wickedness of persecution in the abstract, or the moral unfitness of temporal punishment as an engine of religious controversy."

The life of Bishop Taylor is written much at large, containing copious references to his various works, and every thing respecting the personal history of such an interesting man which can now be recovered. On this point the biographer expresses just regret, that of " the greater part of his family papers," which were once " under the care of the late John Earl of Moira, no traces remain; and there appears but too much reason to apprehend that they were consumed, together with some other packages belonging to the Marquis of Hastings, in the fire which destroyed the London Custom House."

It does not appear that Mr. Heber came again before the public, in England. At the conclusion of the year (1822), intelligence arrived from India of Bishop Middleton's decease. In the January following, Mr. Heber was appointed to be his successor. The next month, the new Bishop of Calcutta was created D.D. by diploma. Previous to his embarkation for India, in the course of his reply to a valedictory address from the Bishop of Bristol, at a special meeting of the Society with which Bishop Heber had been long connected, he thus expressed the purpose with which he accepted this high appointment:

"It is, indeed, a high satisfaction for me to reflect that I go forth as their (the Society's) agent, and the promoter of their pious designs in the East; and if ever the time shall arrive, when I may be enabled to preach to the Natives of India in their own language, I shall then aspire to the still higher distinction of being considered as the messenger of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge."

June 16; 1823, the Bishop, with Mrs. Heber and their family, embarked for India; and on the 10th of October following they landed at Calcutta. November 4th, at Dum Dum, the military station of the East India Company's Artillery, a few miles from Calcutta, he consecrated the New Church, the foundation of which had been laid by his predecessor, Bishop Middleton,* under the name of St. Stephen.

The following anecdote may be worth mentioning, as highly illustrative of ecclesiastical exactness:

The church at Dum Dum was intended for the accommodation of the English officers of Artillery, and their families. It was designed by an Engineer officer attached to the corps, and it was long talked of as a promising ornament among the groupes of military buildings that are scattered over the level plain of the cantonment. It was intended to front the principal road passing over this plain; and the space for the foundation was dug at right angles with the road. Every thing being ready for laying the first stone, the Bishop, Dr. Middleton, attended, with his suite, at a very early hour in the morning, just after day-break-all operations in the open air being performed then, or at sun-set, when practicable, to avoid the intense heat.

While the ceremony was actually proceeding, and when it was nearly over,

In May 1824, the Bishop consecrated a new church at Goruckpoor, a station in the interior of Bengal. From June to the end of that year, he was engaged in visiting the several European stations in Bengal, and the upper provinces of Hindoostan.

In January 1825, the Bishop was at Acra, and went from thence to Jeypoor and Neemuch, to the stations under the Bombay Government, including Poonah, Kaira, Baroda, Baroach, Surat, and Guzerat, consecrating churches at these several places.

6

In the Gentleman's Magazine' is a letter from a military officer stationed at Neemuch, who says, "The arrival of Bishop Heber has excited general expectations, from the learning of so celebrated a scholar and divine; though from the immense extent of his charge, he can scarcely ever visit the greater half of these dominions, so as to effect any more than progressive benefits in his episcopal exertions."

In May 1825, the Bishop held his episcopal visitation at Bombay, where we have understood that he preached on board the H. C. S. Farquharson. On this progress he laid the foundation of two central schools. He also visited the Deccan, Ceylon, and Madras, on his return to Bengal.

During this period, the Bishop appears to have zealously promoted the religious objects of the British and Foreign Bible Society. In their Report' for 1825, they gratefully acknowledge that "the name of Dr. Heber, Bishop of Calcutta, as an accession to the cause, is in every respect most valuable. With the aid of his Lordship's counsel and influence," they add, "the objects of the society must be essentially promoted; its character also will be better appreciated, and it will commend itself more and more to the community."

Of the Bishop's last progress, destined so soon to terminate, prematurely, according to human apprehension, we have collected the following particulars :

He preached at Combaconum, on Good Friday, the 24th of March, and arrived the next day at Tanjore, where, on "Easter Sunday, his Lordship preached an eloquent and impressive sermon

the sun rose; and the Bishop's attention being necessarily directed to the obtrusive orb, from whose rays, even at that early hour, particularly if uncovered, shelter is desirable; he discovered that the officers had, in their regard for symmetry and harmony of position, preferred architectural effect to superstitious usage, and in placing the church at right angles with the road, twisted it out of its ecclesiastical bearing of due east and west.

