240 



Proceedings of Societies • 



[Jan. 



remarkable for area and for depth : certainly its depth had not dimi- 

 nished by his sojourn in India, while its area had wonderfully extended. 



This motion being likewise carried, Sir Edward Ryan prefaced his 

 third proposition by reading the following eloquent passage from Dr. 

 "Wilson's reply to the address presented to him on his departure in De- 

 cember, 1832. 



" If I can judge of your sentiments by my own, I can fully appreci- 

 ate the motives which induce you to seek to preserve memorials of those 

 who have taken an active part in the labours of the Society. One of 

 the most interesting decorations of the room in which we are accustom- 

 ed to assemble is to me, to all, the portrait of our illustrious founder ; 

 and I am sure you will agree w'ith me that the apartment would possess 

 a still dearer interest were such decorations multiplied ; did the coun- 

 tenances of Colebrooke, Wilford, Wilkins, and other distinguished 

 members look down complacently upon the labours of their successors. 

 I need not add, how irresistible are such influences upon the human 

 mind, and how well calculated are such memorials to give wholesome 

 stimulus to youthful energies. It is not from a merely selfish motive 

 therefore that I accede to your request, but in the hope that even in 

 this w^ay I may contribute, however feebly, to the great ends of our In- 

 stitution ; at the same time I am not insensible of the kindness which 

 has prompted the proposal, and if I do feel vain it is that you should 

 have thought me worthy of the honour of being perpetually, as far as 

 any thing human is perpetual, present among you." 



He concluded by proposing, 



That to meet the wishes of his numerous friends anxious to subscribe 

 for the preservation of a memorial of Dr. Mill in the Society's rooms, 

 he be requested on his arrival in England to sit for his picture to some 

 eminent artist. 



The Secretary in seconding this proposition, said he had been called 

 on at a late festive meeting to bear testimony to Dr. Mill's great talents 

 and learning, and had felt some humiliation at his total incompetency to 

 answer such a call, for indeed it would have been naught but presump- 

 tion in him to speak to merits so far beyond his criticism. Happily in 

 these rooms no such testimony was required, for here all knew his 

 learning and his value. He could not however omit to make public ac- 

 knowledgment of the kindness and aid he had always received from 

 Dr. Mill, in his capacity of Editor of the journal ; to which Dr. Mill's 

 contributions had been ever among the most valuable. A circumstance 

 worthy of mention had enabled him to hear what the pandits thought 



