12 A DÏSCOÜRSE^ &C. 



containing some highly interesting Essav from 

 him, His death is deeply deplored by us allj 

 as must for ever be the unexpected and an* 

 timely fate of my departed friend Dr. Lei/den, 

 whoj althoogh not actually initiated as a 

 Member of this Society, came from the other 

 India panting after knowledsre and busy in the 

 pursuit of Science. Had Providence ordained 

 that he should have remained a few months on 

 this Island in the exercise of the wonderful 

 powers of his ever active mind^ I am convinced, 

 that from his cxtraordinary acquirement? in all 

 the languages of the East, his deep erudition, 

 and his zeal in the cause^ he would have foimd 

 it no difficult task to have traced the connection 

 "which formerly subsisted between the Eastern 

 Islands, and Western liidia, from a comparison 

 of their languages and dialects only. His views 

 were the most extended and comprehensive that 

 a philosophic mind can conceive. Ardent in the 

 pursuit of knowledge in every direction, and 

 rising v/ith difficulties, his uncommon mind and 

 rare taleats must naturally have overcome every 

 obstacle. 



A more convincing proof cannot perhaps be 

 offercd of the views which he contemplated^ 

 ifi setting his foot in this capital of the Eastero 

 Isiaiids. than in the sketch of Borneo^ which 



