ASIATIC SOCIETY.

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At a Meeting of the Asiatic Society, held on Wednesday, the 7th July, Sir Edward Ryan, Vice-President, in the Chair, Mr. Mansel, Dr. Sully, Mr. J. Prinsep, and the Reverend Mr. Everest, were elected Members. A vacancy in the Committee of Papers having occurred, the Reverend Principal Mill was elected a Member of it. Letters were read from Dr. Stewart, Captain Jenkins, and Maba. rajah Baidynath Roy, withdrawing from the Society. The following letters were also read one from Major General Hardwicke, forwarding a prospectus for the publication of a work on the Zoology of India. One from M. Roux, upon the Crustaces de la Mediterranie,' requesting communicatious from Members of the Society, on subjects of Natural History. One from Mr. Scale, of St. Helena, opening a correspondence on subjects of Natural History. A letter from Kamtee, on the rearing of Silk Worms (with specimen of the Silk) which it was resolved to refer to the Agricultural and Horticultural Society. A letter from Mr. Prinsep, forwarding an Extract from the Honorable the Court of Directors, transmitting the Catalogue of the Library of the late King, presented to the Society by his present Majesty.

A Report, by Dr. Strong and Mr. Ross, on the process and the probable expence of Boring for Water, agreeably to a resolution or the Physical Committee, referring the subject to the general meeting, was read and it was resolved that one thousand rupees be placed at the disposal of the Physical Committee, to provide for the cost of carrying on the necessary operations under their general superin tendance, and that they report progress from time to time. The Secretary's observations on the Mudaris, or followers of Sheikh Mudar, were then read. The following donations were received-the Banner of the Madari, presented by Ba boo Ram Comul Sen. Wood's Zoography, in the name of the Author, by his son Mr. G. Wood. Avdall's Abridgement of Chamik's Armenian Grammar-by the Author. Von Hammer's Siege of Vienna by the Turks-from the Author. The Pentapotamia Indica, by Mr. Lassen. Numbers of the Journal Asiatique, by the Asiatic Society of Paris. The following proposal was submitted by Captain Herbert-"That the Museum and Library be open early in the morning, for the ac commodation of such Members as may find it convenient to visit them at that hour. It appears that the hours at which the house is usually open, ten to four o'clock, are any thing but convenient to the generality of Members-first, inasmuch as, during great part of the year, few people consider it salutary or even safe to venture any distance at that time of day, at least for many days successively; and secondly, because those hours comprehend that portion of the day in which most of us are engaged in our official duties." It was accordingly resolved, that the Secretary should consult with the Superintendent of the Museum, and the Librarian, on the practicability of the proposal.

Major General Hardwicke's work is to consist of two volumes folio, each containing one hundred coloured plates- and will be published, by subscription, in parts, price one guinea each, containing ten coloured plates. The prospectus states, that though various useful and splendid publications have contributed to the elucidation of the different branches of the Natural History of India and its Islands; yet a work, comprehending the whole of Continental India, and of the Islands which are usually regarded as its appendages, and embracing at the same time all the more perfect departments of animated nature; is still a desideratum in science. To fill up this void, Major General Hardwicke, who has had most extensive opportunities of observing and collecting and who possesses materials for its execu tion, which he confidently deems unequalled in extent has undertaken this pub lication.

In their Report on Boring for Water Springs, Messrs. Strong and Ross state, that, "since the Boring Rods have been obtained from Government, about the end of May, nearly seventy feet of earth have been perforated, consisting of vegetable mould, sand, and other alluvial matter, into a compact yellow clay; but as the

rainy season has advanced, considerable difficulties have occurred, sand and loose earth having been, from time to time, washed into the hole bored, and a brackish water exuded through the sand, which, at this moment, rises, to within ten feet of the surface, and the present depth of the hole does not exceed much more than forty feet. As we have hitherto been boaring in alluvial deposits, without proper pipes to keep out the yielding soil, and plentifully exuding water, the difficulties we bave encountered are, perhaps, little more than might have been expected; and that they may be overcome, remains to be proved; but how to estimate the probable expense, is not quite so easy a matter as it may appear to a casual observer; however, we can merely recommend what appears to be the most feasible method to adopt to obtain the objects in view, and leave it to the Society to determine, whether this plan, or any other, shall be pursued."

