day, the 22d, we were at the monthly meeting held at Manchester, a large town, about thirty-seven miles from Liverpool. We rode through several villages, and a large town called Warrington, with a very beautiful country, though not quite so highly cultivated as I expected. On our return we passed near twenty miles on a canal. The boat, drawn by two horses, I thought was as long as the vessel we came in, having a large cabin, kitchen, and parlour, with plenty of glass windows; also a place on the top for passengers; and would carry about two hundred and thirty. The canal is wide enough for two such boats to pass each other, and many of divers kinds we met, laden with different articles. It is a great accommodation to the country, which is thickly set

tled.

After visiting several families in Liverpool, on the 23d, Sarah Talbot and myself set sail for Ireland, and had a good passage of about forty-eight hours. Landed in Dublin, and were kindly receiv ed by our friends, William Chapman and wife. Attended their week-day meeting, to a good degree of satisfaction; and visited divers Friends and their families; also were at their morning and afternoon meetings, on first-day. On second-day morning, set off towards the North, and rode through a beautiful, well-cultivated country, with regard to agriculture; having some stately buildings, and abundance of low huts, with thatched roofs.

During this journey, we were informed that the Romans and Protestants were at great variance: so that, as to outward things, prospects here are very gloomy. It seems as if the inhabitants who know not the government of the Prince of peace, are at

the point of killing one another. Many robberies are committed, divers houses have been burned, and there is much plundering one another. But it is said fear prevails, so that little is done in such cases to put a stop to them. Many soldiers are under arms, and what may be the issue, is unknown. If kind Providence do not interpose, it looks likely that troubles are near at hand; but I have hitherto been preserved from fear of them.

On our way, we lodged at a friend's house, who told us that his brother had been robbed in his own house, in the night. They took a considerable sum of money, and almost strangled him, by a cord round his neck; which broke, or he said he thought they would have, taken his life. It looks like a very gloomy time in Ireland, on several accounts.

We travelled on through divers towns and villages, to Rathfriland meeting, which is made up of three families of Friends. Thence to a meeting at Moyallen. Dined at James Christy's. He keeps a bleech yard, and has the finest garden I ever saw, with an orchard and green house. These are kept in order by three gardeners; and the whole is a beautiful place. Near this meeting house, a friend was lately robbed of a considerable sum of money, and other goods. Many other robberies have been committed in these parts; but, it is said, the magistrates are afraid to bring them to justice. Some who have endeavoured for redress, have been threatened with having their houses burned, and several buildings with two mills, have been burned down.

At Hillsborough we had a meeting, to which about five families belong. It was a time of visitation, I believe, to some of them, and to some not

of our profession. Thence to Lisburn meeting, which was small, but considerably larger than the last, and favoured with the extension of Divine good. At this place, we attended a school for poor Friends' children, greatly to our satisfaction; I think I have never before seen a school so well conducted. There are twenty-three boys and twenty girls, who are all boarded and lodged in the same house. They are kept steadily to meetings; and way is made for many of them to attend the monthly meeting, which is about seven miles distant. Many Friends, of good circumstances, have their children schooled from home, and they are not suffered to come home, for years together; both the parents and tutors thinking that it is better not to unsettle them in the pursuit of their studies, by visits at home, during the time. We saw them at dinner, where a solemn pause was observed, and we had a very comfortable opportunity with them. In meetings they also sit with great sobriety and steadiness; and I wish to see such order among children in my own land.

Next day, we rode five miles to the monthly meeting. Things appear but low among them, yet I hope there is rather a revival, and that divers are under a lively concern for the prosperity of Truth, and whose exercise, I trust, will be regarded by the Master of assemblies. Rode to Lurgan, attended their monthly meeting on seventh-day, also their morning and afternoon meetings on first-day; at the latter of which there was a marriage. On second-day, returned to John Hancock's, at Lisburn, and next day, to an appointed meeting at Belfast, for the inhabitants of ...that town. It was held in a Presbyterian meeting house, where was a good deal of preaching, and the

people as quiet as is usual with them. Thence to Antrim, and lodged at Gervas Johnson's. After which, had a meeting at Grange, with a few Friends and other people, to pretty. good satisfaction. Next day, had a small, and not very lively meeting, at Ballynacree, mostly not Friends. On first-day, attended morning and afternoon meetings at Coleraine, a town towards the north point of Ireland, near the sea-coast, which appears more pleasantly situated than some others.

From Coleraine, we passed through several towns, to a meeting at Toberhead, where there is no person in membership with us, but some of the descendants of Friends reside there. I thought they resembled the lost sheep of the house of Israel; and we laboured earnestly for their help, though the prospect appears gloomy. Next day had a meeting at Grange, near Charlemount, to a good degree of satisfaction. The day following, in company with Joseph Nicholson, attended Richill monthly meeting; but did not find that true riches were plentifully possessed by the members. They are, too generally, much departed from that strength which is the support of the righteous; and are unable to transact the affairs of Truth to reputation. Close labour was bestowed, in order to rouse them up to lay to heart their condition, and that they might be more faithful, in future, to cleanse their own houses so as to become qualified for labour in the church.

Many of our friends, both in Ireland and England, have their minds much turned towards other people, who do not profess with us; and have large meetings, finding great openness amongst them. Our American friends, I understand, both in England and this

nation, are much exercised to travel in this way.Indeed, I often think how many times we have been told that the feet of the messengers would be turned another way, even to the highways and hedges, to gather in the halt, and the blind, and the lame. This I think, is now remarkably fulfilling: and Oh! saith my soul, that the children, who may, in a sense be called the children of the kingdom, may take good heed unto themselves, lest they should be cast out. It is for these, in a peculiar manner, that my mind is concerned; yet it would be comforting and consoling to see those who may be compared to the stones, raised up as children unto Abraham, especially when I consider how precious the souls of all men are. And, whether the fields be already white unto harvest, or the ground only preparing for the seed, I believe the honest, devoted, and sincere labourers will receive their wages, and gather fruit unto everlasting life. May these be preserved, to hold on their way, being supported by that invisible Hand which only can sustain, and in the end, give that crown of righteousness, which is laid up in store for them that love the Lord, and serve him with a perfect heart.

We next had meetings at Coot-hill, Ballymurry, Athlone, and were at the monthly meeting held at Moate, which is a large town. After which, had meetings at Birr and Roscrea. At the latter place, we were in company with a woman, ninety-seven years of age, who rises at eight in the morning, and sits up till seven in the evening, without lying down; for she says it spoils people to lie down in the day time. She could see to read without spectacles, but by reason of a stroke of palsy, is unable to walk. Thence, by