184 



Proceedings of Societies. 



One of the most gratifying and interesting parts of the Society's proceedings 

 during the past year being, from its recent occurrence, fresh in the memory of 

 everv member, the Council does not feel bound, on the present occasion, to do 

 more" than merely allude to it. The presentation to Lieut. Alexander Burnes of a 

 diploma, constituting him for life an Honorary Resident Member, in token of the 

 Society's admiration of the zea', ability, and conduct displayed by that enterpris- 

 ing traveller , as well as of the important services rendered by him to Oriental 

 literature and science by his researches in Central Asia, while it forms a just and 

 appropriate tribute to distinguished merit, cannot, it is hoped, be without its use in 

 stimulating others to a like course of honourable exertion. 



Similar considerations to those which prompted the above dispensation, actuat- 

 ed the Society in admitting, as corresponding members, — the Chevalier General 

 Ventura, General A lard, and M. Court, officers in the service of Runjit Singh, 

 for their kind and valuable assistance to Lieut, fiurnes, and the late M. Jacque- 

 mont, dming the soj< uin of those travellers in the Punjab. 



In conclusion, the Council has the gratification to observe, that the efforts of 

 the Society have been duly appreciated by. and honoured with the cordial approba- 

 tion of, learned foreigners ; and with this flattering homage it trusts it may com- 

 bine that of the British public. 



It has been said that, notwithstanding our peculiar relations with the East, and 

 v?ith India in particular, the British, of all European nations, have shewn the 

 greatest indiflerence to subjects in any way connected with Asia, whether of arts, 

 science, or literature. How far this may have been the case is not for your Coun- 

 cil to decide ; but it feels itseif bound to state the conviction, which has arisen 

 from the experience of the past year, that such indifference, if it did once exist, 

 has now given place to a lively interest, and that the proceedings of this Society, 

 its library, and its museum, at this moment excite an attention, which may fairly 

 be consiceied to have established its title to national popularity. 



But your Council is aware, that the aim and object of the Society does not rest 

 here ; that it must look to Asia itself, and to India in particular, to form a full 

 and correct judgment of its proper usefulness. And, if we turn to the correspond- 

 ence at present carrying on with that country, it may, indeed, be matter of proud 

 congratulation to find, that this Society is now looked up to by so many millions of 

 British subjects, distant from' us by so many thousands of miles, as the main link 

 that unites them to these realms in the bonds of literature, science, and art. 



It is a pleasing duty to your Council thus to point to the proud position the 

 Society n( w holds, one for which it is alone indebted to the well-judged liberality 

 of the enlightened few, and to that of the Honourable the Court of Directors of 

 the East India Company. Your Council, therefore, now looks for, and trusts the 

 Society will receive some national support ; and if, from the judicious application 

 and management of the means that have hitherto been at its disposal, it has at- 

 tained its present stage of usefulness, we may, it is hoped, from the undiminished 

 favoui of its gracious and royal patron, and from the continued liberality of the 

 Honourable Court, expect with confidence, that its exertions will be attended with 

 still happier results, when based on the just and generous feeling of a British 

 public. 



From the preceding outline, brief and imperfect as it is, the Council would hope, 

 may be found ample ground of satisfaction with the past career, and sanguine 

 anticipations of the future prosperity of the Royal Asiatic Society, 



