Persian language, intended to be prefixed to the first edition of his Persian Grammar.*

A long list might be formed of works which he meditated at different periods. He had projected a Treatise on Maritime Contracts, and, with a view to the completion of this work, he commissioned a friend to purchase for him the Collections of Heineccius, containing the Dissertations of Stypman and Kerrick, with any other works that could be procured on the same subject. It was also his intention to re-publish Lyttleton's Treatise on Tenures, from the first edition of 1482, with a new translation, explanatory notes, and a commentary; and to prefix an Introductory Discourse on the Laws of England. He had made a considerable progress towards the completion of this work, which still exists, but not in a sufficient degree of advancement for publication.

*The reader will peruse with pleasure the following lines from the Arabic, written by Sir William Jones, in 1783, and addressed to lady Jones.

While sad suspense and chill delay

Bereave my wounded soul of rest,

New hopes, new fears, from day to day,

By turns assail my lab'ring breast.

My heart, which ardent løve consumes,
Throbs with each agonizing thought:
So flutters with entangled plumes,
The lark in wily meshes caught.

There she, with unavailing strain,
Pours, thro' the night, her warbled grief:
The gloom retires, but not her pain;
The dawn appears, but not relief.

Two younglings wait the parent bird,

Their thrilling sorrows to appease :
She comes....ah! no: the sound they heard
Was but a whisper of the breeze.

I have remarked the extraordinary avidity with which he availed himself of every opportunity to acquire knowledge; but I have omitted to mention his attendance during a course of anatomical lectures, by the celebrated Hunter, and amongst other sciences, which he diligently and successfully cultivated, I have still to mention the mathematics, in which he had advanced so far, as to read and understand Newton's Principia.

The review of the various acquisitions of Sir William Jones in science and literature, will be introduced in another place; and, having brought to a close that portion of his life which was passed in England, I must now prepare the reader to transport himself with him to Hindustan.

SIR WILLIAM JONES embarked for India in the Crocodile frigate, and in April, 1783, left his native country (to which he was never to return) with the unavailing regret and affectionate wishes of his numerous friends and admirers.

ture.

As to himself, the melancholy impressions which he could not but feel on such an occasion, were alleviated by various considerations. The expectations of five years were now accomplished in the attainment of his wishes: he anticipated the utility of his official labours to the public, and the occupation, so peculiarly delightful to him, of investigating unexplored mines of literaSir William Jones was now in his thirty-seventh year, in the full vigour of his faculties, and he looked forward with ardour to the pleasures and advantages arising from his situation in India, without any apprehension that the climate of that country would prove hostile to his constitution. A difference of opinion on great political questions, without diminishing his regard for his friends, had narrowed his habits of intercourse with some whom he sincerely esteemed; and he felt, therefore, the less regret in quitting those whose principles he wished to approve, but from whom an adherence to his own frequently compelled him to dissent. reflected with pleasure on the independency of his station; that the line of duty, which it prescribed, was straight and defined; and, in leaving his native country, for which he retained the warmest affection, he was not sorry to abandon all political cares and discussions. But his greatest consolation and enjoyment were derived from the society of Lady Jones.

He

To those who are destitute of internal resources,

whose habits have led them to seek for amusement in the miscellaneous occurrences and topics of the day only, a sea voyage is a period of fatigue, languor, and anxiety. To Sir William Jones every new scene was interesting; and his mind, exercised by incessant study and reflec tion, possessed an inexhaustible fund of subjects, which he could at pleasure select and apply to the purposes of recreation and improvement; but his application, during his voyage, was more particularly directed to those studies, by which he was to enlarge the requisite qualifications for discharging the duties of his public station, with satisfaction to himself and benefit to the community.

*The following memorandum was written by Sir William Jones during his voyage:

Objects of Enquiry during my residence in Asia.

1. The Laws of the Hindus and Mahommedans.

2. The History of the Ancient World.

3. Proofs and Illustrations of Scripture.

4. Traditions concerning the Deluge, &c.

5. Modern Politics and Geography of Hindustan.

6. Best Mode of governing Bengal.

7. Arithmetic and Geometry, and mixed Sciences of the Asiatics. 8. Medicine, Chemistry, Surgery, and Anatomy of the Indians.

9. Natural Productions of India.

10. Poetry, Rhetoric, and Morality of Asia.

11. Music of the Eastern Nations.

12. The Shi-King, or 300 Chinese Odes.

13. The best accounts of Tibet and Cashmir.

14. Trade, Manufactures, Agriculture, and Commerce of India.

15. Mogul Constitution, contained in the Defteri, Alemghiri, and Ayein Acbari.

16. Mahratta Constitution.

To print and publish the Gospel of St. Luke in Arabic.

To publish Law Tracts in Persian or Arabic.

To print and publish the Psalms of David in Persian Verse.

To compose, if God grant me life,

1. Elements of the Laws of England.

Model....The Essay on Bailment....Aristotle.

2. The History of the American War.

Model....Thucydides and Polybius.

The following short letter to Lord Ashburton, writ ten a few weeks after his embarkation, may not be un acceptable to the reader.

Sir William Jones to Lord Ashburton.

April 27, 1783.

Your kind letter found me on board the Crocodile; I should have been very unhappy had it missed me, since I have long habituated myself to set the highest value on every word you speak, and every line you write. Of the two enclosed letters to our friends, Impey and Chambers, I will take the greatest care, and will punctually follow your directions as to the first of them. My departure was sudden indeed; but the admiralty were so anxious for the sailing of this frigate, and their orders were so peremptory, that it was impossible to wait for any thing but a breeze. Our voyage has hitherto been tolerably pleasant, and, since we left the channel, very quick. We begin to see albicores about the ship, and to perceive an agreeable change of climate. Our days, though short, give me ample time for study, recreation, and exercise; but my joy and delight proceeds from the surprising health and spirits of Anna Maria, who joins me in affectionate remembrance to Lady Ashburton. As to you, my dear lord, we consider you as the spring and fountain of our happiness, as the author and parent (a Roman would have added,

3. Britain Discovered, an Heroick Poem on the Constitution of England. Machinery. Hindu Gods.