1760

We began the Service at four in the morning. A

great number attended, and God was in the midst, strengthening and refreshing their souls. Thursday, 3. In the evening, while I was enforcing those awful words of the Prophet, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved,” a young woman, who had contained herself as long as she could, sunk down and cried aloud. I found this was a new thing in Norwich. The women about her got water and hartshorn in abundance: But all would not do. When the Service was ended, I asked her, “What do you want?” She immediately replied, “Nothing but Christ.” And indeed what Physician, beside Him, is able to heal that sickness?

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I preached about one at Forncet, to a much milder people than I left there; and in the evening at Kenninghall, where the Antinomians had labored hard in the devil’s service. Yet all are not lost; a few are still left, “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Saturday, 5. I preached in the evening at Colchester; and on Sunday, 6, rode to Langham, (seven miles from thence,) in such a day as I have seldom known; the Northeast wind was so exceeding keen, and drove the sleet full in our face: But this did not discourage the people, who flocked from all quarters. And those who took such pains to come were not sent empty away.

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I returned to London, and finished, on the road, the celebrated “Telemachus.” Certainly it is wrote with admirable sense. But is it without fault? Is there not abundantly too much machinery? Are not the gods (such as they are) continually introduced without why or wherefore? And is not the work spun out too long; drawn into mere French wire? Would not twelve books have contained all the matter much better than four and twenty?

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I preached again in West street chapel, now enlarged, and thoroughly repaired. When I took this, eighteen years ago, I little thought the world would have born us till now. But the right hand of the Lord hath the preeminence; therefore we endure unto this day.

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One came to me, as she said, with a message from the Lord, to tell me, I was laying up treasures on earth, taking my ease, and minding only my eating and drinking. I told her, God knew me better; and if he had sent her, he would have sent her with a more proper message.

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I desired those who believed they were saved from sin (sixteen or seventeen in number) to meet me at noon; to whom I gave such cautions and instructions as I judged needful. Nor did any of these pretend to be above man’s teaching, but received it with all thankfulness.

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I rode to Brentford, where, after a stop of ten or twelve years, the work of God is broke out afresh. I preached in a large place newly fitted up. It was supposed, there would be much disturbance, as a considerable number of rude, boisterous people were gathered together for that purpose. But God over ruled, and they all calmly and silently attended to his word. Surely the “times and seasons” of sending his word effectually to any place, “God hath reserved in his own power.”

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I began visiting the classes in London, and that with more exactness than ever before. After going through them, I found the society now contained about three and twenty hundred and fifty members; few of whom we could discern to be triflers, and none, we hope, live in any willful sin.

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I baptized a gentlewoman at the Foundery; and the

peace she immediately found was a fresh proof, that the outward sign, duly received, is always accompanied with the inward grace. Tuesday, 12. After preaching at Deptford, I rode on to Welling, where I received (what few expected) an exceeding comfortable account of the death of Mr. Mason, of Bexley. For many years he seemed to be utterly senseless; neither justified, nor even convinced of sin. But in his last sickness, the God that heareth prayer broke in upon his soul: And the nearer death came, the more did he rejoice, to the astonishment of all that saw him.

