far, as to be qualified to form a judgment upon the merit and authority of the authors to be used in the compilation of his work; and although his labour was only applied to the disposition of materials already formed, he was enabled by his previous studies to give them an arrangement superior to any existing, and which the learned natives themselves approved and admired. In the dispensations of Providence, it may be remarked, as an occurrence of no ordinary nature, that the professors of the Braminical faith should so far renounce their reserve and distrust, as to submit to the direction of a native of Europe, for compiling a digest of their own laws."

In 1789, the first volume of the Asiatic Researches was published, and the same year sir William Jones finished his translation of Sacontala, or the Fatal Ring, an ancient Indian drama, and one of the greatest curiosities that the literature of Asia had yet brought to light. In 1794, he published as an institute, prefatory to his larger work, a translation of the ordinances of Menu, who is esteemed by the Hindus the first of created beings, and not only the oldest, but the holiest of legislators. The judgment and candour of the translator, however, led him to appreciate this work no higher than it deserved, as not being calculated for general reading, but exhibiting the manners of a remarkable people in a remote age, as including a system of despotism and priest-craft, limited by law, yet artfully conspiring to give mutual support, and as filled with conceits in metaphysics and natural philosophy which might be liable to misconstruction.—Amidst these employments, he still carried on his extensive correspondence with his learned friends in Europe, unfolding with candour his various pursuits and sentiments, and expressing such anxiety about every branch of science as proved that even what he called relaxation was but the diversion of his researches from one channel into another. In addition to the various studies already noticed, botany appears to have occupied a considerable share of his attention, and in this, as in every new acquisition, he disdained to stop at a moderate progress, or be content with a superficial knowledge.

The indisposition of lady Jones, in 1793, rendered it absolutely necessary that she should return to England, and her affectionate husband proposed to follow her in 1795, but still wished to complete the system of Indian laws before he left the situation in which he could promote this great work with most advantage. But he had not proceeded long in this undertaking before symptoms appeared of that disorder which deprived the world of one of its brightest ornaments. The following account of his dissolution is given in the words of his biographer.

"On the evening of the twentieth of April, or nearly about that date, after prolonging his walk to a late hour, during which he had imprudently remained in conversation, in an unwholesome situation, he called upon the writer of these sheets, aud complained of aguish symptoms, mentioning his intention to take some medicine, and repeating jocularly an old proverb, that, "an ague in the spring is medicine for a king." He had no suspicion at the time of the real nature of his indisposition, which proved in fact to be a complaint common in Bengal, an inflammation in the liver. The disorder was, however, soon discovered by the penetration of the physician, who, after two or three days, was called in to his assistance; but it had then advanced too far to yield to the efficacy of the medicines usually prescribed, and they were administered in vain. The progress of the complaint was uncommonly rapid, and terminated fatally on the 27th of April, 1794. On the morning of that day, his attendants,

alarmed at the evident symptoms of approaching dissolution, came precipitately to call the friend who has now the melancholy task of recording the mournful event. Not a moment was left in repairing to his house. He was lying on his bed in a posture of meditation; and the only symptom of remaining life was a small degree of motion in the heart, which after a few seconds ceased, and he expired without a pang or groan. His bodily suffering, from the complacency of his features and the ease of his attitude, could not have been severe: and his mind must have derived consolation from those sources where he had been in the habit of seeking it, and where alone, in our last moments, it can ever be found."

Thus ended the life of a man who was the brightest example of rational ambition, and of extensive learning, virtue and excellence that modern times have produced, a man who must ever be the subject of admiration, although it can happen to the lot of few to equal and perhaps of none to excel him. When we compare the shortness of his life with the extent of his labours, the mind is overpowered, yet his example, however disgraceful to the indolent, and even apparently discouraging to the humble scholar, will not be without the most salutary effects, if it be allowed to prove that no difficulties in science are insurmountable by regular industry, that the human faculties can be exalted by exercise beyond the common degrees with which we are apt to be satisfied, and that the finest taste is not incompatible with the profoundest studies. It was the peculiar felicity of this extraordinary man, that the whole plan of his life appears to have been the best that could have been contrived to forward his views and to accomplish his character. In tracing its progress we see very little that could have been more happily arranged: few adverse occurrences, and scarcely an object of serious regret, especially when we consider how gently his ambition was chastened and his integrity purified by the few delays which at one time seemed to cloud his prospects".

But it is foreign to the design of the present writer, and it must be left to a very superior pen, to discuss the character of sir William Jones as a scholar, a philosopher, and a lawyer. He is introduced in this collection as a poet, and his claims are such as, it is hoped, will justify this step. The greater part of his poems, indeed, consist of translations, but they indicate a taste so greatly refined, that there can be no scruple in admitting him to a very high rank among modern poets. He has presented to the English reader a new set of images, and opened new sources of the sublime and the pathetic by familiarizing the scenery and manners of the eastern regions. The judg ment with which those are selected leads us to regret, that his original productions are few, since it is universally acknowledged that, independent of the language and versification, both polished to a high degree of excellence, they are distinguished for true poetical fancy, ardour, and sensibility.

5 In 1799, his works were published in six volumes quarto, and have been since reprinted in thirteen volumes octavo, with the addition of his Life by lord Teignmouth, which first appeared in 1804.. Among the public tributes to his memory, are, a monument by Flaxman, in University College, at the expense of lady Jones; a monument to be erected in St. Paul's, and a statue at Bengal, both voted by the honourable East India company. A society of gentlemen at Bengal, who were educated at Oxford, subscribed a sum for a prize dissertation on his character and merits, which was adjudged to Mr. Henry Philpots, M. A. of Magdalen College. Among the many poetical tributes paid to his memory, that by the rev. Mr. Maurice of the British Museum seems entitled to the preference, from his accurate knowledge of sir William Jones's character and studies. C.