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objects the improvement of the character, and awakening the Christian charity of his hitherto-neglected fellowcounty men and in these views he was warmly supported by the exertions and example of the Governor General. Dr. Buchanan's ardent spirit and enterprising industry were soon after enlisted in the cause. But during the whole period of his Government, Sir J. Shore could derive practical encouragement respecting Missionary prospects only from the successful labours, in another part of India, of the apostolic Swartz, whose character and services he fully appreciated. He writes to Mr. Grant in

1794

"I have often reflected upon a subject which you, Mr. Wilberforce, and every conscientious man, must have much at heart, the introduction of knowledge among the natives of this country, with a view to the dissemination of those principles which we know and believe to be the foundation of temporal and eternal welfare; without being able to determine on the mode. The difficulties to be encountered and surmounted are many. Our countrymen in general are by no means disposed to assist the plan ;-some, from indifference; others, from political considerations; and some, from motives of infidelity. Some would view the attempts without concern; others would ridicule or oppose them. You want teachers of a proper character; men who, from zeal, would be content to serve God alone, without coveting Mammon; who would wish for no riches but the rewards of piety, and a life dedicated to the propagation of truth. A mixed character will want that respectability which is of the utmost importance in giving weight to precept and instructions. If the attempt were made with the declared support and authority of government, by the aid of misrepresentations it would excite alarm. I observe also the indisposition towards the attempt in England, and how much the sentiments and propositions of Mr. Wilberforce were misconstrued. I cannot say all that occurs to me on this subject; but, considering all things, and the necessity of accommodating the plan to the objections made to it, I think the proposition should be for the Company to erect chapels at Patna, Dacca, and Moorshedabad, and at the military stations of Bishampoor and Bankipoor, for the use and edification of Christians;-that the Chaplains should be appointed at the recommendation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, with salaries not exceeding 150 Rs. per month. Upon this foundation, to which no objection but the expense can be made-and that ought not to be mentioned-the plan of instruction

may be raised; and zeal and moderation in the Chaplains will ensure success.'

"To Mr. Wilberforce he writes:'No man can form a judgment of the natives of this country, or of the Europeans here, who has not visited it-an observation necessary to be attended to in reading my suggestions to Mr. Grant, who, I think, will see the propriety of them. The company expect principle and honesty in their servants, without endeavouring to establish the foundation of them. Why do not they direct churches to be erected?

"Infidelity is too prevalent in Bengal; and I make it a point, therefore, to avow my principles; which I trust are sufficiently supported by my practice, in the hopes that my example may have an effect upon those who follow example alone: nor do I ever withhold advice or encouragement, when I think it will be beneficial. We want a good preacher in Calcutta.'

"It appears, from a published letter of the Rev. David Brown, that Sir J. Shore adopted immediate measures for carrying into effect arrangements for supplying the military stations with churches and chaplains; whilst the opening of Divine Service in the Fort produced, among other very beneficial results, the greatly-improved attention of the British to the observance of Public Worship, and increased regard for the Sacred Day."

"To Mr. Bensley he writes in 1794: -'Five nights out of six I am without sleep; and rise in the morning with a languor and debility which I cannot describe-my body enervated, my head confused, and all my faculties stupefied. But business never stops; and in these circumstances I am obliged to decide upon points of the greatest importance, which do not admit of delay. The Governor-General of India ought to be of a better temperament.

"In the common occurrences of the Government I do not feel much difficulty; and if I could be satisfied with a languid discharge of official duty, I might get through it, perhaps, for two years more. But to preserve the British Empire in India-to render improvement progressive-to guard against events that may shake or disarrange our system— foresight, deliberation, reflection, and combination, are necessary; and in these points I feel the want of those powers which have yielded to the impression of the climate. My friends sometimes flatter me, by saying, “Business is kept up; and things go on well." Nothing, I hope, has occurred of material neglect or detriment; but they do not see or feel as I do. To do that, they must be in my situation. A man who holds an office

thinks, if he receives answers to his public applications, or resolutions upon them, regularly, that all goes well-judging from the limited occurrences of his own business only. My views extend further, whilst I feel the want of powers to embrace the objects of them.

