Royal Asiatic Society.

THE Society commenced its meetings for the season on the 7th December; the Right Hon. Sir A. Johnston in the chair. A considerable number of presents to the library were submitted; among them were:-The third part of Select Papyri in the Mératic Character in the British Museum; presented by the trustees. Berggren's Guide Français-Arabe vulgaire des Voyageurs et des Francs en Syrie et en Egypte; from the author. Thom's English and Chinese Vocabulary; from the author. Medhurst's Chinese and English Dictionary, 2 vols. 8vo.; from the author. Mémoire sur la Possibilité et la Facilité de former une Ecriture générale au moyen de laquelle tous les peuples de la terre puissent s'entendre mutuellement sans que les uns connaissent la langue des autres; par Don Sinabaldo de Mas; Macao, 1844. Wilson's History of British India, vol. I. Journal of the American Oriental Society, Nos. 1 and 2. An Account of the Pearl Fisheries of Ceylon; by James Steuart, master-attendant at Colombo; 4to. 1843; presented by the author: this volume is illustrated by beautiful original coloured drawings.

The time of the meeting having been occupied in receiving the donations to the library, and other preliminary business, no paper was read.

4th January.-Professor H. H. Wilson, the director of the Society, in the chair.

William Wilberforce Bird, Esq., and Soub, Esq., were elected resident members; Major-General W. Cullen, political resident at Travancore, was elected a non-resident member; and Francis McGregor, Esq., H. B. M. consul-general in China, was elected a corresponding member of the Society.

A letter was read from A. B. Orlebar, Esq., of Bombay, forwarding a prospectus of two works about to be published at that presidency, on the Theosophy and Pneumatology of the Mahrattas, by Mr. R. X. Murphy; and it was re solved that the Society subscribe for a copy of each of these works. The prospectus states that, in one of them, "the various developments of the Pythomesmeric system, which prevails in Western India under the name of Waren, are fully described."

Among the books presented to the library at this meeting were:-M. Burnouf's Introduction à l'Histoire du Buddhisme Indien, tome I. 4to.; Paris, 1844. Transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society, 3 vols. 8vo. ; Albany, 1842-4. Transactions of the Royal Agricultural Society of Jamaica; and eight Prize Essays on the Cultivation of the Sugar-cane, &c. &c.

The honorary secretary read a paper, by the Rev. Dr. Stevenson, giving an analysis of the Ganésa Purána, with special reference to the history of Buddhism. In examining this work, which is one of the Upa-Puránas, the doctor met with two legends, which he considers to refer to the rise and fall of Buddhism in India. The Purána relates the misfortunes of Somakánta, a king of Surat, who, in consequence of being afflicted with leprosy, left his home to wander in the wilderness. He there meets with one of his progenitors, the sage Bhrigu, who details to him what Brahma in ancient times related to Vyása in praise of Ganésa. Through these representations, Somakanta is induced to worship Ganésa, according to the directions of Bhrigu, as a means of getting rid of his disease, with which it appears he had been afflicted in consequence of sins committed in a former life. The second Khanda of the Purána is devoted to the exaltation of Ganésa, and to whom are accorded all the attributes of the Vedantin Brahma; and the modes of worship

ping him are pointed out. At one time he is identified with the Supreme Spirit, and is to be adored in mystical contemplation; at another time, religious homage is to be paid to him, by crowning his image with flowers, presenting to it offerings, and by celebrating his annual festivals.

The particular legend referred to is interwoven with the principal theme of the Purána, after the manner of a story in the Arabian Nights, and commences with the history of Gritsamada, whose grandfather, Bhima, was king of Vidarbha, the modern Berar. The king, grieved at having no children, left his capital to wander with his wife in the forests, in order to propitiate the deity. A sage directed him to worship Ganésa; he did so, and had a son born to him, whom he named Rukmánga. After arriving at manhood, this son, while one day hunting in the woods, came to a Rishi's hermitage, whose wife fell in love with him. Rukmánga refuses to listen to her; but the god Indra, assuming the form of the virtuous prince, gratifies the passion of the Rishi's wife; and the fruit of the connection is the sage Gritsamada.

Gritsamada was not aware of his origin; and, being one day reproached with spurious descent by some Rishis, at a shradda performed by the sovereign of Magadha, he quitted their society. After a short abode with Múnis of a different profession, he betook himself to meditation on the Supreme Being. Ganésa appeared to him, gave him pre-eminence in all his transmigrations above all other Brahmans, and allotted to him a beautiful shrubbery, in which he might enjoy his devotions. After this, he is treated with great respect by a whole band of sages, who even worship him with oblations. One day, a beautiful boy addresses Gritsamada as father, and tells him that he is sent to him by the deity. Gritsamada adopts the child, teaches him the mystic incantation Om, and directs him to propitate the supreme Ganésa. After austere devotion, the deity appears, and tells the child to ask a boon. The boy asks for power to conquer the three worlds, which is granted, the deity promising at the same time that he should fall by no weapon except that of Siva. He is to have possession of three famous cities,-of iron, silver, and gold; and, on leaving the world, he is to be absorbed into the divine essence. The child turned out to be the famous Tripurasura, who speedily set to work and vanquished Indra and all the gods. The gods, in this predicament, apply to Naráda, who tells them that, to regain their power, they must apply to the same source whence Tripurasura had gained his,-to Ganésa. The gods and Rishis address their prayers and devotions to Ganésa, who is propitiated; and, inconsistently enough, is represented as disguising himself as a Brahman, for the purpose of fomenting a quarrel with Siva. The stratagem is successful; and, after a hard struggle, Tripurasura is conquered by Siva; and, leaving the earth, mingles with the divine essence.

