80 MEMOIR OF DR WRIGHT. 



his passage, and his introduction in India. The two 

 first I shall endeavour to manage. I know his heart 

 is good and grateful. He needs only to be put in the. 

 way to prove it both to you and myself. In India, 

 and particularly in Madras, I happen to have a num- 

 ber of friends, who wish for an opportunity to serve 

 and oblige me. James is well satisfied with his des- 

 tination, as it is the healthiest in India, and desires 

 me to say so to you all, for your comfort. He says, 

 too, ' I am singularly fortunate in being thus early ap- 

 pointed, when others have waited two years without 

 even now succeeding.' " 



It may be interesting to notice the fate of a pre- 

 vious unsuccessful application to the minister. It is 

 communicated by Mr Wright to his uncle in the 

 following terms : " I dined enfamille with Dr Garth- 

 shore, on Thursday, where I found your welcome 

 letter of the 6th, enclosing Mr Drummond's to Mr 

 Dundas. I went instantly to Professor Bruce, but 

 he dined abroad. I then went to the Royal Society, 

 in the hope of finding him there, but he did not ap- 

 pear. As I was determined to lose no time in seeing 

 him, I called at his house before 9 o'clock yesterday 

 morning. He dispatched me immediately to Mr 

 Puxdas's residence in Somerset House, but he was 

 not at home. The porter desired me to call at the 

 Board of Control, in Whitehall, at half-past twelve ; 

 which I did, and waited there till four, before I could 

 procure an audience ; there being such a crowd of 

 things called Lords and Courtiers, dancing attendance 

 on the same errand ! After reading the letter, he said 



