I believe I have long been partaker of the tender sympathy of my friends in England; but I think I never knew a time when I stood more in need of it, than the present. Exclusive of domestic enjoyments, I have long ceased to have any delights, the loss of which would give me an hour's pain or thought: in the bosom of my family was to be found all that could afford me gratification or comfort. With them about me, I had every thing I could wish for or desire, in this state of mutability. The compact is, however, unexpectedly and suddenly dissolved, and one-half diminished as in a moment. I have, however, one consolation, which is, that they will not feel it as I do: they, if permitted to reach their native land in safety,-strengthened, I humbly hope, through heavenly goodness and mercy, by the sea air, and their health in some degree restored, will be cheered and comforted by the countenances of many dear relations and friends.

country. I think his judgment has been bias- an architect arrived to ascertain what was ed by some of the other crowned heads, with wanted; and we are now well stocked with whom he has of late associated; at the same bricklayers, carpenters, and the like. time there is reason to believe, he has seen through some of their devices. I only wonder how he bears up, amidst the many difficulties that surround him; and the constane exercise of moderation, patience, and forbearance, he is in the daily practice of, is to me extraordinary. The manner in which he is imposed upon by many who enjoy his confidence, would scarcely be believed in its full extent. With my work, and as regards myself, I find no lack of assistance, when any thing that requires his aid is brought to his knowledge. I have frequently seen him passing on the road, since he returned from Verona. A few weeks ago, I was looking at some oats pretty soon in the morning, in the neighbourhood of a pavilion to which he was going with the Dowager Empress to breakfast; and they passed close by me in a low carriage with a pair of horses. He looked very well; and I observed he pointed me out to his mother. I am at present much occupied in the neighbourhood where he mostly resides in summer, about seventeen miles from Petersburg; and ten days ago, whilst laying out some ground in a wood, which is preparing for cultivation, a carriage stopped near the part where I was. My William was near, and called to me that it was the Emperor. On seeing him alight and spring over the ditch towards the place, I went to meet him. He gave me his hand, and immediately entered into conversation with his usual freedom. One of his Generals followed him; but it appeared to make no difference in his manner. He remained for some time, made many inquiries about my family; and having no doubt remarked our hay crops, he said,

You will have more hay than all the people in the neighbourhood.' I mentioned the indisposition of my family, and that my wife was gone to England; he seemed a little surprised, and directly asked if she would return. I said she intended it. He appeared greatly interested in my report of the abundant crops upon the ground. Last year there was quite a dearth of fodder in this neighbourhood; a large number of cattle were lost for want of food. After explaining to him what were my plans relative to the parcel of land on which we were standing, he shook me by the hand, and said, 'I will let you do what you like.' I understand that the next day he made some inquiry as to the cause of the sickness among us, and having learnt that it was occasioned by the coldness of the house in which we live, he gave orders that it should be altered immediately. On the third day after the interview,

I confess my prospects here wear a very different aspect; but I trust I have in some degree learned in all states to be content. There is, my dear friend, and without any inclination to boast, I believe I may say, I know there is, a soul-solacing presence to be felt in a retired and lonely mansion, as well as in a place where large assemblies crowd; which, unbounded and unlimited by time and space, extends to every clime, to every place, to every heart;-and O! saith my soul in humble prayer, may it be felt by us all!-that all our hearts may be so cleansed, so prepared and purified from every defilement, as to be in constant readiness to receive the heavenly guest. That the whole human race may be brought to the same blessed experience, is the earnest desire of thy tribulated friend at this moment of time; that all may have life, that all may be washed, that all may be sanctified, that all may be "justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

I must now come to a conclusion, after saying, that although my dwelling is in low places, I am frequently favoured to feel humble resignation of mind; at the same time believing, that the hand of the Lord is in the present dispensation, I can freely commit my all to His divine disposal, who I am persuaded will not break the bruised reed.

To thy dear wife and family I beg to be remembered in love unfeigned, and assuring thee that thou art included in the same. I remain thy affectionate friend,

D. W.

To S. S.