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I spent an hour in the evening with a little company at Mr.— —’s. I have not known so solemn an hour for a long season, nor so profitable to my own soul. Mysterious Providence! Why am I cut off from those opportunities, which of all others I most want? Especially considering the benefit I might impart, as well as that which I might receive; seeing they stand in as much need of light as I do of heat. About this time we had a remarkable account from Yorkshire: — “On Friday, 13, about thirty persons were met together at Otley, (a town about twelve miles from Leeds,) about eight o’clock in the evening, in order (as usual) to pray, sing hymns, and provoke one another to love and good works. After prayer was ended, when they proceeded to speak of the several states of their souls, some with deep sighs and groans complained of the burden they felt for the remains of indwelling sin; seeing in a clearer light than ever before, the necessity of a deliverance from it. “When they had spent the usual time together, a few went to their own houses; but the rest remained upon their knees, groaning for the great and precious promises of God. One being desired to pray, he no sooner began to lift up his voice to God, than the Holy Ghost made intercession in all that were present, with groanings that could not be uttered. At length the travail of their souls burst out into loud and ardent cries. They had no doubt of the favor of God; but they could not rest, while there was any thing in them contrary to his nature. One cried out, in an exceeding great agony, ‘Lord, deliver me from my sinful nature!’ then a second, a third, and fourth. And while the person who prayed first, was calling upon God in those words, ‘Thou God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, hear us for the sake of thy Son Jesus!’ one was heard to say, ‘Blessed be the Lord God for ever, for he hath cleansed my heart! Praise the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, praise his holy name!’ Another said, ‘I hold thee with a trembling hand, but will not let thee go;’ and in a little time cried out, ‘Praise the Lord with me; for he hath cleansed my heart from sin!’ Another cried, ‘I am hanging over the pit of hell by a slender thread;’ a second, with loud and dismal shrieks, ‘I am in hell: O save me, save me!’ while a third said, with a far different voice, ‘Blessed be the Lord, for he hath pardoned all my sins!’ Thus they continued for the space of two hours; some praising and magnifying God, some crying to him for pardon or purity of heart, with the greatest agony of spirit. Before they parted, three believed God had fulfilled his word, and ‘cleansed them from all unrighteousness.’

“The next evening they met again; and the Lord was again present to heal the broken in heart. One received remission of sins; and three more believed God had cleansed them from all sin. And it is observable, these are all poor, illiterate creatures, of all others most incapable of counterfeiting, and most unlikely to attempt it. But ‘ when’ his ‘ word goeth forth, it giveth light and understanding to the simple.’”

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A great number of us waited upon God, at five, at nine, and at one, with fasting and prayer; and at six in the evening we met at the church in Spitalfields to renew our covenant with God. It was a blessed time: The windows of heaven were open, and the skies poured down righteousness.

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I left London. It rained great part of the day, but so gently, that we were not wet through, when, about seven, we came to Towcester. One person we found here whose soul God keeps alive, though he has scarce any in the town to converse with. Perhaps he is an earnest of a people that shall be born here, and “counted to the Lord for a generation.”

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We came to Birmingham, where I rejoined several who had been long separated from their brethren; and left upwards of fifty resolved to stand together in the good old path.

In the evening I preached in the new House at Wednesbury. Few congregations exceed this either in number or seriousness. At five in the morning the congregation far exceeded the morning congregation at the Foundery. Indeed, hunger after the word has been from the beginning the distinguishing mark of this people.

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I talked largely with M—— S——, and Elizabeth Longmore:

The substance of what M—— S—— said, was as follows: —

“I was born April 8, 1736. My father died when I was between four and five; my mother, when I was about eleven years old. I had little thought about religion, and seldom so much as went to church. But I had even then many troubles, which made me sometimes think of God, and cry to him for help. When I was about seventeen, I was asked one Sunday to go and see a pit, which was on fire and blazed out. It was near the house where Mr. James Jones was then preaching. I was standing near the house, when my brother persuaded me to go in: I liked what I heard; but it was above a year before I knew myself to be a lost sinner. For three weeks I was in deep distress, which made me cry to God day and night. I had comfort once or twice, but I checked it, being afraid of deceiving myself; till, as Mr. Johnson was preaching one morning at five o’clock, in Darlaston, my soul was so filled with the love of God, that I had much ado to help crying out. I could only say, ‘Why me, Lord; why me?’ When I came home I was exceeding weak, having also a great pain in my head: But all was sweet: I did not wish it to be otherwise. I was happy in God all the day long; and so I was for several days. From this time I never committed any known sin, nor ever lost the love of God; though I found abundance of temptations, and many severe struggles. Yet I was more than conqueror over all, and found them easier and easier.

“About Christmas, 1758, I was deeply convinced there was a greater salvation than I had attained. The more I saw of this, and the more I prayed for it, the happier I was. And my desires and hopes were continually increasing for above a year.

