MAl’s IMPROVEMENT NEGLECTED. 367 
thus presented in rapid succession, kept his mind 
in a state of perpetual excitement and surprise. 
The impression made by one object, was oblite¬ 
rated by the exhibition of some new wonder, which 
prevented his paying particular regard to any. 
This constant variety deprived him of all useful 
knowledge, and diverted his attention from the 
important subjects that demanded his notice while 
residing in the metropolis of Britain. A most 
favourable opportunity was afforded for his ac¬ 
quiring that knowledge of our agriculture, arts, 
and manufactures, our civil and religious institu¬ 
tions, which would have enabled him to introduce 
the most salutary improvements among his country¬ 
men. Thus he might have become a father to his 
nation; and his visit to England might have been 
rendered a blessing to its latest generations. But, 
as Forster, who accompanied him on his return, 
laments, “ no friendly Mentor ever attempted to 
cherish and gratify this wish, much less to improve 
his moral character, to teach him our exalted ideas 
of virtue, and the sublime principles of revealed 
religion.” To the censure thus passed upon those, 
under whose care he spent the period of his resi¬ 
dence in England, one exception at least must be 
made, and that in favour of a name that will ever 
be dear to every friend of humanity. Granville 
Sharp became acquainted with Mai, taught him 
the first principles of writing, and, so far as his 
knowledge of our language allowed, endeavoured 
to pour the light of divine truth into his ignorant 
and untutored mind. He made such progress in 
the use of letters, that on his voyage to the South 
Seas, while staying at the Cape of Good Hope, he 
wrote a letter to his friend Dr. Solancer. 
During the two years he spent in this country, 