Second month 16th, 1824.

the complete removal of all that can be shaken, that those things only which cannot be shaken may remain, which are founded on the immutable Rock; and that the great and good God may be all in all. So that we may not only have our lamps trimmed and lights burning, but, like the wise virgins, we may be ready and looking for the coming of the heavenly Bridegroom; at the same time prepared to wait, should the time be prolonged, having a supply of "oil in our vessels with our lamps.'

return of his wife and party from England.]
[In the following letter he speaks of the safe

To J. H.

Fifth month 31st, 1824.

Thy last letter came duly to hand, and was welcome indeed: my beloved invalids, it is true, had furnished me with repeated accounts of their improving health; yet to receive a confirmation from an affectionate eye-witness of the same, demands every acknowledgment of which I am capable, for thy kindness in thus adding to our comfort and consolation. Thou hast no doubt heard before this time, that a variety of circumstances combine to prevent my projected visit to England, which I most sincerely regret; although it must have been short, and professedly to accompany my dear family back to this country, as I I have now the pleasure of informing thee, could but have had a short space of time to that we were much surprised by the arrival perform it in, and of course should have seen of the Fanny, after a passage of sixteen days, but few of the faces of my friends, and com- as we had had a succession of easterly gales. paratively for a moment only; yet this would She was quite unlooked for on our part. A have been very precious to me. Our present little before bed-time, on fourth-day, we were solitary situation may be better imagined than roused by the sound of wheels; but had not described; I need not advert to it, except to the most distant idea who our guests could be. acknowledge with gratitude and thankfulness, There were only a few moments to think the preservation and support we have witness-about it, before the whole party were in the, ed. I hope most sincerely, that the journey house; and our surprise and joy may be more of my dear wife and children to England, readily conceived than described. will be productive of much future comfort; not only through the restoration of the health of the invalids, but by causing a renewal of affectionate regard and intercourse with our friends; which, I trust, will be strengthened and increased, by a more frequent interchange of letters, which will have a tendency to keep alive feelings of love and sympathy for each other. I remember very well, it was the advice of our dearly beloved friend, S. G., when in this country, that we should make a great point of keeping up a correspondence with Friends in England.

I am quite aware, my dear friend, that thou must sensibly feel the loss, when thy beloved niece is removed from under thy roof; but thou needest not fear, thou wilt be cared for; thou hast cared for many; her place will be filled, I believe, to thy comfort and admiration. sometimes think that heavenly goodness and loving-kindness are plainly evinced in these things, and all in love and mercy to us poor creatures, gradually and progressively to separate us, and more perfectly to wean us, from every sensible delight, even from things which may at one time have been graciously dispensed, and whereon our affections may have been properly and lawfully fixed. In infinite wisdom they are withdrawn, for our further refinement and purification, that our minds may become unfettered and loosened more and more from the things of time and sense; that nothing may hinder or stand in the way of

As I have once more got them safe at home, I may now tell thee somewhat of the trial of faith, patience, and feeling, under a lengthened-out sickness, which I have had to pass through for several months. It is near four months ago that I became seriously ill, and at one time there seemed little probability of my struggling through, until my wife could reach her home; but as I could not bear the thought of making her uneasy whilst in England, and without a possibility of getting to me or affording any relief, I took great pains to keep it from her, either in letters from us, or from any other person that I knew was writing. At times, when at the worst, I blamed myself for having withheld the information, as it seemed almost presumptuous to suppose I should recover; but at seasons I had hope; and I trust I can in some degree adopt the language of the Psalmist, and say,-"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped:" and great cause I have to ascribe all to his goodness and mercy, and to put my trust and confidence in Him.

I had intended visiting England this spring, attending the yearly meeting, and bringing home my family in the summer; but the Lord prevented me, and not man, as I had every permission that man could give me. This reconciles all, and raises consolation in my mind, and a hope that I am still an object of his divine compassion, although under a humiliating sense of my unworthiness.

To D. M.

