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 STEVENSON ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 KC.B.
 
 SOME RECORDS OF THE LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 STEVENSON ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 K.CB. 
 
 COMPILED BY A FBIEND 
 
 EDITED BY HIS WIDOW 
 
 Bonbon 
 HODDEE AND STOUGHTON 
 
 27 PATERNOSTER ROW 
 
 MDCCCXCVI 
 [All rights reserved]
 
 ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY PRESS.
 
 TO THE PRAISE 
 OF THE GLORY OF THE GRACE OF 
 
 GOD 
 
 THESE RECORDS ARE DEDICATED. 
 
 2065745
 
 THIS volume does not aspire to be a Biography. 
 
 It only seeks to give some Records of Sir Arthur Blackwood's 
 life from his own Letters and Notes, from what his Friends 
 said of him, and from the impressions received by those who 
 had to do with him, whether in official, or religious, or social 
 life. 
 
 Except in the case of those who are gone, none who formed 
 the inner circle of home life have been brought into the story ; 
 and so far as was possible, this principle has been studiously 
 maintained. 
 
 Letters, of which many must exist, have not, except in a 
 few instances, been attainable. 
 
 Under these limitations, much which could not thus be 
 gathered up, has of necessity been left untold. 
 
 It is hoped that those to whom Sir Arthur's memory is 
 dear will feel that in these pages they again hold converse with 
 him ; and that many others, to whom he was a stranger, may 
 recognize in this volume with all its imperfections the true 
 picture of a life nobly lived for the service of GOD, and for the 
 good of his fellow-men. 
 
 S. M. 
 
 March, 1896.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 i. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 [1832] EARLY LIFE. 1 
 
 CHILDHOOD. 
 
 SANDFOKD GRANGE AND ETON. 
 
 PBOSEKEN. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE AND LONDON. 
 
 II. 
 [1854] THE WAR IN THE CRIMEA. 37 
 
 THE BOSPHORUS. 
 
 BULGARIA. 
 
 ALMA. 
 
 WINTER BEFORE SEBASTOPOL. 
 
 SUMMER IN THE CRIMEA. 
 
 THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL. 
 
 III. 
 [1856] "THE DAY-SPRING FROM ON HIGH." 107 
 
 THE AWAKENING. 
 
 " CECI." 
 
 "FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE."
 
 X CONTENTS 
 
 IV. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 [1857] " NEWNESS OF LIFE." 135 
 
 SERVICE AND SUFFERING. 
 
 ITALY. 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 V. 
 [1858] MAKKIED LIFE. 203 
 
 HUNTLY LODGE AND FIRST HOME. 
 
 STREATHAM. 
 
 FROM PLACE TO PLACE. 
 
 VI. 
 [1868] AT HOME AND ABKOAD. 279 
 
 SHOOTERS' HILL. 
 
 CONSTANTINOPLE. 
 
 CRAYFORD. 
 
 IRELAND, WIESBADEN AND EAGATZ. 
 
 OAKHAM. 
 
 VII. 
 
 [1873] SEVEN YEAKS OF PLENTY AND 
 
 THEIR SEQUEL. 325 
 
 VARIOUS LETTERS, FROM 1873-80. 
 
 THE MILDMAY CONFERENCES. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, AND WORK AMONGST YOUNG MEN. 
 
 THE PEN OF A READY WRITER. 
 
 TOTAL ABSTINENCE, AND OTHER SOCIAL 
 
 AND PHILANTHROPIC WORK. 
 PROTESTANTISM AND PATRIOTISM.
 
 CONTENTS XI 
 
 VIII. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 [1880] ST. MAETIN'S-LE-GEAND. 389 
 
 THE SECEETABY. 
 THE POSTAL SEBVICE. 
 " FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE 
 GOOD OF THE SERVICE." 
 
 IX. 
 [1880] MIDDLE LIFE. 409 
 
 PARIS. 
 
 SHORTLANDS. 
 
 LETTERS, FROM 1880-1884. 
 
 LISBON AND SPAIN. 
 
 CORBESPONDENCE IN 1885-6-7. 
 
 EEMINISCENCES AND LETTEBS. 
 
 X. 
 
 [1890] LAST YEAES. 485 
 
 JANUABY 1890 MAY 1891. 
 
 VIENNA. 
 
 PBOSEKEN AGAIN. 
 
 GBEAT AMWELL AND SHOOTERS' HILL. 
 
 XI. 
 [1893] "TOWAEDS EVENING." 533 
 
 SPRING AND SUMMER, 1893. 
 CAMPFER AND EMS. 
 HOME. 
 
 "IN SUEE AND CEETAIN HOPE." 575
 
 I. 
 
 EAELY LIFE. 
 
 CHILDHOOD. 
 
 SANDFORD GRANGE AND ETON. 
 
 PROSEKEN. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE AND LONDON.
 
 CHILDHOOD. 
 
 STEVENSON ARTHUR BLACKWOOD was the only son of Mr. Arthur 
 Johnstons Blackwood and Cecilia Georgiana, widow of Mr. John 
 Wright, of Lenton Hall, Notts. He was born on the 22nd May, 
 1832, at Rosslyn Lodge, Hampstead, where his Father, who was 
 Gentleman Usher to William IV., and subsequently to Her Majesty 
 the Queen, and who held an appointment in the Colonial Office, 
 was then living. 
 
 The family was of Scotch extraction. One branch, now extinct 
 in the male line, migrated to France. Of this branch was the 
 celebrated Adam Blackwood, Privy Councillor to Mary, Queen of 
 Scots. 
 
 A member of the Fife branch, born in Scotland in 1591, was 
 possessed of considerable landed property in Ireland, and settled 
 there, becoming the founder of the family now represented by the 
 Marquis of Dufferin and Ava. His son and grandson were both 
 attainted by James II. The great-grandson, Eobert Blackwood of 
 Ballyleidy, was created a baronet of Ireland in 1763. His son, Sir 
 John Blackwood, married Dorcas Stevenson, who was created 
 Baroness Dufferin and Clandeboye in her own right in 1800. 
 
 This lady's seventh and youngest son, the Hon. Sir Henry 
 Blackwood, K.C.B., grandfather of Stevenson Arthur Black- 
 wood, acquired great distinction in the Navy, and is remembered 
 not only for the gallant services he thus rendered to his country, 
 but for his close connection with Nelson. He was bearer of the 
 despatches from Trafalgar, and brought his body home. 
 
 The family records contain several letters from Nelson. In one 
 of these he says : 
 
 " MY DEAR BLACKWOOD, Is there a sympathy which ties men 
 together in the bonds of friendship without having a personal know- 
 ledge of each other ? If so (and I believe it was so to you) I was your 
 friend and acquaintance before I saw you." 
 
 (3)
 
 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 The last letter but one was written, in his strong left-handed 
 characters, only ten days before Trafalgar : 
 
 " 10th Oct., 1805. 
 
 " MY DEAR BLACKWOOD, Keep your five frigates, Weazle and Pickle, 
 and let me know every movement. I rely on you, that we can't miss 
 getting hold of them, and I will give them such a shaking as they 
 never before experienced at least I will lay down my life in the 
 attempt. We are a very powerful fleet, and not to be held cheap. I 
 have told Parker, and do you direct ships bringing information of their 
 coming out, to fire guns every three minutes by the watch; and in 
 the night, to fire off rockets, if they have them, from the mast-head. 
 I have nothing more to say, than I hope they will sail to-night. 
 
 " Ever yours most faithfully, 
 
 "NELSON AND BRONTE. 
 
 " Cadiz, East 13 leagues, 6 A.M." 
 
 On the evening of 20th October, before a night of darkness and 
 squalls, when the French fleet was creeping out of Cadiz, Nelson 
 signalled : " / rely on you that I do not miss the enemy." 
 
 Captain Blackwood accordingly took up his station within half 
 a gunshot of the vessel which he believed to be the flagship of 
 the French admiral, and succeeded in keeping the fleet in sight. 
 On the Monday morning, the ever- memorable 21st October, he 
 snatched a moment to write to his wife : 
 
 "My signal just made on board the Victory. . . . My dearest dear 
 Harriet, your husband will not disgrace your love and name ; if he 
 dies, his last breath will be devoted to the dearest and best of wives. 
 Take care of my boy ; make him a better man than his father. 
 
 " Most and ever affectionately, 
 
 " H. B." 
 
 He remained on board the Victory between five and six hours, 
 witnessed Nelson's will, and only left him for his own command of 
 the Light Squadron, when the enemy had already opened fire. As 
 he sent him away, Nelson's last words were, " GOD bless you, 
 Blackwood ! I shall never see you more." 
 
 To have been born into a family possessed of such traditions of 
 duty nobly done, and of intimate connection with great historic 
 events, is a heritage that can have had no small bearing upon the 
 formation of a boy's character.
 
 CHILDHOOD 5 
 
 Extracts from some slight NOTES, dictated to one of his daughters 
 during a time of illness and pain, and intended for his family, give 
 Sir Arthur Blackwood's * own reminiscences of his early life. 
 
 " My earliest recollections are of Kosslyn Lodge, an old-fashioned 
 two-storied house. Prominent among my reminiscences are the 
 summer-house, where I trained my rabbits ; a splendid old mulberry 
 tree, which bore quantities of fruit every year; and a large horse- 
 chestnut tree, where my sisters and I had our tea parties, and on 
 which I employed my first knife in deeply carving their and my own 
 initials, to be seen to this day. 
 
 "Hampstead was in those days a quiet and charming suburban 
 village. Rosslyn Lodge stood in The Grove, opposite Pond Street, 
 facing some shady fields, which led off towards the town, about a 
 quarter of a mile distant. At the top of the Grove, which consisted 
 of fine old Spanish chestnuts, stood the residence of Lord Galloway, 
 and a path led up to the Conduit Fields. I became by degrees ac- 
 quainted with the ponds on Parliament Hill, and the distant heights 
 of the Heath itself. 
 
 " My home was a very happy one, the family consisting of my 
 Father and Mother, my half-sister Lucy, and my sister Ceci, two years 
 my junior. 
 
 "Perhaps the most distinct impression that remains to this day 
 is the personality of a dear old nurse, Eliza Kempster, rather deaf." 
 
 His feelings of attachment and gratitude towards this nurse 
 remained with him throughout life. He could never forget that to 
 her he owed, not only the loving care of a faithful servant and friend, 
 but also those first teachings of heavenly truth which, early dropped 
 into a child's heart, so often appear to become a part of his very 
 being. In the religious training of their children, his Father and 
 Mother apparently devoted attention only to the enforcement of 
 those outward observances which custom demanded. But Kempster 
 had been chosen and recommended to Mrs. Blackwood's attention 
 by the sisters of her first husband, three maiden ladies, who in the 
 days of her early widowhood had lavished most tender love and care 
 upon herself and her baby-daughter ; and whose earnest instructions, 
 possibly but little relished at the time, remained an abiding influence 
 
 * It may be as well to explain here, to many to whom the name of Stevenson 
 Blackwood was so long familiar, that, on being made a K.C.B. in 1887, he decided 
 to be called by his second name, to which for some period of his boyhood he 
 had been accustomed, and which he thought easier for ordinary use.
 
 6 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 in her life, until the day when they became to her not merely 
 solemn and restraining external truths, but her own accepted and 
 joyful portion. 
 
 " How can they know," she wrote some forty years afterwards, 
 when tracing the mercies of GOD in her own and her son's life, and 
 commenting upon some statements which had been made, " that in 
 GOD'S abounding love I was led to Ker after having rejected her 
 from her deafness? " 
 
 By whatever means this rejection was overruled, Kempster was 
 eventually installed as the children's nurse ; and apparently her 
 chiefest desire was for their spiritual good. Night and morning she 
 gathered them round her, each child in its own accustomed place, 
 to tell them " that sweet story of old," and to teach them how to 
 pray. 
 
 In a small note-book, full of the little childish stories which 
 mothers love to record, Mrs. Blackwood chronicles the boyish 
 "preaching" on Sundays, when he would choose for his text the 
 fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, and bid his sisters, " While you are 
 walking, think about Christ and how He died for you." However 
 fleeting were these impressions, or however buried for a time under 
 frivolity and sin were the truths thus learned, their memory never 
 wholly died away. "I believe I loved the Bible even then," he said 
 long afterwards in reference to this period ; and to the close of his 
 life, Sir Arthur would speak of his old nurse as one of the first links 
 in that chain of love whereby GOD drew him to Himself. After his 
 marriage until her death in 1879, she usually lived in the village 
 near his home, constantly spending weeks in his house. To her 
 infinite pleasure on these occasions he made her sit by him at family 
 prayers, and would read and pray into her trumpet. 
 
 When he was between three and four years old, a constitutional 
 weakness manifested itself in the right arm, and for years he suf- 
 fered greatly from a succession of abscesses in the elbow. The arm, 
 which he was unable to straighten, was confined in a splint and 
 leather sling ; and the use of his left arm was, through life, as 
 natural to him for many things, as that of the right. 
 
 " He is the same dear patient boy as ever," wrote his Mother, 
 " never complaining, only sometimes crying." 
 
 It was not until eight years had passed, that, to his parents' 
 unbounded joy, the delicacy seemed to be finally overcome.
 
 CHILDHOOD 7 
 
 Soon after its first appearance he was taken, under the advice of 
 Sir Benjamin Brodie, to Walmer, with his sisters and their nurse. 
 Eventually his Father built a small house on the beach, and in Sir 
 Arthur's own words : 
 
 " Oh ! what happy days and years we children spent at Walmer ! 
 In another year, we were all quartered there, my Father coming down 
 from the Colonial Office, whenever he could, by the steamer to Deal." 
 
 On one of these occasions, to quote from the NOTES, " an incident 
 happened which always remained as a cause of family pride. 
 
 "When the heavily-laden steamer touched at Margate, a tipsy 
 porter, trying to jump from the quay to the paddle-box, missed his 
 footing, and fell into the sea. In the confusion which prevailed, the 
 cry of ' Man overboard ' was not heard. My Father and Mother were 
 on deck, and he at once saw that if the man was to be saved, there was no 
 time to lose. Divesting himself of his coat, and asking a friend to hold 
 my Mother who otherwise would certainly have followed him he 
 jumped overboard. This caused a rush of passengers to that side of 
 the ship, nearly swamping it. My Father dived, and brought the man 
 up feet foremost. ' Let him go ! ' they shouted. ' The man's drowning. 
 Get him by the head ! ' Down went the man again, and my Father 
 after him. This time he got his head between his legs, and both were 
 hauled on board amidst the cheers of all on deck." 
 
 For this rescue, Mr. A. Blackwood received the Eoyal Humane 
 Society's medal. 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 "The people remaining most clearly in my mind are Captain 
 Fisher, a superannuated R.N., full of fun with us children ; and a family 
 with whose boys, specially with one of them, I was destined to make 
 a life-long friendship. This was the family of Mr. and Lady Maria 
 West. The eldest boys, Henry and Richard, were at Eton ; and 
 Algernon, the third, was about my age. Then came the bathing 
 machines and Reading Room, where Bob Sharp lived and wrought a 
 hard-working chap, of a very rubicund countenance, who gave me my 
 first dips. Then came a house standing by itself, where lived Lord 
 Mahon, afterwards Lord Stanhope, the historian : and then, separated 
 by but a few fields and a long bit of beach, came Walmer Castle, where 
 the Duke of Wellington was then resident, as Lord Warden of the 
 Cinque Ports. His principal officer and Captain of the Castle was 
 Captain Watts, who used to walk about in a Windsor uniform, with a 
 red collar.
 
 8 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " The Duke was of course a personage whom we were taught to hold 
 in the highest estimation. We used to see him every Sunday morning, 
 in his large square pew at Old Walmer Church, with its beautiful 
 Saxon arch ; and as we generally walked home by the Castle, he used to 
 be kind to us. Once I remember, when in white frock and trousers, 
 I was rushing past him down the hill, he told me that if he were as 
 young as I was, he would run a race with me. 
 
 " As time went on, we children spent even the winters at Walmer. 
 There was often a tremendous gale, and the thundering billows roared 
 upon the beach just below our house a glorious sound in my ears. In 
 one of these gales, a Mecklenburg brig, the Hermann, was stranded, and 
 great were the efforts of my Father and others to bring the crew to land 
 by baskets and ropes." 
 
 A chair made from the wood of this wreck, together with water- 
 colour sketches of the scene, was afterwards given to his Father, 
 and is still in the possession of his family. 
 
 " The grassy Downs, covered with shaking grass, that stretched from 
 Walmer Castle to King's Down, were our happy playing-ground ; and 
 on calm days I launched my various wooden ships in the sea just 
 beneath us. Alas ! Those pleasant years sped only too quickly ! "
 
 SANDFORD GRANGE AND ETON. 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " When about ten years old, it became of course necessary to improve 
 my education. My sister's governess and a Latin master, Mr. Everard, 
 who used to come two or three times a week, had hitherto taught me. 
 A very pleasant place of education was now found for me in Essex. 
 
 " In the summer of 1843, my Father took me down, for the first time 
 away from home alone, to stay with a very old friend of his, the Rev. 
 W. Tower, of How Hatch, Brentwood. There were three girls, my 
 seniors, all very pretty ; and when after a week at How Hatch, I left, 
 having enjoyed myself as I had never done before, it was without any 
 of my heart, having fallen in love with them all. 
 
 "During this visit however my Father ascertained that Harvey 
 Tower was preparing for Eton in the neighbourhood of his uncle, Sir 
 William Eustace, at the Rectory of Old Sandford, where the Rev. J. W. 
 Carver received pupils. Arrangements were, I suppose, soon made ; 
 for Mr. Carver came up to London to see my anxious Mother, whose 
 darling I was, and who, so far as she could, never let me out of her 
 sight, and had shielded me, as a delicate child, from every wind that 
 blew. 
 
 "Accordingly in September, 1843, I was despatched by train to 
 Bishop's Stortford, thence by coach to Finching Field, and then somehow 
 or other to Sandford Grange ; where of course I was promptly miserable, 
 and bedewed my pillow for many a night. But the novelty of the 
 circumstances, Mr. Carver's kindness he was not then married, and 
 the society of my companions, soon made the misery wear off, though 
 my dearest Mother kept it alive by her constant and overwhelmingly 
 affectionate letters." 
 
 Several of these letters remain, together with the boyish answers, 
 written with the perfect freedom and confidence which seem always 
 to have so happily existed between this son and his parents. 
 Surely no child was ever better loved. 
 
 (9)
 
 10 
 
 " You well know, my own love," writes the mother, on the day 
 after the parting, " that I thought of you without ceasing. Do you 
 know poor Mother went to bed too, and just at nine o'clock,'that I might 
 have the melancholy satisfaction of doing the same thing as you ! 
 Write to me, my own child, and if you feel disposed to cry, do not keep 
 it in. It would only make you ill. I can tell you," she adds diplo- 
 matically, " Harvey cries when he first returns to Mr. Carver's." 
 
 Even in this first letter, Mrs. Blackwood pours forth, with 
 intense eagerness, the religious exhortations which appear in many 
 of her subsequent letters, often almost jostled, as it were, as time 
 went on, by the language of the most complete worldliness. Her 
 own spiritual impressions appear now to have been more powerful 
 than at any subsequent period until the date when they were re- 
 awakened by the risks and anxieties of the Crimean War. 
 
 " May GOD bless you, watch over you, and help you in all your 
 endeavours ! " she writes in this first letter. " But recollect, my darling 
 Boy, He must be sought ; He must be aaked. You have that precious 
 promise, 'Ask, and ye shall receive' 'SHALL receive.' Ask then, 
 my child, from your heart of hearts." 
 
 One remarkable sentence is added from a later letter of this 
 period : 
 
 "As I have often told you, my Boy, I could part with you to- 
 morrow, and lose the joy of seeing your dear face, if I knew your soul 
 was safe." 
 
 " Do not tell this to anybody," writes the lad to his mother, " I put 
 your letter next my heart, and kept it there all day." 
 
 The NOTES continue : 
 
 " So far as I can recollect, my early instruction under dear old 
 Carver consisted, as might be expected, of Xenophon and the Greek 
 Testament, Ovid and Caesar. He taught me very well, and was 
 certainly the kindest and most affectionate preceptor that any boy 
 could possibly wish for." 
 
 Within a very few weeks, however, the household at home was 
 thrown into considerable agitation by hearing, through a certain 
 " Julia," that Arthur as he was then called had been caned three 
 times. That such punishment should have overtaken their cherished 
 boy seems to have been almost beyond their belief. The mother 
 writes to make inquiries.
 
 SANDFORD GRANGE AND ETON 11 
 
 "And now, my love, if it was a joke on your part, you will be sorry 
 to hear what concern your saying to Julia that you had been caned 
 three times has occasioned us. Your Papa bids me say it is not your 
 being caned he cares for, but that you should have deserved it. ... 
 Papa begs you will write as soon as you possibly can, and tell us truly 
 what were the causes of your three separate punishments." 
 
 Promptly indeed, by return of post the answer came back : 
 
 " MY VERY DEAR MAMA, The causes of my three canings were, 
 viz. : 1st, We went to Sandford Hall in the evening, and as we were 
 not home at the time he appointed, so we were caned for that ; 2nd, 
 for not behaving well at dinner ; and 3rd, for not knowing my lessons. 
 I am not caned half so often as the others, because I learn my lessons 
 faster and better than the others. I am very, very sorry it has made 
 you ill ; for if I had known that Julia would tell you, I would not have 
 told her. I have only had two lessons turned since I have been here." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " In the afternoon of week-days, as a change to our regular games, 
 we used to honour the neighbouring wealthy farmers, when the good 
 housewives would bring out their sponge cakes, and currant and goose- 
 berry wines for Mr. Carver's 'young gentlemen,' with great hospitality 
 and delight. But our most frequent resort was Sandford Hall, a fine 
 old Elizabethan house, at about a mile's distance from the Grange, 
 over meandering brooks and through pretty copses to the hill where 
 it stood, and where Sir William, the old general, and Lady Eustace 
 (Harvey Tower's aunt) were ever genial hosts to us. So the terms sped 
 most pleasantly along. In about a year and a half, Harvey Tower left 
 for Eton ; and in two years' time, in December, 1844, it was decided 
 that I should follow." 
 
 His tutor's letters report well of his work. 
 
 " 2lst Oct., 1844. 
 
 " Stevenson is quite well and very industrious, and gives me great 
 satisfaction. He is a delightful boy. I really shall grieve when he 
 leaves me. 
 
 " Uth Dec., 1844. 
 
 "I assure you I am not a little sorry to part with him, for he has 
 been so well-behaved, and so studious of my happiness in his whole 
 conduct. I don't hesitate to say he is a boy of brilliant parts. . . . 
 Nature has given him a ready apprehension and a power of application 
 beyond what I have witnessed in any of my former pupils. I am
 
 12 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 extremely anxious that these advantages should not be lost; for I 
 assure you his best interests, as regards this world and the next, are 
 very dear to ray heart." 
 
 "'ETON COLLEGE 
 " ' Surveyed after leaving a son at school for the first time. 
 
 " ' How often have I fixed a stranger's gaze 
 On yon famed turrets, clad in light as fair 
 As this sweet evening lends, and felt the air 
 Of learning that from calm of ancient days 
 Breathes round them ever! Now to me they wear 
 Hues drawn from dearer thought. . . . for in yon retreat 
 One little student's heart expectant beats 
 With blood of mine. O GOD! vouchsafe him power, 
 When I am dust, to stand on this sweet place, 
 And, thro' the vista of long years, embrace 
 With cloudless soul this first Etonian hour.' 
 
 "Such, dear Boy," writes his Father, on sending him Talfourd's 
 sonnet, "will be my feelings when first I leave you at Eton." 
 
 It was in January, 1845, that this took place. " That was a 
 new life indeed," says Sir Arthur in his NOTES. 
 
 " My tutor was the Rev. Henry Mildred Birch, who ere long was 
 selected as tutor to the Prince of Wales. I was placed ' Middle 4th ' 
 without any difficulty ; not a very grand beginning, but still not dis- 
 reputable. My Dame was Angelo, an old lady of about sixty, who 
 boarded some forty boys in a big red-brick house, in a yard leading 
 down to the east of the School-buildings. 
 
 "There were two fellows whom I knew, Richard and Algie West, 
 my old Walmer friends. Richard was a Sixth Form boy, and Captain of 
 the house, where he was followed by Spencer, and Talfourd, the son of 
 the Judge. West's first home attention to me was a good licking. I 
 hadn't been chosen as any one's fag ; but the practice of calling ' lower 
 boy' by any Sixth or Fifth Form boy, was a prerogative which all lower 
 boys had to obey. No sooner was that dreaded cry heard, generally at 
 night, than from every corner of the house the lower boys all congregated 
 in a furious rush. All cried ' Fuge ! ' and the one who uttered the word last 
 had to answer, probably to do some little bit of household work for the 
 boy who called. I forget whose fag I became that half. It wasn't a 
 happy one, I know that. I was doubled up for three months with a
 
 SANDFORD GRANGE AND ETON 13 
 
 big fellow named , a bully and a brute. I never heard of him 
 
 again. 
 
 " On going back to Eton next half, I was emancipated from my 
 room-fellow, and got a jolly little room, right away from everybody, at the 
 bottom of some crooked stairs, and looking over my Dame's garden and 
 fields towards Slough. I inhabited this for the next three years, and 
 made it very pretty with sporting pictures and bookcases, etc. Oh, 
 how snug were the winter evenings there, when at six o'clock I got out 
 my 'order 'of pretty china, and metal teapot, and the rolls and muffins, 
 and either asked a friend, or else alone, regaled myself ; and then set 
 to work at lessons for the next day. Supper was at eight ; and we all 
 went down into the big hall, and were fed. Then we ran up the tall 
 corkscrew stone staircase, each to his different room, and got to work 
 again, till the boys' maids came round at ten to put our lights out. 
 That half I joined a breakfast mess, to which I adhered till I left Eton, 
 consisting of Algie West, Lubbock (now Sir John, M.P.), who being 
 more handy at verses than I was, often lent me a kindly hand when I 
 was hard up for a copy. The fourth was Crawley, now for many years 
 Vicar of North Pockenden in Essex, where I saw him not long ago. 
 
