Mandchou construction being still very vague and wandering, and I
should also be happy if you could and would procure for me the
original grammatical work of Amyot, printed in the MEMOIRES, etc.
Present my kind regards to Mr. Hattersley, and thank him in my name
for his kind letter, but at the same time tell him that I was sorry
to learn that he was putting himself to the trouble of transferring
into Mandchou characters the specimens which Amyot has given in
Roman, as there was no necessity for it in respect to myself, a
mere transcript being quite sufficient to convey the information I
was in need of. Assure him likewise that I am much disposed to
agree with him in his opinion of Amyot's Dictionary, which he terms
in his letter 'something not very first-rate,' for the Frenchman's
translations of the Mandchou words are anything but clear and
satisfactory, and being far from literal, frequently leave the
student in great doubt and perplexity.

I have sent to my brother one copy of St. Luke's Gospel with a
letter; the postage was 15s. 5d. My reason for sending only one
was, that the rate of postage increases with the weight, and that
the two Gospels can go out much cheaper singly than together. The
other I shall dispatch next month.

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,