nesty I have exposed, I should have little else to do. Under that impression, I rather pitied, than felt offended at, the reiterated attempt of Mr Pelly to cover his own conduct by reviving the charge of general misrepresentation and mis-statement against

me.

I have been taught to consider my word as good as my bond, and their real object as sacred, and to be fulfilled if possible: and I shall never be surprised that any man, who, under the pretence of a technical error in the wording of his bond, refuses to fulfil the obligations of that bond, should attempt, by such vague and general charges as Mr. Pelly has made against me, to evade the consequences of such breach of good faith. I must expect that such men will not hesitate to criminate those whose exertions may thwart them in their improper proceedings.

Mr. Pelly's conduct proves to me that he finally completed his contract, not because as a man of honour he was so bound, but because, being a civil servant of the Company, he dreaded the consequences to him as such, if he did not fulfil the obligations of the contract.

Such language and conduct appears to me very like a sacrifice of honour to interested views.

At the General Court on the 24th ult., my object was to defend Mr. Morgan, a public servant at Bombay, whose official conduct had been unfairly impeached by Mr. Pelly; and, if a statement of the facts of the case, as communicated to me by Mr. Morgan, in opposition to Mr. Pelly's statement, is what Mr. Pelly complains of as an attack against him, then I leave you to judge of the correctness of the charge. At that time I disclaimed any intention of saying one word respecting what Mr. Pelly had said about myself; but, with Mr. Morgan's letter in my hands, containing a refutation of Mr. Pelly's charge against him, I should, indeed, have been open to blame if I had said less than I did.

Mr. Pelly complains to you that I did not give him notice at the usual time that I intended to impeach his conduct or attack his veracity. I confess that such a complaint rather surprises me, when I recollect that on the first and every subsequent discussion, I did distinctly impeach

his conduct, and express my doubts of his veracity; and a better knowledge and a more mature consideration of all the circumstances of the case, serve only to confirm these opinions. I am convinced that the transaction, if properly understood, will not in your opinion do him credit as a merchant, contractor, or as a civil servant of the Company.

If I were to admit his unfounded assertion to be true," that I am a person on whose accuracy it has been repeatedly shown that no confidence ought to be placed," I ask you to place confidence in the Bombay Government under Sir Evan Nepean, with whom Mr. Pelly's contract was made, and who may be fairly supposed to have been acquainted with every circumstance respecting the transaction. That Government refuted every allegation of Mr. Pelly, and rejected his claim for compensation as unwarranted, which the official documents laid before you by the Court of Directors will prove. A subsequent and more pliant Governor, who personally knew nothing of the transaction, recommended Mr. Pelly's claim to the consideration of the Court of Directors; and a still more pliant Committee of the Directors recommended the sum of £2,000 to be granted to him, as I contend, contrary to the facts and arguments which are stated by them in the papers laid before the Proprietors.

Mr. Pelly complains that I have on seven different occasions, in the General Court, objected to his grant; and I can assure you and him that, whilst I remain strongly impressed with the belief that £2,000 of public money has been given away under false pretences, I should, if the forms of the Court permitted, have given every opposition in my power to the grant, if the opportunities had been thrice that number.

The part I have taken against the grant to Mr. Pelly is at least a disinterested part, which neither Mr. Pelly nor his friends dare deny; and I am perfectly satisfied to leave the case as it stands. I have endeavoured to do justice to all parties, by exposing the circumstances attendant on an unwarrantable claim and improper grant of public money.

I remain your obedient servant,
JOSEPH HUME,

ASIATIC SOCIETY OF CALOUTTA.

ON Wednesday evening, the 9th of July, a meeting of the Asiatic Society was held at the Society's apartments in Chowringhee, the Honourable J. H. Harington, Esq., President, in the chair.

Captain Nicholson, Dr. Mundt, Mr. Ainslie, and Captain Burney, proposed at the former meeting, were elected members of the Society.

A letter was read from the Secretary to the Horticultural Society, and another from the Secretary to the Linnæan Society, acknowledging the receipt of the fourteenth volume of the Researches.

Extracts from letters were read from H. T. Colebrooke, Esq. in London, dated the 5th of November, the 12th of February, and the 6th of March, announcing the preparation and despatch of the index to the fourteen volumes of the Researches, and forwarding the prospectus of the Asiatic Society of Great Britain.