 "I worked steadily on through the next two years; hockey and 
 football and steeplechases in the Autumn and Easter terms, and 
 swimming and boating in the summer. The Easter half of 1848 proved 
 to me the most eventful of all my time at Eton ; for I was not only 
 highly gratified but greatly surprised at being asked by Suttie, the 
 captain of the Britannia, the first of the lower boats, to row third in her 
 during that and the ensuing half. This was a great and sudden step. 
 My friend West was at the same time asked to row in the Thetis, which 
 was the boat below the Britannia. We were to have crimson-striped 
 shirts, and hat-ribbons with silver ornaments, and of course our blue 
 jackets with brass buttons. On St. David's Day therefore I took my 
 place for the first time with conscious pride as number three in the 
 Britannia, and rowed up to Surley Hall. 
 
 "The seven long boats took precedence of everything else on the 
 river, the cry of 'The long boats are coming' sweeping all the small 
 craft out of the way. Few were the adventurous ' funnies,' or punts 
 or outriggers, unless perhaps belonging to some big fellow in the Sixth 
 Form or Eleven, who did not care to be in the boats, that ventured into 
 the lock when the long boats were in. How we swept down, past 
 Upper and Lower Hope, on flowing stream at a rattling pace ; and then 
 as the shades of evening set in, all the crews marched down High Street 
 to College arm in arm, as the ' big levee.' It has been often said that 
 there is no prouder position in any man's life than when he gets into 
 the 'big levee' at Eton. The influence which he wields, the respect
 
 14 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 and awe with which all the rest of the school look up to him and his 
 mates, and the conscious kingship of men which he exercises, is some- 
 thing which is rivalled by no after-position in life. West and I, then, 
 were in the 'big levee ' that term, as big fellows, and we let our weight 
 be felt. For one thing, he, Suttie and I started an innovation in Eton 
 dress, which has never died out. Swallow-tail coats had up to that 
 time been as much de rigueur as part of the school-uniform as top hats 
 and white ties the latter however, at that time, had been changed 
 from double into single, by general consent. The change we adopted 
 was that of cut-away coats ; and it electrified the whole school, which 
 quickly, where it dared, followed our example. Strange to say, the 
 masters never took any notice of it ; and we had all the glory of intro- 
 ducing the first novelty in Eton dress for many a long year. 
 
 " West and I at that time became rather ringleaders in advanced 
 movements, and for the first time in our lives, though such big fellows, 
 succeeded in bringing ourselves under the notice of the Head Master, 
 Dr. Hawtrey, and getting well swished. West was the Captain of my 
 Dame's. Mrs. Angelo had died or retired, and had been succeeded by a 
 
 Mrs. , a meek and humble kind of body. We chose, very improperly, 
 
 in our new fledged dignity, to be impertinent to her. . . . We were both 
 sixteen, I think, and rather big fellows to be swished. All we could do 
 was to gulp down our emotions, which were much severer than we 
 expected they would be. And I think on the whole we were both of us 
 glad that we did not leave Eton without having been swished once, and 
 not for lessons. 
 
 "One other exploit was the result of West's and my larkishness 
 that half. We took it into our heads to go to London for the night. 
 And certainly we planned our arrangements on modern principles. 
 All our money was gone ; so with the quietest assurance, we went to 
 my Dame, the person who was responsible to the Head Master for the 
 safe custody of all the boys under her roof, and coolly said we were 
 going to London, and she must give us some money to go with. What 
 induced the good lady to yield to our demands we never knew; but 
 she complied, and forked out the cash. One of our chief friends, 
 Talfourd, was great in stage matters, and was supposed to have vast 
 experience behind the scenes. About nine o'clock, I forget how, \v> 
 escaped from some window, (so far as I recollect all were barred,) 
 and hastened across the two miles to Slough Station. There we found 
 we had just missed the train; and like boys, always ready for eating, 
 we incontinently spent a considerable portion of our ill-gotten gains in 
 a sumptuous meal of chops and porter. At last another train came up, 
 and fancying we were heroes of noblest character, or villains of deepest 
 dye, we got up to London. There we instantly went off, according to
 
 SANDFOBD GRANGE AND ETON 15 
 
 Talfourd's directions, to some very second-rate theatre we did not 
 care which ; we were so excited that anything would have done. Then 
 we retired quietly to bed at some very inferior 'public ' in the Edgware 
 Road. 
 
 " What was our horror, at six o'clock in the morning, on being 
 awoke, to behold the visage of old Atlee, my Dame's butler, at the foot 
 of our bed ! 
 
 "We at once thought we were ruined; and visions of expulsion and 
 disgrace at home stared us in the face. The fact was, the evening 
 before, Dr. Hawtrey had sent to ask West, who was the Captain of the 
 house, to breakfast with him next morning at nine o'clock. We had 
 arranged to be back at nine ; but our friends were too much alarmed 
 to leave our safety to chance ; so with great sagacity, they decided, as 
 their only resource, to take Atlee, the old ' Cerberus,' into their 
 confidence ; and clubbing together the money, they sent him up to 
 London, where we fortunately had told them our address. We got 
 back to school in plenty of time ; and little did the worthy Head 
 Master think of the deed of which one of his guests had been guilty 
 that night. 
 
 " But we suffered for it in mind for a considerable time to come." 
 
 " Went to S. Hawtrey's," says the boy's Diary. " There I was told 
 by Suttie that his tutor had asked ' If he knew anything about those 
 boys at Angelo's ? ' Was in an awful funk all night, as also West. 
 Went to bed in such a funk that I could not sleep. 
 
 " Wednesday, Wth. Woke in a funk. Went in to school in a funk. 
 Eat my breakfast in a funk. Did everything in a funk." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " To have performed such a feat, and not to have let it be known, 
 would have been to rob us of all our glory. So we told a few leading 
 spirits in the school, with the result that they worked upon our guilty 
 consciences by innuendoes that they had heard it talked about among 
 the Masters, and declared that the thing was known. For some weeks 
 we never went into school without the apprehension of finding our 
 names on the ominous slip of paper which the praepostor carried round 
 to the different forms each school time, and which bore the names of 
 criminals sentenced to the block ; and we knew that in our case it 
 would be to something far worse. With the days however our fears 
 passed, and the rest of the half went along as happily as possible." 
 
 Alongside of this flowing stream of prosperous school-life ran 
 the current of home happiness. During one holidays his Father,
 
 16 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 who was a keen sportsman and a splendid rider, had taken a house 
 for the hunting season at Buckland, near Faringdon. 
 
 " He bought for me a little chestnut mare called ' the Pet,' about 
 fifteen hands high. On her I really learned to ride ; and under the 
 tuition of such a first-rate sportsman as my Father, it was impossible 
 for me to do otherwise than acquire the keenest taste for the sport he 
 so loved and excelled in." 
 
 Together they hunted with the Old Berkshire, the Vale of White 
 Horse, and the Heythorpe. Another winter was spent at Appleton, 
 near Abingdon, "in an old ivy-covered, haunted-looking gabled 
 Manor house, some three hundred years old." The boyish Diary, 
 kept with great regularity and a praiseworthy attention to detail, 
 from the beginning of 1848, gives particulars of many of these 
 pleasant days, in which he made friendships with the Throck- 
 mortons, a Koman Catholic family of the old school, and others. 
 It also records many juvenile experiences, such as the writing of 
 a tragedy upon Schiller's ghost scene, which was duly acted with 
 the aid of one of his Eton friends. 
 
 Only a few letters of this period have been preserved. 
 
 " I hope," he writes to his Father, "that you will not screw the money 
 for my boat together ; for I had fifty times rather go without it, than 
 you should deprive yourself of anything, or any pleasure, just to give 
 me that little enjoyment for a month or two, and which, when those 
 two months are past, I shall not feel any happier for having had it." 
 
 In a letter to his Mother in May, 1845, endorsed by her with 
 the words, " Begins to write a nice hand," he says : 
 
 "There is immense lots of betting here during the time of the 
 Races, but I have not bet at all." 
 
 Probably this abstinence was of but short continuance. 
 Of any serious thought no traces remain. He chronicles one 
 journey to Eton as follows : 
 
 "Came with Carter, the Fellow, and a young lady who gave me a 
 tract." 
 
 The last letter is not of a particularly edifying nature : 
 
 " MY DEAREST FATHER, We have had very good fun these three 
 last days in seeing the people come back from Ascot. To-night after 
 eight o'clock absence, we all went and looked at them. There were a
 
 SANDFORD GEANGE AND ETON 17 
 
 good many rows, the first of which was, we were all standing on the 
 wall outside the school yard, and a drunken blackguard came up, and 
 knocked a fellow called Watkins off, in order to get on himself. Then 
 John Watkins, who is very strong, got up and hit him in the face, upon 
 which he knocked him down again. Then MacNiven, a great big Sixth 
 Form, came up with Carew, and knocked the man down, and gave him 
 a bloody nose. Fourteen horses fell down dead, a fellow was run over, 
 carriages ran foul of each other, all the men were drunk, and altogether 
 it was the best fun we have had for some time." 
 
 The NOTES continue : 
 
 "Election Saturday drew on, when there was a repetition of all the 
 festivities of 4th June. My people had come down to the former, and 
 my Father came down to the latter. But before that day, I received 
 an intimation from him that I was to leave. This was very unexpected, 
 but there was good cause. I certainly had not been getting any good 
 to myself, and my tutor wrote to my Father that he thought it would 
 be to my advantage if I were not to remain any longer at Eton. There 
 was plenty of time however for all my friends to present me with 
 tokens of their regard, at their parents' expense, in the form of sets of 
 handsomely bound volumes, chosen without reference to their contents, 
 and solely with regard to their ornamental appearance. It has 
 happened however that not a few of those books have proved useful to 
 me in later life. 
 
 " So ended my Eton career. 
 
 "If I knew as much Latin and Greek as when I came, I certainly 
 don't think I knew much more ; but I knew that the one great desire 
 of my Father had been to send me where I should be happy ; and in 
 gratifying myself, I knew I gratified him. 
 
 " Eton has certainly been of immense advantage to me during my 
 whole life. Never have I been in any scenes or circumstances, or in 
 any parts of the world, where I have not met old Etonians, whom 
 either I knew, or who knew me ; and this is a great help in rubbing 
 through life. One after result is certainly remarkable. Amongst my 
 most intimate friends were West, Lubbock, Rivers Wilson, Fremantle, 
 and Eyan, who sat next above me in school, and Welby who was in the 
 form above. After some years, we each of us entered the Civil Service 
 of the State ; each of us has risen to be the head of one of the largest and 
 most important Departments of the Government, Sir Reginald Welby 
 being Secretary to the Treasury ; Sir Algernon West, Chairman of the 
 Inland Revenue; Sir Rivers Wilson, Controller of the National Debt; 
 Sir Charles Ryan, Controller General of Exchequer ; Hon. Sir Charles 
 Fremantle, Deputy Master of the Mint, while Sir John Lubbock is 
 
 2
 
 18 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 not only well known as a politician, but also as a literary man. This 
 circumstance, as may well be conceived, has contributed in no small 
 degree to the pleasure, and lightened the labours of a long career in the 
 public service. One other circumstance in connection with the set I 
 have just mentioned is also remarkable. We were each of us made a 
 K.C.B. (except Lubbock) within a few years of each other. 
 
 "That half had a very happy ending, when West, Rivers Wilson, 
 myself and two others went home from Eton to Putney in a four-oar. 
 FLOREAT ETOXA ! "
 
 PROSEKEN. 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 "No one can ever have had a life of greater happiness than I. Each 
 successive stage of my boyhood had been an increase of pleasure upon 
 the former ; but behind and above all was there the supreme delight of 
 the most intense family affection. No son, I am sure, was ever loved 
 more devotedly by Father or Mother, or returned it more truly. My 
 sisters and I were wrapped up in each other. What a blessing has this 
 been to me all my days ! 
 
 " The next stage of existence proved no exception to those which 
 had preceded it. 
 
 " It had been decided that I was to go to Cambridge in two years' 
 time ; and besides keeping up the very small modicum of classics with 
 which I had furnished myself at Eton, my Father judged and judged 
 rightly, for it has been of immense advantage to me during my whole 
 life that I should know at least one foreign language well. Of French 
 I already had a smattering. 
 
 "A friend of his, Miss Blake, of Danesbury, Herts, had married 
 Baron de Biel, the possessor of large estates in Mecklenburg, on the 
 Baltic Sea ; and by their advice he was induced to place me with their 
 parish clergyman, Mr. Brockmann. 
 
 " Accordingly, in October, 1848, I embarked at midnight at London 
 Bridge, in the John Bull, for Hamburg. My only companion was my 
 little dog Tiger. My Father and Mother came to see me off, and sad 
 indeed were the good-byes on both sides." 
 
 " My dearest dearest Mother," he writes in a little private scrap 
 enclosed in the first letter home, " I love you most dearly, and will 
 try to repay your kind loving affection by all the means in my power, 
 by working hard, and doing all I can to please you." 
 
 And then, amongst the packet of letters, comes a thin crumpled 
 envelope, enclosing a little tan glove, with the single button of those 
 
 (19)
 
 20 LIFE OF SIB ABTHTJB BLACKWOOD 
 
 days; and written on the outside are the words, "With this glove 
 I shook hands with my loved Boy, Tuesday night, on board the 
 John Bull, 17th October, 1848, since which I have kept it sacred." 
 
 Mrs. Blackwood's love for her son, it may be said once for all, 
 was of a most intense description a fact which, in estimating the 
 influences of his life, cannot be left out of account. He never knew 
 what it was not to be surrounded by love and sunshine. 
 
 Then follow in letters, and later in the NOTES, full details of the 
 voyage a bad one, lasting four days and nights, instead of two, and 
 he a "wretched sailor" ; of his journey next day to Wismar, where 
 " a portly kindly-looking man of about forty, talking very broken 
 English, received me with great heartiness" ; of his arrival at Proseken, 
 and kind reception by the Frau Pastorin, whose English was " a 
 little better than the Pastor's." " Tiger was allowed to go up to 
 my room, where once more my thoughts turned homewards with 
 inexpressible home-sickness." 
 
 Full descriptions of his rooms, furniture, meals, and hours are 
 given in these letters home. 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 "Very soon I was cheered up by the Baroness de Biel's cordial 
 invitation to spend an afternoon at Zierow. This was about two miles 
 off, through some very pretty woods; and it was indeed with gladness 
 that I found myself in what, to all intents and purposes, was an English 
 country house in both talk and ways of living. The Baron, who was 
 noted for having introduced horse-racing into Germany, was a most 
 high-bred gentleman of the old school. There were four sons : one, 
 Wilhelm, exactly my own age; and Thomson, Charles and Rudolph. 
 Also four daughters. 
 
 " During the two years of my stay in Mecklenburg, Zierow was my 
 never-failing resort. Constantly did I spend my Sundays there, 
 besides weeks at Christmas time ; and the shooting expeditions, when, 
 to my horror as an English sportsman, I had to shoot foxes, were 
 occasions of great enjoyment. But above all was the riding. The 
 Baron had a fine stud of thoroughbreds at Zierow. I had had pretty 
 good practice in the hunting field in England, but it needed all I knew 
 to stick on when I galloped round in the riding-school in the winter, 
 with the Baron and the four lads, all of them first-rate horsemen. 
 
 " It was a succession of such tricks as I had never experienced in 
 my life. In the autumn we used to go across country for two or three
 
 PROSEKEN 21 
 
 hours ; but as it was very open, the jumping was nothing like what 
 I had been used to. 
 
 " I soon settled down to work at German, and then at classics and 
 mathematics with Mr. Brockmann ; and being anxious to make a good 
 impression with a man who I saw was a scholar, and who had heard 
 of the renown of Eton, I put my best leg foremost. How I came out 
 in Greek play and Livy certainly surprised me, for I was not aware 
 that I knew so much ; and Mr. Brockmann was evidently surprised to 
 find how far I had advanced. I soon picked up German, amusing 
 them much by my mistakes. The name by which I was soon known 
 was that of ' Misterchen ' (the little Mister), though I was then six foot 
 two inches. 
 
 " Often I would go off with Tiger to breakfast with Herr Fischer, 
 a young farmer, one of the Baron's tenants ; or to the Wiesch, where 
 lived a dear old couple, Mr. and Mrs. Jenssen. Once in the week, 
 perhaps, we either paid or received Besuche (visits). This was always 
 without notice. On our side, the Wienerwagen, or close carriage, was 
 brought out about three o'clock, and along miles of flats that could not 
 be called roads, of hard clay in summer, and fearful mire and snow in 
 winter, we jogged and creaked to some neighbouring friendly farmer's 
 house. A hospitable welcome always awaited us ; kaffee was instantly 
 forthcoming, and the parlour was soon filled with tobacco smoke. I 
 had not at that time myself acquired the habit. Soon perhaps, equally 
 accidentally, dropped in some other family. In one room the men all 
 began playing whist and other games of cards for pence ; while the 
 wives and daughters of course knitted, and kept up a pretty good 
 flow of talk. As I did not smoke, I preferred the ladies' society as a 
 rule, where I learned a good deal of German in conversation, and spent 
 pleasant evenings. At nine o'clock we all went in to supper, where, 
 while there was profusion, there was no variety from our ordinary 
 home fare. The life was so simple and easy-going among them all. 
 It had a peculiar and lasting charm. 
 
 "The winter perhaps was the most enjoyable. Heavy snow fell 
 early ; and then we had sleighing across the country, or skating at 
 Zierow, or for miles and miles on the long extent of hummocky ice 
 which reached far out into the Baltic. Oh I how weird it was as we 
 stayed on the ice and down on the desolate shore till dusk, and one 
 fancied one could see to the North Pole itself as the night fell ! 
 
 "In summer I kept up my music, which I had not neglected even 
 at Eton, walking into Wismar once a week, in the very early morning, 
 and having lessons at eight o'clock ; in winter playing duets with the 
 Frau Pastorin. My small acquirements on the piano were very accept- 
 able in the different houses.
 
 22 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "Then too came the Reading-teas, when the ladies and younger 
 gentlemen of the country round met at different houses from time to 
 time, to read Goethe, Schiller, Shakespeare, Byron, etc. ; whilst the 
 older men shut themselves up with their penny games of cards and 
 nights of smoke. 
 
 "The Brockmanns had two boys. In the long evenings Wilhelm 
 and I used to play Belaguerung Spiel, a tin-soldier game of attack and 
 defence. 
 
 "Christmas, much as the Zierow people pressed me, I could not 
 spend away from Proseken, though I went there immediately after- 
 wards. There was always a family gathering; of course there was 
 a fine Christmas tree. Such was the general tenour of the Proseken 
 life." 
 
 Through all this time the strong feelings of home-love were kept 
 alive by a constant interchange of long pleasant chatty letters on 
 either hand. 
 
 " If I had written to you every time I had thought of you, you 
 would have had a letter reaching from Tuesday night to Friday 
 morning," says his sister Lucy in her share of the large foreign 
 sheet, upon which the whole family poured out their affection and 
 regret on his first departure from England. 
 
 Full and descriptive letter-writing was highly esteemed by Mr. 
 and Mrs. Blackwood ; and the exercise trained him to an ease in 
 expressing himself which must have been of no small value in 
 after life. 
 
 " I daresay," he says, " I could write more fluently and better if I 
 took more time. I think you will not complain of the shortness of 
 this letter. It is the longest I ever wrote. It is one hundred and 
 thirty lines. 
 
 "The other day we went into Wismar, and dined with a friend of 
 Pastor Brockmann's, and as the dinner-things were being laid, I saw a 
 bottle of English porter placed on the table. My heart rejoiced within 
 me, as I had not seen such a thing since I had been in Germany. 
 When, what was my dismay when we sat down to dinner, to see it 
 poured into wine-glasses, mixed with pounded sugar, and spoons to 
 stir it! ! ! 
 
 " I think the Germans must be lazy, as they were all quite astonished 
 at my walking from here to Vogsthagen, about fifteen miles."
 
 PROSEKEN 23 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 "During that summer a most unexpected pleasure was suddenly 
 announced from home. My Father had decided to take my Mother 
 and sisters to Switzerland ; and to my intense delight, he wrote to me, 
 telling me I was to meet them at Antwerp, thus giving me two more 
 days of their company. 
 
 " Oh, the pleasure of that trip, with those I so loved, and had not 
 seen for ten months! Cologne, Coblenz, Wiesbaden, Bale, and then 
 Vevay, Geneva, Chamounix, Martigni, Baden, are the principal places 
 that I remember. Often as I have betravelled Switzerland since, 
 never has the charm of that journey been excelled. At last we had to 
 part at Cologne." 
 
 At Proseken the old happy life was now resumed. His letters 
 are filled with accounts of the sport which he so greatly enjoyed. 
 
 " Yesterday, I went with Willy Biel to a battue in one of the Grand 
 Ducal forests. One has to pay a fine if one misses, doesn't shoot when 
 one can, doesn't hold the gun properly, i.e., with the muzzle in the air, 
 which among so many shooters is for the sake of safety. I had not to 
 pay once, and Willy had to pay six for missing. 
 
 "I shot every day at Zierow with Willy Biel at hawks in the 
 following manner. We had an immense owl, called an Uhu or Schubut, 
 which was fastened to a stake about twenty paces from a hut in which 
 Willy and I were concealed, and in which there was a window out of 
 which to shoot. The owl attracts the hawks by screaming, and they 
 come one after another and swoop at him ; while they are hovering, 
 before the swoop, we shoot them. They generally measure between 
 five and six feet from wing to wing. One had however generally to 
 wait a good long time before they came, which was rather freezing 
 work in 12 cold. You wonder at my wanting another great-coat! I 
 should like you to be in a sledge with 18 to 24 cold, and a wind like 
 a knife, and see if you would not freeze in three great-coats like mine ! " 
 
 From the time of his arrival in Germany he was much struck 
 by the absence of the religious observances to which he had always 
 been accustomed at home. 
 
 " Mr. and Mrs. Brockmann are gone to spend the evening at Mr. 
 Jenssen's, whither I also was asked : but as I think that if I go to one 
 person's house on Sunday, I cannot refuse to go to another when 
 asked, I have refused to go to-night. After church is over, they spend 
 the Sunday going to the opera, playing cards, and anything else they 
 like.
 
 24 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "The swearing here, at least, not swearing, but using GOD'S name, 
 is quite dreadful, ladies and children using it more than men ; the 
 favourite expression is Herr Gott and Herr Jesus" 
 
 His Mother's answer is very touching : 
 
 " I hope I am beginning to think more seriously of my responsi- 
 bility. ... I tremble at the desecration of the Sabbath. It is so 
 pleasant to our sinful natures to pass it in pastime, and even worse, 
 cards. But recollect, dear love, that GOD so hallowed it, that He Him- 
 self observed it. Oh! my child, I remember with tears, and with groans 
 yes, I have heard myself audibly groan, when I recollect that 7 have 
 helped by my example to make you think lightly of Sunday. . . . But 
 I will hope it may have served as a warning instead of an example. 
 I know it is pleasant to pass Sunday according to the way of the world; 
 but I read only this morning Mark viii. 34, which so plainly shows 
 that those who wish to follow the Saviour must take up their cross, 
 deny themselves, and do what is not according to our sinful desires." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " During these years I underwent a curious phase of spiritual ex- 
 perience. The religious emotions which I had passed through when 
 a boy at Walmer had been quite deadened by school-life ; and I do not 
 remember having any tendency whatever towards the things of GOD 
 when I arrived in Mecklenburg. But a peculiar effect was produced 
 upon me by the way in which the Sunday was observed there. Ac- 
 cording to general Lutheran ways, the afternoon is treated as lawfully 
 devoted to secular amusements ; and cards, visits, and the theatre were 
 all looked upon as quite legitimate occupations. This, somehow or 
 other, offended my sense of propriety ; and I determined, careless as 
 I had been of Sunday observance in England, to act differently. 
 I therefore regularly shut myself up in my room on Sundays, with my 
 Bible and Prayer Book, and diligently pursued a course of Doddridge's 
 ' Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul.' This had been given to me some 
 years before by my dear godmother, Charlotte Wright of Lenton, who 
 was afterwards, by another book, to convey a yet gladder message to 
 my soul. These studies produced a very great impression upon me ; 
 and I sought to conform my life to the lines prescribed by good Dr. 
 Doddridge, and entered into covenants with GOD, which I trusted 
 would eventually secure my salvation. But these impressions, like 
 those of earlier years, were soon quenched by other scenes. The 
 goodness of GOD however did not abandon me." 
 
 Powerful as these impressions and good resolutions may have 
 been while they lasted, and often as they may have been
 
 PBOSEKEN 25 
 
 re-awakened from time to time, they appear from his Diary 
 a mere record of events to have been but short-lived on each 
 occasion, and to have been of a curiously mingled nature. On the 
 Sunday following his arrival at Proseken, he says, " Went to opera. 
 Saw Eagle's Nest. Very pretty girl acted Eose." 
 
 That day week was the first on which the new resolutions took 
 effect. 
 
 " Sunday, 5th Nov., 1848. Read prayers in my room. Mr. and Mrs. 
 B. and H. F. went to the Jenssens'. I stayed at home, and wrote to West 
 and Mother. Finished the ' Morne au Diable ' capital book." 
 
 By Sunday, 12th November, the entry has become : 
 
 " Wrote letters. Read prayers. Went to opera. Saw Huguenots. 
 Mile. Lachenwitz is very pretty, and acted very nicely." 
 
 This however was the only occasion on which he broke his 
 resolutions so far as regarded Sunday theatres. With several ex- 
 ceptions, the usual entry is, " Eead prayers," accompanied by such 
 variations as the following : 
 
 "Sunday, 3rd Dec. Read prayers in my own room. . . . Played 
 whist in the evening, I'm ashamed to say." 
 
 "Sunday, 1th Jan. 1849. Read prayers. ... In evening went to 
 Bahr's for Lottery. I had three lots, but lost them all." 
 
 "Sunday, 21st Jan. Read prayers in my room. Mr. Brockmann 
 went to Schwellar's. I wouldn't go. Herr Pastorr evidently doesn't 
 like my refusing to go out on Sunday." 
 
 11 Sunday, llth March. Read prayers in morning. . . . Played mngi et 
 un! ! which I am sorry for. GOD forgive me! won four schelling." 
 
 The entry of 25th March, 1849, has a slight, but very significant 
 variation upon the formal " Eead prayers." 
 
 "Read and prayed in the morning." 
 
 A comparison of dates shows that it must have been on this day 
 that the following letter was written : 
 
 " PBOSEKEN, 1849, Sunday, 25th. 
 
 "My DEAREST SISTER LUCY, I have for some time been wishing to 
 write to you alone about myself, but could never determine myself to 
 open my mind fully to you. 
 
