"East, with the Oriental Professor, Dr. Ford, who is going "to collate it. Other MSS. of the Hebrew and Chaldaic "Scriptures I propose to deposit in the public library of the "University of Cambridge. I proceed thither to-morrow, "to preach on Sunday in Mr. Simeon's church.

"My friends here wish me to take Welbeck chapel, while "Mr. White, the present preacher, goes to his living in the "country. If I find that my endeavours are blessed, I shall "probably remain in it. But it is rather my wish to retire "to a parish in the country.

"The Star in the East,' I find, has excited a general in"terest. I breakfasted yesterday with the Bishop of London, "who said he was sure it would do a great deal of good.”

A few extracts from various letters to his friends will serve as a brief journal of Dr. Buchanan's proceedings at this period.

"Terrace, High Street, 12th May, 1809.

"I returned yesterday from Hertford college, with which "I was much pleased. Of course it owes its present effi"ciency chiefly to a wise selection of professors. Dealtry "alone would do honour to any institution.

"My friends have found me out here, and my engage"ments multiply; but after a short time I hope to be at large. "I find a great body of Indian families in these streets, who

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appear to have really less religion here than they had in "the East. In the great multitude with whom they are now "mixed, their conduct is not so easily recognized as in In"dia; and being less conspicuous, they think themselves "less responsible. It is difficult to know what or how to "preach to such. I must pray for divine direction.

"The Ethiopic Gospel is now at Cambridge; and one of "the professors is about to examine and collate it, as soon as he has improved himself a little more in the language. "Other persons will be appointed to examine the other "MSS.

"A few Sundays ago I preached the annual charity ser"mon at the Lock Hospital, where I found a great body of

"the religious world of London of the highest cast. Instead "of entertaining them with news from India, which, per"haps, some expected, I gave them an account of the spi"ritual resurrection."

In the letter which next follows, Dr. Buchanan notices the distinguished honour which had been just conferred upon him by the University of Cambridge, and adds some interesting particulars respecting his ministry at Welbeck chapel.

"Cambridge has conferred on me the highest honour in "her gift. She petitioned his Majesty to grant me the de"gree of Doctor in Divinity. The mandate was issued, and "I received the degree on the commencement day last week. “Dr. Ramsden, as Regius Professor of Divinity, delivered "a speech on the occasion, in the name of the University, "in which he referred to the evangelization of the East, and "to my endeavours. The Duke of Gloucester and many of "the nobility were present. I waited on the Bishop of "Bristol after my degree, and received from his Lordship "an assurance, that he would ever support the cause in which "I had been so long engaged. He subscribed at the same "time to the Bible Society. All the Heads of Houses whom "I saw professed their gratification at the public notice the "University had taken of the subject. I shall be shortly "called to preach before the University.

"I live very retired at present; preaching regularly to "my congregation, and attending little to public affairs. "The nobility have mostly left town; but their seats at my

chapel are filled generally by the poorer sort. The Duke "of Gordon, Lord R. Seymour, and others, yet remain. I "pray to be enabled to persevere to the end of my time "with them, next November; and after that, to the end of my race, wherever I shall be called to run.

The Christians in Travancore are suffering persecution, which may do them good. I foresee another conflict on "missions; may we all be found faithful and prudent, wise " and harmless!

"Before the nobility left town, I delivered to some of them "at Welbeck chapel my views of the pious and useful life of the late Bishop of London. I noticed his exertions to pre"serve the purity of public morals; and gave them an ac"count of my last interview with the Bishop, a few days "before his death, and of his testimony to serious piety. "Speaking of a public trial then pending, in which some "allusion had been made to the religious character of one of "his friends, he observed, that the character of public men professing religion was severely tried, and often greatly "misrepresented in the present age. And, addressing him"self to the Master of a college in one of our Universities, "then in company, he added these words: The man who "shall at this day conduct himself in a strictly religious man"ner, and make a profession of serious piety, must be con"tent to be misunderstood by some, and called by a name "of reproach.'"

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The following is a somewhat fuller account of the effect of Dr. Buchanan's ministry at Welbeck chapel, from a letter to a friend soon after he had left it.

"The power of religion which I witnessed in Marybone "was more among the lower than the higher classes; though "even among them I have reason to believe that good has "been done. A general spirit of conciliation was manifest. "Lady retains an abiding impression, and does the "works of righteousness. I visited her frequently. Lady

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also has evinced a just sense of true religion, and "others of rank. But the glory of the Gospel was chiefly "manifested in Mrs. B. who died last month. She was but "in humble life; but many of the nobility visited her, and "benefited by her example."

In the month of August Dr. Buchanan left London on a journey into Yorkshire; the object of which will be perceived by the following extract from a letter to Colonel Sandys.

"London, 31st Aug. 1809.

"I have been absent from London the last ten days. My friends wished to know if I should like to fix at Scarbo

"rough, if the advowson of the living were purchased; and "I went down to see the place and the people. There is "but one church, and seven thousand inhabitants, besides "the visitors. I found the Rev. Mr. Robinson of Leicester "there; and we both preached last Sunday, he in the morn“ing, and I in the evening. It was calculated that three "thousand persons were in church. I do not think that I "shall settle there; but I leave the event to Him whose providence governs all things.

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"While at Scarborough, I was hospitably entertained by "a family I have long heard of, and wished much to see, "Mr. Thompson's of Kirby Hall.

"I am glad you are reading Milner's Church History. "He has combined more real piety and sound sense in these "volumes than are to be found in half the books of the day.

"I am engaged by Mr. Burn to preach two sermons at "Birmingham on the 8th of October next, on some annual "occasion. My journey has refreshed me, I think, after "some months residence in London, though it was rapid, "and chiefly in the mail. I am glad that William has such

an awful sense of the importance of the ministry. That is "more likely in time to lead him to it, than to drive him "from it."

About the first week in October Dr. Buchanan took a second journey into Yorkshire, and returned at the end of a fortnight, for the purpose of preaching a series of sermons on the interesting occasion afforded by the fiftieth anniversary of the reign of our venerable Sovereign; and with the last of these discourses he closed his engagement at Welbeck chapel.

CHAPTER III.

EARLY in the ensuing month Dr. Buchanan communicated to the friend to whom the preceding letter was addressed his intention of again entering into the marriage state. The lady with whom he formed this second engagement, was the daughter of Henry Thompson, Esq. of Kirby Hall, near Boroughbridge, in Yorkshire. Dr. Buchanan, as we have already seen, became acquainted with this respectable family during his first visit to Scarborough, and was attracted towards Miss Thompson by her piety, her active benevolence, and her filial duty and affection. This connection was particularly agreeable to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, and was universally approved by the friends of Dr. Buchanan. The marriage accordingly took place in the month of February following; from which period he fixed his residence in Yorkshire.

A few extracts from his letters will describe the plan of life upon which he now entered, and shew with how much promptitude and diligence he engaged in the duties of the ministry.

Kirby Hall, March 1810.

"We live at Moat Hall, or Parsonage, within a quarter "of a mile of the mansion. I have undertaken the whole "charge of the parish of Ouseburn. On the Thursday and "Sunday evenings I have a meeting of my parishioners in "my own house. I read a portion of Scripture to them, and "expound it; and generally incorporate the subject of the "lecture in a prayer. I ought to be thankful for the atten❝tive ear of the people.

"Mrs. Buchanan enters into these plans with much ardour "and affection.

"After staying here some months, I shall probably return "to London; at least my friends urge me to resume Wel"beck. I published three Jubilee Sermons, as a record that