The horror of the holy prelate we do not pretend to describe; let it suffice to say, that the whole work was ordered to be done over again; and the church of St. Stephen now remains at oblique angles with the road, where, instead of being an ornament, is quite a deformity in the picture, appearing like a building dropped down on the spot, without the pains of placing it as every eye that beholds it intuitively desires.

182

Memoir of the late Dr. Heber.

on the resurrection. At the request of the Native Member of the congregation, his Lordship kindly promised to have thi sermon translated into the Tamul language, and printed. In con cluding the sermon, the Bishop, in the most feeling manner, im pressed the duty of brotherly love upon all persons, without regar to rank or colour. Divine service was performed, in the evening at the same place, in the Tamul language," when," to the agreeabl surprise of all present, his Lordship pronounced the Apostolic Bene diction in the same tongue." On the evening of Easter Monday," a the conclusion of the Tamul divine service, the Missionaries pre sent received an affectionate and animated address from the Bishop who observed, it was probably the last time that all present coul expect to meet again in this world, and exhorted them to diligenc and perseverance, by the example of Swartz, near whose remain he was then standing."

March 28th, the Bishop, "attended by his Chaplain, an several Missionaries of the district, paid a visit of ceremony to h Highness, the Rajah of Tanjore, under the customary honour On the following day his Highness returned the visit."

The Bishop's visit to Tanjore appears to have been highly est mated, for its expected good influence on "the Missionaries, an the numerous Natives connected with the mission." His inquiri were concluded by an inspection of "the English and Tam School," where "275 boys and girls" were educated, with who proficiency, the Bishop "expressed himself highly gratified." H last days are thus described in the Bombay Courier' of April 22

66

Saturday, April 8, the Bishop reached Trichinopoly, and on Sund he preached, and held a confirmation in the evening, after which, he deliver another discourse, concluding with a solemn and affecting farewell to t congregation. On Monday, at an early hour, he visited a congregation Native Christians, and on his return went into a bath, as he had done on t two preceding days. He was there seized with an apoplectic fit, and wh his servant, alarmed at the length of his stay, entered the bathing-room, found that life was extinct."

Thus, have terminated, in the midst of his days, the life a labours of Dr. Reginald Heber, the second Bishop of Calcutta. H talents, and his diligent occupation of them, with the uniform cou tesy of his deportment, had already conciliated the respect a attachment of all who came within his influence. Of the hono paid to his memory, no account has yet reached England, exc the Governor General's orders issued on the first receipt of t affecting intelligence, that "the flag of the garrison, at Fort George, should be mounted half-mast high," and that "min guns, in number corresponding with the age of the deceas should be fired from the saluting battery."

India has higher honours in reserve for the late Bishop of C cutta, if her history shall record his name among those who ha attained distinction.

Without ambition, war, or violence,
By deeds of peace, by wisdom eminent;

if she shall class him with the few, who, amidst the crowding votaries of avarice and ambition, have sought her shores, willing to protect, and not to plunder her; to draw forth her moral and intellectual resources, rather than to accumulate her earthly treasures.

Of such, we trust, was the late Bishop Heber, and that "the mighty Master found the talent well employed." Thus, to adopt the language of eastern wisdom, "being made perfect in a short time, he fulfilled a long time; for honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years; but wisdom is the gray hair unto man, and an unspotted life is old age." N. L. T.

DEBATE AT THE EAST INDIA HOUSE.

Wednesday, September 27, 1826.

THIS day a General Quarterly Court was held at the Company's House, in Leadenhall Street.

CAPTAIN MICHAEL.

The Minutes of last Court having been read,

The CHAIRMAN (Sir G. A Robinson) informed the Court, that it was made special for the purpose of submitting, for confirmation, the Resolution of the General Court of Directors of the 21st of June, approving the Resolution of the Court of Directors of the 31 May last, providing, that Captain Michael, of the Madras Establishment, upon his resigning the Military Service, in order that he may continue to act as Mahratta Translator to the Tanjore Commissioners in England, in which capacity he receives a salary of 6824. 10s. per annum, shall be granted, upon the terms and conditions therein stated, a continuance of that salary for life; and further providing, that whenever the period shall arrive at which, if Captain Michael had continued in the Military Service he would have succeeded to the command of a tegiment, and a share of off-reckonings, the said salary of 6827. 10s. per annum, be increased from that date to 10507. per annum for life.