“On January 30, 1760, Mr. Fugill talked with one who thought she had received that blessing. As she spoke, my heart burned within me, and my desire was enlarged beyond expression. I said to him, ‘O Sir, when shall I be able to say as she says?’ He answered, ‘Perhaps tonight.’ I said, ‘Nay, I am not earnest enough.’ He replied, ‘That thought may keep you from it.’ I felt God was able and willing to give it then, and was unspeakably happy. In the evening, as he was preaching, my heart was full, and more and more so, till I could contain no more. I wanted only to be alone, that I might pour out my soul before God; and when I came home I could do nothing but praise and give him thanks. From that moment I have felt nothing but love in my heart; no sin of any kind. And I trust I shall never any more offend God. I never find any cloud between God and me: I walk in the light continually. I do ‘rejoice ever more,’ and ‘pray without ceasing.’ I have no desire but to do and suffer the will of God: I aim at nothing but to please him. I am careful for nothing, but in all things make my requests known to him with thanksgiving. And I have a continual witness in myself, that whatever I do, I do it to his glory.” Elizabeth Longmore said, “I was born in 1730. My mother died in childhood of me; my father, when I was a year or two old. So I was brought up by the parish, and taught nothing, not so much as to read. About eleven years old I was put; out parish apprentice, to a man and woman who used me very harshly. I wanted much to learn to read; but they would not spare the time. I was about fourteen when I heard Mr. J. W. preach at the Cross in Wednesbury. I immediately believed it was the right way, and begun to be very uneasy. I often wished I had died with my father or mother, fearing I should never be saved. But my convictions wore away by degrees; though still I could not rest. About twenty I was married. My husband had sometimes heard the preaching, but not lately. Soon after he began again, going with me constantly. I was now more and more convinced that I was a guilty, undone sinner. I cried to God day and night, laying down my work many times in a day. On Holy Thursday, 1756, I was sadly afraid of going to the sacrament. However, I broke through and went. At the Lord’s table I found such a love as I cannot express. As soon as I came back, I went up into my chamber, and kneeled down to prayer. In praying I heard a voice, saying, ‘Go in peace; thy sins are forgiven thee.’ My soul sunk into nothing before God, and was filled with humble love. I loved God and all mankind, and thought no temptation could ever shake me more. But in a few days, being low and weak in body, I found hard thoughts of God. Yet I could not give up my confidence that my sins were forgiven. Nor do I know that I ever committed any willful sin after I was justified. About a year and half ago Mr. Fugill came. One evening, while he was preaching, I was convinced that my heart was still desperately wicked, and needed to be wholly renewed. This made me sometimes afraid to die, lest I should be called before that change was wrought. But I had still hope at the bottom, and never could doubt but that God was my God. In the mean while, my desire to be wholly renewed increased continually; and I was everyday and every hour praying for it, whatever I was about. When my hopes prevailed, I was happy; when my fears, I was quite cast down. Being convinced how little I loved God, I was grieved and ashamed before him.

“On Friday, January 25, I took no food till the afternoon, though I had a child at my breast. I was much tempted to think I should never attain, and was quite uneasy. But the next morning my uneasiness was gone, and I calmly waited for what I believed God would soon give. In the evening I went to the preaching with a full expectation that he would meet me there. And so he did. As soon as Mr. Fugill began to speak, I felt my soul was all love. I was so stayed on God as I never felt before, and knew that I loved him with all my heart. When I came home I could ask for nothing; I could only give thanks. And the witness, that God had saved me from all my sins, grew clearer every hour. On Wednesday this was stronger than ever. I have never since found my heart wander from God. When I have business to do, I just take a thought and do it; and it is gone, and my heart is with the Lord. I often in a day bow my knee to God; but my heart prays continually. He is never out of my thoughts: I see him always; although most at preaching and in my band and class. But I do not only see him; I feel him too, so as I cannot express. And the more I see and feel of God, the more I feel I am nothing. When I sleep, I sleep as in the arms of Jesus; and when I wake, my soul is full of praise, and it is as if all the angels were in the room round about me praising God. I never find any heaviness or coldness; and when I must go among the people of the world, God is as much with me as before, and I long for them, so as no tongue can tell. I am careful of every word I speak, and every look, and every thought. I search my heart again and again; and I can find nothing but love there. Indeed, I know if God left me a moment, I should fall. But I trust he will never leave me nor forsake me.”

I observe the spirit and experience of these two run exactly parallel. Constant communion with God the Father and the Son fills their hearts with humble love. Now this is what I always did, and do now, mean by perfection. And this I believe many have attained, on the same evidence that I believe many are justified. May God increase their number a thousand fold!

