187 Interesting Account of the Rev. Samuel Lee. cerned. This decision speaks volumes as to Mr. Lee's theological views. Of Mr. Lee it may be said, that if he has ambition, it is to know the word of God himself, and to impart that word to others; though whether he shall be honoured upon earth, as the instrument of the good he has done, or may do, is, I believe, with him, a very inferior consideration; or, rather, no consideration at all." In referring to the convertibility of Mr. Lee's genius, notwithstanding his retired and unassuming manners, and also to the sincerity with which he took upon him the sacred office of a minister of Jesus Christ, the following circumstance ought not to be omitted. No sooner was he in holy orders, than he received invitations to preach to some of the largest congregations. Many of these he accepted. On these occasions he ascended the pulpits with all the ease and self-possession of one long accustomed to the station; and he delivered his discourses with a freedom and an eloquence, equal to that of the best practical preacher. The languages with which this astonishing man has made himself acquainted, including his native tongue, are eighteen in number; which are as follows.-1. English. 2. Latin. 3. Greek. 4. Hebrew. 5. Chaldee. 6. Syriac. 7. Samaritan. 8. Arabic. 9. Persic. 10. Hindostanee. 11. French. 12. German. 13. Italian. 14. Ethiopic. 15. Coptic. 16. Malay. 17. Sanscrit. 18. Bengalee.-This is about one third more than the much celebrated Mr. Crichton ever attained. Of his literary labours, the following articles appear to grace the list. 1. The Syriac New Testament, edited by Mr. Lee, and published, is not a continuation of Dr. Buchanan's, but an entire new work; for which Mr. Lee collated three Syriac manuscripts, the Syrian commentary of Syrius, and the texts of Ridley, Jones, and Wetstein. 2. An edition of the Malay New Testament, from the Dutch edition of 1733; and the Old Testament, is now in the press. 3. An enlarged and corrected edition of Mr. Martyn's Hindostance Prayer Book, in conjunction with Mr. Corrie. 4. A tract, translated into Persian and Arabic, and printed; entitled "The Way of Truth and Life," for the use of the Mahometans. 188 5. A Malay tract, for the London Missionary Society, and some tracts in Hindostanee, for the Society for instructing the Lascars. 6. A tract in Arabic, on the new system of education, written by Dr. Bell, and first translated by Michael Sabag, for Baron de Sacy, Oriental interpreter to the king of France. 7. Dr. Scott having translated the Service for Christmas Day from the Prayer-book of the Church of England into Persic, Mr. Lee has added to it the rest of the Liturgy. 8. Mr. Lee has in hand a new translation of the Old Testament into Persian, in conjunction with Mirza Khaleel. 9. Mr. Lee is printing an Hindostanee New Testament. 10. He is preparing for an Ethiopic Bible, and some other works. 11. Mr. Lee has also made a new fount of letter, for Hindostanee and Persian printing; and a new fount, for an edition of the Syriac Old Testament; and for which he has collated nine ancient manuscripts, and one ancient commentary. Some of these were collated for the London Polyglot; but Mr. Lee looks upon these collations both as incorrect and deficient. He hopes to restore many omissions, both in the London and Paris Polyglots. Happily for the honour of the British nation, these talents have not been suffered either to remain in obscurity, or to languish under that adversity where they had their birth. At a Congregation, held on the 10th of March, 1819, the REV. SAMUEL LEE, of Queen's College, was admitted Master of Arts by Royal Mandate, and was afterwards elected PROFESSOR OF ARABIC, on the resignation of the Rev. John Palmer, B. D. of St. John's College. Such are the honours which Mr. Lee has already attained, through the exercise of his extraordinary talents in the cause of virtue and religion. The dignity and exaltation which yet await him, we presume not to anticipate. Of his personal character, an amiable picture has been drawn by his first venerable friend and patron, Archdeacon Corbett, who extended to him the hand of benevolence, when his loss by fire had reduced him to a state of penury and distress. Towards Mr. Lee, the Archdeacon has invariably 189 Report of British Trade and Commerce. preserved his attachment, withholding no assistance that friendship, and a respect for genius, could induce him to bestow. Of this kindness Mr. Lee is so deeply sensible, that he omits no prudent opportunity of expressing his obligations, in the warm effusions of a grateful heart. The whole of Mr. Lee's life," says the Archdeacon, "has been sober, moral, and consistent. He bears his faculties most meekly. The resources of his mind are unapparent, till called forth. He sought not polished society; but he mingled in it, when invited, without effort, and without embarrassment; and, without losing any of his humility, he sustains his place in it with ease and independence. Mr. Lee's learning is without any tincture of pedantry; and his religion is as far removed from enthusiasm on the one hand, as it is from lukewarmness on the other. Let us bless God, then, that such talents are thus directed. Let us bless God, that they are directed in an especial manner to the interests of the Bible Society. And, perhaps, the grandeur and the simplicity so apparent in the plan of the Bible Society, are the two adjuncts, that best exemplify the mind thus devoted to its service." 