practice in use here on the first-day of the week, of the people assembling in the Amphitheatre, to bait a bull by men hired for this wicked purpose. I was comforted in finding this circumstance had obtained their very serious consideration, from the dreadful consequences frequently attending it. When the

Fifth-day, although it is not permitted me to say, the winter is over and gone; yet to have a glimmering prospect of its decline, my soul says, is enough. First-day, the morning meeting and the reading meeting were well attended, and more of the youth were at the afternoon meeting. Friends separated under a favoured sense, that holy help had been ex-poor animal received an injury, or the comtended.

Second-day, rumours of very warm debates in the Chamber of Deputies at Paris having alarmed the English residents there, so many left, that the police was unable to supply pass ports in due time, some hundreds having crossed to Dover and other ports in England: but my place was to remain quiet; and this state of mind being attained, I considered to be a great mercy dispensed from heaven.

Fifth-day, way opened to begin to make arrangements for leaving Congenies. Firstday morning, the meeting was well attended; at the close of which the adjournment of the two months' meeting was held, and certificates were signed for Priscilla Scales and myself: the afternoon meeting was well attended, as was also the reading meeting.

baters were injured by him, the acclamations of joy manifested by the spectators, we were informed, were great beyond conception; so that neither the bloody scenes, nor the death of a combatant, which at times occurred, appeared to soften the minds of the spectators; but rather tended to promote their ferocity;women as well as men sharing in these scenes of barbarity.

We were informed more had been done in Nismes than any other place in France, towards improving the moral character of the Protestant population. An interesting young man, in much simplicity, informed us, he had under his care for instruction a number of young persons, whom he met for that purpose every two weeks; and he was hoping for their meeting more frequently on this occasion. Second-day we made arrangements for our Some little fruits of this labour were appa departure; our places being secured to Lyons rent; schools for mutual instruction, and also for sixth-day. Fourth-day, my friend Pris- sunday schools for children and adults were cilla Scales and myself made calls on Friends. established, it being on the youth their hopes I felt tried, in consequence of not having re- of succeeding were chiefly placed. At our ceived an account from Geneva, of the receipt parting, such feelings of gratitude appeared of the packet of the addresses; and yet, be- to be excited for this sudden and unexpected lieving we had done right by engaging our visit, and the counsel that had been imparted, places for Lyons, I had a hope I should not that he said, he felt unequal to find words to be disappointed, but should receive it before express himself to the full. In some of our we left Congenies. Fifth-day morning, letters visits we were informed that all the appointarrived from Geneva, informing me of the re- ments lately made of bishops and clergy in ceipt of the addresses; attended the usual the Roman Catholic congregations, were of meeting, at the close of which we took a part-those who were the most attached to their suing farewell of Friends here, most of whom perstitions, and opposed to the introduction of were waiting about the carriage to see the last education amongst the people, which our inof us; to them it appeared to be a heart ten-terview with the bishop confirmed. I attempted dering season, in which I trust I may say, we to find a clew to the bishop, by procuring a ourselves were sharers. We left Congenies about noon, and were favoured to reach Nismes safely in the evening.

Sixth-day, feeling drawings in my mind to visit the Protestant clergy and the Catholic bishop of Nismes, accompanied by my kind friend James Charlton, we proceeded, and were received by the Protestant clergy with marked attention. I was constrained to lay before them the importance of the station they, with myself, professed to be called to, amongst the people; and the great necessity there was to become preachers of righteousness in our lives and conversation, as well as in doctrine, thereby encouraging the people to faithfulness unto God; and to maintain their protest, by their example, against the wicked

letter of introduction: having been informed I should find a difficulty in obtaining admittance to him, and if I did gain admittance, that I should not be well received by him. My attempts failing, I found my peace consisted in proceeding to the Episcopal palace, and requesting an audience with him, which we accordingly did. On our application to see the bishop, we were ordered to be there again at three o'clock in the afternoon. We called upon one of the Protestant clergy, who behaved in a brotherly manner, and appeared to receive my observations in a kind disposi tion: at our parting, I informed him of our intention of making a visit to the Roman Catholic bishop, he replied, he was acquainted with him, and spoke of him in handsome

