The preceding certificate was transmitted to Mr. Grant by Dr. Milner with the following letter, in which the learned President took the opportunity of bearing a more particular and decisive testimony to the merits of Mr. Buchanan. "Dear Sir, "Queen's College, Cambridge, March 8, 1796. "I enclose you the college's testimonial of Mr. Buchan"an's good behaviour, which is expressed in general terms: "but if it were needful to be more particular, I could add a "great deal. In my judgment, much may be expected from "his ability, industry, and discretion. He has an uncom"mon zeal for every thing that is praiseworthy, and this "zeal is tempered and directed by a sound and well-inform❝ed understanding. His good sense and attainments must procure him respect everywhere. He will be certainly "on the watch for opportunities to do good. Mr. Buchan"an obtained both classical and mathematical prizes at * college. 66 "I am, dear Sir, "To Charles Grant, Esq. London." "ISAAC MILNER." The testimonial of the venerable Bishop Porteus is equally satisfactory as to that part of Mr. Buchanan's qualifications which came more immediately under his Lordship's notice. It was as follows. 66 "London House, March 12, 1796. "Being desired to bear my testimony to the character "and ability of the Rev. Claudius Buchanan, I hereby certify that he was admitted to the holy order of Deacon by "me on the 20th of September 1795; that he brought with "him the usual testimonials from college, and was highly spoken of to me by some gentlemen of very respectable character. His attainments in sacred literature, and par"ticularly in the knowledge of the Scriptures, I think superior to what I have found in most of those that I have "examined for holy orders. "B. LONDON." In consequence of these various testimonies to his abilities as a scholar, his attainments as a divine, and his general character for temperate and well-directed zeal for the honour of God, and the welfare of mankind, Mr. Buchanan was appointed one of the chaplains to the East India Company on Wednesday, March 30, 1796. When introduced to the Court of Directors for the purpose of taking the oaths usual upon similar occasions, he was addressed by the chairman, the late Sir Stephen Lushington, on the importance of his office, and on the duties imposed on a minister of religion in India; and so lively a recollection did he retain of this unexpected but very laudable charge, that he more than once referred to it in the course of his future life. He thus mentions the address of the honourable chairman many years after it had been delivered. "The venerable Baronet observed, that French princi"ples were sapping the foundations of Christianity and of “social order; and he earnestly inculcated on me the duty "of defending and promoting the principles of the Christian "religion by every proper means. I was much affected by "the solemnity of the occasion, and by the energy and feel"ing with which the address was delivered: and the subject "of the charge itself made a great impression on my mind, "particularly when meditating on it afterwards, during my "voyage." Soon after the appointment of Mr. Buchanan to India, he received priest's orders from the Bishop of London ; and in the month of May went down to Scotland, in order at once to revisit his family, and again take leave of them previously to his approaching voyage to India. The feelings of both parties upon this meeting were, it may be readily imagined, of a mixed but very interesting nature. Nearly nine years had elapsed since Mr. Buchanan, partly impelled by disappointed affection, and partly by the flattering visions of a youthful imagination, had left his native country, and sojourned in a strange land. During that long interval many remarkable events had occurred. One of his earthly parents was no more; but he had, like the prodigal, returned to his heavenly Father, and by him he had been distinguished by peculiar marks of kindness and favour. After having suffered many external hardships and much inward distress, he had been relieved in no ordinary manner from both, by the providence and grace of God. Opportunities had been afforded him, which he had diligently improved, of acquiring the treasures of human science and learning; and with a mind thus richly stored, and a heart deeply impressed with the inestimable value of the Gospel, he had been called to the work of the ministry, and had now the prospect of being permitted to preach among "the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." The emotions of Mr. Buchanan during his journey to Scotland, under these remarkable circumstances, must have been peculiarly affecting. While a new song" had been put into his mouth, of joy and thanksgiving, it would be somewhat damped by the recollection of past sorrows, the pain of his approaching departure from his kindred and country, and the anticipation of future labours and trials. The feelings of his widowed mother and surviving brethren would be scarcely less checquered by joy and sorrow. Delighted as they must have been by the return of their beloved relative, enriched with divine and human knowledge, and honoured by an appointment which more than realized their highest wishes and expectations, the pleasure of their intercourse with him would be not a little clouded by the thought of its transient nature, and the prospect of a long, perhaps, as to this world, a final separation in a far distant land. Such, we may justly suppose, were the mutual feelings and reflections of Mr. Buchanan and his family during his short abode with them at this interesting period. He appears to have remained in Scotland till the first week in June, when he returned to London, to complete the preparations for his voyage. On the 3rd of July, he preached for Mr. Newton at St. Mary Wool noth; and terminated by a pious and affectionate farewell his short connection with the congregation of his dear and venerable friend. MEMOIRS OF THE REV. DR. BUCHANAN. PART II. CHAPTER I. AMONGST the various recommendations and introductions from his more immediate patrons and friends, by which Mr. Buchanan was accompanied to India, one occurs, from so respectable a quarter, and of so appropriate a nature, that it may be proper to insert it. This is a letter from the Rev. Dr. Gaskin, Secretary to the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, to the Rev. David Brown, then one of the East India Company's chaplain's resident in Calcutta. That part of his letter which relates to Mr. Buchanan is as follows. "Rev. and dear Sir, "London, July 3, 1796. "It is with particular pleasure that I introduce to you the "name of the Rey. Claudius Buchanan, who is appointed to be "chaplain to the Hon. Company, and in whom I am persua❝ded you will find a most valuable colleague; as I have every "reason to believe, from the intercourse I have had with "him, and from the testimony chiefly of my Lord Bishop of "London, that he is a man of sound learning, serious piety, "and great steadiness. I was myself present, and assisted at "his admission to priest's orders. The pleasure I have in "communicating this information is considerably increased "from the full expectation I entertain, that he will cheerful"ly, and to the utmost of his power, assist you at the mission “church.” This was, however, by no means the only introduction which Mr. Buchanan carried with him to the pious and excellent person to whom the foregoing letter was addressed; who afterwards proved one of his most valued and intimate friends, and with whom he was long associated in the various labours which devolved upon him in India. Thus recommended and accredited, Mr. Buchanan left London for Portsmouth on Saturday the 30th of July, and on the 11th of August following, he embarked on board the Busbridge East Indiaman, commanded by Captain Dobree, and sailed for Bengal. During the course of his extensive voyage, Mr. Buchanan was diligently employed in acquiring useful knowledge, and in endeavouring to promote the improvement of his various companions and fellow-passengers. The principal subjects of his studies were probably such as bore an immediate reference to the work of the ministry, and to his peculiar destination in India; but the only traces of them which now remain consist of some additional common-place books, one of which is dated at sea in January 1797, near the island of St. Paul, containing abridgments of chemistry from Lavoisier, of botany from Rousseau and Martin, of the history of Denmark and Sweden, and miscellaneous observations, chiefly of an historical nature. Of his employments, views, and feelings in the early part of his voyage, the following letter to Mr. Newton presents an interesting account. 66 • My dear Sir, "Busbridge East-Indiaman, "at sea, off the Canaries, 27 Aug. 1796. I take the opportunity of writing to you by the Polyphemus, a 64-gun-ship, which, after convoying us safely "to this latitude, returns now to England. We have had a "monsoon all the way. We took our departure from the "Lizard, and in eight days made the island of Madeira; a "shorter passage than the East India fleet has ever had. "In two days we hope to arrive at the trade winds; indeed "the captain thinks we have them already. About the end |