 "There is nobody here to whom I can talk about religious matters. 
 ... I have lately been thinking more about my sinful state than I 
 have ever done ; and though I feel that I am not the least improved, 
 still I can't help feeling a sort of self-sufficiency when I see all the
 
 26 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 people here breaking the Sabbath day, and taking GOD'S name in vain 
 in the way they do. This I know is wrong, because I am as sinful, X 
 daresay more sinful, than they; because, though I don't do those very 
 sins openly, I profane the Sunday with unholy thoughts as much as 
 they do with their parties and cards. 
 
 " I read and pray every morning and evening, and often pray very 
 fervently ; but the moment that is over, the thoughts of the world and 
 all its pleasures come pouring back into my mind, and entirely drive 
 out holier thoughts. I pray for strength against temptation ; but the 
 moment temptation comes, however small, I yield to it. When I am 
 praying, and reading the Bible, or Doddridge's 'Rise and Progress' (which 
 I like exceedingly), I feel very happy, when I think that by really be- 
 lieving on Jesus Christ, I shall be saved; but the moment I cease 
 reading or prayer, I feel quite in despair of salvation, or else a sort of 
 relying on my own strength to resist temptation and do good works, 
 which I cannot get rid of. Sundays I read and pray more than other 
 days, but that past, the week goes by in the same routine of sin and 
 negligence of GOD ; and when the next Sunday comes, I feel myself 
 sinfuller than ever, and still faster in the bonds of Satan. This morn- 
 ing I have been praying more earnestly than I have ever done, and 
 have immediately sat down to write this to you, in the hopes that you 
 will give me some good advice. 
 
 " I hope that the Holy Spirit has really moved me to think more of 
 Eternal Salvation and the necessity .of preparing for another world, 
 and that it is not a false delusion of my own mind." 
 
 In April, 1849, the Diary ceases. Of the remaining twelve 
 months at Proseken no record exists, except in letters. 
 
 In the spring of 1850 a correspondence passed between himself 
 and his Father, with reference to the prospect of his going to 
 Cambridge in the autumn of that year. Parts of his own letters 
 are worth giving as an indication of character : 
 
 " PBOSEKEN, 19th Jan., 1850. 
 
 " I have been thinking for some time past about your plans con- 
 cerning me; and after having asked several people who are fit judges 
 of it, have come to the conclusion that it would be advisable for me 
 to go to a German University, instead of an English one. 
 
 " I will give you my reasons in proper order. 
 
 " 1. I have been learning Latin and Greek for seven or eight years, 
 and in my opinion know enough of them both to go through the 
 world with. What does W. R.'s Latin help him ? He has the reputa- 
 tion of being a good Latin scholar, and that is all ! I have enough 
 of Latin to be able to read most authors with facility ; and that I have
 
 PBOSEKEN 27 
 
 read a great deal of Sophocles and Euripides is a proof of my Greek 
 knowledge. At Cambridge and Oxford, Latin, Greek and mathematics 
 are the things which one must learn, and without which one cannot 
 take a degree ; and are therefore rendered the principal and most im- 
 portant studies. 
 
 " Now, in Germany, one may study what one likes ; Statistics, 
 History, Astronomy, Geology, Painting; every language, and in fact every 
 branch of knowledge is open to one. Modern languages and history 
 educate a man much more than Latin and Greek. What am I to do 
 in society with Latin and Greek ? . . . Whereas the "afore-mentioned 
 things would help me on in every society. 
 
 " 2. At Cambridge or Oxford I should cost you at least 260 or 300 
 a year. In Germany, at the best University, either Berlin or Bonn, . . . 
 150 would be more than enough. 
 
 "3. In the holidays I could make the journeys which you intend 
 me to make now, viz., to the Duke of Augustenburg, Vienna, Dresden, 
 Munich, etc. At Bonn, as you know, I am two days from London ; 
 at Berlin, five or six. 
 
 " The only reason I have against it is, that I should at Oxford or 
 Cambridge make acquaintances, which would be useful to me in after 
 life. 
 
 " If you were by good luck to get an appointment for me while at 
 the University, I could leave it directly ; but at Cambridge I could not 
 well leave without taking a degree. 
 
 " I have been speaking with Mr. Brockmann a great deal about this 
 lately. His opinion is the following: that I am in Latin, Greek, and 
 mathematics very well grounded. (I have heard that he has spoken to 
 other people in great praise of my attainments in those languages, etc.) 
 But that I am very deficient in geographical and historical knowledge, 
 which is quite true ; and that that deficiency would be better filled up 
 in a German university than in any English one. He expressed at the 
 same time a wish that I should stay here the summer, in order to study 
 these two things ; and I could certainly wish for no better teacher than 
 he is. He has the knack of teaching and explaining everything clearer 
 and easier than anybody I know. None of the masters at Eton has the 
 method and convincing way of explaining that he has. He also says 
 that I have resolution, and that if I make up my mind to work, I can 
 do it ; and I hope that you have reliance enough on my promise to 
 believe me, if I say that I WILL work hard. I end by saying that I 
 should like it exceedingly, if you have nothing against it. And do not 
 think that this wish and letter are the work of a moment, for I have 
 been thinking about it a good long time." 
 
 The correspondence thus closes :
 
 28 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "15th February, 1850. The reasons which you produce against a 
 German university are such as I should expect from a person who had 
 never been in Germany . . . and who has very naturally prejudices in 
 favour of England; but as I see you are decidedly against it, I will 
 not urge it again." 
 
 The NOTES take up the narrative again at this point. 
 
 " Once again my Father, who never ceased, though by no means a 
 rich man, to gratify my every desire and to do all that he thought for 
 my advantage, sent me a remittance with authority to travel so far as 
 the money would carry me, keeping north of the Alps. The sad day 
 of leaving Proseken arrived. Mournful indeed it was to us all ; for 
 somehow or other those kind people had conceived a very strong 
 affection for the English lad who had come among them eighteen 
 months before in the way I have described. The love engendered in 
 those years has lasted all my life. 
 
 "Several times, at long intervals, I have revisited the scenes of 
 those happy days. The circle of loved ones has of course diminished. 
 The good and kind Pastor lies in his churchyard. The Baron and 
 Baroness have long since also died ; and their son Wilhelm, who had 
 been my greatest friend, a magnificent young man of six foot four, and 
 as handsome as he was tall, to the great grief of all who loved him, 
 shot himself accidentally three years after I left. Standing beside a 
 little covert, where we had often shot together, and loading his gun, 
 it exploded, and he was killed on the spot. 
 
 " By his death Charles became the inheritor of the Zierow property. 
 
 " My journey was very enjoyable. Having despatched dear old 
 Tiger from Hamburg, I proceeded first to Berlin, where the pleasure 
 of my stay was enhanced by the kindness of the British ambassador, 
 Lord Westmorland. Thence to Dresden, where I found an Eton friend, 
 in whose company I met with a young Englishman, named Gordon 
 Weld. We made friends directly, and travelling through Saxon 
 Switzerland, by way of Prague, reached Vienna. Then, after a 
 pleasant fortnight, we went to the Austrian Tyrol, Ischl, Wolfgangsee, 
 and Salzburg. Then on foot, a three days' walk to Bad-Gastein, at 
 that time a quiet little village, consisting of a few primitive chalets. 
 
 "After that to Munich, where Weld had to leave me, and where I 
 spent perhaps the pleasantest fortnight of all in the society of a cousin 
 of the Von Biels, young Baron Von Maltzahn, an officer in the Bavarian 
 army. 
 
 "Thence to Homburg, and after a final week of pleasure there, 
 went down the Rhine to Rotterdam. 
 
 "Another few hours, and I was at Albert Terrace, Regent's Park, 
 where my parents then lived. In about a year's time we removed to 
 Upper Brook Street, Grosvenor Square."
 
 CAMBEIDGE AND LONDON. 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " On 12th October, 1850, 1 went up to Cambridge, where I matriculated 
 at Trinity, and was installed in lodgings at 14 Rose Crescent. 
 
 "I at once found myself amongst a number of old Eton friends, 
 and within a few weeks was elected a member of the Atheneum. This 
 is a club just opposite Trinity Gate, whose character of course varies 
 with that of the different sets of men who come up to Cambridge. At 
 that time it was very quiet, consisting of only about thirty men, fellow 
 commoners and gentlemen commoners, and a few others like myself. 
 Philip Currie, Christopher Sykes, John Bridgeman, John Harbord, 
 Francis Leveson Gower, (who, alas ! died within a year or so in the 
 Bulgarian Rifles), Alexander Dennistoun, Heathcote, now Lord An- 
 caster, and a few others are those whom I recollect most vividly. 
 
 " But I had a number of other friends also, and besides rowing in 
 the 2nd Trinity in summer, my principal pursuit was that of riding 
 across country, where it is a wonder that I did not break my neck over 
 the Cambridgeshire five-barred gates, every one of which I think I 
 must have jumped during the two winters that I was up. 
 
 " I have never ceased to regret that I did not avail myself more 
 assiduously of the educational opportunities within my reach, I am 
 ashamed to say that, beyond what was absolutely necessary to pass 
 muster at lectures, I neglected reading in the whole of my Univer- 
 sity career." 
 
 Constantly in after life Sir Arthur would refer to his Cambridge 
 career, grieving over the lost time and wasted opportunities for 
 reading a loss which in his subsequent busy life he found it so 
 impossible to repair. 
 
 The letters of this, as of one or two other periods, were accident- 
 ally destroyed. One only remains. 
 
 (29)
 
 30 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " TRINITY COLLEGE, Tuesday, llth. 
 
 " MY DBAEEST MOTHER, I received your letter this morning. . . . 
 You accuse me of being wanting in the duty of a son to a mother, be- 
 cause I have not written since Sunday, 2nd (I think I wrote home then). 
 Tell me how often you wish to hear from me, and I will write the 
 requisite number of times ; but it will only be to send a blank envelope 
 to let you know I am well, as everything goes on here so regularly 
 that I can have nothing to say ; if you will however let me write 
 whenever I can fill up a letter, and give you some account of my goings- 
 on, I shall enjoy it. 
 
 " I am sure it is from no wish to be wanting in my duty to you that 
 I do not write oftener, but solely from having nothing to say. 
 
 " Dearest Mummy, do tell me what is weighing on your spirits ; . . . 
 you must be sure that I shall sympathise with you. Do write to me the 
 day you receive this, . . . and you shall have no cause to complain of 
 my not writing to you oftener. 
 
 " I am, dearest Mother, 
 
 " Your loving Son. 
 
 " I heard from Granny this morning." 
 
 It can have been only a few weeks later that his grandmother, 
 Lady Blackwood, died. She had filled a certain place in his life, 
 and had regarded him with affection and pride. 
 
 On the fly-leaf of a little old worn book of " Prayers," her son, 
 Mr. Arthur Blackwood, made the following record : 
 
 " On Monday, the 5th May, 1851, at half-past ten, A.M., in the pre- 
 sence of her children, and in perfect reliance on the intercession of her 
 Redeemer, my dear Mother resigned, after a short illness, and without 
 pain, her spirit to her Maker. 
 
 "GoD be praised for all His mercies, and for this happy transition 
 to everlasting peace. 
 
 "The last words on my Mother's lips were: 'Oh! lift my soul to 
 heaven,' and ' Pray the Lord to receive my soul.' " 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 "My Cambridge life went on very pleasantly till March, 1852. At 
 that time the Government of Lord John Russell resigned. My Mother, 
 who had been a great favourite in early years, thought this an oppor- 
 tunity not to be lost for advancing her son's interests. She therefore 
 hurried to Downing Street, and asked him, before leaving office, to give 
 me an appointment. It so happened that there were three vacancies 
 at the Treasury. One of these Lord John gave to me, and another to 
 Ryan, who a few years before had sat next me in school at Eton."
 
 CAMBRIDGE AND LONDON 31 
 
 The graceful little note in which Lord John Eussell acknow- 
 ledged the thanks which this appointment drew forth, still remains. 
 
 " CHESHAM PLACE, 13th March, 1852. 
 
 " DEAR MRS. BLACKWOOD, I am very happy to find that my patron- 
 age has fallen on one so deserving, and who will I hope always make 
 you a happy mother. 
 
 " I remain, yours truly, 
 
 " J. RUSSELL." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " This was of course a first-rate opening to a public career. As I 
 was in some trepidation as to my prospects at the examination for my 
 degree, and had begun to feel the necessity for reading, it was not 
 without great relief that I felt that this would not now be required ; 
 and though I was sorry to leave my Cambridge friends, the thought 
 of a start in life and all the pleasures of London made up for any 
 disappointment. I had also just at that moment got into some scrapes 
 with the College authorities. I therefore said good-bye to Cambridge 
 without a very heavy heart ; and going home, was at once presented 
 by my Father to Sir Charles Trevelyan, Permanent Secretary to the 
 Treasury, thus commencing my public service in March, 1852. 
 
 " My formal introduction to the Service of Her Majesty was com- 
 pleted by having to give proof of my powers of composition and 
 knowledge of arithmetic in the Private Secretary's room of Sir Charles 
 Trevelyan, then Secretary to the Treasury. My Eton, German, and 
 Cambridge education fortunately bore this severe strain. Entrance 
 into the service of the State, in those happy days, depended upon the 
 result of no examination, but at all events in the case of the Treasury, 
 upon the will of the Prime Minister. Nor was the labour which the 
 State then exacted of us of a too exhausting character. It consisted 
 in copying letters into a big book ; and then, at the close of the day, 
 folding the said letters, enclosing them in large envelopes, addressing 
 them, and sealing them, regardless of cost, with an enormous weight 
 of red sealing wax. This tremendous work, which began at half-past 
 ten, concluded at four. It was relieved by an excellent luncheon ; 
 and the afternoon was often mirthfully enlivened by Herbert Murray, 
 now Chairman of the Customs, Wynne, an Eton friend, who after- 
 wards left for the Coldstream Guards, and myself, in games of stump 
 and ball. 
 
 " We occupied a long low room, the highest in the building, look- 
 ing over St. James' Park to the west, and the Treasury passage into 
 Downing Street on the south. There we were secluded from the rest of
 
 32 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLA.CKWOOD 
 
 the office, being at the top of a long stone corkscrew staircase, up 
 which no one ever came, except friends to join in our sport, either 
 from inside the building or from other Departments of the Government 
 outside. . . . One day a catastrophe occurred. Being unable to obtain 
 in the ordinary way sufficient supplies of drinkables for our friends 
 and ourselves, we resorted to the expedient of hoisting up a cask of 
 beer from the aforesaid Treasury passage. In a few minutes orders 
 reached me to wait upon Sir Charles Trevelyan. A Bobby had 
 witnessed the proceedings, and supposing something was wrong, had 
 given notice indoors. Sir Charles asked for an explanation. I en- 
 deavoured to state, as clearly as I could, that an enterprising firm of 
 West-end brewers had resorted to that method of extending their 
 custom. Sir Charles, whose experience of simple Indian ways had 
 not prepared him, any more than his acquaintance with London life, 
 for so remarkable a development of trade enterprise, apparently did 
 not quite credit my representations. This was of course too much 
 for my Eton and Cambridge spirit, and I was very impertinent. I 
 can see now the air of surprised and outraged authority which shaded 
 the good man's features as he exclaimed : 'Ha 1 ha ! this is contumacy, 
 Sir ! Leave the room ! ' I left, not feeling at all sure what condign 
 punishment, perhaps even the loss of my new appointment, the Lords 
 Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, functionaries who sat in the 
 Board room, and included the new Prime Minister himself, might 
 inflict upon so grievous an offender. I was not without a resource ; 
 and going to William Stevenson, who was next in rank to Trevelyan, 
 and was an old friend of my Father, I sought his friendly intervention. 
 This he promised ; and by a timely apology to my offended chief, I 
 succeeded in establishing peace. 
 
 "Within a couple of years Sir Charles published in the Times 
 extracts of letters from myself to him, in which I stated facts which 
 had occurred within my own knowledge in the Crimea. . . . 
 
 " Our official day, as I said, ended at four. Then, arm in arm with 
 Stewart Hobhouse, of the Home Office, from whom I was inseparable 
 for the next few years, I sallied forth, generally to Rotten Row. Often 
 my Father lent me a horse. This enabled me to enjoy the society of 
 my partners of the previous evening. . . 
 
 " London Society was then very different from what I understand 
 it is now. . . . Almack's was then on its last legs. This was a series of 
 balls held at Willis's Rooms, to which nobody could be admitted except 
 on vouchers signed by a certain number of the great ladies of Society, 
 of whom the famous Lady Jersey was the acknowledged head. Speak- 
 ing generally, everybody knew everybody. Day after day, and night 
 after night, one met the same circle of friends ; yet of course with
 
 CAMBRIDGE AND LONDON 33 
 
 more or less of variety. To such young people as myself, the season 
 came to an end amidst intense regret. But then followed other 
 agreeable occupations. Visits to country houses in the summer, 
 shooting parties in the autumn, hunting in the winter, so far as one's 
 leave would allow. 
 
 " A fortnight was spent about Christmas at my friend Dungarvan's, 
 in Somersetshire, where, with my Father's invariable desire to contri- 
 bute in every way to my happiness, he sent me one of his best hunters, 
 with a groom. Dungarvan had a pack of harriers, and we had some 
 rare sport day after day, till my leave was up. 
 
 " Last there came, late in February (1854), a large party at Percy 
 Harrington's, in Oxfordshire, for some tableaux vivants. His sister, Lady 
 Strathmore, was Medora, and I had to enact the Corsair, which, having 
 fitted myself out with a Greek costume, I believe I did satisfactorily. 
 
 " Little did I think how near I was to the end for ever of this my 
 London life. But so it was." 
 
 Through all these years there was one spot from which prayer 
 earnest believing prevailing prayer 
 
 " Rose like a fountain for him, night and day." 
 
 This was the home of the three " Aunts," to whom reference has 
 been made. Many years before, when evangelical religion was not 
 common, the four daughters of Mr. John Wright, of Lenton Hall, 
 Nottingham (sisters of Mrs. Blackwood's first husband), had been 
 converted to GOD. Through years of difficulty, and even opposition, 
 the sisters pursued their way. One married ; the others remained 
 under their father's roof, " rich in good works," until his death. 
 Then, to be near their work in the village, they built themselves a 
 house The Lodge, Lenton where they lived, till, each at a very 
 advanced age, they "departed for Zion," as Mr. Blackwood 
 pleasantly said, when speaking of another's happy death. Deep in 
 their knowledge of their Bibles, reverential and matured, to them 
 it was given to know GOD with none of that flippant and shallow 
 faith " which stands in the wisdom of men." Their affection for 
 Mrs. Blackwood and her family was abounding. In her daughters 
 they were already seeing the fulfilment of their hopes ; but in her 
 son every early sign of grace had disappeared. Miss Charlotte 
 Wright was his godmother; and when, in 1886, she died at the 
 age of ninety years, he wrote to a friend, " I owe her more than any 
 one else in the world as regards my spiritual life." 
 
 3
 
 34 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 To this " Aunt " he wrote in 1852 : 
 
 " Many, many thanks, my dear Aunt Charlotte, for your kind 
 letter, and the great interest you take, both in my spiritual and 
 temporal welfare. The latter is, I think, satisfactory enough. I wish 
 sincerely I could say so of the former; for although I know perfectly 
 that I am living in a state of sin, and very great sin, hardly ever giving 
 a thought to GOD, yet I wholly want the resolution and strength of 
 mind necessary to give up the pleasures of the world, which I feel are 
 of course wholly incompatible with the service of GOD. The most I 
 can boast is, that I say some short prayer every night ; but that I do 
 merely as a duty, and not because I feel any pleasure in it. Of course 
 I say to myself that I mean to devote my time to religion and GOD 
 some day, when I have had my turn of balls and gaieties ; but I know 
 that it will be just as difficult then as it is now, and probably a great 
 deal more so. You see I am perfectly aware of my state, and know 
 that if I continue in it, I cannot hope for salvation. I very often make 
 good resolutions, and say one day that I will not commit the sin I 
 have that day committed again ; and I ask GOD for assistance to help 
 those resolutions: but when the temptation comes, I yield just as 
 readily as I did before. 
 
 "I feel I am much too fond of balls and operas, etc. to give up the 
 world without a great struggle: and I am quite sure that it is im- 
 possible to serve GOD truly, and to frequent those places. But in the 
 meantime it is necessary for me to go into society in order to make 
 my way in the world ; and I don't think my parents would like my 
 giving it up, even if I felt equal to it myself. . . . 
 
 " I feel, in short, that I am going on in a far from satisfactory way ; 
 and though I wish sincerely enough to abandon it, yet I cannot. 
 
 "I shun religion, and fly from it as a bore; and though serious 
 thoughts sometimes come over me, yet I banish them as quickly 
 as possible. Twenty years of my life have been spent in worse than 
 unprofitableness, and I might die any day, and it is dreadful to think 
 how little I am prepared. 
 
 " Believe me, my dear Aunt Charlotte, 
 
 " Your affectionate godson, 
 "8. A.B. 
 
 " Monday, 12th April, 1852." 
 
 In the summer of 1853, he again went abroad, with his friend 
 Stewart Hobhouse. In a pocket memorandum-book, he kept a 
 diary of this tour with his accustomed regularity. It is a record 
 of journeying and sight-seeing, varied by meetings with friends and 
 scrimmages with hotel keepers, games of vinyl el un, losses and
 
 CAMBRIDGE AND LONDON 35 
 
 gains, brewing of claret cup, etc. In the midst of the frivolous 
 entries comes a page in German characters. The friends had 
 suffered so severely from scorched faces after a mountaineering 
 expedition, that they rested at Chamounix, July 8th, "sitting in a 
 room almost dark, with shutters shut." 
 
 Translation. 
 
 "While H. rested, I went into the pretty little village church, 
 which was close by. . . . There I knelt down and prayed to GOD to 
 forgive me my sins, and to give me time for repentance. Afterwards I 
 went round the little churchyard; and whilst I admired the great 
 works of His hand, I asked Him to make me more grateful for all His 
 benefits, and not to give me up, but to send me the Holy Ghost, and 
 to bring me at last into His own Kingdom. Oh ! if only the good 
 resolutions which are now in my heart would remain firm! May GOD, 
 in His great mercy, grant that they do ! " 
 
 Years afterwards, when living at Crayford [1871-79], Mr. Black- 
 wood was looking over some old books and papers, and came upon 
 the little pocket-book ; the German characters caught his eye, and 
 he showed the page to his Wife, remarking on GOD'S wonderful 
 dealings with him. He had entirely forgotten the entry. It was 
 probably at the time when this incident in his life had thus been 
 brought vividly to his memory, that he spoke of it in the meeting 
 alluded to in the following letter, dated March 23rd, 1894, which 
 gives the recollections, lasting to the present day, of one who was 
 there. 
 
 " I am going now to give you what I remember about Sir Arthur. 
 
 "He came down to speak at the Chatham Soldiers' Home the 
 week it was opened. His night was Thursday, 15th June, 1876. 
 
 " His text was, ' Whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD 
 shall be saved,' which he spoke of as an underlined text, repeated three 
 times in Scripture. In speaking of the certainty of GOD answering all 
 who call, he told us of a young man who, after the gaieties of a London 
 season, had gone to Switzerland with some friends. One morning, 
 on which the party had arranged some expedition, he had a headache, 
 and stayed behind ; and then, later in the day, went out alone for a 
 walk, and wandered up on to the mountains. He found himself alone, 
 out of sight of human habitation. A sense of awe came over him, of 
 his own smallness and sin, and GOD'S Majesty ; and he stood up and 
 said, ' GOD, help me to turn over a new leaf.'
 
 36 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " The whole thing so impressed him, that he made a memorandum 
 of the fact in a note-book, in some foreign language, for fear of any one 
 seeing it. Then Sir Arthur told us that this was himself, and that 
 he was a living testimony to the truth of the text." 
 
 But the impressions passed away, not to be revived apparently 
 for many months ; and a life of godlessness followed. Like another 
 young man, of whom it is written that " Jesus, beholding him, 
 loved him," " he went away sorrowful." Still, he " went away." 
 
 And Jesus let him go ! " His time " had " not yet full come."
 
 II. 
 
 THE WAE IN THE CEIMEA. 
 
 THE BOSPHORUS. 
 
 BULGARIA. 
 
 ALMA. 
 
 WINTER BEFORE SEBASTOPOL. 
 
 SUMMER IN THE CRIMEA. 
 
 THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL.
 
 THE BOSPHOBUS. 
 NOTES. 
 
 "In the spring of 1854, war having broken out between Russia and 
 Turkey, England and France, with the object of maintaining the 
 European balance of power and of defending their own interests, 
 entered into an alliance with Turkey. 
 
 "An Expeditionary Force was despatched to Gallipoli in the Dar- 
 danelles, and the Brigade of Guards was sent out to Malta. England 
 had been at peace for forty years, and some of the administrative 
 branches of the Army had got uncommonly rusty. Amongst these was 
 the Commissariat Staff, at that time a Branch of the Treasury, and the 
 very life of an army in the field, since its functions were to provide 
 funds for the pay, and food for the support of the troops. The number 
 of officers had been reduced to a peace footing, and there were only 
 just enough for the supply of the various garrisons. 
 
 "Thus arose a great emergency. The Commissary-in-Chief re- 
 quiring that his Department should be efficiently supplied with officers, 
 and the Treasury having none whom it could send out, the Government 
 determined to call for volunteers. It was decided to offer to us 
 Treasury clerks commissions as officers of the Commissariat Staff, with 
 excellent pay and allowances, our places at home being kept open for 
 us whilst we were absent. 
 
 "We did not in the least know what was in store for us, but thought 
 a trip to Malta' and Constantinople, with military rank, would not be 
 at all bad fun; and Herbert Murray and myself jumped at the offer. 
 My Mother was in dismay ; but my Father, having gone to Sir Charles 
 Yorke, then Adjutant-General, ascertained all about the position, con- 
 ditions of service and so on, and the whole thing was settled." 
 
 His Father's letters leave no doubt that he had gladly hailed 
 this prospect of active service as a break in the desultory London 
 life, and a valuable opportunity, not only of acquiring credit, but 
 of developing and strengthening his son's character. 
 
 (39)
 
 40 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 "The next fortnight was occupied with getting uniforms, saddle- 
 bags, pistols, camp-equipage, and everything that one was told was 
 necessary ; and on the 20th March, in company with my Father and 
 Mother, I left Upper Brook Street, saying good-bye there to my 
 beloved and distressed sisters, Lucy and Ceci. Alas ! it was the last 
 sight I ever had of the latter, as I looked at her sweet face at the 
 dining-room window of our house. 
 
