rable epoch in British history; every recollection of which should inspire us with ardent gratitude. Carried by a man from his barge through the water, his feet touched English soil at Brixham, at that time a fishing village, as now it is a fishing town, on the opposite side of the bay.

Our drive occupied three hours and ten minutes, for which we paid nine shillings. We found the wind very strong, and uncomfortably cold. We were glad of a long walk for the sake of gaining warmth. Two of us walked fully a mile, to a lodging-house beyond the station, where were two sisters related to us; their father, who was a widower, having but recently died. We were glad to see them, as they were to see us.

The wind being from the east, had made the sea so powerful that the surf dashed over the wall into the road. In some parts it was necessary to run as quickly as possible in order to avoid a copious shower of salt water. In returning to the town the tide had risen higher, and part of the road was overflowed abundantly. The water was coming over the wall in sheets. A load of hay on its way to the town afforded acceptable shelter from the fury of the elements. A flood had accumulated on some parts of the road, and that had to be waded through, to the discomfort of one's feet.

At the appointed hour of seven we dined, and had a very welcome and enjoyable meal, consisting of delicious soup, turbot, roast lamb, stewed pears, and cheese. There was also roast duck upon the table, and there were added tapioca pudding and apple tart. We were surprised that no other guests besides ourselves were at the table d'hôte, but the waiter told us seventeen had left on the previous day, or in the morning of this day, I am not sure which; and that October is usually a slack month at Torquay, but that they always begin to be busy in November. The place is more for winter resort than for summer; and mostly for invalids having affections of the chest.

Tuesday, October 16th.-I felt to need rest; so I remained within and occupied myself in writing until two o'clock. I then lunched, and after that retired to our sitting-room and rested upon a sofa until half-past four. I then rose, washed, and went out for a walk, going as far as Daddy Hole Plain, beyond the Imperial Hotel. It is an elevated plateau, commanding views of the bay and the country around, with a great variety of objects, and affording cool and invigorating sea-breezes when the heat is oppressive in the town. There are some villa residences near, and a row of houses occupied by coastguardmen. I rambled about the margin of the deep chasm called the Daddy Hole, formed centuries ago, perhaps, by the slipping away of a vast mass of rocks, through the undermining action of the sea. It is clothed with lichens, moss, ferns, grass, flowers, &c., and has trees growing in all the wildness of uncontrolled nature. Near the rocks below are caught grey mullet, conger, and several other kinds of fish.

On the southward brink of the plain were two coastguardsmen on the

look-out.

Getting into conversation with them, one of them told me that an aged gentleman and his son a few years ago were out in a boat, and put into the little cove at the foot of the cliff, when a little water got into the boat. They landed there, and attempted to climb the cliff by a steep and rough path, which is practicable to some young men. The old gentleman took a divergent path, and was impeded by a projecting piece of rock. His son ascended by the right path, and reached the plain safely. The father became confused in mind by his perilous position. The son called to the guardsmen to render aid for his father's rescue. They let down ropes, and a blanket to be wrapped round him; and, having by these means secured his person, hauled him up to the top. Soon after they had landed him safely, he died in the arms of my informant. How uncertain is human life! We know not when, where, nor by what means we may be called away. This we know: "At such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh." Wednesday, October 17th.-The atmosphere was thick, concealing distant objects. We took a walk in the direction of Paignton, a minor watering place on the other side of the bay. We found a shore there thickly strewed with fragments of shells, and many whole ones, of various kinds; bivalves and univalves, but most of the former of the large cockle kind. We gathered a considerable number to take to the juniors at home. We walked forwards to the harbour, and then turning into the village, or little town, found an omnibus, by which we were conveyed to within a short distance of our hotel, which we entered, and enjoyed luncheon, for which we all were ready. After resting a while, we engaged a boat for an hour's row, there being no wind. We had two agreeable men, who rowed well, starting at twenty minutes to four o'clock. The tide was coming in gently, yet with considerable swell. Proceeding at a short distance from the shore, we rounded the prominent rock called the Thatcher, and returned thence direct to the harbour. We had a fine view of the town and its environs, and were on the water an hour and three-quarters, within two minutes.

