1838.] 



Asiatic Society of Bengal. 



243 



literature and science of Arabia, that has escaped your scrutinizing 

 research. 



We trust that, in the leisure of dignified retirement, you will be 

 enabled to put forth the maturer fruits of your rich and highly culti- 

 vated mind. We are confident that your well-earned reputation will 

 be sustained by whatever you perform ; and we are sanguine enough 

 to hope that our country may now boast of possessing an Englishman, 

 the depth and variety of whose oriental studies are not surpassed by 

 any (numerous and distinguished as they are) of the Scholars of the 

 continent. 



We cannot allow this opportunity to pass without assuring you of 

 the deep sense of obhgation we feel towards you for your unremitting 

 attention to the duties of your station as Vice-Presideni of our Socie- 

 ty, and for the alacrity witn which on all occasions you have afforded 

 lis the benefit of your opinion and advice, and the aid of your learn- 

 ing and judgment on the difficult and continually recurring references 

 that have been submitted to our consideration. 



We are in some degree consoled for your loss to ourselves by re- 

 flecting that, here you have no more to learn: — that though your ac- 

 quirements are beyond the standard, which is ordinarily reached in 

 the longest and most laborious life, you are yet in the vigour of man- 

 hood; and that you are about to return to a land where you will meet 

 with the distinction, which is due to abilities so eminent and to> 

 attainments so various. 



It is our earnest desire that you will gratify us by sitting for your- 

 Portrait as soon after arrival in England as may be convenient to, 

 yourself. For the Members of our Society v/ho have the happiness 

 to know you, no token of re miniscence is requisite ; but the wish is. 

 reasonable that our Hall should be decorated with the resemblance of 

 one, who, while among us, was so useful and so distinguished a Mem-- 

 ber of our Society, 



(Signed) Edward Ryan, President, 



The Reverend Dr. Mill read the following reply, the President and 

 members still standing, 



Mr. President^ 



The address which you, in the name of this Society, have done me 

 the high honour of presenting to me, is one which 1 cannot rise to 



