THE CIVILIZATION OF INDIA. ooo 
LLELING 
ABSTRACT OF PAPER BY DR. R. OXLAND, F.C.S. 
(Read December 6th, 1877.) 
Dr. Oxtanp described and illustrated the physical and chemical 
properties of tin, its geological and mineralogical relations, the 
mining: operations involved in the raising of its ores, the metal- 
lurgical processes employed in the preparation of the ores and the 
extraction of the metal, the purposes for which tin is employed in 
the arts and manufactures, and, in conclusion, gave some remarks on 
the effects of tin mining on the production of gold, and on possible 
improvements in reducing the cost of production and in increase of 
consumption. 
THE CIVILIZATION OF INDIA. 
ABSTRACT OF PAPER BY DR. WILLIAM H. PEARSE. 
(Read December 13th, 1877.) 
InprA, said the lecturer, was a nation allied to ourselves in race, 
language, and ideas. Superficial differences were obvious enough, 
but increasing intercourse and knowledge showed the deeper bonds. 
The study of early Indian civilization, and its beautiful poetry, 
opened up the natural history of the Hindu religion and philosophy, 
from the days of the personification of the greater phenomena of 
nature down to their varied incarnations, in which great truths 
and ideas were involved. The poetic Aryan-Hindu preferred 
personification to the colder moral and intellectual system of 
Buddha, even if it involved the cruel system of caste. Caste was 
a social institution in the main, and had helped, and yet helped, 
to form a great and good society and civilization; and there was | 
danger to Indian society lest caste should too suddenly disappear. 
