mouring, as far as he could, even the superstitions of the instructor, the scholar learned to write the characters on a plate of tin: and when he had acquired the mode of writing Chinese, and a degree of familiarity with the literary symbols, he commenced the transcription of a Chinese MS. which had been deposited in the British Museum, containing a Harmony of the Gospels, the 'Acts of the Apostles, and all the Pauline Epistles, except that 'to the Hebrews.' He also copied a MS. Latin and Chinese Dictionary, which was lent to him by the Royal Society. By indefatigable diligence he accomplished both these tasks in a few months. Referring to these patient efforts preparatory for his future work, Dr. Milne, a competent judge, says, 'what was acquired of the language proved afterwards of very trifling 'utility. The Dictionary and the Harmony were more useful. 'These were originally the work of some of the Romish mission'aries in China. By what individuals or at what time, these 'works were compiled, has not been ascertained, but providence 'preserved them to be useful, and the just merit of their authors 'will doubtless one day be reckoned to them.'

Two circumstances are recorded by the biographer illustrative of Morrison's character and resources. One occurred in the British Museum, and the other in a merchant's counting-house at New York. Mr. Butterworth related the former.

The

'It is now many years ago, that in visiting the library of the British Museum, I freqently saw a young man who appeared to be deeply occupied in his studies. The book he was reading was in a language and character totally unknown to me. My curiosity was awakened, and apologizing to him for the liberty I was taking, I ventured to ask what was the language that engaged so much of his attention? Chinese,' he modestly replied. And do you understand the language?' I said. I am trying to understand it,' he added, but it is attended with singular difficulty.' And what may be your object in studying a language so proverbially difficult of attainment, and considered to be even insuperable to European talent and industry?' 'I can scarcely define my motives,' he remarked, all that I know is, that my mind is powerfully wrought upon by some strong and indescribable impulse, and if the language be capable of being surmounted by human zeal and perseverance, I mean to make the experiment. What may be the result time only can develop: I have as yet no determinate object in contemplation beyond the acquisition of the language itself.' -Vol. ii. p. 279.

The American scene was of a different nature.

"I cannot forget,' writes a friend of Morrison, the air of suppressed ridicule which lurked on the merchant's features, and in his speech and manner towards Morrison, whom he appeared to pity as a deluded enthusiast, while he could not but secretly respect his self

denial, devotion, courage, and enterprize. When all business matters were arranged, he turned about from his desk, and, with a sardonic grin, addressing Morrison (whose countenance was a book wherein men might read strange things), said, And so, Mr. Morrison, you really expect that you will make an impression on the idolatry of the great Chinese empire! No, Sir,' said Morrison, with more than his usual sternness, I expect God will.' We soon left the man of money, and descending to the wharf, took our last farewell of the future apostle of the Chinese, as he stepped into the stern sheets of a boat which was to carry him to the ship which lay off in the bay. He said little; he moved less; his imposing figure and solemn countenance were motionless as a statue; his mind was evidently full, too full for speech: his thoughts were with God, and he seemed regardless of all around him.'-Vol. i. pp. 136, 137.

British Christianity was so destitute of political influence till the year 1813, so paralytic in the senate and in chartered monopolies, and so dreaded in our colonies and foreign possessions, that the missionary societies could not send out their agents to India or China, except by the route of America. As Americans, or subjects of continental monarchs only, could English missionaries obtain a residence among the heathen millions in the east. No doubt this restriction operated beneficially, by an overruling Prodence, on our American fellow Christians; but it remains a historical stigma on the reputation of British rulers. Mr. Morrison was thus compelled to sail in an American vessel, after a long and dangerous passage to New York. The incidents recorded in his journal or letters during these voyages work up our sympathy and interest in this devoted man. They were also calculated still farther to prepare him for his critical situation, and the frequently perplexing position which he should occupy, as the first Protestant missionary to China. Exposed to shipwreck, destruction by fire, the perils of mutiny and piracy, and pursued by privateers; besides being shut up for two hundred days within the narrow limits of a ship's quarters, with men of various and uncongenial minds, Morrison had much to try his spirit, to show himself his own heart and character, and familiarise his thoughts with the peculiarities of his fellow men.

