and still more so, that of such gentlemen as are engaged in these pursuits scarcely any one appears inclined to avail himself of our Transactions for the purpose of communicating to the public the results of his researches. But there is one obstacle to literary exertion in this country which does not seem to have been hitherto duly appreciated-I mean, the indispensable necessity of acquiring the vernacular dialect of the province in which such studies are pursued. For the antiquarian, the historian, and even the botanist, the physician, or the mineralogist, will find it difficult, without such a knowledge, to conduct his inquiries; and this defect will render his conclusions both unsatisfactory and but little entitled to have reliance placed upon them. If, also the object of research be Muhammudan literature, no considerable progress in it could be attained with a competent conversancy with the Persian and Arabic Janguages: nor could the pursuit of Hindu learning be prosecuted with any success without the acquisition of Sanscrit. The study, however, of languages is to many persons so extremely irksome as to deter them from attempting to approach by so rugged a path that portal, which would introduce them into so novel a scene, abounding in diversified objects of curio sity and instruction. But to facilitate this approach Mr. Elphinstone has encouraged and promoted, by the enlightened liberality of the Government over which he presided, the compilation and publication of Grammars and Dictionaries of the Maratha and Gurjrati languages, which, to the disgrace of this presidency, had remained so long neglected, and also the publication of several works composed in them. These languages, it is true, have no intrinsic merit, for they are merely colloquial and possess no valuable works, but they are the mother tongues of the people who are placed under this Government; and in both the Maratha and Gurjrati provinces a knowledge of Hindustani is by no means generally prevalent. In this part of India, therefore, it will be evident how impossible it must be for any person to pursue effectually any object of research without a knowledge of one, or perhaps both, of these vernacular dialects, in order to put him in possession of a medium of communication between himself and those from whom he may require information. But there are many Gentlemen perfectly capable of favoring the Society with interesting and valuable contributions; and it is, therefore to be hoped that they will conquer that amiable diffidence which alone prevents them from assisting to render the institution of this Society useful to the public. For in such papers the perfect style of a writer accustomed to composition is not expected; and every member or contributor may be certain that the Committee of Papers will not admit into the Transactions any Memoir which is undeserving of publication. Such contributions, however. will be always received, with indulgence, and, though they may remain unpublished, the Society will be equally indebted to the Gentlemen by whom they are furnished, and their subject also may not improbably give rise to some interesting discussions. I am induced to touch upon this point, because the expectation thus expressed is now more likely to be accomplished in consequence of the zeal to acquire a knowledge of the native languages and literature, which the enlightened measures and discriminating patronage of Mr. Elphinstone have, from the commencement of his government, excited amongst the gentlemen of the civil service. The beneficial effects of which have been already displayed by the publication of several im portant works, and though the selection of these has been directed by the laudable desire of ameliorating the administration of justice, still it may be confidently anticipated that the zeal which has been awakened will not be confined to one subject, and that the difference of dispositions will naturally lead to difference of pursuits. It is not, however, by his public measures or private exertions alone that Mr. Elphinstone has thus successfully contributed to the promotion of literature. For his invaluable account of the Embassy to Cabul will ever remain a memorial, and I hope not the only memorial, of his eminent literary qualifications; and from the public applause which it has so justly received, it must also afford a most inciting assurance, that neither an active life nor official business do necessarily prevent the prosecution of intellectual pursuits. Occupied, indeed, as Mr. Elphinstone always seemed to be, either in the discharge of his numerous and important public duties, or in maintaining the intercourse of private life with that urbanity and engaging friendliness for which he was so peculiarly distinguished, these words of Catullus to Crassus in Cicero's Treatises de Orature, become strikingly applicable to the extent of acquirements displayed in Mr. Elphinstone's