4 president's address 



There is one part of the scheme of work we planned for 

 ourselves last year which has not begun to be accomplished. 

 I mean the formation of a collection of Malay literature. 

 When I think of the dangers which so many of the few Ma- 

 lay MSS. and books that exist are now running, I feel that 

 there is no time to be lost in setting about this business in 

 earnest. Think of these precious volumes in the keeping 

 of native owners who have no idea of their value. Think 

 of them also even when they are in the hands of apprecia- 

 tive European collectors ; of one precious, unique MS. in a 

 bachelor - residence somewhere in the interior of Perak : 

 another perhaps in a Singapore hotel : another here, another 

 there, scattered everywhere, in danger of white ants, of fire, 

 of careless servants, encountering daily one or all of these 

 risks. When I think of it I tremble for them, and most 

 heartily wish they were safe under lock and key, in the pos- 

 session of our Society. 



There are three ways in which possession of them' may be 

 acquired ; hy gift, by loan for copjung, or by purchase. Sure- 

 ly we ought to be able either to beg, borrow, or buy them. 

 I think while we have money it would be a most useful way 

 of spending some of it, if we were either to purchase such 

 Malay books as are to be bought, or pay for having copies 

 made of such as may be entrusted to us for that purpose. — 

 But of course it would be better still to receive them as 

 gifts ; and as example is more forcible than precept, I here 

 and now offer for the acceptance of the Society my own 

 much valued copy of the Hilcayai Abdullah. 



We may thankfully record the fact that the Society has 

 had no losses by death, and few ,by departure during the 

 year. One serious loss was that of the Hon. John Douglas, 

 the late Colonial Secretary of this Colony. He was a most 

 valuable member of the Council, and was much interested 

 in the welfare and progress of the Societ}*. But as the loss 

 to us was a gain to him we perhaps ought not to regret it. 

 The timely return of Mr. Heiwey to Singapore gave the 

 Council an opportunity of filling up the vacancy in their 

 body by appointing another of the original promoters of the 

 Society to succeed Mr. Douglas. 



And now, gentlemen, it only remains for me and the 

 other members of the Council to lay down the charge with 

 which you have entrusted us, and ask you to proceed to the 

 election of our successors. 



