was his title then ) an old mile from the town. His gardens are extremely pleasant. They contain groves, little meadows, kitchen gardens, plats of flowers, and little orchards, intermixed with fine canals, and pieces of water. And will not all these make their owner happy? Not if he has one unholy temper! Not unless he has in himself a fountain of water, springing up into everlasting life.

About this time I received a letter without a name, part of which I have subjoined :

66 SIR,

"Having observed your Christian condescension in those labours of love, so truly calculated for the use of common people, I presume to beg your pen in behalf of the next class of God's creatures. And I would ask, if nature, reason, and revelation do not all plead in favour even of the brute creation? Is it not unnatural and inhuman, to put them to more pain than is necessary for the service of man? Can reason consent to the making sport with the life or misery of any creature? May not the great law of equity, doing as we would be done to, be extended even to them? May we not suppose ourselves in their place, and thence determine, what they may fairly expect from us? Hath not the Supreme Being given injunctions against cruelty toward them, and commanded, that they should enjoy the rest of his day? Did he not rebuke the prophet, for smiting his beast without cause, and mention the much cattle, as one motive to the divine compassion, in sparing the great City ? The Scripture saith, a good man is merciful to his beast. And can he be a good man that is not so, if goodness consists in imitating him, whose mercy is over all his works? For he openeth his hand, and satisfieth the desire of every living thing.

"If tenderness, mercy and compassion to the brute creatures were impressed on the infant breast, and conducted into action according to its little power, would it not be confirmed in the human heart? And might not this early prepossession be for ever established there, and, through a happy bias, extend its benevolence to the whole creation ?

"Does not experience shew the sad effects of a contrary education? while children, instead of being taught benevo lence to irrationals, are suffered to torment first poor, little insects, and then every helpless creature that comes in their way: Can it be expected, that being thus inured to cruelty and oppression, even in their tender years, they should relent when they come to age, and be susceptible of compassion, even to rationals? It cannot. For is pity shewn to man, only because he has reason? If so, those would lose their claim to our compassion who stand in the greatest need of it, namely children, idiots, and lunatics. But if pity be shewn to all that are capable of pain, then may it justly be expected that we should sympathise with every thing that has life.

"I am persuaded you are not insensible of the pain given to every Christian, every human heart, by those savage diversions, bull-beating, cock-fighting, horse-racing, and hunting. Can any of these irrational and unnatural sports appear otherwise than cruel, unless through early prejudice, or entire want of consideration and reflection? And if man be void of these, does he deserve the name of man? Or is he fit for Society? And besides, how dreadful are the concomitant, and the consequent vices of these savage routs? Yet such cowards are we grown, that scarcely any man has courage to draw his pen against them!"

Saturday 17, I preached in Tyrrel's-pass at five, and T. Walsh at eight. Hence we rode to Ballybeg, near Druméree, where we found a little company of earnest people, most of them rejoicing in the love of God. To these were added a few from the county of Cavan. Joseph Charles. going thither, some time since, on temporal business, occasionally spoke of the things of God. Many believed his report; and some found his word the power of God unto salvation.

Sunday 18, A little before twelve (the usual hour in Ireland) the morning service began at Rosmead Church, where Mr. Booker preached an useful sermon. I preached at five to abundance of plain, country people, and two coaches full.

of gentry. O how hard is it for these to enter into the kingdom of heaven?

Monday 19, No sooner did we enter Ulster, than we observed the difference. The ground was cultivated just as in England, and the cottages not only neat, but with doors, chimnies, and windows. Newry, the first town we came to, (allowing for the size) is built much after the manner of Liverpool. I preached soon after seven to a large congregation, and to great part of them at five in the morning. Afterwards I spoke to the members of the Society, consisting of Churchmen, Dissenters, and Papists (that were). But there is no striving with them, unless to enter in at the strait gate.

Wednesday 21, In the morning there was such violent lightning, thunder, and rain, that the very beasts ran out of the fields, and the birds flew from their usual coverts, to take shelter in the houses. But before we took horse, the sky cleared up, and we had a pleasant ride to Terryhugan, near Scarva. The road lay on the edge of a smooth canal, with fruitful, gently-rising hills on either side. We were at a lone house, but the people found their way thither in the evening from all quarters. I preached in a meadow near the house, the congregation sitting on the grass. And surely they had ears to hear. God give them hearts to understand!