displeasure; saying, these matters were no business for either him or me to meddle with, nor did he require my interference, or wish to hear anything I had to say. Feeling myself clear of the bishop, I put out my hand, saying, I could give him the hand of love, accompanied with a desire to meet him in heaven, continuing my hand stretched towards him; he fixed his elbow against his side, and put forth two of his fingers, which I took hold of: I then offered my hand to the priest-he fixed his hands close down to his sides, and would not condescend to go as far as the bishop had done, crying out, "Allons, allons !" in a disposition of mind, evincing that had it been in his power, and had the Inquisition been near, it should have been our lot. I left them with

Almighty Helper, for the support he was pleased to bestow on my companion as well as upon myself, and thankful I had been enabled to yield to this duty.

We left Nismes this evening for Lyons, where we were favoured to arrive safely.

A letter having been given me to a family in Paris, on seventh-day I called with it, and spent a short time agreeably with them in conversation on interesting subjects: meeting with here one and there another, who, we have good ground for believing, have the cause of Truth at heart, is as a cordial to the mind.

terms, very different from all I had heard before respecting him, offering to give me an introductory note to him, which I gladly accepted. At the hour appointed, we proceeded to the palace. I told my friend, whilst on our way, I expected our keeping on our hats would give offence: although I had viewed the attempt to obtain an interview as a very formidable thing, yet I was cheered, hoping our note would procure us an admittance; but I did not look for more satisfaction in the interview than obtaining relief to my own mind. On our arrival I sent my note to the bishop, and we were immediately shown into his apartment, where we found him and a priest together. The countenance of the priest on our entering the bishop's apartment with our hats on, bespoke great contempt, and from the manner a heart filled with gratitude to my adorable the bishop received us, we could not suppose it was otherwise with him also. I handed the bishop a translation of my certificates, requesting my friend to say, they would inform him of my motives for leaving my own home; he received them, but before he could have read one of them half through, in apparent displeasure, he put them away from him, expressing his dissatisfaction with our visit, saying, "I have nothing to do with you; you are not in my jurisdiction, and I do not want any of your instruction or interference;" turning over and over the note we had brought to him, as if resentment rose in his mind against the writer of it, and he wished to get quit of us again. But such were the impressions on my mind, that it appeared to me the way had been made thus far for us, and that even should I be given in charge to his military guards, which were placed at the entrance of his palace, I must not suffer myself to be put by, from leaving with him what appeared to be required of me, except he and his priest turned me out of the room by force. I therefore kept my standing, saying to my friend, for whom I hope I was not deficient in feeling and sympathy, "James, thou must give him what I have for him; tell him, I am shocked at the practice at Nismes of baiting the bull, and the more so, that it should be allowed on the day called sunday; and as it is in the power of the clergy to prevent this wicked practice, and more especially so in the power of the Catholic clergy, whose influence over the people is unbounded, it is my firm belief, so far as they refuse to exert their utmost influence and authority to do away these evil practices, they become parties with the actors of them in the sight of Almighty God, and are implicated in all the guilt which is incurred by their continuance." Whilst I was thus expressing myself, the bishop continued to turn over the note we brought him, with a countenance big with VOL. III.-No. 7.

Whilst on my way here, my fears were awakened, that I should not be able to clear out of Paris, without endeavouring to obtain an interview with the Catholic archbishop. This subject coming weightily before me, and believing I should not leave with peace without attempting to obtain it, I procured a guide to a Friend who resided near the city, for his advice how to proceed to effect an interview, as it appeared that that day and first-day were the two last days of what is called Lent and Pâque, great festivals. This placed me in a trying situation, our places being engaged for second-day for Calais, and our passports ordered by the messenger before we were aware of it; the coach for third-day being full, we could not have procured a transfer of our places to that day. These considerations led me to try the subject again, if I might not be excused from attempting an interview with him on second-day; but as there appeared no way but to do my part towards it, I wrote a note to the archbishop, requesting he would allow me as early an audience as was admissible, and received for answer, I should be admitted on second-day morning. My difficulty now was to procure an interpreter in whom I could place confidence; aware of the care that is necessary in selecting the person to whom we commit ourselves and our sentiments: two 35

persons were proposed to me, and feeling more conversation, occasioned new feelings not easy easy to accept one than the other, the matter to describe. Third-day, reached London. rested for the present.

