have liked; for instance, a bit of steak, and a bit of toast, with a cup of good coffee or tea, or a slice of cold ham and boiled egg; some little matter in that line but I could see that I was not in the right place to name such luxuries, I therefore simply answered: "Really, Ma'am, I can't say, I leave this matter to you, I cannot prescribe." "Perhaps you will take a posset?" "Excuse me, Ma'am, a posset is, according to the dictionary, milk curdled with wine, or any acid; but, perhaps, in this part of the kingdom it means something else?" "Why, yes, in these parts we mean by a posset, a little small beer, nicely warmed, and crumbed with bread, and sugar in it, and as you are wet, it is perhaps the best thing you can have for supper." "As you please, Ma'am." At length I took this recommended supper, and after family worship, went to bed, ruminating on riches, intelligence, politeness, the lovely simplicity of not making strangers of people; refusing them their tea, giving them their possets, and sending them to bed. No wonder some people get rich, and realize fifty or sixty thousand pounds when trade and commerce flourish, and abstemious frugality is the prominent virtue! virtue did I say; pooh! it is a vice, and a point blank contradiction to every thing honourable and noble in the hospitable and generous spirit of the Christian religion, and it is peculiarly offensive to the great body of Wesleyan Methodists, noted as they are as "lovers of hospitality." This I could easily prove, by immediate and direct reference

to those facts and narratives of Holy Scripture, which illustrate the hospitalities and festivities of ancient Old Testament times, and the times of our Saviour and the primitive Christians; but I believe that no right hearted reader would wish me to tell him on the subject what he knows already.

CHAPTER XXX.

REFLECTIONS-MRS. ADDLEPATE-HER CORRESPONDENCE.

In every part of this book, desultory as it is, I have had a particular and legitimate aim. I have tried to correct vices, errors and follies, not meddled with in any sufficiently explicit form, or with sufficient pungency, by writers in general. A sense of injury led me to begin my lucubrations; and notwithstanding the fun and frolic I have scattered about in different places, the predominant feeling in my own breast has been that of grief; yet it is well for myself (whoever may think to the contrary) that I have written. I have now unburdened myself, I have done, in my peculiar way, a duty. And while some will be of another opinion, I am quite sure that many whose judgment is entitled to respect, will side with me.

The numerous characters I have introduced will all be recognized in real life. Should the reader think me mistaken, and that these characters are only creatures of my own imagination, then let him take the benefit and comfort of his opinion. I have hurt nobody, for I cannot chastise people who have no existence; but such characters have existed and do exist, and if they feel themselves aggrieved, their best way is to be silent, for should they begin to stir, they will justify my representations, and elevate

themselves into immense notoriety. I could have entered into descriptions much more minute, into details much more numerous and ample, but the expenses of publishing restrained me.

Let no man think me mistaken in the opinion that I have suffered from the result of complaints about eccentricity. Up to the present moment a gentleman is saying to me, "I have often wondered that you have never had superior circuits."

Should any man say, "O, its not eccentricity exactly;" then I demand in the name of our common Christianity, and in my own name too, WHAT is it? I have had overwhelmning evidence during thirty-two years that my humble services, as a Christian minister, have been approved. I have been, at once, both pleased and tormented with the question, everlastingly reiterated throughout the entire kingdom, "why don't you get better circuits ?" But for these questions, whatever my feelings as to disappointment might have been, this book would not have been written. But why have these questions so disturbed me? You shall know. In the first place, they were a compliment to me, as expressing an opinion of my fitness for higher status, and better pecuniary allowance. But, secondly, they were very disturbing to me on this ground. I have fancied that the parties, though my real friends, would suppose that I must have done some mischief somewhere or at sometime or other, and that this was the reason of my non-elevation. But having re

spectfully challenged investigation on this point before the highest tribunal, and met with the reply, "O, we all respect and love you;" I am right there. I am obliged, therefore, to fix upon the cause of my non-elevation as eccentricity, for this has been explicitly and emphatically assigned as the only cause ; perhaps a hundred times over. It remains, therefore, for all the legislative ecclesiastical assemblies in this world, and for all redoubtable and valiant remonstrators among "office bearers" in itinerant connexions, to say, whether eccentricity, such as I have exhibited, ought to be punished. Whether a man, because he is a funny brother," is to go any where or no where, rather than have a suitable appointment and adequate means for the support of his family. I very respectfully challenge all Christendom, including our most acute scholars, divines, philosophers, editors, reviewers, (and they may come on one at a time, or in troops, just as they please,) to prove to me that it is right, virtually to repudiate, degrade, insult, torment, and injure a man irreparably, because he is eccentric.

Whatever may be my deficiencies, infirmities and faults, (and like other men I am not without them,) I don't mean to be, if I can help it, either a fool or a coward; I dont mean to be a sycophant; I don't mean to succumb to the errors, dogmatism and denouncements of Pharisaism; I don't mean to be frightened by gloomy and frowning countenances. I will keep to my Bible, and fear nobody.