 "I embarked at Southampton in the P. & O. steamer Indus, in sleet 
 and snow." 
 
 It is of this, the commencement of the most solemnly critical 
 period of his life that the fullest records remain. The journal- 
 letters written to his family throughout the whole term of his 
 service in the East were copied by his Mother into three large 
 volumes. On the other hand, many letters from herself and his 
 Father have been preserved ; also packets of letters from his sisters 
 and many of his own answers, besides a PRIVATE JOURNAL, which, 
 beginning with the start from Southampton, is carried on steadily 
 till it ceases abruptly on 2nd March, 1855. These, together with 
 his own recent autobiographical NOTES, and a DIARY OF DATES of 
 the chief events of each year, supply a mass of material in itself 
 complete and interesting enough to form several volumea The 
 difficulty has lain in selection and arrangement. 
 
 In the preface to a recently published volume of Letters from 
 the Crimea, the following observations are made by Field-Marshal 
 Lord Wolseley : 
 
 "Waterloo, as a victory, was so stupendous in its far-reaching 
 results that ... it is no wonder that we continue to read with eager 
 interest every new book and pamphlet which adds to our knowledge 
 of that day's eventful proceedings. 
 
 "Of all that has been published about it from time to time, I think 
 the private letters and diaries of the regimental officers and others who 
 took part in it are by far the most interesting. They are impressed 
 with a local colouring which we so often miss in the stately volumes 
 of history. . . . 
 
 " Our War with Russia in 1854 and 1855 cannot be compared in any 
 way with that which was ended by ... Waterloo. But still it must 
 always have a living interest for the true lovers of England. 
 
 "The glory of its triumphs we can never forget; and even when
 
 THE BOSPHOBUS 41 
 
 all who fought in the trenches before Sebastopol have disappeared 
 from this world, the story of those dark days of trial, of physical 
 suffering, and utter misery, will always be read by our countrymen 
 with deep sympathy and admiration." 
 
 Mr. Blackwood's letters and journal naturally dwell upon the 
 vexed question of the Commissariat supply in the Crimea. The 
 conspicuous fairness which distinguished him throughout life is 
 already manifest ; and the facts which he was in a position to 
 know, are such as to throw a not-unneeded light upon many circum- 
 stances. 
 
 PEIVATE JOURNAL. 
 
 " Weighed anchor at three, and at twenty past three saw the last 
 wave of my Mother's handkerchief from the quay." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 "My fellow-travellers were principally officers going out to join 
 their regiments, and amongst them were several of the superior 
 officers of my own Staff. . . . 
 
 "On reaching Malta, I found myself amongst a number of London 
 friends, Guardsmen and others, one in particular being Bob Anstruther,* 
 of the Grenadiers, with whom ere long I was to come into very close 
 connection." 
 
 Here he found letters from home, containing news, amongst 
 other things, of the death of his uncle, Francis Blackwood, whom 
 he had seen two days before leaving England, then evidently in a 
 dying state. 
 
 FROM HIS FATHER. 
 
 " COLONIAL OFFICE, 24th March, 1854. 
 
 " MY VERY DEAR BOY, I won't dwell upon the regrets I feel at 
 your departure from home, because I desire to think that your ex- 
 cursion will be advantageous and also agreeable to you ; and therefore 
 I will only look at the bright side. 
 
 " To make it however advantageous, pray observe that you can 
 only accomplish that end by carefully and energetically obeying the 
 orders you will receive. Let your superior officers see that you really 
 do intend to make yourself useful, and not play the London swell ; 
 and above all, keep your temper as much under command as possible, 
 
 * Afterwards Sir Robert Anstruther, Bart., M.P., of Balcaskie, Fife.
 
 42 LIFE OF SIB ABTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 for I fancy it will be sorely tried. Avoid disputes ; bat if unfortunately 
 you get into any, conduct yourself like a man of sense and spirit ; for 
 you are in an atmosphere of which honour is the principal ingredient, 
 and if that be impaired, your position with your associates is done for, 
 and you become contemptible. But on this point I have no fears 
 for you, though I give the caution applicable to all young men. 
 
 " Do your best to acquire the language of the country, and to learn 
 its history, past and present. The knowledge of it will open your 
 mini . . . Commend yourself daily to the protection of the Almighty, 
 Whom we all pray to for you, and your actions will be pure and up- 
 right, and I trust successful ... I have followed you with my heart 
 and good wishes." 
 
 His Mother writes with the extraordinary power which she 
 possessed of pouring out her whole soul in passionate affection even 
 
 upon paper : 
 
 " Thursday, 23rrf. 
 
 ' MY VEEY pKECiors DAELISG, You are not one minute out of my 
 thoughts . . . and it is quite impossible to describe the desolation of 
 my heart. . . . We Lave done nothing since your departure but mom 
 over it. ... 
 
 "... I would be the last to put a spoke in the burinett which you are 
 gone out to fulfil, and which must be your first thought. You have led 
 for the last two years such a life of pleasure that it will be hard for 
 you to put it aside, and begin labouring in good truth ; but I hope you 
 will bear in mind that this is an opening which, if turned to account, 
 may give you a substantial lift in life. . . . There was a lovely bright 
 sunbeam glanced upon your ship just when you turned out of sight. 
 I prayed it might be a token that GOD would bless your undertaking," 
 
 The approach of danger seems now to have re-awakened in Mrs. 
 Blackwood's soul the religious sentiments and apprehensions 
 which Lad apparently been slumbering for some time past. Under 
 the pressure of grief and anxiety, she resumes the strain which 
 had marked many of her earlier letters. 
 
 " Seek Him in prayer, my love ; He likes to be entreated. Ask His 
 support, His guidance, and He will never forsake you. Remember Him, 
 I pray you, whilst you are young. It may be if you only devote your 
 last days to Him, He will hide His face. Or it may be worse; you 
 may have no last days at all. Give Him all your early life. He has 
 given you ail things." 
 
 And then the letter rambles off into the concerns of daily life, 
 and the further expression of her intense grief at his departure.
 
 THE BOSPHORUS 43 
 
 In private Notes she pours forth a pathetic record of her feelings, 
 with a natural freedom which forbids all criticism, though much is 
 of too personal a nature for insertion here. 
 
 "Poor me ! He is amidst new faces, quite a new life ; whereas I return 
 to everything to remind me of him. It is a bitter blowing wind. Oh, 
 how I dread going upstairs, and opposite his room, which will know 
 him no more for so long ! My heart sinks as though it would die within 
 me. No more sitting in my darling Boy's room ; no more calling him 
 in the morning. . . . 
 
 "Oh, oh, oh 1 my eyes will melt away with crying. . . . What is to 
 become of me till I see his blessed face again ? I thank GOD my eye- 
 sight never failed to distinguish his loved form standing on the vessel 
 to the very last. Oh, that we may meet again in health and number as 
 we are. . . . 
 
 " I wish I knew which chair he sat in last in the drawing-room. If 
 I could have anticipated this painful separation ! . . alas ! alas 1 but I do 
 congratulate myself I have had no finger in this bitter separation. My 
 reproaches would kill me." 
 
 And then, after much more of the same nature, comes the char- 
 acteristic little touch : 
 
 " Had the satisfaction of scolding Tessier." 
 To her son she writes again : 
 
 " I never was so impressed with death as when I saw Uncle Francis' 
 corpse ; his head towards the window, and his fine handsome face as 
 white as linen. It has made me go to my GOD in greater earnestness 
 than I ever did before, to give me new life ; to be able in my heart to 
 cast off this world, the flesh, and the devil ; and I pray as only a mother 
 can pray for you, my child. ... I assure you in truth, when I think it 
 possible you or I may be taken in our present state, it seems to congeal 
 the blood in my veins with terror." 
 
 But not terror something mightier even " the love of GOD in 
 Christ made known " was to work the real change in Mother and 
 Son. 
 
 At Malta there was a week's delay. 
 
 PRIVATE JOURNAL. 
 
 " MALTA. 
 
 "th April, Tuesday. Was going to bed when Potgieter came in, 
 and said we were to go off in the Banshee. Went with him in a boat to
 
 44 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 her ; were told we must be ready with our traps in an hour. Rushed 
 back therefore. Shoved ray things into portmanteaux and bags, pro- 
 cured a cart by a great deal of bullying, paid the bill, went off for Pot- 
 gieter, and marched down to the wharf. Had a row with the Smeitches 
 as usual, and got on board in three quarters of an hour. Had to use 
 our own beds, and sleep in the saloon." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 ' The Banshee was the little despatch boat which ran between 
 Constantinople and Malta, which Captain Reynolds pushed through 
 the water at highest possible speed ; and as the Mediterranean hap- 
 pened to be rather stormy those three days, I had a very unpleasant 
 time of it ; but at last we got amongst the Isles of Greece." 
 
 To HIS MOTHER. 
 
 "We entered the Dardanelles by moonlight, could just see the 
 castles of Europe and Asia, and were I believe very near being fired 
 at for not hoisting our proper lights in time. They fire great granite 
 balls, about two feet in diameter, and one shot would have done for 
 us! Stopped opposite Gallipoli to leave letters for Sir G. Brown, who 
 was there with the Rifles; and then went on again as fast as ever, 
 going really a tremendous pace, the spray from the bow forming a 
 jet d'e.au about four feet in height, and the ship dipping her nose every 
 time. Woke in the Sea of Marmora on Saturday morning in quite 
 smooth water. Entered the Bosphorus at one P.M. 
 
 " The next day I reported myself. After a short time we were joined 
 by the Commissary-General-in-Chief, Mr. Filder, a thin spare little man 
 of about sixty, who had been all through the Peninsular War with the 
 Duke of Wellington forty years before, and was an officer of great 
 experience. He had been out for some time making contracts with 
 the Greek merchants for the supply of everything that an army could 
 require." 
 
 The Journal and Letters here give full accounts of his experiences 
 at Pera, of visits to the Sultan's new Palace, the Seraglio, the 
 Mosque of St. Sophia, and of dinners at the Embassy and visits 
 to the Opera. 
 
 But this easy-going life was very soon brought to an end. On 
 Friday, 14th April, Mr. Blackwood was detached with some other 
 officers to Scutari, on the Asian side of the Bosphorus.
 
 THE BOSPHOBUS 45 
 
 To HIS PARENTS. 
 
 " Saturday, 15th April. 
 
 " I am in a great hurry, but do not like the post to go without a 
 word from me, so send you what little I can. Yesterday in hurricane 
 and snow-storm, Strickland, Potgieter, an interpreter and self, were 
 sent over to Scutari to receive the Barracks destined for the English 
 troops, as the Himalaya had just arrived with 41st and 33rd regiments. 
 With the greatest difficulty and danger we reached the other side of 
 the Bosphorus in a little caique, rode some hacks up to the Barracks, 
 and immediately commenced surveying them, and arranging for the 
 immediate reception of the troops. We were going about in the snow 
 and rain and a bitter cold wind the whole day, varied by occasional 
 visits to the Colonel, who always produced pipes and coffee, and was 
 most hospitable. About six we set out for the landing-place, but the 
 storm was so tremendous that no boat would take us over. We were 
 therefore obliged to retrace our steps through snow and mud two 
 miles to the Barracks, and ask for a night's shelter there, the building 
 being occupied by Turkish troops until to-day. They gave us an 
 empty room and two mattresses, where, after some half-dozen pipes, 
 and relays of coffee, and squatting cross-legged on a divan for three or 
 four hours, we made ourselves pretty snug for the night, sleeping in 
 our clothes, and wrapped up in our cloaks. We were up at five this 
 morning, and after a dry rub, went off to the Himalaya to commence 
 the disembarkation. Winter has set in again, and it is bitterly cold." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 "A very large four-towered Turkish Barracks had been vacated to 
 make room for our troops. Amongst the officers were Assistant Com. 
 Gen. Potgieter, and D.A.C.G. Barlee, with whom I soon struck up a 
 fast friendship. We were quartered in the basement of one of the 
 towers, looking over towards Constantinople and the Golden Horn, 
 and then in the southern direction across the Sea of Marmora, and to 
 Mount Olympus in the far distance. I don't think I ever saw any 
 tenement so full of big and black fleas as that Turkish Barracks ; the 
 white trousers which formed part of our uniform sometimes looking 
 perfectly black with them. 
 
 " We had a jolly mess amongst ourselves, for which I catered ; and 
 one of the accomplishments my Mother had taught me for my Eton 
 days being that of making an omelette, I was in great request as a 
 cook."
 
 46 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 PRIVATE JOURNAL. 
 
 " Wth April, Easter Sunday. Up at five. Can give no regular or 
 circumstantial account of this day; for from five o'clock in the morning 
 till seven in the evening, not even having time for luncheon, it was 
 spent in issuing wood, beef, pork, candles, suet, raisins, flour and 
 biscuits ; seeing the weights correct ; preventing the thieves of soldiers 
 prigging the biscuits, which they invariably did when my back was 
 turned. They also evinced a very natural and decided partiality for 
 raisins, which it was also my duty to check. Ramsay came over ac- 
 companied by Smith, who was much surprised to see me performing 
 the duties of an Issuer, and blamed Strickland for it. It however 
 could not be helped, as we had no subordinate officers. 
 
 " 19M April, Wednesday. On board the Cambria, disembarking 47th 
 from 6.30 till three. Bitterly cold, and hardly anything to eat. Then 
 had to stand at the Pier, and transport arms for four hours, because 
 Strickland had officiously undertaken the conveyance of things that 
 were not at all in his Department. Sent off again in the middle of 
 dinner to do ditto again. 47th and 88th landed to-day. 
 
 "2Qth April, Thursday. Turned out at five, and issued bread till 
 C.30. Six hundred loaves short. Had to issue biscuit instead. Went 
 with Strickland to see the meat, and found them slaughtering the 
 wrong animals. A tremendous row. Meat refused by Strickland, 
 and the devil to pay. The contractor told a lot of lies. Dined at seven, 
 and smoked all night. 
 
 " 2lst April, Friday. An easy day's work, compared with the pre- 
 ceding ones. Was up nevertheless at five, and down at the meat. 
 Then washed and dressed. 
 
 " 27th April, Tuesday. Was going over to Galata for the bread, when 
 Ramsay stopped me, and sent me with Harrison to Scutari to receive 
 oats. . . . Went on at it till five in the evening. Rowed stroke of the 
 caique coming home ; and a heavy storm coming on, was drenched to 
 the skin, and without any respite was sent down to the landing-place 
 to disembark the Guards. 
 
 "30</i April, Sunday. Went to Pera for bread. Counted 10,600 
 loaves. Back at two." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 "Regiments kept arriving from England every day, and were 
 quartered at Scutari in tents. The Army soon began to be formed into 
 Brigades and Divisions ; and the first Division, which was commanded 
 by the Duke of Cambridge, consisted of the Brigade of Guards, under 
 Brigadier-General Sir Henry Bentinck, and the Highland Brigade, 
 under Sir Colin Campbell, afterwards Lord Clyde.
 
 THE BOSPHORUS 47 
 
 " To my great joy, and why I know not, the Commissary-General 
 appointed me to the charge of the Brigade of Guards, the very Brigade 
 in which I knew almost everybody, either from Eton or London days. 
 I was then gazetted as Acting-Deputy-Assistant-Commissary-General 
 Blackwood, in charge of the Commissariat accounts of the Brigade of 
 Guards. 
 
 " We had a jolly ten weeks at Scutari during April, May, and part 
 of June. We were uncommonly glad to get out of our filthy barracks, 
 and to live in bell-tents. I had to get mounted, and purchased a good 
 big English bay mare, for 25, at Constantinople, and a wiry little 
 Turkish pony about fifteen hands high, as my b&t or baggage-animal. 
 For this scarecrow I gave 18, and never had a man a better steed 
 than Old Tom. The little beast got fat and sleek, and though I rode 
 full sixteen stone, he would do as long a day's journey under me as 
 I ever wanted ; and when I came away in two years' time, I sold him 
 to my old friend Gerald Goodlake of the Coldstreams, when, to his 
 grief and mine, he dropped down dead of heart disease soon after. 
 
 "At the same time I got a groom, and a little Syrian named 
 Antoine as my servant. Later on, I was fortunate enough to get a 
 soldier-servant from the Coldstreams named Lockwood ; and a better 
 cook, valet, and everything else that man could want, I am sure nobody 
 ever had. 
 
 " Of course, I was new to the Commissariat work. . . . The most 
 unpleasant part was that of having to superintend the butchery for the 
 Brigade, for which I had placed under my orders two butchers from 
 each regiment. The contractors supplied the living animals, and 
 wretched-looking creatures they were, though the sheep were rather 
 better. It was not a pleasant job, in the steaming hot Eastern morn- 
 ings, to have to ride down to the shambles and see some twenty oxen ? 
 or a hundred sheep, killed, flayed, cut up, and weighed to a pound, for 
 the three regiments. Oh, the flies ! the stench ! Every ounce of meat 
 and other stores I had to account for with the utmost minuteness." 
 
 To HIS PARENTS. 
 
 " April 29th, 1854. 
 
 " MY DEAR FATHER, etc., etc., etc., I am striving to write this letter 
 to you in a dense cloud of dust, caused by the emptying out of sacks 
 of oats into the granary where I am sitting. ... It is a most unofficer- 
 like duty; and in fact everything I have had to do as yet has been very 
 dirty work compared with what the Commissariat duties are and ought 
 to be. The whole thing proceeds from the stinginess of the Treasury 
 in not sending out a proper staff of subordinates, and consequently 
 obliging us to do the duty of Storekeepers and Issuers. . . . They told
 
 48 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Filder, however, that I was not above the work; and I hear the same 
 thing has been written to Trevelyan. 
 
 "The Guards disembarked yesterday; but I have not seen any of 
 my friends again yet, owing to having been in this beastly barn for the 
 last two days. Our hours of work are generally from the moment we 
 get out of bed till the moment we get into it again; and everybody 
 wonders how I find time to write such long letters, and keep up my 
 journal. 
 
 "The guns of all the ships in the harbour are just now celebrating 
 the burning of Odessa, and the sound of the echoes reverberating along 
 the banks of the Bosphorus is very fine. 
 
 "They say Filder is sulky at not having a sufficient staff of men to 
 carry on the work ; and indeed they have sent him here, as if it were 
 one of the Colonies, where there is a regular established Commissariat 
 Department, and everything on a proper footing, instead of Turkey, 
 where the whole establishment must be organised from the very 
 foundation, and where proper men cannot be found to fill inferior 
 posts. He urged the importance of bringing them ready-made from 
 home most earnestly upon the Government before he left England ; 
 but they paid no attention to his recommendations, and I should not 
 wonder if the whole thing were to go to smash in consequence. 
 
 " SCUTABI, 5th May, 1854. 
 
 " Several events of importance have taken place since I wrote to 
 you. The first of them is by far the most important, and has filled my 
 breast with ' envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness,' towards 
 Lord Raglan, the author of it. However, to cut a long story short, 
 (for I could dilate upon the atrocity of the deed for ever) in the little 
 paper which accompanies this are the remains of my once fondly- 
 loved moustache. It has fallen beneath the scissors, and I send you 
 its beaux restes, to preserve it from entire oblivion. Put it in an urn, 
 and don't burn it. Twenty-two years' growth has fallen in one short 
 minute ! It was however inevitable, for Lord Raglan sent for the 
 different Generals of Divisions, and Heads of the various Staffs, and 
 requested them to cause all their officers to shave the upper lip and 
 chin, and obey the Queen's Regulations. 
 
 " The consequences are horrible in the extreme. . . . My miserable 
 appearance is increased by the rest of my face being very much tanned, 
 and the upper lip presenting a long white mark in the midst of it. I 
 am sure of your sympathies, though, and will say no more about the 
 dreadful loss, except that every now and then I find my fingers 
 smoothing nothing, and trying to curl an empty space, which of 
 course reminds me of my loss, and re-opens my wounds afresh. 
 Kequiescat in Pace I mean the moustache.
 
 THE BOSPHORUS 49 
 
 "Strickland of course did not at first like having only me attached 
 to him, as ever since I had been here, I had been continually running 
 about on the most various duties, and had no time to learn, in fact 
 knew nothing about the office duties of the Commissariat, the whole 
 of which, as his subaltern, would be under and performed by me; and 
 also because the other officer had a much more experienced officer of 
 some seven or eight years' service attached to him. He accordingly 
 went over to Filder's to remonstrate with him, saying that it was un- 
 fair both to himself and to me to be placed in such a position, as I was 
 expected to perform duties with which I was naturally totally un- 
 acquainted, and if anything went wrong, the blame would of course fall 
 upon him. Filder however said that 'he heard that Mr. Blackwood 
 was a very efficient officer,' and 'had been very favourably reported 
 upon to him, and that he saw no reason to alter the arrangements he 
 had made.' I therefore employed the whole of Monday in learning 
 as much as I could, and we began our work yesterday. I got through 
 very well ; and Strickland said all my work was done, and everything as 
 regularly and neatly arranged as if I were quite an old officer. It is 
 tedious work, and I was at it from nine till six without once leaving 
 the room. 
 
 " SCUTARI, Uth May, 1854. 
 
 " Directly after dinner I dressed myself in ' gorgeous array,' there 
 being a ball at the French Embassy, to which 'the Army' was asked. 
 Strickland and myself went from our corps. . . . Having made a bow 
 to a person arrayed in gold and silver in the passage, I proceeded to the 
 ballroom. . . . 
 
 " Prince Jerome soon arrived, and was the centre of attraction. He 
 is the image of the great Napoleon, only fatter, and with smaller eyes. 
 Lord Raglan with all his staff was also there, and Marshal St. Arnaud, 
 covered with stars. 
 
 " The supper was very good. The women were all admitted first, 
 and the men were kept out by a sentry at the door. It was amusing 
 to see the faces of all the hungry Englishmen and Frenchmen, who 
 were trying in vain to obtain an entrance. At last we were let in. The 
 brother-in-law of the Sultan was there, who was a Colossus of fat, and 
 swallowed the largest mouthfuls I ever saw in my life. The people, 
 even the natives, stood and stared at him. 
 
 " We stayed till about four, and crossed the Bosphorus at sunrise. 
 
 " CAMP, SCUTARI, 29th May. 
 
 "The other day P., 'one of ours, 1 coming in very thirsty, took up a 
 porter bottle, in which, for want of a better, we had made some ink, 
 poured himself out a tumbler, frothing it up beautifully, and drank it 
 off to the very dregs before he found out his mistake. We all recom- 
 
 4
 
 50 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 mended blotting-paper; but he preferred medical advice, and was con- 
 sequently very seedy for a couple of days. 
 
 "And now for whatever news I can collect to tell you. First as 
 it concerns a Department which has the honour of counting me amongst 
 its members, the Commissariat they say is going to the dogs. . . . Till 
 five days ago, Non-commissioned officers have been doing the duty of 
 Store-keepers and Issuers. Of course now every man is wanted in his 
 Regiment, and a Government Order came out accordingly that at the 
 end of a week, all these men were to return to their duty. The week 
 elapsed, the men were taken away, and the Commissariat were without 
 the most necessary subordinates. Horses had consequently to go without 
 forage, men almost without food, and persons of an entirely inferior 
 class were entrusted with the most important duties. Strickland, 
 who, if you remember, advertised at Malta for Interpreters, Store- 
 keepers, etc., etc., would, if his advice had been followed, have long 
 ago collected an efficient staff of them ; but the Treasury would not allow 
 it, and the result is evident. . . . This is however a most rottenly 
 constructed Department. ... So much for the professional ; now for 
 the private. . . . 
 
 "The Light Division, under Sir G. Brown, consisting of the Rifle 
 Brigade, 7th, 9th, 23rd, 33rd, 77th, and 88th, after numerous delays and 
 counter orders, (having once had their horses embarked, and again 
 landed) started this morning for Varna, and they say we, i.e. First 
 Division, under Duke of Cambridge, are to follow next. They say we 
 are to go on direct from Varna to Shumla, about five days' journey; 
 but nobody of course knows. I am glad you receive such good accounts 
 of me ; it shall not be my fault if they do not continue." 
 
 PRIVATE JOURNAL. 
 
 "30M May, Wednesday. Sultan inspected the troops. Worked off 
 my legs. Was to have dined with General Estcourt, but obliged to put 
 him off, at the last moment. 
 
 "31st May, Thursday. Similar work. Incessant. . . . 
 
 " 2nd June, Friday. Work. Work. Work. Which continued with 
 very few intermissions till Sunday, llth June, when with Forth and 
 Green Wilkinson, I went over and dined with N. at a Cafa where he 
 gave us a capital dinner, and provided all sorts of amusements for us 
 afterwards. 
 
 " 12th June, Monday. From five till eight at night employed in con- 
 veying three days' stores from Barracks to the Jason. The devil's own 
 work. 
 
 " 13th June, Tuesday. At it again at four, and had to leave the pack- 
 ing up and despatching of all my traps to my two servants. . . . Only got 
 the last Back on board, and myself and horse, when the Jason started."
 
 BULGARIA. 
 
 The good advice given to Mr. Blackwood in his first letter from 
 his Father did not fail to bear fruit. At the end of the PRIVATE 
 JOURNAL is an admirable prfois, too long to quote, of information 
 which he had gathered in readiness for the duties which would de- 
 volve upon him on the arrival of the troops in Eoumelia. 
 
 On the 14th June, 1854, the First Division reached Varna. 
 
 To HIS PARENTS. 
 " CAMP AT VABNA, Sunday Evening, 25th June, 1854. 
 
 "The position of the army is thus 17th and 18th Cavalry at Devna, 
 twenty miles from here ; the Light Division at Aladyn, and the First, 
 Second, and Third here. 
 
 "As soon as the Light Division can be supplied with enough trans- 
 port to enable it to move on, we shall go up and occupy the site they are 
 at present encamped on, a most lovely spot, I hear, on the shores of the 
 Devna Lake. Everybody compares it to an English park, filled with 
 splendid trees, and sloping down to the water's edge. 
 