First-day, attended meeting with a family of Friends and two young men.

Second-day, with my interpreter, I proceeded to the palace of the archbishop. We were introduced to his chaplain, who appeared with several letters in his hand; he inquired my business-I told him I attended agreeably to appointment, in reply to a letter I sent to the archbishop; he turned over the letters, and mine appeared amongst them: he then queried what was the nature of my business, eyeing me very sternly, I suppose on account of my hat being kept on. I told him I did not feel at liberty to mention the subject; he then left me again for awhile, and returned, still urging to know the nature of my communication. I told him I had a subject to lay before the bishop, in which I hoped he would feel an interest: he again left me, and returned, saying, the bishop was at breakfast, and after breakfast he had business of great consequence to attend to. I proposed waiting, or coming again at such a time as the bishop should appoint; to which he then replied, the bishop will not see you at all. Believing I had now done all in my power towards obtaining an interview, I returned to my hotel, and sat down in the quiet; and feeling as if I was not clear of the archbishop, it was laid upon me to take up my pen and address him.

Here I was informed that Henry Otiley and his wife, respecting whom I interested myself at Bergen, in Norway, and who went out from that port in a vessel bound for Baltimore, in North America, had come under the care of Friends in England; the vessel run aground on the Essex coast, the captain put them on shore, and when the vessel was in train for sailing, left them behind. Henry Otiley and his wife, not being able to make their case known, were reduced to great distress; meeting with a Friend, they presented the note I had given them at Bergen, addressed to Elizabeth Coggeshall, at Baltimore. The Friend having knowledge of my hand-writing, took them under his charge; and they were ordered up to London, cared for by Friends there, until a passage was provided for them in a vessel bound for Philadelphia, and every necessary care taken for them on their passage. This account produced thankfulness in my mind, that I had attended to my impression of duty, by returning to give them this note, which had brought them under the care of Friends here.

Fifth-day, attended Tottenham meeting. Seventh-day, reached Hitchin, where after an absence of a year and ten months, I was favoured to find my dear wife well; for which I hope I may say, all that was within me blessed His holy name, who had so many ways cared for me, and brought me safely through so many dangers and difficulties.

CHAPTER XXIII.

After procuring a translation of it, and putting it in such a train for delivery as could not admit of a doubt but that it reached his hand, I felt like a man who, having finished his week's labour, was looking forward with a degree of satisfaction at the approaching day IN the fifth month, 1823, I left my own of rest; accompanied with this caution, al- home, and proceeded to London, to attend the though my services on this side the water Yearly Meeting. During my attendance of were now brought to a close, care would be the Yearly Meeting, I found Friends were denecessary when I was favoured to reach my sirous to have details of my journey on the native shore, not to hasten over the ground, continent from myself; but I was aware that but again mind my stops. Priscilla Scales detailing out occurrences, and some rather and myself left Paris in the evening, and were new in themselves, accompanied by displays favoured to reach Calais safely. The weather of Divine interposition, might produce obserbecoming boisterous, we were detained there vations tending to set up the creature, rather until sixth-day morning, when we left Calais than promote that disposition of mind which by the steam-packet, and were favoured to land is the only safe one for me, viz. a sitting as safely at Dover about noon. First-day attended with my mouth in the dust, if so be there may meetings there, and had a religious opportunity be hope that my dedication has found acceptat a Friend's house in the evening, with seve-ance in the sight of my heavenly Father. I ral young Friends. Second-day morning, I therefore believed it safest, after a summary of left Dover for Rochester, and attended a meet- my proceedings had been read in the Yearly ing in the evening appointed at my request, in Meeting, to request that Friends would excuse which I was favoured to obtain relief to my me from entering into further details of my own mind, for which favour I hope I felt truly journey. I felt thankful in being permitted thankful. Everything appeared to wear a once more to sit down with Friends in a Yearfresh face again, being able to speak in meet-ly Meeting capacity, and in witnessing the ings without an interpreter, and understand continuance of ancient goodness, whereby the

concerns that came before us were conducted stopped his horses, and we approached the in much harmony.

