both ancient and modern. As a refined and cultivated language, used by so large a portion of the human race, its character is worthy of the attention of the linguist; the curious stores it opens to him, will amply repay his toil: but to the Missionary to the natives of that part of India, its acquisition is absolutely necessary. The Old and New Testaments were translated into Tamul, more than a century ago, by Ziegenbalg, and his coadjutors, of the Danish Mission of Tranquebar. Another translation was made, about forty years since, by Fabricius and others. A still more idiomatic translation, by the Rev. C. Rhenius, of Palamcottah, is now in progress, and passes under the revision of a sub-committee of Translations of the Bible Society in Madras; concerning which, I can say from my own knowledge, that its style is both clear and elegant, and is perhaps not excelled by any modern translation of the Holy Scriptures.

When in London, after considerable trouble, I found a copy of a Tamul grammar, in Latin, by Ziegenbalg. I soon made myself master of the characters, of the declensions of the nouns and conjugations of the verbs, contained in it, and of its vocabulary and phrases; but found, when I recommenced my studies in Madras, that I had formed an erroneous idea of the pronunciation of the letters, for want of a living instructer; for many of the sounds in the Tamul language, are such as cannot be conveyed correctly, either by the letters of our own language or the most elaborate description. My teacher was a very stout native, whose conceit and bad English afforded me no small amusement. However, he rendered me considerable assistance, and attended me regularly at six o'clock in the morning.

But I did not, at this time, remain long in Madras. The Rev. T. H. Squance, of the Wesleyan Mission, who had recently removed from the north of Ceylon, to Negapatam, on the coast of Coromandel, one hundred and eighty miles

PROPOSED JOURNEY.

31

to the south of Madras, wrote from thence, that there were considerable openings, in that neighbourhood, for Missionary labours, to an extent to which he was not adequate, while alone; and begged that one of the newly arrived brethren, might come to his assistance. It was toward the end of the month of October; the rainy season had commenced, and there was every prospect of an uncomfortable journey: it would have been too great a risk, for Mr. Mowat, with Mrs. Mowat, to have attempted it. It was determined that I should go, and within five weeks after my arrival at Madras, I was ready to leave it for Negapatam.

CHAPTER V.

OCTOBER, 1820.

Journey-Palankeen - Bearers-Choultries-Crossing a River-Covelong - Tripatoor-Sadras-JunglePondicherry - Cuddalore - Tranquebar MissionNegapatam.

I did not part with my companions in danger and suffering, nor leave my newly formed acquaintance in Madras, without regret; but the path of duty was before me, and I considered the call imperative. On Tuesday, 24th of October, at 4 P. M., I set out on my journey ;* having ten bearers to

* On this, and on all similar occasions, the whole of the time I resided in India, I found no difficulty, in obtaining the requisite passports, from the proper authorities; on stating the object of my journey, and the route I wished to travel.

my palankeen, and six men to carry my baggage, cooking utensils, &c. The palankeen with which I was provided, differed from those commonly used in India, being a double tonjon, admitting two persons to sit face to face, and being sufficiently long, for one person to recline in. The possibility of thus changing the position, on a journey, is a great advantage; the common palankeen does not admit of it, but requires a position like that of sitting up in bed, supported by pillows; easy at the first, but when long continued, very tiresome to persons unaccustomed to it.

In the first stage, I sat or reclined about two hours and a half, the poles of the palankeen supported on the shoulders of four men, who were relieved about every ten minutes, by four others; those who were not actually carrying, running before or behind; the whole party talking, laughing, and singing, and moving at the rate of about five

miles an hour.

When I first saw this mode of conveyance, I heartily pitied the men employed in bearing the palankeen; and could not dismiss a strong sense of self-disapprobation, for allowing myself to be carried by them. But this method of travelling, is often indispensable to an European, in a torrid clime like India: and in a country so extensive, where the roads are commonly little more than tracks, through swamp and jungle; where bridges are comparatively rare, and the passes of the mountains not unfrequently impracticable to any beast of burden, without extreme difficulty and danger; experience has fully established its necessity. Travelling on horseback, is the only alternative; and with this mode, tents are required; the stages, too, must be short, unless the traveller can bear exposure to the dews of the night, and the heat of the day. Observation has convinced me, also, that there is no description of men in India, better satisfied with their employment, than palankeen bearers; they are cheerful in the performance of the