Wesley Corpus

Though the ground was covered with snow, so many people flocked together, that I was constrained to preach in the court of the prison. The snow continued to fall, and the north wind to whistle round us; but I trust God warmed many hearts. I preached at Wakefield in the evening; Thursday, 29, at Rothwell and Leeds; and on Friday noon, at Harewood. In the afternoon we walked to Mr. Lascelles's house. It is finely situated on a little eminence, commanding a most delightful prospect of hill and dale, and wood and water. It is built of a fine white stone, with two grand and beautiful fronts. I was not much struck with anything within. There is too much sameness in all the great houses I have seen in England; two rows of large, square rooms, with costly beds, glasses, chairs, and tables. But here is a profusion of wealth; every pane of glass, we were informed, cost six-and-twenty shillings. One looking-glass cost five hundred pounds, and one bed, six hundred. The whole floor was just on the plan of Montague May, 1779.] JOURNAL. 15] House; now the British Museum. The grounds round the house are pleasant indeed, particularly the walks on the river side, and through the woods. But what has the owner thereof, save the beholding them with his eyes? Sat. MAY 1.--I looked over the first volume of Mr. Bryant’s “Ancient Mythology.” He seems to be a person of immense reading, and indefatigable industry. But I have two objec tions to the whole work: 1. That his discoveries, being built chiefly on etymologies, carry no certainty in them. 2. That were they ever so certain, they are of no consequence. For instance, Whether Chiron was a man or a mountain, and whether the Cyclops were giants or watch-towers, are points of no manner of importance, either to me or any man living. Sun. 2.--Dr. Kershaw, the Vicar of Leeds, desired me to assist him at the sacrament. It was a solemn season. We were ten Clergymen, and seven or eight hundred communicants. Mr. Atkinson desired me to preach in the afternoon. Such a congregation had been seldom seen there; but I preached to a much larger in our own House at five ; and I found no want of strength. Fri.