Jan. 14] SOCIETYOF BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY. [1890.
of philology whichwillthrowlighton so interesting a subject cannot
helpbeingcarefullyscrutinizedby many,whethercompetentor otherwise.
In the theory of Mr.Ball,in his papers entitled" TheNewAkkadian,"we
certainlyhavea startling discover)',andonewhichwill work a consider
ablechangein the ordinarily receivedideasof EastandWest. Withthe
strongsupportof so distinguished a Chinese scholaras ProfessorDouglas
on one side,andthe justly esteemedstudiesof Professor Haupton the
other, leaving asidefor a moment thelaborious work of Mr. Ball
himself,the case seemsto be a strong one. Andshouldthis theory,as
seemsprobable,standthe hard usageof strict examinationand criticism,
I cannot helpthinkingthatit must takea foremost placein the philo
logicaldiscoveriesof our own century. OurSocietyI feel will thenhave
goodreasonfor self satisfactionin having beenthe means of making it
knownto the world of science.
The Librarystill continuesto increase, andI am happy to say that
thisdesirableimprovementhas added alsoto the number of readers, thus
extendingits value andusefulness. Muchhas alreadybeendoneby
manykindfriends to aid by valuable donationsthisimportantpartof
the Society's endeavours. To some authorswe have beenindebtedfor
eachportionof their writingsas issued, andit is to be hoped that such
admirableexampleswillin the future find manyimitators. I must here
mention the valuabledonation of M. Guimet, one of our Honorary
Members,whohas generouslyplacedthe Societyin possessionof the whole
seriesof the Annates of his magnificent museum. TheSocietyexchanges
publicationswitha large numberof kindred Societies,withwhichseveral
newexchangesof publications havebeenarrangedbothat home and
abroad.A number of bookshavebeenpurchased,as fundswouldallow,by
the Council, but I cannot too often repeatthatthe calls on those funds
are greater thantheycansatisfactorilyanswer; many worksrequiredby
studentsare still wanting,andthe series on many subjectsstillimperfect
Thebooksmaybe borrowed by the members, andit is therefore to be
hopedthatmoreassistancewill be given, thusplacingsuchworksas may
be required, withinthe reachof thosewhootherwisemayhavefew oppor
tunitiesof using them. A list of works moreespeciallyrequiredfor the
Libraryhas many timesbeenissuedin the Proceedings, to which several
responseshavebeenmade,andI will ask those whohavesparecopiesof
anyof those givenin the list, or others, will present themto the Library,
whereI can assure themtheywillbe fully appreciated.
TheAuditedBalanceSheetannexedshowsthatthe Funds available
for the year 1889 havebeen£721if., including a donation for which the
Societyhas been indebtedto M. P. J. de Horrack, oneof the Honorary
Members,andthe expenditurein the like period/668 12s.gd. The
Balancecarriedforwardto the current year,1890,is ,£52 8j. yd.
W.HarryRylands,
Secretary.
134