CHAPTER V.

DR. BUCHANAN was now again looking forward to his long projected journey to the south of the Peninsula. On the 12th of March 1806, he thus wrote to a friend in England.

"I proceed to Malabar in a few weeks. My delay has "been chiefly occasioned by the difficulty of my resigning "appointments and offices here, where there is no one to "receive them. And even now, if I get off fairly I shall "wonder.

"I still continue in my purpose of going home about the "end of this year. So that I shall possibly see you and your "family once more."

On the 22d of March, Dr. Buchanan obtained leave of absence from the government for six months, together with renewed assurances of the countenance and assistance formerly promised; but his preparations for his journey were again interrupted by a return of ague and fever. This attack was, however, less serious, and of shorter duration than the former; so that at the end of the month he was able to wait upon the Governor General, who kindly offered to accommodate him with one of his tents for his intended journey to the coast. During the month of April, Dr. Buchanan continued his preparations for his approaching absence; attended an examination of the Chinese class at Serampore, and made arrangements for the performance of his clerical duties. His last sermon previously to his departure was from the beautiful address in the Revelation of St. John (Chap. iii. 7—13.) to the Church at Philadelphia; which he probably considered as in some respects appropriate to that at Calcutta. Dr. Buchanan spent several of the days immediately preceding his journey with Mr. Udny, who appears to have entered with much interest into his views for the promotion of Christianity in India. The late learned and lamented Dr. Leyden had at one time proposed to ac

company Dr. Buchanan in his tour; but this plan, though it would doubtless have proved mutually agreeable and beneficial, was finally abandoned.

The design of this extensive and laborious journey cannot be better explained than in the following quotation from the account which Dr. Buchanan afterwards published of his Researches.

a In order to obtain a distinct view of the state of Christ❝ianity and of superstition in Asia, the superintendants of "the college had, before this period, entered into correspon"dence with intelligent persons in different countries; and "from every quarter (even from the confines of China) they "received encouragement to proceed. But, as contradic❝tory accounts were given by different writers concerning "the real state of the numerous tribes in India, both of "Christians and natives, the Author conceived the design "of devoting the last year or two of his residence in the "East to purposes of local examination and inquiry.

"The principal objects of this tour were to investigate "the state of superstition at the most celebrated temples of "the Hindoos; to examine the churches and libraries of the "Romish, Syrian, and Protestant Christians; to ascertain "the present state and recent history of the eastern Jews; ❝and to discover what persons might be fit instruments for "the promotion of learning in their respective countries, "and for maintaining a future correspondence on the subject "of disseminating the Scriptures in India."

Such were the important views with which Dr. Buchanan entered upon his intended journey. It is no disparagement to travels undertaken from motives either of personal curiosity, or of public utility, to assert, that the tour, which Dr. Buchanan was meditating, derived from its disinterested and sacred objects a peculiar degree of dignity and value. If our great philanthropist Howard was justly culogized by a late celebrated statesman, for his indefatigable and selfdenying exertions in "travelling over land and

a Christian Researches, Introduct. p. 10. Phil. Ed.

"sea," not to gratify his taste, or to extend his fame, but "to remember the forgotten, to attend the neglected, and to "visit the forsaken," it is not too much to say, that although the labours of that eminent person were more various and continued, it required in a man of infirm and precarious health, like Dr. Buchanan, a degree of zeal and resolution to enter upon his projected journey, which reflects upon him the highest honour. And although in each case, the love of God and of man was the prevailing motive, the object of the one was, in proportion to its extent, as much more important than the other, as inquiries into spiritual wants with a view to their relief are more weighty than those which concern temporal necessities, and as interests of eternal duration are more momentous than any which are bounded by the narrow limits of time. It must be remembered too, that with the exception of the accommodations afforded him by the kindness of the Governor General, and the hospitality of the British residing at the different stations through which he passed, Dr. Buchanan's extensive tour was undertaken exclusively at his own expense.