conversation-" Sed tamen, cum omnes gradus ætatis recorder tuæ, emque vitam tuam ac studia considero; neque, quo tempore ista didiceris video, nee magnopere te istis studiis, hvminibus libres, intellego, deditum. Neque tamen possum statuere, atrum magis mirer, te illa, quæ mihi persuades maxima esse adjumenta, potuisse in tuis tantis occupationibus perdiscere, en si non potueris, posse isto modo dicere." It was therefore, to instructive intercourse; to that courtesy with which Mr. Elphinstone listened to those with whom he conversed; to that unassuming and engaging manner with which he communicated the copious and diversified stores of his own knowledge; and to the bright example of his literary excellence; that is principally to be ascribed the more general diffusion of a literary taste throughout this Presidency. For it was impossible to be admitted into the society of so highly talented an individual without admiring his commanding abilities, and being sensible that literature most eminently contributed to adorn his richly cultivated mind. But what man admires he wishes to imitate; and though it is not likely that any person could entertain even the slightest expectation of emulating the numerous accomplishments of Mr. Elphinstone, he might still be permitted to hope, that by cultivating his own mind he might render himself more worthy of the notice with which Mr. Elphinstone honored him. That such was actually the case I may confidently appeal to the Gentlemen present to attest; and them also, are well known to the subjects to which I have now ventured to advert, in a manner so very inadequate to their importance. To prolong these imperfect remarks must be unnecessary; for I am persuaded that every member will be of opinion that the Society ought to testify the high sense which it entertains of Mr. Elphinstone's literary excellence of his constant solicitude to promote the diffusion of literature and knowledge, and of the grateful remembrance which the Society will ever preserve of his unceas ing interest in the furtherance of the objects of its institution, by some permanent memorial, which shall not only perpetuate his me mory, but also incite the beholder to imitate, in the cultivation of his own mind, so illustrious an example. I beg leave, in consequence, to propose, that Mr. Elphinstone be requested to sit for his Bust on his arrival in England, in order that it may be placed in the Rooms of the Literary Society of Bombay. This proposition having been seconded by J. Wedderburn, Esq. was unanimously adopted, It was then resolved, on the mo. tion of J. Wedderburn, Esq. seconded by J. McAdam, Esq., that in order to testify the unanimous concurrence of the Society in the sentiments expressed in the address just delivered, the President be solicited to transmit a copy of it, accompanied by a copy of this resolution, to the late President, and to request that he will be pleased to comply with the wishes of the Society; and farther, that this address be printed in the next volume of the Society's transactions. It was next resolved, on the motion of Mr. Buchanan, seconded by Mr. Newnham, that Major General the Honorable Sir John Malcolm be elected Prestdent of the Society, in the place of the Honorable Mountstuart Elphinstone. It was farther resolved, on the motion of B. Noton, Esq. seconded by J. Ritchie, Esq. that a Deputation consisting of J. Wedderburn, Esq. T. Buchanan, Esq. W. Newnham, Esq. H. Morgan, M. D. Lieutenant Colonel Kennedy, and the Secretary, do wait upon Sir John Malcolm, and solicit that he will be pleased to do the Seciety the honour of becoming its President. Lieutenant Colonel Kennedy having here begged leave to resign the situation of Secretary to the Society and its two Committeesit was resolved, on the motion of W. Newnham, Esq. seconded by the Reverend T. Carr, that the unanimous thanks of the Society be conveyed to Lieutenant Colonel Kennedy, for the very great benefits which the Society has derived, during the period that he has held the situation of Secretary, from his assiduous zeal, extensive bib PRESIDENT. Secretary. The Deputation accordingly waited upon Major General the Honor able Sir John Malcolm the following morning and communicated to him the request of the Society; when Sir John Malcolm was pleased to do the Society the honor of accepting the situation of Presi-dent.