turned his mind. The origin of this publication is thus modestly stated in the preface:

"The present pamphlet owes its origin to a friend. Aware of my attachment to critical literature, he put into my hands, about the commencement of December last, the Asiatic Journal, containing the critique on the Oriental Versions of the Scriptures,' accompanied by a request that I would freely and impartially state my opinion on the subject. I accordingly sat down to its perusal, and was struck with the bitter spirit which it betrayed, and the manifest inconsistencies which every where appeared. This naturally aroused my suspicions of the accuracy of the writer's statements, and the truth of the assertions which he so confidently made. I therefore made notes of every thing which appeared inaccurate or unfounded, in order to assist me in my proposed communication. In the mean while, however, having accidentally met my friend, I expressed my conviction of the untenable nature of the charges against the Mahratta version, and read a few observations in support of my statement. Encouraged by his approbation, and that of another friend who was present, and in compliance with their united request to make public the facts of the case, I threw my remarks into their present form. The result of this examination is now before the reader; from which he will perceive the utter falsehood of the accusation, and the consequent accuracy of the Mahratta version. Never was there, perhaps, a case of more complete failure. Every charge has melted away before the rays of truth; and nothing remains apparent but the gross errors and misrepresentations of the accuser.

"In pursuing the investigation, I have strictly adhered to the rule of advancing nothing without the best possible evidence. While this has had the necessary effect of extending the limits of the discussion, it has obviously rendered it more satisfactory. Instead of unsupported assertions, the reader is presented with the most irrefragable testimony; and is left to deduce his conclusions, not from my bare affirmations, but from indisputable facts. The subject is therefore placed on a basis wholly independent of the writer, and which is as immutable as truth itself. The only apparent exception is the translations from the Mahratta; but even in this case the interlinear versions supply the very best evidence of which they are capable. From the adoption of this mode, even the mere English reader may fully satisfy himself of their accuracy, by carefully comparing the places where the same word occurs, and marking the sense in which it is translated. Thus in the first verse of the first chapter of St. John, (see p. 26,) the term 'the word' occurs thrice, the word 'was' twice, and the word 'God' twice; and as these are in every case the same, no possible doubt can be entertained of the correctness of the version. And here I would entreat the English reader not to be alarmed at the strangeness and variety of the characters employed, nor hence conclude that it must necessarily be unintelligible to him. I may safely assert, from having already submitted it to persons of this description, that a careful perusal of the proofs and illustrations adduced, with the necessary explanations given in English, is alone sufficient to produce a full comprehension of the subject, and to enable the reader to arrive at a just conclusion."

Of this publication, an analytical notice appeared in the Asiatic Journal for April, 1830, which, though marked by extreme caution and tolerable fairness, betrayed a feeling of displeased surprise at the philological knowledge displayed by Mr. Greenfield. "To attempt a criticism of this pamphlet," says the writer, "is, we candidly confess, totally beyond our

