tual capabilities, possessing different systems of religion, differing in fact from one another in every thing in which human beings all sinful can differ from each other.

We therefore hail the announcement of a large and comprehensive work on the Geography of India, which shall contain, in a methodical manner, all that is known or that can be known regarding the whole of British India and the neighbouring territories; and we rejoice to be the first to lay the prospectus of such a work before the Christian people. We know that the work will be conducted not only with the highest scientific ability, but also with the soundest Christian wisdom; and therefore while we leave to others to speak of its importance in a political and commercial view, we earnestly wish it all success on account of the influence which we think it calculated to exert on the enterprise in which we are embarked. We subjoin the Prospectus which has been put into our hands, and have no doubt that the undertaking will commend itself to the favour of our readers.-ED.

PROSPECTUS.

It were much to be desired, among other indications of general improvement and intercourse, that the progress of a familiar and exact acquaintance with the Geography and statistics of every country throughout the earth, kept pace with the exhibition of that enterprise which seeks to reclaim it from darkness and barbarism: or make it available to the friendly commercial internationality, which must reciprocally affect its well-being, and our own. Such, as an exemplification, are the new and extended relations of British India with the contiguous countries of Central Asia, the bordering nations of the Malayan Peninsula, and China, and the innumerable islands of the eastern archipelago; with which no doubt a far more productive trade would be carried on, to say nothing of the spread of civilization and religious truth, were the public in possession of more full and correct information of what is available for the British market, or suited to the wants of these countries, as an article of export or manufacture from our own. Such information is justly appreciable as subserving the noblest object of Philanthropy,-the communication of the blessed Gospel to all nations.

War and commercial adventure, have indeed originated a great variety of researches, which contribute to the illustration of one of the fairest and richest portions of the globe; yet who, that desires a mere summary acquaintance with the present condition and resources, the precise locality often, of these countries, can be satisfied with the imperfect knowledge which at a very remote date furnished matter for the best and only works now in existence. The more ample and recent details, however, being interspersed through a multitude of works and documents, some comparatively costly and rare, others little known or accessible to a very limited number of readers, are so mixed up likewise with much that is of an extraneous character, or of purely local in

terest, as to repress the most anxious curiosity. And if such be the case with portions of each country, how is the difficulty enhanced, in obtaining more comprehensive views of Geography? It is, in fact, no very easy matter, with the best information before us, to arrive at any decided estimate either of the state and relative limits of our most settled possessions, or of those which have been recently superadded, or brought within the commanding influence of our political power. Such knowledge, no doubt, exists to a large amount, and is to be found with the several employes of Government; but they are usually too much occupied to make any further inquiries than may be necessary to present exigencies; and if presented by them to the higher authorities, it is simply in connection with their immediate duties. Nay, all who have occasion to make such researches, are necessitated or prevailed on so to blend them with particulars of transient importance, that the most indefatigable patience would be severely taxed to draw such inferences as the present state of knowledge might very reasonably be expected to furnish.

Without adverting, otherwise than in a cursory way, to the deficiencies of Hamilton's Gazetteer, and his larger Geographical and statistical account of India, (one identical work by the way, though published under different titles,) it must be allowed, that the accumu lation of materials since the date of its first appearance in 1815, for an enlarged and improved description of our Eastern possessions, would abundantly justify the attempt to get up something more in accordance with the philosophical, yet popular works brought out on the continent at a long subsequent date: gleaned chiefly from the writings of British officers, by industrious and learned foreigners.

It is indeed a reproach to our country, that we invariably leave others to analyse and compound the fragmentary results of science and discovery, which our own curiosity and observation have arrived at : and receive at a distant date, perhaps, from foreigners, that which we might well have been proud of communicating to them, in all its racy originality while, at the same time, by determining the tide of further inquiry into such channels, the British public would have had the earliest intelligence of every fact essential to its best interests. The works of Balbi, Malte Brun, Ritter, and Berghaus, would have made but a poor show without the help of British materials, though it is delightful to see masterminds like these, of so much ability and aptitude to discuss their value, instituting investigations from these documents, into questions of the most important and instructive nature. What accessions have they not brought to Physical Geography, to the systematizing of facts, bearing on subjects of universal concern? They have called attention to our neglect, and invited us to methods of a more pleasing description than have hitherto been followed by British Geographers. They have taught us that this department of knowledge is not a mere dry cpitome of facts absolutely denuded of narrative or reflection; and which as the mere annals in respect of history, indicate certain landmarks in space, as those in time; but apart from irrelevant and speculative discussions, may present in the spirit of that striking natural landscape from whence it is drawn up, some resem

blances of varied novelty, some curious and valuable truths at every fresh step. It is to the illustrious Humboldt that they and we must consider ourselves indebted for such comprehensive and just views of this subject; and on such models must all works be formed, which aim at an enduring existence and popular acceptability. The remark we have ventured could never be put forward without allusion to the names of D'Anville and Rennell, as they who have chalked out the best, the only course in works of an extensive Geographical nature.

The condensation of what is practically important to the Missionary, the merchant, and the functionaries of Government, is not incompatible with such a style, or arrangement, as shall recommend it to more general consideration; and expecting, as we may, day by day, a still further accession to our present knowledge, there are notwithstanding, now, abundant materials, sufficient at least, to encourage a publication, which shall embrace in a compendious form the most interesting particulars, bearing on the Geography and statistics of Asia, and those parts more directly under the authority or influence of the British Government, with suitable and correct maps of the larger divisions.