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I rode over to Dudley, formerly a den of lions. I was constrained to preach abroad. But no one opened his mouth, unless to pray or praise God. I believe the steady behavior of the society has made an impression on most of the town.

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I was surprised at coming into Wolverhampton, which is what Dudley was, to find the people so still; many gaping and staring, but none speaking an uncivil word. “Ay,” said a well meaning man, “we shall not find them so civil by and by.” I wish these croakers would learn to hold their peace. I desire to hear no prophets of evil. What do they do but weaken the hands both of Preachers and people, and transfuse their own cowardice into others?

But this prophet of evil was a false prophet too. For neither while I was preaching, nor after I had done, did any one offer the least rudeness whatsoever: And we rode as quietly out of the town, as we could have done out of London or Bristol.

Hence we went on to Burslem, near Newcastle under Line, a scattered town, on the top of a hill, inhabited almost entirely by potters; a multitude of whom assembled at five in the evening. Deep attention sat on every face, though as yet accompanied with deep ignorance. But if the heart be toward God, he will, in due time, enlighten the understanding.

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I preached at eight to near double the number, though scarce half as many as came at five in the evening. Some of these seemed quite innocent of thought. Five or six were laughing and talking till I had near done; and one of them threw a clod of earth, which struck me on the side of the head. But it neither disturbed me nor the congregation.

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About nine I preached at Biddulph, about eight miles north of Burslem. The earnestness of the whole congregation well rewarded me for my labor. Hence we had an extremely pleasant walk, three or four miles, to Congleton. Here we were accosted in a very different manner, almost as soon as we entered the town, which caused some of our brethren to apprehend we should have rough treatment before we got out of it. That I left to God. They had procured the use of a meadow adjoining to the preaching-house, in a window, of which they had fixed a kind of scaffold. Most of the congregation were deeply serious; so that three or four who took much pains to disturb them, entirely lost their labor. About seven in the evening I preached at Stockport, where more and more hear the word of God and keep it. In the morning we took horse at five, but could find none to tell us which was the road to Leeds; so we rode on to Mottram. Following the directions we received there we rode up a mountain, and our path ended. We made toward a large house, and the gentleman sent a servant who pointed out the way we were to take. But soon after it divided; and an honest man bidding us keep to the right, (meaning the left,) we did so, till we came to the top of another high mountain, among several old stone quarries. Here that road ended. However, we went straight forward, till we came to the brow. With great difficulty we led our horses down, and rode up a path on the opposite mountain. But at the top this likewise ended. Still we thought it best to push forward. But my horse was quickly embogged. After he had thrown me on one side, and scrambled out himself, we endeavored to walk down the mountain; but such a walk I never had before, for steepness, and bogs, and large stones intermixed. That we got to the bottom without hurt either to man or beast, was little less than a miracle. But we were still at a loss, till we met a sensible man, who directed us to Saddleworth. In our inn here we found one who had frequently heard me preach at Builth, in Brecknockshire, I fear to little purpose; for on my speaking a few words, he ran a way in haste. But the whole family seemed to fear God. So we did not repent of our clambering up and down the mountains.

At six we reached Leeds, sufficiently tired: But I forgot it as soon as I began to preach; and the spirit of the congregation comforted us over all our labor.

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Having desired that as many as could of the neighboring towns, who believed they were saved from sin, would meet me, I spent the greatest part of this day in examining them one by one. The testimony of some I could not receive; but concerning the far greatest part, it is plain, (unless they could be supposed to tell willful and deliberate lies,)

1. That they feel no inward sin; and to the best of their knowledge commit no outward sin:

2. That they see and love God every moment, and pray, rejoice, give thanks ever more:

3. That they have constantly as clear a witness from God of sanctification as they have of justification.

Now in this I do rejoice, and will rejoice, call it what you please; and I would to God thousands had experienced thus much: Let them afterward experience as much more as God pleases.