"For these reasons, if Lord Hobart should arrive with a provisional appointment to succeed me-without some great alteration in my health which will justify hopes of enjoying a greater portion of it during the next year I mean to embark for England in some of the returning ships of next season: otherwise, certainly not, unless my health should prove an absolute disqualification.'

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"At the close of 1795, Sir J. Shore enjoyed the happiness of receiving Lady Shore and his daughter in safety. And he had also the gratification of hearing of the final appointment of Lord Hobart to the government of Madras, coupled with the provisional succession to the Supreme Government; which would relieve his mind from anxiety, should his own resignation be rendered necessary by the state of his health."

"To Sir F. Baring he writes in 1795:'I see, with a concern I cannot express, the probable duration of war: and if the French should be able to resist the combination against them, I fear that peace must be made on bad terms. The most gloomy apprehensions, and more than I am able to state, often occur to me. Is the zeal in England stimulated by the barbarities in France, or by conviction of the blessings of our own Constitution? In one

case,

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it is liable to be shaken by a thousand accidents, and must necessarily grow cold in the other, with prudence, it may hold out. Yet it appears to me that the Constitution of England was something like mine before Lady Shore's arrival, under the pressure of a constant weight; which, though it might not always be felt, never ceased its operation. I dread the activity of the discontented and the After all, experience, reflection, history, and observation, all conspire to augment my veneration and regard for a Constitution, under which I can think, live, and act as I please, whilst I offend not the laws of others. My property is safe, and my person secure ; and sooner than run the risk of a subversion of this system, I would willingly and cheerfully contribute half my fortune to general relief, by the payment of a proportion of the grand incumbrance-the national debt. The evils complained of, if duly traced, will be found to result from the excellence of our Constitution. To that, the opulence of the country is owing; and opulence has brought her usual train of evils-dissipation, extrava

gance, and dependence, and a want of public virtue. Our defects are in our morals, not in our laws. Mind the former; and the latter will be found sufficient for public and private happiness.'

"To Mr. Grant he writes:-' Your reflections on the state of public affairs are too interesting to me not to merit my attention and best thanks. I own that I am sometimes tempted to look with an eye of despondency towards Europe. The sense of danger is fortunately alarmed; and prudence, under Providence, may save my country from dangers which cannot be apprehended without melancholy. But, without an alteration in morals and manners, the day of reckoning will be inevitable, whether or not in my time. Whilst we start with horror from the miseries which destroy the vitals of France, we ought to search well into the causes of them, and probe ourselves, to see whether they exist in any, and in what degree, among ourselves. If the conduct of the nobility in that distracted nation had not thrown down the barrier of respect with which they were regarded-if they had not restrained the powers of benevolence by profusion, and lost the public esteem by levity and dissipation-if they had not made the inequality of fortune more grating by the abuse of opulence and power-and if the clergy had not exposed themselves to ridicule, by their folly, their ignorance, and their immorality-we should never have seen that subversion of society which has taken place. Some alteration in the Constitution of France might have happened, but it would not have proceeded to the lengths of desolation and extermination. I know that in England things are very different; that the law is the measure of authority, and that the law is equal; that the clergy are better informed, and their flocks better instructed; that the principles of religion, however adopted, are generally known among us; that the feudal authority of the nobility in France is not known among us; that there is a due gradation in the ranks of society which connects the extremes, without exhibiting them in perpetual contrast ; that the middle order of society in England is respectable; and that property is more equally diffused than it was in France. Every man who reflects must, moreover, see that the opulence of the kingdom is the result of that liberty and security which the Constitution affords us ; and all history shews us that the sum of happiness is as great in England as in any country in the world. But whilst we feel the value of our Constitution whilst we regard it as a citadel which ought not to be surrendered