Thursday, October 18th.—We rose a little earlier than usual, intending to take our departure. On examining our bill we found the charges much higher than at any other place that we had visited during our tour. Our apartments were 10s. 6d., being 2s. 6d. more than anywhere else; our dinners 18s. for four persons, being 2s. more than at Bodmin, 4s. more than at Falmouth, 6s. more than at Penzance, and 10s. more than at the Lizard. The variety, however, was greater, and the style of service higher than at any hotel that we had visited. The most extravagant charge was for breakfast, being 3s. each, whatever we had, whether a couple of eggs and dry toast, or eggs and bacon, or ham, or cold meat, and coffee and tea. The most that we had paid elsewhere was 2s. 6d., and in some places 2s. each for breakfast, with meat or eggs, or both. At our last breakfast, too, we had coffee both cold and poor, as left by some

who had breakfasted earlier, or else half-warmed-up coffee left on the preceding day. In all respects but that we were as comfortable as we could wish at the Queen's Hotel; but were I to go again to Torquay I would try to find a cheaper house. The place itself, however, is very expensive. It is dependent upon visitors and ailing people, and is the resort of those who have ample means, and can spend money freely. There are also many servants at the Queen's, and the rooms are larger and better furnished than are those of the generality of hotels, though not much superior to those of the Western at Penzance.

At nine o'clock the 'bus left the hotel for the station. I walked thither, to secure a comfortable compartment. The station-master supplied me with four tickets for Newton Junction. There we got seated in a through carriage for London, whither we had a most comfortable journey, and arrived at Paddington nearly at the time fixed, thirty-five minutes after four. The only places at which the train paused were Exeter, Taunton, Bristol, Bath, and Swindon.

This terminated our seventeen days' tour in Devon and Cornwall; a tour, like all other tours, having as many annoyances as could be patiently borne, but attended by mercies innumerable, and enjoyments most pleasurable; and so largely promotive of health to the whole party, and especially to the dear invalid for whose benefit chiefly it had been projected and undertaken, that we were filled with gratitude and gladness. Whatever the expense incurred, a long bill of one or two medical men might have been much more; besides which, all the enjoyment would have been foregone, and the precious treasure of increased knowledge, experience, and agreeable recollections totally unknown. Then we had the delight of joyous welcome home by those, dearly beloved, whom we had left at our respective homes, and who anticipated our return with all the warmth of domestic endearment.

My advice to my juniors is, if you would have the purest and most elevating pleasure that can be had from things natural, save the needful. means, by industry and frugality, and spend what you can properly spare in suitable and well-considered touring; first in your native land, and then, if practicable, in lands beyond the British islands. And if you are really a Christian, let it be seen, unmistakably, wherever you go, that you are decidedly a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Bible.

BROTHER WILLIAM JAMESON IN AMERICA.

I LEFT New York with many grateful recollections of the exteme attentions I received there, to commence a journey to the far West, as the Convention in Baltimore was not to take place before October, having travelled some 2,000 miles. Many events occurred over these vast prairies to which I will not now make further reference, as I may do so at some

future time. I returned from my journeying to attend the meeting of the National Local Preachers' Association. After a long and tedious journey of six days I reached Washington, about thirty-six miles south of Baltimore, the latter city being all astir with the 150th celebration of its foundation. It was between nine and ten o'clock p.m. when we reached Washington, and many stayed there all night, fearing there would be small chance of accommodation at Baltimore. I, however, went on, arriving at half-past ten, very weary with my journey. I went to several hotels, but found all full, and at last was glad to share with six others in separate beds, made up in barrack-room style.

