indicated the destiny of Sheffield, as if by a decree of Providence itself; the locality being so peculiarly adapted to the processes of metallic manufactories. To which may be added, several important streams of water, advantageous for grinding purposes.

Mrs. Sigourney has ingeniously woven into verse the "fierce ore-meltings, transmutations," and many curious things which are wrought out by " hard hammerings," on this "the world's anvil," with as much ease as if they had been but " threads of silky filaments." Speaking of her visit to Sheffield, she says:

"Many a curious thing

Was shown us, too, at Sheffield; ornaments,
And thousand-bladed knives, and fairy tools
For ladies' fingers, when the thread they lead
Through finest lawn; and silver richly chased,
To make the festal board so beautiful,

That unawares the tempted matron's hand
Invades her husband's purse.

But as for me,

Though the whole art was patiently explained,
From the first piling of the earthly ore,
In its dark ovens, to its pouring forth
With brilliant scintillations, in the form
Of liquid steel; or its last lustrous face,
And finest net-work; yet I'm fain to say,
The manufacturing interest would find
In me a poor interpreter. I doubt
My own capacity to comprehend

Such transmutations, and confess with shame
Their processes do strike my simple mind
Like necromancy. And felt no joy

Among the crucibles and cutlery,

Compared to that, which on the breezy heights
Met me at every change, or mid the walks
Of the botanic garden, freshly sprang

From every flower."

We visited, a few days since, the botanical and horticultural gardens, to which the closing lines of the

above allude, and were highly delighted with the place. These gardens comprise about eighteen acres, extending over a gentle declivity, embellished tastefully with flowery parterres, agreeable walks, with plantations and shrubberies on either hand. Here and there we noticed some choice plants from foreign climes. The conservatories are more than one hundred yards long, ornamented with Corinthian pillars, and filled with a choice assortment of all kinds of valuable plants. The principal entrance to the gardens is an elegant Ionic structure, differing little from a similar construction at the temple of Ilyssus, at Athens. The second and lower entrance is in the style of a Swiss cottage.

Sheffield is pleasantly situated near the conflux of the rivers Don and Sheaf, and spreads itself along the uneven slopes of gently swelling hills, which rise above the town till they are gradually overtopped by other hills of considerable magnitude.

I was particularly struck when walking through the town, with a succession of beautiful views of the neighbouring landscape. I do not remember any other town so peculiarly privileged. There is scarcely a street, indeed, of any importance, that does not afford a pleasing glimpse of verdant hills, enriched by trees and tracts of woodland, in which are nestled the pretty mansions of wealthy citizens; many of whom have "made their fortunes in the Sheffield trade," but who love their native town too well, and are too well aware of its pleasant and healthy situation, to leave it and spend their fortunes elsewhere.

Such views as I have been speaking of must, however, always be taken to windward; especially when there is wind sufficient to waft the clouds of smoke. Or, to be more poetical, (for I am now in a town "immortalized by the presence of poets,"-to be more poetical, then,) the view must be taken when the wind lifts a fold of the inky cloak," Sheffield's most

66

fashionable and most popular garment, and throws it over, not the nakedness of the land, but over some of the noblest forms of adorned nature; otherwise the stranger is left to the dictations of his own imaginings. But the scenery is not sufficiently stupendous to impart those impressions of "romantic grandeur," to which a vague and dusky medium, such as this, is so peculiarly favourable. Rural beauty, set off by a particularly happy amphitheatrical arrangement of hills, (I am somehow stumbling upon big words and long sentences, though I am not fond of either,) which make a near approach to the picturesque, is, perhaps, the leading characteristic of Sheffield scenery.

