them to honourable mention. Doctor Buchanan, in his "Christian Researches," has introduced the following remarks respecting them :-" A learned author, in a work published about the beginning of the last century, entitled 'The Light of the Gospel rising on all Nations,' observes, that the Armenian Christians will be eminently qualified for the office of extending the knowledge of Christianity throughout the nations of Asia. This is undoubtedly true. Next to the Jews, the Armenians will form the most generally useful body of Christian Missionaries. They are to be found in every principal city of Asia; they are the general merchants of the East; and are in a state of constant motion from Canton to Constantinople.

"Their general character is that of a wealthy, industrious, and enterprising people. They are settled in all the principal places of India, where they arrived many centuries before the English. Wherever they colonize they build churches, and observe the solemnities of the Christian religion in a decorous

manner.

"Their Ecclesiastical Establishment in Hindostan is more respectable than that of the English. Like us, they have three churches in the three capitals; one each at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay; but they have also churches in the interior of the country. Their bishop sometimes visits Calcutta; but he is not resident there. The proper country of these Christians is Armenia, the greater part of which is subject to the Persian government; but they are scattered all over the empire: the commerce of Persia being chiefly conducted by Armenians. Their patriarch resides at Erivin, not far from Mount Ararat.

"The history of the Armenian church is very interesting. Of all the Christians in Central Asia, they have preserved themselves most free from Mahomedan

and papal corruptions. The pope assailed them for a time with great violence, but with little effect. The churches in Lesser Armenia indeed consented to an union, which did not long continue; but those in Persian Armenia maintained their independence; and they retain their ancient scriptures, doctrines, and worship, to this day. The Bible was translated into the Armenian language in the fifth century, under very auspicious circumstances, the history of which has come down to us. It has been allowed by competent judges of the language to be a most faithful translation. La Croze calls it the queen of versions. This Bible has ever remained in possession of the Armenian people; and many illustrious instances of genuine and enlightened piety occur in their history. The manuscript copies not being sufficient for the demand, a council of Armenian bishops assembled in 1662, and resolved to call to their aid the art of printing, of which they had heard in Europe. For this purpose they applied first to France; but the Catholic church refused to print their Bible. At length it was printed at Amsterdam in 1666, and afterwards two other editions in 1668 and 1698. Since that time it has been printed at Venice; but at present, in India, a copy is scarcely to be purchased at any price.

"The Armenians in Hindostan are our own subjects. They acknowledge our government in India, as they do that of the Sophi in Persia; and they are entitled to our regard. They have preserved the Bible in its purity, and their doctrines are, so far as we know, the doctrines of the Bible. Besides, they maintain the solemn observance of Christian worship throughout our empire on the seventh day; and they have as many spires pointing to heaven among the Hindoos, as we ourselves."*

"Christian Researches," pp. 258-262. The Doctor has likewise

EPISCOPALIANS, &c.

The island of Bombay has but one church connected with our National Establishment: it is a handsome and commodious building, and in general well attended. Since our arrival in 1814, the Presidency has been constituted an archdeaconry. There is also a church for the members of the Kirk of Scotland; and a chapel belonging to the Congregationalists, or Independents, which is connected with the American Mission.

The country contiguous to Bombay is fruitful, producing considerable quantities of corn and hay; for which a ready market is found in the capital. Cocoanuts and rice are also supplied in great abundance. The former grow chiefly in "the woods," a part so denominated from the number of cocoa-nut-trees which are planted together. The roads through these small woods afford pleasant retreats from the excessive noon tide heat and a few convenient houses occupied by Europeans, and numbers of native huts, are scattered among them.

Each rice-field is surrounded by a bank, to retain the water with which it is supplied in the rainy season. An intelligent author has remarked, "The growth of this grain has a peculiarity not unworthy of notice as it loves a watery soil, so, to whatever hieght the water rises, it keeps pace with it, even to

recorded the following gratifying anecdote. "Cacheck Arrakell, an Armenian merchant in Calcutta, when he heard of the King's (Geo. III.) recovery from illness in 1789, liberated all the prisoners for debt in the gaol of Calcutta! His Majesty, hearing of this instance of loyalty in an Armenian subject, sent him his picture in miniature. He wore the royal present suspended at his breast during his life; and it is now worn by his son, when he appears at the levee of the GovernorGeneral."—Ibid.

eleven, and sometimes fourteen feet; the summit of the plant always appearing above the surface of the water."

The Parell road, and a new road recently made along a most romantic part of the sea-shore, are the favorite fashionable promenades. The bazaars are well supplied with vegetables, beef, mutton, and kid; also poultry and fish in abundance. The fruits are very fine; especially the Mazagong mangoe, which partakes of almost every quality deemed gratifying to the taste. The oxen of Bombay are deservedly prized for their docility and speed; and perform much of the labour usually performed in England by the horse: they will travel with ease seven or eight miles an hour. The hump, a large fleshy substance, which is found between their shoulders, is frequently salted, and sent, as a delicacy, to various parts of India.

The Fort of Bombay is a continual scene of business and bustle. It has but few houses in it suitable for the residence of Europeans. In those occupied by English gentlemen, the ground floors are used as warehouses, and the upper part for domestic purposes. The family apartments are often elegant, and sumptuously furnished, affording a striking contrast to the outside appearance of the buildings.

CHAP. IX.

Peculiar situation of the Author at Bombay-Native curiosity-Conversation with a Gentoo youth-Meetings for prayer, religious conversation, &c.-Extracts from Journal-Pleasing indications of usefulness--Visit from a Portuguese lady-Interesting and affecting conversation with some invalid soldiers-Portuguese studiesSentiments of a military officer respecting Christian MissionsConversation with a Gentoo physician-Chinese merchant at the prayer-meeting-Lieutenant Wade, his shipwreck, and death-The Author engages a passage to Ceylon-Various incidents during the voyage-Safe arrival at Point de Galle.

THE suspicions which had been produced in the minds of the natives, and even of some Europeans, by the arrival of the Missionary party at Bombay, and the pledge I had given that the Island of Ceylon was the place of our intended Missionary labours, rendered my residence at the Presidency after the departure of my companions a period of painful anxiety. Though restrained by prudential motives from the public exercise of my office as a preacher of the Gospel, even my appearance in the streets excited considerable curiosity; and led the naturally inquisitive natives sometimes to enquire of me, in their broken English-" How long Master stop here ?"—" When Master go away?"—“Will Master live here all days?"—" Master not go to other country?"-"What for Master stop in this place?"To remain insensible to the anxiety which existed among the various classes of natives, as to my character and destination, was impossible; I therefore invariably endeavoured to satisfy their curiosity, and to subdue their apprehensions.