whilst we have life to defend it-let us be careful to strengthen the defences which surround it, by amending ourselves. Let those whom situation, rank, and fortune, have exalted to be examples to the community, exhibit proper examples-let them shew their respect for Religion and Morality by their attention to the duties and practice of both-let them cultivate the public esteem by the decency and propriety of their conduct, and conciliate affection by benevolence. Instead of proposing innovations in the Constitution, which may degrade them to the lowest condition, let them study to improve themselves. It is an old observation, that "Laws without Morals are of little avail." The importance of the personal conduct of individuals to the security of the Constitution is much greater than people in general are aware of; and the influence of virtue is the best possible restraint upon the disorders of society. A general good example will do more to check that licentiousness, which is the source of discontent and disorder, than all the penalties of law. Virtue and true Religion have a native dignity, which imposes awe while it attracts love.""

"The firmness of Sir J. Shore's determination, in conformity to legislative restrictions and his own mature judgment, to abstain, except defensively, from interference with the domestic or international affairs of the Indian States, was put to the test on some important occasions. The year 1794, distinguished by the deaths of several native potentates, might have been regarded fortunate by our rulers at an earlier period of Indian history. But Nabob-making, as the Governor-General observes, had ceased to be a profitable trade. He had no disposition to turn it to private account; nor did he deem it desirable, on public grounds.

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"To Mr. Blackburn he writes in 1795 In India, all is prosperous. Our trade, our finances, our politics, all go on well. The population and cultivation of the country improve and if it please Providence to grant me health, and to withhold its more awful visitations, I have a confidence that I shall leave this country in a state of prosperity equal to that in which it devolved upon me.'

"To Mr. Inglis he says:-' When we were in Bengal, the business was transacted between the hours of nine

and two. At present the interval of occupation, in almost every department is between seven and four; and I doubt if there is more regularity in any Government in the world and I will venture to say there is as little

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peculation, or sinister emoluments. this respect, the reform is not only considerable, but visible. Our present system is an effectual war to those intrigues which affected the commerce, the revenues, and every branch of the public administration. A dishonest Government, however, in one year might undo the labours of the last eight years.'

"When I consider myself the Ruler of twenty-five millions of people-the controller of events which involve the interests of my own nation as of the subjects of this Government-I tremble at the greatness of the charge. I want, and hope I ever shall want, the callous insensibility of those politicians, who can distinguish between public and private happiness, and care not who are miserable, if their plan succeeds. consider every native of India, whatever his situation may be, as having a claim upon me; and that I have not a right to dedicate an hour to amusement further than as it is conducive to health, and so far to the despatch of business. I look forward to the time when I must render an account of my commissions, as well as omissions.'

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"To Mr. Grant he writes :-' Brothers is a blasphemous maniac, and may be the tool of a faction: but what shall I say of Halhed, who has lived his whole life as if he thought there was no God? I should have supposed Halhed the first person in the world to ridicule Brothers. He is now so far advanced in insanity, that a lucid interval would shew his folly in a glaring light; and reflection, I fear, would re-plunge him in madness.

"Lady Shore continues well; and Charlotte has a fund of spirits not to be tamed. Her mother is her schoolmistress, and Miss improves much. I may say with great truth, that she knows more of her Bible than ninetenths of the people in Calcutta. Mr. Brown's appointment of Chaplain to the Presidency has had most beneficial effects.'

"To Mr. Wilberforce he writes in Oct. 1795: Of the public business of this country, if you are further interested in it than to know that it goes on quietly and prosperously, Mr. Grant will give you all information. I have now held the Government nearly two years, without losing my surprise at finding myself in possession of it; and I flatter myself that I have not deviated from those principles which I brought with me into it; for that indeed would lead to a consequence more serious to me than the deprivation of my station-the forfeiture of your good opinion. Yet I will freely confess to

you, that a rigid adherence to the principles of moral honesty, taking them in their true but extended sense, is very difficult for a Governor-General ; and that they are exposed to relaxation by appeals to humanity and friendship, and occasionally from the expediency of accommodation. It has ever been a fixed maxim with me, that honesty, in all transactions, is the best policy; or, in other words, that nothing morally wrong can be politically right or advantageous-e. g. the Slave Trade.

