TO THE

PROVINCES

OF

TRAVANCORE AND TINNEVELLY,

In the Diocese of Madras,

1840-1841.

BY THE RIGHT REV.

GEORGE TREVOR SPENCER, D.D.

LORD BISHOP OF MADRAS.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR J. G. F. & J. RIVINGTON,

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD,

AND WATERLOO PLACE, PALL MALL.

1842.

731.

то

THE RIGHT REVEREND

DANIEL WILSON, D.D.

LORD BISHOP OF CALCUTTA, AND METROPOLITAN OF INDIA.

MY DEAR LORD,

A few friends, partial most probably as friends are apt to be, to whom the journal of my late visitation of Travancore and Tinnevelly has been shown, have almost persuaded me that it will be read with interest by many who are interested in India. Your Lordship is well aware of the peculiar circumstances under which the visitation of the former district was undertaken and accomplished, as I

have felt it at once a comfort and a duty to acquaint you with all that has taken place respecting it.

In determining to invite the clergy of the Church of England located in Travancore to place themselves immediately under the spiritual superintendance of the Bishops of Madras, an invitation which was responded to instantly and in the best spirit, I acted, as is well known to your Lordship, in accordance with the advice of one by whom we all delight to be directed; and although difficulties of the same character did not exist in Tinnevelly, that district also has had its peculiar trials and sorrows, which those who are anxious for the progress of Christianity in India will be thankful to hear are now at an end.

My little volume offers, indeed, but a hurried report of first impressions, written when and where I could find leisure to write them, for the information of one most interested in my

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sayings and doings." First impressions, however, when faithfully reported, have a value peculiarly their own; and as these two large and flourishing missionary districts had never yet been visited by a bishop of our Church, my remarks upon them, brief as they are, may not prove altogether unacceptable to the Christian public.

Having then made up my mind to publish my Journal, I could only dedicate it to one person; to the friend equally wise and kind; to the adviser equally prompt and able; to the comforter and cheerer under difficulties and trials, of the nature and extent of which none can be so adequate a judge; to yourself, my dear Lord, to whom I owe so large a debt of gratitude for confidence most liberally granted, and for that encouragement to persevere in the straight and narrow path of Christian faithfulness, duty, and love, in which you are so eminently qualified to guide me.