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 ASSOCIATION 
 
 FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF 
 
 CHRISTIANITY IN EGYPT. 
 
 LETTERS AND PAPERS 
 
 Concerning tlie Coptic Church, in relation to ilie Church of England, 
 under the Primacy of Archbishop Howley, 
 
 18361848. 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE USE OF THE COMMITTEE. 
 
 LONDON, 1883.
 
 LOSDOK : 
 
 R. Cu*r, Sons, ahd Taylor, 
 
 BREAD STREET HILL.
 
 PREFATORY. 
 
 The letters printed in the following pages have been preserved 
 among the papers of Archbishop Howley, committed, on his 
 death, by his widow and executrix to the care of his domestic 
 chaplain, on whom he had conferred the Archdeaconry of 
 Maidstone. The papers were gone over and endorsed some 
 years ago, and arranged in their order. Circumstances having 
 recently occasioned a reference to them, in connection 
 with the movement now on foot for the furtherance of 
 Christianity in Egypt, the Archdeacon thought it well, as 
 Chairman of the Committee, to place some of the principal 
 letters and papers in the hands of Mr. Few, and of Mr. 
 Blakiston, the Honorary Secretary of the Association, and other 
 members of the Committee to whom they might wish to show 
 them. Mr. Few and Mr. Blakiston thought fit to call the 
 attention of the Committee to these documents which had been 
 thus communicated to them ; and the Committee, at their 
 meeting held on Friday, July 27, requested the Archdeacon to 
 print such portions of the correspondence as he might think 
 desirable, with a brief explanatory statement 
 
 a 2
 
 4 
 
 The Committee being engaged in maturing arrangements for 
 making full inquiry, on the spot," as to the steps most expedient 
 to take at the present time for the benefit of the Coptic Churchy 
 it appeared that much information, such as was desired, would 
 be found supplied by these records of careful inquiries made, 
 at the period to which they refer, and active steps taken at 
 that time "in full and free consultation with the spiritual 
 Heads of the Coptic Church," for raising it from its present 
 condition. It will be seen that much anxious attention was 
 given, and Christian sympathy shown, in communications carried 
 on, at one time almost from day to day, respecting the state of 
 the Coptic Church, its deep depression and peculiar difficulties 
 and trials, its constitution and order, its ancient ritual and 
 customs; in regard to the spiritual wants requiring to be relieved, 
 particularly by the publication and circulation among them of the 
 Sacred Scriptures, in the Versions, for which they entertain the 
 highest veneration, of the holy volume to which they make their 
 final appeal ; and, in regard to the arrangements which could be 
 adopted, with the best hope of success, for improved education, 
 specially of those who are designed for the ministry of the Church. 
 There seems a prospect now happily opened, in the providence 
 of God, for turning to full account the inquiries and efforts of 
 past years, which circumstances hindered the carrying on then 
 as was earnestly desired. And the work will manifestly be the 
 more full of hope, if it is in a position to take the character of 
 building on foundations already laid with mutual consent, and 
 resuming the threads, unavoidably dropped, but not broken asun-
 
 der, of charitable designsentertained, and cordial communication 
 entered into, not only by individuals and religious societies, but 
 by the spiritual heads of the Churches concerned, in the spirit of 
 brotherly love without compromise of catholic truth. It may 
 humbly be hoped that a promise which seems to admit of 
 application, with a special fitness, to a land like Egypt, may be 
 fulfilled to us, " Cast thy bread upon the waters ; for thou 
 shalt find it after many days." 
 
 B. H. 
 
 Precincts, Canterbury, 
 September 5, 1883.
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop of Canterbury. 
 
 Bedford, May 28, 1836. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I take the liberty to address a letter to your Grace, 
 respectfully to ask, if there are any Coptic or Sahidic manuscripts 
 of the Scriptures in the library at Lambeth. A clergyman in 
 the diocese of Canterbury has suggested to me the probability 
 of such manuscripts being found in your Grace's library. 
 
 I some time ago presented the Twelve Minor Prophets in 
 Coptic to the Delegates of the press at Oxford, from the manu- 
 script of Dr. Lee, collated with the manuscript in the Delegates' 
 library, with a Latin translation, and am daily expecting the last 
 proof sheet of them. 
 
 I am very anxious that the whole of the Coptic and Sahidic 
 versions of the Scriptures should be published, for the benefit of 
 the biblical student, and shall be most happy to continue my 
 labours, if any more manuscripts can be found. 
 
 There are manuscripts in Coptic in the Royal Library at 
 Paris, of the Song of Solomon, and Ezekiel, and Daniel ; and 
 Daniel also at St. Germain's. There are manuscripts in the 
 Propaganda at Rome of the four Books of Kings, Job, Isaiah, 
 and Jeremiah in Coptic ; and of Isaiah and Jeremiah at Venice ; 
 and of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Solomon's Song at Turin ; 
 which, with the Pentateuch, and New Testament, published by 
 the University, will nearly comprise the whole of the Scriptures. 
 
 Dr. Macbride informs me that the Board of Delegates are 
 unwilling to engage in any expense in collecting materials ; but 
 they will be willing to continue the publication of other portions 
 of the Coptic Scriptures.
 
 If it should be in my power to go to France this summer, to 
 copy those manuscripts I have named, I shall be glad to do so. 
 And if I ever should possess the means of going to Italy, for a 
 few months, for the same object, I should most gladly go ; 
 but this does not come within the range of human probability. . . 
 
 I have unintentionally been led to trespass on your Grace's 
 patience to a greater length than I had contemplated, for which 
 I beg most sincerely to apologise. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with great respect, 
 
 Your Grace's most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Henry Tattam, 
 
 Rector of St. Cuthbert's. 
 This letter is marked "A" [Answered.] 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, June 4, 1836. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 It is with great reluctance that I presume to address 
 another letter to your Grace ; but it has occurred to me that 
 possibly your Grace may be able to point out some source, 
 through which I may obtain copies of those Coptic and Sahidic 
 manuscripts for publication, which are in Italy, which I named 
 in my former letter. 
 
 May I take the liberty respectfully to ask if your Grace 
 thinks it probable, that his Majesty's Government would interest 
 themselves to obtain copies of them for that purpose, if an 
 application be made to them ? 
 
 I would willingly go to Italy myself, and obtain correct copies 
 of all that is valuable there, if it be thought desirable that I 
 should do so, on my necessary expenses being paid ; and I
 
 should be glad to labour to the utmost, in examining, copying, 
 and obtaining copies of those parts of the Coptic and Sahidic 
 Scriptures which we do not possess. 
 
 I should not have thought of asking aid of his Majesty's Govern- 
 ment, if I possessed the means of carrying my wishes into effect ; 
 but my income is so very limited, that it is with difficulty 
 I shall be able to go to Paris to copy the Song of Solomon, 
 Ezekiel, and Daniel, in Coptic, which are in the Royal Library, 
 where every facility has been promised me. 
 
 Trusting your Grace will kindly condescend to pardon this 
 second intrusion on your time and attention, 
 
 I have the honour to remain 
 
 Your Grace's most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Henry Tattam, 
 
 Hector of St. Cuthbert's. 
 Letter marked " A " [Answered.] 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Doctor's Commons, June 13, 1836. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I had the honour to receive your Grace's letter this 
 morning, as I was leaving home for town, on my way to Paris, to 
 copy the Coptic manuscripts of Solomon's Song, Daniel, and 
 Ezekiel, which are in the Royal Library. 
 
 I beg to return your Grace my most respectful and warmest 
 thanks for your kind condescension, and the trouble your Grace 
 has taken respecting the Coptic and Sahidic manuscripts in 
 Italy. I am delighted to find there is a prospect of copies of 
 those manuscripts, which we know do exist, being obtained 
 by the Trustees of the British Museum.
 
 There are four Books of Kings in the Propaganda in Coptic, 
 according to Miinter, Alder Biblisch. &c, p. 173, and Job, in 
 Rome (Woide's Fragments, p. 4) ; Isaiah and Jeremiah in 
 the Propaganda and at Venice (Woide's preface to the Sahidic 
 Fragments) ; the Song of Solomon, and the book of Sirach in 
 Sahidic, at Turin. 
 
 I take the liberty to inclose a letter which I received from 
 Dr. Dujardin of Paris, in March last, who had previously been 
 asked for what sum he would copy Daniel and Ezekiel for me. 
 But as he asked 24, saying they would take him two months 
 to copy in Greek characters, and if they were copied in Coptic 
 characters they would cost a much greater sum, I was obliged at 
 once to decline his services. 
 
 I also received a letter from the English Chaplain at Rome, 
 and from the Prussian Envoy, on the subject of the Coptic and 
 Sahidic manuscripts at Rome ; which I shall have great pleasure 
 in forwarding to your Grace on my return home, which I hope 
 will be in a month, or at furthest in six weeks. 
 
 I most humbly beg your Grace to excuse this very hasty 
 letter, written amidst great interruptions, and I may almost add, 
 confusion. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, 
 
 With the warmest thanks, and greatest veneration. 
 Your Grace's most obliged and obedient servant, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 The letter inclosed, from Dr. Dujardin, is dated Paris, lltli 
 March, 1836, and directed to " Monsieur Henry Tattam, membre 
 de la Societe Royale de Londres, care of Messrs. John and 
 Arthur Arch, Booksellers, Cornhill, London." It begins
 
 10 
 
 " Monsieur, 
 
 Les tres utiles ouvrages que vous avez publies sur la 
 langue Copte dont je m'occupe depuis fort longtemps, m'ont 
 engag^ a soumettre a votre jugement une serie d'articles relatifs 
 a la Grammaire Egyptienne de M. Cliampollion le jeune. Je 
 vous adresse aujourd'hui les deux premiers." &c. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Rue St. Honore, No. 337, Paris, June 22, 1836. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 The interest which your Grace has most kindly con- 
 descended to take respecting the Coptic manuscripts of the Old 
 Testament, has induced me to trouble your Grace with another 
 letter. 
 
 I learned at the Bibliotheque du Roi to-day, that Professor 
 Peyron, the keeper of the manuscripts at Milan, is expected in 
 Paris in the course of a few days ; and it has occurred to me, 
 that I may be able to communicate with him respecting the 
 Coptic and Sahidic manuscripts at Milan, and convey to him any 
 proposal the Trustees of the British Museum may think proper 
 to make. Professor Peyron offered some years ago to copy them 
 for me, on certain conditions, which I now forget, but which I 
 then assented to ; but he never performed his promise. I suppose 
 he became too deeply engaged in preparing his Coptic Lexicon 
 (which he offered to unite with me in publishing), and which 
 came out just after mine. 
 
 I fear I shall be detained here rather longer than I had 
 anticipated ; for I had hoped I should obtain access to the manu- 
 scripts at four or five o'clock in the morning, and then I and my 
 daughter should quickly copy, and collate them. I however 
 shall improve every moment to the utmost.
 
 11 
 
 I find I have Mr. Burgess' letter with me, which I also take 
 the liberty to inclose to your Grace ; it will show the difficulty 
 there is on the spot, of obtaining any information, if the 
 individuals are at all suspected, as he is. I wrote to Professor 
 Mai also respecting the manuscripts last September, but obtained 
 no answer. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 I find on looking for Mr. Burgess' letter that I have mislaid 
 it and cannot find it. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, October 6, 1837. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I fear your Grace will have some cause to feel that I 
 am frequently troubling your Grace upon a subject in which I 
 confess I feel a deep interest ; and the only apology I can now 
 offer to your Grace is the new and unexpected position in which 
 I am now placed. 
 
 Mr. Grimshawe called on me a short time since, and asked me 
 to furnish him with the particulars of the Coptic version of the 
 Scriptures, and where the manuscripts are to be found that 
 would complete the publication of it, without naming his object 
 in doing so ; I willingly gave him the information required, and 
 in reply I received the inclosed note, which I have taken the 
 liberty to forward to your Grace. 
 
 I have told Mr. Grimshawe in reply to his note, that I shall 
 be willing to go to Italy and Egypt, to ascertain what there really 
 is of the Coptic and Sahidic versions, and to obtain copies of all 
 that we do not possess, if the difficulties that now exist are 
 removed ; and that I would answer his note more fully at a future
 
 12 
 
 period, when I have possessed myself of the information 
 requisite for the purpose. 
 
 I should very much prefer to accomplish the objects proposed 
 at my expense, rather than atthe expense of any individuals Mr. 
 Grimshawe may think of applying to for that purpose. I have 
 therefore presumed respectfully to ask your Grace if you know 
 of any situation I could fill, that would enable me to do so. 
 Should your Grace know of any one before next spring, I should 
 be most thankful to accept it. 
 
 As I am in some measure a stranger to your Grace, I trust I 
 may presume to refer your Grace to all who know me, for their 
 opinion of my moral character, and of the way in which I have 
 discharged my ministerial duties. I may also refer to the Bishop 
 of Lincoln, from whom I have received personal kindnesses. 
 
 I was eight years gratuitous chaplain to our County Infirmary, 
 until a chaplaincy fund was raised ; and during the prevalence 
 of cholera in this town, which was principally confined to my 
 parish, I visited every patient, whether Churchmen or dissenters, 
 and continued my visits until they either recovered or died. I 
 mention these things to your Grace, as they will prove that I 
 have not neglected my duties for literary pursuits (which indeed 
 is fully confirmed by my present number of communicants), and 
 also as a guarantee that I should devote the whole of my time 
 to the objects of my research. 
 
 I am sorry to say that I have not quite finished the translation 
 of Paniel and Ezekiel, my numerous engagements having left 
 me but comparatively little time to devote to them. 
 
 Hoping that your Grace will kindly condescend to pardon 
 the liberty I have now taken, 
 
 I have the hononr to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 [Upon this letter the Archbishop has made a memorandum, 
 " A. Will speak to Bishop of London Written since.*' ]
 
 13 
 Rev. Henry Tattam to ARCHBisHor Howley. 
 
 Bkdfohd, November 6, 1837 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I beg to return your Grace my most sincere thanks for 
 your kindness, and for the trouble your Grace has condescended 
 to take respecting the Manuscripts of the Coptic Scriptures. 
 
 The language now spoken in Egypt is Arabic ; but the 
 Coptic language is used by the Coptic Christians in their 
 religious services continually. A few years ago it was said 
 there were five hundred thousand Coptic Christians in Egypt ; 
 but Mr. Lane, in his recent publications on modern Egypt, 
 estimates them at one hundred and fifty thousand. 
 
 The Bible Society some years ago published the four 
 Gospels in Arabic and Coptic, in parallel columns, for their 
 use, which I edited for them ; the Arabic of which also passed 
 under the correction of Professor Lee. In this way they had 
 their own ancient and received version, with the Arabic, the 
 vernacular language, by its side ; and would be able at once to 
 compare them. And I may observe it is in this way that many 
 of their manuscripts are written. The Bible Society, I believe, 
 has no intention to print any more of the Coptic Scriptures, 
 but hopes to circulate the Arabic Scriptures among the Copts. 
 
 I had a letter from the Coptic Patriarch a short time since, 
 written the 22nd of August last, to acknowledge the receipt of 
 the twelve Minor Prophets, with which he was pleased ; and he 
 sent in return the manuscript of Revelation, for Dr. Lee, who 
 sent the book. I have tried to get through him the manu- 
 scripts we want ; but there appears no prospect of success, 
 although he would give, I am told, every facility to a person 
 who wished to inspect and copy them. Dr. Lee has his letter, 
 which is in Arabic, or I would forward it with its translation to 
 your Grace. 
 
 I should be most happy to forward the objects of the Trans-
 
 14 
 
 lation Committee of our venerable Society in any way I could, 
 but I doubt whether it can be done in this instance ; for I am 
 as anxious to obtain a copy of the Sahidic Scriptures from 
 upper Egypt, as of the Coptic Scriptures from lower Egypt ; 
 every fragment of the former being of as great importance to 
 the biblical scholar as the latter, and perhaps more so. But 
 how could I employ any portion of my time about the Sahidic 
 Scriptures, if engaged by the Translation Committee on the 
 subject of the Coptic ? If I could embrace both subjects, I 
 should be happy. 
 
 There is nearly the whole of the Sahidic Scriptures among 
 the numerous Sahidic manuscripts of the late Cardinal Borgia, 
 at Veletri, near Rome. As it is a private collection, it is 
 questionable whether any one would be permitted to copy those 
 parts of the manuscripts. 
 
 I think of writing to Professor Macbride to-morrow, to ask 
 him if he can point out any way in which I can accomplish the 
 object of my wishes ; but I fear there is little prospect of his 
 being able to point out any situation that would enable me 
 to do it. 
 
 May I further presume to trouble your Grace with a letter I 
 received from Mr. Wilkinson on the subject of Egypt ? He 
 resided there twelve years, and has published several works on 
 Egypt. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, 
 
 Your Grace's most obedient and obliged 
 humble servant, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, &c. 
 
 In the following year (1838) a "Memorial" was drawn up 
 by Mr. Tattam, which is here printed from the MS. preserved 
 among Archbishop HoAvley's papers, omitting only what is 
 unessential now.
 
 15 
 
 MEMORIAL. 
 
 As the Coptic and Sahidic versions of the Scriptures are 
 supposed to have been made about the second century, and are 
 considered of greater authority than any of the oriental versions, 
 and of very great importance to the biblical student, and that 
 no future Polyglot Bible ought to be published without them, 
 several learned friends proposed to me, that, as I had published 
 an Egyptian Grammar and Lexicon, and the twelve Minor 
 Prophets in Coptic and Latin, I should go out to Egypt, Syria, 
 and Italy, and collect all the fragments of these versions that 
 could be found, and afterwards publish them. 
 
 That it was equally desirable for the success of Hieroglyphic 
 Literature, that my Egyptian Lexicon should be rendered as 
 complete as possible ; and as I had already exhausted all the 
 stores which England and France possessed, this could only be 
 done by going to the East, and examining all the Coptic and 
 Arabic Lexicons, and collecting all the new words found in the 
 manuscripts which I might copy or obtain. They therefore 
 suggested that this should also form part of my object. 
 
 They further stated that, as a considerable and continued 
 expense would be incurred in collecting and publishing the 
 manuscripts, an application should be made to Government for 
 a literary pension, to enable me to prosecute these objects. 
 
