in the mail to Birmingham, and proceeded the The next day, I proceeded alone to a newly settled meeting at Tavistock, consisting mostly of convinced Friends. I was a little disappointed to find this meeting flat and dull at the first; perhaps I expected too much; but towards the latter end Truth rose into dominion, to our mutual comfort and consolation. I returned to Plymouth the same night. con ficulties of time, and would remain with us Being clear of Plymouth, next morning I crossed the Tamar in a boat to the Cornish side of Hamoaze, passing close under the stern of the Malta man-of-war. We proceeded to Looe, where a meeting was appointed; few Friends live here; but one of the few is that faithful servant, S. T. We were favoured with a comfortable meeting, to mutual refreshment. After dinnner, we proceeded to Tideford, and next morning attended their meeting. This was a memorable time from beginning to end: I can scarcely calculate upon being again permitted to partake of such another heavenly banquet in the course of this jour ney, if ever: but my soul right well knoweth that there is a power, in whom I am happily taught to believe, and with whom all things are possible; who can at His pleasure "bind the sweet influences of Pleiades," loose the bands of Orion, "bring forth Mazzaroth in his season, and" "guide Arcturus with his sons ;""He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth" the heavenly treasury of peace, love, and joy, which are at times revealed through the riches and glory of His grace, to His praise. As way opened, I accompanied and -in some of their family visits. On firstday the 20th, sat with two families, and attended both the regular meetings, in which I was enabled to obtain considerable relief: towards the close of my testimony in the afternoon, the way seemed clear for taking leave of Friends there, to some of whom I felt closely attached. In the evening, was at a public meeting, held in the Bethel at Devonport, at the request of and It was well filled; and after the people were informed of the object of our meeting together, great solemnity prevailed over the assembly. - had to break the silence with the voice of prayer. I suppose almost the whole congregation consisted of persons connected with the sea-faring life, with their families. My heart was greatly enlarged towards them, as comWe dined at Liskeard. This meeting was panions and shipmates in the voyage of life; appointed at six in the evening, and was much having the Lord God, merciful and gracious, hurt by the disorderly gathering of the town's and abundant in goodness and Truth, for our people, attracted by the lights in the windows commander; and an all-sufficient Saviour and of the meeting house, perhaps a rare thing. holy Redeemer for a heavenly pilot; who However, at last, we were favoured, and light would never leave His vessel, but would safe- sprung up, which brought weight and solemly conduct us through all the dangers and dif-nity over all; under a feeling of which we - administer an increase of strength, and begetting humble thankfulness of heart. separated. S. R., an elderly minister, appeared after I sat down, in a weighty and confirming testimony. The next meeting was at Fourth month 1st.-Last evening we had Austle, at three P. M. on the following day: a meeting on Martin's Isle, which ended in a it was small, but upon the whole comfortable; very solemn season. A class of Methodists after which I went on to Truro, and attended call Bryanites abound here; their minister, and their meeting held in course next day. This many that were present, made a continual proved a refreshing season to many present, groaning; one poor woman in particular, and to some a time of rejoicing. In the after- who seemed much struck with the solemnity noon, W. T. kindly accompanied me to Cam- of the occasion. I was upon my feet at the borne; and the next day I proceeded to Pen-time, but was favoured with calmness. I could zance: the ground here was covered with plainly hear the words, 'praises,' 'praises,' snow, and the morning very cold and boister- from the lips of the minister and others. ous. I had hastened to be in time for the Fourth month 2nd.-Yesterday, we crosspacket for Scilly, but found she had been de-ed to the island called St. Agnes, and found tained by stress of weather five days behind the landing rather difficult on account of the her time. The next day was very stormy, and there was rough work among the shipping. An East Indiaman, the Andromache, put into Mount's Bay for shelter, and landed her passengers here from Calcutta. surf: in consequence of the great ebb and flow of the tides, few of these islands have proper landing places. It being what is called Good Friday, the people were mostly at home; and their Bryanite minister, knowing we were On first-day the 27th, I attended both meet- amongst the islands, had appointed a meeting ings at Penzance, which were refreshing and for us at six in the evening, saying, that if comfortable seasons: Friends in these parts we did not come, he would preach himself: are not numerous. I was lodged at the house so that all was made ready to our hands. of J. S., who