Beauties, you know, are allowed veils, as well as those who are unblessed by such an accomplishment. Nature is really beautiful around Sheffield, but she is too frequently veiled; and I have been offended with Sheffield sometimes on that account. It seems as if the old town indulged in fits of jealousy, and was determined to conceal her lovely features, beaming out, as they often do, from the embrace of guardian hills. To one who has been long accustomed to the transparent atmosphere which is drawn over American scenery, such an intervention is far from being pleasing; particularly, too, when he is aware, that England, when she has " fair play," presents as lovely a face to the eye of a beholder, as any country in this round world. It is right to say, however, that there are seasons, in the absence of the smoky mood, when Nature, in the vicinity of Sheffield, stands forth to the view of her admirers in unveiled loveliness.

In every direction around the town the visiter is treated with a variety of beautiful views :—

"The woodland, waving o'er the landscape's pride;
The mansions, scatter'd o'er its sloping side;
The corn fields, yellow with autumnal wealth;
The meadows, verdant with the hues of health;

The lifeless walls that intersect the fields;

The quick-thorn hedge, which now its fragrance yields; Yon neighbouring town, capp'd with its cloud of smoke; The ceaseless sound with which the calm is broke."

The rivers, streams, and reservoirs, which supply grinding-wheels and forges, are pretty objects. Those busy wheels and tiny cataracts, situated as they are in retired dells and shady groves, rather increase than lessen the power of that pleasing calm which belongs to deep solitude. In the ravine of the Rivelin the eye is cheered with a succession of small transparent lakes, rather, artificial reservoirs of pure water, for the benefit of the town; resembling so many crystal mirrors, where dame Nature may look down and see herself, as others see her. The country, indeed, for many miles around, is rich in all those objects which beautify a landscape. It is remarkably well wooded; hills and valleys are in a high state of cultivation.

Sheffield, geographically considered, holds a position somewhat central between Hull, Huddersfield, Leeds, York, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, and Birmingham.

The parish church is a rectangular Gothic fabric, surmounted by a lofty spire. The site is at once central and commanding. It contains several ancient monuments. None of them, I believe, possess greater interest than some modern productions. I mean those which have emanated from the chisel of the celebrated Chantrey; one, especially," the eldest born of his chisel," a bust of a clergyman, is considered, by citizen and stranger, as the glory of the edifice.

St. Paul's church has a Grecian aspect. A bust of one of its former ministers, by Chantrey, adorns the interior, and is the principal object of attraction to the admirers of the arts. You will not, I presume, deem it desirable I should enumerate and describe all the churches of the Establishment in this town, or those of

other denominations. Those belonging to the Wesleyan Methodists will be the most interesting to you, as they are connected with the present scene of my labours.

Norfolk Street chapel is the oldest place of worship among the Wesleyans, having been built in 1780. Carver Street chapel is a plain commodious edifice, erected in 1804. It contains an elegant mural monument, to the memory of the late Mr. Henry Longden, with whose Memoirs, you will remember, we were so much pleased and profited. His name in Sheffield, and, indeed, in almost all parts of England, is as ointment poured forth. I have formed a most agreeable acquaintance with his son and biographer. His health is, at present, extremely delicate; but he inherits his father's talents and piety, with his name, and enters, so far as health will allow," heart and soul," into the revival. With himself and Mrs. Longden, and their excellent family, I have formed an acquaintance that will, I trust, be perpetuated above.

Ebenezer chapel, a pseudo-Gothic structure, surmounted by a tower, (a strange appendix, by the way, for an English Wesleyan chapel,) was erected in 1823. It is a neat building. Here I commenced my labours in Sheffield. Bridgehouses chapel, is a substantial building. The Park chapel I have not yet seen.

Brunswick chapel is my favourite. It is really a handsome edifice, with a noble Doric portico. In no other chapel, throughout my travels in this country, have I preached with so much ease and satisfaction, and, perhaps, I may add, SUCCESS. It accommodates about two thousand hearers.

Of the various "literary edifices" of Sheffield, I can say little more than what relates to their architecture. My time is so completely engrossed, that I cannot command even an hour to obtain additional information.