The following extracts from letters to Mr. Hardcastle will show the state of his mind when entering upon his labors among the Chinese.

By the good hand of God upon me, I am at length brought to the place whither your prayers and wishes have followed me. In 113 days from the time of leaving the coast of America, the ship Trident anchored in Macao Roads. In the Indian Ocean we experienced very heavy gales of wind. But the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.' He brought

us safely through. I have detailed in a diary the circumstances of the passage, and will forward it to Mr. Burder. Last Friday evening 1 went on shore at Macao, and unexpectedly found there Sir George S. Staunton, and also Mr. Chalmers. I waited on the latter next morning, and presented to him Mr. Cowie's letter of introduction. Mr. Chalmers said he wished me success with all his soul, but,' added he, the people of England have no idea of the difficulty of residing here, or of obtaining masters to teach.' He then mentioned the circumstance so generally known, that the Chinese are prohibited from teaching the language, and that under the penalty of death. However he at last said, that he would converse with Mr. Roberts, chief of the English Factory, and also with Sir George. I then waited on Sir George (Staunton), and presented Sir Joseph Banks's letter. Sir George spoke likewise of the difficulty of the attempt; reminded me that the Company forbade any person to stay but on account of trade, but promised that he would do what was in his power. The residence at Macao is especially difficult, owing to the jealousy of the Romish bishop and priests."

Again:

'With respect to my continuance, which has hitherto been considered as almost impracticable, I have this to mention. I was about six weeks here before the English Company came up to Canton from Macao. In that time I wrote down to Sir George Staunton and to Mr. Chalmers. Sir George, since his arrival at Canton, has introduced me to Mr. Roberts, who received me kindly, and politely invited me to dine with the gentlemen of the Factory. I still continue as an American The utmost caution is requisite in making any public intimation of these things. . . . With respect to the language, I have been improving the time of my residence, in picking up the vulgar tongue, in which I am able, in common things, to talk to my boy, who has been my instructor; but he being from the country, has given me a very coarse pronunciation. The polite people of Canton say they cannot understand the country people, and the crowd of Cooles (laborers) who are about. But I think it is affectation. There is a great difficulty that now occurs to me. Neither the Mandarin tongue, nor fine writing, is understood by the great bulk of the people. The number of poor people is immense; and the poor must have the gospel preached to them. Sir George Staunton proposes to introduce me to Abel Yun, a Roman Catholic Chinese from Peking as an instructor. Abel, at present, does business for the missionaries, and has some oversight of the Christians in the city and suburbs of Canton, who according to Le Seensang, amount to about 3000. All that he will be able to teach will be the pronunciation of the Mandarin tongue, which is common to the province where he was born. The son of Le Seensang will, I believe, aid me in the Canton dialect and the character. He also is a professing Christian.' I am translating the Latin-Chinese Dictionary which I brought out with me, adding the characters that occur in Kang-he's Tsze-teen, or Chinese Dictionary.

My copy, and perhaps all those in Europe, contains only the words which are found in an old Chinese Dictionary in fourteen volumes compiled by Tartars, and which is now in disuse. The new Dictionary

which I mention above, is in thirty-two volumes, and contains all the Chinese characters.' Farewell, dear sir; cease not to regard the lamentable situation of the millions of Chinese unacquainted with our Lord Jesus. Continue to feel for them-to pray in their behalf-to spend and be spent in their service, O British Christians. From China, will those ready to perish saved by your instrumentality, rise up to bless you.'