Previous to leaving London, it appeared to me right to put into the hands of my friend Josiah Forster, for translation, the German copy of the act of the king's council, relative to the better observance of the first-day of the week at Hanover, without any clear prospect that I should be called upon to make use of it. The desire to know why or wherefore I was giving my friend this trouble, appeared to me to be beside my proper business. In the eighth month, I received the translation, which introduced me into exercise of mind, but without any prospect as to the use I was to make of it.

carriage. On my asking the king, in a respectful manner, if I might be permitted to present him with a packet, he replied, “Yes, friend, you may." Several years having elapsed since I had had an interview with him at Brighton, and the king having lost much of that florid countenance he then had, also appearing aged, and being wrapped up in a loose drab great-coat, instead of an uniform, which he wore on the former occasion, some hesitation arose in my mind lest I should be mistaken, and it should not be the king. I, therefore, looking up at him, inquired, "But is it the king?" to which he replied, "Yes, friend; I am the king: give it to the Marquis The time drawing nigh when I must lay of Conyngham;" who received it with a smile; before my friends apprehensions of further on which the king said, "Now you have service on the continent of Europe, my situa-handed it to me." After a short communication would, at times, have been almost insup- tion which I had to make to the king, he said, portable, had I not been strengthened, like "I thank you." We then acknowledged his David, to feel myself brought into that state, condescension, withdrew from the carriage, in which, with him, I could say, "I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O Lord; I will keep thy statutes;" yet such were my fears, lest through any misstep I should be involved in perplexity, that sadness of heart was frequently my companion. Yet my help must come from God alone, if I am favoured to come forth from my present tribulation acceptably in his most holy sight.

and returned to London with grateful hearts. I was favoured to reach my own home again, and enjoy it for a time. The address was as follows:

"May it please the king,

"To permit a subject, who believes he can say he has thy present peace and eternal welfare at heart, even as his own, to lay before It now seemed to me that the time was come, thee some matters in which thou art deeply when I should have to make use of the trans- concerned, in the sight of that Almighty Being, lation of the act of the king and council of by whom thou acknowledgest thyself called to Hanover. I sat down and deliberately perused the throne. Having lately been engaged in a it, beseeching the Almighty to direct me in the long journey on the continent of Europe, under disposal of it; and believing it was required apprehensions of religious duty-during my of me to address the king (George IV.) on travels, mourning and lamentation were mostly some of the subjects which the act contained, the clothing of my mind, in beholding the exI took up my pen, earnestly craving to be fur-treme immorality of the people; and that in nished with matter suited to the purpose. Af some of the states they were licensed by goter spending a suitable portion of time in in-vernment, and protected by the police, in folward retirement, waiting on the Lord for his holy help, I proceeded to write, and having completed my address, I went on third-day, 20th of fourth month, 1824, accompanied by my kind friend, Peter Bedford, to Windsor. On being informed that the king was going | from the castle to the lodge, we proceeded to with the too evident fearless disposition of the long-walk in the great park; and earnest mind which prevailed amongst every class was my solicitude to be enabled to discharge and rank of the people, coming so frequently this act of apprehended duty, in a way that under my notice, brought along with them the would, on a retrospect, afford relief to my own mournful language of the prophet Jeremiah, mind. We at length perceived the king com-Were they ashamed, when they had commiting in his poney-chaise down the long-walk; when he came nearly abreast of us, we advanced a little towards the middle of the road; I had the packet in my hand, containing the German copy of the act of the king and council, the same translated, and my address on some subjects which it contained. The king

lowing wicked practices. Above all, I found, with but little exception, 'the sabbath,' as it is called, or first-day of the week, set apart for Divine worship, abused in the most notorious manner, by civilized nations professing the Christian name. These scenes of iniquity,

ted abominations? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush ;' which is too sorrowfully applicable to the general state of mind of the people amongst whom my lot was cast. I apprehended myself in duty called upon to remonstrate in some of the states with those in authority, by a printed address on the