The proposed manner in which they intend to proceed is next given-as well as an estimate of the expense-which, in the present stage of matters, however, cannot be otherwise than conjectural. Government have liberally given, besides the Boring Rods, a Tindal and ten Kulassees to work them, and two European Sergeants to direct, &c.

Mr. Wilson describes the Madar Jbanda to be a festival, which the Mohamedans of Hindoostan have derived from the Hindoos, and is so called from the use of a Jhanda, or Flag, on the occasion. It is held at the end of May or beginning of June, and is celebrated by the lower classes of Mohamedans, joined by similar persons from the Ilindus. The ceremony corresponds, in some respects, with the celebration of the marriage rite by the lower order---and requires the preparation of similar articles for seven days previous to the principal observance. The bearing of the Jhanda, or flag, is often the result of a vow. This ceremony, of which a particular description is given in the paper, is also called Ghazi Meya ka Shady, or the marriage of the religious hero. Mudar, or Ghazi, the hero in question, was, it is narrated, the son of a distinguished soldier, in the service of the King of Delhi, but who afterwards became a Pir of celebrated sanctity. "He died whilst his son was young, and Mudar entered into the service of a Patan leader, under whose banners he distinguished himself for his intrepidity, and for his ferocious antipathy against the Hindus. His character for courage, has made his name a sort of war-cry amongst Mohamedan soldiers, who are accustomed to exclaim on a march or an attack, Dum-dum Mudar!" In the midst of preparations for his nuptials, Mudar, as the story goes, was informed of the near approach of a body of the enemy-and immediately left his house to meet them but, although he distinguished himself by his usual gallantry, was slain. The death of Mudar, and the consequent removal of the nuptial banners and emblems, are supposed to be represented by the ceremonies observed at the festival of Mudar Jhanda. Particular and consistent as this tradition may appear, Mr. Wilson does not appear to give it any credit. Bedia-ad-din Mudar, was a Soofipf a particular order the chief of whose practices is the procuring of beatific visions, by intoxication with Bbang or Hemp. Whilst his disciples admit the divine mission of Mohamed, and profess to be of the Suni persuasion; they disclaim the Prophet's title to peculiar veneration, and shew little respect to his institutes. According to their legends, Mohamed obtained access to paradise only in virtue of the phrase Dum Mudar, the watchword of the sect, to which many miraculous effects are ascribed in their traditions. In their costume, the Medaris resemble Hindu Sanyasis, going nearly naked in all seasons, braiding the hair and smearing the body with ashes, and wearing iron chains round their waists and necks. These practices they probably borrowed from the Jogis, and other Hindu ascetics. After their establishment in Hindustan, for the sect originated in Persia, and Bedia-ad-din Mudar brought the creed to India, where he is inaccurately considered as its founder." As mentioned in a former paper from the same band, his tomb is at Mukhunpoor, in the Doab, near Firozabad. It is a large square building, but in ruins, and held in no reverence now in the vicinity. Up the country, the legend of Mudar's heroism and interrupted marriage, is told not of him, but of another individual-- one of the companions of Mohamed, the first Mussulman invader of Hindustan, and the first Chief of note who fell in conflict with the Infidels. This latter circumstance is indeed, the key of the legend of the marriage, and is a curious exemplification of the,

grounds on which such stories may rest. The death of a Mussulman, in a religious warfare, entitles him to the credit of a martyr---he suffers what is termed Shehadel, a word which has been corrupted into Shahadi, and thence confounded with Shadi, marriage: the story of the marriage, therefore, being an Indian interpolation originating in the misapprehension of an Arabic word.'-Gout. Gar.

THE LATE DR. ADAM.

A very full meeting of the Medical and Physical Society took place on Saturday evening, the 7th August it being understood that a proposal would be submitted, as to the best mode by which the Society could testify their regret for bis death, and their respect to the memory of their lamented Secretary and fellow, Dr. Adam. The Vice-President, Mr. H. H. Wilson, addressed the meeting upon the subject and the following, we believe, is a pretty correct sketch of what he said:

Before we proceed to the regular business of the evening, I beg to call the attention of the meeting to the loss which the Society has sustained in the death of its Secretary, the late Dr. John Adam.-It must be quite unnecessary for me to dwell upon the merits, of our late Secretary-they must be well known to most of the Members present, and will be readily admitted to constitute a strong claim upon the grateful recollections of the Society.