190 REQUEST TO CORRESPONDENTS. AN intelligent correspondent, who REPORT OF BRITISH TRADE AND COMMERCE. Is presenting to our readers an outline of the principal features of the operations of commerce since our last, we have to lament, that the protracted investigation carrying on by the Finance Committee, in the House of Commons, bas had a baneful influence on the funds, and induced the monied interest to reserve themselves, in expectation of a loan, which it now appears will at length be wanted. Conjecture is at variance with respect to the amount, but we do not hear that it will be less than six millions.-Money having in consequence become scarce, and discount attended with much difficulty, has had very embarrassing results to commerce; whilst the numerous failures in the Metropolis, in the manufacturing districts, and, we are sorry to add, some few in our own town, have all tended to weaken confidence, and have greatly clogged the already encumbered wheel of commerce.—Whilst we deplore and sympathize with the individuals who have been obliged to bend to the pressure of the times, we do not anticipate those dreadful results which gloomy speculatists may predict; but hope that, as in the year 1810, Government will grant Exchequer Bills to Commissioners, to advance upon colonial produce, and other goods, by which the merchant will be relieved, and prevented from sacrificing his goods at ruinous rates. There is in the character of the British merchant that elasticity which rebounds from pressure; and we are sanguine enough to hope, that a revival of commerce is not far distant. The manufacturer has now the raw material at a cheaper rate than was generally the case in any former period, the necessaries of life are at comparatively low rates; so that although ruin has attended the enterprises of many industrious merchants, yet in a national point of view our manufactures will be thus enabled to cope with all others in foreign markets, and thus obtain that preference to which they are justly entitled. In prefacing our commercial report with these few remarks, we purpose to record the present current prices of the leading imports, and to affix the rates at which similar goods were selling last year at this time. American Produce.--The low prices of Cottons have attracted the notice of dealers—and the sales of the month are about 36,000 bags.-prices were improving, with an increasing demand, 191 Report of British Trade and Commerce. 192 but the failure of several eminent Cotton-dealers in Manchester has thrown a gloom on the market, which it has not yet recovered.-The last prices were 22d. last year. 13 151 192 21 $8.3 24 48.0 Maranhams 16 17 Cottons East India Bengals.. 6 8 TOBACCOS have also felt the influence of the times-and our stock in this port is now 7395 hogsheads-there were only 3873 hogsheads at the corresponding season last year-and prices are now fully 25 per cwt. lower. East India and West India Produce.-The finer qualities of West India Sugars having become scarce, the want has been supplied by some imports of Bengal white Sugars, which have been sold at 82s. to 87s. for low to middling white qualities, and at 88s. to 90s. for finer sorts. Plantation Sugars, brown ........60s. to 68s. -71s. to 78s. per cwt. last year. The last average price of Sugar, in the Gazette of the 16th Inst. was 44s. 11d. per cwt.—and 18th April, 1818, 50s. 104d. per cwt.-consequently this article rules 5s. 11 d. per cwt. lower than in the preceding year. COFFEE has experienced a reverse more remarkable, considering the absence of all political causes. Good ordinary Plantation Coffee sells now at 100s. to 105s. per cwt. which, within the last six months, was worth 150s. to 160s. per cwt. the rates are about on a par with those ruling last year. DYEWOODS have in some measure partaken of the depreciation attendant upon other articles." The last sales of Miscellaneous Articles.-The importations of Fruit of all kinds have been very abundant, and the produce of the fertile shores of the Mediterranean have been sold at rates below former years. In Baltic produce, the fall of Tallow has been great, beyond precedent-Yellow candle is now saleable at 72s. to 73s. per. cwt. and at this period, in the preceding year, 80s. to 82s. and so lately as six months since it had attained the height of 95s. to 98s. Hemp is saleable at £47. to £49.