for a conduct no lefs favourable to the cause of literature, than to the advancement of the British influence in India, by removing that reserve and distrust in the profeffors of the Braminical Faith, which had taught them to view with suspicion all attempts to investigate their code, and to apprehend the infringement of its ordinances, in our political rule. The importance of his fuccefs will be readily acknowledged by thofe, whose observation qualifies them to form a due estimate of it; and to thofe who have not had the advantages of local experience, the communication of my own may not be unfatisfactory.

The fpirit of the Mohammedan religion is adverse to every appearance of idolatry, and the conqueft of Hindustan by the Muffulmans, was profecuted with the zeal of a religious crufade. The rage of profelytifm was united with the ambition of dominion, and the fubverfion of the Hindu fuperftition was always confidered a religious obligation, the discharge of which might indeed be fufpended by political confiderations, but could

never be renounced: and, notwithstanding occafional marks of toleration in fome of the emperors of Hindustan, or their viceroys, their Hindu fubjects were ever beheld by them, in the contemptuous light of infidels and idolaters. They were of course naturally difpofed to apprehend the effects of a fimilar bigotry and intolerance in their European governors, fo widely difcriminated from themfelves in manners, language, and religion. The Bramins, too, (who had the feelings common to the bulk of the people,) deemed themfelves precluded by laws, in their opinion of facred and eternal obligation, from any development of their fecret doctrines to a race of people, who could only be ranked in the lowest of the four claffes of mankind, and to whom, with little exception, their fecrecy and reserve had hitherto proved impenetrable. To furmount thefe obftacles, to fubdue the jealoufy and prejudices of the Bramins, and to diminish the apprehenfions of the people at large, required a conduct regulated by the most liberal and equitable

principles, and the influence of personal in tercourfe and conciliation. The compilation

of a code of laws by Pundits, convened by the invitation of Mr. Haftings, the Perfian verfion of it, made under their immediate infpection, and the tranflation of the Bagvhat Geeta, a work containing all the grand myfteries of the Braminical Faith, are incontrovertible proofs of the fuccefs of his efforts, to inspire confidence in minds where distrust was habitual, while a variety of useful publications, undertaken at his fuggeftion, demonftrate the beneficial effects of his patronage and encouragement of Oriental lite

rature.

Amongst the original members of the focietý, who subscribed the address to the Governor-General and Council, propofing the institution, will be found the names of several who have distinguished themselves by their proficiency in Oriental learning; of Mr. William Chambers, whofe knowledge of the dialects on the coast of Coromandel, as well as of Perfian and Arabic literature, was critical

and extensive, and his leaft praife; of Mr. Francis Gladwyn, the author of many works calculated to affift the ftudents of the Perfian language, the translator of various Oriental manuscripts, and particularly of the institutes of Akbar, the wifeft, greatest, and most tolerant monarch, that ever fwayed the fceptre of India *; of Captain Charles Hamilton,

* The toleration of Akbar, and his curiosity to inves tigate the religious tenets of other nations, have exposed him to the charge of heresy amongst the Mohammedans in general. In a collection of his letters, published by his learned minister Ab-ul-fuzl, there is one addressed to the king of Portugal, in which he censures in the strongest terms, the slavish propensity of mankind, to adopt the religious principles of their fathers and those amongst whom they have been brought up, without evidence or investigation; he avows his own pleasure and profit, in conversing with the learned professors of different persuasions, and desires that some person of that character, conversant in the Oriental and European languages, may be sent to him. He also requests translations of the heavenly books, the Pentateuch, Psalms, and Gospels, or of any others of general utility.

In a code of instructions, specifically addressed to the officers of his empire, I find the two following passages:

"Do not molest mankind on account of their religious principles. If in the affairs of this world, which are ་་ transitory and perishable, a prudent man is guided by a "regard to his interest; still less, in spiritual concerns, "which are eternal, whilst he retains his senses, will he

who published a tranflation of the Hedaiya, a code of Mohammedan laws, which has been found of great use in the administration of justice in Bengal; and of Charles Wilkins, Efquire, the first Englishman who acquired a critical knowledge of the language of the Bramins, and who by the application of rare talents and industry, by his own perfonal exertions, invented and caft types of the Debnagree, Perfic, and Bengalese characters, in fuch perfection, that no fucceeding attempts have exhibited any improvement upon his labours. Of these names, two only furvive.

The lofs of Mr. Chambers must be

particularly lamented, by all who feel an interest in communicating a knowledge of the doc"adopt what is pernicious. If truth be on his side, do "not oppose it and molest him; but if it be with you, and "he from want of understanding should have imbibed "erroneous notions, ignorance is his malady, and he is "to be considered an object of your compassion and "assistance, not of molestation and severity. Keep on "good terms with the upright and virtuous of all per"suasions.

"The best adoration, which man in this world can pay to his Maker, is duly to administer the affairs of his ❝ creatures, discarding passion and affection, and without "distinction of friend or foe, relation or stranger."