 "This place I should enjoy very much, if I could only be sure of an 
 hour or two a week, just to ride a couple of miles into the country with 
 my gun ; or see a little more of the place than the store-houses of beef 
 and barley, and piles of wood which are continually before my eyes ; 
 but the work and anxiety is so incessant that one cannot be a moment 
 away from one's duty. Owing to the badness of the Commissariat 
 arrangements, the Army is living only from hand to mouth ; it is conse- 
 quently a continual struggle between the Commissariat officers of the 
 different Divisions and Brigades, which shall obtain or seize upon the 
 supply of meat, bread, or wood before the others ; and after fagging all 
 day, bullying contractors, ordering bullock-cart drivers (by far the most 
 apathetic race of people in the world) and rushing here, there, and 
 everywhere, in comes some Quartermaster to say that his meat is bad, 
 or his men hadn't enough wood to cook their dinner ; and off one has to 
 be again, and obtain somehow or other the requisite articles. The 
 
 (51)
 
 52 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 plagues of fleas we have left behind us, and have in their place serpents, 
 centipedes, and ants. The latter swarm here, some of them small, but 
 others long black ones, one-third of an inch long. They are running 
 over the table and everything else, and I have to brush them off this 
 page in order to go on writing. 
 
 " ALADYN, 8th July, 1854. 
 
 " On Friday, at one P.M., we received notice that the Division was 
 to march the next morning at five, which gave us all, as you may 
 imagine, plenty to do. A hundred and sixty bullock-waggons had to be 
 procured and laden before night with stores that were not yet supplied 
 to us, which in the very deficient state of the transport was no easy 
 task. Other stores had to be sent up to this place by water (Aladyn 
 being at one end of the lake and Varna at the other), and arrangements 
 made for provisioning the troops when they got here. I accordingly 
 sent a great quantity of barley, biscuit, and salt-meat hither in the 
 boats of the Simoom, which had been brought across the isthmus that 
 separates the lake from the sea ; landed them at Aladyn, and returned 
 to Varna, which I reached at half-past one, A.M., turned in for an hour, 
 and was up again at 2.45. 
 
 "In the meantime the carts, which had only been procured by eleven 
 o'clock, P.M., had been loaded by fatigue-parties, and were placed under 
 mine and Murray's charge. At four o'clock, just before sunrise, all the 
 tents were struck, discovering men in all the different stages of dressing, 
 packing, etc., etc. By five, the Division was under arms, and off. 
 
 " The Commissariat train of course came last, I leading it, and 
 Murray bringing up the rear (properly Conductor's duty). The start 
 was great fun. Staff-officers galloping about in all directions to give 
 orders, baggage-animals doing ditto without orders, and all their loads 
 tumbling off in consequence; the regimental women everywhere in 
 the way, some on donkeys, and some helping to carry part of their 
 husbands' accoutrements ; unfortunate men, whose servants had de- 
 serted them at the last moment, in a miserable state, having lost 
 everything, and all in apparently great confusion. However off every- 
 thing went, and we reached Aladyn at twelve o'clock eleven miles in 
 seven hours." 
 
 The PRIVATE JOURNAL here says : 
 "Gave all the women lifts on the carts." 
 The letter resumes : 
 
 "The heat and dust were most oppressive, and we had great difficulty 
 in keeping our Araba train together; however when any lagged behind 
 to drink or replace the load, I made the leading ones halt till the string
 
 BULGABIA 53 
 
 was again unbroken, and so succeeded in bringing them all safe hither. 
 They then had to be all unpacked, piled most carefully with trenches 
 dug round them, and tarpaulins spread underneath and above them, 
 a great deal of which, the sailors being dead tired, one had to do one's 
 self. The moment that was done, the issues of provisions had to be 
 commenced ; and you may imagine that I was very glad when the day 
 was over, and I was in bed. 
 
 " Since then the work has not been diminishing. We now slaughter 
 our own cattle, and I have turned regular butcher! . . . There are a 
 great deal more accounts than I like, which have to be most exactly 
 and regularly kept up to the day ; and the ration stoppages are my 
 bugbear. The authorities keep ordering and counter-ordering extra 
 issues to the troops, and every time the ration stoppage has to be altered, 
 and creates the most awful confusion in our books ; and when you 
 think that the same have to be kept and made up in a tent hotter than 
 anything you can imagine, with every now and then a gust of hot wind 
 blowing all the papers off the table and out of the tent, not to mention 
 being called out every five minutes to settle some dispute about the 
 weight of a cask of meat or the quality of some biscuit, between a 
 troublesome Quartermaster-sergeant and the Issuer, or to run after and 
 bring back some refractory Araba driver, . . . keeping accounts is not 
 so easy. 
 
 "We have received orders never to leave the Camp without our 
 swords, and then not to go far alone. The rascally Greeks or Turks, or 
 whatever they are, have got a very bad habit of firing at one from 
 behind the bushes as one rides along; and the correspondent of the 
 Herald, when riding into Varna to-day, had a very narrow escape, the 
 bullet going within an inch or two of him. He did not, I am sorry to 
 say, make use of his revolver, except to threaten, and the man only got 
 sixty lashes. 
 
 " Fancy the very people we have come to fight for trying to take our 
 lives ! " 
 
 In the meantime the loving hearts at home had been stirring 
 up his zeal by detailing with keen delight every favourable report 
 which had reached their ears. His Father writes : 
 
 " 8th May. 
 
 "DEAREST BOY, Trevelyan has just sent me this extract of a letter 
 from Filder: 
 
 "'All the officers here are doing well, exerting themselves in every 
 way. . . . Mr. Blackwood in particular has distinguished himself by the 
 manner in which he has performed some of the least pleasant parts of 
 our business.'
 
 54 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " 13th May. 
 
 "I learn that Filder, who has remonstrated in the strongest possible 
 terms on the deficiency of subordinates, has been permitted to add 
 fifteen or twenty men to the Commissariat Staff ; therefore you will 
 be spared further unpleasant duty. Meanwhile you have gained your- 
 self more credit in a short month than you could have acquired here 
 in twenty years. As I have before remarked: It is the gentleman 
 makes the situation, and not the situation the gentleman. 
 
 " 29th May. 
 
 " It is a matter of infinite pride and satisfaction to us to hear how 
 well you acquitted yourself, and that you ended by securing Strick- 
 land's approval." 
 
 But this pleasant letter, received on the very day of landing at 
 Varna, did not end quite so agreeably. 
 
 ' ; In closing this letter I am grieved to have to advert to a circum- 
 stance, with which you are connected, which has just reached me. I 
 
 learn that you, and Mr. P and B have been imprudent enough 
 
 to become security, you and P for the sum of 500, and B for 
 
 200 for - ; that he has quitted the country without paying the 
 additional war risk, and that his policy is consequently void. This 
 avoidance renders the three joint securities liable for the amount in 
 
 the event of 's death. I really would ask you what in the name of 
 
 fortune can have induced you to become security for any one, and 
 
 especially such a scamp as ? ... I cannot express how concerned 
 
 I shall be if what I suspect proves to be the case, that you have been 
 borrowing money. . . . For what purpose have you wanted more 
 money? ... If you wanted it for gambling, it will have been necessary 
 to you . . . after your promise to me not to go into more hells a 
 promise which I assure you I have felt satisfied you had faithfully 
 kept, and which nothing but positive proof to the contrary will make 
 me even now believe you have violated. ... I am informed that since 
 you assured me, and told your friends you would not go any more into 
 the gambling-houses, they have taken the trouble to watch you, and 
 that they found they were mistaken in their apprehensions that you 
 did still go into them. I had more confidence in your word than your 
 friends seem to have had. Take care of and keep clear of the Camp 
 sharpers. There will be as many there, comparatively speaking, as in 
 London." 
 
 To Mr. Blackwood's explanations, his Father replied : 
 
 " June, 1854. 
 
 "Your clear account of the transaction corresponds exactly with 
 the information I am in possession of. I lament that the habit of
 
 BULGARIA 55 
 
 gambling, which is so sadly pernicious and discreditable, should have 
 obliged you to have recourse to borrowing more money, and to mix 
 
 yourself up with . The necessity for money, if you gamble, is obvious, 
 
 as a gambler is sure to be fleeced in the end, though now and then he 
 may have a lucky coup. But I must have misexpressed myself if I 
 left you to infer that / doubted you going into any more hells, after 
 assuring me you would not. I had myself no such doubt. Your 
 friends however had, and followed you. I am happy to say they were 
 disappointed. From what has now passed, you see how little your 
 nominal ' friends ' are to be depended upon in pecuniary transactions. 
 In future, never mix yourself up in such again with any friend, for 
 they invariably end in disputes, out of which it is rare for both parties 
 to come with clean hands; and remember that you do not know 
 whether a man is a gentleman and man of honour till he has been 
 tried in the furnace of money. I hope, my darling Boy, your character 
 will never suffer in that way; and indeed, I am sure it will not. In 
 this case, though it is inconvenient to me at a time when the Income 
 Tax is doubled, you have acted so spiritedly in the Commissariat, that 
 ... at whatever deprivation to myself, I will pay the interest on the 
 
 money you have borrowed ; but I will not pay 's additional war 
 
 risk, for I think he has acted like a blackguard. 
 
 " 23rd June. 
 
 "I was rejoiced to hear the following from Dufferin, whom I met 
 at the Queen's Ball on Tuesday. He said he was dining the other 
 night at some place where there were two Cabinet Ministers. Some- 
 body chaffed them about the imperfect Commissariat arrangements, 
 and sending out young London dandies, and you as one of them. On 
 which Bessborough observed, and I am told warmly, that as regarded 
 you, he knew that you were an excellent officer, that you worked ex- 
 cessively hard, and that you had, in consequence, been most favourably 
 reported upon. Dufferin supported what B. said, and in short, you 
 got more *v8os. To us, at home, it is a gratification above what I can 
 express." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 "Cholera had now set in violently, and for the first time in my life, 
 I saw death many of my native drivers died in the large tent close 
 behind mine. . . . The camp soon became intolerable, both from heat 
 and offensiveness, notwithstanding all care." 
 
 PRIVATE JOURNAL. 
 
 "25th July. Cholera very bad. Our Arabadys falling sick one after 
 the other and dying, had to physic them, pitch their tents, and do 
 everything for them. Most helpless race. Several officers sick."
 
 56 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Some had been obliged to go home, or into Varna. A move to 
 the hills was now ordered at a few hours' notice. 
 
 PRIVATE JOURNAL. 
 
 "27//i July, Thursday. Up at 2.30. Struck tent and packed. On 
 horseback at five. Had sixty-one Arabas loaded, and two hundred and 
 four horses, and after the usual accidents of carts breaking down, loads 
 tumbling off, etc., and lazy Turks, got off at nine o'clock, Colonel 
 Cunynghame, A.Q.M.G.'s interpreter, acting as guide to the Arabas, who 
 were to go by a more circuitous route, whilst I led the horses straight 
 up the hill, following the troops. At twelve o'clock reached the en- 
 campment, 'Gevrekli.' Got my cattle up, unloaded, and piled stores; 
 chose slaughtering place, and would have begun slaughtering, had not 
 the Arabas been brought a wrong road by the guide, and forced up the 
 steep hill, which the pack horses and infantry could only just climb. I 
 learned this at five o'clock. Changed horses, and went after them, and 
 by eight o'clock the greater part of them were safely brought up. ... A 
 most disastrous march, which but for the inefficiency of the guide, 
 whom I took care myself to see into the right road, might have been 
 well managed. General Bentinck licked him next day, though, and 
 serve him right too. Though not an oppressively hot day, the men fell 
 out by dozens, and I carried about three hundred knapsacks on my 
 horses for them. A Scots Fusilier was attacked by cholera on his 
 animal, and died in an hour. 
 
 " 29f/i July, Saturday. Disease increasing. Had to go to Aladyn to see 
 after Detachment left there with the sick. Continual work : a most 
 inaccessible place to get provisions to; and the work, which was not 
 light before, is in consequence doubled; added to which, my clerk, 
 Sergeant Humphreys, Grenadier Guards, fell sick just at the time 
 when the month's accounts have to be made up, and throws me 
 immensely behindhand. Numerous reports every day of our destina- 
 tion for Sebastopol, Odessa, Anapa, Tiflis, in short, for everywhere. 
 
 "'31st. Our encampment the best in the place, just on the brow 
 of the hill, overlooking the whole of the Devna Valley, Varna, and the 
 sea on the extreme left ; and mountain on mountain, lake on lake, and 
 forest on forest, as far as the eye can reach. 
 
 " 1st August. Dreadful work with the transport. Arabadys desert- 
 ing with their oxen, leaving the carts behind. Impossible to organise 
 with only one interpreter, who only speaks Italian. Illness very bad; 
 five or six funerals go past every night, of Guards alone. Highlanders 
 much healthier ; but about seven hundred sick in the Division. 
 Everybody very anxious.
 
 BULGABIA 57 
 
 "4th August. Provisions running short. Requisitions not complied 
 with. 
 
 " 6th August. Great many sick in Varna. French lose a hundred 
 a day. Several Commissariat officers sick ; one officer and two store- 
 keepers dead. One awfully sudden. Gave me my supplies one after- 
 noon at five, and the next morning at five was dead. Great storm. 
 Rogers' horse killed by lightning, and servant much injured. 
 
 " 12th August. Up at 2.30, as I suppose the fellows are in Scotland." 
 
 To A FRIEND. 
 
 "CAMP, GEVBEKLI, August, 1854. 
 
 "... Such is an average day's work here ; sometimes it is worse and 
 seldom better. You can see by it that I have not too much leisure 
 to devote to my friends, or indeed to anything else. Now and then, 
 certainly, while looking at the blue sea in the distance, or the pretty 
 Devna Valley at my feet, my thoughts wander far away from here, and 
 transport me to some London ball-room, and I hear the rush of feet and 
 forms and gauzy dresses, and Coote and Tinney's waltzes sound dis- 
 tinctly in my ear ; when I am suddenly roused from the middle of a 
 
 quadrille in which I am dancing, with Algy West and Miss for a 
 
 vis-d-vis, by some gruff soldier, asking with hungry look and hungrier 
 manner, ' When the rum and salt pork will be served out.' I wish 
 you would write me a letter full of London gossip ; it would fetch any 
 price, and I am sure you must have a large stock on hand. 
 
 " 12th August. 
 
 "I was suddenly interrupted yesterday by one of my Turkish 
 dragoons, who had escorted twenty-six carts into Varna yesterday 
 morning, rushing into my tent to report that Varna was burnt down, 
 all the Commissariat stores destroyed, and his twenty-six carts irre- 
 coverably lost in the confusion. This was startling indeed. We 
 certainly had seen a fire the night before in the direction of Varna, 
 but had no idea of its extent. Strickland was out ; the Division would 
 be, if the soldier's tale were true, without provisions, excepting bread 
 and meat, the next day ; the only thing to be done therefore was to 
 find out the truth. I accordingly jumped upon a horse, and hunting 
 the Turk before me the whole way, in order to show me where he lost 
 his Arabas, I galloped into Varna, about fourteen miles. On my arrival 
 I found the town, with the exception of a small portion in which 
 fortunately was situated the Commissariat Office and Treasure, a 
 smouldering heap of ruins, the only buildings standing being a solitary
 
 58 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 mosque tower, a gateway, and the French powder magazine. The 
 escape of the latter seems to have been most extraordinary and pro- 
 vidential. Round it on every side were burning ruins, and the very 
 walls were hot with the flames that had encircled it. The whole of the 
 French ammunition, including shells, bombs, etc., etc., was stored in it; 
 and one spark falling into it would have sufficed to blow ten such 
 towns as Varna, and every soul in them, into the air. At one moment, 
 I hear, the panic was general ; the soldiers and sailors could hardly be 
 induced by force even to work at the engines to preserve it. French 
 officers ran about crying, ' Sauve qui pent ! ' Our treasure was put into 
 carts, and sent off into the fields; and the whole population of French 
 and English, soldiers and sailors, Turks and Greeks, made a rush to the 
 gates of the town. Fortunately however the building was preserved, 
 and the panic stopped. 
 
 "The catastrophe has however nevertheless been very great. The 
 whole of our biscuit and barley has been totally destroyed ; and the 
 Quartermaster-General's stores, containing tents, soldiers' clothing, 
 and field equipage of every description, burnt to the ground. The 
 French have, I hear, been still more unfortunate, and have lost all their 
 stores of every description. 
 
 "I spent the night in Varna, looking about for my missing transport 
 (having however previously to send out some Arabas with just enough 
 to keep the Division going), but without success. Everybody was 
 drunk ; champagne was running in rivers. The part burnt happened to 
 be just that where all the shops were from which one occasionally 
 drew one's supplies of bacon, sherry, porter, and such like necessaries; 
 and those houses that were not gutted by the fire were instantly 
 ransacked by the French Zouaves, who with a praiseworthy anxiety to 
 secure what could be saved, ate and drank everything on the spot. 
 
 " I went round the burning ruins at night, and the whole scene of 
 desolation was extremely grand. Numerous reports as to the origin 
 of the fire are afloat, the majority of which of course attribute it to 
 Greek and Russian spies ; and there is a story of the Zouaves, seeing 
 some Greeks throwing something or other into a house, having trans- 
 fixed them with their bayonets and thrown them bodily into the 
 flames. In the meantime, our great want is forage, all the barley 
 having been burnt ; and it is no easy matter to procure a quantity 
 sufficient for 1500 horses, (the number in this Division) at a moment's 
 notice, and in a country where the inhabitants, instead of helping, do 
 all they can to hinder us. We are however getting on pretty well. 
 The B&t animals have to forage for themselves, and for the Artillery 
 horses and chargers of the Division, we get the standing crops of barley 
 and oats."
 
 BULGARIA 59 
 
 At last, on 18th August, the long-expected move took place. 
 The camp of the First Division marched to Galata Borrnia, a height 
 on the south side of Varna Bay, looking over the Black Sea ; and 
 on the 30th, after much hard work, Mr. Blackwood found himself 
 on board the Wilson Kennedy, en route for the Crimea, the secret of 
 their destination however being still carefully preserved.
 
 ALMA. 
 
 The Fleet remained at sea until Wednesday, 13th September 
 1854. 
 
 " I do not exactly understand our undecided movements," wrot< 
 Mr. Blackwood, from on board the Wilson Kennedy, on the 12th. "Or 
 leaving Baljick Bay, we steered straight for Odessa, went within fort] 
 or fifty miles of it, turned round, anchored in the middle of the Blacl 
 Sea for two days, and have now come down here in sight of Sebastopol 
 The whole sea is covered with ships ; large transports, larger steamers 
 and huge men-of-war, and I think the whole thing is the finest sigh 
 I ever saw." 
 
 A carefully drawn plan, giving the position of every vessel 
 accompanied this letter. 
 
 On 13th September the disembarkation took place at Old Fort. 
 
 To HIS FATHER. 
 
 " CRIMEA, Monday, 18th September, 1854. 
 
 " We landed here on the 13th, about twenty miles west of Sebastopol 
 They say a Russian army is not far off, and there are certainly i 
 quantity of Cossacks hovering about, so that nobody is allowed to g< 
 beyond our outposts. The night before last there was a great alarm 
 I had been asleep about an hour. The camp was perfectly quiet, whei 
 I was suddenly awoke by the clangor armorum, the blowing of th< 
 trumpets, and a confused noise of men and voices. The Divisioi 
 turned out, and were under arms in three minutes ! the Artillery al 
 harnessed, and guns ready. I jumped into my clothes quicker thai 
 I had ever done before, saddled and bridled my horse, and was readj 
 to fight before my eyes were open. The idea was that the Cossacki 
 were making a night attack, and as you may imagine, everybody wai 
 pretty lively. Murray jumped out of his tent in his shirt, and met i 
 man with his drawn sword at the door of it, also in his shirt, wh( 
 asked him, 'Who comes there?' No shots were however heard anc 
 (60)
 
 ALMA 61 
 
 in half an hour all was again quiet. The cause was not known ; but 
 it is believed the French gave the alarm. 
 
 "No objection was made to our landing, and it was most easily 
 effected. The inhabitants are wonderfully well disposed towards us, 
 and bring in supplies of every description with the greatest readiness. 
 We managed to seize a very large amount of transport and provisions 
 that were ordered by, and all ready collected for, the Russian Army 
 (a great coup}. The French do a great deal of harm, seizing without 
 payment, and if they pay, it is only the tenth of the fair value. This 
 does much damage to the whole of the Allied Army, as the inhabitants 
 cannot distinguish between the two, and of course will withdraw their 
 supplies at first. It will afterwards however, I fancy, facilitate our 
 procuring supplies as much as it will retard the French, as we have 
 paid most liberally for every article of whatever kind taken in the 
 country. Though we have only been on shore three days, we already 
 have a very large amount of transport, consisting of carts drawn by 
 bullocks, dromedaries, and horses. Forage is plentiful, and cattle we 
 have a sufficiency of for some days. A great mistake was made the 
 first day in not landing the tents with the troops. The night happened 
 to be wet ; and it would have been worth any money to have given the 
 men a covering, even if they had landed one or two regiments less." 
 
 THE BATTLE OF THE ALMA. 
 
 " HEIGHTS ABOVE THE ALMA, 23rd September. 
 
 " MY DEAREST MOTHER, As the papers have probably told you by 
 this time, the Allied Forces have gained a great victory, though with 
 considerable loss. On the 19th we left our position close to the point 
 of disembarkation, and marched about twelve miles to a small stream, 
 a mile beyond which was some rising ground, bounding a plain 
 where were some squadrons of Cossacks and some Artillery. We 
 instantly brought up our Artillery, and opened a fire on them, which 
 after fifteen minutes caused them to retreat in disorder. I saw 
 it all beautifully from a mound a hundred yards in rear of our 
 guns. We lost three horses and three men wounded. They were too 
 far for pursuit; we therefore encamped on the river, and moved on 
 the next morning at seven. Marched over the plain, where the skir- 
 mish had taken place the day before, and found ourselves on the brow 
 of a hill overlooking a village with gardens and vineyards, divided by a 
 shallow river, and surmounted by some high hills, most strongly forti- 
 fied by about 100 guns, and 40,000 Infantry, and a quantity of Cavalry. 
 
 "No sooner did our Army form on the brow of the hill than their 
 fire began from the whole line (two miles long) at once. They had 
 been there for ten days or more, had ascertained the exact range of the
 
 62 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACZWOOD 
 
 ground we were on, and most of their shots told. Our Artillery was 
 but of little use, as their metal was so much heavier. The French 
 Army most gallantly stormed their extreme left, turned them, and 
 silenced their fire at that end ; on their right however, opposed to us, 
 it was as hot as ever. I went a little in the front once or twice, but the 
 round shot and shells, not to mention the whistling of the Minie rifle 
 balls, came so unpleasantly close, and dashed up the earth so frequently 
 into my horse's face, that knowing I should only be called an ass for my 
 pains if wounded, I determined to look after my own business, and 
 watch the battle from the biscuit bags and salt-meat casks. 
 
 " The dead and wounded were now frequently being brought back, 
 and the wounds were sometimes sickening. 
 
 "Our Rifles in extended line crossed the river, and walked as coolly 
 up the heights as if taking a constitutional, lay down, loaded, fired, 
 walked on again till the Infantry came up, when they fell back. The 
 Light Division and First advanced simultaneously, the First being on 
 the left. The slaughter in the village was dreadful, the vines retarding 
 the men's progress, and keeping them back under the fire, when by 
 advancing quicker they could have escaped the range. The gardens, 
 road, and banks of the river were covered with dead and dying. 
 
 " At last they crossed ; and the Highlanders, led by Sir Colin Camp- 
 bell at least twenty yards in advance, stormed at a run the steepest part 
 of the hill, which was surmounted by a Battery, and the flower of the 
 Russian army. They made a brave but unsuccessful sally, and when 
 at last the Highlanders reached the summit, gave a thundering cheer, 
 and fired an awful volley into them, they fairly ran. 
 
 " The Grenadiers captured a gun. The enemy's left having, as I 
 said, been previously turned, the French Artillery advanced, and fired 
 volley after volley after them till the heights were completely cleared. 
 The Baggage and Commissariat then came up. I found many friends 
 wounded. Fitzgerald, of 7th, brother of one in the Treasury, wounded 
 in both legs, bearing it like a hero. Gust, General Bentinck's A.D.C., 
 had his horse killed, and leg awfully shattered by a round shot, has 
 undergone amputation and is since dead. Ennismore, Chewton, 
 Annesley, Hogarth, Percy Burgoyne, Dalrymple, C. Baring, and several 
 others of the Guards wounded, the first four very dangerously. Errol 
 lost a hand ; McDonald's horse shot under him, as was nearly every 
 mounted officer's. Sir C. Campbell's conduct was perfectly heroic. 
 The 23rd have suffered fearfully; five officers only being fit for duty. 
 Some wonderful escapes took place, which I will remember, but cannot 
 detail. Leonard Currie (19th) was wounded in the foot Multitudes of 
 prisoners, amongst which are two Generals, have been taken. They 
 calculated on keeping us at bay three weeks, and then driving us into
 
 ALMA 63 
 
 the sea, instead of which it took not three hours. The dead alone on 
 their side is supposed to be 5000. The English we think have lost 
 2000 killed and wounded. General Arnaud says our advance was the 
 most gallant, and at the same time the most foolish thing he ever saw. 
 We ought to have waited longer, when seeing their left completely 
 turned, they must have retreated of their own accord. It made one's 
 heart bleed to see the poor fellows on the ground, some quite unconscious, 
 some killed on the spot, others in the last convulsions, and the most 
 ghastly wounds. The Russians were all shot in the head, our men 
 principally in the legs. Forth behaved capitally, carrying the colours, 
 which were riddled again and again. Sir George Brown, and indeed all 
 the old soldiers, say it was a position of the most extraordinary strength. 
 They fully expected a signal victory, and half Sebastopol came out to 
 see it. Women's bonnets were found. I have one in my tent. The 
 Army has returned into Sebastopol. It is their garrison. We are 
 fifteen miles off. We have halted for two days. The ships are of im- 
 mense use in taking our sick off. The Russian wounded are also most 
 kindly treated ; though when lying on the ground and spared by our 
 troops, they turned round and fired at them. A Guardsman saw one of 
 them do so. He coolly stopped ; said, 'Johnny,' (they call all foreigners 
 ' Johnny,') ' that's not the way to do work,' and blew his brains out. I 
 shall have lots to tell you when we meet, but I have lots to do. So 
 good-bye, all of you. 
 
 " BALACLAVA, 28th September. 
 
 " On 23rd we marched again, and at about three o'clock reached the 
 Katchka, a small river, but a position if anything stronger than the 
 Alma, but which was not in the slightest degree defended, and over 
 which the Russians had retreated so fast that they had not even broken 
 down the bridge. 
 
