dices against that measure resisted by Mr. Buchanan. Circumstances relative to the institution of the Civil Fund for Widows and Orphans. Salutary influence of the College. Second voyage of Mrs. Buchanan to Eng- land. Composition of Mr. Buchanan's "Memoir on "the Expediency of an Ecclesiastical Establishment for "India." Determination of first series of Prizes. Grounds and analysis of Mr. Buchanan's Memoir. Mr. Lassar, and his Chinese class at Serampore. Mr. Bu- chanan's publication, entitled "The College of Fort William." Literary and moral Excellence of that in- stitution. Course of Sermons by Mr. Buchanan on the Mr. Buchanan's proposal of two Prizes of 500l. to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, in June 1805. His dangerous illness. Account of the death of Mrs. Buchanan. Mr. Buchanan's letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury. College disputations. Mr. Buchanan's exertions to promote translations of the Scriptures into MEMOIRS OF THE REV. DR. BUCHANAN. PART I. CHAP. I. IT is by no means uncommon in the history of those who have in any manner distinguished themselves among their contemporaries, to find them deriving no peculiar honour from their ancestors, but rather reflecting it upon them; and becoming themselves, if not the founders of a family, yet the sole authors of their fame. Of the truth of this observation, an instance is afforded by the subject of the following Memoirs. His remote origin might perhaps be traced to some of those who have in different ages illustrated the name of Buchanan; but it is not known that he ever claimed any such distinction, nor is it a point which it is at all necessary to ascertain. If, however, the Biographer of this excellent man is unable to de duce his descent from the possessors of worldly rank or talent, an honour which may be unjustly depreciated, as it is sometimes unduly prized, he may at least assert, that his immediate progenitors were endowed with more than an ordinary share of Christian piety; an honour, in his estimation, of a higher nature; and a blessing, which, as he peculiarly valued it, was not only a source of pleasing and grateful recollection, but might not improbably form one link in the chain of causes which led to his own distinguished worth and usefulness. CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN was born at Cambuslang, near Glasgow, on the 12th of March 1766. He was the son of Mr. Alexander Buchanan, a man of respectable learning, and of excellent character, who was highly esteemed in various parts of Scotland, as a laborious and faithful teacher, and who a few months previous to his death was appointed rector of the grammar school of Falkirk. His mother was the daughter of Mr. Claudius Somers, one of the Elders of the Church at Cambuslang about the period of the extraordinary occurrences which took place in that valley, in consequence of the preaching of the celebrated Mr. Whitefield, in the year 1742. Notwithstanding the enthusiasm and extravagance which probably attended those remarkable scenes, it is unquestion "See Gillies's Historical Coll. vol. ii. p. 339. able, that many were excited to a deep and lasting sense of real religion. Amongst this number was the grandfather of the subject of this Memoir; whose piety was imbibed by his daughter, the mother of Buchanan. By both these excellent persons he appears to have been carefully trained, from his earliest years, in religious principles and habits. He is described, by one of his surviving relatives, as having been distinguished from his youth by a lively and engaging disposition. He is said also to have recollected the serious impres sions which were sometimes made upon his mind by the devotions of the paternal roof, and by the admonitions which his grandfather, from whom he derived his baptismal name, and who seems to have regarded him with peculiar affection, was accustomed to address to him occasionally in his study. And though, as it will afterwards appear, the instructions and example of these pious relatives were not immediately productive of any decided and permanent effect, he must be added to the number of those who ultimately derived essential benefit from having been brought up "in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord;" and consequently as affording fresh encouragement to religious parents to pursue a course which has been so frequently crowned with success, and which is seldom, it may be hoped, altogether in vain. In the year 1773, at the age of seven years, young Buchanan entered the grammar school of |