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"The success of such a plan will, under any regulation, depend in great measure on the choice of upright, disinterested judges. If such persons should fortunately be met with, who are at the same time qualified for their office, the welfare of the country would be laid on a firm foundation.

"One person I am acquainted with, of uncorrupted morals and disinterested principles. He is a Christian, and has been employed as a judge at Tranquebar these twenty-five years. It is true he is in the service of the Danish government; but the governor of Tranquebar would willingly permit him to assist, at least for some time, in the establishment and necessary regulating of a For this man's integrity, I will be responsible. He was once sent to Tanjore by the Danish government, and at that time many people chose him for an arbitrator in their tedious suits, and willingly submitted to his decision. His being a Christian would be no objection to his being employed, as there are even Brahmins willing to acknowledge him a capable and good

court.

man.

"Some points relative to a reform in the court. at Tanjore, I committed to writing, by the desire of Sir Archibald Campbell. The country being at present under the Company, by whom the salaries of those employed in the court will, I

suppose, be paid, the above plan will require CHAP.

considerable alterations.

"To conclude. It has been a long time my passionate wish to see justice impartially administered in this country. Happy would it make me to see that wish accomplished, and the present period appears favourable for its introduction. I am well convinced the Honourable Board will give their concurrence and support to so very necessary and useful an undertaking."

A copy of the above letter was sent by the government of Fort St. George to the board of assumed revenue, at Tanjore.

The confidence reposed in the venerable missionary was unbounded; an additional instance of which was shortly afterwards afforded, in consequence of the continued objections of Ameer Sing to the allowances fixed by the government for the family of the late rajah. It was at length resolved, that "if his excellency persist in his refusal to receive those allowances, they should be advanced by the collectors to the Rev. Mr. Swartz, and by him be distributed to the parties concerned."-A more honourable proof of the high estimation in which this excellent man was held by the English government, can scarcely be imagined, and it is almost needless to add how justly it was deserved.

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VOL. II.

Q

XVIII.

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CHAPTER XVIII.

Letters to the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, and to several friends-Progress of Mr. Janicke-School at Cumbagonam-Renewal of the war with Tippoo-Ordination of Sattianaden-His Sermon on that occasion-He is sanctioned by the Society-His grateful acknowledgments— Letters to Mr. and Mrs. Duffin-Visit from the Rev. Mr. Cammerer-His Character of Mr. Swartz-Extracts from his Journal for 1791-Letters to friends-Eulogy of Swartz and Gerické, by Dr. Glasse in addressing the Rev. Mr. Pozold, a new missionary of the Society.

CHAP. IN acknowledging the arrival of the annual stores sent out by the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, Swartz, in a letter dated the 10th of January, 1790, gratefully observes, that he and his brethren had reason to adore the mercy of God, and to say, "Hitherto the Lord has guarded, guided, and protected us." Mr. Kohlhoff had assisted him faithfully in the church, and in the schools, and Mr. Joenické had made amazing progress in learning the English and Tamul languages. The catechists and schoolmasters at Tanjore and at Palamcotta, amounted

to ten.

Their salaries, the charge of supporting

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the schools, the repairs of old houses and the CHAP. building of new ones, and the extraordinary allowances to the catechists when sent to distant places, were such, he states, that were it not for his salary from the East India Company, it would be impossible to defray all the necessary expenses.

.

In a second letter of the same date, after again adverting to the promising advancement of Mr. Jænicke in the Tamul language, Mr. Swartz adds, that the sermons composed by this diligent student were corrected by himself; but that in a short time he would stand in no need of such assistance. "It would then," he said, "be necessary to determine upon the station for his missionary labours, whether at Madras or at Palamcotta, where the congregation was considerably increasing. In that quarter he thought more success would be experienced, as the people there had less connexion with Europeans. On the other hand, Mr. Gerické at Madras much needed assistance, which, however, he hoped would be afforded by the Society soon sending out another missionary. Should God call him away, ," he observes, "Mr. Gerické would then reside at Tanjore, and Mr. Kohlhoff go to Palamcotta, or they might alternately be at each place. These speculations, however, he humbly submitted to the determination of divine Providence. They had then," he said, "no comfort

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CHAP. able prospect before them; being apprehensive that the poor country would experience another devastation; though it had scarcely begun to lift up its head from the ravages occasioned by the last war."

In this letter Swartz communicates his intention of establishing a provincial school at Cumbagonam, one of the principal places in Tanjore. A very good spot had been granted to him by the rajah, and he had begun to lay the foundation of the building which he intended to be used as a place of divine worship. Whether the war they were dreading would prevent his proceeding with the work, a short time would show.

The intention thus announced, as to an additional school, was soon afterwards fulfilled, as appears by the following extracts from a letter to Mr. Pasche, dated July 21, 1790, in which, among other useful and interesting matter, he first mentions the design of ordaining his pious and excellent catechist, Sattianaden.

"God has graciously strengthened me hitherto, so that I have been enabled to do my work both among Christians and heathens. Meanwhile, I feel the approaches of age, being near the completion of my sixty-fourth year; but as long as I live, and have any strength left, I shall gladly take my share in the work.

"In order to relieve the missionaries, I intend