"When I reflect upon the conduct of my earlier years in India, and the little attention then paid by me to subjects of eternal concern, I feel sensations of regret and gratitude which I cannot express. My principles, I trust, were never vitiated; and, in the chastisements which I have suffered, I see the benevolent interposition of an Almighty God, to recall me from sinful indulgences. To learn His will, and to practise it, for some years has been my study; and I am obliged equally to lament my former negligences and the importunities of my public station, which leave me too little time for meditation, and embarrass the moments which I devote to it. The confession is conviction : for what ought to precede our duty to our Creator? In my weakness, I must hope for excuse ; in His mercy, for pardon; in His grace, for support and assistance.

66.6

My sentiments, on some points, may differ from yours; but I think too humbly of myself to be arrogant in my opinion. My prayer to God is, to know His will, and to follow it.

"I am sorry to add, that our Clergy in Bengal, with some exceptions, are not very respectable characters. Their situation indeed is arduous, considering the general relaxation of morals; and from which a black coat is no security. Mr. Brown, whose name you must often have heard from Mr. Grant, is an exception. His piety is sound; his conduct exemplary and assiduous; and his ministry and example have done important good to the society here.'

"Various important subjects now occupied the anxious attention of the Government :-defensive measures against Tippoo on one side, and against Zemaun Shah of Lahore on the other; war with the Dutch and the French; the misgovernment of Oude; vexatious controversies with the Madras Presidency; and, above all, the alarming insubordination of a portion of the army.

"He writes to Mr. Grant in 1796 :'I have always endeavoured to make my superiors as well informed of the state of affairs as myself; but it has

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been my particular study to point out the principles of my conduct. Whenever your Governors in India act from discretion, according to temporary emergencies, your safety will become precarious; and whatever partial inconvenience may result from adherence to fixed principles of policy-and they will occur -the remedy will be found in perseverance. No man can calculate the consequence of a violation of a moral principle; and there is some justness in your suspicion, that the inveteracy of the Rhohillas may be traced to the injustice of 1774. Our reputation for justice and good faith stands high in India; and if I were disposed to depart from them, I could form alliances which would shake the Mahratta Empire to its very foundations. I will rather trust the permanency of our dominion to a perseverance in true principles; which must always command respect, even from those who from personal interests would wish a departure from them. Would the Mahrattas and the Nizam, so jealous of our power, have united with us againt Tippoo, if they had not a confidence in us? Certainly not. Never was there a wiser prohibition than that contained in the statutes against the prosecution of the wars of ambition.'

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"To the same he says in 1797 :

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In reverting to the public transactions during my administration, including national politics as well as domestic dissatisfaction, it has been rather a turbulent scene. I am not conscious that I ever felt intimidated, or incapable of forming decisive resolutions when they were required. Relying upon Providence, and constantly invoking its protection, I have gone on with confidence in my principles, with doubt as to my judgment, and with submission to the event, as the dispensation of the Almighty. Yet my mind has not always preserved an equal tenour. have been dispirited by disease, occasionally overwhelmed by the climate, and fluctuating in decision. But I thank my God, with heartfelt gratitude, that he has given me grace to look up to Him! and the portion of my gratitude is doubled, when I look back to the dangers which I have escaped. Without these sentiments, in my state of health, I should indeed have been a most miserable wretch-a prey to disease, anxiety, and misery-without hope, without confidence; and I must have sunk into despair. And, above all, I look back to the hours of indisposition as some of the happiest occurrences of my life-as the mild chastisements of a Being of infinite benevo

lence-as opportunities for reflectionand as admonitions to persevere and improve in the religious culture of my mind. May my gratitude for these blessings never cease!'

"In 1797 the Governor-General visited Oude. His object was the reform of the inveterate corruptions of the Vizier's administration.

