observe in the incipient dissenting bodies springing up in the bosom of their republic, and which will probably increase till the true doctrine is again preached in the churches, that neither peace nor unity can be attained on their present plan Surely that part at least of the ministers and students whose prejudices are less fixed, must see, in the daily accounts of the progress of religion in every part of the world by the name of the Lord Jesus, that there is a reality in the Gospel, a power, an efficacy from on high, which attends the humble preaching of the doctrines of grace, to which no other scheme of religion can prétend.

May the time be hastened, when Geneva, having repented and done her first works," shall again resume her rank amongst the Reformed Churches, "and become once more the

Genevese, your ministers are truly singular persons; people know not what they believe, nor what they do not believe. One knows not even what they pretend to believe; their only manner of establishing their faith is by attacking that of others."

favourite university of continental Europe! The small number of her pastors* may make a return comparatively easy. Already some favourable appearances present themselves. I had the pleasure of seeing myself several pastors who were imbued with the genuine love of a crucified Saviour, and I heard of others who still hold the HEAD." In the meantime, let it be the care of those who are "suffering for righteousness' sake" to walk circumspectly, to study the meek and passive character of the primitive Christians when under persecution, to imbibe the eminent spirit of wisdom and humility which adorned the Reformers of the Swiss churches, and which was more remarkable than even their fortitude or zeal; and, above all, to "take heed to THE DOCTRINE" which they preach, that it be "sound speech that cannot be condemned"-that they dwell chiefly on great and, necessary truths that they avoid matters of confessed difficulty or inferior moment, however scriptural, in their

* About thirty or forty.

view, they may be ;-or that, at all events, they treat such points with the reserve which the Apostles constantly exhibit-and that thus they "show themselves to be workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”*

* I am happy, truly happy, to be able to say, from my last accounts from Switzerland (March 1825), that the spirit of persecution appears to be much declining at Genevathat the pious Regent above referred to is allowed to preach and exercise his ministry in a separate meeting-house without molestation; and that some hope may be entertained of a gradual approximation once more to the truth of the Gospel, on the part of the ministers and inhabitants of the city and canton.

Poligny, October 7, 1823.-Paris, October 11, 1823.

Nyon-Calvin and Fletcher-Catholic Lady-Conversation on Popery-Geneva-Prohibited Books-Auxonne-Irish Catholics Dijon-Miraculous Image of Virgin-Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy Bossuet-Waggons-Auxerre Joigny-Cardinal de Retz-Fontainbleau-Apartments of the Pope Bonaparte's Abdication-Place of Madrid -Character of Bonaparte-Sens-St. Bernard-Manners of People-Catholics receiving Tracts-Arrival at Paris.

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Dôle, Department of the Jura, 110 miles from Geneva, about 2522 miles from London by my route, Tuesday Morning, October 7, 1823.

MY DEAREST SISTER,

So far have I come in this tiresome diligence. We left Geneva at half-past four yesterday. The day soon broke out beautifully.

We drove along the Lake to Nyon, which I just named to you as I was first passing to Geneva six weeks back.* It is an agreeable town, of eighteen hundred souls, supposed to be the Roman Novodunum, about eleven miles from Geneva. Marble urns, inscriptions, and other antiquities are still found in its neighbourhood. It is endeared to Englishmen as having given birth to Fletcher of Madeley-a name connected with all that is pure and exalted in piety, and amiable and disinterested in benevolence-nothing, I think, in modern times has equalled the habitual spirituality of mind, the holy and ardent love, the utter abstraction from worldly things, the unaffected humility, the self-denying and tender compassion for souls, that distinguished this eminent minister. Had the Great Reformer of Geneva, two centuries previous, united the lovely and seraphic qualities of Fletcher, with his own prodigious grasp of intellect, the Reformation would have gained incalculably. The sweetness and de

* Vol. i. p. 292.