limited powers, and surpasses the ability of the most learned of our coadju tors. It is a complete polyglott. In the space of seventy-eight pages, the extent of the pamphlet, we have quotations from no less than twenty-two different languages. To say nothing of such vulgar tongues as French, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Saxon, Teutonic, Latin, and Greek, the following are exhibited in their respective characters :-Chinese, Tamul, Teloogoo, Sanscrit, Canarese, Malayan, Bengalee, Mahratta, Arabic, Persian, Syriac, Ethiopic, Coptic, and Hebrew. We are bound to presume that it is not a mere compositor's knowledge of these various languages, to which Mr. Greenfield lays claim, but a critical acquaintance with each of them—for, otherwise, to quote them as he has done, is more than empty parade-and we therefore shrink with a kind of awe from disputing a single dogma from such a comprehensive scholar." It may be remarked as a little singular, that the language last mentioned in the above enumeration, should be the one which Mr. Greenfield first mastered, and his familiar acquaintance with which, doubtless, facilitated his acquiring a knowledge of the cognate Oriental languages. Whether his was a mere compositor's knowledge of any of them, was to be ascertained from his application of that knowledge; and it is observable, that, with all his suspicions awake, the critic was unable to catch him tripping in any one instance. Mr. Greenfield's "comprehensive scholarship" was, however, to be tested by no friendly process. In the Asiatic Journal for March, 1831, Lieut.-Col. Vans Kennedy, the author of the Mahratta Dictionary, avowed himself the author of the malignant attack upon the Serampore Mahratta Version, which had drawn forth Mr. Greenfield's polyglott defence; and, nettled at his criticisms, the Colonel charged him with having undertaken "a task for which he was by no means qualified." Mr. Greenfield took up the gauntlet thus thrown down, and, in the Number of the same journal for October, 1831, triumphantly turned back upon his opponent the charge of incompetency, convicting him of the grossest blunders, and shewing that the only error into which he himself had fallen, he had been led into by Vans Kennedy's own Dictionary. The Colonel having given, as a further proof of the unintelligibleness of the Serampore Version, an example from Rom. v. 18, with a pretended literal translation, Mr. Greenfield first gives a corrected transcript in the proper character, then the pronunciation in Roman characters, with an interlinear verbal translation. This he proceeds to substantiate by a grammatical analysis of each word, supported by citations from Vans Kennedy's Dictionary and other authorities. The result is thus stated :— "It has thus, I trust, been proved, 1st, contrary to the assertion of my antagonist, that every word is either in regimine,' being governed by, or governing other words, or agreeing with or forming compounds with their neighbours, and therefore constructed according to the strictest grammatical rules; and, 2dly, that the 'sense' I attributed to the Mahratta text is the genuine sense of that version, and consequently that the nonsense' is only and wholly to be ascribed to the re-translation of Colonel Vans Kennedy. From the evidence adduced, it has clearly appeared, that his preposterous re-translation (the very absurdity of which might have led him to suspect his accuracy) has sprung partly from his misreading the original Mahratta, having mistaken one letter for another; partly from his confounding the parts of speech-transforming substantives into adjectives, and adjectives into adverbs; and partly from his giving senses to words which neither the connexion nor their usual meaning would warrant, and which meaning, though here denied by him, is proved not only by the most respectable lexicographers, but by his own authority, in his Mahratta Dic

6

tionary. Whether these grievous errors and mis-statements have arisen from precipitancy, carelessness, or ignorance, I will not take upon me to determine; nor is it material for the adjustment of the question. One thing I would beg the reader to bear in mind, that the evidence adduced against the unsupported assertions of Colonel Vans Kennedy, is almost wholly independent of the writer, and that several of the cases are determined by our opponent, himself being the judge. He is therefore reduced to the alternative of either repudiating his own authority, or of admitting his numerous delinquencies on this occasion. On which horn of this dilemma he may choose to be transfixed, I leave to his own determination."

This masterly and overwhelming reply forms, perhaps, altogether, one of the most extraordinary displays of critical and polemical skill in our literature. Think of a man but recently emancipated from the mechanical drudgery of book-binding, for the most part self-taught, having within only a few months previously turned his attention to the language in question, fearlessly entering the lists against the best Mahratta scholar of the day, confuting his criticisms, detecting his blunders, and shewing by an analysis of the language a perfect acquaintance with its genius and structure. Such a man must indeed be regarded as a phenomenon. Nor was the motive less generous and honourable, which led him to undertake this laborious defence of the Serampore Versions, than the scholarship which he displayed was astonishing. At the time of his engaging in it, he was wholly unconnected with the Serampore Missionaries, and not directly connected with the British and Foreign Bible Society, though, according to his own avowal, warmly attached to its cause. His object was, to serve the cause of Divine truth, and to vindicate from unjust aspersions those venerable labourers in the field of Oriental translation, to whom the Christian world is so incalculably indebted. It was the publication of the "Defence" that first brought its author under the notice of the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, as mentioned in the Resolutions which recorded his decease. The Reply to Vans Kennedy appeared in the Asiatic Journal only the month preceding that which deprived the Christian world of his invaluable services. A defence of the Arabic Version, in further reply to the Colonel's sweeping allegations, appeared in the following Number, while its author was lying upon the bed of sickness from which he never rose. It was his last production. In that paper he speaks of reserving his defence of the Romaic Version to a future period. But, alas! five days after the publication of this Number, he breathed his last. Besides these labours, Mr. Greenfield prepared and published, at his own charge, during the short term of his connexion with the Bible Society, "A Defence of the Surinam Negro-English Version of the New Testament." (8vo. pp. 76, price 2s.) The historical information, the philological learning, and the polemical talents displayed in this tract, render it highly interesting and valuable, notwithstanding the unattractiveness of the subject, which prevented its obtaining a wide circulation. It was undertaken solely from a sense of official duty.