 I at once consented to undertake the task, knowing that the 
 work would be of equal importance to the Coptic Church as to 
 us, as they would obtain correct copies of their own Scriptures. 
 The accompanying testimonials were laid before Her Majesty's 
 Government, which granted 300 towards the expense of my 
 journey with a promise of preferment on my return. 
 
 On my arrival in Egypt, in October, 1838, I found that 
 Dr. Dujardin, who had been sent out by the French Govern- 
 ment for the same object, had died in Cairo about two months 
 previously, just as he was commencing his labours. In the
 
 te 
 
 course of my researches I visited all the convents in Upper 
 Egypt and in and about Cairo, and all the principal ones in 
 Lower Egypt and in the Deserts, and also the Patriarch's 
 Library. I copied and obtained copies of all the portions of 
 the Egyptian versions to be found in the country, and of all 
 the Lexicons. 
 
 I also examined the libraries of Italy, and at Naples and 
 Rome discovered some valuable manuscripts, but which I could 
 not copy, as the libraries were then regularly closed for the 
 summer. These have not yet been copied. 
 
 I leave Professor Lee, an article in the Edinburgh Review for 
 October last, and my Coptic and Sahidic Catalogue, to bear 
 testimony as to whether I have not accomplished the objects 
 of my mission. In addition to the Egyptian manuscripts, I 
 have made the most valuable collection of Syriac manuscripts 
 to be found in Europe, of the greatest age and interest. Among 
 them is a lost work of Eusebius, and two other manuscripts of 
 the most precious kind. They were valued at from one thou- 
 sand eight hundred to two thousand pounds, if put up to 
 public competition. But I declined to accede to this proposal, 
 as it was said the Emperor of Russia, the King of Prussia, and 
 the French Government would become purchasers, and the most 
 important of the manuscripts would be taken out of the 
 country. I was also unwilling it should ever be said that I 
 had made a market of them. I therefore proposed to His 
 Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury to offer them to the 
 Trustees of the British Museum for the sum I gave for them, 
 viz. 250 ; trusting that I should receive from Government such 
 preferment as my services in the cause of literature had 
 merited. But the Trustees thought this too great a sacrifice 
 for me to make, being a clergyman with a small income, and 
 at length gave me 750 for them. There are about 300 MSS. 
 of the same kind and age, beautifully written on vellum in the 
 same Desert Convent. These I should have returned and made
 
 17 
 
 every effort to secure to this country, and with very little doubt 
 of success, if I had met with that encouragement which I was 
 led to expect. . . . 
 
 I gave my Egyptian Lexicon and the twelve Minor Prophets 
 to the Delegates of the Press at Oxford, who published them ; 
 and what I am now preparing for the press will go to the 
 public through the same channel. 
 
 As my services and labours have been of a national descrip- 
 tion, I am induced to bring them under the notice of her 
 Majesty's present Government, in the firm hope that I shall 
 receive from Sir Robert Peel, the patron of literature and of 
 the arts, such preferment as he may consider me deserving of. 
 
 I venture respectfully to refer to the Bishop of Lincoln, who 
 has long known me, both for my character as a clergyman and 
 my attainments as a scholar. His Grace the Archbishop of 
 Canterbury, who, I believe, has seen most of the documents to 
 which I have referred, would, I have no doubt, if applied to, 
 confirm the truth of my statements. He most kindly said, 
 when I applied for the living of Stapleford Abbotts, that if 
 the Lord Chancellor applied to him, he would with pleasure 
 bear testimony to my merits. But I had no opportunity of 
 availing myself of his condescension. 
 
 I have the honour to be 
 
 Your most obedient, humble Servant, 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 The grant named in this Memorial having been obtained 
 from the Government in promotion of the object in view, the 
 following Appeal was put forward for subscriptions in aid, to 
 be received by the Rev. T. J. Grimshawe, Biddenham, near 
 Bedford, who took the lead in the matter; Dr. Lee, College, 
 Doctors' Commons ; Professor Lee, Cambridge ; and others : 
 
 B
 
 18 
 
 "The Rev. Henry Tattam, A.M. Rector of St. Cuthbert's, 
 Bedford, has long been engaged in preparing for publication, 
 an Edition of the Coptic Version of the Holy Scriptures; 
 and finding it necessary, for the completion of his work, to 
 examine and collate all the accessible manuscripts in the 
 monasteries of Egypt, and in the libraries of Italy, has 
 determined to visit those countries. Her Majesty's Government 
 has been pleased to further his object by a grant of Three 
 Hundred Pounds; but as his unavoidable expenditure cannot 
 be calculated at less than double that sum, his friends have 
 resolved to solicit the aid of those who may be inclined to 
 promote his objects. They have obtained the testimony of 
 several distinguished Coptic scholars as to Mr. Tattam's qualifi- 
 cations for the due performance of the task he has undertaken, 
 and therefore trust that they will not appeal in vain for assist- 
 ance to those who take an interest in an object no less likely 
 to improve our acquaintance with the ancient language of 
 Egypt, than to become instrumental in reviving scriptural 
 knowledge and piety among the Copts, to whose forefathers, 
 almost in the apostolic age, the Christian Church was indebted 
 of the first versions of the Scriptures." 
 
 The subscription list was headed with the Government grant 
 300, and donations from the Archbishop of Canterbury 10 10s., 
 the Bishop of Lincoln 5 5s., the Bishop of London 5 5s., the 
 Duke of Bedford, the Marquis of Tavistock, Granville Penn, 
 Esq., Dr. Lee, Hartwell, and A Lady, 5 5s. each ; the Rev. 
 T. S. Grimshawe, Bedford, 10 10s. ; Professor Lee, Cambridge, 
 Francis Pym, Esq. Bedford, and Dr. Macbride, Principal of 
 Magdalene Hall, Oxford, 5 each ; Rev. James Donne, Bedford, 
 2 ; Dr. Bosworth, Rotterdam, and Rev. G. C. Renouard, Swans- 
 combe, 1 Is. each ; Sir William Long, Bedford, 1, &c. 
 
 The testimonials referred to by Mr. Tattam as having been 
 laid before the Government included letters addressed to
 
 19 
 
 Mr. Grimshawe by Professor Lee (Bristol, Feb. 19, 1838), Pro- 
 fessor Macbride, Oxford ; W. Tennant, Esq. Professor of Oriental 
 Languages at St. Mary's College, St. Andrew's ; Dr. Leemans, 
 First Conservator of the Museum of Antiquities at Leyden ; 
 Dr. Bosworth, Rotterdam; J. G. Wilkinson, Esq., Professor 
 H. H. Wilson, Dr. R. Richardson, Rev. R. Cattermole, Rev- 
 Dr. Nolan, Sir Richard Phillips, Dr. Lee of Hartwell, and 
 others. There were appended two letters from the Bishop of 
 Lincoln, who was at that time Mr. Tattam's Diocesan, and 
 from the Archbishop of Canterbury. These letters were as 
 follows : 
 
 The Bishop of Lincoln to the Rev. T. S. Grimshawe. 
 
 Reverend Sir, 
 
 I do not feel myself competent to express an opinion 
 respecting the extent of Mr. Tattam's acquaintance with Coptic 
 literature ; but I know him to be a learned man, and an ex- 
 emplary, zealous, efficient parochial minister. It is, indeed, 
 scarcely possible to speak too highly of him in the latter 
 character. If he is enabled to carry into effect his wish to 
 travel into Italy and Egypt, I have no doubt that the results of 
 his researches will be to bring to light many curious and inter- 
 esting documents, which will tend to illustrate every part of 
 Ecclesiastical History, but especially that which is connected 
 with the Liturgies of the Eastern Church. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c, &c, 
 
 J. Lincoln. 
 
 b 2
 
 20 
 The Archbishop to Rev. H. Tattam. 
 
 Lambeth, April 17, 1838. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Not being acquainted with Coptic, I fear that any- 
 thing I can say will add little to the testimonies which you have 
 received from so many persons of literary distinction, both to 
 the importance of the object for which you are desirous of 
 visiting Egypt, and to the attainments which qualify you to 
 avail yourself, to the utmost, of the valuable materials which 
 will probably be found in that country. But I have pleasure in 
 bearing witness to the opinion which is generally entertained of 
 your peculiar fitness for such a mission, to your great respect- 
 ability as a clergyman, and to your unwearied diligence as a 
 scholar. Your researches, if successful, will throw great light on 
 a branch of Ecclesiastical History which has not been hitherto 
 so much cultivated as its importance deserves. 
 
 With every good wish, and with sincere respect, 
 
 I remain, &c, 
 
 W. Cantuar. 
 
 Soon after his return from Egypt, Mr. Tattam renewed his 
 communications with the Archbishop. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, September 27, 1839. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I frequently wished to address a letter to your Grace, 
 while in Egypt, on the state of Christianity among the Coptic 
 Christians ; but the hope that I should be spared, and that I 
 should at no distant period return to my native country, and 
 that probably your Grace would condescend to favour me with
 
 21 
 
 an interview upon this subject, induced me to relinquish the 
 idea of troubling your Grace with a letter. I took the liberty 
 to call at Lambeth Palace on my way home, but your Grace 
 was then in your diocese. 1 
 
 While I was in Egypt, I saw much of the native Christians in 
 every part of the country ; and what I saw has more deeply than 
 ever interested me in their spiritual welfare. 
 
 It is true that both priests and people are in a very low and 
 fallen condition as a Christian Church. They have the form of 
 Christianity among them ; but of its spiritual nature they appear 
 to have no notion whatever. Still, there are many things of a 
 pleasing character which lead me to believe they will one day 
 arise from the dust, and return to a pure faith, and to a 
 corresponding practice and conduct. 
 
 I am delighted to find that the venerable Society for Pro- 
 moting Christian Knowledge has looked with a pitying eye 
 upon this, and other fallen Eastern Churches ; and is performing 
 the part of the good Samaritan, in endeavouring to restore them 
 to spiritual health and strength again, by giving them a pure 
 Arabic version of the Scriptures, and an excellent Liturgy in 
 Arabic. 
 
 The knowledge of this will encourage me to make an appli- 
 cation to the Society, which I have for some months formed the 
 design of doing, if it should meet with your Grace's concurrence 
 and approbation, to solicit the Society to give the Egyptian 
 Christians a good commentary in Arabic, if it be only in the 
 first instance of one Epistle and Gospel. 
 
 The Coptic Christians have no Commentary on the Scriptures, 
 except on a few passages, and there are no sermons in the 
 churches; it was therefore correctly said by one some years 
 ago, who was well acquainted with the Copts, and was capable 
 of forming an opinion, that " above all things they want a short 
 
 1 The week preceding.
 
 22 
 
 but concise commentary on the Holy Scriptures ; and if we 
 could only give them a commentary on one of the Gospels, we 
 should give them an inestimable treasure." 
 
 In my last interview with the Patriarch, w T ho had kindly lent 
 me every assistance in the prosecution of my object, I asked 
 him, if the English, who feel interested in their spiritual 
 welfare as a Christian Church, should furnish them with a com- 
 mentary on the Scriptures in the Arabic, whether himself and 
 others would examine it with one or two Englishmen before it 
 was printed ; and anything that should be found objectionable 
 would be well considered ; and, if not of an essential nature, I 
 felt persuaded it would be altered so as to suit their views. I at 
 the same time made the Patriarch distinctly to understand, that 
 I had no authority from any person whatsoever to propose such 
 a work ; but I knew that many English Christians feel very 
 much interested in their Christian prosperity, and it is possible 
 they may be induced to assist them in this way. He appeared 
 to receive the proposal with real pleasure, and very readily 
 promised to do as was proposed, should such a work be entered 
 upon. 
 
 I obtained, while in the East, two copies of the New Testa- 
 ment in Arabic, which was printed on Mount Lebanon. The 
 translations are said to be very excellent and faithful. I shall 
 have much pleasure in presenting one of these copies to the 
 Translation Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian 
 Knowledge, as soon as they arrive. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 . Henry Tattam. 
 
 [Upon this letter the Archbishop has made a note, "A. 
 [Answered] Approve his intended application to the Society."]
 
 23 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, October 24, 1839. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 When I was at Jerusalem in April last, Mr. Young, 
 our consul there, expressed his earnest wish that an English 
 clergyman might be appointed for Jerusalem to represent the 
 English Established Church there, and for the benefit of 
 European Protestants who may visit the Holy City. Mr. Young 
 asked me in what way he should proceed to make his wishes 
 known. I advised him to write to your Grace as the spiritual 
 head of the Anglican Church ; and at his request I promised to 
 state to your Grace my own impressions respecting such an 
 appointment. 
 
 I received the accompanying letter from Mr. Young while in 
 Egypt; and from its contents I presumed he would address a 
 letter to your Grace upon the subject. 
 
 I think the state of things in the East is such that an 
 English clergyman might be sent out to Jerusalem with most 
 favourable prospects of success. We have an English consul 
 now at Jerusalem ; and I preached to nineteen persons in his 
 house, who understood English, and who were then resident in 
 the city. In addition to these we may mention the numbers of 
 English, and of others who understand the English language, 
 who every year visit Jerusalem, to whom the English services 
 would be an invaluable blessing. 
 
 But we should also bear in mind that every other Christian 
 Church is represented in Jerusalem, where, alas ! Christianity 
 is exhibited in its worst form by the priests and the thousands 
 of blind devotees of every form of Christianity, and with the 
 mass of superstition, ignorance, and sin, that is every year 
 collected together in Jerusalem from every part of Christendom ; 
 and by the blessing of God he might do much good among 
 them.
 
 24 
 
 An exhibition of pure and spiritual Christianity before the 
 Mahometan population could not fail of having a favourable 
 effect upon them ; as they now only see Christianity in its worst 
 and most degrading form, upon which they look with contempt, 
 and which only confirms them in their unbelief and error. 
 
 There have been some American missionaries in Jerusalem 
 and Syria, but they have not succeeded in their object; and 
 this failure is solely to be attributed to the circumstance of 
 their not being Episcopalians, w T hich is an insuperable obstacle 
 in the way of doing good among Oriental Christians. They 
 had left Jerusalem when I was there ; but I believe they intend 
 to return thither again. 
 
 I hope and trust that the Society for the Propagation of the 
 
 Gospel will consent to meet the wishes of the consul, and will 
 
 appoint a clergyman for Jerusalem who will fully and efficiently 
 
 represent the Church of England there ; and who will constantly 
 
 labour, amidst all the apathy, indifference, or opposition he may 
 
 experience, to diffuse, in the spirit of kindness, the knowledge 
 
 of true scriptural Christianity among those who may assemble 
 
 there. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, Oct. 24, 1839. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 When I had the honour of calling upon your Grace 
 the other day, I accidently referred to the fact of the Pacha's 
 intention to commit the education of his two sons to the 
 clergyman who shall be appointed to Alexandria. 
 
 I have searched for a copy of Hehekyan Bey's letter upon 
 the subject in vain ; but when I find it, or can procure a copy,
 
 25 
 
 I shall take the liberty to forward it to your Grace, as I think 
 it alludes to the Pacha's intention to place the clergyman at 
 the head of a literary institution, or college, which the Pacha 
 intends to establish at Alexandria But if I am mistaken in 
 this particular, I know that Hehekyan Bey, who is the Pacha's 
 Minister of Instruction, has expressed this intention of the 
 Pacha to some friends of mine in Cairo. 
 
 In the absence of the letter to which I have alluded, I 
 take leave to copy a part of the Report of the Church 
 Missionary Society for this year, pp. 52, 53. 
 
 " Mrs. Lieder has obtained access to the Pacha's family for the 
 purpose of imparting instruction to them. They consist of the 
 eldest daughter of Nazly Hanum, the youngest daughter of 
 Geineb "Hanum, the wife of -Ibrahim Pacha, the wife of Ibrahim 
 Pacha the younger, the wife of Tassoan Pacha, the wife of 
 Abbas Pacha, the wife of Ismael Pacha, the wife of Ahmed 
 Pacha. Another incident, scarcely less remarkable, is an in- 
 timation from Hehekyan Bey, the Pacha's Minister of Instruc- 
 tion, that the Pacha thought of committing the education of 
 Mahomet Ali Bey, and his little brother, to the clergyman 
 expected at Alexandria to occupy the church built by the 
 English residents at that place." 
 
 1 have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, November 12, 1839. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I was favoured with your Grace's letter on Thursday 
 last, and take the liberty to say that I entirely concur with the 
 just view which your Grace has taken in reference to the 
 appointment of a clergyman to Jerusalem.
 
 -26 
 
 I can with the greatest confidence and comfort rely upon 
 your Grace's judgment and zeal, for maturing and proposing any 
 plans for the extension of the kingdom of Christ among the 
 fallen Churches of the East; and I shall be most glad to 
 commit any information to your Grace which I may possess, or 
 any opinion which I may have formed, to be dealt with as your 
 Grace may think proper : at the same time I shall rejoice if I 
 can supply any information that may be in any degree of a 
 useful nature. 
 
 Since I last presumed to trouble your Grace with a letter, 
 I have received a communication from the Reverend W. R. 
 Fremantle, brother to Sir Thomas and Sir William Fremantle, 
 who was in Egypt at the time I was, to ask me to unite with 
 him in drawing up a letter to your Grace and the Bishop of 
 London on the present state of religion in the Eastern Churches, 
 and the prospect to the Church of England of usefulness among 
 them. If I understand him rightly, he wishes to see a bishop 
 appointed to Malta for the Mediterranean, and for missionaries 
 to be sent out from the Propagation Society to the Eastern 
 Churches. He also particularly desires that a missionary may 
 be sent to the Druses on Mount Lebanon, who, Mr. Fremantle 
 says, since Ibrahim Pacha has taken away their books, have 
 generally wished to be instructed in the religion of the English. 
 The American missionaries have been among them, but not 
 being Episcopalians they have not effected much : and the conse- 
 quence is the Church of Rome is gaining them by scores as 
 converts to her communion. This I learn from Mr. Fremantle, 
 with whom I have declined to unite in his object, although I 
 should be delighted to see a bishop appointed to Malta, and the 
 mission to the whole of the Eastern Churches undertaken by 
 the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel ; and I understand 
 this is the view Mr. Bickersteth has also taken of the subject. 
 
