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by the parents has, I think, much to do with that frankness, affection and obedience on the side of the children, and that kindness and sympathy on that of the parents, which are so noticeable in Japan, and which is one of the good points of Japanese life and character.

 

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The following Donations to the Library were announced;—Three volumes of “The Phoenix,” from Professor Summers; “On the Poetry of the Chinese,” from Sir John Davis; A copy of the Microscopical Journal for October 1873, from Dr. Hadlow; and the following from Sir H. S. Parkes—“Annales des Empereurs du Japon”; “Histoire des trois royaumes Corea, Yezo, et Loochoo”; Siebold’s Geography; Dickson’s “Japan”; “Voyage of a Naturalist in Japan and Maldaira”; “The Japanese Embassy in America”; “Tour in Yezo,” by Blakiston; “Trip in Japan,” by Sandwith; Atlas of Japan, in two small volumes; six cases of Japanese MSS. on Belles Letters, Politics, Foreign relations, Historical Memoranda, Curiosities, &c., &c.; China, illustrated; “China and the Chinese”; Atkinson’s Amoor; Lobscheid on the connection of the Polynesian and American races with the Chinese; Two pamphlets by Mr. Nye; and a Map of the route between Peking and Kiachta.

Mr. Brunton said that an application having been made by the Honorary Secretary to the signal office at Washington for the use of Meteorological Instruments, a reply had been received from Brigadier General Meyer to it, and Dr. Murray, of the Educational Department, and himself had at the last meeting of the Society been appointed as a Committee to consider the matter. Mr. Brunton then read the report agreed upon by the Committee of which the following is the substance:—

General Meyer expresses his willingness to lend the Society instruments on condition the proper observations are made as decided on by the International Convention at Vienna, and that copies of these observations are sent by each mail to Washington. The Society by itself cannot undertake the work of making such observations, nor could a mere amateur be expected to do so. But the assistance of the Japanese Government might be requested so that those departments which now keep or are in a position to keep Metereological returns may be directed to keep them according to the system adopted at Vienna. The Asiatic Society in this way might become an intermedium between the Japanese and Foreign Governments upon a very important scientific matter.

Mr. Brunton then read a letter he had received from Dr. Murray in which he expresses his concurrence with the report,