has kindly accompanied me to There is a good new school-house on this these islands. We sailed the next afternoon, island belonging to the Protestant establishand had a fine but tossing passage. It is not ment; but the clergyman will not allow it to often otherwise at any time, as the set of the be used for any other purpose than as a school. tide into the British and George's Channel, He seldom comes near these people himself, and the exposure to the Bay of Biscay and although there is a regular church-house for the mighty Atlantic, cannot fail to cause great his use; and yet he does all he can to make agitation of the water, particularly when it it inconvenient for Dissenters to come among has blown hard for several previous days to- them. Our meeting was necessarily held gether. The Wolf Rock lies in the run of in a dwelling-house, in two lower rooms, the packet, and is only discovered by the which were excessively crowded; and after breaking of the sea upon it. We bore up for all, many had to stand outside the open doors it about ten, P. M., distant from four to five and windows. You know that I can bear a hundred yards :-I had just fallen asleep at tolerable portion of heat, but this was almost the moment, and so missed seeing it, which I too much for me. There was much groaning rather regretted, as I have formerly been se- around us; but no particularly wild extravaveral times near it, but have never seen it. gances were exhibited, and on the whole it In light winds it makes a roaring noise from was a highly favoured meeting. We drank being hollow, and the breaking of the sea into tea at the same house with their minister; but it may be heard at a considerable distance. carrying our materials with us, we made a At eleven P. M., we were in full sight of the distinct table. It was striking to see the homefine revolving light on the island of (St.) Ag-ly fare he partook of; in his absence I inqui nes; and in a couple of hours afterwards were red of our hostess how he was supported; she anchored safely in the roads of (St.) Mary's. said, they could not afford to pay him much, We landed immediately, and were glad to so had agreed amongst themselves, that they get to an inn, where the people kindly made should take it by turns to board him one day us a fire, as the night was cold. The next each, in the same manner as they lived themday, a meeting was appointed on the Isle of selves; so that he is at a fresh house every Tresco; the people were long in gathering, day: but that one person had agreed to find but behaved solidly; and I was favoured with him a lodging at her sole expense; and that encouragement to persevere with my engage the society of which he was a member allow. ment. Next day we had a meeting on Samp-ed him £8 per annum. He is a kind, sincereson's Island in the afternoon, and another on hearted, and unpretending young man, and I Bryer's Isle in the evening; both were satis- felt a regard for him. factory and comforting seasons, tending to I am very thankful that I am favoured to have finished visiting all the straggling distant at Portreath, a small port near the entrance of islands; and it is due from me to acknowledge the North Channel; and afterwards to Redthe great support and strength that have been ruth, where a meeting was appointed for the afforded me. It has blown strong ever since next day. This was a comfortable time I I have been here, so that getting about has trust to many present, and a relieving one to been difficult, particularly embarking in the myself; which I desire to remember with gradark in strange places, amongst rocks slippery titude of heart to the great Giver. with oozy sea-weed; we could not avoid getting our clothes wet every day, and sometimes twice a-day. My companion is a plain, honest, worthy Friend, to whom I feel under many and great obligations for his kindness and attention. After the two meetings in prospect on the island called St. Mary's, I know of nothing more to detain me here; but do not like exactly fixing my return to Yorkshire. I hope to be rightly directed, though but an unprofitable servant; but to be admitted a servant of such a Master on any terms, ought to be sufficient for any of us unworthy creatures. On fourth-day the 13th, the quarterly meeting was held: this was a favoured time; though in all these meetings I had some heavy work to do, but was strengthened to perform it faithfully. There seemed no getting out of Falmouth without holding a public meeting with the inhabitants, to which the sailors were specially invited. The house was well filled, and it proved a solemn opportunity; which I hope will be lastingly and profitably remembered by some present. I had to tell them, that like themselves, I had been cradled on the boisterous ocean; that the mercy of the Lord was unbounded as His love; that none need despair, for that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief, &c. The time of liberation was now come, and I set out the next day for Plymouth, and finally for this place. Yesterday, I was at a meeting at Newton Tracey in the morning; none who attend it are members,—it was a refreshing season, and a thankful