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We rode over the mountains, through furious wind and rain, which was ready to overthrow both man and beast. However, in the afternoon we came well to Manchester. On Friday, the 14th, being the National Fast day, we had service at five, at seven, and at five in the evening; but I did not observe here anything of that solemnity with which the Public Fasts are observed in London. I was much out of order on Saturday, and not well on Sunday. However, having appointed to preach in Stockport at noon, 1 determined not to break my word. As it rained, our friends provided a post chaise. When we were gone half a mile one of the horses began to kick and rear, and would go no further; so we got out, and walked on: But another driver brought the chaise after, and carried me to Stockport. A large congregation was waiting, and received the word with all readiness of mind. For some years the seed seemed to be here sown in vain; but at length it yields a good increase.

On the following days I preached in several neighboring towns, and on Wednesday evening at Liverpool. Thursday, 20. I had a good deal of conversation with Mr. N——n. His case is very peculiar. Our Church requires that Clergymen should be men of learning, and, to this end, have an University education. But how many have an University education, and yet no learning at all? Yet these men are ordained! Meantime, one of eminent learning, as well as unblamable behavior, cannot be ordained because he was not at the University! What a mere farce is this! Who would believe that any Christian Bishop would stoop to so poor an evasion?

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About noon I preached at Warrington. Many of “the beasts of the people” were present; hut the bridle from above was in their teeth, so that they made not the least disturbance. At seven in the evening I preached at Chester; but I was scarce able to open my eyes. They were much inflamed before I set out; and the inflammation was much increased by riding forty miles with a strong and cold wind exactly in my face: But in the evening I applied the eye water made with Lapis Calaminaris, which removed the disorder before morning.

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I rode to Mould, in Flintshire. The wind was often ready to bear away both man and horse: But the earnest, serious congregation rewarded us for our trouble. Wednesday, 26. About nine I preached at Little Lee, a mile or two from Northwich. Many of the congregation scarce ever heard a Methodist before: But I trust they did not hear in vain.

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I rode to Liverpool in order to embark for Dublin. We were desired to be on board by nine on Saturday morning: But the wind falling, and a fog coming on, we gained a little more time; so we had one more solemn opportunity in the evening. Sunday, 30. The fog was gone, and the wind fair. We took ship about nine, and got under sail at noon, having only eight cabin passengers, seven of whom were our own company; so we prayed, and sung, and conversed, at our own discretion. But a poor woman whom we permitted to come into the cabin gave us some uneasiness She had been tapped for the dropsy in the infirmary but two days before. When I spoke to her concerning her soul, she gave but little answer, appearing to be serious and willing to hear, but totally uninstructed. She would eat nothing, but willingly accepted a dish or two of tea, and two or three glasses of wine. The next morning she was extremely restless, continually moving from place to place, till the Captain put a bed for her in the forecastle, on which she lay down about eight o’clock. A little after, she grew light headed, and began shrieking dreadfully. This she continued to do till about noon, and then died. At night, the Captain and all the sailors being present, we committed her body to the deep. On Tuesday noon, APRIL 1, we landed safe at Dublin. I never saw more numerous or more serious congregations in Ireland than we had all this week. On Easter-Day, APRIL 6, I introduced our English custom, beginning the service at four in the morning.

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I began speaking severally to the members of the society, and was well pleased to find so great a number of them much alive to God. One consequence of this is, that the society is larger than it has been for several years: And no wonder, for where the real power of God is) it naturally spreads wider and wider.

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I was sitting with a friend when poor Mr. Cook came in. His eyes, his look, his hair standing

Like quills upon the fretful porcupine,

his tattered gown, his whole person, as well as his speech, immediately betrayed him: But he is quite an original, and has so much vivacity, with touches of strong sense, that I do not wonder the gentlemen of the College, as he told me, had given him an apartment there. What a noble fabric lies here in ruins what pity that when he first found himself a sinner, he had not one to speak to that understood his case, and could teach him the only method of cure!

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At three in the afternoon, I preached in the Barrack Square; another kind of place than Ormondtown Green. No mob must show their heads here; for the soldiers would give them no quarter.

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I preached there again; but on Thursday, it being a rainy day, an offer was made me of the riding-house; a very large commodious building, designed by Lord Chesterfield for a church, but never used as such till now. A troop of soldiers was exercising there when I came; but this was clear gains; for the Officers forbade any of them to go away before the sermon was ended.

