1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 37 



the Presidencies ; while they ave fully awake to the importance of 

 working cordially together. There is every reason therefore to believe, 

 that with the support of Government, a system of meteorological 

 registration will before long be adopted throughout the greater 

 part of India, possessing the all-important characteristics of unifor- 

 mity and trustworthiness. The system of storm-warnings is at 

 present peculiar to Calcutta, where indeed it is of most importance. 

 In the late cyclone, the reporter was able to give notice to the 

 Master Attendant, about eight or nine hours before the wind became 

 violent, and eleven hours before the storm reached its maximum. 

 Some correspondence on the subject of the meteorological reports 

 during the late cyclone, will probably be laid before the next ordinary 

 meeting. 



The Asiatic Society has thus inaugurated a system of meteorological 

 observations and registration, and has long published the reports which 

 are kept in the Surveyor G-eneral's office and for which we herewith 

 offer our acknowledgements ; it has also been acting conjointly with 

 Government in aiding the furtherance of the important subject of 

 registration. I trust that neither failure of scientific energy of the 

 observers on the one hand, nor lack of aid on the other, will prevent 

 the development of what is so much needed, a thoroughly scientific 

 and practical system of meteorological observation and registration 

 throughout India. 



And here I think I may take the opportunity of offering a 

 remark (as germane to the subject) on Physical science generally, 

 as represented in our educational establishments in India. The 

 immense development of the Physical sciences has been declared 

 by the Duke of Argyll to be "characteristic of our times," and 

 truly we might be glad if we could apply this remark to India; 

 for if ever we propose to educate the people thoroughly, to lead 

 them from lower to higher truths, it can only be by making them 

 acquainted with the subjects included under the comprehensive term 

 of " Physical Science." If superstition and prejudice are to be 

 uprooted as a preparation of the way for more enlightenment, and 

 knowledge of a higher kind, it can only be by imbuing them with 

 a comprehension of those general laws by which all physical pheno- 

 mena are regulated. I before remarked that one object of this Society, 