A letter was read from Mons. Cassanova, offering to qualify a native to prepare casts in plaster of Paris from the specimens of original sculpture in the Society's museum. Mons. Cassanova submitted a specimen, and the thanks of the Society were voted to him. The consideration of the subject was referred to the Committee of papers.

A letter was read from Dr. Wallich, presenting to the Museum, in the name of Professor Reinhardt, and in behalf of the Royal Museum of Natural History at Copenhagen, fourteen specimens of stuffed birds, inhabitants of the north of Europe, and proposing to send further supplies in case the Society should consider them acceptable, and feel disposed to acknowledge them by similar presentations of duplicate specimens in Zoology and Mineralogy from their own collections The following is the list of the birds:-1. Picus viridus. 2. Lanius minor. 3 and 4. Tarus cristatus. 5. Accentor Modularis. 6 and 7. Alanda cristata. 8 and 9. Loxia coccothraustes. 10. Turdus merula. 11. Charadrius marinellus. 12 and 13. Gallinula Torzana. 14. Anas histronica.

It was resolved, that the thanks of the Society be presented to Professor Reinhardt, and the Superintendent of the Museum be authorized to select any spare duplicate specimens of the description required, and forward them, through Dr. Wallich, to Copenhagen.

With reference to a former resolution of the Scciety, directing a similar donation to be made to the Museum in the University of Edinburgh, and never enforced, the Superintendent of the Muscum is also to

take measures for carrying it into effect at the earliest convenience.

A letter was read from Professor Fraehn of Petersburgh, presenting to the Society the following publications:

1. Description of the Potosian Cabinet of Oriental Coins. Latin.

2. An Essay on ancient Bulgharian Coins. Ditto.

3. A general description of the Cabinet of Oriental Coins in the Imperial Academy of Sciences at Petersburgh. Ditto.

4. Observations on some Maliommudan Coins at Petersburgh.

5. An Essay on Mahommudan Coins, 6. A Catalogue of the Cabinet of Mahommudan Coins belonging to the Asiatic Museum of the Imperial Academy of Sciences at Petersburgh. German.

7. Ancient Mahommudan Monuments. Latin.

8. On the Khasars, from Arabic authors. Ditto.

9. On the Bashkers. Ditto. 10. On the Persian Coins of the early Khalifs. German.

Extracts from a letter were read from R. Jenkins, Esq. to W. B. Bayley, Esq., Vice President, containing observations on inscriptions found at Rajoo, in Chutteesgurh, and presenting copies and translations. Mr. Jenkins also transmitted a small box, with three copper-plates united by a ring of the same metal, with a seal, embossed. The plates and signet bear inscriptions in a character which none of the Brahmins of that part of the country are able to decipher, and which seems quite distinct from that of any other inscriptions which have been hitherto found in Chutteesgurh. The copperplates are only lent, as the Poojaries of the temple, to which they belong, are not willing to part with them altogether. It appears that, about forty years ago, Bimbajee Bhoosla, who then ruled in Chutteesgurh, gave the pergunnah of Rajoo into the civil charge of a Mahratta chief named Hurwunt Rajoo Muharick; that this person coming to reside in the town of Rajoo, began to build a house there, and that some workmen employed to dig for stones to aid the building, came upon one at the depth of five or six feet, beneath which these plates were discovered. As the spot was contiguous to the principal temple of Ramchunder, generally known by the name of Rajoo Lochun, Muharic thought that the plates might be a record belonging to it, and accordingly deposited them in the temple, where they have since been preserved.

Rajoo is a town situated on the right bank of the Mahanuddee, at the junction of the Pyree with that river, about twentyseven miles to the south of Rypore. At the present day it is celebrated for the temple of Rajoo Lochun, and for an annual Jattra and fair of fifteen days, held in honour of that deity, commencing on the Magh Shood Poornuma, and ending on the Magh Wadh Choudamee. The image of Ramchunder, in the temple, is said to be about four feet high, of black stone, and faces the west in a standing posture. It has four arms holding the four common emblems of the Shunk, Chukr, Guda, and Pudma. Garura, as usual, faces the god, in a posture of devotion;

and behind him, on a separate terrace, are images of Hunooman and Juggutpaul. Between these two figures is a door-way, beautifully sculptured with the representation of Nagas entwined together in endless folds. This door-way leads to two modern temples of Mahadeo; and a third behind them is attributed to the wife of an oil-seller, respecting whom there is a popular story connected with an ancient image of Rajoo Lochun, which makes her contemporary with Juggutpaul.

