between England and America in 1819 went to Savannah in South Carolina, yet New York has long monopolized the mails even to beyond the precincts of the United States.

For some months after the war broke out, letters from Europe could be sent through the Consuls at the various ports, transmitted from the Foreign Office; but by the autumn of 1861 even this mode of communication was interdicted on remonstrance from the United States' Government.

A paragraph had just gone the round of the papers that Mr. Secretary Stanton had forbidden any more foreigners going South.

Many declared I could not succeed. Some advised me to run the blockade. In a note to a kind friend even Mr. Adams had said, "I fear, from the increasing severity of the war, the prospect of success is not very great."

I called on Mr. Adams, and told him the sad history of our bereavements. At once his heart was moved, and he gave me the following letter to Mr. Seward:

"DEAR SIR,

66

London, 5th May, 1862.

"You may remember that some time since I sent to your care a letter addressed by a Mr.

to his sister in South Carolina to apprise her of the death of a sister in this country. Since then the family have experienced another bereavement, and they have concluded to send one of their number personally to communicate this event to her. The Rev. W. W. Malet, the bearer of this note, is the person. At their solicitation I have given him this note, as they hope by means of it that his access to the disaffected region may be in a degree facilitated. "I am very truly yours,

"To the Hon. W. H. Seward, Washington."

Earl Russell was so kind as to give me a letter to Lord Lyons at the request of my brother, Her Majesty's Minister at Frankfort-on-Maine.

To these preparations was added the family uniting in prayer.

I afterwards called on Mr. Mason, Commissioner from the Confederate States, and obtained from him introductions to General Hugér (then commanding at Norfolk, Virginia), and Mr. Pickens, Governor of South Carolina.

On Saturday, 10th of May, I went on board the R.M.S."Scotia,”—her first voyage—a splendid ship

of the Cunard line, 412 feet long, 48 feet wide, 1000

horse-power.

On the 11th, by permission of Captain Judkins, I said prayers and preached in the saloon.

On the 19th, Captain Judkins read the service; and I never heard any one read better.

On the saloon table on Sundays are placed a beautiful large Prayer-book and Bible for the reader; and prayer-books are laid down the full length for the passengers and crew. This is the good way in all these ships; and, besides, they are furnished with well-selected libraries.

On the 20th of May the pilot came on board; and that afternoon my eyes fell for the first time on America.

Great were the rejoicings of the Northerners on board on hearing of the occupation of Norfolk by the Federal troops, and of the blowing up of the "Merrimac."

The "Scotia" went up to New York by night on the 20th of May, and on the morning of the 21st we looked on the noble Hudson, the enormous ferry arks with their "walking beams," (as the top engine movement is called), and steam horns, were striding from shore to shore. The landing-place is on the Jersey-city. bank of the river, where we

easily passed the Custom-house. I joined a fellowpassenger in a carriage, which was driven on to the floating platform, and a few strides of the mighty engine did the mile across to New York landing; then came the first sight of the far-famed Broadway, and a drive along it for about two miles brought us to the Clarendon, a capital hotel kept by Messrs. Kerner and Birch in the Fourth Avenue (Union Park). The people in New York seemed to be going on as if there was no war, and in conversation there was an avoidance of the topic.

On the 23rd of May I started for Washington viâ Amboy, about thirty miles down the river, two hours' steam; the train left Amboy at 4, and reached Philadelphia, sixty-three miles, at 6.30; single line, five-feet gauge, no fences, and at cross roads no gates, only notice in large letters, "Look out for the locomotive." Philadelphia, I was told, has 800,000 inhabitants. Stevens' "Continental Hotel" has 350 beds, 75 waiters, 25 baths, and screw steam-lift to go to upper stories.

I took a

The train left Philadelphia at 11 P.M. berth in a sleeping-car containing sixty berths, and reached Washington on the 25th at 6 A.м. was received most kindly by Lord Lyons.

Here I

The

following day I saw Mr. Seward's Secretary, (his son), who took Mr. Adams' letter, and one from Lord Lyons. I was to call again: visited the Capitol, where both Senate and Congress were in Session; heard "Confiscation Bill" read in Congress, but when put to the vote it was lost; there was no excitement, no speaking on it. Senators are chosen for six years, and Congress men for two; the rooms are very fine and spacious, and ventilation perfect; each member has his desk. I observed none of those grotesque attitudes which some writers have attributed to these assemblies; and not wearing hats in the house is a decided improvement on the usage of our British Parliament. Votes are taken by a clerk calling names, which is rather tedious. Each State sends two Senators, but Congress members are according to population; Senators and Members of Congress have salaries of 6007. and 500l. a year respectively, and travelling expenses. I now began to hear the rumours of war: great excitement at Willards' Hotel; news that the Confederates had beaten Banks at Winchester, taken Fort Royal and threatened Harper's Ferry; Government take up trains for troops; the Confederates might come down on the Potomac and take Washington. Again at Mr. Seward's office on the 27th of May, when I was