1836.]' 



Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 



451 



lated by Dr. Taylor. Mr. Wathen has been successful in decyphering the most 

 ancient of those in our museum; and the results, as stated by him in his communi- 

 cation in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal for August last, are both 

 curious and useful. Ancient coins are occasionally found in different parts of the 

 Presidency, and the Native States to the northward, which may aid in the correc- 

 tion, or enlargement, of such Genealogical Tables as have been lately published 

 by Mr. Prinsep of Calcutta*. 



There is a small body of Armenians in Bombay, from which something interest- 

 ing might be learnt. A dissertation by one of them on the antiquity of their 

 native language, with notes by Mr. Dickinson, has lately been transmitted by us 

 to the Royal Asiatic Society, and cannot fail to be acceptable. There cannot be a 

 doubt that the Armenians can fill up important blanks in our Church History, 

 which, to the undue neglect of the orientals, is principally formed on the authority 

 of the Roman and Byzantine Fathers. 



The Beni-Israel of Bombay, and the adjoining territories, amount to about eight; 

 thousand. It is to be regretted that no considerable account of them has yet 

 appeared, particularly as they have been long settled in the country, refuse the 

 appellation of Jew, and are probably a portion of the Ten Tribes, never amalga- 

 mated, as the body of them probably was, with those of Judah and Benjamin. 



The researches of our members on antiquities, and other subjects of observation 

 and rational inquiry, have not been confined to India ; but I cannot longer detain 

 you by alluding either to their results, or by attempting to form, what is unneces- 

 sary, and what in me would be presumptuous, an estimate of the enterprise and 

 intelligent observation and research of our Malcolms, Elpbinstones, Pottin- 

 gers, Riches and Burneses. The contiguity of our Presidency to Persia, 

 Arabia, and Egypt; and the prospect of increased intercourse with these countries, 

 by steam navigation, afford ground to hope that our geographical and historical 

 knowledge of them will ere long be greatly enlarged. There is scarcely a country 

 of Asia, which, even, in our present circumstances, does not furnish visitors to 

 Bombay, who prove themselves ready to communicate to intelligent inquirers, 

 information on places never as yet surveyed by any modern European traveller. 

 Mr. Wathen nas been able, from conversing with Muhammadan pilgrims, to 

 prepare a brief, but interesting, memoir of Chinese Tartary.f 



I owe to the meeting an apology for the many imperfections of the sketch which 

 I have rapidly taken. I have rather endeavoured to mark our progress, than to 

 point out, what would perhaps have contributed more to our encouragement, the 

 advantages and means of further advancement. Our Society, I may be permitted 

 to hope, will soon again be inspired with its pristine zeal, at the same time that it is 

 directed by its accumulated experience; maintain the character which it has earned 

 for itself; and prove not unworthy of its incorporation with the Royal Asiatic 

 Society of Great Britain and Ireland, an incorporation which must be admitted, 

 notwithstanding some disadvantages, to be beneficial, as it secures that literary 

 sympathy and communication which is greatly to be valued, and the circulation of 

 our papers, with no expense to ourselves, and now in a convenient form, through- 

 out the world. 



* Such coins are occasionally worn as personal ornaments by natives, who have no idea 

 of their value, 

 i See Asiatic Society's Journal for December, 1835, 



