After the address, the pastor called upon “Brother Franklin” to “lead in prayer.”  The phrase was new to me, but I liked it,—­it was appropriate.  The prayer was scriptural and good, as was that also of another brother.  The second prayed that the war, in which they were then as a nation engaged, might be overruled for good, and “be the means of introducing the Gospel and free institutions to a neighbouring republic.”  Free institutions, indeed! (I said to myself):  if you conquer, I fear it will be the means of introducing slavery where now it is not!  After this prayer the pastor, having delivered a very short address, gave out a hymn, and said that while they were singing Brother such-a-one would “take up the collection,”—­a phrase which seems to indicate a greater degree of preparation on the part of the people than our “make a collection.”  The Americans suppose it to be already made, and nothing remains but to take it up.  The good brother came round with an old hat to receive contributions for the cause of missions.  The pastor then closed with a short prayer and the benediction.  Upon the whole, there were indications of a considerable degree of warm-heartedness in reference to the missionary cause, and especially of tender sympathy and affection towards missionaries themselves.  As one of the tribe, I found it rather difficult to preserve my incog.  There were present about half-a-dozen black people, some on the right and some on the left of the pastor—­“the place of honour!”

LETTER VI.

“Jack Jones”—­A Public Meeting for Ireland—­Henry Clay—­Other Speakers—­American Feeling in reference to the Irish Famine—­A Slave-Auction.

On that dreadful day, the 28th of January, on which we arrived in New Orleans, Jack Jones, a Welshman, was drowned in the Mississippi, in a generous effort to save another man from a watery grave.  In that effort he succeeded, but at the cost of his own life.  On the 2nd of February there was an advertisement in the papers, in which his friends offered a reward for the recovery of the body.  Where was the corporation, or some one of the municipalities? for the papers make a continual reference to first, second, and third municipalities.  Was there no public body, either civil or humane, to come forward on such an occasion?  Had “Jack Jones” gone to the war, and butchered a score or two of harmless Mexicans, he would have been loaded with honours; but he saved a human being, close to the metropolis of the South, and his body was left to perish like that of a dog—­for aught the citizens cared.  I felt proud of my countryman.  All honour to “Jack Jones!” May none of Cambria’s sons perish in a cause less noble!