Without adhering to the admirable specimen put forth by Mr. Macculloch, as an universal Geographical Dictionary, it is proposed to arrange the articles in some sort alphabetically-classing the places of minor note, subordinately to the great territorial divisions, and thus not giving them an undue degree of importance, or sacrificing perspicuity and utility to the straight-laced system of a mere Gazetteer.

The unexpected difficulties that occurred to the restriction of such a work as this to the British possessions in India, as at first contemplated, have induced the Projector to believe, that without entering into the like minute account of other countries, in places beyond those limits, or not so immediately connected therewith, it will not be thought a defect that it embraces all that can concern or interest the British public, especially our countrymen in India. How, in fact, could we dispense with a description of Aden, of Mocha, of Karrack, of Kelat and Herat, of the places of note on the overland route from Bussora to Beirout, by which the communication is carried on with Europe for four months in the year; or some passing notice of those places of resort in China, which our forces are about to occupy? If there is any thing omitted which should properly have been inserted, it will be matter for after consideration to append; if any thing to suppress, new matter may easily be found to supply its place.

VI.-Remarks on the Notice of the Missionary Conference in the last number.

To the Editors of the Calcutta Christian Observer.

DEAR GENTLEMEN,

In common with some others, my associates and fellow labourers in the missionary field, I have felt aggrieved by the last notice of the Missionary Conference over the signature of T. S.

Independently of the question at issue, viz. "the place the English language," &c. there are two or three exceptions which I beg leave to take to the article by T. S. To T. S. himself I take no exceptions: let this be borne in mind, for I esteem him highly as a missionary brother; but I do object :

1. To a young brother who has scarcely smelt the air of India being deputed to write on a subject where the long-tried experience of others is available, and necessary in order to satisfy the minds of those most deeply interested on this point.

2. I object to the state of things in Calcutta being assumed as a datum on which to build an argument for India generally. If your opinion on this point be limited to Calcutta, I do not object to it; but there is so little resemblance between missionary labour in Calcutta and that in the country generally, that he who would argue from one to the other would deceive himself, and all who are influenced by his opinions.

3. I protest against the use of such epithets from the pen of a missionary brother in reference to the language of India as the "heartless drudgery of acquiring a barbarous language," and "a tedious course of hard and uninteresting labour," &c. I have never heard such language from those who really understand the languages of India, though it is common to hear it from those who know little or nothing about them. I have been labouring daily about 15 years in a language less cultivated than the Bengáli, and I deny fearlessly that either that or the Bengáli can be called a barbarous language. There is no idea that man can form which may not be expressed with the utmost precision by these languages; the greatest difficulty of the translator is not paucity of terms, but the selection of them. Let these languages be cultivated, and that ability to understand them be extended to the many which is now monopolized by the few, and there will be no complaint of the paucity or barbarity of the language.

"

4. There is another remark I think called for by the tone and manner in which reference is made to English; teachers of English being able to set about the work at once, &c. Now without sneering" at this advantage, I wish to qualify it. Where men cannot or will not devote the time and study necessary to acquire the native language, it is well to have them set to work in teaching English rather than not work at all; but I would say to every man who wishes in the full sense of the term to be a missionary to the heathen-beware how you allow yourself to be seduced into teaching in English. I have had an apportunity of observing the course of many missionaries, but I can scarcely think of one who began with teaching

English that did not end there. I demur not to our friend's position, that they were probably as well qualified as their fellows to acquire the languages of the country; but the fact is, that if a man does not set to in good earnest to acquire the native language when he first arrives in the country, he very seldom has the time or energy to do it afterwards; or he is so immersed in other labours, where he can do without it, that he gives up the task. It is thus with T. S.; he can venture to say, "I could acquire it if it were necessary." Necessary! can a missionary ever pen such a word when 99 out of every hundred of the people in the land can understand no other? Necessary-when nine-tenths of the millions of India must go down to the grave unblest with the light of the gospel, unless the missionary does submit to this heartless drudgery! Is this the way to speak of the interests of this people? Is this the way to encourage the new missionary to set to in earnest to acquire their language?

It is true that those brethren who thus devote their energies to teaching and preaching in English are well employed; to that I object not, but they are employed only in some little favoured spots, some choice parterres of their own and others planting and dressing, while the whole waste howling wilderness remains untouched.

But this teaching in English is advocated with especial reference to the ministry. I am afraid this is not solid ground. The natives of India make out very poorly in English unless they begin in childhood. Are we then to devote certain native children to the ministry before their religious character is developed? or are we to teach all we can with a view to a future selection? We shall not find many advocates for the former I apprehend, and if the latter be intended, what becomes of the leading point, of teaching through the medium of the English language with a view to the ministry? How many of the youths taught English enter the ministry? While how many of our preachers, and those who are most likely to become native preachers, know nothing or next to nothing of English? I very much fear the tendency of the system proposed by T. S. will be to make well-taught clerks, deputy collectors, &c. &c., while our real native preachers will be neglected, and the only languages through which they can be reached trampled under foot. I beg to repeat that I am looking not at Calcutta but India.

Have we not seen the flower of our native Christian youth, tanght in English, go off one after the other for more lucrative and congenial employment? Has the teaching them English any tendency to make them love the work of preaching the