The Sun.
London, England, 1839-06-03 00:00:00

SUN OFFICE, 112 STRAND.

PROSPECTUS OF
THE PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE, for
.11-. Forming a BRITISH INDIA SOCIETY, for bet-
tering the Condition of our Fellow-Subjects—the Natives of
British India.

PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE,
With power to add to their number.
ADAM, WILLIAM, Esq., Late of Calcutta.
ALDAM, WILLIAM, Jun., Esq., L'eds.
BACKHOUSE, JONATHAN, Esq., Darlington.
BLAIR, W. THOMAS, Esq., Bath.
BOWItING, JOHN, Esq., LL.D.
BRIGGS, Major-General.
BROUGHAM, Lord.
BROWN, F. C., Esq, Telli.cherry.
CHRISTY, THOMAS, Jun., Esq.
CLARKSON, THOMAS, Esq.
CRAWFORD, JOHN, Esq.
FORTIES, Sir CHARLES, Bart.
FOSTER, VESEY LESLIE, Esq.
FRANKLAND, THOMAS, Esq., Liverpool.
HARDCASTLE, JOSEPH ALFRED, Esq.
HARFORD, JAMES, .Esq , Bristol.
HOWITT, WILLIAM, Esq.
HULL, JOIIN, Esq., of Uxbridge.
PEASE, JOSEPH, Sen., Esq., Darlington.
SMITH, Sir CULLING EARDLEY, Bart.
THOMPSON, GEORGE, Esq.
TREASURER--Major-Genera: Briggs, 1 I, York Gate, Regent's

Park

HONORARY SECRETARY—F. C. Brown, Esq., 22, Hark,
street.

TRAVELLING SECRETARY-George Thompson, Esq.
BANKERS—London and Westminster Bank, 9, Waterloo-place,
and Lot.hbury.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY—Mr. Edward Baldwin.
Temporary Office, Guildhall Coffee-house, King-street, Cheap-

London.

It is admitted in Great Britain, and known to be but too true
by all who have had personal experience of the real state of India,
that although a commercial intercourse has existed between the
British Isles and India, for more than two hundred years, and
the Government of this Empire now rules over a hundred mil-
lions of the inhabitants of the East, there is, nevertheless, a
general want of information upon Indian affairs, and an almost
total indifference felt respecting them. It must be obvious to
I all who reflect upon those facts, that such a state of things con-
trasts strangely with the duty we owe to our distant dominions,
with the extent, the value, and the importance of our East
Indian Possessions, and with the many and vast interests in-
volved in the question.
British India is an Empire as large as Europe (exclusive of
Russia), with a population, including tributary States, of more
than one hundred and fifty millions. Over this Empire and
People, a sway is exercised wholly British ; and consequently,
the want of an accurate knowledge of Indian affairs, and the
absence of a proper interest in the public at large for the wel-
fare of the natives, must operate prejudicially upon their
minds, since they cannot but feel that their destinies are in-
fluenced by the disposition manifested towards them in the
parent country.
From the perusal of a variety of official and other documents
of recent dale, it appears that ignorance, poverty, crime, and
disaffection, prevail to a distressing and alarming extent
throughout the British Indian Territories. It also appears,
that during the last twenty years, though a period of profound
peace, there has been a succession of famines of the most deso-
lating description. It has been estimated that the famine of
1M7._33, in the Upper Provinces of Bengal, swept off more
than half a million of the inhabitants. Famines are this year
ravaging the Northern Provinces of Bombay and Madras. These
calamitous events are rendered the more mysterious and affect-
lug, when viewed in connexion with the statement, that the soil
of India is a soil of unequalled fertility, and that a very large
Portion of it (by some authorities, computed at one half) lies
uncultivated, and covered with jungle, the haunts of wild
beasts.

Information on these subjects has, within the last few months,
been laid before the public in various parts of the Kingdom.
The result has been, a deep feeling of compassion in the minds
of many humane and influential persons, and the formation of
,Associations for promoting the welfare of the natives of India,
to Sheffield, Glasgow, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Edinburgh,
Darlington, &c. A strong feeling has, besides, been expressed
for the establishment of a Metropolitan Society for the same
object • by whose inquiries and efforts, the friends of India,
throughout Great Britain, might be guided and assisted in this
new and benevolent undertaking.
In consequence of these circumstances, and in accordance
also with their own deep feeling of interest in the subject, the
individuals whose names are attached to this Prospectus, have,
after mature deliberation, resolved themselves into a Prosi-
sienal Committee, for forming a Society, to be designated
the 4, BRITISH INDIA SOCIETY, for bettering the
condition of our fellow subjects the Natives of British
India."

