iv. 



CEYLON BRANCH ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



From the Treasurer's statement of the funds of the Society 

 it appears that a balance remained in his hands at the close 

 of last year, which, together with the subscriptions for the 

 ensuing year, will, it is hoped, be amply sufficient to meet all 

 necessary expenses ; yet, as the necessity for expending a 

 portion of the Society's income in adding new works on 

 Oriental Literature to its Library is manifest, the necessity 

 is also plain for increased aid in the way of donations and 

 subscriptions to the Society. 



In conclusion, your Committee trust they may anticipate 

 for the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society a long 

 course of prosperity and usefulness, and that it will be in- 

 strumental in adding to the stores of knowledge which are 

 now being daily acquired respecting Asia and Ceylon, and 

 conducing to the development of the resources of the Island. 



Correspondence A. 

 No. 1. 



Colombo, March 12, 1845. 



Sir, — I am directed to acquaint you that a Society has 

 recently been formed here under the name of the Asiatic 

 Society of Ceylon, and to enclose a copy of the rules and 

 regulations of the Society, and a list of the present members, 

 with a request that you will lay the same before the Royal 

 Asiatic Society, 



This letter and these documents are transmitted to you in 

 pursuance of the 3rd resolution of the meeting held on the 

 7th ultimo, whereby it was agreed that a correspondence be 

 forthwith opened with the Royal Asiatic Society, Avith a 

 view to the present Association becoming a branch of that 

 Society ; and I am to request you will have the goodness to 

 inform me, at your earliest convenience, on what terms the 

 incorporation of the Asiatic Society of Ceylon with the 