The annual gathering of the National Local Preachers' Association had been looked forward to with considerable interest, especially from the fact that it was to be at Baltimore, where open hearts and doors would be ready to welcome all comers. This I fully realised on reaching the house of my kind host, Francis W. Heath, Esq., Baltimore.

Methodists know

how to entertain strangers, taking them to their homes and providing for them royally; and Baltimore may be considered the hotbed of Methodism.

Another point of interest was the fact that the Convention was to be at the same time as the city celebration; though some feared ours would suffer, but it did not. No one would think Baltimore 150 years old, from its present appearance. It looks as fresh as youth, and as blooming as a rose. For a week the enthusiasm and commotion scarcely ceased day or night. The decorations were magnificent; many of the designs most beautiful and unique, and fireworks each night; torchlight processions, large buildings literally covered with flags, our own gathering being happy and prosperous, and much love shown by the brethren. The Rev. Isaac P. Cook, the well-known and greatly beloved Local Preacher, the honoured head for so many years of Baltimore City Local Preachers* Association, was elected, for the present year, President of the Local Preachers' Association, which has honoured itself by placing at its head one of the foremost men of Baltimore, so thoroughly qualified for the duties of the presidency. Personally, I have been greatly favoured with his attentions and friendship, as with many others during my stay here. I enclose a copy of a letter from Mr. Cook to me :—

"To Rev. W. Jameson, of London.

"My respected Brother,—It affords me much pleasure to assure you that your visit and valuable services during the Twenty-third Annual Meeting of the National Local Preachers' Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States, have been highly appreciated by our American brethren. The kind reception given to our esteemed brother Rev. J. Field, as our delegate to your Association, has more closely united the Methodist Local Preachers together in America and Europe.

It has been my honour to have been considered in your company, and I have been strongly impressed by your marked intelligence and ardent devotion to Methodism. I leave with you this personal mark of my esteem and regards, before bidding you a final farewell until we meet in heaven. "Yours in bonds,

"I. P. COOK."

The introduction of Methodism into the American Colonies is attributed by Church authorities to two Wesleyan Local Preachers from Ireland; but where it commenced, or in what place, are open questions. President Isaac P. Cook, who has made American Methodism a study, in an address delivered before the Association, said, "Maryland proffers her claims as the birthplace of American Methodism, under the ministry of Robert Strawbridge, in Frederick County, about 1760-say 120 years ago. New York claims the same honour for Philip Embury, one is Maryland history, the other New York. Each claimant is satisfied with the proof and title to priority. So let it be. We are amongst the firstborn of American Methodism," where so many minds differ in opinion, a stranger cannot decide." Being in Baltimore, the metropolitan city of Maryland, and mingling considerably with preachers and people, it need be no surprise that my judgment inclines to the priority of R. Strawbridge, the first active Wesleyan Local Preacher in America.

After fulfilling many engagements, it brought me to the beginning of a winter unparalled for severity for more than half a century, rendering it impossible to proceed, up to the present time, on a long course of travel still before me, which will render it, I am sorry to say, impossible for me to return in time to join in our annual gathering at Sheffield, in June next. I feel deeply indebted to the dear brethren in this country for the extreme kindness I have met with, being invited to all their meetings, public and private, and published to occupy the pulpit of one or other of their most beautiful churches. I take this, of course, as a compliment to the Association I represent.

The honour of preaching the first Methodist sermon in Baltimore belonged to John King, an English Methodist Local Preacher, who emigrated to America 1769, and desired a licence to preach. While that was being considered, King appointed to preach at Potters Square Fields, among the graves of the poor. It was not long before he met with Strawbridge, in his embryo circuit in Maryland. For some time the two travelled and preached together right lovingly. His first sermon at Baltimore was preached upon a blacksmith's block. This part, which now comprises one of the finest portions of the city, containing amongst other notable structures, the famous marble Washington monument, and the very elegant Mount Vernon Episcopal Church.

The President was good enough to send me the following letter:

L