REV. HENRY MARTYN, B.D. 



57 



because a doubt has been started whether the style is not too 

 high. Thus we are baffled — yet it is the Lord's will — and 

 therefore I feel willing to try again and again, till the work is 

 approved. It seems now to be the wish that Sabat should 

 leave the Persian for awhile and commence an Arabic version ; 

 to this plan I cordially consent, because it is the most important 

 version of all, Arabic being understood not only in Syria, Tartary, 

 Persia, India, and many parts of China, but through a large part 

 of Africa, and all along the south coast of the Mediterranean. 



But I must hasten fco a conclusion. I hope you do not forget me 

 in your prayers, tho' I sometimes fear you do. My kindest 

 remembrances attend my dearest sisters, Emma and Lydia, as 

 they well know. You two are such bad correspondents that on 

 this ground I prefer another petition for the renewal of Lydia's 

 correspondence, — she need not suspect anything now, nor her 

 friends. I have no idea that I should trouble her upon the old 

 subject, even if I were settled in England — for this vain 

 world ! quid hahet commodi ? quid non potius laboris ? 



But I never expect to see England more, nor do I expect that 

 tho' all obstacles should be removed, she would ever become 

 mine unless I came for her, and I now do not wonder at it, tho' 

 I did before. If any one of my sisters had had such a proposal 

 made to them, I would never have consented to their going, so 

 you may see the affair is ended between us. My wish is that 

 she would be scribe for you all, and I promise on my part to 

 send you thro' her an ample detail oj all my proceedings ; also she 

 need not imagine that I may form another attachment — in which 

 case she might suppose a correspondence with an unmarried 

 lady might be productive of difficulties, — for after one dis- 

 appointment I am not likely to try my chance again, and if I 

 do I will give her the earliest intelligence of it, with the same 

 frankness with which I have always dealt (with her). 



Nov. 8th. I have just heard from Colonel Sandys' letter of 

 5th April, of the changes in your family. I feel deeply affected 

 at the loss'^' you have sustained, I could weep for hours at the 

 thought of St. Hilary. 



Adieu ! dearest Brother. 



This concluding portion of the letter, beginning at the words "' but I never 

 expect, etc." and ending "I have always dealt with her," had been carefully- 

 concealed by paper gummed over the original MS., which was removed by hot 

 water and steam. 



* Rev.jiMalachy Hitchius, who died in 1809, is probably meant. 