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I went with Miss F—— to see the French prisoner sent from Carrickfergus. They were surprised at hearing as good French spoke in Dublin as they could have heard in Paris, and still more at being exhorted to heart religion, to the “faith that worketh by love.”

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I appointed those of the society who desired to renew their covenant with God, which I had several times before explained, to meet me in the evening; and, I believe, of the five hundred and twelve members, hardly twelve were wanting.

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In riding to Rosmead, I read Sir John Davis’” Historical Relations concerning Ireland.” None who reads these can wonder, that, fruitful as it is, it was always so thinly inhabited; for he makes it plain,

1. That murder was never capital among the native Irish; the murderer only paid a small fine to the Chief of his Sept.

2. When the English settled here, still the Irish had no benefit of the English laws. They could not so much as sue an Englishman. So the English beat, plundered, yea, murdered them, at pleasure. Hence,

3. Arose continual wars between them, for three hundred and fifty years together; and hereby both the English and Irish natives were kept few, as well as poor.

4. When they were multiplied during a peace of forty years, from 1600 to 1641, the general massacre, with the ensuing war, again thinned their numbers; not so few as a million of men, women, and children, being destroyed in four years time.

5. Great numbers have ever since, year by year, left the land merely for want of employment.

6. The Gentry are continually driving away hundreds, yea, thousands, of them that remain, by throwing such quantities of arable land into pasture, which leaves them neither business nor food.

This it is that now dispeoples many parts of Ireland, of Connaught in particular, which, it is supposed, has scarce half the inhabitants at this day which it had fourscore years ago.

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I rode to Newry, and preached at seven in the evening to a numerous congregation. Sunday, 27. We had a useful sermon at church; but they told me few attended the Prayers in the afternoon: However, I resolved to set them the example, and the church was as full as in the forenoon. Of what importance is every step we take, seeing so many are ready to follow us!

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I rode to Rathfriland, seven Irish miles from Newry, a small town built on the top of a mountain, surrounded first by a deep valley, and at a small distance by higher mountains. The Presbyterian Minister had wrote to the Popish Priest, to keep his people from hearing. But they would not be kept: Protestants and Papists flocked together to the meadow where I preached, and sat on the grass, still as night, while I exhorted them to “repent, and believe the Gospel.” The same attention appeared in the whole congregation at Terryhugan in the evening, where I spent a comfortable night in the Prophet’s chamber, nine feet long, seven broad, and six high. The ceiling, floor, and walls were all of the same marble, vulgarly called clay.

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I rode to Moira. Soon after twelve, standing on a tomb

stone, near the church, I called a considerable number of people, to “know God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent.” We were just opposite to the Earl of Moira’s house, the best finished of any I have seen in Ireland. It stands on a hill, with a large avenue in front, bounded by the church on the opposite hill. The other three sides are covered by orchards, gardens, and woods, in which are walks of various kinds.

General Flaubert, who commanded the French troops at Carrickfergus, was just gone from Lord Moira’s. Major Brajelon was now there, a man of a fine person and extremely graceful behavior. Both these affirmed, that the French were all picked men out of the King’s Guards: That their commission was, to land either at Londonderry or Carrickfergus, while Monsieur Conflans landed in the South: And if they did not do this within three months, to return directly to France.

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In the evening, and morning and evening on Saturday, I preached at Lisburn. The people here (as Mr. Boston said) are “all ear:” But who can find a way to their heart?

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After preaching to a large congregation at seven, I hastened to Cumber, in order to be at church in time. As soon as Service was ended, I began; and four in five of the people behaved well. About six in the evening I preached at Newtown, where there is usually the largest congregation in Ulster. But what avails “the hearing ear,” without the “understanding heart?”