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"He writes to Lady Shore on this journey The Nabob and myself visit daily, and are in the best humour imaginable with each other. His disposition is naturally good, but irritated by bad advisers, mean associates, and absolute power; which, however, he does not exercise cruelly. He promotes rather than performs bad actions. A few years ago, an Englishman, for his Excellency's amusement, introduced the elegant European diversion of a race in sacks by old women: the Nabob was delighted beyond measure, and declared that although he had spent a crore of rupees, or a million sterling, in procuring entertainment, he had never found one so pleasing to him. So much for the amusements of Sovereignty! Every evening, almost, he stupifies himself with opium; the effects of which are often felt in the morning, in sickness, vomiting, languor, and dejection of spirits.*

"This day I had a private audience with the Nabob. from which we separated both much pleased. I have, however, refused a fortune for you and your younger children. Notwithstanding he was repeatedly told that I would accept nothing, he had prepared five lacs of rupees and eight thousand gold mohurs for me; of which I was to have four lacs, my attendants one, and your Lady ship the gold. My answer to his Excellency was this :-That a barleycorn from him was equal in my sight to a million; but that I could not but express my concern that he and his people were so ignorant of our customs, and of my character, to make such an offer, which I peremptorily declined.

"Having written thus far, I retired to my room, and, with a devotion I was happy to feel, poured forth my confessions and supplications to the Almighty, imploring His pardon for my offences, grace to be sensible of His mercy to me, His assistance as well in my temporal as spiritual concerns, and His protection

* Lord Teignmouth entertained an insuperable aversion to the use of opium. He could not be induced to take it, even medicinally; and in his last illness, his physician was obliged, when administering it to him, to disguise it, so that he could not detect it. The Nabob died that very year, the victim of his excesses.

CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 67.

upon you and my dear babes. I find my mind easier for the performance of this duty. How little are my performances, in comparison of what they ought to be! I think God knows that He is in my heart, and that I have not forgotten Him. As trust in His providence is my support, in Him I put my reliance.

"I shall certainly remain here time enough to hear of your arrival in Calcutta. Such a scene of folly and contradictions I never witnessed; but I wade through it quietly, steadily, and with a temperance I hardly thought myself master of.""

"To Mr. Grant he writes in 1797 :-'I have seen Mr. Buchanan, whom I like much. His conduct during the voyage was highly meritorious, and introduced him into Bengal with the applause of his shipmates. Much of his time was devoted to the instruction of the young men. He is now hesitating whether or not to settle in Calcutta ; and I am waiting to learn his determination from our friend Brown. I cannot mention his name without adding my respect and esteem for him. If, upon full consideration of circumstances, Mr. Buchanan should decide upon residing in Calcutta, I shall take upon myself to provide a proper footing for him.'

"In 1796 the Governor-General fitted out an expedition against the Spanish Islands; which derives some importance from the circumstance of its having been placed under the conduct of the future hero of his age, the Duke of Wellington, then the Hon. Colonel Wesley, who had arrived in India some time previous, in command of the 33d regiment. Amongst other letters of introduction to Sir John Shore, of which the gallant officer was the bearer, was one expressing, in brief, soldier-like terms, the opinion of his merits entertained by the Colonel of his regiment :

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Marquess Cornwallis to Sir J. Shore. 'Whitehall, June 10, 1796. 'Dear Sir, I beg leave to introduce to you Colonel Wesley, who is Lieut.Colonel of my regiment: he is a sensible man, and a good officer; and will, I have no doubt, conduct himself in a manner to merit your approbation.—I am, with great regard, Dear, Sir,

'Most faithfully yours.' "On his first interview with Colonel Wesley at his Levee, Sir J. Shore evinced his characteristic prompt discernment of character. Turning quickly round to his aides-de-camp, as the young soldier retired, he remarked, with prophetic sagacity, 'If Colonel Wesley should ever have the opportunity of distinguishing himself, he will do it, and greatly.' One of those to whom these expressions were addressed did not return to England till

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