(CHINA - BUDDHISM) SAMUEL BEAL
(1825 - 1889) Oriental scholar, the first Englishman to translate direct from the Chinese the early records of Buddhism, thus throwing light upon Indian history. He was appointed chaplain in the Royal Navy, serving on the HMS Sybille (1856-58), during 2nd Opium War. A.L.S., 4pp. small 8vo., Wark, May 6, 1886, to Mr. Hall, interesting content. In part: "…Thank you for the copy of the 'Proceedings'…I should like very much to send this copy to Mr. [William Mitchell] Ramsay (who is Professor of Archeology at Oxford), as I find on p. 7 there is a record of some remarks I made at the Meeting relating to 'the inscribed tombstone found at South Shields', bearing on the similarity between this stone & the general character of the [?]...I see from the Report that Dr Bruce's father was to appear…I have some correspondence with Dr B. on this point of remembrance…I am satisfied that there is to be found in the Roman remains found on the wall a considerable infusion of Eastern ideas & thought. Nor is this to be wondered at considering the close connection of Severus with the Eastern Provinces of the Empire…" Thin slip of tape discoloration at top margin of pages 2 and 3.