 As soon as I ascertained that the Church Missionary Society 
 could not increase the number of their missionaries in Egypt
 
 27 
 
 for want of funds, I wrote a letter to your. Grace respecting the 
 Coptic Christians in Egypt, and also to suggest whether that 
 mission could not be altogether carried on by the Propagation 
 Society, which is much more in connection with the spiritual 
 heads of the English Church, and therefore more likely to be 
 extensively useful. 1 There are now only two missionaries 
 employed in Egypt; and they are almost constantly engaged 
 in the education of children, and but seldom come in contact 
 with the adult population. 
 
 The books which were taken from the Druses were given by 
 the Pacha, while I was in Egypt, to Elat Bey, his physician, 
 who is a Frenchman ; and he has presented them to the Pope. 
 The duplicates were given to Colonel Campbell, our Consul- 
 General for England. 
 
 I forgot to state to your Grace in my former communications, 
 that I have copies of all the liturgies in use in the Coptic 
 Church, which I propose to translate as soon as my numerous 
 engagements will permit me to do so. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, December 24, 1839. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I yesterday received the accompanying letter from the 
 
 Hehekyan Bey to Mr. Lieder. 
 
 I wrote to Miss Hope some time since to ask her to favour 
 
 me with a copy of the letter ; and she has had the kindness to 
 
 send me the original, which I shall be glad to receive, and 
 
 1 [This was prior to the arrangements made by the Society, in regard to its 
 constitution in relation to the episcopate, in 1841.]
 
 28 
 
 return to Miss Hope again at your Grace's leisure, and when it 
 is quite done with. I take the liberty to trouble your Grace 
 with the letter ; as it will show the importance of the office the 
 clergyman who may be appointed for Alexandria may have to 
 fill, and the consequent necessity of care in the selection of the 
 individual. 
 
 I received a letter from the secretary of the Christian 
 Knowledge Society a few days ago, informing me that there are 
 portions of Ephraim Syrus and of Chrysostom in the com- 
 mentary translated into Arabic ; and he is instructed to ask, if 
 some of those will not answer the end which I have in view, 
 and be more acceptable to the Oriental Christians than any 
 commentary which they could prepare. I am inclined to think 
 the Translation Committee cannot do better than make a 
 careful selection from the Arabic translation of these authors ; 
 as anything coming stamped with the authority of these names 
 will be more readily received, and bowed to, by the Oriental 
 Christians, than any modern production, however excellent. 
 My opinion is not of much value ; but such as it is, I shall 
 have much pleasure in communicating it in the course of a few 
 days. 
 
 I have received a copy of Mr. Fremantle's letter, marked 
 private, and find from the perusal of it, that he has not followed 
 out his original intention in every particular ; but I still hope 
 it will have the effect of directing attention to the Eastern 
 Churches, and that an effort will be made to raise them from 
 their present state of ignorance and error. 
 
 The state of the Coptic Christians in Egypt has deeply in- 
 terested me; and I exceedingly rejoice that the Christian 
 Knowledge Society will undertake a work that must be at- 
 tended with important benefits to them, and other Eastern 
 Christians ; and I hope the time is not far distant, when a more 
 extended effort to do them good will be entered upon, and, 
 under the blessing of God, be crowned with important results.
 
 29 
 
 Trusting that your Grace will condescend to pardon the 
 liberty I have taken in giving expression to my feelings and 
 opinions, 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, March 6, 1840. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 My attention has been called to a statement in the 
 Record newspaper of March 26th. I have in consequence 
 procured the paper, and read the article with pleasure. As I 
 know your Grace is very much interested in all that is likely 
 to terminate in the spiritual improvement of Egypt, I take 
 the liberty respectfully to inclose it to your Grace. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, March 6, 1840. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I had no idea that I should cause your Grace the 
 trouble of replying to Mr. Grimshawe's letter when I took the 
 liberty to inclose it for your Grace's perusal, or I should have 
 taken care to prevent that tax upon your Grace's time. . . 
 
 I exceedingly rejoice in the disposition to a friendly intercourse 
 with the Church of England which the Coptic Patriarch has 
 shown ; and I most sincerely trust that it will tend, under the
 
 30 
 
 blessing of God, to the furtherance of real religion in the Egyptian 
 Church ; but I most earnestly hope that no part of the 
 Patriarch's plan to raise his Church is to send young men on 
 to this country to be educated for the ministry. It is so ob- 
 jectionable in every point of view that I most sincerely hope 
 it never will be proposed, and, if it be, that it will never be 
 carried into effect. The end may be more effectually obtained 
 by a Missionary Institution in Egypt, under the inspection of 
 the Patriarch and the Bishops, and of a similar nature to the 
 one now in existence at Cairo, but differently conducted. It 
 might be carried on at a much less expense than the education 
 of young men sent to England would cost, and with a much 
 better prospect of success. 
 
 I had no doubt, while in Egypt, of the friendly feelings of the 
 Copts towards the Church of England ; but I was unprepared 
 for this exhibition of it by the Patriarch. 
 
 I drew up a statement last November of the present state 
 of religion in Egypt, and the prospect of usefulness among the 
 Copts, which I intended to forward to your Grace ; but as 
 Mr. Fremantle was at that time preparing a letter on the 
 state of the Oriental Churches, I did not then trouble your 
 Grace with it ; but as I expect to be in town next week, I will 
 leave it at your Grace's palace. . . . 
 
 I am very thankful that the Christian Knowledge Society 
 has decided on printing an Arabic Commentary on the Scrip- 
 tures from the Arabic translations of the Fathers, the most 
 acceptable work we can present to the Oriental Christians ; and 
 the next best work for the Copts would be an edition of the 
 Arabic Homilies of Macarius, which is a very excellent work : 
 I expect an Arabic copy of them shortly from Egypt. 
 
 I have translated about half of one volume of Coptic prayers, 
 and am gratified to state that very little of an objectionable 
 nature has yet been met with. 
 
 I have lately ascertained that the second son of the Pacha
 
 31 
 
 of Egypt (now living) was partly educated under an Englishman 
 at Alexandria, but whose name I now forget: and I know 
 that the Pacha prefers the English in his service to men of 
 any other country. . . . 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 London, March 11, 1840. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I very much regret to say that I have not been able 
 to bring the letter with me to town, which I wrote on the 
 present state of the Coptic Church, having lost the key of my 
 writing desk where it is deposited. 
 
 I will on my return home have the lock broken, and forward 
 the letter to your Grace. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, March 27, 1840. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I am afraid of being troublesome to your Grace, and 
 of occupying more of your valuable time than my humble 
 station would justify ; and yet I know not how so well to make 
 the information available which I have collected respecting the 
 present state of Christianity in Egypt a3 by communicating it 
 to your Grace. 
 
 It is allowed on all hands that Christianity was established
 
 32 
 
 in Egypt at a very early period, and, the Copts say, by 
 St. Mark, who, according to their received traditions, was the 
 first Bishop of Alexandria. However this may be, we know 
 from undoubted authority that no country ever exhibited 
 greater piety, or more sincere and real devotedness to God, than 
 Egypt did for the first three centuries. But, alas ! the gold 
 soon became dim, and the fine gold was quickly changed : for 
 the simplicity of the Gospel was soon corrupted by metaphysical 
 subtleties ; and heresy, and bitterness, and disgraceful contests 
 speedily followed, and destroyed both the spirituality and vitality 
 of religion. From this period their glory and prosperity as a 
 Christian Church began to decline, until Mohammedanism 
 spread itself over the land ; and so they have continued to the 
 present time, with a few variations. 
 
 The Coptic Church, which acknowledges the Patriarch of 
 Alexandria as its spiritual head, is called Jacobite, and holds 
 the Monophysite doctrine, or heresy. 
 
 The Patriarch of Alexandria generally resides in the Patri- 
 archate at Cairo. He is elected to his office by the Bishops, and 
 clergy, and chief persons among the Christians of Alexandria 
 and Cairo; the election confirmed by the suffrages of the people, 
 and perfected by the consecration of the Bishops. The con- 
 ditions required are that he shall be thirty years of age. and a 
 Presbyter ; that he should be free, and not in captivity, and 
 should possess health and soundness of body, and that he hath 
 never shed blood, or been married ; that he should understand 
 and speak the language of the people without an interpreter, 
 and should be able to read and interpret the Coptic books ; he 
 must have a good testimony, even from those who are without ; 
 not be soon angry, nor given to drink ; not a striker, not greedy 
 of filthy lucre ; powerful to labour, that he may be able by 
 word and doctrine to convince the adversaries of the faith; 
 that he should be orthodox, and not seek the office of Patriarch 
 by the favour of princes or of seculars.
 
 33 
 
 The same conditions apply to the offices of bishop, priest, and 
 deacon, with a slight variation. For instance, a bishop may- 
 have been married before he is made a bishop, but he must 
 have been the husband of one wife : and the priests are allowed 
 to marry, but not more than once. 
 
 The Patriarch and Bishops have an annual income, which 
 is partly derived from the people, every one of whom is obliged 
 to contribute a small fixed annual sum to the ecclesiastical 
 revenues, and partly from other sources. 
 
 The common priests live upon the charity of the people ; but 
 they are uneducated men, taken from among the people, and 
 sometimes against their wills forced into the ministry; and 
 consequently, while this system continues, the Copts must, of 
 necessity, have an ignorant and an inefficient ministry. 
 
 Besides the Patriarch, who generally resides at the Patri- 
 archate in Cairo, and who is also the head of the Coptic and 
 Abyssinian Churches, the Copts have nine Bishops in Upper 
 Egypt, and three in Lower Egypt ; one or more of whom, with 
 the Bishop of Jerusalem, reside with the Patriarch, to assist him 
 in ecclesiastical affairs : the other Bishops reside in their 
 respective dioceses, and visit their churches and congregations 
 from time to time. 
 
 To each of their churches there is, generally, attached a school 
 where the children are simply taught to read and write, which 
 is the whole of the prevailing education among the Copts, who 
 are thus prepared to fill the office of clerks under Government ; 
 which they do in every part of the country. I found blind 
 Areefs, or schoolmasters, in several of their schools ; and this I 
 am told is no uncommon thing. 
 
 All causes among the Copts, whether of an ecclesiastical or a 
 secular nature, are decided at the Patriarchate : it is, therefore, 
 absolutely necessary that those whom the Patriarch selects to 
 assist him should understand the canonical laws, and also the 
 common laws or regulations of the country. 
 
 C
 
 34 
 
 The Copts practise circumcision, but not as a religious 
 ceremony; it being a custom, as they say, derived from the 
 Ishmaelites : but they hold it as an indifferent thing, and 
 some of them are circumcised and some not. 
 
 The children of the Copts do not receive their names at 
 baptism, but on the seventh day after their birth, as they are 
 usually not baptised until they are six months old. But they 
 never baptise boys until forty days after their birth, nor girls 
 until eighty days ; except in cases of the most urgent necessity. 
 They immerse the infants three times in the Name of each of 
 the Persons in the blessed Trinity ; and they have sponsors 
 who have the spiritual care of the infants, to teach them the 
 mysteries of the Christian religion until they arrive at the age 
 of fourteen years. 
 
 The sacramental bread (which is made in little stamped 
 cakes) is generally administered every Sunday in the Coptic 
 churches, one cake being given to every one who desires it ; but 
 the wine is administered to those only who are considered 
 worthy, and then only with a spoon, two or three spoonfuls 
 being given to each communicant. 
 
 The Copts have a great reverence for the sacred Scriptures, 
 and appear to bow to whatever is proved from them ; and they 
 also consider that every one has a just right to that holy Volume 
 as his guide and directory in the way of life. Although they 
 find fault with the Arabic version of the Scriptures published by 
 the Bible Society, and also with that published by the Propa- 
 ganda at Rome, yet they do not refuse to receive and use them ; 
 on the contrary, they are most eager for copies of the sacred 
 Scriptures in every part of Egypt. But when they shall 
 begin earnestly to inquire what is truth, and return to the 
 simplicity and purity of the Gospel of Christ, their own Coptic 
 version, I have no doubt, will be the standard to which they 
 will appeal ; and it is this conviction which has principally 
 influenced me in the wish to obtain a correct text of their
 
 35 
 
 own acknowledged version of the sacred Scriptures. We know 
 too little at the present time of the Old Testament in Coptic 
 to be able to pronounce upon it with accuracy ; but the Coptic 
 New Testament is a very close translation from the original 
 Greek. 
 
 It is true that " the Church of Alexandria," as our Nineteenth 
 Article expresses it, " has erred " ; and it is still in error, as 
 well as in deep ignorance and moral degradation ; but there are 
 many circumstances which induce me to believe, that that Church 
 may be raised from its present position and be brought back 
 to apostolical purity : and most certainly they have never been 
 in so favourable a state for the effort to be made as at the 
 present time. Now all religions are equally tolerated and 
 protected in Egypt; and all persons are appointed to offices 
 of trust in the Government without any reference to their 
 religious creed. 
 
 Another singular feature in the present state of Egypt is 
 not only the diminution of Mohammedan prejudice in the 
 best instructed part of the population, but the favourable light 
 in which the professors of religion are viewed by the Govern- 
 ment. We have a proof of this in the fact that a certificate 
 given to any boy by our missionaries in Egypt, stating that he 
 is receiving instruction in their schools, is a sufficient protection 
 from being seized either for the army or any other Government 
 purpose. I may also mention that the Pacha's second son, now 
 living, was in part educated under the tuition of an English- 
 man ; and the Pacha last year intimated, that he had some 
 intention of committing the education of his two sons to the 
 English clergyman who should be appointed to the chaplaincy 
 at Alexandria. How far the termination of the affair now 
 pending between Turkey and Egypt may affect this intention 
 remains to be seen. I was also repeatedly assured, while in 
 Egypt, that an English missionary who could speak the 
 Turkish language might find ready access to the principal 
 
 C 2
 
 36 
 
 Turks ; and that his statement respecting Christianity would 
 be attentively and respectfully listened to ; and of the truth 
 of this statement I myself have no doubt. 
 
 If the Coptic Church ever returns to the purity of the Gospel 
 in faith and practice, as I believe it will, it appears evident 
 that the agency most likely to bring about this desirable 
 object is a pure episcopal church ; and where is one to be 
 found so nearly answering this character as the Church of 
 England ? There are also other circumstances which point out 
 the Church of England as more peculiarly fitted for this great 
 and holy undertaking. The resources which the Church of 
 England possesses are fully equal to all that lies before her ; 
 and I have no doubt that the people of this country would 
 respond to any call to enable her to carry out any designs 
 to their fullest extent. The influence, also, of the English 
 name is very great throughout the East ; nor is it at all 
 Aveakened if the individual who bears it be a clergyman. 
 
 The Church of Rome is continually alive to every favourable 
 circumstance for the extension of her ecclesiastical dominion 
 in the East, and is always prepared to improve it to the utter- 
 most. Some time since the Pope presented the Pacha of Egypt 
 with a magnificent snuff-box and other valuables, through the 
 French consul; and he has lately had a return made. The 
 Pacha has offered to the Pope four magnificent columns of 
 alabaster, which are intended to adorn the new church of St. 
 Paul at Rome. 
 
 I trust the Church of England will not be found less zealous 
 than the Church of Rome in spiritual matters, and in her 
 endeavours to extend the Redeemer's kingdom. May she be 
 steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of 
 the Lord, knowing that her labour will not be in vain in the 
 Lord. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam.
 
 37 
 
 P.S. I have not been able to get at the letter which I 
 wrote some months ago on this subject. I have, therefore, 
 written another, which I will not trouble your Grace to 
 acknowledge the receipt of. When I called at Lambeth 
 Palace a fortnight ago, it was simply to deliver the Coptic 
 sacramental bread to your Grace's servant, and not to seek 
 an interview with your Grace, as I had nothing to communicate 
 that would justify me in trespassing upon your Grace's valuable 
 time for a moment. I beg to return your Grace my most 
 sincere thanks for your condescension ; but I have nothing to 
 induce me to avail myself of it at the present. 
 
 Rev. T. S. Grimshawe to the Archbishop. 
 
 Jerusalem, April 7, 1840. 
 
 My Lord Archbishop, 
 
 The state of my health having made it necessary 
 that I should spend the winter in a more southern climate, 
 it has been my object to combine with the recovery of my 
 strength such opportunities of usefulness as circumstances 
 and the providence of God might present. From experience 
 I may add that these opportunities are ample; and that, if 
 Christian travellers were more numerous in the parts of 
 the world which I have visited, much valuable information 
 might be collected, and openings presented for a more enlarged 
 sphere of zealous and pious exertion than is generally, I think, 
 entertained. I more particularly refer to the Eastern Churches, 
 as having come most under my contemplation, and standing 
 most in need of our assistance. At Alexandria I found the 
 public worship of God on the Sabbath day wholly dependent 
 on the casual presence of ministers, often of different com- 
 munions ; and at the period of my arrival, which was in Decem- 
 ber last, there had been an entire suspension of services for
 
 38 
 
 some weeks. I arrived on the Saturday evening ; and, though 
 I lost no time in communicating my readiness to officiate if 
 necessary, I was informed by the vice-consul that the place was 
 too unprepared for the reception of a congregation at so short 
 a notice ; but that on the ensuing Sunday it was the intention 
 of Colonel Campbell, the consul-general (then on the eve of 
 relinquishing his office) to lay the first stone of an intended new 
 church ; and that he was commissioned to request that I would 
 give to the ceremony a religious and ecclesiastical form and 
 character. I need not assure your Grace with what willingness 
 I profited by this opportunity. We met at the appointed time 
 at the British consulate. A numerous and highly respectable 
 assemblage of European residents, English, Scotch, French, and 
 Dutch, walked in procession, with music and the British 
 standard. Colonel Hodges, the new consul-general, was 
 present ; prayers and a suitable address were offered ; in the 
 course of which I expressed my sincere hope that the pious 
 enterprise, commenced by one consul, might be brought to 
 its due consummation by his successor. This assurance was 
 given with great cordiality and earnestness by Colonel Hodges ; 
 and the sum of money already raised amounts, I understand, 
 to about 700. It is extremely important that a minister be 
 selected for this situation who may command respect by his 
 piety, and general qualifications and manners ; and his useful- 
 ness and income will be considerably augmented, if he be 
 competent from his classical and other attainments to take 
 pupils. 
 
