ing with the promise that I would endeavor to visit them again. I was particularly pleased with uncle John: he is affable, gentlemanly, very intelligent, consistently pious, and exceedingly affectionate. * * * I shall have much to tell you about Doncaster upon my return, a town I have been better pleased with than any I have seen in England yet; indeed, the road in the direction of the race-course, with its noble trees and splendid residences, is almost unsurpassed by any thing I have ever seen.

"On Saturday I returned to Hull, and yesterday preached in Great Thornton Street to overflowing houses. In the evening I think there were at least 3000 people in the chapel, and multitudes went away who could not even obtain a foothold. They had me the day before placarded upon the public corners and in the shop-windows, 'Rev. Alfred Cookman, of Philadelphia, Sir,' etc., will preach at such a time. * * * In the morning they wept all over the house. Some shouted. I was blessed, and indeed we had a gracious waiting together. I am sure I never preached better than at night; much feeling was evinced, and I trust that the great day will reveal the result of my yesterday's labors. As I pass through the streets, they point at me and say, 'There he goes; that is Mr. Cookman's American grandson.' Aunt Holmes, who you know is exceedingly prudent, said to me that I ought to come to England, for at the present juncture they needed some like me. You can have no idea of the respect which is paid and the affection which is manifested toward me. twice yesterday, and appeared highly delighted. good spirits. His friends think that my visit at this time is a Godsend, for it has had a most reviving influence upon him, who previously seemed quite depressed. He is a noble man. Every hour serves to increase my love and respect. This morning I visited the tomb of my grandma Cookman and uncle Alfred, under the Waltham Street Chapel. By-the-way, they (the authorities) wish me to re-open the chapel for them next Sabbath week. Do not know but I shall comply."

Grandfather heard me The old gentleman is in

He was next to enjoy what, to every Anglo-American and to every American Methodist, is one of the richest treats which can possibly be afforded-the sight of London, and the sight of the British Wesleyan Conference. To a young man whose reading has been chiefly in the English classics, in the history and poetry of Britain, until the names of her authors and of the places of their resort, have become household words, it is a source of inexpressible pleasure to look upon their very haunts-the

THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.-PARLIAMENT.

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streets where they walked, the inns they frequented, the favorite nooks where they loved to linger. And to one imbued with the spirit and traditions of John Wesley, nothing could be more inspiring than to touch the institutions, to see and hear the men to whom he had transmitted his wisdom and power. All this was the more enjoyable to Alfred Cookman because the teachings of his father and the presence of his father's friends imparted a realness to every thing about him. These conditions, added to his own enthusiastic nature, transferred him into the very heart of all he saw and heard.

To his mother:

"LONDON, August 16, 1850.

"I leave this populous city in a few minutes for Hull, and yet I can not consent to quit its precincts without penning you a short note, especially as this will be the last opportunity of writing by to-morrow's steamer. I have now been spending one entire week in London, the heart of the world. I have seen and heard much which it will be vain for me to attempt to detail at this time and under present circumstances. Grandfather met me here last Monday evening, and we have been spending our time together very pleasantly. I have been honored with a seat on the platform of the British Conference, have been treated with the utmost respect and affection by the different preachers, have heard many of them in debate, and last Sabbath enjoyed the gratification of listening to Dr. Bunting in the morning and Dr. Dixon in the evening. Yesterday I saw the royal procession for the purpose of proroguing Parliament—Her Majesty Queen Victoria, His Highness Prince Albert, dukes, duchesses, etc., etc. All the public institutions, such as the British Museum, Bank of England, Tower of London, etc., I have visited. Oh, it will take me a week to tell you about my sojourn in this city of cities! On my way here I spent about a day and a half with aunt Townsend in Bristol. * * * She studied my happiness, and did all in her power to render my visit pleasant.

"Next Sabbath I preach at Kingston Chapel, Hull, in the morning, address the Sabbath-school in the afternoon, and preach for grandfather at his church, viz., the Tabernacle, in the evening. You will say, 'Too bad-too bad! gone for rest, and yet performing usual labor.' Well, I will be careful, and spare myself as much as possible. You have no idea what a sensation I have produced in my father's native town.

G

"I shall not get to France. Grandfather seems anxious that I should be with him, and, as I have only a short time longer in England, I suppose I must forego the trip and gratify him. Perhaps at some future day I shall enjoy the opportunity. I should like to write more, but have not the time. We must now start for the cars. God bless you. I think of you all,

morning, noon, and night. Oh, how much I have to tell you all! If you were with me, my pleasure would be complete."

To his mother:

"STEPNEY LODGE, August 19, 1850.

*** “On Friday morning last, in company with my grandfather, I left great London, and set out for Hull. Early in the evening we reached our place of destination, and as we passed through the streets found that handbills had been printed and posted up, announcing that I would preach on the Sabbath. This is something so new to me, so different from our plan across the water, that I acknowledge it does not strike me favorably. At Stepney we found Cartwright, the housekeeper, quite well, and all things pretty much the same as when we left. On Saturday I of course began to think about my Sabbath duties and exercises. After determining on my subjects, I went down to uncle Holmes's, and spent an hour or two most delightfully with John, Annie, and aunt Smith, who is keeping house for them during the absence of her sister. I took with me your very beautiful and affectionate letter, and ventured to read the greater part of it to them, as I did also to grandfather. The reference to little John's success was most touching, and served to draw tears from many eyes. Let me most sincerely congratulate him on his triumphant admission into the high-school, and at the same time express the hope that his future course will be marked by as much devotion to study, as much honorable and rapid advancement, as has his past career in connection with Zane Street. The allusion in your letter was the more interesting from the fact that we sometimes tease Annie Holmes about John Emory. She is a pretty, amiable, affectionate girl of thirteen, quite large for her age, and I am sure that a sight of her would be attended with danger to any of my susceptible brothers. From the daguerreotype she seems to have taken quite a fancy to John; hence the tormenting she suffers.