Two of the ancient inscriptions above mentioned, are on the walls of the temple of Ramchunder. The Poojaries of the temple are called Pundehis, and state themselves to be Rajpoots of the Byse tribe, although they say that the worship of the temple was confided to their ancestors by Juggutpaul, who, according to the inscription, built or consecrated it in 796 Sumbut, or 1084 years ago. The village of Shalmullee is mentioned in the inscription as having been assigned by Juggutpaul for the support of the temple. The ordinary annual ceremonies performed at the temple of Rajoo Lochun are according to the Poojaries, the Ootsao of the Ramnuomee, which continues nine successive days, in Chyte; the Rut'hootsao, in Akhar Shood Wooj (this is performed by the Byragees); the Junum Ashtumee, in Bhadoon; the Parwa, or the day of the Dewallee, in Kartick; and the Phool Dal, in Phagoon.

The Pooranick of the temple of Ramchunder has no Kshuttre Muhatma, or sacred history of Rajoo, but he believes it is to be found at Benares. Rajoo, the Pooranick adds, is known to this day, among the Bramins of Orissa, by the name of Kumulkshuttre, and among those of Benares by the name of Pudmupore. The three appellations of Kumulkshuttre, Pudmupore, and Rajoo Lochun, have reference to the Lotus, and the first is said to have been given by Brahma Deo.

The image in the temple is said to have been lost, and after the lapse of ages to have been recovered through supernatural from a woman of the Tellee caste,

means,

who had degraded it to the purpose of giving weight to an old mill. The discovery was made in a dream to Juggutpaul, and the image is that now existing in Rajoo, as re-established by that Rajah.

The Ruttenpore family are generally believed to have reigned for many generations over all Chuttcesgurh, and some of the neighbouring districts. There is a Sanscrit inscription at Ruttenpore, dated 915 Sumbut, which contains a list of nine Rajahs in the order of succession from father to son, including the one by whose order the inscription was engraved.

Mr. Jenkins has transmitted a list of all the numerous inscriptions that have been found in Chutteesgurh and on its borders. They appear to be of a highly interesting character and well worthy of further inves tigation, but for that purpose it will be necessary to secure fac-similes of them. The secretary was requested to communicate with Mr. Bayley and Mr. Jenkins respecting the most convenient mode of preparing them.-[Cal. Gov. Gaz. July 17.

SOCIETY OF CALCUTTA.

A meeting was held on the 16th July, at the house of the President, which was numerously attended.

A. Stirling, C. Steuart, and J. Gordon, Esquires, were elected members.

Presented by Mr. Gordon, specimens of fibres of the Manilla hemp, or Musa textilis, eight to nine feet in length; also musters of various muslin-like cloth, plain and figured, supposed to have been manufactured at Manilla from the said fibres.

Presented by the president, Mr. Leycester, musters of thread, of a peculiarly fine texture, spun from Barbadoes cotton, the growth of the Tittyghur branch of the Botanic Garden. Also a drawing representing a section of the stem and footstalks of the Urania, or Traveller's tree of Madagascar.

Presented by the secretary, Dr. Wallich, a ripe fruit of the Mabolo of the Philippine Islands (Diospyros Mabolo of Roxburgh, D. discolor of Willdenow and Cavanillea of Lamorck), together with carpological descriptions and drawings of that fruit, and of the Sapote Negro of Sonnerat (Rox. burgh's Diospyros Sapola). After the usual votes of thanks had been passed, it was announced by the secretary that information had been received of the progress of the picture of Lady Hastings, which had been voted at an extra meeting, held on the 9th December last. After reading the proceedings of that meeting, it was resolved, that a further consideration of the subject should be reserved for the next morning. The following is a list of the original and subsequent subscribers to the above testimony of gratitude and respect, for the in

defatigable exertions in the cause of the agriculture and horticulture of this empire, which distinguished the Marchioness of Hastings during the time she spent in India; and for the signal obligations under which she has placed this Society.

Original Subscribers: W. Leycester, Esq., W. B. Bayley, Esq., Major General Hardwick, Major J. W. Taylor, Henry Wood, Esq., C. Trower, Esq., R. C. Plowden, Esq., and J. Palmer, Esq.