 From Alexandria I continued my tour to Cairo. After much 
 serious deliberation, founded on the existing state of the Coptic 
 Church and the general aspect of things in Egypt, I thought I 
 was not exceeding the limits of duty and responsibility in soliciting 
 the honour of an interview with the Coptic Patriarch, and, as an 
 English clergyman, expressing to him, in the name of my own 
 Church, a Church illustrious for its Apostolical origin, its con-
 
 39 
 
 stitution of bishops, priests, and deacons, its ancient creed and 
 liturgies, its long list of confessors and martyrs, its past tribula- 
 tions, and its singular preservation by the providence of God till 
 the present day in the midst of severe trials and difficulties. To 
 these expressions of regard the Patriarch was pleased to reply, 
 that he was deeply sensible of these assurances of sympathy and 
 respect on the part of the Church of England, a Church well 
 known to him by name and reputation ; that they (the Copts) 
 had long been a suffering Church for the cause of the truth, and 
 were still prepared to suffer, if such were the will of God. I 
 then adverted to the present position of Egypt, the introduction 
 of European art and science, its tendency, unless duly curtailed 
 and regulated, to lead to infidelity, the symptoms of approaching 
 dissolution in the Turkish empire, and the importance of 
 replacing the fall of error by erecting on its ruins the cross of 
 Christ. I took occasion from this to dwell on the duties and 
 high responsibilities of all Christian Churches in times like 
 these that they were cities set on a hill, that their light was to 
 shine, that the eye of God and of the world was fixed upon 
 them, and that He had authoritatively declared, " all the 
 churches shall know that I am He which trieth the reins and 
 searcheth the heart," that the Coptic Church had now a great 
 duty to perform, that an immense field of usefulness lay before 
 it, and that it might, by the grace of God, become the instru- 
 ment of great good ; but that for this end there must be a 
 corresponding rise and elevation of piety and zeal in its own 
 members, and especially among its clergy, because the character 
 and spirit of the clergy would always determine that of the 
 people ; that if, to accomplish these high purposes, efforts were 
 necessary beyond the means and resources of the Coptic Church, 
 whether his Holiness was willing to accept the aid and coopera- 
 tion of the Church of England, provided that cooperation could 
 be obtained. On this point I assured him that public attention 
 had recently been much drawn to the Coptic Church ; that the
 
 40 
 
 Mission of the Rev. Henry Tattam had excited great interest ; 
 that I knew his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury shared 
 deeply in this feeling, and that some other dignitaries of our 
 Church concurred in the same sentiments. I then adverted to 
 the points of resemblance between the two Churches both 
 were episcopal in their constitution and liturgical in their 
 services; and with respect to creeds, the fact of that of St. 
 Athanasius, one of their own Bishops, being incorporated with 
 our own Services, furnished a strong evidence of the degree of 
 approximation in the higher and more fundamental principles 
 of our holy Religion, however we might differ in some other 
 respects ; and that, lastly, each Church recognised the sacred 
 Scriptures as the supreme standard of faith and practice. I 
 concluded, therefore, by stating that these various points of 
 resemblance furnished sufficient ground for an alliance between 
 the two Churches on the principle of mutual independence, but 
 implied aid and cooperation on the part of the Church of England ; 
 and that this aid might be extended to the education of the 
 clergy, the establishment of schools, and the distribution of the 
 sacred Scriptures. His Holiness was pleased most fully to 
 express his cordial acquiescence in these propositions; and it 
 was agreed that the details should be laid before him on a 
 subsequent occasion. The Rev. Mr. Lieder, the missionary 
 employed by the Church Missionary Society at Cairo, was 
 accordingly instructed to draw out the plan, comprising these 
 several objects ; and on my return from Upper Egypt in the 
 beginning of February last, the document was submitted first 
 of all privately to his Holiness, when it received his approbation 
 with the promise of his signature and patriarchal seal. But on 
 the following day, when the subject underwent a renewed 
 discussion, in the presence of several leading members of the 
 Coptic Church, his Holiness observed, " 1 give my fullest sanction 
 to the propositions contained in this document, and am willing 
 to see it carried into effect ; but so exposed am I to animad-
 
 41 
 
 version and remark, in all thai ! say or do, that I am convinced, 
 if I were to give my signature and patriarchal seal, as suggested, 
 the publicity of the act, under present existing circumstances, 
 would endanger its success, and probably be the most effectual 
 mode of defeating its execution. I trust, therefore, that my 
 word will be deemed sufficient ; and yet, whenever I can safely 
 affix my signature and seal, I shall be most willing to afford it." 
 The rest of the assembly unanimously concurred in the 
 wisdom of this measure ; and some of them remarked, " Sir, the 
 word of the Patriarch is the same as his seal and signature." 
 This discussion lasted two hours and a half, during which every 
 proposition underwent the most minute investigation ; and one 
 of the persons present to whom the Patriarch seemed particularly 
 to refer, observed, " He who cannot assent to the propositions 
 contained in this document does not deserve the name of a 
 Christian." The interview concluded with general expressions 
 of satisfaction at the prospect of a measure so calculated to 
 strengthen the interests of the Coptic Church, and to infuse 
 new energy into its proceedings. It seems that the object of the 
 meeting had transpired, and excited attention ; for on our 
 return the entrance and court were crowded with Copts, who 
 showed us much respect as we passed ; but the most gratifymg 
 fact that came to our knowledge was the following that during 
 the last three weeks (one week after our first discussion) three 
 meetings had been established in the Coptic quarter of Cairo, 
 consisting of from thirty to fifty members, for the express 
 purpose of reading the Scriptures every evening in the week, 
 except the eve of the Sabbath. This spirit of inquiry will, I 
 trust, prove the prelude of a revival. It was exciting much 
 attention ; and the Rev. Mr. Lieder informed me, that on every 
 side people were exclaiming, " This is the work of God." 
 
 I ought to have apprised your Grace, that it was judged highly 
 expedient that the proposed scheme of education for the clergy 
 should be carried into effect not in Enyland, but in Cairo, and
 
 42 
 
 under the superintendence of the Patriarch. It will obviate 
 many difficulties which I have not now time to enter upon; 
 and the instruments are at hand, fully competent to give it the 
 required efficiency. The Kev. Mr. Lieder and the Rev. Mr. 
 Kruse, both of Basle, the former of whom has been resident at 
 Cairo for thirteen years, are willing to act, if an arrangement 
 could be made with the Church Missionary Society to whose 
 Mission they belong ; and the latter has raised up many instru- 
 ments competent to act as schoolmasters : but I defer these 
 points till I have the honour of paying my respects to your 
 Grace on my return to England towards the middle or end 
 of June. 
 
 I am sorry this letter has extended to so great a length ; 
 but the nature of its contents must plead my apology. 
 I have the honour to be, with great respect, 
 
 Your Grace's very obedient servant, 
 
 T. S. Grimshawe. 
 
 The number of the Copts is, I believe, estimated at above 
 150,000 ; and the patriarch informed me they had eleven Bishops 
 at that time, and that he was shortly to consecrate one more 
 which would complete the required amount. 
 
 [The above letter was "Received June 12, 1840."] 
 
 Details of a Plan drawn up at the request of the 
 Rev. T. S. Grimshawe, by the Rev. Theophilus Lieder, 
 Agent of the Church Missionary Society, Cairo, and 
 presented to His Holiness the Coptic Patriarch ; and, 
 after being approved and ratifed by him, to be 
 presented to hls grace the archbishop of canterbury 
 and to the lord blshop of london. 
 
 First, The establishment of an Institution for the training 
 of young men for the ministry, comprising the necessary instruc-
 
 43 
 
 tion in everything which may qualify them, by the Divine 
 grace and blessing, to become " the ministers of Christ and 
 stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor. iv. 1). 
 
 Bides for the Regulation of the above Institution. 
 
 The Institution shall commence with twenty -four pupils, to 
 be selected from the deacons and archdeacons 1 of the twelve 
 churches in Cairo and the surrounding districts, of which every 
 church might send two. Should it, however, be found that any 
 of these are not endowed with the requisite qualifications for 
 the sacred office, others may be chosen and received, as may be 
 judged most expedient, in their stead. 
 
 The pupils of the Institution shall be boarders, receiving 
 their food and clothes, if deemed necessary, and shall be entirely 
 under the control of the principal of the establishment ; but 
 they shall be permitted to see their friends and relatives at such 
 times as may be appointed. On Sundays and other festivals 
 they shall have permission to attend their duties at their 
 respective churches during Divine service. 
 
 Hie Principal shall be a Minister of the Church of England, to 
 whose care and direction shall be committed the general educa- 
 tion of the pupils, and the superintendence of the other 
 teachers; to be appointed with the sanction of his Grace the 
 Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Bishop of London, and 
 the concurrence of the Patriarch of the Chair of St. Marcus. 
 
 The Patron of the Institution shall be His Holiness the 
 Patriarch, who will form, as may be advisable, a Committee for 
 his aid, which may consist of one Bishop, two Kumuses, 2 three 
 priests, and six respectable and well-educated laymen. It shall 
 
 1 The deacons and archdeacons, instead of having arrived at years of maturity, 
 as is the practice with us, are usually youths of fourteen or fifteen years of age. 
 
 1 A title synonymous with that of archdeacon of maturer years and higher 
 authority than those previously mentioned.
 
 44 
 
 be the object of this Committee to protect and support by their 
 influence the above Institution, and also to superintend its pro- 
 ceedings, by visiting it, collectively or individually, as often as 
 they please ; in order to ascertain that nothing is done or taught 
 in it, except what has been fully agreed upon, and thus be 
 enabled to vindicate the conductors of it from all suspicion of 
 perverting it to any interested or party purposes, and thereby 
 extend its efficiency and success. 
 
 P.S. Mr. Lieder estimated the expense of the proposed 
 seminary at about 500 per annum. 
 
 I shall be happy to afford any further information to your 
 Grace that may be deemed necessary ; and I beg to add that I 
 expect to be in town early next week, and shall be most willing 
 to wait on your Grace any morning most convenient. A line 
 addressed to me at Messrs. Hatchard's, booksellers, Piccadilly, 
 will reach me. 
 
 [Endorsed by the Archbishop, " Sat. July 18."] 
 
 Course of Instruction. 
 
 1. The pupils shall receive instruction during the week in 
 the Coptic language, in reading, writing, and grammar; in 
 translating from the Coptic into the Arabic, and from the 
 Arabic into Coptic, so as fully to understand and render them- 
 selves proficients in the ancient language. 
 
 2. In the Arabic language, in reading, writing, grammar, and 
 exercises in composition, until they are able to compose a 
 sermon, according to the prescribed and standard rules. 
 
 3. Exercises in declamation, as a preparation for public 
 preaching. 
 
 4. In arithmetic, geography, general history, ecclesiastical 
 history, the history of the Old and New Testaments, with their 
 chronology. 
 
 5. A considerable portion of time shall be appropriated to
 
 45 
 
 the study and examination of the contents of the sacred volume ; 
 for which purpose the writings of the most approved Fathers, 
 and especially those of St. Clemens of Alexandria, Athanasius, 
 Cyril, and Chrysostom, shall be made use of, in as far as the 
 writings of the said Fathers can be acquired, and may be found 
 serviceable to that end. 
 
 6. A public examination shall be held every three months, to 
 ascertain the progress of the pupils, at which all that are 
 desirous may attend. 
 
 7. Every pupil thus trained shall remain in the Institution 
 until His Holiness the Patriarch shall consider him fit for 
 ordination, and appoint him priest to a church. 
 
 8. The printing of extracts and compilations from the most 
 approved works of the Fathers belonging to the Coptic Church, 
 or whose writings are approved by it. 
 
 9. A commentary on the New Testament in the vernacular 
 language of the country, as proposed to be executed by the Rev. 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Secondly, 
 
 The establishment of schools, on an enlarged scale, for the 
 education of youth. 
 
 Thirdly, 
 
 The distribution of the Holy Scriptures, gratuitously where 
 necessary. 
 
 These resolutions having been privately submitted to his 
 Holiness the Patriarch for his approbation, he was pleased to 
 express his intention of ratifying them by his signature and 
 patriarchal seal on the day appointed for that purpose. 
 
 At an interview held with the Coptic Patriarch this day, 
 February 13th, in the presence of several of the most dis- 
 tinguished members of the Coptic Church, the above document 
 having been taken into serious consideration, his Holiness was 
 pleased to assign many reasons for not affixing to it his
 
 46 
 
 patriarchal seal ; but he most unequivocally expressed his cordial 
 adherence to its spirit and purport, in which declaration he was 
 supported by all the members of his Church then present. He 
 also signified his intention formally to give his name and 
 signature, whenever difficulties of a political nature, now existing, 
 are diminished or fully removed. 
 
 (Signed) T. S. Grimshawe, 
 
 Rector of Burton, Northamptonshire ; 
 Vicar of Biddenham, Bedfordshire. 
 Cairo, February 13th, 1840. 
 
 BlDDENIIAM, HEAR BEDFORD, 
 
 July 17, 1840. 
 
 My Lord Archbishop, 
 
 I have the honour to transmit to your Grace the 
 details of the plan submitted to the Coptic Patriarch by me 
 at Cairo, February 13th, for his approbation and sanction. The 
 reasons assigned by his Holiness for withholding his signature 
 and patriarchal seal were founded on the apprehension of defeat- 
 ing the measure by giving to it a premature publicity ; and he 
 was pleased to confirm this view of the subject by many remarks 
 which showed the expediency and wisdom of such a decision. 
 I entertain no doubt of his sincerity. There was an honesty 
 and frankness in his manner strongly indicative of his friendly 
 feelings and cordial approbation of the object ; and a similar 
 spirit pervaded the whole meeting. Should the proposed co- 
 operation be given to the Coptic Church by the Church of 
 England, the mode seems to be as practicable as the results are 
 likely to be beneficial and important involving the revival of 
 this ancient but now depressed Church, and thus raising up an 
 instrument for diffusing Christianity in Egypt ; and extending 
 its benefits in Abyssinia (of which he is also Patriarch), and
 
 47 
 
 where, I understand, there are two millions of professing 
 Christians, but without the vital power of godliness. Allow me, 
 my Lord Archbishop, to recommend this cause to your peculiar 
 favour and consideration, and to that of the Lord Bishop of 
 London. May your Primacy be signalised by an act that will 
 embalm your memory in the gratitude of your own Church, 
 and secure for you the prayers and benedictions of an ancient 
 Church, coeval with the times of the Apostles ; once valiant for 
 the faith, but now alas ! desolate and fallen ; and yet still 
 capable, by God's blessing and man's charity, to become " a 
 light shining in a dark place," and " a praise in the earth." 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, 
 My Lord Archbishop, 
 Your Grace's most obedient and faithful servant, 
 
 T. S. Grimshawe. 
 
 [These letters and papers bear the marks of having been 
 much used]. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, June 22, 1840. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I took the liberty a short time ago to forward to your 
 Grace a copy of a letter which I had received from Mr. Grim- 
 shawe from Smyrna, my daughter having permitted Mrs. 
 Grimshawe to take away the original. My daughter has since 
 then received a letter from Cairo, stating that there are in Cairo, 
 with the sanction of the Patriarch, six daily meetings of the 
 Copts, in different parts of the city, for the purpose of reading 
 the sacred Scriptures; and the greater part of these have 
 existed from the time I was there.
 
 48 
 
 I have also much pleasure in forwarding to your Grace a 
 copy of the catalogue of the Syriac manuscripts which I brought 
 from Egypt, having received the catalogue from Professor Lee 
 a few days ago ; and I hope shortly to be able to add to this 
 the catalogue of the Coptic and Sahidic manuscripts which 
 I copied and obtained in Eg} r pt. 
 
 I am exceedingly sorry that Professor Lee has made known 
 from whom the Syriac manuscripts were obtained : for there 
 are probably three hundred very old and beautiful Syriac 
 manuscripts on vellum, now remaining in the same dark cave 
 under the tower in the monastery, and nearly a cart-load of 
 loose leaves which will perfect every manuscript. These it is 
 my intention, if I ever possess the means, to make an effort to 
 secure to England ; and I have little doubt I should succeed, 
 unless some foreigner should find them out, who would either 
 obtain them, or by his injudiciousness seal them up from the 
 world. I had two journeys of eight days each for those I have 
 obtained ; and my servant had two other journeys of the same 
 length. But I have six volumes which have not arrived in 
 England as yet. 
 
 I have not been able to proceed with the preparation of the 
 Coptic Scriptures for the press as fast as I had hoped to do, 
 in consequence of a weakness on the chest, brought on some 
 months ago by an excess of duty ; and I have lately been 
 impeded by a newspaper controversy with Lord Shrewsbury's 
 priest, in consequence of some violent letters of his which I was 
 reluctantly obliged to answer, as I was informed they were doing 
 much harm. 
 
 I hope now to devote my time to the manuscripts which lie 
 before me. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam.
 
 49 
 
 Catalogue of the Rev. H. Tattam's Syriac MSS. 
 
 No. 1. The latter part of the Prophecy of Ezekiel, A.D. 
 
 726. Cyril of Alexandria on the Trinity, A.D. 611, i.e. 1,229 
 
 years old. 
 
 * * * 
 
 34. Jacobite Ritual for the whole year, A.D. 1034. 
 
 35. Ditto, imperfect, with Lessons. 
 
 36. Ditto, ditto, ditto. 
 
 37. Ditto, ditto, ditto. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, May 7, 1841. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have had the honour to receive your Grace's kind 
 communication this morning, for which I beg to return your 
 Grace my most sincere thanks. 
 
 I had written a note to your Grace last night, but it was too 
 late for the post, respectfully to say that I have made up my 
 mind to offer my Syriac manuscripts to the Trustees of the 
 British Museum, . . . and the only condition I will venture to 
 propose is, that the sum which I borrowed to purchase them, 
 which is about 200, may be repaid. 
 
 I know that, in taking this step, I shall be acting contrary to 
 the advice and wishes of my friends, and I may be a considerable 
 loser in a pecuniary point of view ; but I shall stand in a 
 position which I shall always be able to contemplate with 
 pleasure, whatever my friends or my own family may think 
 of it. 
 
 I beg to state to your Grace that I have given Professor Lee 
 permission to copy and publish the lost work of Eusebius ; for 
 
 D
 
 50 
 
 which purpose I hope he will be allowed to retain the manu- 
 script until he has done with it. The other manuscripts I will 
 direct to be sent to the British Museum as soon as I learn that 
 the Trustees consent to receive them. 
 
