing me in your chair. I am 



