430 
Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 
[No. 4, 
“ It appears from the papers on the case that Mr. Blyth’s applica¬ 
tion was considered inadmissible by the late Hon’ble Court of Directors, 
on the ground that 1 the grant of pensions from the public revenues 
is strictly limited to those who are in the direct service of Government.’ 
This principle still holds good, and His Excellency the Governor- 
General in Council does not think that Mr. Blyth’s application for a 
pension can be supported on the ground now advanced by the Asiatic 
Society. As a special case, however, it appears to His Excellency in 
Council to have claims to consideration. It is the case, His Excel¬ 
lency remarks, of a man of science, who has devoted himself for a 
very small salary to duties in connexion with the Asiatic Society, a 
body aided by and closely identified with the Government of India 
from which the public have derived great advantage. 
“ Mr. Blyth may truly be said to have been, in a great measure, 
the creator of the Natural History Museum, which has hitherto 
supplied the place of a Public Museum in the metropolis of India 
and which will probably, soon be made over to Government, as part 
of a National Museum. This collection is open to the public free of 
charge, and many thousands have derived benefit and instruction 
from it. 
“In addition to the direct educational benefits of the Museum, the 
character and standing of the Asiatic Society undoubtedly exercise 
a most beneficial indirect effect in maintaining a high standard of 
Science and Literature among a numerous body of the Civil and 
Military Officers in the service of Government, and in one important 
department, that of Zoology and Natural History, Mr. Blyth’s labours 
have done much to maintain and to extend that character. 
“ His Excellency in Council considers, therefore, that if, under 
such circumstances, Mr. Blyth should after twenty years’ service, be 
compelled to retire from ill-health, brought on very much by his 
exertions in pursuit of science, it would not be creditable to the 
Government that he should be allowed to leave without any retiring 
pension, and His Excellency in Council is of opinion that if the rule 
which limits pensions to those who are in the direct service of 
Government can be relaxed, the application on behalf of Mr. Blyth 
ought to be favorably entertained.” 
The Chairman moved that the thanks of the Society be conveyed 
to His Excellency in Council for the liberal concessions made in favour 
of Mr. Blyth. 
