1844.] 



Madras Mterarij Society. 



MB 



lishment of the Museum" on its premises, and erected buildings for i + s 

 accomodation out of the funds of the Society. The correspondence and 

 proceedings connected with these transactions may be seen in the 124th 

 No. of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 



If the Museum projected for Madras is to be on a scale commensurate 

 with the importance and magnitude of the objects, it is clear that the Li- 

 terary Society possesses neither the funds for its Establishment nor ade- 

 quate space in its apartments for its accomodation. It is for the Committee 

 to determine whether Government should be addressed on the subject, 

 perhaps some member of the Society would consent to complete the ar- 

 rangement of the minerals &c. now in the cabinet of the Society and to per- 

 form the duties of a Curator on a limited scale. Captain Smith of the Engi- 

 neers, aMember of theSociety,possesses all the qualifications required for such 

 an office: and Mr. Ross the Assay Master and Dr. Middlemas the Deputy 

 Assay Master, also Members, from the nature of their professional duties 

 of course are qualified also for analytical investigations. In the meantime 

 the Society being publicly known to possess a mineralogical Cabinet, to which 

 it has invited donations, specimens continue to be received, and at any future 

 time may be arranged with regard to their economic uses. 



Resolved. — That the Sub-Committee be requested to prepare a repre- 

 sentation to Government for the purpose of ascertaining whether they 

 will afford the means of establishing a Museum of Economic Geology at 

 Madras. 



At a Meeting of the Managing Committee ef the Madras Literary Society 

 and Auxiliary of the Royal Asiatic Society on Thursday Evening the 8th 

 June, 1843. 



Read letter from H. M. Blair Esqr. Principal collector of Cana- 

 ra dated 11th May 1843. Forwarding two boxes containing specimens of 

 " Porcelain earth" found in the vicinity of Mangalore. 



Resolved. — That Dr. Cole be requested to examine the specimens 

 of porcelain earth with Dr. O'Shaughnessy's pamphlet and that the speci- 

 mens be forwarded to Government with such observations as may appear 

 necessary. 



Read a letter from Captain T. J. Newbold dated 12th May 1843, soli- 

 citing that copies of the Sassanums and other inscriptions forwarded by him 

 to the society be furnished to him or the originals returned ; likewise 