In making known this resolution to the public, the Com.
mittee consider it their duty to state very briefly, but distinctly,
their motives and plans.
The Committee has its origin in a regard for the welfare of
the natives of India, who, owing allegiance to the Government,
.I,se entitled to look for sympathy and succour from the people of
England. The Committee desire to found the proposed So-
tty upon the strictest principles of justice and humanity—
pon a basis which will permanently exclude the adoption of
;37, of sectarian, or mercenary views. They contemplate the
tu,. those means only which are moral, peaceful and consti-
of.‘lonal, They would suggest, and labour to secure, the delay
the nature and extent of alleged existing eviels, and the n peeces-
'it) of remedying them, is entirely removed.
the The primary duty of a BRITISH INDIA SOCIETY would
therefore be—to obtain from every available source authentic
ta." the information respecting the present actual condi-
,'" of natives of India and the circumstances of the coun-
`!7, and to give to the information so obtained the widest pos-
sible circulation. The means of accomplishing this necessary
Preliminary object appear to be, via.
. .

To bring together, analyze, condense, and diffuse, the facts
already at hand.
To adopt the best means of obtaining regular and syste-
matic information from all parts of India.
To begin a collection of the most useful Works on every
_ branch of the subject.
To. yisue, under proper management, a Periodical Publica-
tion, Containing the most recent, important, and inte-
_ resting Indian intelligence.
To reprint, in whole or in part, such Works as may be
calculated to elucidate particular portions of the great
subject.
To employ an active, experienced, and effective Agency,
for the organization of Provincial Auxiliary Societies.
The judicious and zealous prosecution of a course, such as
has been now described, would, the Committee feel assured
effectually remove the apathy whirl at present exists. Tha
apathy, they believe, may with justic be ascribed to the diffi-
culty which has hitherto attended the serch after correct and
comprehensive information, respectmethe condition and cha-
racter of the natives of India, and the nature and effects of Bri-
tish rule in the East.
The Committee entertain no doubt, that, when the vast im-
portance of our Possessions is understood—when the claims of
one hundred millions of British subjects are recognized and felt
—and when the responsibility and moral obligation of this nation
towards them are considered, a great and generous effort will
promptly be made, to benefit a country, which contains within
itself, the means of returning a hundred-fold into the bosoms of
its benefactors, all the blessings they can possibly confer upon it.
The Committee prefer to make their appeal to the just prin-
ciples and Christian feelings of the country. They are not ig-
norant, however, of the extent to which they might address
themselves to the loyalty, the patriotism, and the interests of
their fellow-citizens ; but they believe that such an appeal is
unnecessary. They feel convinced that no argument is required,
to demonstrate the inseparable connexion between the bettering
of the social, moral, and intellectual condition, of the countless
millions of India, and the accomplishment of those ends which
are sought by the promoters arid patrons of legitimate corn-
tuerce, and the advocates of the honour, the stability, and the
Prosperity of tne British empire, at home and abroad.
The Committee having stated the objects, principles, and
plans, according to which they are about to attempt the formation
%f a BRITISH INDIA SOCIETY, look with confidence for the
sanction, support, and co-operation of the British public. They
sincerely and earnestly solicit advice. They especially desire
the aid of gentlemen who have resided in India, and who, after
perusing this Prospectus, feel that they can cordially unite in
the work proposed.
Finally, the Committee respectfully solicit pecuniary assist-
ance. Subscriptions and donations .vill be gratefully received
by the Treasurer, Secretaries, Bankers, and Members of the
Committee.

May 25, 1839.
*4o' It is the intention of the Provisional Committee to give
due notice of the public formation of the proposed Society. and
to invite the presence and aid, on the occasion, of those Friends,
in different parts of the kingdom, who may have already espoused
the cause, or who may be desirous of doing so. .
P. S. Since the First Edition of this Prospectus was issued,
the Committee have received, from various parts of the country,
the most encouraging assurances of sympathy and support. The
Committee have been peculiarly gratified by the Resolution
passed at the Annual Meeting of the Relief Synod of Scotland,
on the 14th inst.—recognising the great importance of the
object the Committee have in view, and pledging the co-opera-
tion of that respectable and influential body. The friends of
humanity will rejoice to find that Thomas Clarkson, Esq., the
venerable and enlightened friend of African freedom, has
heartily united with those who are associated in this effort for
the improvement of the condition of their fellow-subjects, the
Natives of British India,

SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Sir Charles
Forbes,... ..... £lOO 0
Joseph Pease, Sen., Esq
General Briggs
Jonathan Backhouse, Esq.
F. C. Brown, Esq.
William Aldam, Jun., Esq. 25 0
John Harford, Esq
Thomas Christy, Jun., Esq
Thomas Clarkson, Esq 2O 0
Dr. Bowing

5 5

No. 32, GREAT RUSSELL.STREET, BLOOMSBURY,
MINERAL SUCCEDANEUM
FOR FILLING DECAYED TEETH,
LOOSE TEETH FASTENED,
AND LOSS OF TEETH SUPPLIED.
M. M ALLAN and SON, Surgeon Dentists, 32, Great Russeil-s'reet,
Bloomsbury, continue to restore DECAYED TEETH with their MI
NER AL SUCCEDANEUM (of which they are the Sole INVEN-
TORS and POSSESSORS), without pain, heat, or pressure, and
FASTEN LOOSE TEETH, whether -rising from age, neglect, dis-
ease of the Gums, the we of Calomel, or any other cause. The
have also discovered a NEW COMPOSI TION for ARTIFICIAL,
TEETH. A peculiar advantage attending Teeth made from this
SUBSTANCE is, that they are totally impervious to acids.
ARTIFICIAL TEETH have hitherto been found objectionable
by, INVALIDS taking MEDICINES which have a tendency to
DISCOLOUR them, and by persons of bilious habits. Ihe Messrs.
M. have been successful in obviating these objections by their NEW
DISCOVERY, and they can fix the above without extracting the
STUMPS, or causing any incumbrance, and even on GUMS of
the most tender nature, protecting the adjoining Teeth, however
loose. No WIRES or LIGATURES are used, and they MATCH
the ORIGINAL TEETH in point of Shape and Colour. GUA-
RANTEED for MASTICATION and ARTICULATION. In
consequence of their improvements in the mechanical department of
Dentistry, they are enabled to reduce their charges to the follow-
ing scale:—

- -
A single Artificial Tooth
ASet ........................................................ .
...
ASet of Natural Teeth ... , ............ .... , ..... Is 0
A Set •of Mons. Mallan's Incorrodible 'Teeth, fr y
finished in the first style .................... , ......
Filling a Decayed Tooth with Mineral Succedaneum,„, 6 a
32. Great Russell-street, Bloomsbury,

SIGHT AND HEARING.
THE INVISIBLE OPERATIVE VOICE
CONDUCTOR, effected by the Messrs. S. and B.
soLOMoNs, Opticians and Aurists to the Royal Family, 39, Albe..
marle-street, Piccadilly, by which thousands of deaf persons have
been greatly benefited, is the size of a seven.shilling piece, and when,
fixed into the cavity of the ear is soft and easy, and not more percep-
tible than having a piece of wool in its place, by which the faintest
whisper at a public assembly is heard with distinctness. And deft.c-
tive VISION is brought to nature by the use of newly-invented
SPECTACLE LENSES : immediately they arc placed before weak
and imperfect eyesight, either by day or candle light, every object
becomesclear and distinct, and the most minute particle is seen with
great distinctness, by the use of which both the sight and hearing
become much improved.
The Messrs. SOLOMONS DISCLAIM all connection with persons
of the SA ME NAME, and the sale of Amber Spectacles: in doing
so they state the HISTORY of AMBER, from the Dictionary of
Arts and Sciences" of Andrew Ure, M.D., F.R.S., &c. &c.
Amber is an indurated vegetable ju ce, and not produced by the
laws of crystallization, but by the same causes which influence the
mechanical condition of gum. Insects are often found embedded in
it. Amber is most powerfully electrical by friction—very hot, to
such an extent as to explode into fragments ; the workmen too, are
subject to nervous tremours in their wrists, arms, &c. ; 'they en-
counter great danger by handling such dreadful excited electrics ;
Amber grows, with lime, and is apt to take fire, and is of such a
soft nature when exposed to warmth that it swells, bubbles up, and
will burn away with flame."
The above Dr. Ure's statements are further confirmed by Sir 1)
BREWSTER and Pliny, as also by Parks and Heny on Chemistry.
Thedestructive effects of such a material for Spectacles, to imperfect
vision, are fully and most satisfactorily explained in Messrs.
Curtis and Dollond's Second Edition on the Preservation of Sight,
and may be ascertained at any respectable Opticians in London.
The Messrs Solomons' newly-invented Spectacle Lenses are not
constructed of such a material; but which are very superior, and
bring back at once dimness of sight and imperfect vision to its
original and natural state ; these Spectacles, and very small Voice
Conductors for Deaf persons, are only to be had at their Establish-
ment, 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, opposite the York Hotel.
NO TRAVELLERS ARE EMPLOYED.