There is no doubt that the very existence of the Society originated with Dr. Adam, and that a sense of its advantages induced him to propose its institution to a man whose equal zeal for the profession, added, at that time, greater influence from his standing in the Service. From that time we all know that Dr. Hare and Dr. Adam co-operated actively in the formation of the Society, and as we have already recorded our obligations to the former, it is incumbent upon us to pay a like tribute to the equal claims of the latter.

But the institution of the Society was one of the least of our late Secretary's merits, and he has other and higher claims upon our regard. The same zeal for the credit of the Profession and the promotion of professional knowledge, which had prompted him to propose the formation of the Society, inspired him to the last, and induced him to discharge the offices of his situation with unwearied diligence and interest. I believe that on no one occasion was he ever absent from his post. I can speak from my own knowledge to a fair proportion of our meetings, and where my testimony is wanting, there are others present who can supply the deficiency. On all occasions too, many of us can vouch that he never failed to conduct the business of the evening as if it was a labour of love-or to take part in the amicable discussions which our meetings are accustomed to witness.

It was not only at our meetings, however, that Dr. Adam's warm interest in the prosperity of the Society was evinced, (and his labours were cheerfully and successfully devoted to it at other seasons)—a variety of little details must always devolve upon the secretary to an Institution, like ours, which, though compara. tively unimportant, are not the less troublesome. The correction of the Press, too, devolved upon him, and was performed with remarkable accuracy--but the most troublesome part of his extra-official duty was the correspondence he had to maintain with medical men throughout India, in furtherance of the views of the Society. The manner in which he executed this part of his function, was, no doubt, emi nently successful-not only has no complaint of delay or inattention failed to reach us, but it has been evident, from the tone of such letters as were laid before the meeting, that his correspondents were highly satisfied; that from being personal strangers, they learned to write to him as familiar friends, and that the interest they took in the Society, was mainly owing to the manner in which the Secretary invited and encouraged their assistance.

Of Dr. Adam's personal claims to our regret, and of the estimation in which his character was held by all who knew him, this is not the place to speak.-We are

Bow only to consider the claims his memory has upon the Society; and those you will, no doubt, admit to have been such as to demand a suitable acknowledgement. Before we engage in any other business this evening, I propose that we consider how we shall best express the sense we entertain of the services of our late Secretary, and our sorrow for his loss.

After which, Resolutions were passed to the following effect :

That the Medical and Physical Society of Bengal was originally projected by their late Secretary, Dr. J. Adam, and owed its institution, in a great degree, to his exertions.

That the success which attended the foundation of the Society, and the prosperity it has since enjoyed, are mainly attributable to his assiduity, abilities, and zeal.

That the Society feel it therefore incumbent upon them to record their high sense of his services, and their regret for his loss.

That further, to mark the sentimentts they entertain, they erect a plain Monument over his tomb, with a suitable inscription, and obtain, if procurable, a Por trait, to be hung up in the apartment where they may assemble.

That the Committee of Management be empowered to carry these Resolutions into effect.Govt. Gaz.

SWAN RIVER.

The conflicting accounts that have appeared in the public prints, respecting this interesting colony to which the eyes of our countrymen in all parts of the world have lately been directed, verify the old philosophic adage, that "truth dwells in a well" from which it is difficult to elicit her, and the following remarks made in all probability at the same time as those which lately appeared in the INDIA GAZETTE shew the different impressions which the same objects, simultaneously viewed, may produce on the retina of different beholders.

The calumnies that have issued forth against it from the sister colonies, would lead one to suppose it a place unfit for mortal to reside in, incapable of any cultivation and utterly destitute of that absolute essential fresh water. Captain Stirling is represented as having stated a deliberate falsehood when he described Cockburn Sound as a secure anchorage; sixty or seventy miles from the sea is stated to be the nearest good land, (a distance to which no one has as yet reached) and the greatest pains have been taken to vilify and traduce it.

