268 Proceedings of the Mad. Lit. Society, [No. 37, 



sented in the building and its adjacent compound, formerly the Pan- 

 theon of Madras, and now occupied as the Land Custom House. This 

 in fact occupies as centrical a position as could be desired, while the 

 building itself is one, that in its spacious apartments, it is believed could 

 be well devoted to all the uses, to which it would be sought to apply it. 



The object of the Sub-Committee's present application to the Com- 

 mittee of the Literary Society is, to ascertain the sentiments of your 

 Committee on the subject, and whether it would be willing, so far as 

 itself were concerned, to transfer the Library and Museum to the 

 new building ; and upon this they would solicit as early a decision as 

 may suit the Committee's convenience. This combination of the re- 

 sources of Societies, having as objects the advancement of Literature 

 and Science, in the same spot,* would, it is believed, be of use, not to 

 say inestimable advantage to the community of our Town. It might 

 fairly be expected that opportunities, now neglected, would then be re- 

 gularly taken advantage of ; and that the facilities afforded for examina- 

 tion, study and comparison would create a taste for the elevating pur- 

 suits spoken of, which could not fail to bring habits of reflection and de- 

 sires of usefulness in its train, that must redound to the benefit of So- 

 ciety at large. 



The Sub-Committee propose on ascertaining the views of your Com- 

 mittee and of that of the Agri-Horticultural Society, to submit the ques- 

 tion for the consideration of Government, and they indulge the hope ? 

 that from the sympathy which the Government has been pleased to 

 manifest in the various Institutions, which it is desired to collect to- 

 gether, and the sterling value of the proposed scheme for the best inter- 

 ests of Madras, together with other considerations unnecessary to re- 

 capitulate here, it will be so fortunate as to be favourably entertained, 

 and the object in view meet a generous and hearty concurrence. 



I have the honor to be, dear Sir, your's faithfully, 

 Madras, i (Signed) Jas. Ouchterlony, 



29th May, 1849. > For the Sub- Committee Polytechnic Society. 



May 29th, 1849. 



At a meeting of the Sub-Committee composed of Messrs. Ouchterlony, 

 Eeilly, and Anstruther, it was determined to write this day to the Secre- 

 tary to the Literary Institution to know whether in the event of the 

 Polytechnic Institution succeeding in obtaining a Building suitable in 

 every way and centrically situated it would be the wish of the Literary 

 Society to transfer their books and their Museum to such building. A 

 similar letter to be addressed to the Secretary to the Horticultural and 

 Agricultural Society. The intention being to submit to Government the 



• And that spot a central and accessible one. 



