THE partings were mostly over beforehand, and the tranquillity and content of its autumn were filling the air of England on the day when the pilgrims left it. And the peace of God was keeping their minds. Mr Ritchie, the early and ardent promoter of the mission, and a few other friends, accompanied them to the ship, and, from the cheerfulness of the voyagers, augured the best for the success of their expedition. They considered their preparations complete, and with hearts strong and hopeful, they bore away down the Mersey.

*

* From Mr Ritchie's communication, already mentioned, we may give the following particulars of the last hour at Liverpool. Captain Gardiner had not yet reached the vessel, which was already warping out of dock: "I endeavoured, however, to improve the precious moments by carrying on a conversation from the wharf with our friends on the poop-deck, who were dressed in their sea-going garbs, and protected from a hot September sun by broad-brimmed sombreros.' They seemed full of hope, and animated by a high and holy zeal for the great cause on which they were about to proceed; and, judging from their healthful animated looks, they were as well adapted as any

During the voyage, as well as afterwards in the place of his destination, Mr Williams kept a copious journal. This companion of his wanderings, and confidant of all his musings, has survived many perils, and been sent home to its author's family. From its daily records we gather the following account of the voyage:

"Saturday, September 7, 1850.-Came on board the Ocean Queen at eleven A.M. At noon hauled out of the Brunswick Dock Basin, and taken in tow by steam-tug.

"Fairly on board and standing out for the wide ocean, how varied were the emotions felt! But the one above all others was a sense of joy at the cer

men ever were for the fatigues and privations which stared them in the face." "When Captain Gardiner arrived, I particularly remember asking him, with that frankness which became our intimacy, for how long a period he considered the provisions he was taking would serve the party; to which he replied, About six months after arrival, even allowing we catch no fish nor kill any game.' I expressed my regret that he had not taken a twelvemonth's provision at once, especially when he was aware of the difficulty, if not impracticability, of hereafter landing any at the mission,- -owners not wishing to allow their vessels to deflect from their course, to touch at so dangerous a coast as Tierra del Fuego. On this he gave me explanations-based on the state of the funds of the Mission, the certainty of damage by wet and damp, and the exposure to robbery by the natives-which, no doubt, were perfectly satisfactory to himself, and must also have been so to me, for I thought little further on the subject. Shortly afterwards, about noon, the Ocean Queen was warped through the gates, and, following her tug-steamer, swam nobly down the vassal river, amid cheers from the pier-head, much augmented by the numerous friends of the San Francisco emigrants, and the response from on board, until at length she was lost in the haze."

tainty of now being actually engaged in the great work of making known the Saviour of the world, and that, too, to a poor benighted people-a race of savages.

"Now for the first time I saw those who were to be my companions in the work of faith. These I found (besides Captain Gardiner) consisted of my fellow-catechist Mr Maidment, Joseph Erwin, shipcarpenter, and our three boatmen from Mousehole, near Penzance, John Badcock, John Bryant, John Pearce.

"The vessel is bound for San Francisco, California, being 568 tons burden, commanded by Captain H. S. Cooper, and carrying, besides our own party, a lady and gentleman from Liverpool, with their children and two servants, and four German Jews.

Sunday, September 8.-Captain Gardiner conducted services in the cabin, morning and night; but I could not venture to be present,-as yet unable to bear the motion below.

"I have much enjoyed the day, and felt much of the goodness of God whilst pondering on my situation. However, I can scarcely realise the actuality of my position and this novel change so suddenly brought about.-My poor dear friends!

Thursday, September 12.-I have now had time to see something of my associates. The more I see of Captain Allen Gardiner, the more I admire his character. Day by day he opens up before me in

some new and pleasing light. I am sure he will gain not only on my esteem, but also on my affections. Every morning he reads a chapter and expounds it, and then prays. In the evening I or my fellow-catechist read the Scriptures and pray. I am greatly pleased and derive much edification from the enlightened and truly spiritual character of the Captain's observations on the Scriptures, and the unction which accompanies his prayers.

"One of our boatmen, John Pearce, is ill with continued fever, contracted before he left home, where fever was prevailing. He felt indisposed for a day or two before he came on board. May God preserve him to us, and enable me to act judiciously in the treatment of his case!

"Tuesday, September 17.-Lat. 39° 52', long. 18° 8'. Wind directly aft; sea very smooth; weather exceedingly fair and quite warm, so that we need only light clothing. The nights, too, are very beautiful. As things now are, a sea life is really very delightful. We expect to be off Madeira in a day or two, and have already a foretaste of its balm-breathing atmosphere and sunny clime.

“Our boatman, John Pearce, is happily much better; and now, thank God, there is every hope of his speedy recovery. And what is very pleasing, there is no appearance of the fever spreading to any others on board.

"We have been now ten days at sea. I begin

to realise the fact without so much maziness and

wonder as I felt at first. The change from my accustomed avocations to a voyage for a distant land was so abrupt and sudden, that it was impossible not to feel occasionally startled at the newness of my position. Being unable, owing to the shortness of time, to dispose of my practice, I was engaged up to the day of my leaving Burslem, without having so much as the opportunity of visiting absent friends, from whom I had already been separated for years past.

"When I reflect on the circumstances with which I had to contend in entering on this engagement, I feel how great a cause I have for thankfulness to the grace of God which has sustained me, and enabled me to keep faithful to my purpose. Scarcely four months elapsed between my first hearing of the Patagonian Missions and my embarkation. Settled in practice upwards of five years, with a large connexion, many friends, and some strong ties, to dissever myself from longformed associations, and to settle all my affairs in so short a time, presented difficulties that at times seemed insuperable. However, from the moment of pledging myself to the work, I had a firm confidence that I should be able to overcome every obstacle. But when the time of my departure drew near, and when, after every effort, my affairs were as far from settlement as ever, a fear for the first time crossed my mind as to whether it was really God's will that I should go. One morning, I

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