"Well, to continue my narrative, Saturday passed away, Sunday came. Arm-in-arm my grandfather and I proceeded to Kingston Chapel, a most commodious, elegant, and comfortable place, capable of accommodating between three and four thousand people. We found it crowded, and I proceeded in my old style (for any other suits me as well as Saul's armor did David) to represent the Christian warrior, his enemies, duties, and triumphs. God

PREACHING AT HULL.

147 owned and blessed the word, and notes of joy were heard in our camp. In the afternoon I addressed the Sabbath-school in the same church, and certainly I witnessed one of the most beautiful and gratifying spectacles that I could possibly have looked upon. The immense gallery, fifteen or sixteen pews deep, was filled all around with well-behaved children; the lower floor was crowded even in the aisles with their parents, as well as the friends of the institution. Oh, it was a glorious, a memorable occasion! I did myself full justice, and the people seemed more than gratified. In the evening I preached in the Tabernacle. * * * I have in my short life seen dense crowds, but I am sure that I never saw any thing to equal the congregation last night. It was one unwieldy mass of human beings, almost piled one on top of another, and hundreds, I am told, went away who could not obtain even a foothold.

"I chose as my subject the Great Supper, and preached, I hope, in demonstration of the spirit and with power. I felt that my arm was strong, and that by the help of God a blow must be struck. At the close of the service a number came forward to the altar as penitents, and I left with the soldiers of Christ in possession of the field. Will you believe me if I tell you that I could scarce walk home. I had let out every link of my chain, and I had hardly strength left to stand. However, here I am this morning, a little mondayish, it is true, but by nightfall I expect to be as bright and vigorous as ever. Grandfather seems quite delighted with my efforts, but tells me I will kill myself, and that I must not be so lavish of my strength and voice.

"As I intimated in my letter written in London, I fear I will not get to Paris this time. Grandfather seems anxious to have me with him during the remainder of my stay in England, and I suppose that, in view of his advanced age, he must be gratified in this. Perhaps in a very few years another opportunity will offer, and then I can travel somewhat upon the Continent. I have been making some inquiries about the Southampton steamers, and I think that there is no one to start about the time I want to go home. I have seen England, talked with my grandfather and other relatives, and now I begin to feel as if it were my duty to get back to my field of labor again. I know exactly how they are situated, and am sure that the interests of both appointments would be subserved by my return. Early in September, then, I expect to turn my face homeward. So look out for me about the 20th or 25th. At every step in Hull I meet with the former friends and acquaintances of my beloved parents. Some of them weep when they see me, others manifest great pleasure, and refer with enthusiasm to their former acquaintance with my father and mother. One

attended the same school with them, another went a-fishing, and a third was a bosom friend. Dr. McClintock and myself stayed at the same place in London, went to see the lions together, and enjoyed much pleasant inter

course.

"I preach to-night (Tuesday) at Kingston; next Sabbath at Waltham and Thornton Streets."

To his mother:

"STEPNEY LODGE, HULL, August 23, 1850. "Thus far, I believe, every steamer which has left England for America since my arrival here has borne a letter to those at home. To-morrow is the regular day for the departure of one of the Cunard line, and although I have written once this week, yet I can not consent to let this opportunity pass without dispatching you at least a few lines. My health since I have been in England has continued quite good, and my enjoyment has exceeded my most sanguine expectations. The comforts by which I have been surrounded, the exceedingly affectionate attentions of different friends, as well as the continual feast of vision with which I have been providentially favored, all have conspired to render the last six weeks the happiest period of my life. The country presents the appearance of an extensive garden, separated for convenience sake into small fields by beautiful green hedges. Indeed, I know of no feature in the natural scenery of England which will sooner strike the traveler's eye than the neat and well-trimmed hedges which are every where to be seen. The foliage of the trees, too, as well as the verdure of the fields, is much richer and more elegant than any thing we see in America. This is owing to the humidity of the atmosphere, as well as to the absence of that intense heat which so often with us exerts a blighting influence on all natural objects. Some of the landscapes here are surpassingly beautiful; perhaps there is not that wildness in the scenery that we have with us, but there is a cultivation and variety, together with a picturesque appearance and classic interest, which never fails to please the eye and captivate the heart.

"In the distance, for instance, upon the summit of a noble hill, you discover, surrounded by towering trees, some old castle which has stood for centuries, and which, crumbling under the influence of time, occupied only by the owl and the bat, remains as a monument of former times. Not far off you perceive a comfortable-looking farm-house; a noble lawn in front, and a highly cultivated garden in the rear. Around you see the different fields. In one, perhaps, the cattle are quietly grazing; in another laborers are diligently engaged in securing the golden harvest; while in a