This legend Dr. Stevenson supposes to be an allegorical representation of the conflict between Brahmanism and Buddhism, and quotes passages which lead to that inference. Tripurasura is represented as having caused the shutting up the fire-temples, prohibited sacrifices to the gods, oblations to the manes, burnt-offerings, and the study of the Védas,- all which agree with the practices of the Buddhists. Dr. Stevenson thinks the final state of bliss, into which Tripurasura is said to have entered after death, was no part of the ancient system of the Brahmans; nor was celibacy,—both which are taught by the Buddhists. In conclusion, the doctor suggests that the circumstance of Tripurasura's meeting with Múnis of a different order, agrees with what is said in the Buddhist historical work, the Mahawanso, of Buddha's meeting with the Doctors of Reason, whose religious ideas were similar to his own.

MEETING TO WELCOME sir george POLLOCK.

A MEETING of the inhabitants of Calcutta, convened by the sheriff, took place on the 7th October last, for the purpose of publicly bidding welcome to Sir George Pollock to the presidency, and was attended very numerously by all classes of the community, but especially by members of the civil and military services. R. H. Rattray, Esq., was unanimously voted to the chair.

The Chairman said :-" Gentlemen, I would fain take advantage of the occasion, under the privilege you have just conferred upon me, to render an honest compliment, not to him only whose deeds have drawn you hither, but to our military friends generally, on the brilliant services and consequent high position of that body of which they may well be proud to count as members. I find it impossible, however, to do this as it should be done. So many dazzling claims present themselves for notice; so many places become bright spots of the earth as the scenes of bold achievement; so many dauntless spirits, grasping and winning honour and distinction, as leaders or partakers in what was then achieved;-I am bewildered in the very excess of that which I had ́ invoked to aid me, and feel I must forego the satisfaction. Without disparagement to any, however, I may hail the auspicious hour in which the gallant soldier we are met to honour became a leader in this noble army, and may point to the name of Pollock, and the halo which encircles it, as a sample of that record which I have shrunk from unfolding. It has been said that the laurel o'er-topped and cast its shade across the olive. Be it so: no blight has followed; and let it not be supposed that there is one in this assembly who grudges its wreath to the soldier's brow that wears it! Few of us stand unconnected by the ties of family or friendship with our fellow-exiles of the sword; and if any change has marked us, it is only that a deeper tone of feeling has been awakened by their exploits. In the language of this land, “may their shadow never be less!" and may it never be lengthened by a decline of that favour which has shone, and may still shine, upon their fortunes. As an honour and ornament to that profession which has produced so many, and so much to admire and to imitate, Sir George Pollock stands second to none. His acts will be found recorded in the bright pages of his country's annals; our part is to shew that they are duly estimated by those whose opportunities rendered them best qualified justly to appreciate them."

Mr. Pattle spoke as follows:-"We are assembled here to commemorate the signal military services of Major-General Sir George Pollock, and to welcome his advent amongst us as a citizen of the metropolis of this vast empire. The emulation which has made this meeting so general and numerous is no less complimentary to him than it is honourable to us all. The calamitous consequences which succeeded the insurrection at Cabul need only to be mentioned to be vividly recollected. It would be difficult to decide whether affliction for the fate of the brave and unfortunate who were its victims, or burning anger and desire to inflict on treachery the fullest force of retributive justice, were the feelings most predominant in our breasts. Recalling those emotions, you will, I am sure, concur with me, that the skill and valour which surmounted all obstacles, conquered all opposition, put Cabul again in our possession, and planted the British flag once more on the Bala Hissar citadel, can receive from you no praise too great, no honour too distinguishing. I will not recite to you the numerous successive occasions on which the comparatively small force commanded by Sir George Pollock was victorious,-defeating every opposition offered by the

enemy to his progress to Cabul,-as, were I to do so, I should be anticipating most interesting details, which will be read to you by the chairman. But I cannot refrain from briefly noticing the consummate military skill which rendered nugatory the very formidable fortification at the mouth of the Khybur pass, and enabled Sir George Pollock to take his force into the rear of that for tification, and successfully to advance his troops into the pass; to compel the enemy to evacuate the fort of Ali Musjid, and to relieve the band of heroes composing the small garrison of Jellalabad, who, but for this brilliantly achieved succour, would never have returned. On this important event depended also the release of the captives, whose fate had until then appeared to be hopeless. Our gracious Sovereign has marked her sense of Sir George Pollock's military services by conferring on him the Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. The thanks of both Houses of Parliament have been voted to him, and to the forces under his command; and the Hon. East-India Company have placed him in the Supreme Council of this presidency. It remains for you, gentlemen, as citizens of the metropolis of this vast empire, to crown the accumulation of honours so justly conferred on him by a suitable recognition of his pre-eminent merits. He is now your fellow-citizen; as such you may be justly proud of him, and as such he will place a very high value on your estimation; for here, as in our own country, it is the privilege of the metropolis to confer distinction. I may be allowed to mention to you, that Sir George Pollock's state of health would compel him to decline any public entertainment. It has, therefore, occurred to many of his friends, that an address would, perhaps, be a form of compliment the most acceptable to him; and, under this impression, an address has been prepared, which the chairman will read to you.