Thursday 22, We rode through heavy rain to Lisburn. 1 preached in the Market-house at seven. One man only gainsayed but the by-standers used him so roughly, that he was soon glad to hold his peace.

Friday 23, The Rector, with his Curate, called upon me, candidly proposed their objections, and spent about two hours in free, serious, friendly conversation. How much evil might be prevented or removed, would other Clergymen follow their example!

I rode in the afternoon to Belfast, the largest town in Ulster. Some think it contains nearly as many people as Limerick; it is far cleaner and pleasanter. At seven I preached

VOL. III.

in the Market-house to as large a congregation as at Lisburn: and to nearly the same number in the morning but some of them did not stay till I concluded. They went away in haste, when I shewed, how Christ crucified is to the Greeks foolishness.

Hence we rode along the shore to Carrickfergus, said to be the most ancient town in Ulster. The walls are still, as it were, standing; and the Castle built upon a rock. But it is little more than a heap of ruins, with eight or nine old, dismounted, rusty cannon. What it was, in the reign of its founder, king Fergus, does not much concern us to know.

I preached in the Sessions'-house at seven, to most of the inhabitants of the town. But Satan had prepared one of his instruments when I had done, to catch the seed out of their hearts. A poor enthusiast began a dull, pointless harangue, about hirelings and false prophets; but the door-keeper crying out, "I am going to lock the doors," cut his discourse short.

Sunday 25, I preached at nine in the upper Court-house, which was considerably larger than the other. James Reley began his bad work again, as soon as I had done speaking: but I walked quietly away; as did also the congregation.

At eleven I went to Church, to the surprise of many, and heard a lively, useful sermon. After dinner one of our brethren asked, if I were ready to go to the meeting; I told him, "I never go to meeting. He seemed as much astonished as the old Scot at Newcastle, who left us, cause we were mere Church-of-England men." We are so; although we condemn none, who have been brought up in another way.

"Be

About five, even the larger Court-house being too small to contain the congregation, I the more readily complied with the desire of the prisoners to preach in the street, near the prison door. I spoke as plainly, and homely, as ever I did in my life, on Ye must be born again. Poor James was now resolved to speak, and got on a little eminence on purpose. And what could hinder him? Why

Vox faucibus hæsit!

He cawed and cawed, but could utter nothing, Kardly three words together. This also hath God wrought. He hath stopped the mouth of the gainsayer, and preserved the weak from being offended.

Monday 26, Mr. Walsh met me at Belfast, and informed me that the day before he was at Newtown, intending to preach; but while he was at prayer, Mr. Mr came with a drunken mob, seized him by the throat, and dragged him along, till a stout man constrained him to quit his hold. Mr. W., having refreshed himself at a friend's house, began a second time; but in a quarter of an hour, Mr. M having rallied his mob, came again on which Mr. W. gave him the ground, and walked away over the fields.

In the evening I spoke very plainly at Lisburn, both to the great vulgar and the small. But between Seceders, old self-conceited Presbyterians, New-light men, Moravians, Cameronians, and formal Churchmen, it is a miracle of miracles, if any here bring forth fruit to perfection.

The country between Lisburn and Moira, is much like Berkshire, having fruitful vales on each side the road, and well wooded hills running even with them, at a small distance. At seven I preached in the Market-house at Lurgan. Many of the gentry were met in the room over it, it being the time of the Assembly. The violins were just tuning: but they ceased till I had done; and the novelty (at least) drew and fixed the attention of the whole company.

Wednesday 28, I read Mr. Barton's ingenious Lectures on Lough Neah, near Lurgan, which turns wood into stone, and cures the King's evil, and most cutaneous distempers. Under part of this lake, there is a stratum of firm clay, and under that a stratum of trees, four feet thick, all compacted into one mass, doubtless by the pressure of the incumbent earth (perhaps water too) which it has, probably, sustained ever since the general deluge.

In the evening we had the largest congregation which I have seen since we left Cork. It was almost as large at five Why should we despair of doing good at

in the morning.

Lurgan also ?