moirs was compelled, by the reiterated attacks of fevere indifpofition, to leave India. For an account of the occupations of Sir William Jones, from that period to his return, I refer to his correspondence, beginning with a letter from Count Reviczki*; the reader will fee with pleasure, that the mutual regard profeffed by the two friends had suffered no abatement from time or feparation.

convey

London, June 30, 1789.

By the Veftal frigate, which was to

Lord Cathcart to China, I wrote an answer to your elegant Perfian letter, which I received through Mr. Elmsley. It was a moft agreeable proof to me, that I was ftill honoured with a place in your remembrance, notwithstanding the diftance which feparates us. I have fince learned, that Colonel Cathcart died on the voyage; and as the Veftal, in confequence of this event, returned to England, I am not without apprehension, that my letter never reached you. I have fince received

Appendix, No. 38,

a most fuperb work printed at Calcutta, and which would do honour to the first printingoffice in Europe, accompanied with an elegant and obliging letter. I recognized in it the hand of a skilful penman, if I may be allowed to judge; for I have so long neglected the cultivation of Oriental literature, that I am almost as much a stranger to it, as if I had never learned it. I have never yet feen fo elegant a specimen of Oriental typography, as that in the Perfian poem with which you favoured

me.

I cannot exprefs how much I regret the lofs of your fociety during my refidence in London, which would have afforded me fo much gratification; and I doubt if I fhall have an opportunity of enjoying it after your return, as I must foon enter upon the new office conferred upon me by the emperor, of minifter at Naples. But whatever

my deftination

may

be, of this you may be affured, that neither abfence nor diftance will ever weaken my at

tachment to you, and that during life I fhall

confider myself equally bound by gratitude and inclination to preferve it.

I give you my warmeft thanks for your friendly letter, and acceptable prefent. of an admirable discourse, which I have read with great delight.

We

have twenty millions (I speak with good information) of Indian fubjects, whose laws I am now compiling and arranging, in the hope of fecuring their property to themselves and their heirs. They are pleased with the work; but it makes me a very bad correfpondent. I had flattered myself with a hope of making a visit to our venerable friend at Philadelphia, before the retreat which I meditate to my hum

ble cottage in Middlefex; but God's will be done. We shall meet, I devoutly hope, in a happier state.

To the Rev. Dr. Ford, Principal of Magdalen Hall, Oxford.

Crishna-nagur, O. 11, 1790.

Though I am for the best of reasons the worft of correspondents, yet I will no longer delay to thank you for your friendly letter of the fourth of February, and for your kind at

tentions to Colonel Polier. You have a much better correfpondent in Mr. Langlas, whofe patriotism, I hope, will fucceed, and whose Perfian literature will be a fource of delight to him, if not to the public. Mr. Wehl's favour never reached me, or I would have answered it immediately, and I requeft you to inform him of my disappointment. The chances are about three to one against your receiving this; and the fear of writing for the sport of winds and waves, difheartens me whenever I take up a pen.

Sir William Jones to William Shipley, Efq.

DEAR SIR,

Crishna-nagur, Oct. 11, 1790.

The fhips which brought your kind letters arrived fo near the end of my fhort vacation, that I have but just time to thank you for them, as I do moft heartily, as well as for your acceptable prefents. Anna Maria has recovered from the pang which the fad intelligence from England gave her, and a pious refignation has fucceeded to her natural anguish. You are I hope quite recovered from your illness, and again promoting the welfare and convenience of mankind, by your judicious exertions and ingenious inventions, to which all poffible attention shall be shewn in this country. May you very long enjoy the pleasure of doing good, which is, I well know, the only reward you feek! It is now settled here, that the natives are proprietors of their land, and • that it fhall defcend by their own laws. I