mation, on topics entirely new in the republic of letters. The indisposition which he mentions, not without apprehensions of its continuance, had not altogether left him when he commenced his journey, and during the progress of it returned with a severity, which long held the public in anxious suspense, before any hopes could be entertained of its favourable termination.

The author of these memoirs saw him in August 1784, at the house of a friend in the vicinity of Moorshedabad, languid, exhausted, and emaciated, in a state of very doubtful convalescence; but his mind had suffered no depression, and exhibited all its habitual fervour. In his conversation he spoke with rapture of the country, of the novel and interesting sources opened to his researches, and seemed to lament his sufferings, only as impediments to the prosecution of them. From Moor

shedabad

shedabad he proceeded to Jungipore, at the distance of a day's journey only, and from this place continued his correspondence, which describes his condition.

Sir WILLIAM JONES to CHARLES CHAPMAN, Esq.

August SO, 1784.

Nothing but a series of severe

attacks of illness could have prevented my replying long ago to your friendly letter. After resisting them by temperance and exercise for some time, I was quite overpowered by a fever, which has confined me ten weeks to my couch, but is now almost entirely abated, though it has left me in a state of extreme weakness. I had a relapse at Raugamutty, which obliged me to stay three weeks at Afzalbang, where the judgment and attention of Dr. Glas, prevented perhaps serious consequences. I have spent two days at

this place, and I find myself so much better, that I propose to continue my voyage this evening: whether I shall be able to go farther than Patna, (I long to sec Benares) is very uncertain. This is only the second attempt I have made to write since my illness; and as I hold my pen with some difficulty, I will say no more than that I am, with great esteem, &c.

P. S. I cannot help adding, that your proposal of extracting such parts of your very interesting narrative concerning Cochin-china, as you may think proper to deposit among the archives of our society, is the very thing I wished, and I really think it will be one of our most valuable tracts*.

But

The extracts alluded to, have not yet appeared in the Asiatic Researches. The voyage which led to that narrative, was undertaken on the following occasion: Two Mandarins of Cochinchina, had been accidentally brought to Calcutta, in 1778; the Governor-General of India, W. Hastings, Esq., from motives of humanity

and

But his thoughts and attention were not confined to the perishable concerns of this world only; and what was the subject of his meditations in health, was more forcibly impressed upon his mind during illness. He knew the duty of resignation to the will of his Maker, and of dependence on the merits of a Redeemer; and I find these sentiments expressed in a short prayer, which he composed during his indisposition in September 1784, and which I here insert:

"O thou Bestower of all Good! if it ແ please thee to continue my easy tasks

and policy, furnished the means of their return to their native country, and Charles Chapman, Esq., at his own request, was appointed to accompany them with a public commission, with instructions to establish, if practicable, a commercial intercourse between the Company's settlements in India and Cochinchina, and to procure such privileges and advantages for English vessels resorting thither, as the government of that country might be disposed to grant.

"in this life, grant me strength to perform "them as a faithful servant; but if thy "wisdom hath willed to end them by this

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thy visitation, admit me, not weighing

my unworthiness, but through thy mercy "declared in Christ, into thy heavenly "mansions, that I may continually ad

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vance in happiness, by advancing in "true knowledge and awful love of thee. Thy will be done!"

I quote with particular satisfaction, this short but decisive testimony of the religious principles of Sir William Jones. Among many additional proofs, which might be given of them, is the following short prayer, composed on waking, July 27, 1783, at sea, also copied from his own writing:

Graciously accept our thanks, thou "Giver of all Good, for having preserved

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us another night, and bestowed on us "another day. O, grant that on this day,

VOL. II.

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we