 But should the funds of the Museum not allow of the money 
 I owe on account of the manuscripts being repaid, I shall then 
 feel myself at liberty to offer them to the Curators of the 
 Bodleian for what they may be considered to be worth. 
 
 The Coptic manuscripts I have no intention of selling ; as I 
 stand pledged to the public to prepare all the portions of the 
 Scriptures for publication, and a new edition of my Egyptian 
 Lexicon ; and to these every spare hour is devoted, now I have 
 finished my controversy with Lord Shrewsbury's priest, who I 
 believe will not venture to appear again in print . . . 
 
 I have the honour to remain, 
 
 With the greatest respect, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, May 13, 1841. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I beg to return your Grace my most fervent and heart- 
 felt thanks for the letters which your Grace has done me the 
 honour to write to me, and for the interest which you have con- 
 descended to take in my behalf. 
 
 I have written a formal letter to your Grace on the subject of 
 the manuscripts, and shall be pleased to leave the matter in the 
 hands of the Trustees of the British Museum . . . 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam.
 
 51 
 
 Bedford, May 13, 1841. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I beg to thank the Trustees of the British Museum for 
 their kindness, through your Grace, and to say that the whole 
 cost of the manuscripts was such that I could not afford to give 
 that to the British Museum, but beyond that I will leave the 
 matter in the hands of the Trustees to grant me such an 
 additional sum as they may think proper. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, my Lord, 
 
 Your Grace's most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Should the Trustees wish to see the manuscript with Professo 1 " 
 Lee, it can be sent to the Museum. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, May 17, 1841. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 In answer to the most kind communication of your 
 Grace, and of the Trustees of the British Museum, with the 
 tender of my warmest thanks for the kindness shown to me, I 
 beg to say, as they have allowed me to amend my offer of the 
 manuscripts to the Trustees, that, in addition to the sum which 
 I gave for the Syriac manuscripts, I shall be glad to receive 
 what they may be considered to be justly worth . . . 
 
 I have requested the manuscripts to be forwarded to the 
 British Museum, where I presume they will arrive in the course 
 of a few days, and I will post a catalogue to Mr. Forshall to-day 
 or to-morrow. It is the most splendid collection of Syriac 
 manuscripts I ever saw ; and I think it will be found to be equal 
 or superior to any other in Europe. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c. 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 d 2
 
 52 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, May 19, 1841. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have to apologise to your Grace for having caused you 
 the trouble to write two or three letters to me on the subject 
 of the Syriac Manuscripts. ... I am delighted with the 
 certainty of a Bishop being appointed to Malta, which I feel 
 persuaded will be attended with most beneficial results. 
 
 I learn from Mr. Lieder, the senior Missionary at Cairo, 
 that he is requested by the Committee of the Church Missionary 
 Society to return to England for Episcopal ordination, and that 
 the Society contemplate carrying out the plan recommended by 
 the Patriarch for spiritually raising their Church. From Mr. 
 Lieder's last letter, I expected him in England before this time ; 
 and I think it is probable that he has arrived by the last 
 vessel. 
 
 Mr. Lieder informs me, in answer to inquiries, that " The 
 Copts do not possess the Homilies of Macarius in the Arabic 
 language. The Coptic Patriarch was even astonished when I 
 told him that we possessed these in Greek and Latin. The Copts 
 possess, from the writings of the ancient Fathers, nothing more 
 than a few Homilies of St. Athanasius, Mar Ephraim, and the 
 Homilies and Commentary on St. John's Gospel by Chrysostom. 
 All their other works are commentaries, but are only most 
 superficial compilations. I sent lately to Mr. Schlienz two very 
 scarce Arabic Manuscripts, namely, a Commentary on the Four 
 Gospels, with very interesting Prefaces, by Abu Faraj, as also 
 a Commentary on the Psalms, from the first to the eighty-first 
 Psalm, by the same author ; very valuable works, but used by 
 the Copts with much suspicion, as the writer of them seems 
 to have been a Nestorian." 
 
 I think I shall take the liberty to forward a copy of this part 
 of Mr. Lieder's letter to the Translation Committee of the
 
 53 
 
 Christian Knowledge Society, as it may prove useful to them. 
 I hope to get the Homilies of Macarius translated into Arabic, 
 through Mr. Kruse\ the present missionary in Cairo, with as 
 little delay as possible, and shall hope to see them printed, after 
 being carefully revised, as an earnest of our wish to benefit the 
 Coptic Church. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Rev. Rudolph Theophilus Lieder to the, Archbishop. 
 
 41, Blackman Street, 
 
 Corner Trinity Street, Borough, 
 November 26, 1841. 
 
 Your Grace 
 
 Will no doubt remember that, some time ago, the 
 Rev. Mr. Grimshawe had the pleasure of presenting the minutes 
 of a plan which had been proposed to His Holiness the Coptic 
 Patriarch, as it respects the future educational advancement of 
 the Coptic priesthood. I have now the honour of inclosing to 
 your Grace a letter directly from the hands of the Patriarch, in 
 which he fully expresses his approbation and ready adoption of 
 the said plan. 
 
 Should your Grace wish for further information on this 
 momentous subject, and in as far as my past experience (as 
 missionary in Egypt) may enable me to enlarge on any required 
 point, I am ever ready to wait upon your Grace at any 
 appointed time. 
 
 I have the honour to remain 
 
 Your Grace's, 
 
 Most humble and obedient Servant, 
 
 Rudolph Theophilus Lieder.
 
 54 
 
 A Literal Translation of the Letter of His Holiness 
 the Coptic Patriarch. 
 
 The Seal. 
 
 st, Petrus, the one hundred 
 and ninth Patriarch of the *-* 
 *r Chair of St. Mark of Alex- q 
 ST. andria, Cairo, and Abyssi- P* 
 P nia. 
 
 In the name of God the Benevolent the Merciful. 
 In God tlie Salvation. 
 
 The peace of our Lord, our God, and our Saviour, and 
 Author of our life, Jesus Christ, who descended upon the 
 assembly of the holy disciples in the noble and majestic hall of 
 Sion, and filled their hearts with mysteries and lights, and gave 
 them power to forgive sins, trespasses, and crimes ; may the 
 same Divine peace in its source and abundant security be 
 given, in spiritual love and apostolic charity, to the person of 
 our beloved brother, his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. 
 May the Lord God preserve him. 
 
 After abundant spiritual salutation and exuberant affection 
 to him, may the grace of Christ remain upon him. And if you 
 deign to ask about our lowliness many thanks to God we 
 are in good health and strength, through the blessing of your 
 prayers and assistance of our Lord ; and we are only inquiring 
 after your perfect health, if it pleases God, we trust you are in 
 laudable conditions. 
 
 Moreover it is not concealed from your eminent Holiness that 
 some time ago Mr. Grimshawe, Mr. Lieder, and Mr. Kruse, the 
 English clergymen, residing now in Cairo for many years, called 
 upon us, and informed us that the above-mentioned Mr. Grimshawe 
 ishes to open an Institution for the education of youth that 
 are fit for the dedication to the order of priesthood for the
 
 55 
 
 Coptic Church of St. Mark. At the same time they presented 
 to us a plan for our inspection, that the arrangement of the 
 Institution should be according to the same, and that the 
 Principal of this institution should be a clergyman of the 
 English Church; this we have accepted with entire approba- 
 tion, because (of?) the English Church being drawn towards our 
 Coptic Church of St. Mark. But if the Institution should not 
 succeed, we are not to be answerable for the expenses, and if it 
 succeeds, we are also not answerable for the same ; and upon this 
 basis were made the conditions, consent, and agreement. 
 
 And as our son, Mr. Rudolph Theophilus Lieder. the clergy- 
 man, is departing, he requested of us this letter to your Holiness 
 for your consideration. 
 
 May you always be in good health ; and may our Lord pre- 
 serve your life, and prolong your days for a long time ! Amen. 
 
 October the 2nd, 1841. 
 
 [Translated by Mr. Lieder.] 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, December 14, 1841. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I went to town last week to meet Mr. Lieder from Cairo, 
 who, I find, has been the bearer of a letter from the Coptic 
 Patriarch to your Grace. Mr. Lieder informed me, that, at his 
 last interview with the Patriarch, after he had stated to Mr. 
 Lieder, in reference to the proposed plan for the education of the 
 priesthood, that he could not allow him to attack his Church, 
 he requested Bishop Abraham, the Coptic Bishop of Jerusalem, 
 whom I well remember, to withdraw. He then said to Mr. 
 Lieder, " I know there are some things in our Church which you 
 consider errors, such as the adoration of saints, &c, and the
 
 56 
 
 sooner you can do away with them the better ; but this can only 
 be done through the medium of education." I have thought 
 this information so important, that I trust your Grace will 
 pardon me for troubling you with it. 
 
 I do not now remember the particulars of the proposed plan 
 of education ; but I hope every concession will be made, con- 
 sistent with principle, to convince the Patriarch of the sincerity 
 and integrity of our intentions. 
 
 I am glad to hear that I have every prospect of obtaining the 
 whole of the Coptic Scriptures; as Abuna Tecla, a priest at 
 the Patriarchate, has heard of their being in two places in Upper 
 Egypt, and Mr. Lieder has sent him to purchase them, or to 
 get them copied for me ; for which I have furnished him with 
 funds. 
 
 The Patriarch, I am informed, has expressed an earnest desire 
 for the whole of the Scriptures in Coptic and Arabic, for the use 
 of his people ; and Mr. Lieder intends to apply to the Bible 
 Society for the grant, and has requested me to edit the Coptic 
 part of the work, which I have consented to do. But, as my 
 connection with the Bible Society has for some time ceased, I 
 should be glad to advise him to apply to the Christian Knowledge 
 Society in preference, if I knew there was any prospect of 
 success. He has distributed 1100 copies of the Scriptures this 
 year with his own hands. 
 
 If the proposed system of education be carried out, the 
 Patriarch wishes to have a Coptic Arabic Lexicon, which he 
 possesses, printed for the use of the students, and which they 
 will not be able to do without. 
 
 The Patriarch has also suggested the desirableness of sending 
 a Coptic priest to edit the Arabic part of the Scriptures, as 
 there are considerable errors in the Arabic of those parts which 
 have been published in Arabic and Coptic ; and Mr. Lieder says 
 this might be done at comparatively little expense, and 
 the same person might superintend the printing of the
 
 Arabic part of the Lexicon. I have encouraged the idea, as it 
 probably would give confidence to the Patriarch, and might, 
 under the blessing of God, terminate in the spiritual good of the 
 individual. If one should come. I would gladly take charge of 
 him find him economical accommodation near me receive 
 him into my own study, and watch over him with the greatest 
 care teach him English, and direct his studies in reference to 
 his future usefulness in the Coptic Church. I would guarantee 
 the perfect integrity of the Coptic text of the Scriptures, and 
 take care that no alterations would be made in the Arabic 
 without submitting it to any appointed tribunal. Indeed, I 
 should be glad to take care of two Copts to educate for the 
 Ministry in their own Church ; and all I do will be gratuitously 
 done. 
 
 I am exceedingly sorry to hear from Mr. Lieder that the 
 most learned in Egypt, both. Sheiks and Christians, cannot 
 understand the Arabic used in the new translation of the 
 Scriptures now being printed in Malta; and he says he has 
 ascertained that it is equally unintelligible to the learned in 
 Syria. 
 
 Your Grace's kindness and condescension have permitted you 
 to speak of my daughter's, or rather step-daughter's Journal in 
 such terms as she feels to be a rich reward for permitting it to 
 be made public ; but a kind consideration for her youth and in- 
 experience, rather than any other feelings, she thinks, must have 
 been the moving cause in your Grace's favourable notice of it. 
 The remaining volume would have been printed long before 
 this ; but the last twenty-two weeks have been devoted entirely 
 to her mother, who is not yet able to walk. I trust it will now 
 be printed with as little delay as possible ; and I think it will 
 prove to be much more interesting than the other. 
 
 My daughter, who is here called both Miss Piatt and Miss 
 Tattam, has entered into my studies from her early childhood, 
 and is of the greatest use and comfort to me in my parish, and
 
 58 
 
 the Sunday School ; and in taking charge, with her mother, of 
 my Clothing and Sunday School Benefit Societies, and in 
 keeping up an intercourse with the female children, and 
 influence over them after they have left the school. She will 
 second, I am sure, as far as she is able, any efforts of mine to 
 benefit the poor Copts. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 The Archbishop has indorsed this letter with the note, ad- 
 dressed, no doubt, to the Bishop of London, whom he expected 
 to meet on his London da} 7 in the following week : " Pray be 
 so good as to look at this letter before we meet on Tuesday 
 next. " W. C." 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, January 26, 1842. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I trust your Grace will kindly condescend to pardon 
 the liberty I am again presuming to take in addressing another 
 letter to you in reference to the Coptic Church. 
 
 If I had no other evidence than Mr. Grimsbawe's testimony, 
 I should be led to doubt whether the Coptic Patriarch does 
 sincerely desire the education of the Coptic priesthood through 
 the instrumentality of the English. But from what Mr. Lieder 
 has stated, who knows the Oriental character, I am induced to 
 believe that he and the Copts do ; and I think his cautious 
 letter to your Grace was written under the influence of fear of 
 the Egyptian Government, which I know constantly prevails 
 among the Christian population. 
 
 I have not heard from Mr. Lieder since I was in town. . . .
 
 59 
 
 I have no doubt that much wisdom will be required in dealing 
 with the Copts, and that the spirit of kindness and gentleness 
 and love must be in constant exercise. ... It appears to me 
 that error is best overturned by the establishment of truth. I 
 would by no means conceal my opinions on the points on which 
 we differ in faith and practice, nor would I needlessly bring 
 them forward ; but whenever called upon by persons or circum- 
 stances to do so, I would do so in the spirit of kindness, and in 
 the language of Scripture. . . . 
 
 It appears to me, but I may be in error, that, in communi- 
 cating religious knowledge to the Copts, it can only be effectually 
 done through the medium of Scripture. I would venture 
 respectfully to suggest, that a portion of Scripture should be 
 regularly read and explained in the classes, either morning or 
 evening, or at least once a day, until the whole of the New 
 Testament has been gone through ; and I should make Scripture 
 as much as possible its own interpreter. The pupils should be 
 permitted to ask questions after each lecture, and the next 
 morning be required to bring as much of the lecture as possible 
 in writing; which, after being examined and corrected, should 
 be put by to be delivered to the writer when he leaves the 
 school. In this way they would acquire a valuable stock of 
 theological knowledge for future use, and a facility of committing 
 their ideas to paper. In the course of the lectures the errors 
 of the Coptic Church would come under review, and be shown 
 to be unscriptural, without being directly opposed, and, if 
 judiciously done, without, I should hope, stirring up the bad 
 feelings of the people. 
 
 I am induced to hope that the Church Missionary Society will 
 not think of establishing a school for those designed for the 
 Coptic priesthood independent of the Coptic Patriarch : if they 
 do, I fear they will be disappointed. The suspicions of the 
 Copts, whom circumstances have rendered suspicious, would be 
 excited, and they would keep aloof. They would imagine
 
 60 
 
 there was some concealed motive which would afterwards 
 appear, as in the case of the Roman Catholics, who, as the 
 Patriarch informed me, artfully introduced themselves among 
 his people, and concealed their real sentiments until they had 
 withdrawn a part of the wealthiest of them. 
 
 As the Patriarch has written to your Grace, I trust (in the 
 absence of all information) that the Committee will request 
 your Grace to agree upon a plan of education with the 
 Patriarch. But if the Copts should decline to accede to such 
 a plan as your Grace shall propose, it would, I think, be 
 useless to attempt to establish a school without the concurrence 
 of the Patriarch. 
 
 If your Grace should undertake this preliminary arrangement 
 with the Patriarch, which seems to me the proper mode of pro- 
 ceeding, and it should appear to your Grace that by going to 
 Cairo, and acting under your Grace's instructions, I could 
 remove any obstacles, and facilitate the adoption of your plans 
 by the Patriarch, I would willingly undertake the journey. I 
 should then endeavour to obtain the remaining Syriac MSS., 
 and see what I could further do in assisting to raise that 
 fallen Church. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c. 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, March 3, 1842. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have received a pressing letter from Mr. Lieder, 
 intreating me to do all I can to obtain, at least, the New 
 Testament in Coptic and Arabic, for the use of the Copts. I have 
 therefore written to the Christian Knowledge Society on the
 
 61 
 
 subject ; but before the letter goes, I have presumed to inclose 
 it to your Grace ; and if your Grace will condescend to do me 
 the favour to peruse it, and, if it contains any thing objection- 
 able, to return it to me again, I shall feel very deeply obliged 
 to you. I will not trouble your Grace to write to me, but only 
 to strike your pen through anything objectionable in the letter. 
 But if your Grace sees nothing to object to in it, perhaps your 
 Grace will further do me the favour to permit your Secretary to 
 seal it, and post it. And may He who has the hearts of all 
 men in his hand favourably incline the Committee to the 
 request. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c. 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 To the Secretaries of the Church Missionary Society. 
 
 41, Blackman Street, Borough, 
 May 18, 1842. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 I presented for your inspection some time ago a rough 
 sketch of the desired plan, in answer to your request, for the 
 consideration of the Committee, in regard to the " remodelling 
 the Society's seminary at Cairo, so as to give a superior educa- 
 tion to the youths educated therein, and that with a special 
 regard to the Coptic Church ; " and, as you in general approved 
 of its contents, you desired me to draw up a correct copy for the 
 inspection of the Committee. Since that time I have had an 
 interview, especially in regard to it, with the Rev. Henry 
 Tattam, at Bedford, who resided for a considerable time at our 
 Mission establishment at Cairo ; whose mature and sound views 
 are well known, and who is not only practically acquainted with 
 our proceedings there, but especially with the spiritual work of
 
 62 
 
 the Coptic Church. He entered with me minutely into every 
 point of the proposed plan, to which he gave his full approba- 
 tion ; but as I received from him, after my return to London, 
 an important letter in which he not only in general expressed 
 his full concurrence with my own views, but gave some essential 
 hints for the improvement of the plan, I considered it my 
 bounden duty to embody some of them into the matter already 
 given, especially those which affect the number of pupils, the 
 teachers, and the financial department. 
 