subject of some laws which have a tendency to build up the people in iniquity, as well as with the people themselves on the subject of their evil conduct. I always entertained a hope, when recurring to thy dominions, that in all thy German states, laws and regulations were framed, which would preserve thy subjects there, as well as at home, in a due respect for the day called 'the sabbath,' and thus setting a good example of morality to the continent of Europe; not that I mean to be understood, that there is not great room for improvement at home in these respects; but this, I believe, does not so much arise from defects in the laws, as from a want of more vigilance in some places on the part of those whose duty it is to enforce them. Of the effects which a well-regulated police is capable of producing, I had also satisfactory proof at the town of Basle, where the sabbath' is passed in a becoming manner-quiet and order prevailing in the streets; all business being suspended, and dissipation and amusement entirely prohibited.

thy authority, for thy German subjects to be found in the breach of laws both moral and Divine; and that no time may be lost in applying such remedies, as to the king may seem meet, and which may be promotive of the temporal and eternal interest of his German subjects; for it is righteousness which exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.' Bear with me, O king, if I presume to say, that these rules, set forth by thee, in the preamble of which it is stated, that it is by Divine authority thou art placed on the throne of thy royal father, must be in accordance with the law of God, and of Christ Jesus our Lord, if thou art favoured to witness the blessing of heaven to descend upon thee and upon thy dominions, and to experience Divine wisdom to guide thee and thy counsellors, in the management of the important affairs of the state." "Extracts from the regulations respecting the day called the sabbath:

'It is prohibited throughout the whole of the day, to hold masked balls, &c. Unmasked balls, sledge-parties, playing at nine-pins in public gardens, or in private gardens, if in the neighbourhood of the church, and public music, shall not be allowed till three o'clock in the afternoon.'

"Here permit me to remark, what a wide door is set open for those who are disposed to indulge in these several gratifications, to absent themselves from their place of worship, and spend their time the whole of the day, so that it be not in the neighbourhood of the church,' in this loose, irreligious manner.

"As I had a prospect of spending some time in Hanover before my return, amidst all my secret trouble because of the abomination of the people, a cheering hope would frequently revive, that there my deeply tried mind would experience some relief: but alas! how were my expectations disappointed! how did all my hopes vanish! how were my bonds increased! sorrow indeed filled my heart; I was bowed as into the very dust, to find from appearances there, the day called 'the sabbath' to be disregarded and abused, as much as in any place where my lot had been cast: and that which "Extracts.—To open the theatre, to keep added to my affliction was, to find the people marriage-feasts, or other large parties in pubwarranted herein, as they conceive, by rules lic-houses is forbid on the first days of the and regulations having thy own signature: three great annual fasts, and on penance and for, during a short interview with some of the prayer days, and on the other sundays and seriously disposed there, on my remarking, fast-days, these shall not be allowed, until with evident feelings of sorrow, the manner after the conclusion of the afternoon service, in which the sabbath' is abused, the reply viz: meetings of journeymen, club-meetings, was, 'Our new rules and regulations sent or for releasing of apprentices, and for admitfrom England have much contributed to it, so ting journeymen and masters, or any such that we have no power to help things.' I pro- meetings as are obnoxious to the main object cured a copy in print of those regulations, and of Christian holidays. With regard to the a translation thereof, which I enclose herewith, time allowed for the continuance of dancingfor the purpose of reference; with remarks parties, more especially in public-houses, this on those parts, which I apprehend, notwith-is left to the police, and their regulations restanding the general purport of the regulations specting this subject.' and the royal introductory admonition, tend to frustrate the intention of the whole, and are by too many of the king's subjects made use of for that purpose; and I crave of the king, as he values his own soul and the souls of his German subjects, a serious perusal of the whole; beseeching the Almighty, that he will give thee to see all their evil bearings, and the wide door which is thus, O king, set open by

"Extracts:-During the morning and afternoon service on sundays or fast-days, all shops or booths shall be shut, and no trade or profession shall be carried on in public or in private work-shops, except in cases of necessity, when the police has granted leave: all buying and selling, with the exception of medicine at the apothecaries' shops, the erecting of booths or stands in the public market-places,