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After preaching in the market-place at Belfast, to a people who care for none of these things, we rode on, with a furious East wind right in our face to Carrickfergus, where I willingly accepted of an invitation from a merchant in the town, Mr. Cobham, to lodge at his house: The rather, when I understood, that Mr. Cavenac, the French Lieutenant General, was still there. I now received a very particular account of what had been lately transacted here. Mrs. Cobham said, “My daughter came running in, and said, ‘Mamma, there are three Indiamen come into the bay, and I suppose my brothers are come in them.’ (Who had been in the East Indies for some time.) An hour after she came in again, and cried, ‘O mamma, they say they are Frenchmen; and they are landing; and their guns glitter in the sun.”’ Mr. Cavenac informed me, that Mr. Thurot had received a thousand men out of the King’s Guards, with orders to land in the North of Ireland, at the same time that Monsieur Conflans landed in the South: That a storm drove him up to Bergen, in Norway, from whence he could not get out, till his ships were much damaged, and his provisions consumed; nor could he there procure a supply at any price: That another storm drove him to 66 degrees north latitude; from whence he did not get back to Carrick Bay till all on board were almost famished, having only an ounce of bread per man daily: That they then landed merely to procure provisions. I asked, “Is it true, that you had a design to burn the town?” He cried out, “Jesu, Maria! We never had such a thought! To burn, to destroy, cannot enter into the heart or head of a good man.”

After they had landed, (Mrs. Cobham and others informed me,) they divided into two bodies. One of these marched up to the east gate, the other to the North. Twelve soldiers and a Corporal were there on the wall, who fired upon them when they came near. Immediately General Flaubert fell, having his leg broke by a musket ball. The next in command, a young Marquis, then led them on. When the English had fired four rounds, having no more ammunition, they retired, and the French entered the town, and at the market-place met those who had come in at the east gate. When they had joined, they marched up to the castle, (though the English there, who were an hundred and sixty two in number, kept a constant fire,) the gate of which was not barred, so that the Marquis thrust it open and went in. Just then he was shot dead. Mr. Cavenac immediately took his place, and drew up his men again. The English then desired a parley, and articled to furnish them with provisions in six hours. But they could not perform it, there being little in the town. On this Mr. Cavenac sent for Mr. Cobham, and desired him to go up to Belfast and procure them, leaving his wife with the General, as an hostage for his return. But the poor Frenchmen could not stay for this. At the time prefixed, they began to serve themselves with meat and drink; having been in such want, that they were glad to eat raw oats to sustain nature. They accordingly took all the food they could find, with some linen and wearing apparel. But they neither hurt nor affronted man, woman, or child, nor did any mischief for mischief’s sake; though they were sufficiently provoked; for many of the inhabitants affronted them without fear or wit, cursed them to their face, and even took up pokers, or other things to strike them.

While Mrs. Cobham was with the General, a little plain dressed man came in, to whom they all showed a particular respect. It struck into her mind, Is not this Mr. Thurot? Which was soon confirmed. She said to him, “Sir, you seem much fatigued. Will you step to my house and refresh yourself? “He readily accepted the offer. She prepared a little veal, of which he ate moderately, and drank three glasses of small warm punch; after which he told her, “I have not taken any food before, nor slept, for eight and forty hours.” She asked, “Sir, will you please to take a little rest now?” Observing he started, she added, “I will answer, life for life, that none shall hurt you under my roof” He said, “Madam, I believe you: I accept the offer.” He desired that two of his men might lie on the floor by the bed side, slept about six hours, and then, returning her many thanks, went aboard his ship.

Five days he was kept in the bay by contrary winds. When he sailed, he took the Mayor of Carrick, and another gentleman, as hostages for the delivery of the French prisoners. The next morning, as he was walking the deck, he frequently started, without any visible cause, stepped short, and said, “I shall die today.” A while after he said, to one of the English, “Sir I see three ships: Pray take my glass, and tell me freely what you think they are.” He looked some time, and said, “I think they are English; and I guess they are about forty gun ships.” He called his Officers, and said, “Our ships are too foul to fight at a distance: we must board them.” Accordingly, when they came up, after a short fire, he ran up close to Captain Elliot; and Captain Scordeck, with his four and twenty hussars, immediately leaped on board. Almost instantly, nine of them lay dead; on which he was so enraged, that he rushed forward with his sabre among the English, who seized his arms and carried him away. Meantime, his men that were left retired into their own ship. Thurot seeing this, cried out, “Why should we throw away the lives of the poor men?” and ordered to strike the colors. A man going up to do this was shot dead; as was likewise a second; and before a third could do it, Mr. Thurot himself was shot through the heart. So fell a brave man; giving yet another proof, that “there is no counsel or strength against the Lord.”

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