The only other publication which I have omitted to notice, is entitled, "The Book of Genesis, in English Hebrew," accompanied with an interlinear translation, with notes, and a grammatical introduction. This volume, of which a second edition appeared in 1831, displays the thorough mastery which the author had acquired of his favourite language; and it forms, without doubt, the most valuable elementary work that can be put into the hand of the Hebrew students.

It only remains for me to finish a brief record of the circumstances which

attended Mr. Greenfield's removal to a better world. The first symptoms of serious indisposition manifested themselves on Saturday, the 22d of October; but they did not prevent his attending the morning service on the following day at Jewin-street chapel, where, since the death of the Rev. Dr. Waugh, he had been a constant attendant. As the week advanced, his bodily illness increased, and he became greatly depressed. The effects of intense and constant application, together with the anxiety and mental distress which he had suffered from the unjust aspersions cast upon his character by his polemical assailants, now made themselves unequivocally apparent, when it was too late to repair the mischief that had been wrought. For some time, his health had been undermined; and there was, perhaps, something morbid in the acuteness with which he felt attacks, that he ought to have despised. A friend, to whom he paid a short visit in September, was so much struck with these indications of the over-wrought and unhealthy state of his bodily frame, as to be led to urge upon him, very earnestly, the imperious necessity of his taking more exercise, and paying strict attention to his regimen. At that time, a temporary relaxation from study, and a little medicine, might have averted the fatal attack, which, under other circumstances, would scarcely have put on so serious a form. On the 28th, nearly a week after the first symptoms appeared, the Rev. Mr. Wood visited him, and found him in a composed and happy state of mind, but he seems to have been not without some presentiment of the issue. In this interview he expressed his confident trust in Jesus Christ as his Redeemer. On the following day his pastor again visited him, when Mr. Greenfield expressed himself in the following terms:-" Since I have been here, I have learned more of the depravity of my heart than I knew before; but, blessed be God, I have also had the inward witnessing of the Spirit, that I feel myself to be a pardoned sinner through the blood of Jesus Christ. For worlds I would not have been without this illness. I have had most delightful intercourse with my heavenly Father. I have enjoyed that nearness of access, which prevents my doubting my interest in the precious blood of a crucified Redeemer; and I am ready and willing, if it be the Lord's will, to depart and be with Christ." Even under the influence of delirium, he gave indications of what was uppermost in his thoughts and feelings. Repeatedly he would exclaim: "They are piercing me through and through. I am not a Neologian. But so far was he from cherishing any angry feeling towards his calumniators, that in a mild interval, he earnestly entreated that no step might be taken in his vindication during his illness, desirous that, if he should not survive, all animosity might be buried in his grave; and he expressed the most cordial forgiveness towards all who had injured him. His dying breath fully attested the noble and striking confession of his faith, which he had shortly before made in a letter addressed to the editor of a public journal.* On the event of his death being communicated to them, the Secretaries and Editorial Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society expressed their wish to testify their high regard for their deceased colleague, by attending the funeral. Other gentlemen, esteemed for their literary attainments, united in this desire; and it was therefore determined by myself and a few friends to take upon ourselves the management of the last sad rites. The remains of my lamented friend were interred in the burial ground of the chapel of ease, at Holloway, on Monday, the 14th instant, and the funeral was attended by no fewer than forty Clergymen, Dissenting Ministers, and other professional and literary Gentlemen and private friends. The following inscriptiou has since been placed upon the stone which covers the spot :—

See Christian Observer, November, p. 710.