Tenth month 25th, 1824, O. S.

his cattle. As our situation is somewhat higher than the city itself, we had many applica tions for food for the cattle and shelter, which of course we were glad to comply with. Our neighbourhood was protected from sharing in the general calamity by the bank of the Ligofsky canal, which is raised above the regular surface of the country; but from the upper part of the house we could see over this bank, which discovered to us the city, standing as it were in the open sea.

According to expectation our dear friend Thomas Shillitoe arrived about seven weeks ago, and seems very comfortable amongst us. All who have seen him are much pleased with him and his having brought no books with him has prevented much trouble, and removed all suspicion far away. He is remarkably furnished with a sense of things in this place, and acts with the greatest prudence and cau- The water continued to rise until three, tion. The more we know him, the more we P. M., when the wind shifted to the north-west, love him; his conduct and conversation are and although its violence continued, it preventaltogether consistent with his profession, with-ed the water from rising any higher. At that out which he would make little impression on time the water was twelve feet deep in the the minds of the people, whose views and ex-main street on Vasily's Island. Buildings pectations are altogether outward; and they take more notice of external appearances perhaps, than the people in England or in other nations further advanced in civilization and religious sensibility.

consisting of only one story were of course filled; and the frightened occupants obliged to take refuge upon their roofs. In the afternoon, we made some attempt to go towards the city; but found it unsafe to try much further than the bank of the canal just mentionPe-ed. The land under our care, between this and the city, was nearly all under water, so that we could hear nothing that night of the distress which prevailed there.

[The awful visitation upon the city of tersburg, by the great inundation in the eleventh month, 1824, is thus described :-]

To J. H.

Eleventh month 11th, 1824, O. S.

By the morning of the 8th, the water had subsided so much, that it could only be seen about the low places; in the afternoon I went As it is probable that accounts of an alarm-off intending to see how our friend S. K. had ing nature, relative to the situation of this neighbourhood will shortly reach England, and knowing from experience the lively interest which thyself and family at all times take in our welfare, I thought I would prevent your being disturbed with unnecessary fears, occasioned by imperfect statements, as to our personal safety.

fared, but after passing the barrier, I was compelled to return, as all the bridges were carried away by the force of the water. The 9th (a first-day) arrived, and brought only our dear friend Thomas Shillitoe to meeting; who, although he knew enough of the general suffering to prevent his speaking for a short interval on first coming into the room, yet On the 7th inst., the inhabitants of Peters- knew almost nothing in comparison of what burg experienced the most awful visitation that has since been unfolded. The part where has ever occurred within the memory of the dear Thomas lives, stands pretty high, but in oldest person living, by a deluge, which threat- those streets the water stood only eighteen ened for several hours the destruction of the inches below the lamps. For three hours, a city and suburbs. A dreadful tempest came on general silence prevailed in the city; and from during the night of the 6th from the south-Thomas Shillitoe's windows, which command west, and continued to rage with unabated a view of four streets, nothing was to be seen fury nearly the whole of the next day. Two but one poor struggling horse, and the police days previously, an unusual roaring of the rowing about in boats to see where any assea had been noticed about the head of the sistance could be rendered. Gulf of Finland, and at Cronstadt. On the Our land before hinted at, is covered over morning of the 7th, the sea began to rise, with timber, boats, dead horses, cows, barrels and shortly afterwards to push its waves into of fish, crosses from the grave yards, parts of the heart of the city. The people at first coffins, and other articles, and I regret to add, supposed it would only be one of the floods with many human bodies, drowned by this which have frequently occurred, and manifest-disastrous flood; one is a female with a child ed no particular alarm; but before noon, they under each arm, which she was endeavouring became convinced of the necessity of flying to save. for their lives. The road we live on exhibited It is now third-day night: I have been both a scene of terror and dismay not easy to de- to day and yesterday in the city, and have scribe: every one anxious to save himself and heard such accounts of accumulated suffering,

as are impossible to be set forth. I fear the number of lives lost will amount to ten thousand, and the loss of cattle and property is estimated at 20,000,000 roubles, (£800,000 sterling.) Whole squadrons of cavalry horses were drowned in their stables, and many saved by being led up stairs. One Englishman, a horse dealer, has lost all his horses.

