I subjoin a translation from the Mandchou, as I am one of those who do not wish people to believe words but works; and as I have had no Grammar, and been only seven weeks at a language which Amyot says _one may acquire in five or six years_, I thought you might believe my account of my progress to be a piece of exaggeration and vain boasting. The translation is from the Mongol History, which, not being translated by Klaproth, I have selected as most adapted to the present occasion; I must premise that I translate as I write, and if there be any inaccuracies, as I daresay there will, some allowance must be made for haste, which prevents my devoting the attention necessary to a perfectly correct rendering of the text. I will conclude by observing that I believe myself at present competent to edit any book in Mandchou, _if that be what is wanted_, and beg leave to remain, dear Sir, your obedient humble servant, GEORGE BORROW. To the Rev. J. Jowett _June_ 9_th_, 1833 WILLOW LANE, ST. GILES, NORWICH. REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--I have mastered Mandchou, and I should feel obliged by your informing the Committee of the fact, and also my excellent friend Mr. Brandram. I assure you that I have had no easy and pleasant task in acquiring this language. In the first place, it is in every respect different from all others which I have studied, with perhaps the exception of the Turkish, to which it seems to bear some remote resemblance in syntax, though none in words. In the second place, it abounds with idiomatic phrases, which can only be learnt by habit, and to the understanding of which a Dictionary is of little or no use, the words separately having either no meaning or a meaning quite distinct from that which they possess when thus conjoined. And thirdly the helps afforded me in this undertaking have been sadly inadequate. However, with the assistance of God, I have performed my engagement. I have translated several pieces from the Mandchou, amongst which is the . . . or Spirit of the Hearth ([Greek text]), which is a peculiarly difficult composition, and which had never previously been translated into a European language. Should you desire a copy, I shall have great pleasure in sending one. I shall now be happy to be regularly employed, for though I am not in want, my affairs are not in a very flourishing condition. I remain, Revd. and dear Sir, your most obedient humble servant, GEORGE BORROW. To the Rev. J. Jowett WILLOW LANE, ST. GILES, NORWICH, _July_ 3rd, 1833.