Lipoftsoff I think you had best charge me with to him, for in that
case you will be certain that he will receive it, without loss of
time. But I must inform you that he is rather a singular man, and
to all appearances perfectly indifferent to the fate of his
excellent translation, caring nothing whether it be published as a
powerful instrument to open the closed eyes and soften the hard
hearts of the idolators of China and Tartary, or whether it be
committed to the flames, and for ever lost to the world. You
cannot conceive the cold, heartless apathy in respect to the
affair, on which I have been despatched hither as an ASSISTANT,
which I have found in people, to whom I looked, not unreasonably,
for encouragement and advice. But thanks be to the Lord, the great
object has been accomplished, permission has been obtained to print
the New Testament, and have no doubt that permission for the whole
Bible is within our reach. And in regard to what we have yet to
do, let it be borne in mind, that we are by no means dependent upon
Mr. Lipoftsoff; though certainly to secure the services which he is
capable of performing would be highly desirable, and though he
cannot act outwardly in the character of Editor, he having been
appointed Censor, he may privately be of great utility to us.
Therefore let the attempt to engage his services be made without
delay.

At the Sarepta House is a chest containing Mandchou characters,
belonging to the Bible Society, which I shall cause to be examined
for the purpose of ascertaining whether they have sustained any
injury from rust during the long time they have been lying
neglected; if any of them have, my learned friend Baron Schilling,
who is in possession of a small fount of Mandchou types for the
convenience of printing trifles in that tongue, has kindly promised