Whilst at Rome, he felt inclined to see the objects which usually interest travellers in that splendid city, and to visit some of the monuments of her ancient greatness, as well as those of Papal superstition, by which she is still distinguished. He was warned before leaving home to be careful to give no countenance, under whatever circumstances he might happen to be placed, to the idolatrous or superstitious usages which are known to exist in countries where the Roman Catholic religion prevails. To take off his hat in places which were superstitiously regarded as holy, he knew would be wrong, and, therefore, he denied himself the gratification which he might otherwise have enjoyed, believing that his curiosity should not be gratified, at the expense of his peace of conscience. On one occasion, however, being with some other young men, surveying the exterior of the building, called St. Peter's Cathedral, and declining to enter the interior with them, one of his companions took off his hat, and he was persuaded to compromise his testimony. But, when in the cool of the day, in his evening retirement, he was concerned to examine the actions of the day, and to bring them to the light, that it might be seen whether they were wrought in God, he saw that he had been unfaithful, though in what to many is a small matter, and he was deeply humbled under a sense of his transgression.

From Rome he proceeded to Naples, visited the remains of Herculaneum, and some other objects of interest, in this crowded and populous city; and then proceeded to Malta. We will give another extract from his journal :— "Fourth Month 7th. Arrived at Malta late last night. Getting to an English colony, and once more handling shillings and sixpences, seems almost like home again. After breakfast, walked out to see the fortifications. The afternoon was spent in retirement, in my own room; and

I trust, though deeply sensible of my unworthiness, I have been favoured to derive some edification.

"Fourth Month 9th. Agreed with the captain of the Mazeppa, for a passage to London.

a hill

11th. Veletta, the capital of Malta, stands upon

; many of the streets are so precipitous, that they are composed of steps, like stairs, which render many of them almost impassable for carriages. The town was clean and neat, which was particularly pleasing, after witnessing the filthiness of some of those in Italy.

"I am now reminded of a remark I have heard in England, that our countrymen abroad, when they meet, are always talking about the quality of their dinners, and the prices at the hotels. I do not think I have heard more of this than might be expected, but have myself felt how much the constant change from house to house, and the necessary precautions against imposture, tends to cherish a disposition to dwell on these subjects. Add to this, the change of currency as you pass from one state to another— the almost unavoidable consequence is considerable thought upon these engrossing and comparatively low topics; I have at times felt it to an unpleasant degree without seeing how to avoid it. Whilst due attention to economy is proper and laudable,-to be constantly thinking about pauls, scudiis, and carolinis, is inconsistent with a mind fixed upon those objects which are alone worthy of our primary affections.

"I called upon the agent of the Bible Society at Malta. He is a German, and appeared to be a humble-minded serious man; but more like a man of study than one who has much intercourse with the world. He received me very kindly as a friend of the Society, but they do not appear to have much more to do here than transmitting the books to other stations. He says, in the modern Greek

C

there are good openings; the people are anxious for instruction, and a spirit of inquiry is prevalent. In the Italian states, the way is very much shut up, and nearly as much so on this island. The editor of a newspaper is now imprisoned by a British government, for the small offence of having called the Roman Catholic Church an abominable system.' A few years ago, the government would not allow the New Testament to be used in the schools, but the restriction is now removed. The conditions on which the English took possession of the island has been the plea for these proceedings.

"Fourth Month 14th. Distributed a few of my remaining religious tracts, amongst the English ships,—was in some cases cordially and in others coldly received, but hope some little benefit may result. Was graciously owned by the Father of Mercies, in my meeting in the afternoon; feeling a renewed confidence that, however unprofitable, I am one of his servants.

"16th. Took my luggage on board, expecting to sail. Found as passengers, an officer's wife, with her three children. I was glad to find her a professor of religion. 17th. Sailed out of the harbour; had a brisk wind in our favour.

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19th. Becalmed all day. The sea smooth, so that we have recovered our appetite, and can read; but still, as is usual in such cases, time feels long, and hangs rather heavy on our hands; this feeling ought not to be encouraged; so precious a gift should not be thus lightly esteemed; may we rather endeavour so to occupy and improve it, as to be able to render up our accounts with joy, and not with grief.

"Fourth Month 21st. First day. I regret to say this day has been far from satisfactorily spent. No kind of religious service on board, and scarcely any recognition of its being the Sabbath, with so much noise and distraction as to render

private retirement next to impossible. Beside this, I had to mourn over one transgression, in the middle of the day; and, in the evening, during a discussion on the subject of war, I carried it on in a too confident spirit; my fellowpassenger saw, and very properly rebuked, the arrogant tone which I had assumed.

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24th. The north coast of Africa in sight—a fine breeze-running eight or nine knots per hour, until the evening. About ten o'clock the wind suddenly took the sails right a-back, when the ship would not answer the helm; which occasioned a great noise. There was also the sound of water washing over the deck; the whole coming so unexpectedly, caused no small trepidation to my fellowpassenger and her children. She very properly betook herself to prayer, and to reading the Scriptures, in which I was glad to join, endeavouring to sympathise with her, though I was convinced there was no real danger.

29th. First day. Not spent to much more edification than the last; but we read a chapter aloud in the evening, in the cabin, I think to some profit."

Our voyagers entered the Straits of Gibraltar on the 1st of Fifth Month, but the current being strong, and the wind also contrary, they were detained in the bay about eighteen days. Whilst here, it was evident that the disease, under which this dear invalid was suffering, was making insidious progress. It is probable that a cold which he took, by getting wet through, in an unexpected heavy shower of rain, whilst surveying this celebrated rock, accelerated its course. Of this he appeared very sensible. In his journal we find these remarks:

"Fifth Month 14th. On going ashore this afternoon, was thrown into a violent fever, by a very moderate walk in the sun. My pulse rose to 120. From a return and continuance of my cough, and one or two other symptoms,

Though cut off from uniting with my friends in the performance of this religious duty (public worship) myself, for the present, I trust my Sabbaths are not altogether unprofitably spent. Happily for us, we live in a day when we know that it is not absolutely necessary for any man to say to another, Know the Lord;' but when we have a Teacher, who cannot be removed into a corner, and can hear a voice behind us, saying, 'This is the way, walk ye in it.' Oh! my dear cousin! may we be careful to follow our Guide; and, not trusting in our own strength, seek for ability to walk in the narrow way-that way which leads to sanctification and purity of heart. When all the pleasures of this world, beautiful as it is, sink into nothing, in comparison of the enjoyments we may expect in those heavenly mansions, prepared for the followers of the Lamb. May we, then, experience by the operation of his Holy Spirit, a preparation for an entrance therein, when it shall please him to summon us from this transitory state of existence to that which shall never have an end.

"I hope thou wilt excuse me for treating a little on things almost too high for me; but in the absence of oral intercourse, it does me good to put my thoughts down upon paper; and I believe we are both desirous of travelling in the same road; it is, perhaps, not too great presumption for one fellow-pilgrim to salute another, and wish each other God speed.""

Journal. "Third Month 2nd. Arrived at Genoa, after a twenty-nine hours' ride, per the mail, and finding the inn locked up, we had to rouse the waiters. I did not suffer nearly so much from fatigue as by diligence; the speed being quicker, and only four inside, it is not so depressing to the spirits. We had all to turn out, a few miles from Nice, and our luggage was more minutely inspected than mine had ever been before.