We scarcely know what to conclude about our friends at sea, as so much depends upon the situation of the different ships: we hear that some have been wrecked, and others have returned to Cronstadt. This island has been entirely under water.

CHAPTER IX.

In the midst of the general distress, we have been permitted to partake of peace and quietWhen the water began to rise above its ness, of which we seem altogether unworthy. usual height in floods, the Emperor went in I sometimes fear we are not making an adperson, and ordered the sentinels away from equate return for the numerous comforts and the different posts. When the palace became blessings we enjoy; and were it not to acsurrounded by water many feet deep, he ap-knowledge with gratitude the loving-kindness peared with the Empress on the balconies, en- and mercy which surrounded us, I should couraging the people to exertion, and offering willingly omit saying any thing about ourrewards to those who would endeavour to save selves: all belonging to us seems to shrink life, wherever he saw any particular danger: into nothingness, when we behold the surby this, many were saved, who would other-rounding scene of woe and misery. wise have been inevitably lost. A subscription has been begun to-day for the benefit of the sufferers, to which the Emperor has given 1,000,000 roubles, (£40,000 sterling ;) and he has ordered the military governor to take care that the poor people are furnished with food. Yesterday, it was difficult to procure bread, as the bakers' ovens were mostly deluged by the water; to-day, there is a supply. All the sugars at the Custom-house are melted, and all goods that will damage with water are spoiled. The shops in many places were full up to the ceilings: oats which have been under water in the stores, are selling at two and three roubles (from 20 to 30 pence) the chetvert of five English bushels. The inhabitants and houses of three villages near the Gulph, are with their cattle, said to be entirely swept The following extracts are from letters away. The Emperor has been to-day to seve-written on, and after, his return to Russia. ral places, where the greatest suffering has occurred, to devise relief for the people.

:

Visits England, 1825-Returns to Russia— Death of the Emperor Alexander, and occurrences consequent thereon—Address to Balby monthly meeting, 1826-Extensive fires, etc.

visited England. He took the overland route, In the early part of 1825, Daniel Wheeler in company with Thomas Shillitoe, and landed at Harwich after a fatiguing journey of thirty-six days. His stay did not much exceed three months during this time, he attended the Dublin yearly meeting, to which he had felt his mind drawn before leaving home; also the yearly meeting held in London.

To J. H.

However affecting this visitation may apAlster, off the Spurn, Sixth month 23rd, 1825. pear, I cannot but view it with a hope, that it may yet prove a blessing in disguise to those The pilot being about to leave us, I hasten that remain and I very much desire that it to inform thee that we shall shortly shape our may have its proper and lasting effect upon course for the Naze of Norway. The vessel, all our minds; that so all may repent, and turn I believe, will be very comfortable, when we unto Him, with whom is mercy and plenteous get fairly out to sea, and the decks cleared redemption; lest a worse and more terrible up. warning should follow. There is, I think, reason to fear, that another woe will succeed that which has now passed over, I mean the occurrence of pestilential disorders, which the dampness of the houses may bring on; particularly, if intense frost should succeed, before they are in some degree dry and aired: last night it froze hard; at present there is less frost, but with the appearance of more snow. Our friend S. K. is likely to suffer less than we feared, although her furniture was floating in her parlour. Her day scholars were in the house when the water rose, so that she was obliged to lodge them as she could.

It would have been very pleasant to have assembled once more with my dear friends on shore, if it had been permitted; as it is, I have great cause to be thankful, for having been allowed at seasons to partake, while on this side the Baltic, of the streams of that river, which makes glad the whole city and heritage of God. At the same time my heart is filled with gratitude, at the prospect of returning to my dear wife and family, with my health so much restored and renewed; which cannot fail to raise in all our minds, the tribute of thanksgiving and praise to the great and good Shepherd; unto whom not only every sheep,

but the most helpless lamb of the flock is temptation, and be preserved from the many known, wherever situated, or however hidden.