Ten days later, in a postscript to the same letter, he added :—

'I cannot refrain from inserting, that I have now the assistance of Chinese christians of the Romish church. They are much more ready to communicate what they do know, than any of the heathen that I have seen. Yong-Sam is polite and respectful, coming sometimes to have letters on business, which he attempts to write corrected; but he does not show any disposition to communicate a single sentence of the Chinese. I do not formally ask him to do it. There are two Chinese who I hope will be useful to me ; at present, however, they are not so. The name of one is Le Seensang. He possesses considerable knowledge of the Chinese, writes an excellent hand, and having obtained one degree as a man of letters, is not so afraid as some of the tradespeople are. The other person, Abel Yun, was sent to me by Sir George Staunton. Abel is here the agent of the missionaries of Peking, a native of Shan-si, where the Mandarin language is generally spoken. A great part of his life (he is now about thirty years of age) has been spent with the missionaries at Peking. They have taught him the Latin language, which he speaks fluently. He came to me to-day, accompanied by another christian. Being the Lord's day I could not receive instruction from him. The Vulgate translation of the Scriptures was lying on my table. On his looking at it, we entered into conversation respecting its contents. I turned to the fourth commandment, in Exodus, and to the closing verse of the lviiith chapter of Isaiah. He read them, explained them to his Chinese friend, and, if I understood him rightly, said he had hitherto erred respecting the Sabbath,' &c. --Vol. i. p. 157–168.

His success in acquiring the language is testified by his voluminous labours, by scholars of the greatest celebrity, and by the gentlemen of the Factory in literary and official communications. The members of the Select Committee at Canton, who may be represented as the Company's local government, declared that Dr. Morrison had held his situation in their establishment with eminent advantage to the interests of the Company, and expressed the strong sense which they entertained of the importance of his services, and of the perfect satisfaction which they had derived from his abilities and general deportment during his

residence in the country, and his service of sixteen years. Sir George Staunton pointed out to Lord Napier that the most satisfactory circumstance connected with his new position as British representative at Canton, was the assurance of having the able assistance of Dr. Morrison. And Lord Glenelg, on the part of the Government, told Charles Majoribanks, Esq., that they would be too anxious to avail themselves of Dr. Morrison's 'services,' not to do all they could to secure them.

On proceeding to China, Dr. Morrison was empowered to draw on the funds of the Society for his support; but as soon as he was enabled, and he eagerly prepared himself for this end, he relieved the society of his support, and repayed the liberality of the Christian community, by a generous consecration of his own substance to the cause to which he had dedicated himself. His exertions for the Anglo-Chinese College at Malacca, and the Singapore Institution, are not to be placed merely in the light of liberal sacrifices to the cause of benevolence, when he devoted several thousand pounds for their consolidation and support. In these proceedings he evinced the views of an enlightened mind; and his readiness to sustain such measures as his judgment approved, in the work of christian missions to heathen lands. He wished to exalt and dignify the character of the missionary, and to render his labours and sacrifices efficient for their object.

Dr. Morrison's opinions on this subject deserve serious consideration.

'My opinions,' he says, are greatly in favour of a missionary community, consisting not only of preachers, but also of men having much leisure to write Christian books; of catechists, schoolmasters, and schoolmistresses and perhaps it would be well to have some brethren to attend only to secular management, under the direction of the seniors of the community. At present in every station we are too few to do well the many things we have to do. A missionary to China, whose duty it is to preach, and teach, and write, requires at first, and indeed always, considerable leisure to devote to these objects, to give himself to prayer and to the ministry of the word. It should never be forgotten that the study of the pagan languages-their literature, opinions, prejudices, &c., requires much time; and whilst the acquisition of these is necessary to a moral teacher, they do not instruct him in any thing truly valuable per se. Now if in addition to these pagan studies, the daily management of the detail of occurrences in a missionary establishment, and the conducting of an extensive correspondence, be imposed on an individual, his time and strength will be inadequate. Something must be neglected, or he will wear away with services too heavy for him. Therefore missionaries-ministers of religion in foreign lands-require christian brethren to assist them, who will preserve unity of design and operation. With such tempers and principles, there are many pious persons in