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with me, perhaps, that Sir William Jones had not rigidly adhered to the determination which he expressed, not to employ his leisure in translating more of the works of Calidas.

In December 1789, the author of these memoirs was compelled, by the reiterated attacks of severe indisposition, to leave India. For an account of the occupations of Sir William Jones, from that period to his return, I refer to his correspondence, begin ning with a letter from Count Reviczki*; the reader will see with pleasure, that the mutual regard professed by the two friends had suffered no abatement from time or separation.

London, June 30, 1789.

By the Vestal frigate, which was to convey Lord Cathcart to China, I wrote an answer to your elegant Persian letter, which I received through Mr. Elmsley. It was a most agreeable proof to me, that I was still honoured with a place in your remembrance, notwithstanding the distance which separates us. I have since learned, that Colonel Cathcart died on the voyage; and as the Vestal, in consequence of this event, returned to England, I am not without apprehension, that my letter never reached you. I have since received a most superb 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 at skilful penman, if I may be allowed to judge; for I have so long neglected the cultivation of Orien* Appendix, No. 38.

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tal literature, that I am almost as much a stranger to it, as if I had never learned it. I have never yet elegant a specimen of Oriental typography, as that in the Persian poem with which you favoured me.

I cannot express how much I regret the loss of your society during my residence in London. which would have afforded me so much gratification; and I doubt if I shall have an opportunity of enjoying it after your return, as I must soon enter upon the new office conferred upon me by the emperor, of minister at Naples. But whatever my destination may be, of this you may be assured, that neither absence nor distance will ever weaken my attachment to you, and that during life I shall consider myself equally bound by gratitude and inclination to preserve it. I am, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

Count REVICZKĮ.

Sir WILLIAM JONES to Dr. PRICE. MY DEAR SIR;

Chrishna-nagur, Sept. 14, 1790.

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

We have twenty millions (I speak with good information) of Indian subjects, whose laws I am now compiling and arranging, in the hope of securing their property to themselves and their heirs. They are pleased with the work; but it makes me

a very bad correspondent. 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 humble cottage in Middlesex ; 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.

Chrishna-nagur, Oct. 11, 1790.

Though I am, for the best of reasons, the

worst of correspondents, yet I will no longer delay to thank

you for your friendly letter of the fourth of February, and for your kind attentions to Colonel Polier. You have a much better correspondent in Mr. Langlas, whose patriotism, I hope, will succeed, and whose Persian literature will be a source 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 request 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, disheartens me whenever I take up a pen.

Sir William Jones to William Shipley, Esq.
DEAR SIR;
Chrishna-nagur, Oct. 11, 1790.

The ships which brought your kind letters, arrived so near the end of my short vacation, that I have but just time to thank you for them, as I do most heartily, as well as for your acceptable presents. Anna Maria has recovered

from

from the pang which the sad intelligence from England gave her, and a pious resignation has succeeded 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 possible 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 seek!—It is now settled here, that the natives are proprietors of their land, and that it shall descend by their own laws. I am engaged in superintending a complete system of Indian laws: but the work is vast, difficult, and delicate; it occupies all my leisure, and makes me the worst of correspondents. I trust, however, that long letters are not necessary to convince you, that I am, &c.

Sir WILLIAM JONES to Mrs. SLOPER*.

Chrishna-nagur, Oct. 13, 1790.

I deserve no thanks for the attentions which it is both my duty and my delight to shew our beloved Anna; but you deserve, and I beg you to accept my warmest thanks for your entertaining letter, for your, frequent kind remembrance of me, and for your acceptable present of a snuff-box in the most elegant taste. All that you write concerning our friends, is highly interesting to me; and all pleasing, except the contents of your last page; but the most agreeable part of *Sister to Lady Jones, and married to William-Charles Sloper, Esq.

T

your

your letter is the hope which you express, that the Bath waters would restore you to health and it gives me infinite pleasure to know, that your hope has been realized. Anna will give you a full account of herself, and will mention some of the many reasons, that make me a bad correspondent. I thank you for Erskine's speech, but I was myself an advocate so long, that I never mind what advocates say, but what they prove; and I can only examine proofs in causes brought before me. I knew you would receive with your usual goodnature, my saucy jests about your hand-writing, but hope you will write to me as you write to Anna; for you know, the more any character resembles pot-hooks, &c. the better I can read it. My love to Amelia, and to all whom you love, which would give them a claim, if they had no other, to the affection of, My dear Madam,

Your ever faithful, WILLIAM JONES.

Sir William Jones to Sir J. Macpherson, Bart. Chrishna-nagur, Oct. 15, 1790.

I give you hearty thanks for your postscript, which (as you enjoin secrecy) I will only allude to ambiguously, lest this letter should fall into other hands than yours. Be assured, that what I am going to say,, does not proceed from an imperfect sense of your kindness, but really I want no addition to my fortune, which is enough for me; and if the whole legislature of Britain were to offer me a different station from that which I now fill, should most gratefully and respectfully

decline

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