Orientalists at Oxford

Abstract

NOT only was the Seventeenth International Congress of Orientalists, which was held at Oxford on Aug. 27–Sept. 1, the first meeting of that body since the War, but it was also the largest gathering that had ever taken place. It is an encouraging sign of the position of orientalists' studies at the moment that, in addition to the ordinary members, there were present two hundred official delegates, who represented the principal governments and universities of the world. Notwithstanding the fact that the meeting took place in mid-vacation, Oxford provided ample entertainment for her guests in the form of garden parties, etc. An official luncheon was given by the British Government in the hall of Christ Church on the opening day, at which Sir William Marris, member of the Council of India, presided. In welcoming the delegates he paid an eloquent tribute to the work of Sir George Grierson in the Linguistic Survey of India. A banquet was held on the evening of Aug. 31.