"This Stone records the Burial Place of that devoted and amiable Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ WILLIAM GREENFIELD, M.R.A.S., Superintendent of the Editorial Department of the British and Foreign Bible Society, Author of several important Works, and an eminent Linguist.

Multa Terricolis Linguæ, Calestibus una.

ΠΟΛΛΑΙ ΜΕΝ ΘΝΗΤΟΙΣ ΓΛΩΤΤΑΙ, ΜΙΑ Δ' ΑΘΑΝΑΤΟΙΣΙΝ.

Born April 1, 1799.-Died November 5, 1831."

1 Mr. Greenfield, it will be seen from this inscription, was in the thirtyasecond year of his age. By his premature death, he left his widow, with five young children, in very straitened circumstances: in fact, it had not been in his power to make any provision for them beyond a small insurance on his life. He had but entered on a salary which would have been to him an honourable competency. His amiable wife bears testimony, in a letter addressed to me since her affecting bereavement, to the strict integrity with which he conducted his secular affairs, and the simplicity of his personal habits; but, at the same time, to his benevolence and generosity beyond what his circumstances would well permit. "His hand," she says, ever ready to give, and his heart ready to sympathize with those who were afflicted. I have often found it necessary to remonstrate with him; for I do not think that a single application was made to him for relief, that he did not attend to. He used to say-Never mind, my 'dear; we shall never want it. If ever I become a man of property, I shall only consider myself as the steward of our Lord's money. His whole desire was, to spend and be spent to the service of God. As a father and husband, he was ever kind and affectionate; and as a friend, most sincere."

was

The same letter informs me, that Mr. Greenfield was married to his affectionate partner, Dec, 7, 1817, at St. George's church, Hanover-square. Of their six children, the first three, who were girls, were baptized by the Rev. Dr. Waugh, in Well-street chapel; the last three were boys, and were baptized at Christ Church, Newgate-street. Of these, one daughter died a few months before her father, and the rest survive. The eldest boy, William, whose marked resemblance to his deceased parent awakens the hope that he may be found to exhibit some similarity of intellectual capacity, has found a generous and paternal benefactor, in my esteemed friend, Daniel Benham, Esq. who, during Mr. Greenfield's life, shewed himself a zealous and able champion of calumniated worth, as he has since proved the liberal and disinterested helper of the fatherless and widow. Mary Ann, the eldest daughter, has been placed with Mrs. Dawson, of Hampstead, under an agreement to qualify her to fill the situation of a governess of the highest class; her natural capacity promising, as in the case of her brother, to reward those who have the charge of her education. Three children remain dependent upon their mother.

The Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society could not, from the funds of the Society, contribute to the necessities of the bereaved family; but, in the subscription which was set on foot to raise a fund for their relief, many distinguished members of the Society liberally united;" and the Rev. Andrew Brandram, the much esteemed Secretary, readily consented to become, with Mr. Benham, Mr. Mills, and my son, joint trustees. Although the amount raised fell short of what it might have been hoped

*The Right Hon. Lord Bexley, with his accustomed munificence, gave £100. The Bishop of Winchester, Earl Spencer, the Rev. A. Brandram, the Rev. Joseph Hughes, Rich. Phillips, esq., and Jos. Trueman, esq., each subscribed £20. J. Broadley Wilson, esq. £50; Lord Teignmouth £10; the Bishop of Salisbury £10; Daniel Benham, esq. £25; Mr. S. Bagster the same sum; and several members of the Bible Society Committee £10.