No more, I trust,

on my own exertions and success. has been said than was necessary to exhibit the nature and origin of the Hospital which I have established, and its claim to the aid which I thankfully acknowledge." Macao, China.

T. R. C.

"Most desirable it is, we would loudly reiterate, that enlightened Britain, and the no less aspiring nation, which glories in the relationship of having the same blood and the same speech with Britain, should be known in this country as possessing other characteristics than those attaching to us solely as merchants and adventurers. In commerce there may be rival interests; but not so in the works of that charity which seeketh not her own. Every one who has witnessed the success of the infirmary at Macao, will concur, we think, in the following testimony; will give the enterprise his approbation; and endeavor, so far as there may be opportunity, to enlarge and extend its operations.— We are allowed to quote the following letter with the signature."

"I have this day visited Mr. Colledge's Ophthalmic Infirmary, and having witnessed the origin of the undertaking, I am happy to bear testimony to the complete success which has attended the zealous exertions of this gentleman in behalf of the suffering poor in China.

"The number of native patients amounting to about four thousand, who during the last five years have sought aid from this institution, and among whom many have been restored to sight, and others relieved from almost hopeless blindness, is an honorable proof of the professional skill of its founder, and of the confidence which he has in

spired into all classes of the Chinese. To Mr. Colledge therefore belongs the merit of having established by aid of voluntary donation the first institution in this country for the relief of the indigent natives.

"I cannot close these observations without alluding to the honorable testimony that has been at various times recorded of Mr. Colledge's professional skill and abilities by the Select Committee, in their despatches to the Honorable the Court of Directors of the East India Company-both at the period when he was first selected to fill the situation of surgeon to their establishment in China, and also subsequently, when the great benefit derived by the Chinese suffering poor from this gentleman's professional talent and benevolent disposition, has been officially brought to their notice. As an individual who has witnessed the beneficial effects of Mr. Colledge's medical ability, I feel the greatest gratification in thus bearing testimony to his merits, both as a surgeon and a philanthropist."

(Signed)

W. H. C. PLOWDEN,

Chief for all affairs of the British Nation in China. Macao, 26th Sept. 1832.

of an

The extract which now follows, is from the pen able correspondent of the Repository, a resident of China. The letters which he gives, as having been received by Mr. Colledge from those who had experienced his healing benefits, exhibit the gratitude which his course called forth from the naturally cold and stoical Chinese. The style of the letters may offend persons of exact taste; but we are not responsible for its Oriental faults. It

may be well enough to remark, in passing, that to be a blind and poor man in China, is to be in wretched circumstances indeed. In countries where the religion of the Bible has shed its blessings, the comfortable public asylum opens its friendly doors to those who are poor. And by an enterprise of wisdom and benevolence, the blind may possess the means of mental and moral culture. But how different the condition of the sightless poor in the lands of heathenism! No public bounty offers its blessings to him. If he be sick, and starving, and naked, and homeless, he is left to die in the streets, for aught that public charity cares. And the wail of the sufferer has no power to affect the private heart, unless it be the heart of one equally poor, which has itself learned sympathy in the school of suffering. Countless are the instances that a short residence in the East will present to notice, of blind and diseased beggars, lying by the roadside, in the last stages of life; uncared for, unpitied, unblessed. 'Tis this that makes blindness a state of great sorrow; and it may account in some degree for the singularly encomiastic expressions in the following letters.

66

From the Chinese Repository.

Among the virtues attendant on civilization, the most useful and amiable is benevolence; for within its influence it embraces the whole human species: whether the sufferer of our race be white or black, a free man or a slave, a Jew or a Mohammedan, a Christian or a savage, it is ever ready to administer the relief that may be within its reach. No class of individuals has so many opportunities of doing good as that of the medical profession.

A skilful and experienced surgeon or physician is everywhere hailed and welcomed by suffering humanity as the harbinger of hope and comfort. As a philanthropist, he respects the peculiar opinions of all parties, and therefore is at peace with all. His whole time, attention, and talents are devoted to the service of such of his fellowcreatures as are laboring under any of the many 'ills that flesh is heir to." Such is the appropriate language with which the author of the pamphlet before us introduces his account of the hospital. And in the same strains he adds :

"Its founder, T. R. Colledge, Esq., was appointed surgeon to the British Factory in China in 1826, and the succeeding year commenced administering to the infirmities of such indigent natives as sought his assistance. All sorts of distempers now came under his investigation. But soon discovering that no native practitioner could treat diseases of the eyes, which prevail to so great an extent among the laboring classes of Chinese, he determined to devote his skill more particularly to this branch of his profession. In the year 1828, he rented apartments at Macao for the reception of such patients as required operations for the recovery of their sight. This institution became the topic of conversation throughout the province, and praises and thanks were heaped upon its proprietor by the friends and families of those who received benefit, as well as by the individuals themselves who had felt his 'healing hand,' as may be seen by the translation of a few of the many Chinese letters expressive of gratitude, which were addressed to Mr. C., and which are annexed to this work."

LETTER I." Note of thanks from Lew Ake, Lew Ahaou, and Kan Awang belonging to the district of Sinhwuy.

"We were suffering from total blindness, and could not distinguish day from night, when unexpectedly we heard of the benevolence and charity of the skilful English doctor, whose benefits pervade the world, who liberally dispenses medicines, and supplies board, lodging, and everything complete. We came on purpose to be near his healing art, and happily in a few months our sight has been restored to us, as perfect as at first. We are deeply impressed with gratitude for the doctor's liberal favors; we are now returning home, and prostrate make our acknowledgments. We do not know when we shall be able to offer a recompense. We can only express our hopes that the doctor may enjoy happiness, wealth and honors.

"Presented at the bar of the English nation's eminent doctor."

LETTER II.—“ The person who announces his farewell, and humbly renders thanks, Tsang Ale, knocks head and twice bows before the presence of the great physician, teacher, and magnate.

"I, in youth, had an affliction of my eyes and both were short of light fortunately it occurred that you, Sir, reached this land, where you have disclosed the able devices of your mind, and used your skilful hand. You cut off a bit of filmy skin, removed the bloodshot root, pierced the reflecting pupil, and extracted the green fluid; you swept aside the clouds, and the moon was seen as a gem without flaw. You spared no labor nor