Additional: W. B. Martin, Esq., J, Hare, Esq. M. D., Rev. W. Carey, D.D., Rev. J. Marshman, D. D., J. Gordon, Esq., Ram Comulsein Baboo, and Dr. N. Wallich.-[Cal. Govt. Gaz. July 24.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Wellington Valley.--Government has come to the determination of forming another settlement in the interior; the scite designed for which is Wellington Valley, in a north-west direction, eighty miles from Bathurst. The expedition left headquarters only last week; it will remain at Bathurst, to refresh and recruit, for a week, and then proceed for its destination. Percy Simpson, Esq., lieutenant in the army, lately from England, is appointed commandant of the intended new settlement. -[Sidney Gaz. Jan. 30, 1823.

Bees. Towards bringing the bees to perfection in this colony, we shall ever be peculiarly indebted to the great attention and skill of Mr. Icely, of Macquarie-place. This gentleman is in possession of one of the original hives brought by Captain Wallis, of the Fanny, when here last, from which have proceeded two generations; the last of which has been in possession of a new hive only about six weeks, which already contains sixty pounds of honey, more or less. The present residence of Mr. Icely is well adapted for these new colonists, from its pleasant contiguity to the Government domain. They take their ærial excursions at pleasure, but never go beyond the sound of the bell, or any noisy instrument that may be intended to rally the flying gentry to their quarters. Australasia may now boast of her bees; recollecting, however, that they are derivable from the common parent-Great Britain.-[Ibid.

Agricultural Society.-On Thursday last the Agricultural Society held the General Quarterly Meeting at Nash's Inn, Parramatta, and afterwards dined together. Mr. Nash provided an excellent dinner, at a very moderate charge; and the dessert was contributed from the gardens of Dr. Townson and Captain Piper. It consisted of no fewer than eighteen kinds of fresh fruit, and four of dried; among which were the banana, the Orlean plum, the green gage, the real peach, the cathead apple, and a

peculiarly fine sort of musk melon. We understand that the meetings are to be held at Walker's and Nash's alternately. A horticultural subscription, of eight dollars, is set on foot, and a committee chosen. The future agricultural subscription was altered to twenty dollars.-At this meeting three new members were elected, and twelve proposed for the next meeting. Mr. Jonas Bradley, to whom the silver tankard was voted for his specimen of tobacco, laid before the Society a statement of his mode of cure, a copy of which we are promised for publication. The president presented him with a piece of plate, suitably inscribed (the workmanship by Mr. Robertson), and informed him, with a view to encourage the colonial growth of tobacco, the legislature had now authorized the Governor, at discretion, to lay a duty of four shillings per lb. upon the importation of foreign tobacco. This meritorious marine settler acquainted the Society, that, although Governor Macquarie had never given him more than fifty acres of land, yet he had acquired upwards of a hundred head of cattle and eight hundred sheep. One of his sons was among the number of proposed new members.-[Ibid. Feb. 6.

ARTIFICIAL BEES'-WAX.

We have been peculiarly gratified by the sight of a singular substance, that may be appropriately named artificial bees'-wax, with which we have been favoured, by our valuable correspondent Dr. Tytler. This substance we learn is formed by a curious and ingenious process from vegetable oil, and is the invention of a medical gentle. man, well known for his literary attainments in the Bengal service. The inventor, we understand, was engaged for upwards of twelve months, in a course of laborious experiments, with the view of bringing this ingenious and important discovery to perfection; and has at length so fully succeeded as to form candles little inferior, if at all so, to those made from ordinary wax. To printers and others, in whose offices natives are much engaged at night work, these artificial wax candles must prove a valuable acquisition, because the inventor is enabled to dispose of them at a much cheaper rate, than is charged even for the coarsest wax candles, and no objection on the part of natives exists as to handling them from apprehension of injuring their cast,-which prevents the general employment, and introduction of tallow candles in this country into public offices. A specimen of the artificial wax is left for inspection at the Hurkaru library, and we really feel much pleasure in calling the attention of the public to a discovery, so curious, so novel, and so important.-[Beng. Hurk. April 21.

Letters from the Caucasus and Georgia; to which are added, the Account of a Journey into Persia in 1812, and an Abridged History of Persia since the time of Nadir Shah. Translated from the French, and illustrated with Maps and Engravings. 8vo. 15s.