 Preliminary Rules and Propositions for this intended 
 Institution. 
 
 1. As this Institution is situated in the heart of the Coptic 
 quarter, which belongs to the outskirts of Cairo, and in the 
 immediate vicinity of the Coptic patriarchate, it is my firm 
 persuasion that it ought, as a trial, for at least the space of 
 three years, to the end of 1845, to be opened, not only with "a 
 special regard " but exclusively for " the benefit of the Coptic 
 Church ; " and that, if there should be found one or two subjects 
 amongst the pupils of the present seminary who do not belong 
 to the Coptic Church, and who should show not only considerable 
 talent, but especially give hope that their hearts and lives are 
 more or less influenced by the renovating power of the Spirit, 
 that they ought only to be received and kept as exceptions, in 
 regard to the rules of the said institution. 
 
 I feel myself the more obliged to press this point, as so many 
 hopes have been offered to the Copts, in regard to the willingness 
 of the Church of England to give them the necessary help, and 
 especially the proposition to open for them an institution for 
 the education of a superior priesthood for their Church, which 
 by them was accepted (above expectation), and negatived by the 
 Committee of the Church Missionary Society ; and that only 
 after a proper trial of the above-mentioned proposition (to open
 
 63 
 
 the institution at first exclusively for the Copts), when it should 
 appear that it does not meet the expected favourable support 
 from their side, then to throw it again open to all, Moham- 
 medans as well as Jews, and Christians of all denominations, 
 yet consisting only of day scholars ; and in that case it would be 
 profitable to transfer the said institution into a more central 
 position for the diffusion of general instruction, namely, between 
 the quarters of the Copts, Greeks, and Mohammedans. 
 
 2. That this institution ought to consist only of boarders, as 
 a Missionary Society can only undergo the expenses for keeping 
 pupils as boarders in one of their institutions with an especial 
 view to promote individual conversion, as far as it depends from 
 human means; and to have therefore these favoured subjects 
 under the immediate eye of the Principal of the institution, not 
 only to have their minds constantly influenced and surrounded, 
 as it were, by a Gospel spirit, but to preserve them particularly 
 from the bane of the demoralising usages by which they might 
 be infected from without. 
 
 If, on the contrary, these boarders have daily intercourse with 
 day scholars, who, come to receive their lessons with them, the 
 hopes of the Committee in regard to these boarders will be 
 constantly crippled and defeated (according to my own experience). 
 An institution of this kind ought, therefore, either to consist 
 entirely of boarders or day scholars ; and, this taken as a rule 
 allowance should only be made, on either side, for scarce and 
 extraordinary exceptions. 
 
 3. The fixed number of pupils in this institution during the 
 first three years should, not be less than twelve ; yet ought the prin- 
 cipal to be authorised to raise (during the course of the above- 
 mentioned period) the number of its inmates to fifteen. The 
 object of this proposition is important; it is to enable the 
 principal to receive a pupil into the institution, if one or the 
 other well qualified youth should desire to enter the said 
 establishment.
 
 64 
 
 The pupils ought to be chosen with great circumspection 
 from those who are within the present seminary and boys' day 
 school ; then from those who may from time to time offer 
 themselves from without these establishments. Its principal 
 should carefully avoid all haste in filling up this fixed number 
 of pupils ; to which he may feel himself the more tempted, as 
 he is in want of the same number of assistant teachers for six 
 as for twelve and even twenty-four pupils. And as it is not 
 easy to exclude a received pupil from the institution, not only 
 from probable but even real causes, every pupil who enters the 
 institution ought to know that his first six months' stay in it is 
 only probationary, and that he may be liable to be sent away 
 either during that time or at the end of it. 
 
 4. That, though the pupils of this institution shall receive a 
 general and liberal education, yet I believe that the plan of it 
 should be drawn up and the lectures given with a constant 
 intention to render them all, what for the future may make them 
 fit for 'preaching the Gospel, as well if chosen for the ministry in 
 their own Church, as, if not, for general or specific Missionary 
 purposes. 
 
 A youth brought up thus, should he not feel himself inclined 
 or called for the ministry, but choose any other honourable 
 branch of life, will always be the gainer for an education of this 
 kind, as he will be able to express himself correctly, either by 
 writing or by speaking; and if bis heart is touched and 
 enlightened by the truth as it is in Christ, he may become a 
 blessing to those around him. 
 
 5. As " the system of education " in this institution " shall 
 be wholly under the direction of the Committee, and therefore 
 entirely dependent on the control of members of the Church of 
 England, I would propose that the principal, who may lead the 
 devotional exercises of the institution (during the w r eek or on 
 the Sabbath) should introduce either on Sunday afternoon or in 
 the evening the beautiful liturgy of our Evening Service ; the
 
 65 
 
 more so, since the Common Prayer Book has been translated 
 into the Arabic language. The hall of the institution ought to 
 be open during that time, to all who are either led to it by 
 curiosity or who wish to join in the service ; and, to make this 
 service the more acceptable to the Coptic and Arab Christians, 
 there might be introduced chanting, in so far as it is used 
 throughout the churches of London, and which is of so purely 
 an Oriental character. I believe that our edifying, evangelical 
 Church service will attract many people, and that it cannot 
 otherwise than produce a beneficial effect upon their minds ; the 
 more so, if they compare it with the unevangelical and, in dead 
 languages, deadening liturgies of their own Churches. 
 
 6. That there ought to be held in that institution an exami- 
 nation every six months, which should be open to all who wish 
 to attend it. An examination of this kind would prove, I 
 believe, to be especially useful and instructive, if there would 
 be invited for the occasion the higher dignitaries and priests of 
 the Church, as also intelligent laymen. 
 
 7. As an institution of this kind can only prosper (in as far 
 as God Almighty deigns to do His work upon earth by human 
 instrumentality) if the Missionary, as its principal, endeavours to 
 gain the entire confidence of those who are put under his 
 fatherly care, so as to become, as it were, the soul of the insti- 
 tution, he ought to be dispensed, if required, with other 
 Missionary business ; for to be able not only to do the work 
 intrusted to him in a general sense, but to follow it up in all 
 its ramifications. 
 
 8. I would finally propose, that the principal of the said 
 institution ought to be personally responsible, not for accidental 
 or unforeseen consequences, but for the faithful execution of the 
 duties in the work intrusted to him ; in as far as the Committee, 
 in full consideration, can expect it from the East, where a 
 Missionary's work is often more or less interrupted by 
 indisposition.
 
 66 
 
 And that the Committee ought to expect, in regard to an 
 institution of this kind, not only some general account in the 
 Annual Report of the Mission, but a special Report from its 
 principal after every half years examination. 
 
 I would further recommend to the consideration of the 
 Committee, in regard to these preliminary propositions, the 
 2, 3, and 7 of Mr. Tattam's valuable letter. 
 
 I shall now express my views in respect to what is to be taught 
 in this institution, with observations regarding the system, accord- 
 ing to which the different scholastic branches ought to be given to 
 the pupils. 
 
 1. Languages : the Arabic, Coptic, and English. 
 
 (a) The Arabic. In this language the pupils ought to receive 
 instruction in reading, writing, orthography, grammar, and 
 composition, especially on texts of Holy Writ, until they are 
 able to compose a sermon according to the standard rules of the 
 Church. Declamation of select beautiful portions of literature ; 
 and one evening of the week is to be fixed in which the pupils 
 have to deliver from memory their compositions, as a preparatory 
 means for future preaching of the Gospel, to which exercise 
 strangers may be permitted to be present. The principal and the 
 assistant teachers of the Institution ought of course to be present 
 at such a time ; not only to watch and raise the respectabilit}^ of 
 the exercise, but also to express at the end of it their opinion 
 to the pupils, if they think it proper, as well on their composi- 
 tions in general, as also an approval or the contrary, respecting 
 the delivery. 
 
 (b) The Coptic. In this language the pupils ought to be in- 
 structed in reading, writing, and grammar, so far, that they 
 clearly understand, and are able to translate, what they read. 
 Though it is to be pitied, that this dead language must be in-
 
 67 
 
 troduced into this institution, yet it is unavoidably necessary ; 
 for, being the sacred language of the Coptic Church, the pupils 
 could never enter the ministry of that Church without it. (See 
 4 of Mr. Tattam's letter.) 
 
 (c) The English. I would recommend, as one of the greatest 
 improvements, that the English language is to be fully intro- 
 duced into this institution, so far, that it becomes to the pupils, 
 next to their native tongue, a living language. In this language 
 they have to receive instruction in reading, writing, ortho- 
 graphy, grammar, and exercises in speaking ; so that they not 
 only become competent to speak, read, and write it correctly and 
 to use our excellent literature, but to translate useful works 
 from the English into their own language ; for I believe, that we 
 have to look not only for able, but what is most important, 
 pious translators, from such an institution. 
 
 I would further remark on this head, that a number of such 
 young men, who are fully able to translate any work, religious 
 and scientific, will be, for Egypt and the Arab countries in 
 general, of the greatest importance, as well in a religious as 
 (what is not to be overlooked) in a moral, civil, and political 
 sense ; for it was chiefly from want of such men, that until now 
 that bane of French literature, and by it French ideas have been 
 introduced into Egypt, that so mighty an influence has been 
 attained by that power, and by it Popery. 
 
 2. Arithmetic. This branch of education, I believe, ought to 
 be taught in Egypt not according to our system, but according 
 to that used by the Copts ; for of what use is ours to the pupils, 
 if those who have to investigate their calculations do not under- 
 stand the way by which they came to the results ? And besides 
 this, the Copts have always been famous as accountants, and 
 possess, as far as I have been able to ascertain, in their system 
 peculiar facilities, so that it even may be possible, that our own 
 system might be improved by that in use among them. 
 
 3. Singing theoretically, and especially of a liturgical kind. 
 
 e 2
 
 68 
 
 The advantages derived from this branch of education are so 
 well known and acknowledged, that I shall not enlarge 
 upon it. 
 
 4. Rudiments of Geometry, as a useful branch of education, 
 by which the pupils are taught and accustomed to think and to 
 reflect. 
 
 5. General Geography and the use of the Globes, to which may 
 be added an outline on the Physiology of Mankind. As a 
 peculiar, interesting, and highly requisite part of geography, the 
 lecturer ought to enlarge on the geography of the Holy 
 Scriptures. 
 
 6. Rudiments of Astronomy, especially of a practical nature, 
 which ought to be given in such a way, as to be a worthy com- 
 ment on the nineteenth Psalm. 
 
 7. The History of the Old and New Testament. Along with 
 these sacred historical lectures proper regard ought to be paid 
 to Chronology ; and to make that branch the more useful to the 
 Coptic pupil, the chronology of the Hebrew and Septuagint 
 sacred text of the Old Testament ought to be given in parallels, 
 and their respective worth considered ; as not only the Copts, 
 but most of the Oriental Churches have adopted that of the 
 Septuagint. 
 
 I would further recommend, that the lecturer ought, in an 
 introduction to Bible History, to enlarge on the authenticity of 
 the sacred text in general, and of the special books which form 
 it in particular. 
 
 8. To this branch of education most naturally follows Church 
 History ; which, properly speaking, is only a continuation of the 
 history of the New Testament, and whose epoch is only 
 finished, when "the kingdoms of this world are become the 
 kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ" (Rev. xi. 15j. 
 
 9. Bible Doctrine, or what is usually called Body of Divinity, 
 with continual references to the Evidences of Christianity. 
 
 The lecturer on this important branch of education ought
 
 69 
 
 carefully to avoid all party peculiarities, and give the doctrines 
 as revealed to us and warranted in the word of God. 
 
 The lectures on Bible Doctrine ought, if possible, to go along 
 with the lectures on Bible History, as being so entirely dependent 
 on each other as the woof is to the warp. 
 
 10. Critical Explanation of some portions or books of the 
 Sacred Text, based upon grammatical, historical rules ; so as to 
 give the pupils a clear view, how the Holy Scriptures ought and 
 can alone be explained without falling into error. Finally : 
 
 11. General History, with continual reference to Bible History, 
 or the Theocracy as found in Bible History ; from which alone 
 its dark and crowded pages can receive light, meaning, and 
 importance, and without which it would only be an unprofitable 
 story book. 
 
 REMARK. 
 
 In regard to all the above mentioned historical branches, I 
 would recommend, that the lecturer should divide every branch 
 into two different courses ; for, as it is evident that they not 
 only are the most interesting part of instruction, but most cal" 
 culated to form the mind of the pupil, the way in which they 
 are taught is far from being indifferent. The first course of 
 every branch ought to be carefully divided into short, clear, and 
 systematically arranged epochs, according to the most prominent 
 events, which form focal and turning 'points in history, and by 
 which the memory of the pupil is powerfully assisted according 
 to ancient and sacred experience : " The words of the wise are 
 as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies 
 which are given from one shepherd" (Eccl. xii. 11). And only 
 then, when he finds that his pupils are perfectly at home in 
 those prominent epochs, he has to enlarge upon them in a 
 second course, entering into details more minutely from the 
 large store of that historical branch he teaches.
 
 70 
 
 In concluding this part, I would observe, that the above noticed 
 eleven scholastic branches I consider sufficient, if carried out, 
 not only to enable those who have received a competent know- 
 ledge of them to become intelligent and useful members of 
 human society in general, but that they comprise all that will 
 for the future enable them, by Divine grace, to become the 
 " ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God " 
 (1 Cor. iv. 1). 
 
 I am fully aware of the importance of the original languages 
 of the sacred text ; yet considering the present state of the 
 Eastern Churches and what they require, I believe that the 
 study of these languages would not be profitable at the present 
 time ; for they would occupy so much time that the pupil would 
 have, on account of them, to neglect more general important 
 branches of his study ; and, after all, we must allow, upon his- 
 torical, indisputable ground, that a man may be, by the grace 
 of God, a distinguished instrument in the ministry and in the 
 Lord's vineyard in general without the knowledge of Greek 
 and Hebrew. At the same time I would say that, if an individual 
 in this institution should show not only heartfelt piety, but 
 at the same time uncommon talent and inclination for study, 
 that he, as an exception, should be allowed by the Church 
 Missionary Society to come to England to receive instruction not 
 only in the Oriental languages of the sacred text, but in other 
 branches which may be deemed necessary, and which at present 
 cannot be given in Egypt from want of time and teachers. 
 
 I have now to answer the question-*-^ whom shall be given 
 in the Institution the above-mentioned scholastic branches ? 
 
 1. It is my firm persuasion that not only in this proposed 
 institution, but in any Missionary institution whose principal 
 has not yet the aid of able and converted native assistant
 
 71 
 
 teachers, that the important branches mentioned under Nos. 
 7, 8, 9, and 10, namely, Bible and Church History, Bible 
 Doctrine and Critical Explanation of some portions or books 
 of the Holy Scriptures, must unavoidably be given by the 
 principal himself; if ever instruments fit as labourers for the 
 harvest of the Lord shall reasonably be expected from such 
 an institution. He would also have to take a considerable 
 share in the lectures of geography ; namely, in that special 
 branch of the geography of the Holy Scriptures, as also in those 
 of general history, for to throw light, life, and meaning into 
 that important branch of education. A further immediate 
 duty of the principal ought to be carefully to direct and watch 
 over the compositions of the pupils on texts of Holy Writ. 
 
 2. The English language, carried out to the extent recom- 
 mended in (c) No. l,can only be given by an Englishman. He should 
 be an efficient person, destined for the Missionary work, who may 
 acquire the knowledge of the Arabic language and the neces- 
 sary experience while he is labouring in the institution; and 
 who, by degrees, may become able to carry on the duties in 
 case of sickness, or absence, or death. 
 
 An experienced and pious English master, who especially is 
 endowed with sound views and heartfelt humility, would be, 
 beyond doubt, a special blessing to such an institution. 
 
 Besides the English language, he would have to give lessons 
 in the branches Nos. 4, 5, 6, and 11, namely, Rudiments of 
 Geometry and Astronomy, Geography, and General History ; 
 for these branches must (on account of the present state of 
 education in Egypt) be unavoidably given by an European 
 teacher. 
 
 But his duty would not only be to teach the above-mentioned 
 branches of education, but to be the immediate assistant and 
 confidant of the principal, especially in watching with him over 
 the moral and religious state and progress of every inmate 
 of the institution to go out with them when they take an
 
 72 
 
 airing, to be about them in the house as much as possible, and, 
 if he should be an unmarried man, either to sleep in the same 
 room with the pupils, or at least as near as the location will 
 allow. 
 
 But I would add that, as the principal has to make himself 
 personally responsible for the proceedings of the institution, 
 this assistant ought to be under his control, to insure unity 
 in the execution of the different duties which such an institution 
 demands. (See b of Mr. Tattam's letter.) 
 
 3. No. 2, Arithmetic, and the Coptic language mentioned 
 in b, No. 1, ought to be given by a Coptic teacher, and I 
 believe that these branches might be given with much ability 
 by Abuna Tekla ; having been, before he was made a priest, 
 an accountant in the service of the Government ; and who is 
 now also the best Coptic scholar in Cairo. Since about eighteen 
 months he is employed to teach the Coptic language in the 
 boys' day school, and would be glad to have this additional 
 engagement. 
 
 4. No. 3, namely, theoretical singing, might be given by 
 Mr. Metri ; as also the following other branches in the Arabic 
 language, namely, Reading, "Writing, Orthography, and the first 
 introductory course of the Arab Grammar; for the second 
 course would be necessary a Mahommedan Scheick, as there is 
 in Egypt not a Christian to be found who is able to lecture in 
 this difficult branch of that language. 
 
 Having expressed my views in regard to the persons who 
 are necessary, besides the principal, for to teach the proposed 
 scholastic branches in it, I shall finally try to settle the important 
 question : How much such an institution, according to tJie above 
 given "plan, would annually cost the Church Missionary Society ?
 
 i 3 
 
 ANNUAL EXPENSES. 
 
