thanks, it is unnecessary that we should labour in the field any longer : it is better by far that we should refrain from our labour, than involve ourselves in perpetual disputes with persons.concealed, who may be both capable and willing to do us an injury, without our being able to ascertain whence it came.”
A more fatal blow could not be aimed by the greatest enemy to the institution than had been thus inflicted on it: for, setting aside, the general apathy, it would ultimately, by its effects, not only be productive of the greatest evils to the welfare of the Society, but destructive to the intention of its original founder, which was thus perverted; so that, instead of the institution being “for enquiring into the history and antiquities, the arts, sciences, and literature of Asia,” as expressed by the title-page of their work, it became of a direct opposite nature. Surely, it ought to have been foreseen, that such a mode of proceeding would ultimately tend to the loss of the Society, and perhaps to its final dissolution. The attack made on any member must obviously be intended to diminish the value of the writings or essays of the member so attacked; consequently it must have the same effect, if it has any at all, in reducing the value of the volume of the Researches. The injury is intended for the indi. vidual, but it falls only on the Society; for the in-
