to give.  On the principle that “prevention is better than cure,” they have, I am told, in Boston introduced into every new trust-deed a clause that will effectually guard against the recurrence of such a calamity.  But so “smartly” has it been done that, were you to examine those deeds, you would look in vain for a single syllable having the remotest apparent bearing on either black or coloured people, and you would be ready to suspect that the whole was a mere invention of the Abolitionists.  Indeed, Mrs.  “Bliss,” at the “Saints’ Rest,” assured me in the most positive manner that such was the case, and that the whole of the story I have related had not the shadow of a foundation in truth.  But she might as well have attempted to deny the existence of Bunker’s Hill or Boston Bay.  This was only a specimen of the manner in which the colour-hating party attempt to throw dust in the eyes of strangers, and deny the existence of the most palpable facts.  But how runs the conservative clause which led to this digression?  It is expressed in words to this effect,—­That no sale of any pew is valid if two-thirds or three-fourths (I forget which) of the congregation should object to the purchaser!  This was quite enough.  Those against whom it was directed need not be even mentioned.  It was well known that with this clause no coloured man could ever own a pew.  Public feeling would piously take hold of this key, and turn it against him.

In the afternoon I heard the Rev. E.N.  Kirk.  The church was new and beautiful, the congregation large, and the sermon good.

In the evening I preached in Welsh to about 70 people, in a small “upper room.”  It was my first attempt for many years to deliver a sermon in that language.  Nor should I have made it, but for the peculiarity of the case.  The parties were representatives of four different denominations in Wales, had formed themselves into a kind of Evangelical Alliance, and had no stated minister, but gladly availed themselves of the occasional services of any minister of evangelical views who might be passing through!  Poor and few as they were, they insisted upon my receiving towards travelling expenses four dollars and a half.  This was not done at the Old South, though the pastor told me they were “burdened with wealth;” nor was it done in any other instance in the American churches.

The next day the Rev. Mr. Blagden accompanied us to see the Massachusetts Asylum for the Blind.  Here we were introduced to Laura Bridgman, who since she was about two years of age has been deaf, dumb, and blind.  Her senses of taste and smell are also impaired.  She is 18 years of age, and has been in the institution ten years.  Every avenue of communication with the soul was closed—­but one.  The sense of touch remained; and by means of that they have contrived to reach the mind, to inform it, to instruct it, to refine and elevate it.  We found her exactly corresponding to the beautiful