 House-rent and Repairs 60 
 
 Salary of the English Master and Assistant of 
 
 the Principal 100 
 
 Salary of the Teacher mentioned in 3, namely, 
 
 AbunaTekla 36 
 
 Salary of the Teacher mentioned in 4, M. Metri 42 
 Boarding, Clothing, Kitchen-utensils, for fifteen 
 
 Pupils and Servants 180 
 
 School materials, as Books, Slates, Paper, Pens, 
 
 Ink, &c, &c 12 
 
 Total . . . . 430 
 
 If you compare the expenses of the present seminary during 
 the years 183840, and consider not only the superior instruc- 
 tions which the pupils in the proposed institution have to 
 receive, for to answer the design for which they shall be 
 educated, as also the expenses of boarding and clothing, and 
 that its inmates will be of riper years, and will therefore cost 
 more, you will find that the average mentioned sums are 
 moderate. 
 
 Should further details be required respecting this part of the 
 plan, I shall be prepared to give them in a separate paper 
 
 The salary of its principal I have not put down ; because as a 
 missionary he will have many other duties to attend to besides 
 those in the institution. 
 
 I have also not mentioned the expenses for the first arrange- 
 ment of the institution, as it regards the school and bedrooms ; 
 for I suppose that the sum expended for these purposes will be 
 covered by the deficiency in the number of its inmates during 
 the first year. 
 
 In concluding I shall only add, that I hope and pray, that our 
 Committee will be able to grant this additional boon to the
 
 74 
 
 Coptic Church ; a Church which gives, fallen as it is, yet great 
 hope (on account of its high veneration of the Holy Scriptures), 
 that it may again be revived, by the grace of God, to its former 
 importance, and as such become a Gospel-Pharos to the nations, 
 not only to those in the immediate vicinity of Egypt, but also to 
 those in Abyssinia and the interior of Africa. 
 
 Yours most faithfully, 
 
 John Rudolphus Theophilus Lieder. 
 
 Copy of Mr. Tattam's Letter. 
 
 Bedford, April 18, 18-42. 
 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 1. Although we have gone over your very important 
 document together, in reference to the future seminary for the 
 education of the Coptic priesthood, and have very fully discussed 
 each head, yet I am sure you will forgive me, if I again advert 
 to one or two points by letter. But before I do this, I beg 
 again to reiterate, that I most fully concur with you in opinion 
 in every part of your plan ; and trust, under the blessing of God, 
 that it will be an important instrument in diffusing Scriptural 
 principles and real piety among the population of Egypt and 
 Abyssinia. 
 
 2. It is of the first consequence for the success of your 
 plan, that you should secure the approbation of the dignitaries 
 of the Coptic Church and of the chief persons among ^the 
 laity to it. I would therefore suggest that a copy of it should 
 be presented to the Patriarch at the earliest period, and the 
 fullest explanation given to every part of it, and their appro- 
 bation be secured to the plan before it be carried into effect. 
 
 3. It appears also desirable that full admission to the 
 institution, 1 ^ all times, should be given to the leading members
 
 75 
 
 of the Coptic Church, to remove every feeling of suspicion 
 and distrust from their minds. 
 
 4. I fully agree with you that the Coptic, as well as the 
 Arabic, language must be taught in your seminary ; it being 
 a regulation of the Coptic Church, that no one shall be ordained 
 a priest, until he can read and understand the Coptic language. 
 Either this law must be rescinded, which is not very likely to be 
 done, or you must enable the pupils to comply with it. But 
 independent of this, the Coptic language will always be of the 
 first importance to that Church, as it is the language of their own 
 authorised and ancient version of the Scriptures, which we have 
 every reason to believe will be the only standard to which they 
 will appeal in their inquiries after truth. 
 
 5. Another point is, I hope the Committee will extend the 
 limit of the number of pupils to fifteen instead of to twelve, for 
 the reasons we have considered. 
 
 6. I would most earnestly beg you to press upon the 
 Committee the necessity of having an efficient person for second, 
 or English master ; one able to carry on the duties in case of 
 sickness, or absence, or death. It should be one destined for the 
 missionary work, and who will be acquiring the Arabic language 
 and other requisites while he is labouring in the institution. 
 Indeed I see no reason why those missionaries who will have to 
 learn the Arabic language should not finish their preparatory 
 education at Cairo. 
 
 7. I also think your plan should be submitted to the 
 Archbishop of Canterbury as soon as it is adopted by the 
 Committee. 
 
 Pray excuse this. I write in haste to be in time for the post. 
 
 I remain, My dear Sir, 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 Henry Tattam.
 
 76 
 Rev. H. Tattam to tlie Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, July 22, 1842. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 It appears probable that I shall go out to Egypt about 
 the middle of next month, either from funds furnished by the 
 British Museum, or from those offered from another quarter. 
 I therefore take the liberty of writing to your Grace respect- 
 fully to say that, if I can in any way be of service in the good 
 cause of religion in Egypt, I shall be most thankful to be 
 employed in any way your Grace may think proper ; not in 
 seeking to carry out my own views, but your Grace's wishes, to 
 the utmost of my ability. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Lieder spent a few days with us in May ; and 
 he brought with him his plan for the regulation of the proposed 
 institution for the education of the Coptic priesthood ; and we 
 devoted two mornings to the consideration of it. I particularly 
 requested him, in a letter which I addressed to him on the 
 subject of the regulations, to press upon the Committee the 
 propriety of submitting the plans to your Grace at the earliest 
 possible period, before they were finally adopted, for your Grace's 
 suggestions or approval ; and, as Mr. Lieder purposes to return 
 at the latter end of this month, I would earnestly hope it has 
 been done. I also took the liberty to suggest that the plans should 
 be laid before the Coptic Patriarch, as soon as they conveniently 
 could after their adoption, and that the fullest explanation should 
 be given on every part ; and that the Patriarch, the Bishops, and 
 all the respectable Copts should have access to the institution 
 whenever they may desire to do so ; that they may have no 
 lurking fears of any secret object beyond what is openly 
 avowed. 
 
 I was very glad to learn from Mr. Lieder that the first letter 
 the Patriarch wrote to your Grace was very different from the 
 one your Grace received ; he having been induced to write
 
 another by some of the people who were consulted on this 
 subject. 
 
 When I go out to Egypt, if your Grace sees no objection to 
 it, I should be glad to receive and be the bearer of a letter, 
 either from the Bishop of London or yourself, saying that I am 
 authorised to purchase any manuscripts that they may be dis- 
 posed to part with, that we may think likely to promote the 
 cause of religion ; so that, as far as the Patriarch and others 
 can aid me in the object, they will be helpers in that cause 
 which we all wish to promote. 
 
 I had fully intended to go to Egypt alone ; but Mrs. Tattam 
 and my brother, knowing how ill I was while out before, are 
 very anxious I should take my daughter : but I do not well see 
 how this can be, unless the Trustees of the Museum grant me a 
 certain sum, should they think proper, for my expenses ; and I 
 will pay the remainder out of my own pocket. 
 
 If I succeed quickly, I may be back in three or four months ; 
 but the probability is I shall be longer. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c. 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 This letter is marked " A " [Answered] by the Archbishop. 
 
 Sir Robert Peel to the Archbishop. 
 
 [Autograph letter.] 
 Private. 
 
 Whitehall, July 27 [1842]. 
 
 My dear Lord, 
 
 I write a line to state to your Grace that we shall be 
 disposed to sanction the expenditure of the sum of 1000 on 
 account of the proposed mission of Mr. Tattam. 
 
 The official Recommendation from the Trustees of the Museum
 
 78 
 
 may be sent, and in the meantime the requisite steps taken, 
 in order that Mr. Tattam may be enabled to prepare for his 
 journey. 
 
 I have the honour to be, my dear Lord, 
 
 Most faithfully yours, 
 
 Robert Peel. 
 
 His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. 
 I have sent the papers to Mr. Forshall. 1 
 
 Rev. H. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, July 30, 1842. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have had the honour to receive two letters from 
 your Grace, which I beg respectfully to acknowledge. The one 
 received yesterday brings the pleasing intelligence of one 
 thousand pounds being granted for obtaining the Syriac manu- 
 scripts. This I trust will be amply sufficient, if not more than 
 sufficient, for the purpose. I shall cut down my own expenses 
 as low as possible ; but I shall spare nothing to secure the 
 manuscripts, if I find I am beset with difficulties, which may 
 prove to be the case. 
 
 I placed 200 in the hands of Mr. Kruse in the spring, and 
 gave him permission to draw on me to an unlimited amount, if 
 he could secure all the Syriac MSS. for me ; but he has not 
 obtained a single copy. Should he procure any before I arrive, 
 which I do not at all expect, I shall consider them the property 
 of the British Museum, and shall send them there. 
 
 I am in treaty with a gentleman to take my curacy, and I 
 
 1 The Rev. Josiali Forshall, Secretary to the British Museum.
 
 79 
 
 believe I shall secure his services, so as to be able to leave 
 with comfort about the middle of August. Should any party, 
 whom your Grace may know, be disposed to avail themselves of 
 our company, and experience, to Egypt, we shall be most happy 
 to have their company ; but, while in Egypt, our time and 
 attention must be confined exclusively to the objects for which 
 I go out. 
 
 I intend to continue to edit the Coptic New Testament 
 while I am out ; if I can receive the proof-sheets through the 
 government bag, which I hope I can do. 
 
 I shall endeavour to go through their Arabic version of the 
 New Testament with the Patriarch, and Mr. Mazarra (?) the 
 most learned Christian in Cairo ; and, if any gross corruption is 
 discovered, get the Patriarch to correct it by their own Coptic 
 version, which is a close and faithful translation from the Greek. 
 
 If the report be true, that complete copies of the Coptic Old 
 Testament have been discovered in Upper Egypt, I shall get 
 copies made of the parts we want, and induce them, if possible, 
 to permit me to have the originals. 
 
 I also intend that my daughter, if she goes, shall collate as 
 many of the oldest copies of the Scriptures in Coptic as possible, 
 in order to obtain all the important various readings we can 
 collect. 
 
 The printer has promised that the second volume of the Journal 
 shall be finished next week ; so I hope to have the pleasure to 
 beg your Grace to do me the honour to accept a copy before we 
 leave. While my daughter feels highly gratified that it meets 
 with your Grace's approbation, she feels it is of far too humble a 
 nature to merit, in the least degree, your Grace's condescending 
 notice. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, with the greatest respect, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam.
 
 80 
 
 Rev. Dr. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, August 10, 1842. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I take the liberty to trouble your Grace with a letter 
 to say, that, Mr. Forshall has acquiesced in my suggestion, that 
 it would be well to present the Coptic Patriarch with copies of 
 the Coptic works printed in this country ; and he will procure 
 the Coptic New Testament and the twelve Minor Prophets 
 printed at Oxford, and the Egyptian Lexicon also printed 
 there, for me to take with me. 
 
 I also take leave to state, that the first proof-sheet of the 
 Coptic and Arabic New Testament will be corrected this week 
 and ready to take with me ; and a second by the beginning of 
 the approaching month, if it can be sent out in the government 
 bag. The Arabic is the version in use in Egypt, as well as the 
 Coptic. Should your Grace wish to receive a corrected sheet, I 
 will request the printer to send one. The Coptic type has been 
 cut for the purpose. 
 
 I yesterday inquired at Mr. Lieder's late lodgings; but the 
 person has heard nothing of him since he left at the beginning 
 of July for Germany. In his last letter to me before he left for 
 Germany, he said he was going to see his mother, and should 
 return about the 20th of the month, and towards the end of it 
 depart for Egypt. I therefore presume he is gone. I did not 
 go to the Church Missionary House, and I have not been able to 
 learn elsewhere what is the determination respecting the proposed 
 institution ; but I will ascertain as soon as I can the exact state 
 of things . . . 
 
 Mr. Forshall wished me to see your Grace before I leave 
 London, and, on his return from the palace, on Monday, informed 
 me that your Grace would see me on Tuesday, at eleven o'clock ;
 
 81 
 
 I shall therefore have great pleasure in being at the Palace at 
 the time appointed. 
 
 I pray God of his great goodness to prosper us in the objects 
 for which we are going out . . . 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, August 13, 1842. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have this morning received the inclosed letter from 
 Mr. Venn, one of the secretaries of the Church Missionary 
 Society ; and in reply to it have stated that I will call at the 
 Church Mission House on Monday after my arrival in town. 
 
 I have also received a letter from Mr. Lieder, who informs 
 me that they returned from Germany seven days ago, when 
 they found their child seriously ill ; that they leave for Egypt 
 the 1st of September ; that the Committee adopt the plan for 
 the Institution, and will give him his general instructions on the 
 26th of this month. 
 
 I shall ask on Monday, to be favoured with a copy of the 
 proposed regulations, that I may bring them with me to 
 your Grace. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c. 
 
 Henry Tattam.
 
 82 
 
 Rev. Henry Venn to the Rev. Dr. Tattam. 
 
 Church Missionary House, 
 August 12, 1842. 
 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 Mr. Lieder proposes to return to Egypt (D.V.) by the 
 steamer which leaves on the 31st of this month. 
 
 I am at this time engaged in preparing the instructions of 
 the Committee respecting his future missionary labours ; and I 
 feel it to be most important that I should have some conversa- 
 tion with you on the subject. If you can possibly spare me 
 half an hour during your transit through London, I will 
 endeavour to meet you according to any appointment which 
 you may make. I believe the Bedford coach passes under 
 Highgate Archway. My house is situated immediately above 
 it ; so that, should you travel by that line of road, perhaps it 
 might be most convenient to you to call at Highgate on your 
 way to town. 
 
 I believe that you saw Mr. Lieder's paper and added a few 
 remarks yourself. Mr. Lieder's plan will be the basis of the 
 proposed institution ; or rather the existing establishment will 
 be modified according to that proposal. 
 
 I feel anxious, however, about the English master, which 
 seems to me to be essential to Mr. Lieder's plan, and no steps 
 have hitherto been taken to secure one. 
 
 Mr. Lieder's present address is No. 9, Redman's Row, 
 Mile-End. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Very faithfully yours, 
 
 Henry Venn. 
 TJie Rev. Dr. H. Tattam.
 
 83 
 
 Rev. Josiah Forshall to the Archbishop. 
 
 British Museum, August 13, 1842. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 In compliance with your Grace's instructions, I beg 
 to transmit a copy of the paper to be given Mr. Tattam as a 
 guide for his conduct in Egypt. A copy of this paper has been 
 transmitted to the Foreign Office with a request that it may be 
 communicated to H.M. Consul-General at Alexandria. 
 
 I have also applied to Lord Aberdeen for an official letter of 
 recommendation, and that the Consul-General may be directed 
 to indorse the necessary bills of exchange ; all which has been 
 promised. 
 
 I will wait upon your Grace on Tuesday morning at Lambeth 
 to receive your Grace's commands. 
 
 May I remind your Grace that two or three lines to the Copt 
 Patriarch, commending Mr. Tattam to his good offices, would be 
 valuable. . . . 
 
 I have the honour to be, 
 
 With the greatest respect, &c, 
 
 J. FORSHALL. 
 
 MEMORANDA REGARDING MR. TATTAM'S MISSION 
 TO EGYPT, AUGUST 1842. 
 
 1. Mr. Tattam proceeds to Egypt with authority from the 
 Trustees of the British Museum to negotiate for the purchase 
 of the ancient MSS. in the convent of St. Suriani near the 
 Natron Lakes. 
 
 2. Mr. Tattam's personal expenses are to be discharged by 
 
 f 2
 
 84 
 
 the Trustees, a statement of which will be made to them on his 
 return. 
 
 3. In order to provide for these expenses, the Secretary is 
 authorised to advance Mr. Tattam two hundred pounds 
 previously to his departure from London. 
 
 4. If the above-mentioned sum should prove insufficient, 
 Mr. Tattam will be at liberty to draw upon the Secretary for 
 one hundred pounds in addition, on account of these personal 
 expenses, whenever it may be necessary. 
 
 5. The expenditure which the Government authorises for this 
 Mission being one thousand pounds (the cost of conveying the 
 MSS. to England and other incidental expenses being estimated 
 as one hundred pounds), there will remain disposable the sum 
 of six hundred pounds. Though Mr. Tattam is of opinion that 
 the whole collection of the convent may be acquired for a sum 
 considerably less, he will hold himself authorised to go to the 
 extent of six hundred pounds, if the collection cannot be 
 obtained for less. 
 
 6. In fixing this limit, it is presumed that the number of 
 MSS. remaining in the convent amounts to something more 
 than two hundred ; that they are chiefly written on vellum ; 
 and that in antiquity, preservation, size, and general character 
 they are similar to the forty-three purchased from Mr. Tattam 
 last year. Any difference in this respect may modify the terms 
 of purchase ; so that, if the collection should prove more 
 numerous than is anticipated, a proportionately greater expendi- 
 ture may be incurred. The average size of the volumes brought 
 last year may be estimated at two hundred large 4to. leaves. 
 The relative value of MSS. on papyrus, vellum, and paper may 
 be taken as 4, 2, and 1. If Mr. Tattam should find any volumes 
 or fragments on papyrus, these will require the greatest care 
 in packing. 
 
 7. Mr. Tattam suggests that, in case of his succeeding in 
 negotiating the purchase, he may probably be able to induce
 
 85 
 
 the Superior of the convent to accompany him to Alexandria, 
 and to receive payment in the presence of the Consul-General. 
 This arrangement seems entirely satisfactory ; but if there should 
 be a difficulty in accomplishing it, Mr. Tattam will use his own 
 judgment ; and the Consul-General will be requested to indorse 
 any bills which Mr. Tattam may draw upon the Secretary of 
 the Museum before the 31st January next, so that the total 
 amount does not exceed seven hundred pounds. 
 
 8 The MSS. which may be purchased will be placed by 
 Mr. Tattam in the charge of the Consul-General, who will have 
 them safely packed by his own agent, and shipped by the packet 
 or other first-class vessel for England. 
 
 9. The agent will address the packages " Secretary of 
 British Museum, care of Messrs. Francis and Co., 9*, Tokenhouse 
 Yard, London ; " advising the Secretary of their shipment and 
 the particulars of their contents, in order that an insurance may 
 be effected in London against sea risque. 
 
 10. If Mr. Tattam should meet with MSS. in any of the 
 neighbouring convents or elsewhere in his journey in the East, 
 he is authorised to secure these also for the Museum in cases 
 where they can be had at a reasonable price ; so that the total 
 amount of his expenditure for such MSS. does not exceed three 
 hundred and fifty puunds, for which sum he may draw bills 
 upon the Secretary. In cases where it is impossible to purchase 
 the MSS., or even where they may appear of little or no value, 
 a brief description of them will be useful and interesting to the 
 MS. department. 
 
