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vernor…General's palace has witnessed a sight more profoundly significant than that of William Carey addressing the Marquis Wellesley in Sanskrit； and in the presence of the future Duke of Wellington； in such words as follow。
The seventy students； their governors； officers； and professors； rose to their feet； when； at ten o'clock on Thursday the 20th of September 1804； His Excellency the Visitor entered the room； accompanied； as the official gazette duly chronicles； by 〃the Honourable the Chief Justice； the judges of the Supreme Court； the members of the Supreme Council； the members of the Council of the College； Major…General Cameron； Major…General the Honourable Arthur Wellesley； Major…General Dowdeswell； and Solyman Aga； the envoy from Baghdad。 All the principal civil and military officers at the Presidency； and many of the British inhabitants； were present on this occasion； and also many learned natives。〃
After Romer had defended； in Hindostani； the thesis that the Sanskrit is the parent language in India； and Swinton； in Persian； that the poems of Hafiz are to be understood in a figurative or mystical sense； there came a Bengali declamation by Tod senior on the position that the translations of the best works extant in the Sanskrit with the popular languages of India would promote the extension of science and civilisation； opposed by Hayes； then Carey； as moderator； made an appropriate Bengali speech。 A similar disputation in Arabic and a Sanskrit declamation followed； when Carey was called on to conclude with a speech in Sanskrit。 Two days after； at a second assemblage of the same kind； followed by a state dinner。 Lord Wellesley presented the best students with degrees of merit inscribed on vellum in Oriental characters； and delivered an oration； in which he specially complimented the Sanskrit classes； urged more general attention to the Bengali language； and expressed satisfaction that a successful beginning had been made in the study of Marathi。
It was considered a dangerous experiment for a missionary； speaking in Sanskrit； to avow himself such not only before the Governor…General in official state but before the Hindoo and Mohammedan nobles who surrounded him。 We may be sure that Carey would not show less of his Master's charity and wisdom than he had always striven to do。 But the necessity was the more laid on him that he should openly confess his great calling； for he had told Fuller on Lord Wellesley's arrival he would do so if it were possible。 Buchanan； being quite as anxious to bring the mission forward on this occasion； added much to the English draft〃the whole of the flattery is his；〃 wrote Carey to Fullerand sent it on to Lord Wellesley with apprehension。 This answer came back from the great Proconsul：〃I am much pleased with Mr。 Carey's truly original and excellent speech。 I would not wish to have a word altered。 I esteem such a testimony from such a man a greater honour than the applause of Courts and Parliaments。〃
〃MY LORD； it is just that the language which has been first cultivated under your auspices should primarily be employed in gratefully acknowledging the benefit； and in speaking your praise。 This ancient language； which refused to disclose itself to the former Governors of India； unlocks its treasures at your command； and enriches the world with the history； learning； and science of a distant age。 The rising importance of our collegiate institution has never been more clearly demonstrated than on the present occasion； and thousands of the learned in distant nations will exult in this triumph of literature。
〃What a singular exhibition has been this day presented to us！ In presence of the supreme Governor of India； and of its most learned and illustrious characters； Asiatic and European； an assembly is convened； in which no word of our native tongue is spoken； but public discourse is maintained on interesting subjects in the languages of Asia。 The colloquial Hindostani； the classic Persian； the commercial Bengali； the learned Arabic； and the prim鎣al Sanskrit are spoken fluently； after having been studied grammatically； by English youth。 Did ever any university in Europe； or any literary institution in any other age or country； exhibit a scene so interesting as this？ And what are the circumstances of these youth？ They are not students who prosecute a dead language with uncertain purpose； impelled only by natural genius or love of fame。 But having been appointed to the important offices of administering the government of the country in which these languages are spoken； they apply their acquisitions immediately to useful purpose； in distributing justice to the inhabitants； in transacting the business of the state； revenual and commercial； and in maintaining official intercourse with the people； in their own tongue； and not； as hitherto； by an interpreter。 The acquisitions of our students may be appreciated by their affording to the suppliant native immediate access to his principal； and by their elucidating the spirit of the regulations of our Government by oral communication； and by written explanations； varied according to the circumstances and capacities of the people。
〃The acquisitions of our students are appreciated at this moment by those learned Asiatics now present in this assembly； some of them strangers from distant provinces； who wonder every man to hear in his own tongue important subjects discussed； and new and noble principles asserted； by the youth of a foreign land。 The literary proceedings of this day amply repay all the solicitude； labour； and expense that have been bestowed on this institution。 If the expense had been a thousand times greater； it would not have equalled the immensity of the advantage； moral and political； that will ensue。
〃I； now an old man； have lived for a long series of years among the Hindoos。 I have been in the habit of preaching to multitudes daily； of discoursing with the Brahmans on every subject； and of superintending schools for the instruction of the Hindoo youth。 Their language is nearly as familiar to me as my own。 This close intercourse with the natives for so long a period； and in different parts of our empire； has afforded me opportunities of information not inferior to those which have hitherto been presented to any other person。 I may say indeed that their manners； customs； habits； and sentiments are as obvious to me as if I was myself a native。 And knowing them as I do； and hearing as I do their daily observations on our government； character； and principles； I am warranted to say （and I deem it my duty to embrace the public opportunity now afforded me of saying it） that the institution of this college was wanting to complete the happiness of the natives under our dominion； for this institution will break down that barrier （our ignorance of their language） which has ever opposed the influence of our laws and principles； and has despoiled our administration of its energy and effect。
〃Were the institution to cease from this moment； its salutary effects would yet remain。 Good has been done； which cannot be undone。 Sources of useful knowledge； moral instruction； and political utility have been opened to the