COCHINCHINA. 281 
India Company, convinced at length of the importance of 
standing on friendly terms with the King of Cochinchina, 
sent, it is true, one of their servants from Canton on a secret 
mission to Sai-gong, in the year 1804 ; which, however, com- 
pletely failed. But more of this hereafter. 
In justice to the memory of Adran, who died in 1800, it 
ought to be observed, that the character of this Monarch,, 
the recovery of his kingdom, his successes in war, the im- 
provements of his country in the intervals of peace and, 
above all, the rapid progress made in various arts, manufac- 
tures, and science, are greatly owing to the talents, the in- 
struction and faithful attachment of this missionary. The King, 
on his part, loved him to adoration, distinguishing him by an 
epithet bestowed on Confucius alone, the Illustrious Master. 
And in testimony of his great veneration, after the remains 
of the Bishop had been interred by his brother missionaries 
according to the rites of the Romish Church, he ordered the 
body to be taken up and again buried with all the funeral 
pomp and ceremonies prescribed by the Cochinchinese re- 
ligion ; nor could he be prevailed on to forego this signal 
mark of honour to his memory, notwithstanding the intreaties 
and expostulations of the French missionaries, who were not 
a little scandalized at such unhallowed proceedings. It may 
readily be supposed the Bishop had no easy task to perform. 
As counsellor of the King and instructor of his son, he na- 
turally became the object of jealousy to all the Mandarins. 
Combinations were frequently formed against him ; and re- 
monstrances were sometimes ventured to be made to the 
King against the impolic}^ as well as indecency of entrusting the 
o o 