-- -£52. to £54. per ton, last year. GRAIN. The open winter, which has equally prevailed in the North of Europe, has thrown an unusual early import of all kinds into the English market, so that prices of several sorts, such as of Barley, Oats, and Beans, have sustained a most serious depression. The ports have been shut against the importation of Wheat since the 12th of February, and, from présent appearances, they bid fair to close on the 12th of May, for all kinds of Grain: they will then remain closed until the 12th of August, against which time the character of the expected harvest may in some measure be anticipated.-The wheat, however, does not look well at present. The closing of the ports may put a stop to the farther decline of Grain, which the heavy imports of Grain and Flour have lately contributed to effect, and which has, no doubt, been accelerated by the numerous Auctions at our Corn Exchange every Market-day. Best English Wheat may be quoted at 10s. to 11s. per bushel of 70ib.---Dantzig and Foreign, 9s. 6d. to 10s. 6d.-Irish, 9s. to 10s-Rye, 50s to 34s. per quarter.-Oats, 2s. 10d. to 3s. 6d. per bushel of 451b.-Barley for grinding, 4s. to 4s. 3d. per 60.b.-Ditto for malting, 5s. 6d. to 6s.-Beans, 34s. to 40s. per Winchester quarter.-Indian Corn, 3s. 4d. to 3s. 6d. per Winchester bushel.-American Flour, superline sweet, 34s. to 38s.-sour, 30s. per barrel. Irish Provisions are lower; and this, together with the fineness of the season, will have an effect upon Live Stock, Liverpool, April 26, 1819. PRINTED BY HENRY FISHER, CAXTON, LIVERPOOL, Printer in Orainary to His Majesty. THE Emperial Magazine ; OR, COMPENDIUM OF RELIGIOUS, MORAL, & PHILOSOPHICAL KNOWLEDGE. "THE VALUE OF A BOOK IS TO BE ESTIMATED BY ITS USE." A TOUR TO THE HEBRIDES, AND HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND. [Never before published.] Preliminary Observations. That chain of Lakes, which, extending from Fort William to Inverness, nearly insulates the northern extremity of the Highlands of Scotland, had long attracted my attention. The wild grandeur of this country was associated, by fancy, with all the beauty of winding waters, whose margin still bore the venerable remains of ancient forests, which once spread over this mountainous tract. The painting of the imagination, where we have no opportunity of correcting its errors, becomes fixed: we look forward to the time when we shall visit those scenes, which have thus been impressed on the mind, with anxiety and impatience; and, over'looking all intervening obstacles, dwell with delight on a remote, and probably a delusive representation. A former cursory visit to the nearer part of this picturesque country, had given a double edge to desire. The impressions, though distant, which had been made by the grandeur and magnificence of its parts, by the adventitious effects of light and shadow, and by the powerful and the sublime effects of contrast arising from thence, were not yet obliterated: they were remembered with a degree of pleasure, heightened by the intervening lapse of time, which had meliorated every scene with the colouring of fancy, and softened every asperity and difficulty of the research. less sublime than those of the Highlands, still yielded sufficient to gratify curiosity, and to repay the traveller for the inconveniences arising from their investigation: and though fortune denied us the pleasure of visiting two of the principal islands, Icolmkill and Staffa; yet, in those we saw, we found much to admire; and, as far as it related to the inhabitants of this inclement region, much to deplore. After quitting the vessel, which had accompanied us throughout our course amidst the islands of the Hebrides, the remaining tour was performed on foot: a mode best adapted for viewing the scenery of this country, and of which the inconveniences are at least balanced by its advantages. The former of these arise from the infrequency of inns, and from the necessity a traveller is sometimes under, of taking up with accommodations of the worst possible kind, at those places which are generally used as half-way houses; the latter, as well for the before-mentioned reason, as the independence which it gives, to those who are capable of bearing its fatigues. In my descriptions I have been rather more general than particular; as the impressions we feel at viewing a grand and extensive scene are mostly of that nature. Particular description, though it may give some idea of the relative situations of objects, should be used with caution. In striking scenes, the effect we mean to produce is often lost in the detail; and, to a person wholly unacquainted with the described, frequently becomes tiresome and obscure. My first intention was to enter Scot-part land by the way of Greenock; to cross by Dumbarton to the grand scenery of Loch Lomond; passing on by the beautiful situation of Inverary to Loch Awe; from thence, by a circuitous route, to visit Glencoe, Fort William, Inverness, the celebrated scenes of the Dee, and to conclude with the falls of the Clyde. The kind offer of a gentleman of Liverpool, induced me to enlarge my intended tour, by accompanying him in a voyage to the Hebrides. Throughout, I have endeavoured to be more faithful than splendid; to delineate Nature as I beheld her; and to avoid exaggerated description, which can only tend to give false ideas of that which ought to appear as near as possible in its native garb. The disadvantage arising from this circumstance, must, however, be outweighed by its propriety; as plain unadorned truth will ever be superior to embellished The latter, though affording scenes | fiction. 