18G7.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 13 



heavily on the Society's means ; he hoped, however, that now, relieved 

 from the maintenance of their collections, their finances would soon 

 recover, but there was and always would be an ample field in India 

 and its immediate neighbourhood, for the profitable expenditure of 

 any amount which either the Society or the Government could afford 

 to devote to the development of antiquities, history or natural 

 science. 



In conclusion, he could not but regret that his own enforced absence 

 from Calcutta had prevented him from being as useful to the Society 

 as he could have wished to be. The Society was aware, however, 

 that the Vice-Presidents, and especially Mr. G-rote, had fully and ably 

 done the work which ought to have fallen to the President's share ; 

 for this he begged leave to tender them his individual thanks, and would 

 now with great pleasure vacate the chair to make room for Dr. Fayrer. 



The President elect, on taking the chair, addressed the meeting as 

 follows. 



" Gentlemen; I have to thank you for the great though unexpected 

 honour you have conferred on me by electing me to be the President 

 of your Society. I must, however, express my conviction that you have 

 not made a happy selection ; I say so, because I think that the President 

 of a Society, such as this, should be a person with more leisure at his 

 command than I have, and of scientific attainments such as I can 

 have no pretension to. Indeed I am at a loss to understand how 

 the choice can have fallen on one so unfitted, as I am, for such an 

 office, and I confess that my misgivings as to the results, cause me 

 apprehension. When I reflect on the distinguished men who have 

 preceded me, and on all they have done for the Society, I feel how 

 entirely I am at a disadvantage, and how imperfectly even I can ever 

 hope to do justice to the chair, in which you have placed me. On 

 learning at the last meeting of the Council that it was the intention of 

 that body to nominate me as their President, I hastily determined to 

 decline the honour, but on stating my intention to some of my friends 

 and hearing that to do so would be displeasing to many for whom I 

 entertain the highest regard, I determined to accept the office if offered 

 to me, and do my best, (i. e. whatever the turmoil and uncertain 

 leisure of a professional life will permit,) to give you satisfaction, and, 

 if I can, with your aid, to promote the interests of the Society. 



