The Five Poems of Nizámí, edited by Nathaniel Bland, Esq. The Society continue to receive from the active and intelligent Branch Society of Bombay many curious and valuable Papers on the antiquities, religion, and habits of the native population in various parts of that interesting Presidency. Their recent communications on Buddhism have served to aid the labours of our zealous Member, COLONEL SYKES, who has furnished an elaborate article, full of curious research on that subject, in the forthcoming number of the Journal. Some information on the Buddhist system has been also furnished from Ceylon, where the Reverend Mr. Gogerly has devoted much labour to the investigation of whatever that island has presented to his inquiries on that head of research. The zeal and intelligence manifested by Mr. Gogerly in the prosecution of these objects induced the Council to propose him as a corresponding Member of the Society on a late occasion, when he was duly elected. From the Bombay Branch Society the Council has also received some valuable and curious accounts of certain Hill tribes in the Northern Konkan. This branch of inquiry is at once so curious, and so little explored, in its most valuable details of language and usages, that the Council are induced to express a hope that the efforts of the Indian Societies may be directed on something of a systematic and co-operating plan, to collect and compare the fullest information respecting them, with a view to ascertain the antiquity and connexion of the several mountain and forest classes in various parts of our territories, and their pretensions to be considered the aboriginal possessors of the extensive regions of India. From the Societies of Calcutta and Madras, the Society has received no other communications than the transmission of their valuable Journals. AUDITORS' REPORT. before In laying the Accounts for the year ending December 31, 1840, the Meeting, the Auditors regret to state that the financial resources of the Society are less satisfactory than in the former year. The Receipt for 1840, (vide Statement, No. I.) is as follows: Printer's Bill, for Nos. X. and XI. of Journal, &c. and Miscellanies 220 5 0 49 4 9 225 0 0 Total Expenditure 379 14 7 210 9 5 1084 13 9 Showing an excess of 50%. 16s. 10d. over the current receipt of the year, which sum being deducted from the balance in favour of the Society at the end of 1839, of 407l. 4s. 2d., leaves a balance in hand on the 31st of December, 1840, amounting to 356l. 7s. 4d. In comparing the Income of 1840 with that of the two preceding years, the Auditors regret to perceive a diminution in the only item which can be considered as the real test of the Society's prosperity or declension, namely, that of Annual Subscriptions; and in looking to the Estimate (Statement, No. II.) of the probable Receipt for the present year, they have further to lament that an unusual falling off in the number of New Members is anticipated. The Auditors, therefore, feel it to be their duty most earnestly to remark, that it is an object of the first importance for the Society to consider in what way its resources may be augmented; and they trust that Members will use their exertions for that end, and especially to promote a fresh accession of new associates as the best means of ensuring the permanent stability of the Institution. As regards the Expenditure of the Society, the Auditors need scarcely remark upon the necessity of keeping it within the Income. A principal item of expense, and one which ought to be the least restricted, is that for printing the Society's Journal; and however much any limitation on this head must be deplored, as tending to impair the utility of the Institution, and to prevent the accomplishment of its objects, the Auditors see no hope, in the present condition of the Society's funds, that the plan which has been followed for the last four years of printing only one Number in the year, can be prudently departed from. The Assets of the Society are estimated as on the preceding year, namely £. s. d. 1800 0 0 Value of Stock in 3 per cents. Library, Museum, Stock of Publications, &c. 3500 0 0 5300 0 0 The Auditors have to express their entire satisfaction at the correctness of the accounts kept by the Treasurer and the Honorary Secretary. W. H. SYKES, On the part of the Council. LOUIS HAYES PETIT, On the part of the Society. ROBERT BARNEWALL,} London, 1st May, 1841. ESTIMATED DISBURSEMENTS (contingent). Imprests to Honorary Secretary for Collector's per centage Purchase of New Books, authorized Stationery, Circulars, Lithography, Coals and Sundries 100 0 0 30 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 40 0 0 culture 101 9 2 MAJOR JOHN SMITH rose to move a vote of thanks to the Auditors; and said, that although he admitted there was a small diminution in Receipts, yet he could not participate in the feeling of despondency expressed in their report: in his opinion the statements read were as satisfactory and safe, so far as the stability of the Institution is concerned, as any he had ever heard in that room. He moved, “That the thanks of the Society be voted to the Auditors; and that their Report, together with that of the Council, be received, and printed in the Society's Proceedings." The motion was seconded by JAMES FERGUSSON, Esq., and carried unanimously. W. NEWNHAM, Esq. said that the portion of the Report read on the subject of the Committee of Commerce and Agriculture, obviated the necessity for dilating on the services that had been rendered by that department of the Society; and he would therefore at once move, "That the thanks of the Society be voted to the Chairman of the Committee of Commerce and Agriculture, and to the Committee, for the zeal and efficiency with which they have carried out the objects of its establishment." NATHANIEL BLAND, Esq. seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. GEORGE STRATTON, Esq. rose to move a vote of thanks to the Council for their services during the past year. This motion was seconded by COLONEL MILES, and carried unanimously. The Right Hon. the PRESIDENT said, that the difficulty he felt in rising from the Chair to address the Society would form the best excuse for what he had to say to them. It had for some time been to him a matter of much regret that he was not able more regularly to attend the Meetings. He knew it was for the interest of the Society, that the President should be with them as often as possible, and himself assist in and superintend their proceedings; he trusted that, during the eighteen years that he had held the honourable office, he had never neglected that duty, until his increasing infirmity had made it impossible for him satisfactorily to discharge it. When the Society was first formed, he had been recommended to the Chair, by his political station at the head of the Board of Control; and having always been most anxious to promote every measure which could tend to the welfare of India, or encourage in this country an acquaintance with its habits and resources, he had gratefully accepted the honour done him. In this he had been sanctioned and supported by His Majesty George the Fourth, who declared himself as Patron to the Society, and had himself recommended that the President of the Board of Control should always be, ex-officio, a Vice-Patron, as a means of communication between himself and the Society. When a change of political circumstances had |