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2.-Model of a Chinese Plough, Donor-Major EDIE, H. M.'s. 98th Regt. 3.-Chinese arithmetical table, Donor-Major EDIE.

4.-Model of a Chain Pump used by the Natives of China, and adapted both for manual and cattle labour, Donor-Major Edie.

For all the above communications and donations to the Society the thanks of the meeting were unanimously voted.

Dr. W. B. O'Shaughnessy exhibited specimens of explosive paper exactly like tale, prepared by dissolving the gun cotton in Sulphuric ether, and allowing the solution to evaporate spontaneously. He described also some singular electrical properties manifested by this paper.

REPORT.

At a meeting of the ASIATIC SOCIETY held on the 13th of January, 1847, the following REPORT on the Society's affairs was read and received, and directed to be printed, for distribution to the resident members, prior to the discussion at the February meeting of the several propositions it contains.

In compliance with the desire expressed by several members of the Society at the December meeting, the Secretaries, on the part and with the concurrence of the Committee of Papers, submit a succinct report on the state of the Society's affairs, and of the views of the Committee regarding the measures they deem best calculated to uphold its character and promote its utility.

The Society at present numbers 136 members, of whom 17 were admitted during the last year. No record exists of the withdrawals, deaths or other casualties by which the number of members has been reduced, a deficiency the Committee of Papers point out as one which the Secretaries should in future supply.

Of the 136 members there are not more than 100 who contribute with regularity to the Society's income. Two members have recently claimed exemption from the payment of subscription on the grounds of having been on the list for 20 years. As much doubt exists as to the expediency of admitting this claim for exemption, the Committee recommend the subject to the immediate consideration of the Society at large. The Committee of Papers and Office-bearers as appointed in March 1816, consisted of

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Vice-Presidents.-The Lord Bishop of Calcutta, Sir J. P. Grant, Sir H. W. Seton, Lieut.-Colonel Forbes, and H. Torrens, Esq.

Secretary.-II. Torrens, Esq.

Committee.-Rev. Dr. Hæberlin, W. P. Grant, Esq., C. IIuffinagle, Esq., G. A. Bushby, Esq., W. Tayler, Esq., Baboo Prosonocoomar Tagore, S. G. T. Heatly, Esq., W. B. O'Shaughnessy, Esq. M. D., and Capt. Broome, H. A.

Of these Messrs. Torrens and Huffnagle have permanently left Calcutta. The Hon'ble Sir II. Seton expresses himself unable from the state of his health to take any active part in the Society's business. Mr. W. Tayler has withdrawn, and Baboo Prosonocoomar Tagore has not been able to give his attendance or attention to our affairs.

In accordance with the long established practice of the Society to supply vacancies by annual election, it accordingly becomes necessary to elect members of the Committee of Papers in the room of Messrs. Tayler, Huffnagle, and Prosonocoomar Tagore.*

In consequence of the resignation of Mr. Torrens, Dr. W. B. O'Shaughnessy and Mr. J. W. Laidley were elected Co-Secretaries at the meetings of August and September, and Dr. Roer, a Co-Secretary in the Oriental Department, in November, 1846. Baboo Rajendra Lál Mitra was also elected Librarian and Assistant Secretary at the November meeting on a monthly Salary of 100 Rupees, and for a probationary period of 6 months.

At the November meeting a Sub-Committee or section, was also appointed for advice and reference to all matters connected with Oriental literature. Of this Sub-Committee Major Marshall, the Rev. Mr. Long, the Rev. Dr. Hæberlin and Dr. Roer were appointed members, and Captain Latter was added to their number at the December meeting. Finance and Accounts.

The Accounts not having been published for some years, the Secretaries and the Accountant have been engaged in the laborious task of examining all the receipts and vouchers since 1842, and comparing these with the abstract Annual Accounts received from the late Accountant,

*The following gentlemen have accordingly been elected at the Meeting of January, 1847, as members of the Committee of Papers to supply vacancies. Messrs. J. Colville, Advocate General, Welby Jackson, Esq. C. S., W. Grey, Esq. C. S., and R. W. G. Frith, Esq.

Mr. Bolst. This task is nearly completed and the results will be duly reported. Meanwhile the Committee of Papers recommend the immediate publication of the whole of Mr. Bolst's statements, for the information of the Society at large.

The Committee express their regret that these accounts have not been regularly printed in detail and circulated to the members, a step which would have obviated much misconception which has subsequently arisen.

A resolution having been passed at the September Meeting, directing the immediate payment of the Society's debts by the sale of Company's Paper or other available means, the following sums have been paid accordingly:

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And in compliance with further resolutions the sum of 3,000 Rs. has been reserved for the payment of Mr. Blyth's contingent claim,* making in all, paid and reserved to meet acknowledged debts Co.'s Rs. 14,127

12 11.

The produce of the back numbers of the Journal it is expected will be available for the liquidation of the debt of Rupees 1,500 due to Mr. Torrens-for the purchase of a Stock of the Journal, to that amount. The Co-Secretaries having received from their predecessor Company's Paper, Value Co.'s Rs....

Cash Balance,

And subsequently collected on account of

Subscriptions,.

And received from Government,

13,066 10 8

1,309 12 9

553 6 0

2,228 0 0

Co.'s Rs. 17,157 13 5

And paid or reserved as above detailed,.. Co.'s Rs. 14,127 12 11

* See Proceedings for Nov. 1846. p. lxxxviii.

it becomes their disagreeable duty to announce, that, reserving 3,000 Rupees due to Mr. Blyth and 1,500 Rupees due to Mr. Torrens, the actual Cash Balance in hand on the 30th of December, 1846, is Co.'s Rs. 1,530 0 6, of which 1,000 Rupees, the Government contribution for October and November for Oriental publications, must also be reserved for the special purpose for which it was granted, leaving a net balance of Co.'s Rupees 530 0 6 for the purposes of the Society, and which will be totally absorbed by the payment of the balance due on account of the "Burnes" drawings.

The Society's monthly income proceeds from the following sources: The Government allow for

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This sum is clearly only applicable to the special objects for which Government allow it-and whatever misconception or irregularity in this respect may have hitherto taken place, it deeply concerns the character and even the existence of the Asiatic Society to insist on the future application of these grants, being strictly in accordance with the instructions of Government.

The Society further receives annually from Pay

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The next subject to be considered is the regulation of the Society's expenditure, especially of such funds as it may hold in trust for special purposes from Government, from learned Societies, or munificent individuals.

Recent resolutions of the Society have been passed declaring the course the Society should in future pursue, but unless there be adopted a regular system of Check and Audit, we can never be certain but that funds granted for one purpose are applied to another, thereby leading to ill feeling, disunion and consequent loss of character to the Society. The Committee therefore propose that the accountant be required to attend the monthly meetings with a Dr. and Cr. account, statement of dependencies and vouchers, and that the same be read at each meeting as a regular part of the proceedings of the month-that a balance sheet be published once in each year; that one period of payment be adopted and that within the first week after every monthly meeting; that at the monthly meetings all demands on the Society should be produced and the amounts if sanctioned entered on the proceedings, excluding of course the regular Establishments. The signing of checques as well as the general business of the Society should further be conducted by one Secretary only-the office establishment being under his control, and in his absence by the Co-Secretary next in seniority of appointment. All correspondence moreover on the Society's business in every department should be signed or countersigned by the Senior Secretary and copies filed in his office.

The preceding summary of the accounts points out but too clearly, that the Society from its own means can at present do no more, than maintain the Journal, and provide for Establishments and Contingencies strictly on the foregoing scale-and it seems necessary to intimate to the Curators and other officers that it becomes their duty at present rather

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