X 
PREFACE. 
It is satisfactory to find tlie increasing interest taken in the 
welfare of the Society by those who have joined it ; this is 
the more encouraging, inasmuch as with them rests, in no 
small degree, the accomplishment of the Institute’s objects, — 
objects, the importance of which is annually becoming every- 
where more recognized, as is evidenced by the cordial 
welcome accorded during the past year to the Society’s 
efforts to extend its operations to the Colonies and the 
United States : this is very gratifying, as it is an acknow- 
ledged fact that the state of thought in new countries has 
a strong tendency to a shallow scepticism, marked by great 
mental activity and little deep thought, a wide knowledge ot 
the practical applications of science, and little time for real 
philosophical study : it is just in such soils that modern 
scientific scepticism takes root most freely, and where the 
extension of the organization of a Society whose aim is to 
promote accurate inquiry rather than conjecture in the work 
of elucidating scientific truth, is of especial value. 
Last year we referred to the desirableness of a thorough 
inquiry being undertaken, with the aim of gathering from 
various sources, especially from ancient monuments,* informa- 
tion that would throw greater light upon the earliest days 
of Chaldean and Egyptian history, an inquiry including 
careful and systematic exploration in Assyria and Egypt ; 
and it is pleasing to find that in Assyria a commencement has 
their Authors, and MS. comments and supplementary remarks are added, 
which have been sent in by those Home and Foreign Members to whom, as 
being specially qualified to pronounce an opinion on the respective subjects, 
proof copies of the Papers have been submitted for consideration. These 
arrangements, which cannot but add to the value of the Journal, are carried 
out with a view to the advantage of all, especially Country and Foreign 
Members, who thus find in the Journal much valuable matter, in addition 
to that which has come before those actually present at the meetings. 
* Upon this subject generally we would draw special attention to two 
very important papers read by Professors Kawlinson and Tristram at the 
Church Congress of 1878. 
