If this character of Sir William Jones be not exaggerated by the partiality of friendfhip, we fhall all apply to him his own words, "it is happy for us that this man was "born." I have borrowed the application of them from Dr. Parr: and who more competent can be found, to estimate the merit of the great scholar whom he deems worthy of this eulogium?

In the pleafing office of delineating his virtues, my regret for his lofs has been fuf

2. A hundred chiefs rule the world, but thou art an ocean, and they are mere wells; many luminaries are awake in the sky, but which of them can be cqmpared to the Sun ?

Many words are needless to inform those who know all things. The law tract of Atri, will be delivered by the hand of the footman, dispatched by your Excellence.→ Prosperity attend you!

I add a translation of two couplets in elegant Arabic, addressed by Maulavi Casim to Sir William Jones, The writer was employed by him in compiling the Mohammedan law.

Mayest thou remain with us perpetually, for thy presence is an ornament and a delight to the age!

May no unpleasant event find its way to thee; and mayest thou have no share in the vicissitudes of fortune!

pended, but will never be obliterated; and whilst I cherish with pride the recollection that he honoured me with his esteem, I cannot cease to feel and lament that the voice, to which I listened with rapture and improvement, is heard no more.

As far as happiness may be confidered dependent upon the attainment of our wishes, he poffeffed it. At the period of his death, by a prudent attention to economy, which never encroached upon his liberality, he had acquired a competency, and was in a fituation to enjoy dignity with independence. For this acquifition he was indebted to the exertion of his talents and abilities, of energies well directed, and usefully applied to the benefit of his country and mankind. He had obtained a reputation which might gratify the highest ambition: and as far as human happiness is alfo connected with expectation, he had in prospect a variety of employments, the execution of which depended only on the continuance of his health and intellectual powers. I fhall not here enlarge

upon the common topic of the vanity of human wishes, profpects, and enjoyments, which my subject naturally suggests; but if my reader should not participate that admiration which the memory of Sir William Jones excites in my mind, I muft fubmit to the mortification of having depreciated a character, which I had fondly hoped would be effectually emblazoned by its own excellence, if I did but fimply recite the talents and virtues which confpired to dignify and adorn it,

POSTSCRIPT.

THE following Epitaph, evidently intended for himself, was written by Sir William Jones, a fhort time only before his demife. It displays fome ftriking features of his character; refignation to the will of his Creator, love and good-will to mankind, and is modeftly filent upon his intellectual attainments.

AN EPITAPH.

Here was deposited,

the mortal part of a man, who feared GOD, but not death; and maintained independence,

but sought not riches;

who thought

none below him, but the base and unjust, none above him, but the wise and virtuous;

who loved

his parents, kindred, friends, country,

with an ardour

which was the chief source of

all his pleasures and all his pains:
and who, having devoted

his life to their service,
and to

the improvement of his mind,
resigned it calmly,

giving glory to his Creator,
wishing peace on earth,
and with

good-will to all creatures,

on the [Twenty-seventh] day of [April] in the year of our blessed Redeemer, One Thousand Seven Hundred [and Ninety-four].

The Court of Directors of the Eaft-India Company embraced an early opportunity of testifying their respect for the merit of Sir William Jones. By an unanimous vote of the Court, it was refolved, that a monument to his memory fhould be ordered, for the purpose of being erected in St. Paul's Cathedral, with a fuitable infcription, and that a ftatue of Sir William Jones should be prepared at the expence of the Company, and sent to Bengal with directions for its being placed in a proper fituation there.

The pofthumous honours paid to his memory by a fociety of gentlemen in Bengal,