-Courier, December 1. el BIRTHS. At Dum-Dum, on the 1st July, the wife of Mr. Apothecary Shorts, of a daughter. At Barrackpore, on the 3d July, the At Calcutta, on the 4th July, the lady At Chinsurah, on the 4th July, the At Seebpore, on the 5th July, the la dy of Lieutenant Jenkins, of the 16th Regiment Native Infantry, of a daugh ter. At Calcutta, on the 6th July, the wife of Mr. Joseph Willock, of a daughter. At Indore, on the 6th July, the lady of Captain Dangerfield, of a son. At Lucknow, on the 8th July, the la- At Calcutta, on the 12th July, Mrs. At Calcutta, on the 16th July, Mrs. At Colaba, on the 16th July, Mrs. At Calcutta, on the 17th July, the At Calcutta, on the 18th July, the lady of Mr. J. Murray, of a son. At Allipore, on the 18th July, the lady of C. R. Barwell, Esq. of a daugh ter. At Serampore, on the 20th July, Mrs. N. J. Gantzer, of a son. At Calcutta, on the 21st July, the wife of Mr. Joseph Burridge, of a son. At Calcutta, on the 22d July, the lady of Lieutenant-colonel Bryant, of a daughter. At Chittagong, on the 22d July, the lady of T. A. Shaw, Esq. of a daughter. At Calcutta, on the 22d July, the lady of J. R. Martin, Esq. of a son. At Calcutta, on the 24th July, Mrs. W. G. Grieff, of a daughter. At Chowringhee, on the 24th July, Mrs. John Madge, junior, of a daugh ter. At Mozufferpore, on the 24th July, the lady of Thomas J. Dashwood, Esq. C. S of a daughter. At Calcutta, on the 27th July, Mrs. M. Bolthaser, of a daughter. At Moulmein, on the 27th July, the lady of Assistant Surgeon W. P. Bermingham, of a son. At Benares, on the 27th July, the lady of Captain A. Dick, of a son. [SEPT. of J. A. D. Watson, Esq. of a son. M. A. Thrispland, of a son. the lady of Professor Holmes, of a son dy of Major G. Arnold, of a daughter. the lady of Lieut. Ferris, of a son. Mrs. M. S. Hennessey, of a son and At Ausopshuhur, on the 2d August, At Calcutta, on the 4th August, Mrs: the lady of Adam Ogilvie, Esq. of a son. At Cawnpore, on the 7th August, lady of W. H. L. Hind, Esq. of a daughAt Kidderpore, on the 9th August, the ter. lady of the Revd. Francis Goode, of a At Calcutta, on the 10th August, the daughter. At Chandernagore, on the 10th Au gust, the wife of Mr. M. Nicholas, of a daughter. At Dacca, on the 10th August, Mrs. Charles Leonard, of a daughter. At Berhampore, on the 10th August, the lady of Lieutenant Clayton, of a son. lady of David Scott, Esq. of a son. At Berhampore, on the 11th August, the lady of Lieutenant J. A. Fairhead, of a son. dy of G. C. Weguelin, Esq. of a son. At Dacca, on the 11th August, the la lady of Lieutenant James Alexander, At Sholapore, on the 11th August, the of a son. lady of Mr. Charles Warden, of a Paul, of a daughter. John Brown, of a still-born child. At Barrackpore, on the 12th August, the lady of Lieutenant-colonel Waters, of a son still-born. At Cawnpore, on the 12th August, the lady of Captain Thomas Sanderson, of a son. At Monghyr, on the 12th August, the lady of H. P. Russell, Esq. of a son. At Calcutta, on the 14th August, Mrs. Henry Palmer, of a son. At Calcutta, on the 14th August, Mrs. R. J. Rose, of a son. At Calcutta, on the 15th August, Mrs. F. LaValette, of a daughter. At Berhampore, on the 15th August, Mrs. Pennycuick, of a daughter. At Fut.ehpore, on the 17th August, the lady of R. Laughton, Esq. of a daughter. At Calcutta, on the 18th August, the wife of Mr. Joseph Duhan, of a daugh At Cuttack, on the 22d August, the lady of Lieutenant Counsell, of a son and heir. At Calcutta, on the 23d August, the lady of the late Thomas Thomson, Esq. of a daughter. At Poorneah, on the 23d August, the lady of Lieutenant and Adjutant F. B. Corfield, of a son and heir. At Calcutta, on the 24th August, Mrs. Jos. Pyva, of a son. At Kurnaul, on the 24th August, the lady of Captain H. J. Wood, of her fifth son. At Chowringhee, on the 24th August, the lady of Henry Lushington, Esq. of a daughter. At Ballygunge, on the 25th August, the lady of T. R. Davidson, Esq. of a daughter. At Calcutta, on the 26th August, Mrs. Conductor Murphy, of a son. At Madras, on the 26th August, the lady of Captain M. C. Chase, of a son. At Allyghur, on the 27th August, the lady of Thomas J. Turner, Esq. of a daughter. At Serampore, on the 27th August, Mrs. Swan, of a son. At Calcutta, on the 28th August, Mrs. Elizabeth Stark, of a daughter. At Comillah, on the 28th August, the lady of G. P. Thompson, Esq. of a daughter. At Chandernagore, on the 28th August, Mrs. A. C. Tydd, of a son. At Calcutta, on the 29th August, Mrs. Mary Gordon, of a son. At Calcutta, on the 4th September, the lady of Captain C. Cowles, of a still born child. At Calcutta, on the 5th September, Mrs. J. Gray, of a son. At Calcutta, on the 5th September, Mrs. Ewart, of a daughter. At Futtyghur, on the 5th September, Mrs. Henry Babanan, junior, of a daughter. At Calcutta, on the 6th September, Mrs. E. H. Grindall, of a son. At Calcutta, on the 7th September, the lady of J. Grant, Esq. of a son. At Jessore, on the 7th September, the lady of B. Golding, Esq. of a daughter. At Calcutta, on the 8th September, Mrs. R. George, of a daughter. At Moysgunge, on the 8th September, the lady of Charles De Verinne, Esq. of a daughter. At Luckeepore, on the 8th September, the lady of H. H. Griffiths, Esq. of a daughter. At Howrah, on the 9th September, Mrs. J. Statham, of a son. At Calcutta, on the 10th September, Mrs. George Strafford, of a daughter. At Chowringhee, on the 10th September, the lady of Major P. M. Hay, of a son. |