These unfavorable reports have arisen chiefly from disappointed settlers, who thinking Swan River a place where they might eat the untaxed bread of idleness were rather surprised at finding on their arrival, that it was only by the sweat of their brow they could hope to succeed; and that even money was but of little use if they were not disposed to endure for some time the privations invariably attendant on the first settlers of a new country. These reports were eagerly caught at in Van Diemen's Land, where as well as in Sydney this infant colony has been viewed with the most extreme jealousy, from the moment of its proposal; they have been there enlarged and dwelt on, while wherever malice could o'erstep the bounds of truth with any shadow of plausibility, it has not failed to do so. What can thus have raised the ire of those convict colonists it is difficult to say, especially as to them for many years the establishment of this colony must be attended with advantage in as much as it must in a great measure be dependant on them for supplies, but the very idea of a colony being formed without the aid of prison labour, of a society for the most part of respectable people going out to establish themselves in a place where they are not obliged to rub shoulders with felons seems to have called forth their virtuous indignation and they hail with delight every account to its prejudice.

Fortunately it is not by the opinions formed of it in the Eastern shore that this settlement will stand or fall; it has carried out with it the seeds of future suc

cest, industry and capital, and though it may not rise with the rapidity of the others where government has so materially assisted the foundation, yet as it has been clearly proved that there is sufficient good land in the neighbourhood, for the support of a numerous colony, of its final triumph there can be no doubt.

The entrance of the River or estuary is interrupted by a bar on which the sea breaks in stormy weather with much violence rendering it dangerous even for boats to pass over it, but on the South side of Arthur's Head (one of the promontories forming the entrance of the river) is a bay which is perfectly safe at alk times for boats to land in and for small vessels to anchor. On the spit of sand which separates this bay from the River, is the town of Freemantle in situation well adapted for trade, but from the want of a solid foundation, ill calculated for streets, wharfs, and other indispensables, to a mercantile town; it at present consists of a few huts and two limestone edifices, the abundance of which material in the neighbourhood will be of vast assistance to them, and when the colony is a little farther advanced and quarrying more general, will allow them to build both better and cheaper than at either of the other colonies. On the opposite side of the river is intended to be North Freemantle but as yet there are no allotments taken nor any buildings erected; from this to the embryo metropolis, Perth, by land is supposed to be eleven miles and great part through thick woods a correct line of road is now about being surveyed which will be cleared as rapidly as possible. By water the journey from Freemantle to Perth is thirteen miles; for about a mile inside the bar the water continues very shallow (not exceeding five or six feet) though from its extreme transparency it does not appear even that depth, it then deepens into a regular channel and continues so to Perth, one side being always abrupt and steep to the shore while on the other is generally a flat extending more than half across the river, its appearance for the first three miles is neither calculated to gratify the eye of the settler looking for land, nor of the admirer of nature in search of the picturesque, but above that the latter is amply repaid by the view of a most noble expanse of water, about seven miles in length and three in breadth, the scenery here on the banks likewise improves, the woods assume a more vivid green and though the land from its proximity to the sea does not appear generally fit for cultivation, the timber which grows on its banks would render it not altogether unprofitable. At the head of this, is the confluence of the two rivers Swan and Canning, and on the Swan about a mile and a half above this, is (or rather is to be) the Town of Perth. Its situation is well chosen in point of beauty, but it being entirely a bed of sand on which it is proposed to stand, good streets and roads will be difficult to form, yet as at the Cape of Good Hope, these difficulties are proved not to be unsurmountable, there is no reason why they should be considered so here. Under this covering of sand is about a foot of light Boil and beneath that a substratum of argillaceous sand. Fresh water is in every part abundant of a far better quality than any obtained in New South Wales, vary ing from three to nine feet from the surface. At Perth there are at present no buildings of any size or consequence, even the Government House is but a temporary edifice and most of the others thatched with the native grass which is very abundant.

The timber though stunted in height attains a great girth; the wood denominated cedar in Sydney (red gum here) seems to arrive at perfect maturity even in this sandy soil, it seldom exceeds twenty or thirty feet of straight growth, but may be sawed in planks four feet broad without a rent or flaw, thus rendering it particularly suitable for furniture.

About three miles above Perth the good land commences, and though that capable of cultivation is only in strips or small patches, there are besides extensive plains fit for the purposes of grazing or as stock runs. On the Canning the land exhibits the same features, the alluvial strips, tho' of small extent, being numerous; here a Mr. Bell, an officer of the navy has seated himself on what was generally considered a bad grant, but which by dint of labour and perseverance he has im proved more than any other settler.

The climate here is during the summer very hot, too much so for intense European labour, and it decidedly must be the most extreme point to the North, of the settlement on this coast, but journeying Southward the land improves rather