my dear father. Alas! I too often forget you in my feeble petitions. That I may be a good missionary is still my highest ambition. Grace be with you. I do not anticipate a meeting till our Lord brings us home. Farewell! my dear father! Again farewell. I remain your dutiful and affectionate son,

"ROBERT MORRISON."

SECTION III

From his Appointment as Chinese Translator, to the arrival of the Rev. W. Milne, at Macao.

1809-1813.

Peculiarity of Mr. M.'s situation.-Remarks on the Civil Appointment.-Extract from Milne's Retrospect.-Letter from the Directors to Mr. Morrison. Missionary Society's Report for 1810.-Extracts from Mr. Morrison's Letters to the Directors.-Extracts from Journal.-Extract from a Letter to Mr. Morrison's Mother-in-law.-Extracts from Letters to a Correspondent in New York.-Letter to Mr. Shrubsole.-Divers Extracts from Letters to Private Friends.-Extracts from Milne's Retrospect.-Continuation of the Ill-health of Mrs. Morrison.-Extract from a Letter to a Friend, relative to Mr. Morrison's Chinese studies.-Dangers to which Mr. Morrison was exposed.-Death of Mr. Morrison's Child.-—Its Interment.-Progress of Mr. Morrison's Missionary Studies.-His Chinese Translations.-Printing of the Chinese Grammar.-Letter from Sir George T. Staunton, Bart., to Mr. Morrison.-Extracts from Private Correspondence.-Official Letter from the Directors. Mr. Morrison's Reply.-Report of the Directors for 1811.

Ar the period to which this narrative has now come, Mr. Morrison had prepared a Chinese Vocabulary, and made considerable progress with his Grammar and Dictionary; besides the attention he had given to the Translation of the New Testament, which was also considerably advanced. He had succeeded in obtaining a number of Chinese works, and with the aid of his tutor had rendered himself familiar with large portions of them. His knowledge of the language was rapidly increasing, in proportion as the character of the Chinese became developed to his comprehension. He soon discovered that the only way in which it was possible to benefit them, was through the medium of

the press, and that the only security for his continuance in a post of such vast importance was, his friendly connexion with the English residents. These were the principal considerations which decided his mind as to the path of duty he was bound to follow. He left his decision, however, subject to the opinions and instructions of the Society by which he had been sent out. Speaking of the peculiarities of his situation, in a letter to Dr. Waugh, written about the time of the disturbances at Canton in 1808, he thus expresses himself:

"An expedition for the purpose of garrisoning Macao, which lately arrived, has given the Chinese great offence, and caused a stoppage of trade, and of all friendly intercourse betwixt Chinese and foreigners. About ten days ago there existed the utmost alarm in Canton, from a report that hostilities were about to commence at Macao. At that time there was an almost entire desertion of Canton by the English. I also found it necessary to quit in the utmost haste. Captain Montague, of the Warley, politely took me on board of his vessel at Whampoa. I do not enter into a detail of my difficulties on that occasion. Yong Sam stood faithfully by me and aided me. It has pleased the Lord to dispose his heart to manifest a friendly disposition since my arrival here. I have however to supply him sometimes with money. Sam has now the charge of all my books, both European and Chinese. He will endeavour to carry them for me to Macao, whither I think of going to seek a quiet residence. Not a Chinese dares to come near me, Sam excepted; he sometimes ventures.

"The character of the Chinese is naturally inquisitive, suspicious, and talkative. They, with whom foreigners have intercourse, now know me generally, and are

every day speaking about me; some of them against me, to gentlemen who are friendly enough to let me know what is passing. My crime is, wishing to learn the language. One said a few days ago, that I was a great fool for coming here, and since I did not wish to trade, I had better go elsewhere.

"A Portuguese clergyman, who acted as translator in the late negotiations, has brought upon himself the odium of the Chinese to an uncommon degree; even so far, report says, as to threaten his life.

"This shrewd and discerning people are absurd and unreasonable enough to consider it criminal for foreigners to know their language, or possess their books; and still more to have the books of foreigners in their own possession. The expedition has increased their restrictions in a tenfold degree, both here and at Macao.

"I am under considerable apprehension for the loss of my books, which have been obtained at much labour and expense. However, I look to the Lord Jehovah, who does all things well, whose I humbly trust I am, and whom I serve.

"December 9th, Macao.-I came down hither at the close of October, bringing with me only my clothes and a few Greek and Hebrew books to study the Scriptures till I could obtain my Chinese Dictionaries. On my arrival I waited on the Governor and Judge, according to custom, and happily met with no objection to my stay at present. The landlord of my house, and his clerk, have shown a disposition to be troublesome. I have had to pay him a year's rent beforehand, according to the usage of this place, which has quieted him for the present. The affair of the expedition is not yet settled. Opposition is carried to a high pitch by the Chinese. We are

threatened with immediate hostilities if the troops be not withdrawn. To-morrow our provisions are to be stopped, and all Chinese domestics to leave the service of foreigners. I rather think the English will give up the contest and go away, with, alas, a great deal of loss and disgrace. Sam left me early this morning. He went up to Canton eight or ten days ago, to bring down my European books and apparatus, but found it impossible to get them away."

Finding it impossible to preach to the Chinese, or gain access to them by ordinary means, and seeing that his residence in the empire could only be secured by his acceptance of the civil office that was proposed to him; at the same time aware that the Chinese are a reading people, upon whose Pagan prejudices some impression might be made by the press, and that the office of translator, whilst it might in some respects prevent his attention to pursuits directly missionary, would greatly assist the attainment of an accurate and extensive acquaintance with the language; and anxious besides to render the mission less burdensome, in a pecuniary point of view, to the society that originated it, Mr. Morrison accepted the appointment of Chinese Secretary and Translator to the British Factory in China. In adopting this decision he had the full concurrence of the Directors of the Missionary Society; and whilst, in after years, he spoke of it as a hindrance to spiritual duties, and sometimes wished that he were wholly free from it, he always viewed it as having afforded him facilities in reference to the language which he could not otherwise have enjoyed, and as having secured his continuance, when under any other circumstances he must have withdrawn. It may therefore be fairly concluded, that his translation of the Holy Scriptures, if not accelerated, was greatly benefited by this step,