 " 24th, we halted on the Baalbec, the last valley before Sebastopol, 
 equally undefended. The Crimean valleys are most beautifully fertile, 
 containing every possible description of fruit and vegetables, which 
 were a great treat ; but of which the soldiers partook rather too freely, 
 as the cholera cases the next morning were much increased. There 
 were two gentlemen's houses in the village, regular country villas, 
 most beautifully furnished, with all the luxuries of a London house, 
 novels, pianos, etc., etc. Everybody was plundering, so I determined 
 to see what I could get, and accordingly galloped to the front, fastened 
 up my horse, and went in. The French however had been beforehand, 
 and what they had not taken, they had wantonly broken. Everything 
 was smashed that could be smashed, and not a thing left. The first 
 person I saw was the Commissary-General, who was coming downstairs, 
 with both hands filled. I said, 'Is there anything left, Sir?' He
 
 64 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 replied, ' No, no ; I have got a brass figure of Minerva, and a few other 
 things, and there's nothing but vermin upstairs ! ' . . . All I brought 
 away was a wooden cup, and some manuscript music. I sat down and 
 played a tune on the piano, or rather tried to play, for the French had 
 broken nearly all the wires. The gardens were beautiful, and the 
 peaches delicious. . . . Owing to there being only two bridges for the 
 Army to cross over, our Train was very late ; and what with Arabas 
 breaking down, and the darkness, I lost my Division ; but fortunately 
 managed to tumble on my legs, and found a tent with dinner and bed, 
 whose owner was lost, and whose share I therefore appropriated. There 
 were two alarms in the night, but false ones. 
 
 "The next morning, 25th, I was on horseback at four, looking after 
 my lost carts ; found them, and having distributed the contents, set off 
 with them again, with an escort of six Guardsmen to find my way to the 
 beach, where the ships were supposed to be landing supplies. On 
 reaching the beach, about four miles off, I found no Fleet, and was 
 informed by a patrol of Cavalry, whom I happened to fall in with, that 
 we were two hundred yards within range of Fort Constantine. I 
 accordingly decamped with my carts as fast as possible, and skirted 
 the beach to the westward for about three miles, where I found the 
 Fleet, and got my supplies, sent them off, and galloped back as fast as 
 I could. 
 
 "On reaching the ground the Army had occupied in the morning, I 
 found it no longer there, and therefore set off in search of it with 
 another Commissariat officer who had joined me. We went straight on 
 for about four miles, through a thickly wooded country, but found no 
 traces of it. At length on reaching the brow of a hill, we met two or 
 three soldiers, stragglers, who said that if we went a hundred yards further 
 we should be fired upon ; that an orderly, accompanying an aide-de-camp 
 who went there by mistake, had been killed by a round shot, and that 
 the Army had turned off to the left (N.) inland, through the wood. We 
 therefore turned back, followed a bridle-path into the wood, which we 
 found afterwards the whole of the Allied Army had taken, Artillery, 
 Baggage, and everything; and which eventually brought us up with the 
 Turkish, French, and last of all, in advance, the English Army. Lord 
 Raglan and our advanced guard had had an engagement in the after- 
 noon, coming quite unexpectedly upon a body of Russians, they say a 
 Divisional Staff; fired a few shots, routed them entirely, and took a 
 large quantity of plunder. 
 
 " Well, as there was only one road into the wood, so there was only 
 one out of it. The troops advanced, and the Commissariat had to follow, 
 as best they could. It was quite dark, and the descent into the valley 
 most steep. How we got on, I don't know. Strickland was ill in his
 
 ALMA 65 
 
 cart ; Rolleston was left behind lost in the wood with the cattle, and 
 Murray and I therefore had to bring the train on ; and most harassing 
 it was. Every moment a cart broke down. Of course one cart delayed 
 the passage of the whole train ; and therefore if irreparably broken, it 
 had to be pushed over the precipice to let the rest come on. Public 
 property was disregarded. Our object was to gain the Army, and to 
 get up with a little, if ever so little, supplies. We had no guide, and 
 had to find our way in the dark. At last we reached the plain, and 
 wandered on slowly, and reached the Camp at 12.30, having been on 
 horseback since four in the morning. We only went wrong once; 
 but that was in taking a road that led under the Kussian Forts, from 
 continuing which we were only prevented by Lord Raglan's interpreter, 
 who had come out to look for his lordship's baggage, and who put us 
 into the right road again. 
 
 " When we got to the Camp, Murray went to ask for directions where 
 we were to camp, and I went fast asleep on a stone by the roadside till 
 he came back. We then got our carts in order, ate some cold pork and 
 biscuit, swallowed some rum, and jumped into a cart. I wrapped my- 
 self in my cloak, and went to sleep with my pipe in my mouth in two 
 minutes. 
 
 "Altogether it was a most wonderful and able march. \\o com- 
 pletely deceived the enemy. From being on the west of them, where 
 they had prepared everything to receive us, we suddenly, by marching 
 through an almost impracticable wood, cut, as they say, an Army of 
 theirs completely in two ; and have appeared on their other flank with- 
 out their having the slightest idea where we were. We neglected how- 
 ever, in my idea, two things. First, they left nobody to show officers, 
 who they knew had been left behind, the path the Army had taken ; 
 and secondly, there was no escort, except the daily one of twenty men, 
 and no guide, to bring up the Commissariat and Baggage of the Army, 
 in a dark night an enemy's country an unknown road and one 
 along which large bodies of Cossacks had been seen the greater part of 
 the day. I only wish that, (excepting myself and my personal effects 
 of course), the Baggage had been lost. It would have given them a 
 lesson. The Commissariat is a Department they expect everything 
 from. They give them no orders or directions of any kind, take not 
 the slightest care of them, and then, if everything is not forthcoming 
 at a moment's notice, they cannot be blamed too much. At any rate, 
 they have had a lesson ; Lord Raglan and the Duke's baggage never 
 came up till late the next day, and put them to much inconveni- 
 ence. ... At four, the next morning, the Duke pulled me out of my 
 cart to give him some biscuit, and fill his flask with rum. I supplied 
 almost every General Officer with cups of tea, and handfuls of biscuit, 
 
 5
 
 66 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 etc., etc. Most of them would have gone without any breakfast but for 
 us. 
 
 " Though up so early, we did not start till nine ; marched till one, 
 when we reached Balaclava. There was a slight opposition on the part 
 of the Fort, a few shots being fired. But it soon surrendered, and our 
 Head-quarters are now established there, and supplies are being landed, 
 and we get lots of fowls, fruit and vegetables from the villages. The 
 town has been in perfect order till this evening ; sentries had been 
 posted everywhere ; the inhabitants came back under promises of 
 safety, and were being well treated, when those infernal French 
 came in, pillaging the place, committing all sorts of atrocities, and 
 cannot be restrained. Lord Raglan has gone forward this afternoon to 
 Sebastopol, but the result is not known. 
 
 "I shall never forget the battle of Alma. It was the most glorious 
 thing to see our long unbroken line of Infantry advancing so steadily 
 up those heights, never halting or wavering for an instant, though the 
 Russian Artillery were playing on them murderously the whole time.. 
 The Russians said they expected to have to fight with brave men, but 
 not with red devils. And now good-bye. I am quite well." 
 
 A letter, written when at home again, nearly two years later^ 
 will find a fitting place on this page. 
 
 " 22nd May [1856] 
 
 "... As I have a few moments to spare, I'll just tell you a story 
 I heard, which may amuse you. It shows that Commissariat officers 
 were not totally exempt from danger in the war. 
 
 "One of them had been sent down to the ships two days after Alma, 
 with some carts to bring up supplies, as usual without any escort, and 
 quite unprotected, although in a hostile country, and marching in quite 
 
 a different direction from the Army. The same day, young C , a 
 
 lieutenant in the B , had gone on shore with his sailor servant, 
 
 armed with Mini6 rifles, to try and shoot some Cossacks ; and seeing 
 the string of Arabas coming along, driven by Tartars, thought they were 
 a Russian Convoy going to Sebastopol. He accordingly hid himself 
 behind a bush, and determined to shoot the officer, while the servant 
 picked out somebody else. When they came within thirty yards, he 
 took a deliberate aim at the officer's heart; and when he was twenty 
 yards distant, had his finger on the trigger, and was in the act of 
 pulling it, when his servant said, 'Stop, Sir, for heaven's sake ! It's an 
 English uniform!' And he fortunately did stop, or you would not 
 now be receiving a letter from your very affectionate Son, 
 
 " 8. BLACKWOOD."
 
 WINTEE BEFOEE SEBASTOPOL. 
 
 It would be impossible in these Eecords to follow from day to 
 day the course of the fifteen eventful months spent before Sebastopol. 
 All that can be done is to select from the mass of material such 
 extracts as describe the most momentous occurrences of the long 
 siege, and the work in which Mr. Blackwood was personally engaged. 
 
 The First Division left Balaclava on the 2nd October, 1854, and 
 went into Camp before Sebastopol. 
 
 THE CAVALRY ACTIONS OF BALACLAVA. 
 
 To HIS FATHER. 
 " CAMP BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, 11th October, 1854. 
 
 "There has been little to tell here up to the 25th. The cannonade has 
 been incessant, except the last two days, when it has slackened on the 
 Russian side considerably, and on ours a little. As for the French 
 attack, they seem to be doing nothing ; their guns are so few and far 
 between. On the 25th however a Russian Force, very strong in Artillery 
 and Cavalry, attacked our line of Redoubts defending the plain behind 
 Balaclava, drove the rascally Turks out of them, took their guns, and 
 threatened our position. Some people say the Turks had orders to fire 
 until the enemy came quite close, then spike their guns, and abandon 
 the Redoubts. Whether this be true or not, I know not. I am also 
 ignorant whether they spiked their guns or not. I do know however 
 that they abandoned the Redoubts in double quick time, and so quickly 
 as considerably to endanger the small force we had down there, and 
 the town. 
 
 "The action then regularly commenced. The Russian Artillery 
 opened their fire ; the cannon lining the precipitous heights in our 
 rear did likewise, and the First and Fourth Divisions marched down 
 as quickly as possible. In the meantime the Cossacks, after driving 
 the Turks in, came in swarms over the plain, shouting and shrieking, 
 and spearing the ' Bono Johnnies ' as they ran away, till they came 
 
 (67)
 
 68 LIFE OP SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 upon our Cavalry, drawn up behind a slight hill. There they formed 
 up, and stood still, about eighty or ninety yards in front of the Heavy 
 Brigade, when suddenly the Scots Greys charged them at full gallop. 
 The Cossacks charged too, and they came together with a crash. For 
 a moment neither line yielded, though the Cossacks were double the 
 number of the Greys. At last they wavered ; the Greys broke through 
 them in two places, were followed by a charge of the 6th Dragoon Guards 
 (I think), and seeing another Heavy Dragoon Regiment coming up, the 
 enemy lost all order, and scampered back across the plain, leaving 
 about forty or fifty dead, wounded or prisoners. We, I guess, lost 
 about five or six killed and wounded, and as many horses. 
 
 ; 'The whole thing was beautifully seen from tfie heights in our 
 rear, where the General Staff, etc., etc., were assembled. The French, 
 at seeing the Greys' charge, which was magnificent, were quite delirious 
 with excitement ; and when the enemy turned and fled, a cry of 
 ' // s* sauvent /' burst from them; and they jumped round, embracing 
 each other, and every Englishman they could lay hands on. 
 
 " So far we were victorious ; but the story was soon changed. The 
 Russians had got possession of the Redoubt the Turks were driven from, 
 had placed some guns there, and could do us much damage. They had 
 to be dislodged, and Lord Lucan was ordered to tell his Light Cavalry 
 to retake it. This order, it seems, was indistinctly conveyed by an 
 Aide-de-Camp; and the Light Brigade, consisting of the 4th, 8th, llth, 
 13th, and 17th, charged, I believe, the wrong place. They were however 
 most gallantly led by Lord Cardigan, who jumped into the Battery, at 
 least twenty yards in advance; the men were cut down at their guns, 
 and the place taken. But on the other side, our Cavalry were sur- 
 rounded by an immense force of Cossacks and a quantity of Infantry, 
 were completely hemmed in, and out of the eight hundred horsemen 
 who galloped out so bravely, but a hundred and eighty or a hundred 
 and ninety returned. Most of them are believed to have been killed; 
 and the fate of many not known. The mail which conveys this will, 
 I suppose, give a List of Casualties. Nolan, the Aide-de-Camp, who, as 
 the story is, caused the disaster by giving an indefinite order to charge, 
 was the first man killed. The 93rd and some Turks were engaged on 
 the enemy's left, and repulsed them by a well-sustained fire. This 
 ended the fighting for the day. The enemy retired to their original 
 position ; the Highlanders remained at Balaclava, and the Guards 
 marched up here. 
 
 " Yesterday, the 26th, another affair, hardly an action, took place on our 
 extreme left, a force of eight thousand men leaving Sebastopol to attack 
 the Second Division. Our Artillery was however on the brow of a hill 
 the moment our outposts were engaged, and made terrible havoc in the
 
 WINTER BEFORE SEBASTOPOL 69 
 
 enemy, as they advanced in skirmishing order through the brushwood. 
 I stood behind one of the guns, and watched each shot as it left the 
 cannon's mouth, till it landed amidst the enemy, striking them down 
 right and left. Our Minie rifles in the hands of the 2nd Division did 
 also tremendous execution ; and after a combat of about three-quarters 
 of an hour, the enemy retired, leaving, I hear, not less than six hundred 
 or seven hundred killed, wounded and prisoners. We had not however 
 quite done with them ; for as they were returning in column to Sebasto- 
 pol, a Lancaster Gun in one of our trenches cleverly got their range, and 
 fired three or four shots into them, clearing a perfect road at every shot. 
 The prisoners all concur in saying that the streets of Sebastopol are 
 crowded with the dead, though their reports as to numbers differ. 
 They say that Menschikoff headed the attack on Balaclava. 
 
 " 28th October. 
 
 "Since the 25th, stragglers have come in belonging to the Light 
 Cavalry, reducing the loss to four hundred and eight out of eight hun- 
 dred. Do not state the story about Nolan as a fact. 
 
 "Two companies of Russians were, I hear, taken prisoner this 
 morning by our advanced outposts. Lord Raglan's despatch about 
 Alma does not give universal satisfaction. 
 
 " BALACLAVA, 28<A October, 11 o'clock. 
 
 " As I have a few moments to spare here, before the post goes out, 
 I will give you what I hear is the true account of the cause of the 
 disaster of the 25th. 
 
 " Nolan, who had been sent by Lord Raglan to ascertain the exact 
 position of the enemy, on his return was very excited, and described 
 their position wrongly. This led to the order to Lord Cardigan to 
 advance ; and when afterwards Lord Raglan was informed of the pre- 
 cise place the Cavalry were charging, he said: 'Then the Light 
 Brigade is sacrificed.' But it was too late to be remedied. 
 
 " I saw George Wombwell, 17th Lancers, this morning. He is one 
 of three officers of that regiment left fit for duty; young Morgan 
 (Sir C.'s son) commanding it. Wombwell gave me a full description of 
 the affair. They charged right up to the mouth of the guns ; Lord 
 Cardigan was not three yards from one of them when it was fired. 
 His horse swerved, thereby probably saving him, and in the smoke ran 
 up against the gun itself. The men were cut down at the guns. They 
 then charged right through two Cavalry Regiments, and with beaten 
 horses met a third, which they could not break ; they therefore had to 
 retire. All this took place under a flank fire from twelve to fifteen big 
 guns, and musketry playing on them from every side. Wombwell had 
 his horse shot; he then jumped on another, but was surrounded by at
 
 70 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 least a dozen Cossacks, who made threatening gestures to him to throw 
 down his sword. He had no alternative but to do so, and was instantly 
 pulled from his horse, disarmed, and marched off. An officer rode up 
 to him, and told him in French to be in no alarm, for they would not 
 hurt him. While going off, he looked round, and saw the llth Hussars 
 coming up at a trot ; and spying a trooper's loose horse galloping back, 
 he broke away from his captors, fortunately succeeded in stopping the 
 horse, jumped on him, and reached the llth in safety. He describes it 
 as the most awful fire, and wonders how anybody escaped. He could 
 hardly hear himself speak." 
 
 Extracts from the PRIVATE JOURNAL supply a few other details. 
 
 "25th October, 1854, Wednesday. Rolleston started at eight to 
 Balaclava, but cantered back to tell me there was fighting going on in 
 the rear. Jumped up without eating or washing, and galloped to the 
 brow of the hill. Russian Artillery on heights opposite the Turkish 
 Redoubts and in the plain. Cavalry, etc., in distance. 
 
 [Heavy Cavalry Charge Described.] 
 
 "Horse Artillery then came up and fired into them, with what 
 effect I could not see. Galloped down to the plain, and rode over the 
 field. Dreadful sight. First Division and Fourth marched down. 
 Very sharp cannonade and musketry : 93rd and Turks repulsed Cavalry 
 charge. 
 
 [Charge of the Light Brigade Described.] 
 
 " French Cavalry then charged, and took some Russian guns on 
 left, and did not suffer much. Russian Force then retreated to their 
 original position, having succeeded however in obtaining two heights 
 from the Turks, commanding Balaclava Plain. Fighting over for the 
 day. Highland Brigade stayed there, but Guards came back. Mrs. 
 , of 8th, looking on all day, disgusted me. Russians, in my idea, 
 had the best of it. Everybody in Balaclava in a great funk. Com- 
 missariat office packing up. Ships getting under weigh." 
 
 To HIS FATHER. 
 
 " CAMP BEFORE SEBA.STOPOL, 3rd November, 1864. 
 
 "Nothing has happened since I last wrote. The plain in rear of 
 Balaclava, which was lately occupied by our Cavalry, Highlanders and 
 Turks, is now completely abandoned ; and the Brigade of Highlanders, 
 a French Brigade, 2000 Marines, and the Turks, are employed in de- 
 fending Balaclava. The Russians are still in great force in the plain
 
 WINTER BEFORE SEBASTOPOL 71 
 
 behind us, but do nothing offensive. The French have employed their 
 men in strongly entrenching our rear, and we need fear no attack 
 there. There are still several accounts of the catastrophe of the 25th. 
 There is no doubt that it rests between Lord Raglan and Nolan ; and 
 since he is dead, the blame, whether justly or not, will I suppose rest 
 on him. . . . By the by, do not circulate my edition of stories and 
 events as correct, as everything here is founded on reports only ; and 
 my version is not more likely to be the true one than others." 
 
 PRIVATE JOURNAL. 
 
 " th November, Saturday. Russians in rear immovable. On riding 
 into Balaclava, horse slipped up, falling heavily on my left leg. Ankle 
 badly sprained. . . . Obliged to turn back, and lie up." 
 
 THE BATTLE OF INKEKMANN. 
 
 " 5th November, Sunday. Woke by heavy musketry and cannonade 
 on the right. Murray went to see it, and Rolleston. Firing also in the 
 rear. Could not resist it at last, but jumping on my horse the wrong 
 side, with a slipper on, went to see what it was. Large force of Artillery 
 in the plain in our rear ; out of range however, and could do no damage. 
 Ceased after about an hour. Dreadfully heavy fire on the right, like 
 rolling thunder. French regiments moving up. Wounded coming 
 back already in shoals. Was obliged to dismount and lie up again. 
 Fellows came and told me news. Seems to have been a most fierce 
 combat. Our men, entirely unsupported, and with damp ammunition, 
 driven back. Enemy's guns on an eminence completely commanding 
 2nd Division, and throwing shell into it. Close hand to hand fighting 
 all day in the brushwood, with various success. Enemy at last repulsed 
 and heights taken, but with dreadful loss. Sir G. Cathcart, command- 
 ing 4th Division, and A.D.C., etc., etc., killed ; Wynne, 68th, Thorold, 23rd, 
 Pakenham, Nevill, and Newman (Grenadier Guards), Danson, Elliot, 
 Cowell, Disbrowe, Greville, Ramsden, Bouverie, McKennion (Cold- 
 streams), Malcolm (Rifles), Hunter Blair (Scots Fusilier Guards) all 
 killed. General Bentinck, Duke of Cambridge, Sir George Brown, Field- 
 ing, Seymour, Gipps, Drummond and many others wounded. Poor Butler 
 killed. A sad day 1 Greater part of them butchered on the ground. 
 Russian loss immense, some 7000. Ours 2000 casualties. . . . Shame- 
 ful neglect not having the position fortified. Entirely attributable to 
 that. 
 
 "6th November, Monday. Laid up all day, as also 7th November, 
 Tuesday. Burnaby came, and gave me an account of the day. Most 
 dreadful struggle. . . . Cleveland in 17th killed."
 
 72 LIFE OF SIB ABTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 To HIS FATHER. 
 " CAMP BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, 8th November, 1854. 
 
 "Again a battle has taken place; and though it may be called a 
 victory, seeing that the Russians, three times the number of the force 
 we opposed to them, were repulsed with enormous loss, still another 
 such victory would annihilate our already sufficiently reduced Army. 
 As, owing to a sprained ankle, ... I have been confined to my tent for 
 the last three days, I was unable to view the action myself ; and having 
 only heard scraps of news now and then, I can give you but a meagre 
 account of it. 
 
 "On 5th November, about six A.M., the Russians, who had been 
 employed all night in getting up some very heavy guns to an eminence 
 which commanded our right, attacked us with a force supposed to be 
 about 30,000 strong. The 2nd Division, who were encamped on the 
 extreme right, about 4000, and the Brigade of Guards, about 1500, were 
 for some time the only troops opposed to them. They were however 
 afterwards supported by the French, and by our 4th and Light Divisions. 
 I can give you no account of the operations, as I only know the ground 
 slightly. The semi-circular slope which forms our right, was attacked 
 on all sides at once, at the same time that a feint was made in our rear 
 by a numerous force of Artillery. The ground on which all the fighting 
 took place prevented all manoeuvres, it being a dense brushwood, mingled 
 with large pieces of rock which gave shelter to the enemy's sharp- 
 shooters. The fight lasted, and all on the same ground, from six in the 
 morning till four in the afternoon. The Brigade of Guards, when mus- 
 tered at about three o'clock to get fresh ammunition, numbered two 
 hundred, Burnaby's company consisting of nine rank and file. The 
 difference between the fire at Alma and at Inkermann was as a handful 
 of stones to a hailstorm. I could not have believed that such an inces- 
 sant rolling thunder of musketry could be kept up. Positions, guns, and 
 batteries were taken and retaken several times in the course of the day. 
 Eventually the eminences occupied by the enemy were taken, and they 
 retreated. 
 
 "We have however suffered frightfully. I have lost several friends. 
 In the 4th Division, General Sir G. Cathcart, Brigadier-General Goldie, 
 and several of his Staff have been killed. Poor Wynne has lost a brother 
 in the 68th. General Torrens wounded. Thorold, 33rd, killed. The 
 Guards have lost I am afraid to say how many. The Duke wounded, very 
 slightly. General Bentinck, I hear, severely. Poor Butler, brother of 
 Silistria Butler, on the Duke's staff, killed. In the Grenadiers, Paken- 
 ham, Nevill, and Sir R. Newman killed. In the Coldstreams they 
 have nine officers killed, and I believe all the rest wounded. . . . Poor
 
 WINTER BEFORE SEBASTOPOL 73 
 
 little Greville, quite a boy (a son of Algernon Greville's), had only been 
 out about a fortnight. He dined with me the night before, and was in 
 the highest spirits. He left me at ten, and was dead the next morning 
 at seven. . . . Fitzroy shot in the cheek; Fielding badly wounded. 
 Burnaby, who came up from Varna about a week ago, behaved very well. 
 Men in the regiment who were his enemies said he had behaved nobly. 
 The Duke thanked him twice. The Brigade, as soon as Seba&topol is 
 taken, must, I should think, go home. It is almost destroyed. 
 
 "A Council of War was held yesterday. 
 
 "The men all say that, but for the assistance of the French, they 
 must have yielded. Most of the officers were murdered. Newman, 
 only slightly wounded, and unable to walk in consequence, was run 
 through and through on the ground. Col. Carpenter, 41st, unhorsed and 
 lying on the ground, had his brains beaten out with the butt-end of a 
 musket. Our loss to-day is put at 1500 casualties ; ninety-six officers 
 wounded, and twenty-five killed. 
 
 " The shot and shell, thrown from the guns they had in position, 
 came right into the Second Division camp. The Commissariat tents 
 were riddled. Murray, who rode up to see what he could, had a narrow 
 escape ; and Rolleston, who was talking to the Commissariat officer of 
 the Second Division, had to lie down to escape a round shot which 
 came between him and his horse. Perhaps it was lucky for me that I 
 was laid up. ... I am not in the humour for writing to-day, and can 
 never write unless I am. So no more from your affectionate Son. 
 
 " 13th November, 1854. 
 
 "There is universal dissatisfaction at the results of the action of 
 the 5th. Lord Raglan neglected to fortify the position, in spite of Sir de 
 L. Evans (commanding 2nd Division) repeatedly telling him that he 
 could not hold it. He had had one warning by the attack of the 26th, 
 but would not heed it. As a proof that it was necessary, now, after two 
 attacks and a number of lives sacrificed, he is fortifying it, and two 
 French regiments are encamped with the Guards on the extreme right 
 to defend it. The slaughter must have been immense. For three whole 
 days we were burying ; and when I rode up on the 10th, for the first 
 time, owing to my ankle, to the Sand-bag Battery, where the Guards 
 had fought, the dead Russians were still lying in heaps, and the smell 
 was sickening. They must have fought with great bravery, as the 
 embrasure of the Battery, or rather Redoubt, for there were, alas 1 no 
 guns in it, was piled with the corpses of men who had tried to creep 
 through." 
 
 THE GREAT GALE. 
 
 " CAMP, SEBASTOPOL, 18th November. 
 "The mail which conveys to you this letter will also bring you all
 
 74 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 the sad intelligence of the immense loss of life and shipping that we 
 sustained by the gale of the 14th. The damage done, not to speak of the 
 lives lost, can hardly be estimated. A million and a half pounds of 
 bread, immense quantities of barley, rum, hay, ammunition, have gone 
 to the bottom ; and the warm clothing of the soldiers, which is begin- 
 ning to be severely wanted, was also entirely lost. They say that 
 besides the ships lost at Balaclava, thirteen went on shore north of 
 Sebastopol ; that they tired on the sinking ships, and that all who were 
 not drowned or dashed to pieces were taken prisoners. A gale such as 
 this seems not to have visited the country for years, as trees of some 
 seventy or eighty years' growth were blown down like reeds. The scene 
 at Balaclava defies description. The little harbour, which from its 
 being so completely surrounded by such high mountains, one would 
 have thought safe from any wind, is crowded with about fifty ships in 
 various stages of ruin, all with their foresprits gone, many having lost 
 their masts, rudders and screws ; and the water covered with broken 
 spars, trusses of hay, puncheons of rum, and dead bodies. Most of the 
 roofs are blown off the houses, and all the windows in. We thought we 
 were badly off in Camp, but the fate of those poor fellows at sea must 
 have been awful. 
 
