Proceedings of the Seventeenth Anniversary Meeting of the Society, held on the 9th of May, 1840 : the Right Hon. C.W. Williams Wynn, M.P., President, in the chair.
- Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
- Date:
- [1840]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Proceedings of the Seventeenth Anniversary Meeting of the Society, held on the 9th of May, 1840 : the Right Hon. C.W. Williams Wynn, M.P., President, in the chair. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
19/24 (page 19)
![1840.] The importation of Caoutchouc from Assam has greatly increased; and some of it is considered to be superior to any other rubber for manufacturing purposes. The introduction of this article into the English market, which originated with our Secretary, Dr. Royle, has caused a very considerable reduction in the price of South American Caoutchouc, and prevented its becoming, as it were, a monopoly. In consequence of applications from India respecting the fibre of the leaf of the pine-apple, Mr. Solly made inquiries concerning its eligibility as an article of manufacture. The result of his inquiries shows, that although there is evidently a considerable prejudice against its use, yet, that if it could be brought over cheap, it might undoubtedly, be used with advantage. Many other communications, on cattle, linseed, kino, cinnamon, coffee, &c. &c., have been read, which it is unnecessary here further to particularize. A second number of the “ Proceedings appeared in the course of last summer ; and a third, which will bring down the account of the labours of the Committee to the conclusion of the present year, is being prepared The Committee beg to express their best acknowledgements to Mr. Solly, for the benefit they have derived from the zeal and ability evinced by him during the past year, and for the valuable papers read by him before the Society. William Newnham, Esq., moved, and L. H. Petit, Esq., seconded the motion, “That the thanks of the Society be voted to the Chairman of the Committee of Commerce and Agriculture, for his valuable services in that office.” The motion was put and carried unanimously. David Pollock, Esq., moved, “ That the thanks of the Society should be voted to the Council, for their important and valuable labours during the past year.” The motion was seconded by Robert Hunter, Esq., and carried unanimously. The Right Hon. the President, in rising to thank the Meeting, in the name of the Council, for the vote just passed, begged leave to apologize for the rarity of his attendance during the past year at the Meetings of the Society, which was occasioned by infirmity and indisposition, in consideration of which he hoped he should be excused. He had heard with pleasure the Re_ port of the Council; it was true that many might regret that the finances of the Society were not in a more prosperous condition, but he augured well for them in future. He thought there was every prospect of the exertions of the Society attracting more favourable notice, and was convinced that they were on the way to superior prosperity. He did not wish to undervalue the exertions of individual Members, who might by private application gain new Subscribers among their friends ; but he trusted much more to an increased public sense of the efficiency of the Society, as improving our acquaintance with India, and showing how the interests of India might be benefited. c 2](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b22394254_0021.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