195 Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides, &c. JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE TO THE HEBRIDES. We sailed from Liverpool on Sunday the 19th of June, 1796, on board a sloop of about 100 tons burden, which, being in ballast, and fitted up for the purpose, was admirably adapted for our coasting voyage. The favourable breeze which had tempted us to sail, soon became adverse, and rendered our progress tedious and unpleasant through those intricate channels, which at once form the dangers and the security of this harbour. The sand banks extend for many miles from the mouths of the Mersey and Dee; and as some of them | frequently change their places, from the action of currents setting through the ebb channels or swashes, they cannot be passed without a pilot, or one much accustomed to the navigation. We were for some time accompanied by a great variety of vessels, which had taken advantage of the favourable wind; which, while they naturally inspired reflections on the growing opulence of this famous commercial port, pleasingly broke the uniformity of the scene, by the various combinations and groups into which their adverse tracks were continually forming them. At length, after an ineffectual struggle of some hours, the greater part returned; and we were left to pursue our almost solitary course, through a wet and disagreeable evening, and a tempestuous night. Monday, 20th.-In the morning we made the entrance of Ramsey Bay, in the Isle of Man, but owing to the violence of the gale, we were unable to run in; and, after vainly lying to for some time in the hope of its becoming moderate, we were at length compelled to bear away for Douglas Bay; where we came to anchor, and passed another equally stormy night. Tuesday, 21st.-In the afternoon the wind became favourable, and we immediately set sail, passing again by Ramsey Bay and the point Ayr, the northern extremity of the Isle, and directing our course to the Mull of Galloway. 196 of the rocks, which form such natural and commodious harbours, where boats might lie safely and concealed when it would be nearly impossible for any vessel to keep sea, are such manifest advantages, that it was not probable they would ever be overlooked or abandoned, whilst existing circumstances rendered the risk so extremely profitable. Coasting along the shore in fine weather affords some tolerably grand specimens of rocky scenery, which the turbulent seas, that so frequently break on these coasts, have rendered sufficiently craggy and disjointed. In the back ground, the hills rise to a great height, and are frequently enveloped in clouds: a remarkable one, of a conical shape, ascends abruptly from behind the town of Ramsey. These eminences give a degree of spirit to scenery, which has in general very little aid from fertility. I speak only of its external appearance; an inland view might probably vary its aspect considerably. The bays of Ramsey and Douglas are capacious, but open to the easterly winds; there is, however, good anchorage, and each has a small harbour adjacent to the town, where vessels of a moderate burden may lie in perfect security. On this coast, that engagement took place, in which the daring Thurot found the punishment of his temerity, after having for a length of time escaped with impunity; and Ramsey Bay at once embraced within its wide extent the victorious and the vanquished fleets. Wednesday, 22d.- By two in the morning we reached the Mull of Galloway, and were becalmed, during the forenoon, under the low but rugged coast of Wigtownshire, near Port Patrick; which seems as well adapted for the purposes of smuggling as that of the Isle of Man, and of which, report says, the inhabitants were by no means ignorant. The morning had been extremely misty; but a transient gleam now and then broke through, and rested on the remote hills of Ireland, which seemed, as far as the distance would permit us to judge, to be in a high state of cultivation. The coast of this island, as far as we had an opportunity of observing it, appears extremely rugged and bold, and well adapted to the purposes of that contraband trade, which used to The tranquil state of the water, be formerly carried on by some of its which extended to its shores like an inhabitants. The frequent indentings | immense mirror, had a pleasing effect, |