 "I will just tell you what happened to me. The night before was 
 most calm. I had sat up till about ten, writing a very long letter, 
 which I left on my table, meaning to conclude it at the last moment. 
 My tent, for a tent, was the picture of comfort. My September accounts 
 that day finished (a most tedious job), my October ones in a pretty for- 
 ward state, and those of the present month, the few books I have, and 
 most of my little knick-knacks were most tidily arranged on the table. 
 Empty sugar-casks were placed round the tent, serving as side-tables to 
 put clothes, dressing things, and odds and ends on ; and I was in fact 
 inwardly congratulating myself in rather a selfish manner that I was so 
 much more comparatively comfortable than the generality of people in 
 Camp. 
 
 "Well, at half-past six next morning I was awoke by so sudden a 
 storm of rain and wind coming on that the water splashed through the 
 canvas into my face, as I lay in bed. The tent-pole began to bend and 
 creak in such an alarming manner that I thought it would break 
 every moment. But still it did not break, and I began to think I 
 should outlive the storm ; till suddenly the pegs on the weather side 
 of the tent were torn out of the ground. The tent flew up into the air, 
 my bed was tilted over me, and I was shot out with a bump. It was 
 useless to try to save a thing. Everything that wind could have any 
 effect on flew; bear-skins darkened the air, and casks, camp-kettles, 
 tarpaulins, and sacks, whirled and bounded past like cannon-balls.
 
 WINTER BEFORE SEBASTOPOL 75 
 
 There I stood, with my chemisette blown over my head (otherwise in 
 complete deshabille), seeing clothes, papers, books and letters flying high 
 over the tents towards the Russians in the valley, while the rain, cold 
 as ice, came down in torrents. At first my own situation, and indeed 
 that of everybody else, was so thoroughly ridiculous that I could do 
 little else but laugh ; but soon seeing that it was anything but a laugh- 
 ing matter, I put on what clothes I could with wonderful rapidity, and 
 began to collect what I was able. Fortunately Rolleston's tent, though 
 in imminent danger, still stood ; and thrusting everything that re- 
 mained in there, I devoted myself to preserving its existence as long 
 as possible, by hammering away at the tent-pegs outside, whilst he 
 clung on to the pole inside with all his might and main. Murray was 
 in the same position inside his tent, but clung in vain. He shared the 
 common fate. 
 
 " How the remainder of the day passed I cannot tell. It was prin- 
 cipally spent in vain endeavours to keep one's legs, or to find some 
 temporary shelter behind a salt-meat cask or a heap of stones. A fire 
 was out of the question, and our breakfast was but sorry. The wind 
 increased towards midday to a regular hurricane, accompanied by snow 
 and sleet; and you can imagine our discomfort. Clothes would not 
 keep one warm, and walking could not, as it was perfectly impossible. 
 Our mess tent, containing eatables and drinkables for the next fortnight, 
 was upset, and everything smashed, leaving only a solitary pot of mar- 
 malade and a mud-begrimed pot of butter. Murray, in an heroic 
 attempt to save a bottle of pickles, was adroitly bowled over by a 
 fugitive rum-keg; and thus our last hope of preserving anything van- 
 ished. (Never mind the pun !) Towards evening however the wind 
 abated for half an hour, which I employed in pitching my tent once 
 more, splicing and strengthening the pole, and placing heavy stones on 
 the ropes. Murray and I and Antoine slept there, if sleeping it could 
 be called, when every five minutes a fearful gust of wind would threaten 
 to render us houseless again, and made us start from our beds to the 
 rescue. Towards morning however the wind went down, and one slept 
 a little ; but never shall I forget the 14th November, 1854 ! 
 
 "After all I did not lose so much as I at first thought. All my 
 accounts are however gone, or rendered so imperfect that they are 
 useless, and several letters, amongst them the long one I had written 
 the night before. That annoyed me more than anything else. Murray 
 has had a more serious loss : his two horses, being attacked by a 
 ferocious one of Strickland's, broke loose, and escaped all three to- 
 gether. 
 
 "The Commissariat have lost immensely, but the supplies are still 
 kept up. Filder is most unlucky. At Varna, where a gale would have
 
 76 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 done him no damage, all his supplies being in stores, a fire came and 
 burnt the stores ; and here, where everything is on board ship, and a 
 fire would have destroyed nothing, the gale sinks them. 
 
 "Orders have been given to hut, and I shall begin to build one to- 
 morrow, but have not quite fixed on the plan. There is rather a diffi- 
 culty about the spare bed-room and bath-room ! I hope however to 
 overcome them. 
 
 " 13th November, 1854. 
 
 "The wet weather has set in, and our Transport, which has only just 
 been sufficient, is now, owing to the badness of the roads, diminished 
 by half, as instead of two bullocks to a cart, four are necessary. It is 
 in consequence difficult to keep up the supplies, and we are living from 
 hand to mouth. 
 
 " November 23rd. My personal life has not much novelty in it. It 
 consists in tumbling out of bed on a dark cold and wet morning, about 
 five o'clock, in order to turn twenty or thirty dirty lazy Arabadys out 
 of theirs, and make them harness their bullocks, and start with the 
 greatest possible despatch ; the latter of which objects, as might be 
 expected from their natural habits, is seldom attained ; to gallop down 
 after them, about seven miles, to Balaclava, and then to struggle for five 
 or six hours amidst soldiers, sailors, Turks, Maltese, etc., etc., to load 
 one's carts with the various necessaries. It really is a struggle; for 
 owing to the losses by the storm, provisions come on shore so slowly, 
 and in such small quantities, that it is quite a fight between the 
 different Commissariat officers, who shall get them first for their 
 respective Divisions and Brigades. After all, it ends in one's just 
 getting a day's supply, and toiling up the long six-mile hill, strewn 
 with dead bullocks, mules, and broken-down carts, with the comforting 
 reflection that exactly the same work has to be done the next day, and 
 that if unfortunately any of the bullocks or carts were to break down 
 (only too likelyX there would be just so many rations deficient." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 "The harbour itself was of the most diminutive dimensions; and 
 sometimes we could only get our stock by going on board the store- 
 ships, and procuring them almost by main force." 
 
 To HIS FATHER. 
 
 "2Sth November. The wet weather has now lasted a week, and has 
 been very nearly incessant rain the whole time. There are many, I 
 fear, worse off than I am ; but I will, with no wish to complain, just tell 
 you how I am living. I am either on horseback, or else wading nearly
 
 WINTER BEFORE SEBASTOPOL 77 
 
 up to my knees in mud on the wharf in Balaclava, drenched through 
 and through (for waterproofs against such continual wind and soaking 
 rain, are of little use), from seven in the morning till five in the 
 evening ; and then come back with even one's saddle, from continual 
 dismounting, as wet as one's self, to find that the rain has beaten through 
 the tent, that it has formed a nice little reservoir in the middle of the 
 bed, and that the floor is a perfect pond. The fire by which the hot 
 dinner one had been looking forward to was to have been cooked, is 
 out ; the matches even to light a candle, are damp, and won't ignite, 
 and the few books and papers left on the table, are like sponges. 
 Eventually one goes to bed in despair; and is awoke an hour after- 
 wards by a furious storm of rain, beating through on to one's face, and 
 making the remainder of the night perfectly miserable, till day dawns, 
 and the same story commences again. After all, even if I wished, I 
 ought not to complain, for I have a moderately dry suit to change, and 
 a comparatively dry blanket to sleep in, with moreover some creature 
 comforts worth mentioning ; while the unfortunate soldiers have none 
 of these. They are in the same clothes they have been wearing for the 
 last three months, and which have not been dry for a week, for they 
 cannot even take them off to sleep ; and they have besides to stand all 
 night almost on outpost duties, or work in the trenches all day. Still 
 more than this, I am well, which many are not. 
 
 "3rd December. The quantity of rain which has fallen, and still 
 keeps falling, has rendered the three-mile hill which stretches from 
 Balaclava to the commencement of the Camp almost impassable ; and 
 the only wonder is that anything on wheels gets up at all. It is even 
 difficult on horseback, the deep sticky clay reaching very nearly to 
 one's horse's hocks. The small amount of Transport one has is quite 
 unequal to bringing up even a day's provisions ; and several Divisions 
 have in consequence been for two days without meat, and on only 
 half a ration of biscuit and rum. 
 
 "My Brigade, which has been increased by the 97th (1000 strong) 
 has however always had full rations. To-day was the nearest escape 
 they had. Three carts full of rum broke down on the hill yesterday, 
 and this morning I was obliged to order half-rations. Towards evening 
 however I got some more up, and was able to give them the remainder. 
 We are no longer able to bring forage up, and everybody possessing 
 horses has to send them down for their own. The hill is covered from 
 one end to the other with broken carts, salt-meat barrels, puncheons 
 of rum, and dying and dead horses and bullocks. 
 
 "The French, under whose Camp the road runs, do not behave 
 well : for the moment it is dark, they come out in numbers and 
 pillage the broken-down carts. Some Grenadiers, whom I left behind
 
 78 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 with the rum, were attacked by them in the night, and had to fight 
 for it. They got some sailors from a Camp close by, and soon gave the 
 Frenchmen not only a good licking, but took them prisoners too. One 
 of my sergeants has just come in to tell me that my four last carts 
 laden with meat have stuck, and that he has brought the horses home 1 
 It is a finishing blow ! How we are to get on I do not know. I have 
 been buying horses to-day, and have scraped a dozen together, but 
 pack-saddles are deficient; and even with them, twelve horses will do 
 but little towards supplying 3000 men, whose daily consumption is 
 upwards of 8000 Ibs. Mr. Filder has written for 400 pack-horses, but 
 they do not arrive. Another wet day, and things must come to a stand- 
 still. We'll keep it going however as long as we can. In the mean- 
 time, it is a matter of unceasing anxiety, and I can think and therefore 
 write of little else. 
 
 " 8th December. My Transport, which at first consisted of thirty 
 carts, has now, from the death of oxen and breaking down, diminished 
 to one ! and if it had not been that Kolleston and I had bought up 
 right and left all the ponies and pack-saddles we could, my Brigade 
 would now have been starving. I cannot sleep at night for thinking 
 of breaking-down carts, and of how the coming day's provisions are to 
 be brought up. While I write this, my sergeant comes in to say that 
 my one remaining cart, laden with rum, had only got a mile beyond 
 Balaclava, when the horses refused to draw it any further. It is really 
 heart-breaking, and I feel inclined to cry. What we are to do I know 
 not. It is indeed hard that, after labouring as I do, turning out of bed 
 at five o'clock, two hours before daylight, in cold and wet, and working 
 like a common soldier on the beach all day, that it should all be 
 frustrated for the want of a few oxen and carts. However, I will say 
 no more about it. I have to think enough about it without writing too, 
 and so will talk about something else, if I can. 
 
 " I have christened my two horses, ' Rum ' and ' Salt Pork.' I'm 
 sure if they forget those articles, I shan't. 
 
 " 13th December. Notwithstanding the state of the roads, guns are 
 still slowly being brought up, as many as thirty horses being sometimes 
 harnessed to one. The dearth of provisions in Camp continues the 
 same. . . . The 4th Division has, I believe, been on half-rations for 
 several days, and almost all the regiments have to send men down to 
 bring the food up on their backs. Thanks to the horses which Rolleston 
 with much foresight began to buy when he saw our Transport diminish- 
 ing, my Brigade has not been reduced to that expedient yet, and is still 
 on full rations. It necessitates however much extra labour. The rum, 
 hitherto brought up in puncheons, has to be drawn off on the wharf into 
 small kegs to put on the horses ; the salt meat has to be taken out of
 
 WINTER BEFORE SEBASTOPOL 79 
 
 the casks and put into sacks ; and one can trust so little to one's subor- 
 dinates in an emergency of this kind, that unless I am there to make 
 them work, and direct them, something is sure to go wrong. Either 
 the fatigue party straggles away into the town to drink, and thereby 
 loses an opportunity, or a horse is improperly packed and gets a sore 
 back ; or there is no rope, or some other Commissary seizes the biscuit 
 for which you have been waiting. In fact, I am there all day, worrying 
 first one sergeant and then another till I get them out of the town and 
 on their road home ; and then the probability is that half the horses 
 fall down by the way, and only half the provisions reach home. 
 
 "17th December. They are making use of the Cavalry horses 
 to carry up biscuits to the different Divisions, and fatigue parties of 600 
 or 800 men go down every day to bring the salt meat up on their backs. 
 We however have struggled on without having recourse to either ex- 
 pedient, a fact that we are not a little proud of ; and I hope the worst has 
 now passed. Two hundred and fifty pack-horses were landed to-day 
 from Constantinople, and five hundred more are expected. It has how- 
 ever been a close shave. To-day, after issuing rations to the Brigade, I 
 had half a pound of meat in store ! 
 
 "It is really most lamentable that we have no regular organised 
 Transport. Filder says that he proposed and asked for it at the Horse 
 Guards before coming out ; but the idea was pooh-poohed, and he was told 
 that the transport of the country would be sufficient. For a campaign in 
 an ally's country no doubt it would ; but we should never have come 
 unprepared. . . . Our want of Transport has been the cause of the death 
 of nearly half the Cavalry and Artillery horses, which, if they had been 
 better fed, would have withstood the cold and wet better. Our men 
 are worked literally to death, and compared with the French are an 
 army of scarecrows. Exempli gratia, four days ago a sergeant and six 
 men were attached to me for purposes of transport service. Two are 
 gone into the hospital, the sergeant and two more are lying sick in their 
 tent, and the other two could hardly get home to-night. No wonder ; 
 they have barely shoes to their feet, and have been in the same wet 
 clothes for about a month. 
 
 "The French Army, on the contrary, look clean, neat, healthy and 
 well clad, their horses and transport animals literally fat. 
 
 "They are doing everything for us. Their ambulance waggons take 
 down our sick ; their Artillery bring up our shells, and their fatigue 
 parties are making a road out of Balaclava for us. One thing is to be 
 said : they have 50,000 and we but 20,000 men. While our line of attack 
 is fully as long as theirs, we have to defend the right, and Balaclava 
 too. It is however rather humiliating. . . . 
 
 "I think Mother means to chaff me when she says, 'If you cook
 
 80 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 your bacon yourself, put a piece of bread underneath.' Breadf.'.'fff 
 She might as well say oyster patties ! 
 
 " CAMP BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, 23rd December, 1854. 
 
 " I am afraid I shall not be able to sleep in my house before New 
 Year's Day; for it has come to a standstill for want of nails. It is of 
 most rough architecture, having been built by half a dozen Guardsmen, 
 who are attached to me as butchers, but have nothing to kill. The roof 
 is rather undulating, as instead of regular rafters, I could only get a 
 few crooked huge stakes, and there was only enough planking to cover 
 about two-thirds. It will however be covered all over with a tar- 
 paulin, and will I hope be water-tight. I managed to find in Bala- 
 clava a couple of window-frames, a tin tube for a chimney, and a lock 
 for the door ; and to make it quite complete, I mean to rig up a knocker, 
 with ' Ring also ' underneath. I also plundered a large lamp, took it to 
 pieces, and mean the first fine day, with a diamond I have got in a pin, 
 and some white paint for putty, to set to work as a glazier. It has a 
 capital fireplace and chimney-piece; and when I get a bookcase up, an 
 armchair in, and a carpet of sheepskins, I shan't envy the Queen of 
 England. A hut as a kitchen is to be built one side, and a stable the 
 other. Everybody is full of preparations for Christmas, and the 
 quantity of flour and plums that is being laid in is positively alarming. 
 
 " SOth December. 
 
 "I know of nothing to tell you, except that one event of great im- 
 portance has taken place since I wrote, viz., the completion of my 
 country house, which we dined in on Christmas day, by way of a 
 house-warming, and which I moved into the day after. It was a great 
 struggle to finish it in time, with the limited means and material at 
 my disposal. 
 
 "It really is, without boasting, very nearly one of the best houses 
 in the Camp, as the generality of them are sunk into the ground with a 
 slanting roof; whereas mine is entirely above ground, has a gable roof, 
 and altogether has a most imposing and magnificent appearance. The 
 walls, composed of stones and mud, are two feet thick, and six feet 
 high ; the interior ten by six; and now that I have put some shelves up 
 for books, etc., it is quite extraordinary how very snug I am. There is 
 a fireplace, in which there is at the present moment a most capital fire 
 burning; and you can have no idea of the luxury we enjoy when after 
 dinner we draw our stools round the fire, and having had our coffee, 
 set to work at our pipes, without having the tent flapping about with 
 the wind, or the rain splashing in upon our beds. To be sure, it is 
 rather damp, the walls being made of wet mud, and if one had come
 
 WINTEE BEFORE SEBASTOPOL 81 
 
 into it from a dry house, it might possibly have given one cold ; but as 
 nothing can be much wetter than a tent, I don't suppose it will do me 
 much harm." 
 
 At about this date the Duke of Cambridge returned home on 
 sick leave ; and on relinquishing the command of the First Division, 
 he wrote as follows to the Commissary-General of the Division : 
 
 " CONSTANTINOPLE, 29th December, 1854. 
 
 " MY DEAR MR. FILDER, As I am sorry to say the state of my health 
 obliges me for a period to leave the Army on sick leave, I hope you will 
 permit me before I go to recommend to your favourable notice the 
 Commissary of the 1st Division, Mr. Rolleston. His two deputies, Mr. 
 Blackwood and Mr. Murray, are zealous, hard-working, and good 
 
 Commissariat officers. 
 
 " I beg to remain, my dear Mr. Filder, 
 " Yours very truly, 
 
 " GEORGE." 
 
 MR. BLACKWOOD TO HIS FATHER. 
 
 "5th January, 1855. The sickness in the Army is frightful, and 
 I every other day meet strings of French ambulance mules conveying 
 our sick, at least a mile long. It is most melancholy to see the pinched 
 and haggard faces of the poor fellows, as they are brought in on horse- 
 back in snow and rain over a bad road, and to see how resignedly and 
 heroically they bear it. The regiments that arrive daily almost dis- 
 appear in the course of a few weeks. 
 
 " 19th January. Lord Raglan is riding about everywhere, and 
 looking a little more than before into the details of the Army. He 
 came here yesterday (we were all out), and asked my sergeant a lot of 
 questions. We were fortunately well supplied, and could give him a 
 very good account. He said, 'Ah, this is the Division that Mr. Rolleston 
 and Mr. Blackwood belong to, and that has never been on short rations.' 
 We have in fact gained some wSos at Head Quarters and elsewhere for 
 having always been able to keep the Division on full rations. It was a 
 struggle, though, and we only just did it. 
 
 "The promotions in the Commissariat which take place annually 
 were notified in a letter from the Duke of Newcastle the other day. 
 The letter ends as follows : 
 
 " ' I am finally to acquaint you that the Duke of Newcastle has 
 received with much satisfaction your report of the zealous devotion 
 evinced by Messrs, Blackwood, Murray and Slade to the laborious and 
 harassing duties which they have undertaken as Acting Commissariat 
 Officers in the field. 
 
 " ' (Signed) H. ROBERTS.' " 
 6
 
 82 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 The portion of the Report to which reference is here made, was 
 as follows : 
 
 FROM COMMISSARY-GENERAL FILDER. 
 
 " BALACLAVA, October, 1864. 
 
 " I may take this opportunity of saying that both Mr. Blackwood 
 and Mr. Murray have behaved admirably, and with the exception of 
 the horrors of the town of Varna, have had their full share of the 
 roughest work throughout the campaign." 
 
 About the same time an important change in the constitution of 
 the Department took place. 
 
 Sin C. TREVELYAN TO MR. STEVENSON BLACKWOOD. 
 
 " 12th December, 1854. 
 
 "The perfectly satisfactory manner in which you have acquitted 
 yourself in your new vocation has been very gratifying to me and 
 your other friends here. The Commissary -General, your own comrades 
 in the Department, and so far as we have had an opportunity of observing, 
 the military officers with whom you have acted, unite in saying that 
 you have discharged your arduous and difficult duties with a heartiness 
 and success which are highly honourable to you. One consequence of this 
 is, that you have, for the present, become necessary to the Public Service 
 where you are; and although the direction of the Commissariat is about 
 to be transferred to the War Department, it is hoped that this will 
 make no change in your original intention of remaining with the Army 
 till the crisis is past. Be assured of the continuance of my best wishes 
 for your health and advancement." 
 
 MR. BLACKWOOD TO HIS FATHER. 
 
 " 2G//i January, 1855. A new Staff-officer is sent down to Balaclava, 
 who is turning the place topsy-turvy, turning the shops out, draining 
 and paving the streets, and cleansing the whole place. . . . A little more 
 energy is shown in all the Departments. Huts are being rapidly erected 
 by the regiments near Balaclava, and all the available Transport and 
 large fatigue parties are used to carry them up here. Three hundred 
 Spanish mules have arrived, which are to be devoted specially to that 
 purpose, and two hundred and fifty fresh pack ponies came to-day, of 
 which we shall have our share. But everything, as Lord Derby said, 
 has been too late. The heavy rains, and the coldest part of the winter, 
 are now probably both past ; and NOW the men are beginning to appear 
 better clad, and the huts are gradually erected ; things which, to have
 
 WINTEE BEFORE SEBASTOPOL 83 
 
 saved the Army from the dreadful sickness it has been visited with, 
 ought to have been completed at least two months ago. Two-thirds of 
 the horses of the Army are now dead, and I am afraid to say what pro- 
 portion of the Army itself either dead or sick from the want of clothing 
 and shelter, principally the former. The 63rd, a regiment that was not 
 under fire at Alma, and suffered but little, I believe, at Inkermann, 
 marched down to Balaclava yesterday with its colours and about forty men ! 
 The Guards, about 1500 strong, have 500 in hospital. There has been 
 mismanagement and want of foresight both in England and here to a 
 great extent, and both together they have reduced one of the finest 
 armies that ever left England to the wreck it is now. 
 
 "Nil desperandum, however; England hasn't half exerted herself 
 yet, and is only beginning to be roused. 
 
 "lltk February. As for the state of affairs, I think that the 
 Times ... is full of exaggeration and mis-statements, though as to the 
 general mismanagement they are substantially correct. An article in 
 the 26th, asserting on the authority of the Moniteur that 10,000 French 
 great-coats have been distributed to our soldiers, lies, and becomes 
 ridiculous when it goes on to say that soon the English soldier will be 
 hovering round the French Camp, accepting gratefully a discarded bone 
 or piece of bread. The statement also that the French and Turkish 
 armies were dans de bonnes baraques, while ours were not, is also false. 
 I have not seen above a dozen French or Turkish huts, while we have some 
 hundreds already erected, and even at the date of that paper had more 
 than both of them put together. Our troops are now, as far as I can see, 
 well clothed and shod ; they are certainly well fed. All the regiments 
 around Balaclava are housed, whilst those before Sebastopol have all a 
 wooden house for their hospitals, if not more, which a great many have. 
 The railroad is in rapid progress. There is however a great deal of 
 sickness still, and I don't fancy the siege advances much. ... In the 
 Illustrated London News of the 20th was a very good map of the country 
 we marched over. Young Maxse, Lord Raglan's Naval A. D. C., got made 
 a Commander for his ride back to the Katchka ; while I, who did the very 
 same thing, with this exception that I was alone, whilst he had an escort 
 of six Lancers, who were bringing up the mails, got nothing. 
 
 "2nd March. In one of your letters you wish me to point out 
 the causes of the inefficiency of the Commissariat, and to suggest 
 means of improving the Department. I suppose everybody sticks up 
 for his own Department ; but independently of that, I really am at a 
 loss to know in what respect the Commissariat has proved itself in- 
 efficient, except in the matter of Transport, no doubt a great deficiency, 
 but one for which the Commissary-General, having urged the necessity 
 of a Waggon-Train on the Government before leaving England, and not
 
 84 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 having had his proposals acceded to, ought really not to be responsible. 
 The deficiencies in the supplies are attributable in a measure to the 
 want of sufficient means of transport, but in a still greater degree to 
 the state of the roads, which it is not the business of the Commissariat 
 to attend to. If the Quartermaster-General's Department had done 
 their duty, and made a good road in time, our Transport would have 
 more than sufficed, although it is not the sort of Transport which I 
 think the army of a great powerful country ought to be dependent 
 on." 
 
 In the NOTES, written after the lapse of so many years, the 
 question is again discussed at large. One passage may be quoted. 
 
 "The first necessity had been to get the siege guns up from the 
 ships to the heights. For this purpose, every horse of Artillery and 
 Cavalry, and every man that could be spared from the actual duties of 
 defending the Camp and working in the trenches, was employed every 
 day, the result being that none were left to put the road into such 
 condition as to keep up our communication with Balaclava through 
 the rainy months. Therefore, though the supplies were afterwards in 
 sufficiency on board the ships in Balaclava harbour, there was no 
 sufficient means of conveying them to Camp." 
 
 Letter Resumed. 
 
 "If the rations issued to the soldiers at present are not those best 
 calculated to keep them in good health, the blame should not be 
 thrown on the Commissariat, as it seems to be according to the papers, 
 by people asking, ' Why does not the Commissariat supply this or that ? ' 
 At the commencement of the campaign a Board, composed of Medical, 
 Commissariat and General officers, decided on the ration they judged 
 best ; and it is completely out of the power of the Commissariat to 
 alter that ration, and issue anything extra on their own responsibility. 
 
 " 10th March. I cannot understand, and am very indignant at 
 your saying that the Commissariat has failed. Be good enough to 
 state in what, and I shall then know what ground you have for saying 
 so. ... A Return of the deficiencies has been called for from 15th 
 November to end of January ; and what do you think the deficiencies 
 are? Why, in the Division in which the men were worst off, they have, 
 according to their own showing, been exactly nine ounces of biscuit 
 per man short during seventy-eight days. The men have died, not 
 from want of food, but from being overworked, and from a want of 
 proper regimental organisation. A man was sixteen hours out of the 
 twenty-four on duty. When he came in, wet, tired, and hungry, 
 instead of finding his coffee hot and his meat ready cooked for him,
 
 WINTER BEFORE SEBASTOPOL 85 
 
 which, by telling off parties to get wood and cook the dinner for the 
 others' return, might easily have been done, he had his handful of 
 unroasted coffee and his piece of raw pork given him, and without 
 pickaxe, or anything of the sort, was told to get wood for his fire. 
 What did he do ? Why, he threw away his coffee beans, swallowed 
 his pork raw, slept if he could a few hours in his wet clothes, and was 
 again on duty. 
 