time for me. In the evening sat with Friends of this place; many strangers came in, and we were refreshed together. I have lately received an extract from your last letter, and am sorry to find there is so much sickness near you, and that a fear prevails of the cholera approaching your borders. But we have "a strong city;" and I humbly hope, we shall be mercifully prepared for an entrance therein, through the strait gate; that we may indeed be amongst the number of the few, out of the many called, who are happily chosen; this gate of the Lord through which the righteous enter into the city of their God; all the inhabitants of which are "redeemed I have lately been anticipating the pleasure with judgment," and converted with righteous- of returning to my dear wife and all my friends ness, even the righteousness of Him who died at Carr Wood, intending to stop next first-day for the sins of all mankind. at Birmingham; but what poor short-sighted Fourth month 6th, Penzance.-On first-creatures we are! I was on the morning watch day, we had two meetings on (St.) Mary's Isle the first, at Holyvale, was a little disturbed by some rude people; I reproved them for it; and I believe many thought it a solemn time. The meeting in the Garrison town, was larger than any preceding it; and was a highly favoured time throughout. To S. S. Barnstable, North Devon, Fourth month 18th, 1831. Presuming that my dear wife has before this time taken her departure from thy hospitable dwelling, I am at a loss how to direct to her, and shall therefore be greatly obliged, if thou wilt forward the enclosed letter, as thou art doubtless in possession of the secret. yesterday soon after four o'clock, when the love of God filled my heart; and a public meeting with the inhabitants of this town presented to my mind. A willingness was wrought immediately on the opening: the yearly meeting in Dublin followed; and I bowed in humble resignation to what I believe to be the divine will. In obedience to this, I have informed the Friends here; and the Wesleyan meeting house is procured for seven o'clock this evening. I feel that I am left single handed amongst strangers; but happily I know that there is a Power, which can yet enable me to "run through a troop, or leap over a wall;" in whose blessed will I rest, and in whose mercy I trust. After the quarterly meeting at Exeter, I Since arriving at Penzance from the Scilly must press forward with all speed to Bristol, Isles, I have been searching out the infirm and as there will be barely time for me to get to invalids at Marazion, who did not get to the Dublin, if I find a steam-boat starting the meetings when I was at Penzance, previously same day. It is very clear that this is not to embarkation. On the sixth-day following, the place of rest for me, but I humbly hope it went eighteen miles to sit with some Friends is a road that leads to it. TO HIS WIFE. Dublin, Fourth month 25th, 1831. My dearest Jane, I have now the pleasure of informing thee, that I arrived in this city, early yesterday morning. I wrote to thee last from Barnstaple, then looking forward to a meeting at that place the same evening, which proved in the end a truly comforting season: such an one as I have seldom witnessed. It was held in the Wesleyan meeting house, which was much crowded. The people were very quiet and attentive, and I had full opportunity to relieve myself among them, and have since been favoured to finish my visits to the remaining meetings in Devon, and to leave the country in peace; although humbled under a sense of my unworthiness to partake in the least of the Lord's mercies, and thus preserved by sea and land, and enabled to give the glory and the praise to Him to whom all belongs. stranger, with whom I had some satisfactory conversation before we got to sleep. It was renewed at an early hour next morning, and I never remember to have seen any person so completely overcome by the force of Truth. My feelings were such as led me to conclude, that if I had no other service in Ireland, this was enough, and my reward was ample for coming. The meeting, so far, has been a solemn time: I have not had to open my mouth in any of the sittings. The disturbed state of this country is certainly appalling. Liverpool, Fifth month 3rd, 1831. My dear children, Although I have had but rough doings on board the Etna steam-packet all night, yet 1 do not like the thoughts of letting this letter be sent off, without an assurance of dear love on my own behalf; at the same time not doubting that your dear mother has said all that is needful, in her letter. I left for Exeter the next day, and attended the select meeting the same evening, which to We have had a very solemn yearly meetme was a heavy time. Here I again met with ing, which continued nearly the whole of last - and Next morning the quarterly week. The dreadful situation of the people meeting began with a meeting for worship, in Ireland seems to have created very general which was for some time very flat; but gra- apprehension in the minds of Friends, and I dually improved, and in the end a relieving think very justly in some counties open retime was obtained, but not