hese lines has any acquaintance, whose grammar stands far
aloof from the rest in wonderful singularity; the most remarkable feature
of which is the want of some of those conjunctions generally considered
as indispensable, and which are certainly of the first utility. The
result of this peculiarity is that such a combination of other parts of
speech must be employed as will express the idea without the aid of the
conjunction; but as these combinations are invariably and necessarily
lengthy, much more space is required in the translation of a sentence
into this language than the original occupies. I am induced to make this
remark, which I am afraid will be considered an excursory one, from the
apprehensiveness that some, observing the translations of the Scriptures
into this language to be bulkier than the originals, might conclude that
extraneous and unnecessary matter had crept in, which a knowledge of the
above fact will prevent.

The transcript of the Mandchou Old Testament having been brought to a
conclusion and permission having been obtained to print the New at St.
Petersburg--the accomplishment of which last point was, as you are well
aware, attended with much difficulty--I set myself seriously to work upon
the principal object of my mission. With the recapitulation of my
labours I wish not to trouble you, the various particulars having been
communicated to you in letters written at various times upon the subject.
I will content myself with observing that within ten months from the
commencement of printing, the entire work, consisting of eight volumes,
had with the blessing of the Almighty passed through the press, and, I
believe, with as few typographical errors as would have been the case had
a much more considerable portion of time been devoted to the enterprise,
which, it is true, I was in haste to accomplish, but in a manner not
calculated to render the undertaking futile nor cast discredit upon the
Society and myself [being well aware that an edition of the Scriptures
exhibiting marks of carelessness must at best be a futile work, and that
the speed with which it was executed could be no apology; as few will be
tempted to deny that no edition at all of the sacred volume in the
languages of the heathen is far preferable to one whose incorrectness
would infallibly and with some reason awaken ridicule, which, though one
of the most contemptible, is certainly one of the most efficacious
weapons in the armoury