:

my excuse is, I am concerned about writers and readers and with all possible earnestness and sincere respect, I would advise all good and Christian writers never to countenance, by their own example, anonymous authorship, but to put their names to everything they publish, whether large or small, and calmly meet all consequences. It does appear to me very plainly, that no writer, however distinguished for learning and genius, should take a liberty to teaze and tantalize the public by concealing his true and proper name. The practice of subscribing fictitious names picked and culled from the Greek and Latin authors, is a pitiful folly which I disdainfully repudiate. "Ah, but we don't repudiate them," say some of my readers; "we think it looks so modest, so humble, so elegant, so virtuous, so amiable, so happily the reverse of obtrusive arrogance, to avoid the public gaze under the titles of ' Vates,' and ' Irene,' and 'Alice,' and other significant appellatives." Enjoy your thoughts, then ; but be aware that the time may come when readers in general may take it into their heads to look at the bottom of title pages and articles in periodicals, before they begin your productions, and finding either no names or fictitious names, refuse to read you at all. Some readers have begun this practice already, and many more are likely to adopt it; and as great changes from time to time take place in the habits of readers, this thing may go on, and all anonymous communications be utterly discarded by the general voice of the entire nation, and the world at large.

CHAPTER IV.

SOUTHAMPTON.

THIS was my second circuit. The principal at

traction to me in this circuit was a most hospitable home and delightful family at Timsbury. Here I usually preached once a week, on a week evening.

Mrs. J- a widow lady, and her three lovely daughters were to me, as to kindness and affection, like a mother and sisters. I intend no disparagement to other kind families (in every part of this then widely extended circuit,) in making this selection; but being at Timsbury so very much oftener than at any other places, my very heart clung to it with an affection I cannot describe. A young Methodist preacher-meeting with numerous snubs and rebuffs from queer and illnatured people, far away from his real and original home, separated from his business or profession, in which he has enjoyed a freedom and independence and emolument, however small,-when first engaged in the work of a travelling preacher, is ill prepared for such labours as had to be done, and such annoyances and hard

ships as had to be endured thirty years ago in .many country circuits. Any one family then treating him with special kindness amounting to tenderness, would be to him a precious family.

Thus it was with me at Timsbury. I used to designate this place "the preacher's happy home." The members of the family were of a disposition suited to my mind. Here, no harsh censures, no cynical remarks, no sour lecturing ever accosted me on account of "levity." I was, indeed, gravely cautioned by a well meaning man, to take care how I behaved when I went to Timsbury, as Mrs. Jloved seriousness, deep piety, and so on. I, therefore, tried for a while to be quite solemn around the fireside; but the trial was a failure. I was ever serious on serious subjects, but, like all other rational and cheerful Christians, we found that we could not and that we need not be without mental relaxation.

Mrs. J. could be as innocently cheerful as any of us. I was particularly pleased with the discipline of this family. The young ladies assisted the the servants in the household work in the forenoon, and after dinner applied themselves to their studies and accomplishments, sometimes to their needlework, just as they thought proper. They were also regular attendants at the week night preaching. It is remarkable that, while I am writing this, I have a letter just received inviting me to visit Mrs. B and her daughters, about eighty miles distant, to spend a few days and enjoy their hospitality. This Mrs. B is the original Miss J

How sweet and valuable is permanent Christian friendship! All men, at any rate all Englishmen, enjoy reminiscences of friendship. I recollect, at this moment, reading somewhere of Dr. Samuel Johnson's intense enjoyment while recognizing an old college student after forty years' separation! Though thousands of intimacies are formed, and thousands of incidents occur, and numberless duties and engagements occupy the mind during forty years, yet early friendships, consolidated by a genuine and hearty affection, can never and ought never to be obliterated from the mind.

In two or three of the country chapels in this circuit, we were occasionally disturbed by a pack of foolish ruffianly men during the services. In one instance we were obliged to have recourse to the magistrate for protection. In one of the chapels I completely put a stop to their fooleries and profanity by narrating a case of demoniac possession. This so frightened the fellows that they behaved themselves well ever after.

In another chapel, a coarse vulgar clown insulted me after the service, and began to show fight. After kindly and religiously remonstrating with the man, and to no purpose, I said to him, "You are a coward.” "Eh!" said he, "how's that ?" I replied, "You know I am a preacher, and, of course, must not talk to you in your own language, and, however insulted and provoked, I must not strike you; you dare not use this language to a man not religious." He still menaced me. "Now," said I, "what could you do-knock me down?"

"Eh! that e could." “You would then, I suppose," said I, "be thought a brave man, and a champion." "I can lick thee, thou parson, I tell ee, and knock thee down in a minnit." "Doubtless," said I," and so could that great ass yonder in the field, and after knocking me down would be a great ass still." This elicited a roar of applause in my behalf from his own gang. They laughed him to scorn, saying, " Jack! the parson has beaten thee noo, thou vool." From that time, I was never more annoyed in that place. In another, however, while in the middle of my sermon, a drunken man was sent in by his companions to bawl at me. At the same moment stones were thrown at the windows outside, and a gun was fired. The females in the congregation were terrified, and the service obliged to be closed.

Being a long way from home, I ordered a bed at the village inn, and offered double price for a bedroom to myself; but the landlord, not liking the Methodists, packed me up in a kind of loft or garret, two grooms or stable boys occupying one bed, and I the other; these creatures disturbing me a great part of the night by coarse jokes and ribaldry. It would be as tiresome to myself as to the reader, to relate the numerous instances in which Wesleyan preachers, nearly thirty years ago, were subjected, in secluded country villages, to similar treatment. Let me, however, take occasion to remark in this place, that external insolence and persecution is a trifle as compared with that bitter internal dissention and party spirit to which reli