CRf riClSM OF SCIENTIFIC WORKS USEFUL. 
35 
is still a bibliothical desideratum here. It 
is not ourmeaning (hat the Company should 
go into any considerable expense in forming 
a collection of Eastern books, but we think 
the India House might, with particular pro- 
priety, be the centre of an ample accumula- 
tion of that nature, and conceiving also that 
gentlemen might chuse to lodge valuable 
compositions, where they could be safely pre- 
served and become useful to the public; we 
therefore desire it be made known, that we 
are willing to allot a suitable apartment for 
the purpose of an Oriental Repository, in the 
additional buildings now erecting in Leaden- 
hall Street, and that ail Eastern manuscripts 
transmitted to that Repository, will be care- 
iully preserved and registered there. 
106. “ By such a collection, the literature 
of Persian and Mahomedan India, may be 
preserved in this country, after, perhaps, it 
shall, from further changes, and the further 
declension of taste for it, be partly lost in its 
originalseats. 
107. “ Nor would we confine this collec- 
tion to Persian and Arabian manuscripts. 
The Sanscrit writings, from the long subjec- 
tion of the Hindoos to a foreign Government, 
from the discouragements their literature in 
consequence experienced, and from the ra- 
vages of time, must have suffered greatly; we 
should be glad, therefore, that copies of all 
the valuable books which remain in that 
language, or in any ancient dialects of the 
Hindoos might, through the industry of indi- 
viduals, at length be placed in safety in this 
Island, and form a part of the proposed col- 
lection.” 
Extract from a Letter from the Honorable 
the Court of Directors, dated the 5th of 
June, 1805. 
Par. 26. “In our public letter of the 
25th of May, 1798, paragraphs 105,106, and 
107, we informed you, of our willingness to 
allot apartments for the purpose of our Ori- 
ental Repository in the additional buildings 
then erecting in Leadenhal 1-Street, and that 
all Eastern manuscripts transmitted to that 
llepcsiiory, would be carefully preserved and 
registered there.” 
28. “ We have now to inform you, that 
the apartments for the Oriental Library, be- 
ing completed according to our intentions, 
have been placed under the charge of Mr. 
Charles Wilkins, formerly ofour civil service 
in Bengal, and that a considerable number 
of manuscripts, and printed books upon 
oriental subjects, with objects of natural 
history and curiosity, have already been 
placed in it, among which are many valuable 
presents from individuals and public bodies 
in this country.” 
29. “ As our original views in establish- 
ing this Library, have by no means been 
abandoned, and we still entertain hopes, that 
the invitation held out to individuals in India, 
in the above-mentioned paragraphs, would be 
successful, if properly seconded by our Su- 
preme Government, we again refer you to 
them, and desire, that the subject may be en- 
tered into with alacri'ty and zeal.”* 
The present Vol. of the Journal begins 
with a few introductory observations by the 
Editor. He informs us that this is the 4th, 
if taken separately, and 7tb year if the Glean- 
ings in Science are included, of the work’s 
existence in its present form. He exhibits 
what he deems a “ satisfactory” aspect of the 
Society’s financial concerns; and proceeds 
to comment in strong, but measured terms 
on the conduct of Government in with- 
drawing its support. He balances this by 
what he terms the “sunny side of the picttrre,” 
with some few appointments by which the 
Government has given employment to half 
a dozen individuals (more or less) which he 
regards as liberal and praise- w-orthy. We 
do not altogether coincide in that opinion 
excepting the instances of M. Massion and 
the Munshee Mohun Lol. Government has 
had a direct prospect of advantage in the 
appointments it has created, and even in 
the case of the two firs^, as their labors lay 
without the Company’s dominions, whence 
much was to be gleaned which might even- 
tually be turned to use, we are disposed to 
find some reservation to the integrity of its 
munificence. We do not mean to cavil at 
the appointments, because a Government 
cannot do wrong in legitimately using the 
talents ofable men ; but when the object is 
its own ultimate advantage, we look on it, not 
as an act of disinterested generosity, but of 
fair 'payment far labor done, wherein both 
parties seek what they would gain, with 
a clear understanding of the motive on 
either side. We must now conclude these 
remarks from want of further space, only 
adding that on one other point we disagree 
with the learned Editor. It is wherein he 
observes. — 
“ Ciiiicism of scientific works published 
in India has indeed been neglected, and that 
during a period when the press has been un- 
usually prolific. 1 his department of labour, 
as far as regards the bringing to public no- 
tice new woi ks has been amply fulfilled by 
the daily press ; and beyond this it would 
be hardly safe to extend the province of cri- 
ticism in this country, where the Editor can- 
not conceal his own fallibility under the dis- 
guise ofan anonymous review.” 
That the press has done and is manfully 
doing its duty we willingly allow; but we are 
unable to perceive why in this country it is 
“hardly safe” to extend the province of cri- 
ticism, because our “ fallibility cannot be 
concealed under an anonymous disguise” 
nosv in the first place we have yet to learn 
Calcutta Gazette. 
