Wesley Corpus

friendly conversation with Mr. V. O that all men would sit as loose to opinions as I do ; that they would think and let think ! I preached in the evening to a numerous con- gregation with much enlargement of spirit. Wednesday, 4. I preached at Godmanchester, and on Thursday, returned to London. In the way, I read over Mr. Gray's Works, and his Life wrote by Mr. Mason. He is an admirable poet,not much inferior to either Prior or Pope ; but he does not appear, uponthe whole, to have been an amiableman. His picture, I apprehend, expresses his character;-sharp, sensible, ingenious; but, at the same time, proud, morose, envious, passionate, and resentful. I was quite shocked at the contempt with which he more than once speaks of Mr. Mason ; one full as ingenious as himself, yea, full as good a poet ; (as even " Elfrida " shows, as much as Mr. Gray despises, or affects to despise it ;) and, over and above, possessed ofthat modesty and humanity, whereinMr. Gray was sogreatly deficient. Friday, 13, was the national fast. It was observed not only throughout the city, but (I was afterwards informed) throughout the nation, with the utmost solemnity. I shall not wonder if God should now interpose and send us prosperity, since, at Jan. 1777. ] JOURNAL. 91 length, we are not too proud to acknowledge " there is a God that judgeth the earth." Mon. 16. I preached at Canterbury ; on Tuesday, at Dover; Wednesday, about eleven, at poor, dry, dead Sandwich. But I now foundmore hope for the poor people, than I had done for many years. In the evening I preached at Margate, to a very genteel, and yet very serious, congregation ; and I believe (although it blew a storm) near a hundred were present in the morning. Thur. 19. I had another truly comfortable opportunity at Canterbury. God lifted up the hands that hung down, and gavemany a strong hope that they should yet see good days, after all the days of darkness and heaviness. Friday, 20. I returned to London ; and on Sunday, 22, buried the remains of Elizabeth Duchesne ; a person eminently upright of heart, yet for manyyears a child of labour and sorrow. For near forty years shewas zealous of good works, and at length shortened her