"Canton, Sept. 13, the Lord's day.

"The Lord has in mercy brought me at length to the appointed field of labour. Last Sabbath was filled up very unpleasantly amidst much noise and confusion on ship-board. This is almost the first Sabbath that I have been able to retire from the world and draw near to God in peace, for the space of seven months. And this is my first Sabbath in a heathen land. The Chinese make no distinction of days. They are this day busy in worldly concerns as on other days; and those who are called Christians do the same whilst they continue here. But I know you feel a father's anxiety about my personal welfare. I am, my dear father, comfortable in my own mind, trusting in God. I was very anxious indeed, a little before my arrival here, about the reception I should meet with: that has now considerably subsided. In my father's house, and by my father's example, I was taught at morning, noon, and night, to cast my care on God. This has been, and still is, the way in which I seek peace to my troubled mind, and comfort when disconsolate. I do not boast myself of to-morrow, or make myself unhappy about it. In the morning, I seek the blessing of my God, and his protection until noon; at noon I seek it until night; and when I seek for the body repose at night, into the Lord's hands I commend my spirit. If at any time I take a different course, I slight my own mercy, and rob myself of that peace and joy which is to be experienced in believing prayer to God. My external circumstances are comfortable. From change of climate I have for a few days been a little indisposed, but am better. My continuance here is not yet certain. I am in the hope of a meeting in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, dear father!-Your's dutifully, "ROBERT MORRISON."

SECTION II.

From his arrival at Canton, to his Marriage and Appointment as Translator to the East India Company's Factory.

Sept. 7, 1807, to Feb. 21, 1809.

Residence at the American Factory.-Letter to Mr. Hardcastle.-Ditto to Rev. A. Waugh.-Ditto to Mr. Wilson.-Ditto to his Relatives.-Directors' Report.-Letter to his Brother.-Ditto to Mrs. S--Ditto to Mr. Hardcastle.-Ditto to Mr. Shrubsole.-Removal from the American Factory.Conformity to Chinese habits, and subsequent opinions thereon.-Attempt to establish English worship.-Occupation of the French Factory.-Interest taken in his situation.-Sabbath services with the Chinese.-Privations and Illness.-Visit to Macao.-Extracts from Journal.-Letter to Dr. Waugh.-Letter to his Relatives.-Return to Canton, and again to Macao.-Attempt of the English to take Macao.-Extracts from Journal.-Letter to Mrs. S--Ditto to the Missionary Society.-Studies.-Prayers in Chinese.Seclusion at Macao.-Dr. Milne's Review of Morrison's situation, &c.-Mr. M.'s Marriage.-Appointment as Translator to the English Factory.-Extracts from Diary.-Letter to his Father.

MR. MORRISON's first residence at Canton was in the Old French Factory, then occupied by Messrs. Milnor and Bull, the American Super-cargoes to whom he was introduced by letters from New York. These gentlemen received him with great kindness, and immediately offered him an apartment on their premises, which, for the reasons already given in his letter to Mr. Reyner, he gratefully accepted. As an Englishman he dared not be known, and it was as an American that he remained.

The kindness with which Sir George Staunton had received Mr. M. at Macao, engaged his confidence, and laid the foundation of a close intimacy which was

only dissolved by death. Circumstances afterwards brought them much together, and frequent reference to their intercourse will be hereafter made. The following note, apprizing Sir George of his arrival at Canton, shows the prudence with which he entered on his difficult task, and is highly honourable to his surviving friend:"Sir George is most respectfully informed by R. Morrison that he has at present an apartment in the Old French Factory, Canton. If Sir George think any particular line of conduct necessary for Mr. Morrison to pursue, in order to his being permitted quietly to reside at Canton, to communicate it will be rendering Mr. M. an essential service. Mr. Morrison will wait the arrival of Sir George at Canton, before any attempt be made to procure assistance in learning the language.

"At Messrs. Milnor and Bull's,

"Old French Factory, Canton."

On his arrival, Sir George introduced Mr. M. to Mr. Roberts, the Chief of the English Factory, and obtained for him, as a teacher, Abel Yun, a Roman Catholic Chinese from Pekin. The acquisition of the language was regarded by Mr. M. as his first duty, and to this he assiduously devoted himself. Farther particulars respecting his entrance on his work may be best learned from his own letters, which will disclose at the same time his general impressions, and his religious feelings. The fullest communication is addressed to Mr. Hardcastle; it is therefore placed first, though of later date than some that follow.

"VERY DEAR SIR,

"Canton, Nov. 4, 1807.

"I have sent, addressed to you by the way of America, the following:

"I. About forty sheets folio; a journal of my

passage from New York in the Trident, to Canton, including also my journal since the time of arriving here.-II. Seventy-five letters addressed to gentlemen in the direction, my relatives and friends.-III. Three small packages containing a few curiosities. No. 1. contains the Chinese idol Kwan-yin, his throne, altar, and offering; three weapons used by the Malays, a pair of wooden sandals, &c. &c. No. 2. contains a few paintings illustrative of the idolatry of this benighted people, whose salvation you have so much at heart, &c. &c. No. 3. contains the history of China, which is designed for the Royal Society, with the Committee's permission. There is not a copy in London, at least in any of the public libraries to which I had access. I have sent the Chinese characters that Sir Joseph wished to have.

"But I hasten to mention the sum of the contents of my journal. It is this.

"At the close of ninety days from the time of leaving America, we reached Java, and in a hundred and thirteen anchored in Macao Roads. In the Indian Ocean, for thirty or forty days, we had a succession of gales of wind which wore a threatening aspect. On two occasions, the mariners conceived themselves in imminent danger. But the Lord preserved us. In passing the Straits of Sunda, I went on shore at a village inhabited by Malays, called Augier. The priests of Mohammed have here preceded (O shameful!) the missionaries of Jesus. At Augier I put a letter into the post addressed to Mr. Divie Bethune, New York, and which contained one for Mr. Cowie. At Macao, whilst the ship waited about twenty-four hours for a pilot, I called on Mr. Chalmers and Sir George Staunton. They both represented my difficulty in obtaining a residence as very great, on two or three

accounts. 1st. The Chinese; 2nd. the Portuguese clergy; and, 3rdly, the strict orders of the gentlemen of the Honourable East India Company. I came to Canton full of anxiety, labouring in vain to possess my soul in patience. On my arrival, little Chinese merchants crowded about me to know who I was, what I was, what I would buy or sell, &c. Though much distracted on various accounts, I could yet at times with much pleasure resign my person and my cause to the care of our Lord. O that evil heart of unbelief! What needless anxiety does it occasion!

"My luggage, &c., was passed without difficulty; though I was much afraid that it might excite suspicion. I took the precaution to bring up all my Chinese papers and books, relative to the language, without the knowledge of the mandarins. I obtained

House rent its measure

an apartment in the factory of Messrs. Milnor and Bull, to whom I was introduced by letters from Mr. Wolcote and Mr. Ralston Mr. Carrington, the Consul here, and the American gentlemen, have treated me in a polite and friendly manner. The Lord has inclined the hearts of those with whom I have had to do, since I left you, to show me favour. and board are extremely high, which in has served to disquiet me. I have at present two unfurnished rooms, which cost me 250 dollars. My board in the family is 400 more. I have assigned the reasons which induce me at present to live thus. In addition to this heavy expense, I have to keep a boy, at a cost of eight dollars monthly; find candles; purchase the little furniture necessary for the rooms; obtain a few Chinese books; and there is, moreover, the expense of a tutor. The Chinese with whom Europeans deal in purchasing the necessaries of life are ever watching to take every advantage. A person VOL. I.

M