"I believe I was in Canton when I last wrote to you, via., the beginning of this year. I continued there till March, carrying on a discussion with the Chinese government respecting the alleged murder of a Chinaman. I obtained great eclât, by the public examination of witnesses. Every body was astonished, that in two years I should be able to write the language, and converse in the Mandarin and vulgar dialects. In consequence of that, three of the Company's servants determined to begin the study of Chinese; and I have during the summer been a regular Chinese tutor. I pray that the Lord may soon grant to me some from among the heathen, who will faithfully join in the promulgation of divine truth. I wish you had come with me to China: I want some humble, persevering fellow-labourer." He regularly spent six months alternately at Macao and Canton, in compliance with the requisition of the Chinese policy, whose jealousy permits few foreigners to reside in the "celestial empire," as they proudly denominate it; but which, in consideration of an annual revenue, tolerates the Portuguese settlement on the insignificant island of Macao. In a letter dated December 29, 1811, he states:-- "Sir George Staunton, who is very friendly to me, leaves the Company's service this year; and I am appointed to his place, as Chinese Secretary. This will confine me in Canton six months of the year. The Missionary Society judge it proper that I should be in this employment. It is far from being congenial with my taste or wishes, considered in itself. I greatly prefer entire devotedness to my missionary labours, and the perfecting, for future missionaries, a dictionary of the language." This appointment, however, greatly increased his comforts and influence, and enabled him to perform some of those noble acts of Christian benevolence to be hereafter noticed.