without apparent pain or emotion.  We were nearly ready to leave our room, about half-past 6. o’clock, when one of the sons knocked at our door, and related the awful occurrence.  I went down immediately:  the scene may be more easily imagined by you than described by me.  We endeavored to calm them as much as possible; and, though deeply afflicted, they bear the stroke with sweet resignation.  I wrote letters at their request to most of their near relatives; and as we could not think of leaving the sorrowing family to go as proposed to Bristol, we immediately procured a lodging and settled in, in the evening.

On Third-day afternoon we went to the Quarterly Meeting at Bristol, and returned to Bath on Fifth day, not wishing to be long absent from the dear sorrowing ones.  We have a pleasant situation on the hill-side, called Sidney Lodge, from which, when the gas is lighted, the city is presented to our view like a beautiful panorama.

Their minds had been for some time in preparation for renewing, on the Continent of Europe, Christian intercourse with some of their old friends, and for exploring new veins of religious life in countries which they had not yet visited.  Accordingly, in the Fourth Month of 1842, they acquainted the Friends of their Monthly Meeting with the prospect of missionary service which had opened before them, informing them that from the conclusion of their last European journey they had believed it would one day be required of them to re-enter that field of labor.  The Monthly Meeting accorded its full and sympathetic approbation, which was endorsed by the Quarterly Meeting at a conference of men and women Friends, of which John Yeardley says:—­

The great solemnity which prevailed was truly refreshing to our spirits, and I believe to the spirits of many others.  Our friends gave us their full unity, encouragement, sympathy, and prayers.

Martha Yeardley thus expresses the feelings with which she contemplated this arduous journey, in a letter to Josiah Forster:—­

It is indeed an awful engagement, now in the decline of life, and, with respect to myself, under increasing infirmities; but I believe it best for me not to look too far forward, but simply to confide in the mercy and guidance of that blessed Saviour who has been our support and consolation under many deep trials, humblingly believing that whether enabled to accomplish the important prospect or not, it was an offering required at our hands, and that we must leave the event to the Great Disposer of all things.

In the same letter she mentions their having heard of the death of Louis A. Majolier of Congenies, which, she says, although a cause of rejoicing as it regards him, was read by us with mournful feelings, from the recollection of his fatherly kindness in days that are past, and also from renewed solicitude for the little flock in that country.

Before their departure they went once more into the West Riding, to see how their brethren of J.Y.’s earliest acquaintance fared.  They were joined by William Dent of Marr, near Doncaster, with whom they were “sweetly united in the fellowship of the gospel;” and they returned to Scarborough with “grateful and peaceful hearts.”