"March 12. Had the pleasure of seeing St. Helena. It seemed to me to be nothing but a succession of hills and valleys, of which the outside ones are one large mass of rock; most of them descending into the deep water at once without any shore or beach between; and where there is the slightest possibility of landing, forts are placed, and cannons on every high peak."

"March 13. Went on shore early, and took a long walk into the country, and I was quite astonished at its beauty; it is covered with verdure and groves of trees. I went up a hill called Ladder Hill, because a ladder with balustrades has been run up this hill on an inclined plane. To those who ascend for the first time, it is very fatiguing, as also is the coming down."

"March 31. There is a chance, though a very slight one, of my being at home

on my birthday, April 23rd. We are going on very steadily, and are pretty confident of reaching Corvo in a fortnight."

"April 6. Worked away till tea, and after, went on deck. Spent the evening in looking at the stars with Mr. and

so learned a good deal. Made an agreement to study astronomy with Mr. to-morrow."

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'April 7. We shall be out of the tropics before twelve o'clock; expect soon to see the gulf-weed. We are now liable to lose the trade-wind at any time. It is rumoured that we may touch at Fayal, which I shall not like very much, being in a hurry to get to England. Read some astronomy with Mr. and like it very much. We crossed the tropic at ten P.M., and are now in the temperate zone; saw plenty of the gulf-weed."

"April 13. Got up early and went on

deck; a nice breeze, and the ports on the main deck open; everything and everybody looking better. Only 940 miles. from the Lizard to day. Hurrah for Old England!"

"April 16. Only 480 miles from the Lizard. Stayed up rather late with Mr. and learned some more stars."

"April 17. Got up early: splendid breeze; ship flying, rather than sailing; only 180 miles from the Lizard. Stayed up till ten o'clock with Mr. looking

at the stars; found that I knew already twenty-one constellations. Determined to get up to see St. Agnes' light, and the Lizard lights, if we passed them during the night. At twelve some one awoke me, and told me we were passing St. Agnes' light. Went on deck-saw St. Agnes' light. Went on deck again at three o'clock, and saw the Lizard light very far away. Got up at four o'clock,

and went on deck; saw both the Lizard lights very plainly; we passed them rapidly."

On Sunday, April 19, the "Winchester" arrived at Spithead. On John's arrival in England, it was arranged that he should proceed to Clapham, to spend a few weeks with his uncle, the Rev. R. Bickersteth. His journey to town gave him his first experience of railway travelling. In a letter to his grandfather, written the day after his arrival at Clapham, he gives a minute and animated account of the speed at which he journeyed, of the tunnels, which seemed to him "darker than the darkest night," and of the various circumstances con nected with a mode of travelling well calculated to interest a thoughtful child just arrived from a far-distant country.

CHAPTER II.

IN a diary begun a few days after his arrival at Clapham, John makes a minute record of the various occupations and studies to which his attention was devoted; of the sermons which he heard, the texts being always carefully noted down; and of the many kindnesses which he received from friends at Clapham and elsewhere. It was one of his characteristics that kindness made an indelible impression upon him; it would perhaps surprise his esteemed Clapham friends to know how frequently and how gratefully he spoke of them up to the time of his last illness.