On her return to Jersey she writes, under feeling of much

sorrow

25th.-On Seventh-day evening, in the midst of a very large party, our letters arrived; some from our dearest Hannah of a very touching nature; she had suffered so extremely on her voyage (to Madeira) as to bring on her confinement on board ship. Her child died, and her sufferings appear to have been extreme. The whole account was exceedingly affecting to me. But I desire to look above the agency of man, to Him, without whom not a sparrow falls to the ground, who orders all things in love, as well as in wisdom. My trust must be complete, my reliance entire, my hope continual. Lord, as all my springs are in Thee, I pray Thee daily, hourly, minutely, increase and renew my faith, patience, reliance, and hope, that I may never cast away my confidence, but that my soul may follow hard after Thee, even unto the end.

The time had now arrived to return home. She received accounts from England that called forth much anxiety. Several of her children required her attention. Her daughter Cresswell was seriously ill.

Lynn, Eleventh Month, 12th.-I left Jersey in the steamboat for Southampton. Parting, with many beloved friends there, I felt much. It is a place and people in which I have taken great interest: I also felt the uncertainty of the prospect before me, and in what state I should find my beloved child. I was much cast down, the wind rather high, and evidently rising. My maid and child quickly became ill, as did even our little dog. The passengers, one after another, almost all in the same state. The day gloomy, only now and then a ray of sunshine to enliven us. I remained, through mercy, quite well. We stopped at Guernsey, where I found, to my encouragement, some of my objects really prospering, and I was much pleased to hear that the School was established in

the island of Herm. We dined whilst in the harbour there. Afterwards the weather became so boisterous, my cold so indifferent, and my poor boy so ill, that I remained in the cabin the whole evening, and a low time it was; fears got hold of me that I should never see Rachel again alive; but on the other hand I knew that I had a merciful Lord to deal with, who heard my prayers, knew my weakness, and I believed would not permit so overwhelming an affliction to overtake me. I desired humbly and patiently to trust. I felt the seriousness of our situation in the high wind, but was enabled entirely to leave it to Him, who orders all things well. We arrived at Southampton the next morning; I was much cast down and overdone, and during the journey to London, I had almost an inexpressible feeling of fatigue. I found rather a better account from Lynn, to my unspeakable relief.

From the accounts continuing better, Elizabeth Fry was, for a day or two, able to rest in the neighbourhood of London.

Then she pursued her way to Lynn, where, for six weeks she remained, devoted to her daughter, and to that devotion, guided by singular skill, and blessed by the providence of God, was apparently to be attributed her child's gradual restoration to health. From Lynn, she wrote to her youngest daughter, then with the others of the party just returned

home.

My dearest Louisa,

Lynn, Eleventh Month, 1833.

I feel inclined to write thee a few lines of salutation on thy return home. Thy sister and thyself have very important places to fill, although they may differ; and as I have told her my mind, I mean to do the same to thee-remember these words, "be sober, be vigilant." At thy important age much depends on not letting the mind out, if I may so express

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myself: it is a period of life when this is natural-various prospects in life may float before the view; but how infinitely important to know the heart to be staid upon God, and to find it meat and drink to be doing His will-how important to attend to present duties; this is the best preparation for the future, whatever that future may be. I see that much devolves on thee; thou hast not only to look to thy own soul, but younger ones are looking up to thee, whom, I believe, thou mayst be the means of winning to Christ.

To the daughter whom she had so long nursed, she wrote, after her return home:—

The better accounts of thee are certainly very encouraging, and set me more at rest about thee; still, my beloved child, I feel thou needest my sympathy and prayers: there is much to feel, even if it pleases Providence quite to raise thee up again: there is much to go through. I have often found, in recovering from long and severe illness, and entering life again, that our enemies spiritually are yet lively and strong, and even, we may say, after the "Beast has had a deadly wound, it still lives:" I know this by my own experience.

CHAPTER IX.

1834-1838. Visit to Dorset and Hants-Isle of Wight-Journey to Scotland -Death of the Duke of Gloucester-Letter-Coast Guard Libraries— Examination before the Committee of the House of Lords-Journey along the Southern Coast of England-Crosses to Jersey and Guernsey-Libraries for Packet Ships at Falmouth-For Shepherds at Salisbury Plain-Death of a sister-in-law-Religious engagements in Sussex-Visit to Dublin-Unpleasant Voyage to Guernsey-Illness and death of her sister Louisa HoareDeath of King William IV.-Of a sister-in-law-Departure of her brother J. J. Gurney for America-Visits Paris-Meeting in Westminster-Journey to Scotland-Religious engagements in Surrey, Essex, &c.-Renewed prospect of visiting France.

Fourth Month, 1st, 1834.-I am likely to leave home today for religious service in Dorset and Hants. Oh, Lord! I pray Thee be with me, and anoint me for Thy work, that it may be fully to Thy praise, the edification of those I go amongst, and to my own help and peace; and be pleased to keep my children and family during my absence. Grant this, dearest Lord, for Thine own name sake. Amen.

12th.—I returned yesterday from my expedition, which I may thankfully say, proved very satisfactory.

She was accompanied on this journey by her friend William Forster, and her nieces, Priscilla Buxton and Priscilla Gurney. Her aunt's address and manner on that occasion, and the impressions made upon her own mind, are admirably described by one of them; being at the time, in very delicate health, she was, perhaps, the more sensitively alive to her aunt's peculiar powers of soothing.

"There was no weakness, or trouble of mind or body, which might not safely be unveiled to her. Whatever various or opposite views, feelings, or wishes, might be confided to her, all came out again, tinged with her own loving, hoping spirit. Bitterness of every kind died, when entrusted to her; it never re-appeared. The most favourable construction possible was always put upon every transaction. No doubt her failing lay this way; but did it not give her and her example a wonderful influence? Was it not the very secret of her power with the wretched and degraded prisoners? She always could see hope for every one; she invariably found, or made some point of light. The most abandoned must have felt that she did not despair for them, either for this world, or another, and this it was that made her irresistible.

"At Southampton, time and opportunity were rather unexpectedly afforded for an excursion to the Isle of Wight. I think she undertook it chiefly for the sake of pleasing Priscilla Gurney and myself; but it had important consequences. We travelled round by Shanklin, Bonchurch, and the Undercliff. She was zealous as we, in the enjoyment of the scenery and the wild flowers; but the next day, on reaching Freshwater, she was fatigued, and remained to rest, whilst we went to see Alum Bay. On our return, we were told she had walked out, and we soon received a message, desiring us to join her at the Coast Guard Station. We found her in her element; pleased and giving pleasure to a large group, who were assembled around her. She entered with the greatest sympathy into their somewhat dreary position, inquired into their resources for education for their children, and religious improvement for themselves,-found them much in want of books; and from this visit originated that great undertaking, of providing libraries for all the Coast Guard Stations in Great Britain-an undertaking full of difficulties, but in which her perseverance never relaxed, till it was accomplished."

On a review of this journey, Elizabeth Fry writes:

Upton, Fourth Month.-At Portsmouth, we paid an interesting visit to the Haslar Hospital, the Hulks Hospital Ship, and some prisons; we also paid a delightful little visit to the Isle of Wight. I felt more able to enjoy the great beauties of nature, from having been owned by my Lord and Master, in my religious services. What a relish does