 11. All bills are to be drawn upon the Secretary at thirty 
 clays' sight. 
 
 12. Mr. Tattam will be so good as to keep a daily account of 
 his expenditure, and to annex a direction, that, in case of his 
 separation from his papers, these last may be sealed up by those 
 into whose hands they may fall, and forwarded to the British 
 Consul-General at Alexandria.
 
 86 
 
 13. Mr. Tattam will also have the goodness to write from 
 time to time, as he has opportunity ; communicating, for the 
 information of the Trustees, the progress he has made towards 
 the fulfilment of his mission. 
 
 (Signed) J. Forshall, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 Lambeth Palace, August 16, 1842. 
 
 William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all 
 England and Metropolitan, to His Holiness the Patriarch 
 of Cairo, greeting in the Lord. 
 
 Most Reverend Prelate, 
 
 Whereas our well-beloved Presbyter, the Reverend 
 Henry Tattam, a man of eminent piety and learned in Holy 
 Scriptures, is going out to Egypt, under the sanction of the 
 British Government, for the purpose of obtaining manuscripts, 
 and collecting such information as may be of use in promoting 
 the interests of our holy religion, I gladly avail myself of this 
 opportunity of assuring you of the high respect and good-will 
 which are felt by me, and the other rulers of our Church, 
 towards your Holiness and the Churches under your care, and 
 of our desire to render you all the assistance in our power. In 
 proof of this desire on our part, Mr. Tattam will exhibit to 
 your Holiness a specimen of the New Testament in the Coptic 
 and Arabic languages, which is now in preparation for the use of 
 your Churches ; and he will be happy to receive any suggestions 
 from your Holiness which may render the work more perfect. 
 
 I further beg leave most earnestly to commend Mr. Tattam 
 to your Holiness' kind consideration, assuring you that any 
 attention which may tend to facilitate the attainment of the
 
 87 
 
 objects of his mission will be gratefully acknowledged by me, 
 and by the members of our Church, who unite with me in zeal 
 for the advancement of the Christian religion, and in sentiments 
 of high respect and regard for your Holiness' person and the 
 Church over which you preside. 
 
 From your Holiness' brother in Christ, 
 
 W. Cantuar. 
 Written with my own hand. 
 
 Within a few days of writing this letter, before the end of 
 the week, the Archbishop was seized with an attack of Asiatic 
 cholera which brought him to the gates of the grave. He had 
 been receiving guests that week at Addington, amongst whom 
 was the Bishop-designate of Gibraltar (Dr. Tomlinson) ; who was 
 one of the five Colonial Bishops that were to be consecrated 
 in Westminster Abbey on the Thursday following (St. Bar- 
 tholomew's Day). The Archbishop's merciful and marvellous 
 recovery from that illness called forth, as will be seen, a letter 
 from the Coptic Patriarch, of congratulation on his recovery 
 and inquiry after his health. 
 
 Rev. J. R. T. Lieder to the Archbishop. 
 
 Cairo, February 10, 1843. 
 
 May it please your Grace, 
 
 I have the honour to inclose a letter of congratulation 
 from his Holiness the Coptic Patriarch, in which he thanks 
 God for your merciful restoration to health. In translating 
 this epistle, I have endeavoured to keep as close as possible 
 to the Arabic text; fearing that, should I deviate from its 
 peculiar Oriental character, it might lose much of its interest 
 and effect.
 
 88 
 
 Your Grace will hear with pleasure that a friendly com- 
 munication has lately been opened between the Patriarch of 
 the Copts and the Lord Bishop of Jerusalem. 
 
 Doctor Tattam told me, when in London, that he had pre- 
 sented for your Grace's inspection and approbation the plan 
 for the proposed Coptic Institution, and that your Grace was 
 fully prepared to answer the former letter of the Patriarch, 
 of which I was the bearer. Knowing this, I took the liberty 
 of calling at Lambeth Palace, just before leaving England ; 
 anxious to be your Grace's messenger to the Head of the 
 Coptic Church, when to my sorrow I was told of your Grace's 
 extreme indisposition. Should your Grace deign to reply to 
 those epistles of the Coptic Patriarch, any letter will reach 
 me through the means of the Church Mission House. 
 
 The news of your Grace's full restoration to strength and 
 usefulness has given us all matter of deep thanks in Egypt. 
 May God Almighty by His gracious Providence watch, guard, 
 and prolong your valuable life for the benefit of the Church 
 Militant at this important universal crisis, is the prayer of 
 
 Your Grace's 
 
 Most Dutiful and Obedient Servant, 
 
 John Rudolph Theophilus Lieder, 
 
 Presbyter of the United Church of 
 England and Ireland. 
 
 In the name of God the Benevolent, the Merciful. 
 
 In God is our Salvation. 
 
 The peace of our Lord, and our God, and our Saviour and 
 Author of our life, Jesus Christ, who descended upon the assembly 
 of the holy disciples in the noble and majestic hall of Sion, and 
 filled their hearts with mysteries and lights, and gave them 
 power to forgive sins, transgressions and crimes May the same 
 Divine peace, and its abundant safety, be bestowed, in spiritual
 
 89 
 
 and apostolic love and charity, to the personage of our amiable 
 and beloved Brother, his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, 
 Primate of all England. May the Lord our God establish him 
 on his seat many years, and peaceful times in a lengthened life, 
 and put quickly his enemies under his feet. Amen. 
 
 After abundant spiritual salutation, and exuberant affection 
 to him, may the grace of our Lord Christ remain upon him. 
 And if you deign to ask about our lowliness many thanks to 
 God we are in good health and strength, through the blessing 
 of your prayers and supplications and the assistance of our Lord. 
 
 Before all things, we wish to inquire after your perfect health 
 if it pleases God Almighty, we hope that you are in praise- 
 worthy conditions. May now the good news not be concealed 
 from your eminent and pure Holiness, that we received your 
 letter in the most blessed time and excellent hour, by our 
 reverend, venerable, and highly esteemed son, Mr. Tattam; 
 and, having read and understood its contents, we praised God 
 Almighty on account of the welfare of your Holiness. 
 
 We have received by the above-mentioned the part of the 
 Gospel printed in the Coptic and Arabic languages ; and may 
 it be known to your Holiness that we have corrected it for 
 him. 
 
 We were afterwards informed that you were suffering from 
 sickness ; and, as our Lord has restored you to health, we are 
 exceedingly glad and joyful, that the personage of your Holi- 
 ness is now enjoying health and peace. And with regard to 
 our venerable son, Mr. Tattam, may he be perfectly quiet [at 
 ease] in reference to what he desired of us. 
 
 May our Lord continue the love between ourselves and be- 
 tween you, by sending (us) all your news regularly for the ease 
 of our mind in regard of you. May you enjoy a lengthened 
 life, and its continuation. 
 
 The 1st day of the month Muharram, the year of 1259. 
 
 (February 1, 1843.)
 
 90 
 Archdeacon Tattam 1 to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, January 4, 1846. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 Your Grace very kindly condescended to say that you 
 would write a few lines to the Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria 
 with the present of Macarius' Homilies. 
 
 There are one thousand copies of the Homilies in Arabic for 
 the use of the Egyptian Christians ; three hundred of which were 
 sent off on the 8th of December and are now on their way to 
 Egypt ; and the others shall follow whenever the Patriarch may 
 want them. 
 
 I have consigned them to the care of Alexander Todd, Esq., 
 of Alexandria, and shall write in a day or two to request him to 
 forward them to the Patriarch. The usual style of addressing 
 the Patriarch is, His Holiness the Lord Patriarch of Alexandria. 
 The letter should be addressed to him at Cairo, where he always 
 resides. 
 
 If I have been the means of obtaining from them manuscripts 
 that are perfectly useless to them, I rejoice that I have also 
 been the means of presenting them with the Homilies of their 
 own Macarius, in their own native language ; and I believe the 
 first portion of the New Testament in Coptic and Arabic will 
 be ready to follow in less than a month. I expect to be in 
 London one day this week, and will then do myself the pleasure 
 to forward your Grace a copy of the Homilies. The copies for 
 Egypt have no preface nor dedication. 
 
 Your Grace had the great kindness to offer a subscription 
 towards the printing of the Homilies in a former letter, which I 
 then respectfully declined ; as Mr. Grimshawe and some of his 
 friends had engaged to pay the expense of the printing, and I 
 had already paid for the translation and copying of the manu- 
 scripts. Mr. Watts' estimate for the whole was 124 15s., 
 1 Dr. Tattam was appointed to the archdeaconry of Bedford, March 12, 1815.
 
 91 
 
 and I told Mr. Grimshawe that 135 would cover all the ex- 
 penses; but on Saturday morning I received Mr. Watts' bill, 
 amounting to 163 15s. 4>d. I shall therefore pay the 28 
 additional before I present the bill to Mr. Grimshawe ; and if 
 your Grace will have the kindness to favour me with any small 
 donation towards it, I will thankfully accept it. 
 
 I should not have presumed to apply to your Grace under 
 any circumstances, had you not kindly condescended to offer 
 assistance. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Archdeacon Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, January [5, 1846]. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I wished to have informed your Grace in my letter 
 of last night, of the arrangements I have made with the 
 Coptic Patriarch relative to the Coptic and Arabic versions of 
 the New Testament we are now printing, but interruptions 
 until post time prevented my doing so. 
 
 The constant variations of the Arabic part of the Coptic 
 and Arabic manuscripts have caused both difficulty and delay, 
 so that we have only now printed the Gospel of St. Matthew. 
 Therefore, to avoid all perplexity and delay in sending the 
 proof-sheets to Cairo, I requested a copy of all the Arabic 
 editions of the New Testament to be submitted to the Patriarch, 
 for him to make choice of one which Abouna Tecla should alter 
 the text of, wherever it did not correspond with the Coptic 
 version. The Patriarch fully approved of the plan proposed, 
 and has made choice of the Arabic New Testament published 
 by the Christian Knowledge Society in 1727, which is esteemed
 
 92 ' 
 
 above all others in the East. The Abouna has returned me 
 St. Mark and St. Luke's Gospels, altered here and there ; and 
 the other books will speedily follow, so that we shall go on 
 printing from the present time without further delay. If I 
 do not like any alteration of the Arabic text, as we proceed, I 
 will submit it to Mr. Cureton ; and if he agrees with me, we will 
 restore the text of the printed copy. I have also sent over 
 my Coptic New Testament, for the Abouna to collate with the 
 Patriarch's best manuscript. He has returned me St. Mark 
 and St. Luke with a very few variations in the margin, which I 
 shall adopt or not, as the Greek readings authorise. 
 
 I wish also to state to your Grace that I have revised the 
 manuscripts of St. Macarius, which I caused to be translated 
 into good Arabic under the Patriarch's eye. The Homilies 
 I had calculated upon being able to print through the aid of 
 private friends ; but we are compelled to rebuild my church, 
 which is in a very dilapidated state ; and from the great poverty 
 of my parish I am necessitated to solicit contributions from 
 my friends and the public for this object. I should be thankful 
 if your Grace knew of any Society, the funds of which could 
 be applied to the printing of the Homilies. 
 
 I have also got St. Chrysostom's Commentary on St. John's 
 Gospel in Arabic, beautifully copied from the Patriarch's copy, 
 which I should be glad to print ; but I am sorry to learn that 
 the funds of the Christian Knowledge Society cannot be applied 
 to that purpose. 
 
 I have had two pages of St. Macarius set up, which I venture 
 to send to your Grace ; l the smallest type would cost about 
 120 for a thousand copies. I do not know what the cost of 
 the larger type would be. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 1 [Specimens of a page of each type were inclosed. The letter is marked 
 "A," Answered.]
 
 93 
 Archdeacon Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, Oct. 7, 1846. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I take the liberty to trouble your Grace with a letter 
 respectfully to say that the edition of Macarius' s Homilies in 
 Arabic, which I partly promised the Coptic Patriarch, has been 
 finished about a month, and is now in the hands of the book- 
 binder. 
 
 1 think I stated to your Grace that when I was last in Egypt 
 I was inquiring of the Patriarch if they had any of the works 
 of Macarius in Coptic ? to which he replied, with expressions of 
 deep regret, that they had not a line in any language. This 
 induced me to ask him if the Homilies were translated into 
 Arabic, would they be acceptable to him and his people ? To 
 this he replied that we could not present him " with a greater 
 boon, next to the Scriptures, than the works of our own 
 Macarius." I therefore set a competent person in Cairo to 
 translate them under the Patriarch's inspection ; and they were 
 afterwards submitted to a revision by Mr. Faris, of Malta ; and 
 the edition is now printed, and I hope will be ready to be sent 
 off to the Patriarch by the beginning of next month, or at least 
 a considerable portion of them. 
 
 I beg with the greatest respect to submit to your Grace, 
 whether it is not desirable that the volumes should go as an 
 offering, or rather present, from the English Church Association ; 
 if so, whether your Grace would condescend to write to His 
 Holiness to announce it, and that they will be sent as speedily 
 as possible, with our good wishes and prayers for the spiritual 
 prosperity of the Coptic Church. 
 
 Trusting your Grace will kindly pardon this intrusion, 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam.
 
 94 
 Archdeacon Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, October 17, 1846. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have been honoured with your Grace's reply to my 
 former letter this morning ; and I beg further to state, for your 
 Grace's information, that the edition of Macarius's Homilies 
 consists of a thousand copies; that I myself paid for the 
 translation into Arabic, and for the revision of the work by 
 Mr. Faris of Malta ; and that Mr. Grimshawe guaranteed the 
 payment of the printing, by himself and some friends, so I trust 
 there will be no difficulty on that head. 
 
 Since I took the liberty of writing to your Grace I have 
 stopped the process of binding the work, at Mr. Grimshawe's 
 suggestion, who wishes for a short preface in English to be 
 added to twenty-five copies for distribution in England, stating 
 the circumstances which led to the publication of the work. 
 This I sent to the printer last night. 
 
 He also wished for a dedication, in Arabic, to the Patriarch 
 
 of Alexandria, to be inserted, if possible, in all the copies. This 
 
 I also posted last night with the other, a translation of which is 
 
 on the next page. I find the greater part of the volumes are 
 
 bound. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 Archdeacon Tattam to the Archbishop. 
 
 Bedford, October 31, 1846. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I am exceedingly concerned at having caused your 
 Grace to write two letters ; but I am very thankful that your 
 Grace has kindly and condescendingly written the last, which I 
 did not contemplate when I wrote. . . .
 
 95 
 
 As I have not received a proof impression of the dedication 
 from the printer, I shall stop his proceeding with it ; first, 
 because the greater part of the volumes are already bound, and, 
 secondly, because it accords best with my own feelings and ideas. 
 I am not aware that dedications are known in the East, and I 
 do not want to parade my own name. My first idea I think 
 was the best that it should go without any addition, with a few 
 lines from your Grace to the Coptic Patriarch, as your Grace 
 has kindly consented to write. 
 
 I feel very much concerned at having caused your Grace 
 to write a second letter ; but I am very thankful that your 
 kindness prompted you to do so, as your Grace has preserved 
 me from falling into error. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c, 
 
 Henry Tattam. 
 
 Sir Henry Ellis to the Archbishop. 
 
 British Museum, October 29, 1847. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have the pleasure to acquaint your Grace that 
 Mr. Trevelyan, on behalf of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, 
 has authorised me to announce to Mr. Pacho, that the Treasury 
 close with his offer of 3,500 for the Syriac manuscripts from 
 the monastery in the desert of Nitria, the remainder of the 
 library obtained in 1841 and 1843 by Dr. Tattam. 
 
 I am, with much respect, 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 Your Grace's faithful Servant, 
 
 Henry Ellis.
 
 96 
 
 The month of November (1847) saw the Archbishop declining 
 greatly in strength. He had heard, November 6, of the death 
 of his aged brother, the Archbishop of York, the day before, 
 without any previous intelligence of his illness ; and the diary 
 in which he was accustomed to note down the letters he had 
 written each day, presented, in its almost entire blank, the 
 signs of his inability to do more than what seemed pressing 
 duty each day, and which he did not neglect. On the 20th of 
 January he could not leave his bed, and on the 11th of February 
 (1848), the day which was to complete the eighty-second year 
 of his life, he was taken to his rest, in the thirty-fifth year of 
 his Episcopate, and the twentieth year of his Primacy. 
 
 With regard to the institution, on the establishment of 
 which so much care and thought had been spent, it must, 
 briefly, be noted that, in 1847, Mr. Lieder's report, given for the 
 year preceding, as contained in the Missionary Register for July, 
 1847, states that, amidst " much to discourage," there was 
 " much more to cheer," and to " evidence that our great object, 
 the elevation, through God's grace, of the Coptic Church," was 
 " proceeding with much success ; for the fullest confidence," he 
 says, " is now manifested toward us by all the higher orders of 
 the native clergy, without whose countenance all our labours 
 would prove in vain. The Patriarch shows the kindest feeling 
 towards the institution, and frequently gives his benediction to 
 the pupils ; while the amiable Bishop of Esneh, Amba Michael, 
 is an almost daily visitor, inspecting and encouraging the young 
 men in the pursuit of their studies. Amba Michael is often 
 in Cairo on duty connected with the patriarchate. During his 
 last visit he brought with him his sister's son, a fine lad of 
 thirteen years of age, and, placing my hand on his head, told 
 me to regard the boy as my own son ; that, as he had dedicated
 
 97 
 
 him to the priesthood, he now submitted the whole of his 
 theological studies to me." 
 
 In a later letter, however, dated February 11, 1848, Mr. 
 Lieder expressed " the opinion that the institution, as it " was, 
 was " not worth the great expense to which the Society was 
 subject ; " and the Committee at home, after considering Mr. 
 Lieder's special report, corresponding " in its general tenor, with 
 the above opinion," came " to the decision that the institution 
 should be either abandoned, or carried on upon a greatly 
 modified plan" (Missionary Register for June, 1848, p. 270). 
 It was closed accordingly. 
 
 TriE END. 
 
 L >NDOX : K. CLA.Y, SON'S, AND TAYLOR, PRINTERS.
 



 
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