without plain deal-bellion is the order of the day, and some bareing. The next appointed meeting was at faced murders have been committed in broadSpiceland, about twenty miles distant, on the daylight. These things, and the altogether following evening. We had to experience the appalling signs of the times, have combined truth of the apostolic declaration, of the sym-to bring the minds of many into great humilipathy in the members of the mystical body: ty and abasement of self. In addition to these "if one member be honoured, all the mem- outward circumstances, the general call from bers rejoice with it;" but our lot was to suffer together:-"whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it." the ministry has been in effect, how long will We reached Wellington the same night, and I had the pleasure of seeing my beloved companions restored to the bosom of their family, to the great delight of all around them. We were favoured to separate under feelings not soon to be forgotten, in that love which absence and distance only serve to strengthen. I pursued my course to Bristol, lodging at the hospitable mansion of B. T., and embarked the next day in the Killarney steamer, for Dublin; a very fine vessel, crowded with pas. sengers, but all strangers to me. Our progress was impeded by contrary wind, and a sea swell; so that although the vessel possessed the power by steam of 220 horses, we were several hours beyond the usual time of arrival. The two first inns were full of guests, but the third took in the stranger, but could I understand that poor only give him a bed in a double bedded room. seized with illness, and died the next day: it Thou knowest I often say any port in a was quite my intention to have paid him a storm;' but I believe there was a secret hand visit, when I reached his neighbourhood; but in all this. The other bed was occupied by a │I shall now be too late. I believe he has been was last week much softened, since an illness which he had with great virulence at Petersburg; the two a few weeks previous to this last attack; and following letters give some description of this has been heard to lament the manner in which awful visitation.] his family have been educated. We have but one instance recorded in Scripture of any being accepted at the last hour, that none may presume; but there is one, that none should despair. Hoping shortly to speak to you all face to face, and to recount the mercies, the blessings, and the loving-kindness of the Lord to his poor finite creatures; I remain with full assurance of love, your affectionate father, CHAPTER XII. D. W. Return to Russia, 1831-Cholera at Petersburg, &c.-Epistle to Friends of York quarterly meeting, 1832-&c. To S. S. Sixth month 28th, 1831, Ship Army in the Cattegat. I THINK I never witnessed greater variety and changes in the weather, than have befallen us since embarking on the 22nd. Each revolving day has been fraught with changes, again and again reminding us of the uncertainty of all things here below: each day has produced a calm, and each calm has been followed by boisterous winds. My dear wife has suffered greatly from sea sickness; I think I never before saw her so much reduced from this cause. It has often been my lot, and it seems as if the measure was not yet filled up, to witness and to share many painful scenes; I sometimes think that a greater portion of suffering is necessary for me than for others, to hold in check and humble a disposition, which is naturally so prone to rebel. It is, at any rate, no more than I deserve, after the days without number that have been passed in folly and forgetfulness of that gracious Being, who hath in unutterable condescension and mercy followed me from my youth up, even to the present day; and who, I humbly trust, will never forsake His poor unworthy creature: but by renewed trials and baptisms, will keep alive the vital spark, until He is graciously pleased to say, it is enough.' If I know myself, I think that I do not desire a life of ease; but I would gladly devote the few remaining days which may be my portion here, to declaring "the mighty acts of the Lord" to my benighted fellow creatures, though unequal and unworthy to show forth half His praise. To S. B. Plains of Shoosharry, near Petersburg, Let me acknowledge with reverent thank- From a variety of circumstances which occurred both before reaching the Sound, and after leaving it, our suspicions were awakened as to the state of things, in regard to the fatal disease at the place to which we were bending our course; but the weather threw us out of the track of the homeward-bound ships, and prevented our getting the least information till we entered the Gulf of Finland. From all the accounts we received from the vessels then spoken with, there seemed no doubt, but that the cholera was raging both at Cronstadt and Petersburg; and the nearer we approached to these places, the more alarming the reports became. One night, when off that part of the coast nearest to the seat of war, we were quite annoyed with the unpleasant state of the air; [About this period the cholera prevailed | although we were not in sight of the land, Í |