"A committee has been formed for assisting the Irish in their present distress; large sums of money have been subscribed; and the conclusion for its appropriation is this, to visit the dwellings of the poor, and obtain a knowledge of their situation, under certain heads. To aid the sick by the loan of linen, obtaining medical advice, &c. To encourage industry, and attention to domestic duty; to encourage parents to send their children to school; to assist the poor in any other way that circumstances may appear to require. These are the leading objects of our plan. In order to give some aid, in the commencement of these exertions for the distressed in Ireland, the committee have thought it advisable for one of their members to visit that country, particularly in the districts which suffer the most; and the choice having fallen on me, I do not feel at liberty to turn from it. My supplication to the Most High I think was sincere, that if this step of visiting Ireland was right, my friends might concur with me; and this they have done, not only as to the object, but they cordially unite with, and approve, and feelingly sympathize in the present state of the poor in that nation, with desires for the success of every rightly-sanctioned effort for their good. May wisdom be given in the hour of need, for truly that which alone can rightly guide, will be greatly wanted, and much caution requisite, as well as courage. It is concluded for us to leave on the 26th.

"On the day fixed, I set out from Tottenham to take the coach to Holyhead, on my way to Dublin. We met with several interesting persons on the way. One sweetly religiously-minded woman travelled a stage with us; and it was truly grateful

to feel the piety that pervaded her spirit. Oh, that all who have tasted that the Lord is gracious might maintain that watchfulness unto prayer in which there is preservation; that, so abiding under the Redeemer's influence, those around may partake of the reflected feeling of love, which is at times so precious in its effects, even on those who had not previously felt much for themselves.

"We were favoured to anchor safely in port at the time expected; for although the wind was so strong that the packet from Dublin had been driven back into the harbour, yet it was not unfavourable, as a side-wind, for the direction of our vessel. As I sat in the cabin, waiting for the call of the steward, my friend C. B- entered and kindly welcomed me to Ireland. It was very grateful to meet with him, and I feel cause to be thankful for the degree of health and strength afforded.

"The oppressive feeling connected with many things relative to the state of the people in this land has been experienced from day to day. May I move quietly under it, and make my secret appeal to the Searcher of hearts, who alone can know what passes before my mind, and who alone can guide me so as to enable me to effect any real good, as an instrument in the Divine hand.

"There needs a guard on my mind lest in easy conversation I lose sight of that restrictive feeling which would control all our communications, and lead to real edification.

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I have met with a person who has seen much of the state of the poor; his belief is, that their wretched condition at home is one great cause of inducing a habit of intoxication, when they can

obtain money. A man destitute of comfort receives a few pence; he says to himself, Bread would feed me, but I am miserable and low, and whiskey will cheer my spirits;-I will take that: I can have it for the same price as bread, and it will please me more.' And, thus exhilarated for the moment, his spirits sink again when the effects of the liquor have passed by; but the habit of taking it gains upon him, until reasoning or forethought are no longer in action when temptation presents itself.

"Went to the week-day meeting. It was a time of close exercise of mind, yet not without hope. Surely the light will not be withheld in the time of greatest need. At present seasons of suffering must be endured. Part of the afternoon was passed in sadness of heart, in the sense both of my own weakness, and of many surrounding causes of suffering in the state of the poor. And not in this alone, but in the want of that prevalence of life which is most to be desired. When shall the full dominion of its power be felt in the assemblies of the people, so that even the languid and indifferent may be attracted to assemble with their friends, and all unite in desire to feel what they are in the presence of the Most High.

"In a proposed Library Association I greatly desire that such principles may be adopted as will lead to the circulation of books, not of mere religious theories, but of such as may inculcate religious principle, and incite to Christian practice. Were I to choose a library for the poor, or any people, myself, I could not be satisfied to subject it to the authority of the priests.

"Let me not close my eyes this evening without

H

marking my feelings of acknowledgment for the goodness of God, in having this day more fully cleared my view as to the importance of attending to the minds of those whose condition we desire to improve. It is the want of a right direction of the mind and heart that causes the greatest part of the existing misery, and if the heart be the seat of attack it is the heart which must be the scene of victory, if ever real victory be obtained over the causes of the greatest sufferings and evils in society. Religious education and religious care must be the great objects of our attempt on behalf of Ireland; yet without the omission of any duty whereby the people may be served.

"1st mo, 5th, 1823. J. G- read after breakfast a chapter in which were the words, The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.' The feeling introduced to my mind was, that since the Redeemer of the world gave to us such an example, the lowest acts of ministration to the poorest of mankind should not be withheld. We ought to be ever willing to go down into sympathy with those that suffer, and to follow them to their abodes of poverty and want willingly and freely, and not to let any difficulty or selfdenial in the way prevent us from fulfilling the claims of Christian duty to the poor."

The following are extracts from letters referring to, or written during her visit to Ireland ::

"11th mo. 28th, 1822.

"Those who are pleading on behalf of the poor Irish, either here or on the other side of the water, are not promoting a continuance of almsgiving, or

the encouragement of a state of dependence on the rich they are only pleading for the means of occupation for the poor by which they would be both able and willing to support themselves. Were spinning-wheels and flax put into the hands of the women-even by loan-they would provide themselves and their families with clothing, blankets, and all articles of covering, excepting a very few, that are requisite for their health and comfort.

66 'I have informed the committee that I am intending to go to Ireland; but have not entered into particulars as to my inducement to do so. They seem glad of the prospect of my having an opportunity to see and hear for myself, and for them.

"Now those who engage in this concern must reckon on the business of calm calculation, and not put the question of What means will be wanted?' too promptly aside. It seems to me that without neglecting to reckon on the care of Government in the ensuing session on behalf of the Irish, there is still a wide field for individual and associated exertion of voluntary support to the Irish cause, that must be liberally considered, if any effectual good is to be done; and the good that would be done to society at large by the improvement of the Irish poor would soon, I am satisfied, be evidently felt."

"Limerick, 1st. mo. 27th, 1823. "I feel earnestly desirous that party feeling may subside, and people become more alive to the acknowledgment of what is really good, even in those whose sentiments on some points may be much opposed to their own. The face of the