Captain MAXFIELD begged leave to ask the Honourable Chairman a question.

The CHAIRMAN informed the hon. Proprietor that he could not ask any question until the motion he had to submit to the Court was put. He then moved that this Court do now confirm the resolution which had just been read.

Captain MAXFIELD said, he recollected being in this Court when it was proposed to give the Tanjore Commissioners 3007. in addition to their salaries as Carnatic Commissioners. He had understood in the last Court that the Carnatic Commission was drawing to a close; but he wished now to be informed whether there was any chance of its terminating, and when such termination was likely to take place. The Commission had now sat five years, and nothing had as yet been done. It seemed as if it would last as long as the Company itself. He thought it would be preferable to have the correspondence translated in India, as it could be much better and more easily doue there than here. As to the present arrangement, it only served the purpose of keeping the Proprietors ignorant of the contents of the papers. He remembered once when a great mass of information was sent over from India, the translator was asked why it was not translated. His reply was, that it

was much better to have the papers as they were, for their not being translated would prevent discussion, as the Proprietors did not understand their contents.

The CHAIRMAN believed that no person could be more desirous of bringing those accounts to a close, than the Court of Directors themselves. With respect to the assertion, of nothing being done in the proceedings, that was not correct. So far from nothing having being done, there was a regular annual report made by the Commissioners. There were a thousand petty claims brought before them. Every one had a right to demand that the most trifling claims should be fully investigated, which was a cause of great trouble and vexation; and the Court of Directors had been desirous of avoiding a too minute investigation of those trifling claims. Measures had been adopted for that purpose, which it was expected would forward the business, but some legal objections had been started. When, however, things should be in a situation to bring the matter to a satisfactory close, he could assure the Proprietors, they would find that the Court of Directors had shown every disposition to carry those measures into effect. With respect to the Tanjore Commission, he certainly did wish that the Commissioners would act gratuitously, but that wish not being realized, it would have occasioned much trouble and delay to have instituted a new commission. He believed every endeavour had been made to bring the Commission to a close, but it could not be expected that the accounts of such a concern should be as simple as those of a private merchant. With respect to Captain Michael, he would state, that without his assistance, the Commissioners could not have done their duty.

Captain MAXFIELD begged to explain, that he did not for a moment doubt the merit of Captain Michael. He wished to know whether there was any translator to the Carnatic Commission. It certainly appeared to him, that the Commission would last as long as the Company. He should take an opportunity of moving for papers upon the subject.

Mr. DIXON said, that in a long course of life, and while he had attended this Court, he had always concurred in the acts of the constituted authorities of the Company and the Court of Directors. But in the case of Capt. Michael he had before stated, and he repeated it again, that those persons, for whose lives pensions are granted, may live longer than the Company. He thought that persons who deserved well of the Company should be properly rewarded, and he had never found that Company backward in liberally rewarding those persons whose services they required; but he could not help wishing that some more eligible method might be adopted, as the future existence of the Company could not but be considered as short.

The CHAIRMAN stated, that there were peculiar circumstances under which the salary was granted. If the Company required services for life, they must give an adequate remuneration for those services. Captain Michael was the only person in this Company, with the exception of an hon. Proprietor he saw before him, who was capable of fulfilling the duties of the situation he held, he being the only other person master of the Mahratta language. Of course, when the proposition was made for him to become translator, it was natural in him to consider what he was to give up. This first proposition, which was not an unreasonable one, as far as he was concerned, was, that he should continue on the allowance he enjoyed, and have the power of returning to India. But the Court considered, that if they agreed to that, they would make an unjust precedent, by allowing him to return to India after having resided in this country for many years. On that account, the Court declined the proposition. But it was agreed that Captain Michael should receive a yearly salary of 6821. 10s.; and if he should survive unto that time, when he would, had he continued in the army, have attained the command of a regiment, that his salary should be further increased to 1050l. per annum. With respect to the assertion, that he might live longer than the Company, he could only say, it might be so, but there was always a possibility of the charter of the Company being renewed.

The resolution was then adopted.