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The desponding tenor of this letter, connected as it is with similar expressions in some others, may require a few explanatory observations. The unfavourable influence of the climate upon his health, to which Mr. Buchanan refers, must évidently be considered as the principal cause of the depression under which he laboured. He was, doubtless, disappointed in the silence and obscurity to which his station at Barrackpore had consigned him, and which he imagined would be shortly rendered still more hopeless, by his removal to a greater distance from Calcutta, in the interior of the country. It is certain, also, that he felt the want of sympathy and encouragement from some of his friends in England. They had very reasonably formed considerable expectations of his exertions to promote the cause of religion in India; and their distance from the scene prevented them from being fully aware of the circumstances which had hitherto retarded them. Yet amidst it all, his calm submission to what he believed to be the will of God, his refusal to step beyond the prescribed limits of his duty as a military chaplain, and his pious reference of himself and his services to the divine disposal, prove, that whatever might be his discouragements, his heart was "right with God;" and that he was faithfully employing the "talent" at that time committed to his trust.

The history of Mr. Buchanan's first appointment in India will not be in vain, if it serve to check in any who may be similarly situated, either abroad or at home, the too natural disposition to despondency or haste; and to lead them, in the conscientious improvement of present opportunities, to wait patiently for farther openings, and in the mean time to "hope in God ;" and if it tend to abate in those who may be observing them any impatience of their backwardness in fulfilling even just expectations; and to teach them that charity, which, concerning the substantially pious and sincere, "hopeth all things."

In the month of July following, Mr. Buchanan wrote to several of his friends by the overland despatch.. In one of

these letters to Mr. Elliott, of Clapham, he informs him of the arrival of his son at Calcutta.

Of the talents and extensive acquirements, the splendid career in the college of Fort William, shortly afterwards established, and the premature and lamented death of this valuable and accomplished young man, the writer of these Memoirs has on a former occasion recorded a brief account." In again mentioning his name, he does it chiefly for the purpose of illustrating the character of Mr. Buchanan; to whose kindness, counsels, and example, he was eminently indebted. To his father Mr. Buchanan thus writes.

"Your son William is arrived. I had long looked for him, "as for a brother. He resided with me at Barrackpore for "two months, and then went up to Malda, where he now is. "He has conducted himself with much propriety, and con"ciliated the favour and respect of many. In some of his "anticipations he was sanguine and incorrect; but his good "sense gradually removed the veil, and discovered things in "the right point of view; and I think he has now formed "a very tolerable estimate of India, and of his situation "in it. Government was at first disposed to place him at "Calcutta. This would have deranged all your and my "plans concerning him. I do not live at Calcutta. He "would have been obliged to keep house by himself; for "there is no private family that would receive him; and the "expense would have been so great, that all his prudence "could not easily save him from debt. "situation is the ensnaring society. "by themselves, as at college. Such a society has proved "instant death to the virtue of many. After two or three "years, I shall have less objection to his residence in "Calcutta. He will then have more fortitude and more "money, worse health, and lower spirits.

Another evil of that The young men live

"I was happy to observe that William's mind was not in"jured by the infidel conversation on board ship. It led "him however to enquire. And he was a good deal surpri

a See Dissertation on the Promotion of Christianity in India, p. 141.

"sed at the volume of evidence for the truth of Christianity, "which he found at Barrackpore. While with me he made "rapid progress in Persian; and was laying deep plans "for the attainment of general knowledge. I had a letter "from him this morning. He is well and happy. I wished him to consider Malda as a retirement, to be consecrated, "like college, to the improvement of his mind. As yet he "is well pleased with the idea. He complains that business "usurps much time. But so he attain the habit of industry "in this indolent climate, I care not whether it be by busi"ness or study. An active mind, if it be a virtuous one, finds 1 time for every thing.

"He speaks of his father with much affection. Write "cften to him. A father's letter is very seasonable in this "country. He begins well; he far surpasses my sanguine "expectations. But he has only begun. He was surprised "to find eight weekly newspapers here, together with libra"ries and learned men. Unfortunately, there are no classi"cal folks at Malda. William's Latin and Greek are "therefore in danger. He is already sensible of this; and "begins to think that I was right in proposing to task him. "He is much attached to one mode of mental improvement,"the committing to writing useful observations. He has ran"sacked many of my commonplace-books to enrich his own. "The only annual investment of books you need send him, will "be the Reviews; all of which will be acceptable. Adieu."

