seeing your face, a letter from you is one of my greatest
gratifications. I see the handwriting, and read the heart of my
friend; nor can the distance of one-fourth of the globe prevent a
union of hearts.

"Hitherto I have refrained from writing accounts of the country,
because I concluded that those whose souls were panting after the
conversion of the heathen would feel but little gratified in having
an account of the natural productions of the country. But as
intelligence of this kind has been frequently solicited by several
of my friends, I have accordingly opened books of observation, which
I hope to communicate when they are sufficiently authenticated and
matured. I also intend to assign a peculiar share to each of my
stated correspondents. To you I shall write some accounts of the
arts, utensils, and manufactures of the country; to Brother Sutcliff
their mythology and religion; to Brother Ryland the manners and
customs of the inhabitants; to Brother Fuller the productions of the
country; to Brother Pearce the language, etc.; and to the Society a
joint account of the mission."

He had "separate books for every distinct class, as birds, beasts,
fishes, reptiles, etc." Long before this, on 13th March 1795, he
had written to the learned Ryland, his special correspondent on
subjects of science and on Hebrew, his first impressions of the
physiography of Bengal, adding: "The natural history of Bengal would
furnish innumerable novelties to a curious inquirer. I am making
collections and minute descriptions of whatever I can obtain; and
intend at some future time to transmit them to Europe."

"MUDNABATI, 26th November 1796.--I observed in a former letter that