a regular supply of about twelve reams per
week of most excellent paper commenced. This continued until we had
composed the last five sheets of St. Matthew, when some paper arrived
which in my absence was received by Mr. Beneze, who, without examining
it, as was his duty, delivered it to the printers to use in the printing
of the said sheets, who accordingly printed upon part of it. But the
next day, when my occupation permitted me to see what they were about, I
observed that the last paper was of a quality very different from that
which had been previously sent. I accordingly instantly stopped the
press, and, notwithstanding eight reams had been printed upon, I sent all
the strange paper back, and caused Mr. Beneze to recompose three sheets,
which had been broken up, at his own expense. But this caused the delay
of another week.

This last circumstance made me determine not to depend in future for
paper on one manufactory alone. I therefore stated to Mr. P[luchard]
that, as his people were unable to furnish me with the article fast
enough, I should apply to others for 250 reams, and begged him to supply
me with the rest as fast as possible. He made no objection. Thereupon I
prevailed upon my most excellent friend, Baron Schilling, to speak to his
acquaintance, State-Councillor Alquin, who is possessed of a paper
manufactory, on the subject. M. Alquin, as a personal favour to Baron
Schilling (whom, I confess, I was ashamed to trouble upon such an affair,
and should never have done so had not zeal for the _cause_ induced me),
consented to furnish me with the required paper on the same terms as Mr.
P. At present there is not the slightest risk of the progress of our
work being retarded--at present, indeed, the path is quite easy; but the
trouble, anxiety, and misery which have till lately harassed me, _alone_
in a situation of great responsibility, have almost reduced me to a
skeleton.

My dearest Sir, do me the favour to ask our excellent Committee, Would it
have answered any useful purpose if, instead of continuing to struggle
with difficulties and using my utmost to overcome them, I had written in
the following strain--and what else could I have written if I had written
at all?--'I was sent out to St. Petersburg to assist Mr. Lipoftsoff in
the editing of the Mandchou Testament. That gentleman, _who holds three
important situations under the Russian Government_, _and who is far
advanced in years_, has neithe