The Chairman accordingly read the address, which was as follows:"To Major-General Sir George Pollock, G. C. B., Member of the Supreme Council of India, &c. &c. &c.

"Honourable Sir,-Your recent nomination to a seat in the Supreme Council of India was hailed with expressions of no common satisfaction by all classes throughout the empire. It was regarded as reflecting honour on those who had conferred honour, and came in grateful unison with those feelings which your great and well-timed services had universally excited. If by others this was so appreciated, with us it had a peculiar value and more immediate interest, as involving your presence and permanent residence amongst us; and we now bid you welcome, as a member of our community, with that sincerity and cordiality which your merits and our obligations are calculated to inspire.

"It were a superfluous trespass here to recapitulate the services to which we have alluded, as constituting the basis of our professions towards you; but as this is a public exposition of our sentiments, it behoves us publicly to declare the source they spring from. The shortest abstract will suffice to satisfy inquiry, why it was that the inhabitants of this capital so greeted your arrival, and rejoiced to enrol you as a fellow-citizen.

"From the records of the day, we learn that the reverses and calamities of the close of 1841 had thrown a deep gloom over the land, and that when, at the commencement of 1842, you proceeded to assume the command of the army destined to the relief of Jellalabad, sickness to an alarming extent, seve rity of the season, and deficiency of carriage, with daily increasing numbers flocking to the ranks of the enemy, combined to oppose your progress. The Khybur pass, through which only the object of your advance was accessible, was fortified and manned by the enemy-as they believed, impregnably; they

greatly exceeded you in numerical strength; and, with a thorough knowledge of the intricacies and capabilities of the defile, were animated by recent success, and bold in reliance of safety in their stronghold. Yet, with all this array of obstacles to thwart and discourage, we learn with admiration that, on the 5th of April, 1842, the pass was carried by a masterly display of skill and bravery; and that, on the 16th of the same month, the garrison of Jellalabad was relieved, and gave its strength to support your future operations. The Government notification, published on this occasion, sets forth that, 'Receiving the command of the army at Peshawur under circumstances of peculiar difficulty, MajorGen. Pollock had, in the midst of new and unforeseen embarrassments and disappointments, preserved a firm mind; and, justly relying on his own judgment, had at last, with equal discretion and decision, accomplished the object he was directed to effect.' We do not stop to comment upon this achievement; others, not less admirable, are before us. It would appear that want of carriage detained the troops at Jellalabad till August, on the 20th of which month they moved towards Gundamuck. On the 23rd, the enemy were found collected at Mamoo-Khail, and on the 24th, were attacked and completely routed; and this with only a small part of your force, the greater portion not having yet come up, and being thereby vexatiously deprived of sharing in the victory,— thus rendered the more creditable to the few that gained it. On the 7th of September, we find you leaving Gundamuck, and on the 8th, engaged with the enemy strongly posted on the heights before Jugdulluk, whence, after a thorough defeat, again by a comparatively small force, they were dispersed in all directions. From Jugdulluk, the next move recorded is to Tezeen, which your first division reached on the 11th of September, joined, by a forced march, by the second; but the exhausted cattle requiring a halt on the 12th, Mahummud Akbar was enabled to collect from sixteen to twenty thousand men in the vicinity; and the result of the action which ensued, added another laurel to those already won by you. On the 15th, the army reached Cabul; and the day after, the British flag was flying on its citadel, the Bala Hissar. 'Thus,' says the Gazette, announcing these events, 'have all past disasters been retrieved and avenged on every scene on which they were sustained; and repeated victories in the field, and the capture of the cities and citadels of Guznee and Cabul, have advanced the glory and established the accustomed superiority of the British arms. In the name of the Government, and of all the people of India, the Governor-General offers to Major-General Pollock and MajorGeneral Nott, and all the officers and troops under their respective commands, his grateful and heartfelt acknowledgments of the important services they have performed.' A salute of twenty-one guns for each capture was the crowning compliment.

"To enhance the value of these services, it must not be omitted that, although the return to Cabul was for some time delayed, it was from the earliest moment the course dictated by your own sense of what was due to the brave who had fallen, and the glory of British arms. We honour you for the reluctance you evinced to return to the provinces from Jellalabad; which return, with that unattempted which by your perseverance was at last accomplished, would have left a stain upon your country which time nor circumstances could ever have effaced. Your address to the Government, of the 13th of May, 1842, had been mislaid, it seems, and it is only recently that we have been made aware, through the medium of the press, of this addition to our obligations to you.