On the third of May, Dr. Buchanan left Calcutta on his way to the south; and on his arrival the same day at Fulta, forty miles below that city, he wrote to Colonel Sandys as follows.

"My dear Sandys,

"I am thus far on my journey to Malabar. I propose to "visit Juggernaut first, and hope to be there early in June, "when the grand festival of the Rutt Jattra takes place. "Sir George Barlow has been so good as to lend me some "of the Governor General's small tents, so that I shall "travel very comfortably. My inquiries, you know, have "a threefold aspect, Hindoos, Jews, and Christians. The "bands of infidelity and superstition are loosening fast; "and Calcutta is by no means the place it was when you "were here.

"I have heard this morning that the fleet from England, "which went to the Cape, is expected at Madras every day,

as one of the ships is already arrived. In this fleet your "friend Mr. Martyn is passenger. Mr. Jeffries has been "appointed to act as my substitute in the new church in

my absence; which will be about six or eight months; if indeed I should ever return; for my route is full of dan"ger and difficulty to one infirm as I am. With some view "I trust to the glory of God I have purposed; but it is He "who must dispose of me and my objects as shall seem to "Him best.

"I remain,

"My dear Sandys,
"Very affectionately yours,

"C. BUCHANAN.”

Dr. Buchanan, from the time of his arrival at Juggernaut, kept a regular journal of his tour, parts of which it is well known, he afterwards published on his return to this country. He maintained also a constant correspondence during his journey with the Rev. D. Brown; and from these letters a series of extracts shall now be given, which, avoiding, for the most part, the repetition of what Dr. Buchanan himself communicated to the public, will afford a connected view of his whole tour, and contain some additional information, as well as some instructive and interesting reflections on the various scenes through which he passed in this original and enterprizing journey. A few letters which Dr. Buchanan wrote to his friends in Europe in the course of his tour will also be inserted in their order.

The first letter to Mr. Brown, dated the 10th of May, from Fulta, informs him, that Dr. Buchanan continued in good health, and that his servants and travelling equipage were all well appointed. On the 13th he thus wrote from Contai.

"I arrived here the day before yesterday in good health "and fine spirits. My tents were first hoisted on the backs "of elephants, belonging to a Hindoo Rajah, in my journey "to the south. I ought always to speak well of the Hindoo "people.

"Mr. Mason's kindness and attention are very remark"able; and I am in danger of being detained in my way, "like Abraham's servant, by hospitality, before the busi"ness be done. But I see there is much to be done by the "way which I thought not of.

"I shall leave this place to-morrow, perhaps, or next day, "and hope to arrive at Balasore on the 20th, where I pro66 pose to stay two days, and then proceed with the pilgrims "(who now cover the roads) to Juggernaut.

"I am in haste to pass over the marshy lands of the salt "districts, lest fever should come. If it should come here, ❝or before I arrive at my journey's end, and you should not "see me again, I pray you to consider it as the hand of God, "giving glory to his own cause in his own way, leading "our feeble resolves in triumph to a certain stage, and then "calling another servant. I leave all my temporal affairs "in perfect order. I have no papers literary or religious; "so that no trouble awaits my executors, except those in "England, to whom I have consigned the religious educa❝tion of my two little girls."

The concluding observations of this letter point out in a simple yet solemn manner the entire resignation of its author to the Divine will, and evidently imply his preparation for every event of his journey. The spirit of calm yet devoted piety which they breathe, is at once to be admired and imitated.

In a letter on the 17th from Jellasore, where he waited for his elephant and horse, the following passage occurs.

"At Mohunpore, between Contai and this place, I stopped "a night. Juggernaut is to be found there in miniature; "having the same name and service. The Hindoo Zemin❝dar gave me a feast, and presented me with a sword, a "piece of fine cloth, and ten rupees at parting. When "I began to eat, Juggernaut's bells began to ring. I ask "ed the reason, and was told that Juggernaut had begun his supper. So we ate together for near half an hour, "during which time the gongs and bells continued a horrid ❝clangor.