A Tour through the Upper Provinces of Hindoostan; comprising a period between the Years 1804 and 1814; with Remarks and Authentic Anecdotes. To which is annexed, a Guide up the River Ganges, with a Map from the Source to the Mouth. By A. D. 8vo. 9s.

The Star in the East, with other Poems. By Josiah Conder. 12mo. 6s.

The Cataract of the Ganges, or the Rajah's Daughter, a Melo-Drama. 8vo. 2s. 6d.

A Narrative of the Establishment and Progress of the Mission to Ceylon and India, founded by the late Rev. Thomas Coke, LL.D., with an Introductory Sketch of the Natural, Civil, and Religious History of Ceylon. By W. M. Harvard, one of the Missionaries who accompanied Dr. Coke. 8vo. 9s.

Japan, being the Ninth Division of the "World in Miniature."

18mo. 8s.

Poems on Scripture Subjects, viz. "The Famine of Samaria ;" "The Offering of Isaac ;""Elijah," &c. 6s. 6d.

Vol. II. of Part First of Dr. Morrison's Dictionary of the Chinese Language, being the "Chinese and English, arranged according to the Radicals." Royal 4to.

21. 10s.

The Captivity, Sufferings, and Escape of James Scurry, who was detained a Prisoner during ten Years, in the Dominions of Hyder Ali and Tippoo Saib. Written by Himself. 12mo. 4s. With a Portrait.

No. VII. of Zoological Researches in the Island of Java, &c., with Figures of the Native Quadrupeds and Birds. By Thomas Horsfield, M.D. F.L.S. Royal 4to. 1. 18.-No. VIII., which completes the work, is in the press.

The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan. 3 vols. small 8vo. 21s.

Sketches in India, containing Observations upon Calcutta; the Form of Government established in Bengal; the Civil and Military Branches of the Company's Service; the Jurisprudence, Revenue, and Press; with Notices tending to illustrate the Characters of the European Residents. Also, giving an Account of the Agriculture, Customs, and Manners of the Native Inhabitants. By William Huggins, late an Indigo Planter in the District of Tirhoot. 8vo. 9s. 6d.

The Annual Biography and Obituary for the Year 1824. 8vo. 15s.

Lynn's Improved Telegraphic Communication, revised and altered conformably to the late Act of Parliament, excluding the use of Pendants and the Union Jack. With an Appendix, containing Signals in furtherance of the object of Capt. Manby's Apparatus for affording Relief to Shipwrecked Mariners; and a code of Day Signals, &c. Price 10s. An abridgment also sold for 1s. 6d.

Joseph and his Brethren, a Scriptural Drama, in two Acts. By H. L. Howard. Post 8vo. 7s. 6d.

Travels in the Interior of Southern Africa. By W. J. Burchell, Esq. With a large and entirely New Map, and 116 coloured and black Engravings. Vol. II. 4to. 4l. 14s. 6d.

Sabæan Researches, in a Series of Essays, addressed to Distinguished Antiquaries, and including the Substance of a Course of Lectures delivered at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, on the Engraved Hieroglyphics of Chaldea, Egypt, and Canaan. By John Landseer. Illustrated with Engravings. 4to. 21. 12s. 6d.

In the Press.

Milburn's Oriental Commerce, or the EastIndia Trader's Complete Guide; containing a Geographical and Nautical Description of the Maritime Parts of India, China, and Neighbouring Countries, including the Eastern Islands, and an Account of their Trade, Productions, Coins, Weights, and Measures; abridged, improved, and brought down to the present time, by Thomas Thornton. One large volume, 8v0.

The East-India Vade-Mecum, being a complete Guide to Gentlemen proceeding to the East-Indies in either the Civil, Military, or Naval Service, or on other Pursuits; much improved from the work of the late Capt. Williamson, being a condensed compilation of his and various other publications, and the result of personal observation. By Dr. J. B. Gilchrist.

Batavian Anthology; or Specimens of the Dutch Poets, with Remarks on the Poetical Literature and Language of the Netherlands. By John Bowring, Esq., Honorary Member of the Royal Institute of the Netherlands, and Harry S. Van Dyk, Esq.

Rameses, an Egyptian Tale; with Historical Notes of the Era of the Pharaohs. 3 vols. post 8vo.

A Statistical Account of New South Wales and Van Dieman's Land. By W. C. Wentworth, Esq. The third edition,

8vo.

The History of the Children of Elam, a Tale of the Tower of Babel.