another ship about a fortnight ago, and he expected to get the books aboard in a few days more; so that I hope they will soon arrive in England. I believe they are in the Georgiana packet, but cannot be sure. Poor Mrs. Buchanan, a precious, godly woman, is going home, I believe, in the same ship, in a consumption.

'I hope my friend, Mr. Webb, is safely arrived in England. Give my affectionate christian love to him. Mr. Cunninghame is just appointed salt inspector, either at Sulkee, just opposite Calcutta, or on the circuit under the Ramgur Hills. I saw him last week, but it was not determined. Mr. Lang is studying Bengali, under me, in the college.

What I have last mentioned requires some explanation, though you will probably hear of it before this reaches you. You must know, then, that a college was founded, last year, in Fort William, for the instruction of the junior civil servants of the company, who are obliged to study in it three years after their arrival. I always highly approved of the institution, but never entertained a thought that I should be called to fill a station in it. The Rev. D. Brown is provost, and the Rev. Claudius Buchanan, viceprovost; and, to my great surprise, I was asked to undertake the Bengali professorship. One morning, a letter from Mr. Brown came, inviting me to cross the water, to have some conversation with him upon this subject. I had but just time to call our brethren together, who were of opinion that, for several reasons, I ought to accept it, provided it did not interfere with

I also knew myself to be

the work of the mission. incapable of filling such a station with reputation and propriety. I, however, went over, and honestly proposed all my fears and objections. Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Buchanan were of opinion that the cause of the mission would be furthered by it; and I was not able to reply to their arguments. I was convinced that it might. As to my ability, they could not satisfy me; but they insisted upon it that they must be the judges of that. I therefore consented, with fear and trembling. They proposed me that day, or the next, to the governor-general, who is patron and visitor of the college. They told him that I had been a missionary in the country for seven years or more ; and as a missionary, I was appointed to the office. A clause had been inserted in the statutes, to accommodate those who are not of the church of England (for all professors are to take certain oaths, and make deelarations); but for the accommodation of such, two other names were inserted, viz., lecturers and teachers, who are not included under that obligation. When I was proposed, his lordship asked if I was well affected to the state, and capable of fulfilling the duties of the station; to which Mr. B. replied, that he should never have proposed me, if he had had the smallest doubt on those heads. I wonder how people can have such favourable ideas of me. I certainly am not disaffected to the state; but the other is not clear to me. the appointment was made, I saw that I had a very important charge committed to me, and no books or

When

helps of any kind to assist me. I therefore set about compiling a grammar, which is now half printed. I got Ram Boshu to compose a history of one of their kings, the first prose book ever written in the Bengali language; which we are also printing. Our pundit has, also, nearly translated the Sunscrit fables, one or two of which brother Thomas sent you, which we are also going to publish. These, with Mr. Foster's vocabulary, will prepare the way to reading their poetical books; so that I hope this difficulty will be gotten through. But my ignorance of the way of conducting collegiate exercises is a great weight upon my mind. I have thirteen students in my class; I lecture twice a week, and have nearly gone through one term, not quite two months. It began May 4th. Most of the students have gotten through the accidents, and some have began to translate Bengali into English. The examination begins this week. I am also appointed teacher of the Sunscrit language; and though no students have yet entered in that class, yet I must prepare for it. I am, therefore, writing a grammar of that language, which I must also print, if I should be able to get through with it, and perhaps a dictionary, which I began some years ago. I say all this, my dear brother, to induce you to give me advice about the best manner of conducting myyour self in this station, and to induce you to pray much for me, that God may, in all things, be glorified by me. We presented a copy of the Bengali New Testament to Lord Wellesley, after the appointment,

through the medium of the Rev. D. Brown, which was graciously received. We also presented governor Bie with one.

'Serampore is now in the hands of the English. It was taken while we were in bed and asleep; you may therefore suppose that it was done without bloodshed. You may be perfectly easy about us: we are equally secure under the English or Danish government, and, I am sure, well disposed to both.

'Our church now consists of sixteen members. My eldest son was baptized the last day of December. I believe my second son is converted to God, and I have much to praise God for on their behalf. Mr. Fernandez was baptized some time ago; his son is with us, and, I hope, is seeking God. I have no doubt of the conversion of a German lady, who came hither for her health; her name is Miss Rumohr, from the dutchy of Sleswick, of great part of which her father was proprietor, and a nobleman. Hers, however, is true nobility. She speaks French fluently, but wished to learn English. The governor asked me to give her, now and then, a lesson. I agreed, and have reason to believe that my visits have been blessed. We hope there were ten conversions in Bengal, the last

year.

'W. CAREY.'

CHAPTER VI.

SECTION II.

VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, IN LETTERS TO HIS SISTERS TO MR. FULLER AND MR. SUTCLIFF BAPTISMAL CONTROVERSY-ADVANCEMENT OF THE WORK AMONG THE HEATHEN-ALLUSION TO SUNSCRIT ORATION-REMARKS ON NATIVE LA BOURERS OPPOSITION FROM GOVERNMENT.

THE life and labours of Mr. Carey were at this time so identified with those of his brethren, that they could scarcely be described otherwise than in combination.

'Serampore, Nov., 1801.

'MY DEAR SISTERS,

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'We now form a public family; and we have been blessed with outward things far beyond what any one of us ever expected. Yet we have no private property; and it is happy that we have not, as I believe the existence of the mission depends, in a very great degree, on our never engaging in private trade, or