Were it consistent with the plan of this narrative, several letters might here be introduced from Mr. William Elliott, which illustrate in a very pleasing manner the advantages he derived from the advice and assistance of Mr. Buchanan in his classical and oriental studies; and above all, in cherishing those religious views which after no long interval he found to be alone supremely valuable. It is probable, from Mr. Buchanan's extensive correspondence with young men in India, that many others enjoyed similar benefits from his friendly counsel.

A few of the preceding observations may perhaps be no longer applicable to the circumstances of the junior servants

of the East India Company in Calcutta, in consequence of the salutary changes introduced not long afterwards by the institution of the College of Fort William: but the almost paternal anxiety displayed by the writer for the welfare and improvement of his young friend, and the practical wisdom of his suggestions, will be not uninteresting to those who may be connected, like his correspondent, with India.

To Mr. Newton, Mr. Buchanan wrote by the same despatch as follows.

"I hope, my dear Sir, that you have received many let"ters from me since my arrival here, for I have written "many. You are the only person who has written regularly "to me since I left England. Your last, dated 2nd Oct. "1797, gave me much information, pleasure, and comfort. "I have now been a year and a half in India, and have not "yet engaged in the ministry; and I know not when I "shall. At present, indeed, I should scarcely be able, were "I called to it. The oppression on my chest is so great, "and my breathing so quick, that I cannot speak audibly "in conversation but with difficulty. And the total relaxa"tion of my frame, and my inability to sit up long, admonish "me that I am not intended for long service. Two fevers "since my arrival have no doubt had some effect in weak"ening me. But I do not attribute my present illness to "India. I can trace my pectoral weakness to midnight "study at college. But I am thankful that I am without "actual pain. I can think and write a little for two or three "hours every morning. Perhaps I may be restored. Per"haps my mouth may yet be opened to speak his praise.' "Will you write a note to Mr. Storry, of Colchester, men"tioning the following particulars? John Gale, lately a "private in the king's service, was executed here for the “murder of a woman and her child. But though he suffered "the death of a felon, he died in the faith of Christ. He "was just twenty-two years of age, being executed on his "birth-day. He could not read, and had only three days'

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a Evidently meaning, not statedly.

"instruction from Mr Brown and myself. It revived our "spirits to behold the power of the Gospel thus displayed in "this barren land. On the morning of his execution, he re"quested me to acquaint Mr. Storry with the circumstances "of his happy death. His parents are hearers of Mr. "Storry; and he will be the fittest bearer of these tidings. "How is Dr. Fearon? My dear Fearon, how are you? "You cannot easily imagine how gratifying your letter was ❝ to me. I received it on a sick-bed; and had not seen the "face of a Christian for a month before. A Hindoo, who "worships an idol with an elephant's head, read it to me "three times. I suppose the French have not restored my "answer to it. My frequent indispositions have prevented "me hitherto from writing so much as I wish. But as I "consider that all my letters to Mr. Newton are letters to "you, I conceive myself to have written to you a great "deal. Remember me, as you ought, to every member of your family; and write me such another letter as you "wrote me last, if you are able."

The serious indisposition of Mr. Buchanan, as affecting his capacities of usefulness, is distinctly marked in this last letter, as well as the expression of his hope of future service.

The narrative respecting the unhappy soldier, though necessarily brief, from the narrow limits of an overland despatch, ought not, on that account, to be viewed with suspicion. The character both of Mr. Brown and Mr. Buchanan forbids the supposition that they had formed a hasty judgment of this remarkable case; and though false hopes have not unfrequently been cherished upon similar melancholy occasions, yet why should we limit the mercies of the Most High, of doubt the saving efficacy of faith in the Redeemer, even under circumstances apparently desperate? It seems probable too, from the introduction of the late Mr. Storry's name, that the unfortunate young man in question had received in very early life some salutary instructions from the ministry of that excellent man; which, though long forgot