 " People are making a great noise about the unroasted coffee ; but 
 experience must in some measure be a guide, and in the last war in 
 which England was engaged, at the Cape, unroasted coffee was the 
 ration, and the soldiers would not have taken anything else. The best 
 and most nutritious coffee is known to be made from the bean issued 
 raw; and when the ration of coffee was ordered at Varna in June, 
 nobody thought of it in any other shape. 
 
 " Certainly if one had been told that our Army was to be worked as 
 it has been, that the soldier was to be on duty sixteen hours out of 
 every twenty-four, that he was to have no implements given to him to 
 procure fuel, and that he was to have no time to cook his food, some 
 provision might have been made, and we might perhaps have been able 
 to issue his meat ready cooked. Where does the fault lie ? " 
 
 When the public indignation aroused by the sufferings of our 
 troops in the winter of 1854-5 culminated in a " Committee of 
 Inquiry," it was an extreme gratification to Mr. Blackwood's family 
 to find his name singled out for approval. 
 
 SIR JOHN PAKINGTON, AFTERWARDS LORD HAMPTON, SECRETARY OF 
 STATE FOR WAR, TO MR. ARTHUR BLACKWOOD. 
 
 " SEBASTOPOL COMMITTEE ROOM, 9th March, 1855. 
 
 " MY DEAR MR. BLACKWOOD, I am happy to tell you that very 
 favourable and complimentary mention of the zeal and successful 
 exertions of your son has just been voluntarily given in evidence by 
 the Rev. Mr. Parker, Chaplain to the First Division. 
 
 " He has said that the Guards, etc., were never short of rations ; and 
 he attributed the superiority of their supplies to those of other Divisions, 
 to your son's exertions ; but you will be able to see his statements in 
 the published evidence. 
 
 " Yours very sincerely, 
 "JOHN S. PAKINGTON." 
 
 Cordial friends began on all sides to communicate the good 
 reports which were now spreading.
 
 86 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 LADY THERESA LEWIS TO MR. ARTHUR BLACKWOOD. 
 
 " KENT HOUSE, 16th March, 1855. 
 
 "DEAR MR. BLACKWOOD, As I suppose nous autres parents have a 
 feeling in common on the subject of our children's praises, I will not 
 apologise for troubling you with a few lines to tell you how well I have 
 heard your son spoken of in the midst of all the abuse bestowed on the 
 ill-managed, or unfortunate, Commissariat Department. I happened to 
 sit next the Duke of Cambridge the other day at dinner ; and in answer 
 to some inquiries of mine, he passed the highest encomiums on your son's 
 conduct in the performance of his arduous and difficult duties. He 
 found him a most zealous, active and intelligent man of business, 
 devoted to his work, and doing it most usefully to others, and with 
 great credit to himself. And up to the time that he left the Crimea, 
 he was the only one who had never suffered at all in health, nor, I 
 believe (which his mother will like to hear), in looks. No doubt you 
 have heard plenty of good reports of him before, but it is a subject on 
 which one can always bear repetition. It gave me pleasure to hear the 
 praises of my son's friend, and I conclude you will not object to hear the 
 same of your own son, coming as they did, from the person under whose 
 immediate eye he had been acting." 
 
 The delight of his Mother in all this was unbounded ; and she 
 poured forth the happiness of her enthusiastic nature in the loving 
 words which after all these years still seem to be instinct with the 
 feelings of the hour. 
 
 " UPPER BROOK STREET, Thursday, 15th March, 1855. 
 
 " I tread on air no, on India-rubber, for my heart is so proud, the 
 pavement seems to bound with me. Oh, what do you think? In 
 Saturday's Times you are mentioned by the Rev. Mr. Parker in terms 
 of approbation. Well, but in Tuesday's, the Duke of Cambridge men- 
 tions you; and still more ! Oh, I gasp so I can scarcely write, it is 
 too ecstatic. Mr. Wilson in the House of Commons praises you ex- 
 ceedingly, and the House says 'Hear' Ye gods and little fishes ! your 
 Mother's heart will burst. I cannot contain myself. I went to Lady 
 Overstone's party last night, and Sir Dennis le Marchant told your 
 Father that it was not one single 'Hear,' but that several members got 
 up, took off their hats, and cheered the praise. You must indeed have 
 done wonders to gain such applause. . . . Oh! I am so happy. Think 
 of how your Mother enters into your fame, far dearer than aught else 
 in this world. 
 
 "Friday, 23rd March. Ceci spent yesterday morning with Blanche, 
 and came home saying you were mentioned in the leading article of 
 the Morning Chronicle. ... I will copy it out."
 
 WINTER BEFORE SEBASTOPOL 87 
 
 The extract was as follows : 
 
 " It appears from the evidence before the Committee, that there were 
 good as well as bad Commissaries, and young as well as old. Lord 
 Lucan complained of the youth and inexperience of those attached to 
 his Division, whilst the Duke of Cambridge expressed the most unquali- 
 fied approval of the mode in which his brigade was served by a still 
 younger man, Mr. Blackwood. But all were alike hampered by tech- 
 nical observances, and have been most unjustly censured for attending 
 to these." 
 
 Sir Arthur Blackwood's remarks on the subject, in his NOTES, are 
 as follows : 
 
 " I had the unspeakable satisfaction of having it declared before the 
 Committee of the House of Commons, which was appointed to investi- 
 gate the causes of the disasters which befel our troops, that mine was the 
 only Brigade in the whole of the British Army which was never short of 
 one day's half-ration. This was not to my credit, however. I attribute 
 it to nothing else than the supreme discipline of the Brigade of Guards, 
 who were ever to the fore on Balaclava Beach, when the fatigue-parties 
 of other Commissariat officers were seduced by the many temptations 
 of the Camp and town. I only had to try one sergeant by court- 
 martial, for being overcome. It was a necessity; however the poor 
 fellow was soon restored to his rank. 
 
 " The disasters which befel our troops raised a storm of indignation 
 throughout England. Scapegoats were sought in every direction ; and 
 the one least worthy of blame was the one who, I fear, received the 
 most. That was our good little Commissary-General, Filder. . . . Sir 
 George Maclean replaced him ; but by that time a railway was being 
 made, the weather had improved, and so far as food and raiment were 
 concerned, things were going better."
 
 SUMMER IN THE CRIMEA. 
 
 On 1st March, the Brigade of Guards, fearfully reduced in 
 strength, moved down to Balaclava ; and towards the end of the 
 month Mr. Blackwood started on an expedition to Asia Minor, 
 where the purchase of cattle was to be combined with a little sport. 
 As is shown by his letters, he greatly enjoyed the change. On 
 28th March he returned. 
 
 " BALACLAVA, 13th April, 1855. 
 
 "Our fire opened again early on the morning of the 9th pretty 
 briskly, but has much decreased, and is very feeble now. The first day 
 we shut up the Mamelon, Round Tower and Flag-staff Batteries, but they 
 are now firing again. Still the scaling ladders have been taken down 
 to the trenches, and an unheard-of quantity of fascines and gabions 
 brought up, all of which looks like an assault. 
 
 " 21d April. 
 
 "Of the second failure of the Allied Armies to take Sebastopol you 
 have, I suppose, by this time heard. Our guns have now almost 'en- 
 tirely ceased firing; and we are not a whit nearer than before. What 
 the Generals are about I know not. . . . 
 
 "Omar Pasha seems to have infused a little life into them, for at 
 his suggestion, they got up a reconnaissance the day before yesterday. 
 I accompanied the Turks. . . . We ascertained that on a hill still 
 further behind, they had five guns in position; that they had about 
 500 cavalry and about 3000 or 4000 infantry scattered about. Whether 
 they have more behind the mountain we don't know. 
 
 "The funeral of General Bizot took place the other day. All the 
 swells were there, and sprinkled him with holy water, Raglan and 
 Omar Pasha included. His friends then made funeral orations. 
 General Niel made a very straightforward honest English sort of 
 speech. Pelissier spoke also, but was so much affected, that he forgot 
 what he had to say, and was obliged to pull a paper out of his pocket, 
 and read it off. Canrobert wound up with a very declamatory har- 
 angue, all about ' La Paint, fhonneur, la gloire, rien n'ttait plus cher a Cf 
 (88)
 
 SUMMER IN THE CRIMEA 89 
 
 cadavre,' and ended by wiping away a tear, for he had worked himself 
 into a great state of excitement, making a gesture as if shaking hands 
 with the deceased, and exclaiming in a most theatrical manner as he 
 turned away from the grave, 'Adieu, Bizot, que la terre te soit Ugkre ' 1 1 
 It was really splendid ; and if the occasion had not been so solemn, 
 one could have roared with laughter. 
 
 " CAMP, BRIGADE OF GUARDS, 2lst May, 1855. 
 
 "I am very well, but dreadfully tired of the inaction. I really now 
 have nothing to do. Get up at half-past eight, breakfast either alone or 
 with some friend at nine. By that time it is intensely hot. 
 
 "The whole of the morning one strolls about with very little more 
 than a flannel shirt on, and altogether in the most summery costumes, 
 from hut to hut, or tent to tent, smoking, chatting, and retailing news 
 true or fabricated ; and then about three or four o'clock we ride out in 
 a body to bathe, returning to dinner at seven, which is always a very 
 elaborate affair. 
 
 " 25th May. 
 
 " To-day we seem to have made a forward step towards a summer 
 campaign : 30,000 French, 15,000 Sardinians, and about 10,000 Turks 
 have moved down, and occupied in three long lines the ground between 
 Balaclava and the Tchernaya. I am not sure of the numbers, but 
 that is supposed to be correct. 
 
 " The small Kussian force retired, and left our troops in possession. 
 The breakfasts of the Russian officers were found upon their tables, 
 which they had been obliged to desert in a hurry. I went out after 
 my breakfast, with Dawkins and Burdett, and had great pleasure in 
 seeing the ground again that we had marched over eight months ago, 
 and particularly in finding out the exact spot where I had slept in an 
 Araba the night of the flank march. We then pushed forward to try 
 and get to the village of Tchorgoum, and rode rapidly along the road. 
 As we were some way in advance of our outposts, a little circumspec- 
 tion was necessary, and we naturally kept a sharp look-out, as the road 
 lay between two steep hills, where Cossacks might easily have been 
 concealed. On turning a corner of the road, Dawkins said, ' Oh, it's all 
 right ; there are some of our fellows in the distance coming down the 
 road, so we can go on.' 'Stop a minute,' said I. 'Are you sure they're 
 our fellows?' 'Well,' he said, 'I'll takeout my glass and see.' So he 
 dismounted, and no sooner had he put his telescope to his eye, than he 
 said : ' By Jove, you're right ; they're Cossacks, I can see their lances ; 
 they are coming this way as hard as they can lay legs to ground.' 
 Well, as we had nothing more offensive than sandwiches and sherry 
 and water in our holsters, we thought it prudent to decamp, and so 'Old
 
 90 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Tom ' had to put his best leg foremost till we got within our own line 
 of sentries again. When I say we had nothing more offensive than 
 sandwiches, etc., we of course had our swords; but these, unless in 
 the hands of a skilled swordsman, would be but little defence against 
 a Cossack's lance. 
 
 "After being cooped up for eight months in a certain number of 
 square miles, and a very confined camp with 150,000 men, the liberty 
 of riding over hill and dale, and wood and field, with sweet-smelling 
 flowers instead of the nauseous smells of the Camp, is an immense 
 treat." 
 
 In his NOTES Sir Arthur relates a somewhat similar escape. 
 
 " On one occasion I ran a very nasty risk of being taken prisoner. 
 We had got out some ten miles beyond our outposts, and having 
 picketed our nags, were bathing in a pleasant stream. Whilst in the 
 water some one cried out that the Cossacks were coming ! How we 
 got on to our horses, I do not know. All I do know is that we got 
 away safely, but that I left two rings on the bank." 
 
 " BALACLAVA, 1st June, 1855. 
 
 " The large force of French, Turks and Sardinians that has moved 
 down into the field, has opened to us a large tract of country; and the 
 rides about Tchorgoum, and all the eastern side of Balaclava, are 
 perfectly lovely. The scenery is of all descriptions, sometimes like 
 Saxon Switzerland, with its hills covered with forests and reaching 
 down to the very banks of some clear rippling stream ; sometimes re- 
 sembling Switzerland itself in the rugged cliffs and impetuous torrents; 
 and at other times, amidst hedgerows and cultivated fields and villages, 
 recalling parts of England forcibly to one's mind. It is a most agree- 
 able change from the dreadful monotony of our confined Camp to be 
 able to ride over all this country, to bathe in the Tchernaya, and 
 wander over the hills and valleys, and has dissipated much of the 
 ennui which was becoming almost unbearable." 
 
 THE STORMING OF THE MAMELON AND RIFLE PIT8. 
 
 " BALACLAVA CAMP, 8th June, 1855. 
 
 " I can only say a few words, as there is great excitement prevailing. 
 I am staying up at the Front, only coming down here at full gallop in 
 the middle of the day to see that things are all right in the Brigade. 
 
 "Our fire opened at three P.M. on 6th, French firing very little, and 
 continued all that night and the following day, sometimes increasing, 
 sometimes diminishing. At six P.M. on 7th, the whole Army being 
 under arms, the French, 15,000 strong, stormed the Mamelon. running
 
 SUMMER IN THE CRIMEA 91 
 
 up and over it like a lot of bees. The moment they were in possession 
 of it, a flag was hoisted close to where Lord Kaglan stood with his Staff, 
 and a rocket fired, which was the signal for our troops to attack the 
 Stone Quarries and Rifle Pits in front of the Redan. This they did, 
 and took them. 
 
 "The French in the meantime having followed up their success 
 too far, and having almost arrived at the Round Tower, were driven 
 out of the Mamelon with great loss, but captured it once more. The 
 Russians must have resisted it most obstinately, for from 6 P.M. till 
 8.30, there was the most fearful fire of shell, shot, rockets and musketry 
 raging, something most awful and deafening. The red sun was just 
 setting behind a dark bank of clouds, against which the flashes from 
 the cannon and muskets shone vividly, and it was altogether a most 
 wonderful scene. The English were driven out of the Rifle Pits three 
 times during the night ; but both that position and the Mamelon were 
 in our possession. There has been frightful slaughter. I don't know 
 what is going to take place, and I am off again to see all I can. It is 
 believed that in three days we shall be in the town. . . . 
 
 " The foregoing, as you must perceive, was written in a dreadful 
 hurry, for I wanted to get to the Front again in time to see anything 
 that might be going on. On arriving there however I found there was 
 so little chance of anything taking place to-night that I determined to 
 return and finish my letter to you. 
 
 " It is very probable that the Russians will try and retake the Rifle 
 Pits and Mamelon to-night, in the latter of which two guns have 
 already been placed, and it is hoped more will be there by morning. 
 When I came away, our batteries were firing away vigorously. The 
 Russians hardly at all, but some ships were throwing a great quantity 
 of shell into the Mamelon. If we can get our guns without disturbance 
 into the Mamelon, we shall command the shipping, to-morrow will see 
 the downfall of the Round Tower and the Redan, and then the place is 
 virtually ours. 
 
 " I was stationed close to the Staff, and saw the whole thing splen- 
 didly, i.e., as well as one could through the very dense smoke. The 
 Stone Quarries were hidden from our view, but one could plainly see 
 with a glass the French swarming up the slope of the Mamelon, then 
 waving their flags at the top of the parapet, being driven back, then 
 charging again, and finally capturing the Post. Everybody was in the 
 greatest state of excitement, and it certainly was an awful and most ex- 
 citing moment. We have lost 365 men killed and wounded, and thirty- 
 five officers, of whom seventeen are killed. The French I believe about 
 1500. The Official Despatch and the Times Letter will give you longer 
 and more authentic details.
 
 92 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " CAMP, BRIGADE OP GUABDB, 15th June, 1855. 
 
 "Our fire has not yet again opened; and it is supposed it will not 
 do so for some days. We are, I believe, strengthening ourselves as 
 much as possible in the Mamelon and Rifle Pits, and when a sufficient 
 number of guns have been placed in the former, we shall make an 
 attack, similar to the last, on the Round Tower and the Redan, and so 
 take the place by degrees. But it is really so difficult to know, not 
 only what is going to take place, but also what has happened, that I can 
 tell you nothing for certain about either. We generally do not even 
 know when we are going to open fire till after it has commenced, and 
 our only certain knowledge about past events is derived from the news- 
 papers and Lord Raglan's despatches. You must therefore not rely on 
 what I sometimes tell you. All I can do will be to give you an account 
 of what I have been doing personally during the last week. 
 
 'On Saturday last, 9th, hearing about the middle of the day that 
 there was a flag of truce to bury the dead in the Mamelon, I cantered 
 up with T. and Thelusson in hopes we should be in time for it, and 
 should be able to see the place without risk to our limbs. On getting 
 up to the Front, however, we found that the half-hour gun had been 
 fired, and that we should not have time to reach the Mamelon, much 
 less to come away, before the firing recommenced. We therefore rode 
 down the deep Ravine that leads from the Windmill to Sebastopol 
 Harbour, hoping to meet the French returning. The Ravine, which is 
 about a hundred feet in depth, with precipitous cavernous sides, winds 
 about in all directions till it gets directly under the Mamelon, and 
 between the Russian batteries and our own, and after a few more turns 
 reaches the Harbour. When we arrived at the part directly under the 
 Mamelon, we found there a French Reserve of three battalions, the 
 officers of which most good-naturedly asked us to get off, and have some 
 of their absinthe, though they must have had a very small stock of it, 
 having been posted there for two nights and a day. 
 
 ' While we were standing chatting with them, the fire recommenced, 
 and anything like the shot and shell whizzing from the batteries on 
 either side of the Ravine over our heads, you cannot imagine ; it was 
 deafening, and at first we thought that shells were exploding all around 
 us. As we were talking to French officers, we could not immediately 
 withdraw, although several of the Enemy's shot falling short, and 
 striking the opposite wall of the Ravine, and rolling down to the bottom, 
 rendered the situation anything but pleasant. However we were 
 obliged to go on talking unconcernedly until the absinthe was finished, 
 and all our views of the campaign, and the results of the siege, had 
 been severally and deliberately discussed; when having effected a 
 mutual interchange of cigars and good wishes, we again mounted and
 
 93 
 
 nonchalantly rode off. I don't suppose there was any great danger, 
 but we did not feel quite safe until we had got round the next corner 
 or two. 
 
 " Sunday, the next day, I again rode up to the Front, as an attack 
 was generally expected ; it did not however come off. We therefore, 
 with about twenty or thirty other officers, amused ourselves with 
 watching the firing, which was very heavy, from a hill some hundred 
 yards in advance of the Fourth Division. We seemed to be firing very 
 heavily, whilst the Russians hardly returned one shot in twenty. They 
 did not seem to approve of our watching their proceedings so closely 
 for all of a sudden, above the booming of the Artillery, the very dis- 
 agreeable hizzing whizzing sound of a shell was heard, and seemed by 
 the rapid increase of the sound, to be directly approaching our position. 
 Everybody hollaed ' Look out ! ' and instantly displayed most wonderful 
 activity in tumbling off their horses anyhow, and lying flat on the 
 ground. Myself and a few others contented ourselves with crouching 
 down on our horses' necks, and watching for the explosion. In about 
 half a second from the time the noise was first heard, a cloud of dust 
 was knocked up about twenty yards in front of us, and the shell 
 ricocheting past, burst with a sharp loud crack, a little to our left. 
 You may guess that we did not await a second message. 
 
 " That evening our fire ceased. 
 
 "The next day, Monday, the llth, we took a most delightful ride 
 along the Woronzoff Road to the Valley of Baidar. The road, made by 
 Prince Woronzoff, winds up a defile formed by a mountain stream, and 
 the sides of which, alternately rocky and wooded, offer a most pleasing 
 variation of scenery. The French Cavalry are encamped in a little 
 valley, about eight miles from here, and their outposts and videttes 
 extended several miles further. We enjoyed the ride so much, that 
 we determined to repeat it ; and accordingly four of us set out yester- 
 day, taking lunch with us, and passing the French Cavalry Camp, 
 went on about five miles, till we came to their last picket, which 
 was stationed on a hill looking over the extensive plain of Baidar. 
 A hundred yards from the road was a little shooting-box, supposed 
 to belong to the Prince. In the verandah was a French sentry, and 
 he told us that the villages in the plain were still inhabited, and 
 that they occasionally patrolled into them, and that when they did 
 not go there, the Cossacks did, so that the unfortunate inhabitants 
 suffered from both. Of course the French had plundered them, and 
 committed all sorts of atrocities, as they always do ; whereas, if the 
 English had been in their place, a picket would have been placed in 
 the villages, and the people would have been just as safe and pro- 
 tected as if no war were going on. The little Chateau was completely
 
 94 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 rifled, and the walls covered with ridiculous caricatures, and bombastic 
 inscriptions in French. 
 
 ,"More excursionists kept arriving, so we abandoned the Villa, and 
 striking into the wood, reached in about a quarter of an hour a glade 
 through which a little brook ran, the banks of which were covered with 
 luxuriant grass and wide-spreading beech-trees. Divesting ourselves 
 of jackets and swords, and flinging ourselves on the grass, we revelled 
 in the air, the sky, the shady trees, the songs of birds, and the solitude, 
 and everything in nature that is meant to be enjoyed. . . . What little 
 did remain of our lunch we gave to a French soldier, who had lent 
 us his canteen full of clear water, and had picked some strawberries 
 for us. Cigars of course followed; and at six o'clock, we re-saddled our 
 horses, and started on our journey homewards. 
 
 "An order has just arrived that the Brigade, carrying one day's pro- 
 visions, is to march to-morrow. Whether it is that they are really to 
 take a part in the storming, or whether Lord Raglan thinks that, having 
 done so much of the hard work during the winter, they ought to be 
 allowed to participate in the glory of the capture, which by being 
 under arms on the heights and in reserve, they would do, is un- 
 known. 
 
 "... Since writing the above, it is ascertained that we move up 
 there for good. I shan't be sorry to have a little work to do, as our life 
 here has been verv inactive." 
 
 THE ATTACK ON THE REDAN. 
 
 "CAMP BEFORE SEBA8TOPOL, Wednesday, 20th June, 1865. 
 
 "The Electric Telegraph and the Times must have already com- 
 municated to you the unfortunate result of our attack on Sebastopol 
 on 18th. The Army is more disheartened than I can possibly 
 describe, at least every person I have met within the last two days 
 speaks in the same tone, and that the most dejected. Everybody 
 seemed sure of success, and indulged in the most sanguine expectations 
 of the capture of the place, the conclusion of the War, and our return 
 to England ; and you may imagine the effect that our repulse must 
 have had. What our failure was attributed to I do not know; but can 
 only suppose the cause to be the ignorance of our Generals and Engi- 
 neers of the places they were about to assault ; and from every account 
 there seems to have been the most lamentable confusion amongst the 
 troops, which can only result from want of arrangement. 
 
 "The fact of our fixing on the 18th June shows how we counted on 
 success, and there was a line of Cavalry posted along our whole front to 
 prevent any one but the troops actually engaged from rushing into the
 
 SUMMER IN THE CRIMEA 95 
 
 captured city. This was of course a prudent precaution, but it shows 
 our confidence. 
 
 "The Russians, I hear, made a sortie on the French a short time 
 before the hour fixed upon for our combined attack. They were driven 
 back, and this brought on the general engagement a little sooner than 
 was intended. ... I can tell you nothing of the real events . . . and 
 can only relate what has happened to myself within the last few 
 days. 
 
 "We marched up to the Front on 16th, and a great nuisance it was 
 to leave one's cool comfortable hut on the heights of Balaclava, close to 
 the sea, the lovely scenery of Tchorgoum and Baiddr, to return to the 
 hot dusty and foul-smelling 'Camp before Sebastopol,' and the scorch- 
 ing heat of a bell tent, which at first is almost unbearable. 
 
 " The heat during the last four days has been intense. 
 
 " On the evening of 17th the Division was ordered to parade at 2.30 
 the next morning, and Sir Colin Campbell told us that the men could 
 not carry their Rum, so we were to take it down after them. I there- 
 fore thought that we might perhaps come in for a share of the scrim- 
 mage, and accordingly loaded my pistol, and, provided with a certain 
 quantity of cold chicken and sherry and water, followed the Brigade 
 when they marched off the next morning at dawn, accompanied by four 
 horses laden with Rum. The firing was tremendous, and the Division 
 was moving up as quickly as possible, everybody expecting that we 
 were to go into action in a few minutes. It proved however that the 
 Division was to be in reserve, and they were accordingly drawn up in 
 front of the Picket-house all the morning. The firing was kept up very 
 heavily, and the wounded were being continually brought through our 
 lines ; a dreadful sight, and the more so, as no result had been gained 
 by the loss of so many lives. 
 
 "At ten o'clock, the firing ceased; and the General's Staff, who had 
 been the whole time in the 21 Gun Battery, came up looking most 
 tremendously down-cast; and Jervoise, on General Airey's Staff, on 
 passing a knot of us, whispered, ' It's all up.' 
 
 "Finding that the attack was abandoned, I communicated with 
 Lord Rokeby, who ordered the issue of half a ration of Rum. I therefore, 
 by a skilful manoeuvre, brought up the force under my command, 
 throwing out two of the horses with Rum-kegs as skirmishers, whilst I 
 formed the remaining two into a square on the two centre sub-divisions. 
 On arriving within range, I deployed them into line, and giving the 
 word of command, ' Spring the Bungs' delivered a tremendous volley 
 of Rum into the whole Brigade with wonderful effect. Forming them 
 then quickly into close column with the empty kegs in the rear, I 
 effected a masterly retreat, and arrived at the Camp without the loss
 
 96 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 of a single keg, one only having received a slight contusion. The 
 Brigade soon followed. 
 
 " That we were defeated there can be no doubt. . . . 
 
 "There are numerous conjectures as to what our course of proceed- 
 ing will now be, whether another Assault will be made, and the 
 place taken with great loss; or whether we shall regularly invest it, 
 and reduce them by blockade. I suppose Lord Raglan will wait for 
 orders ; but that the Town must be taken at any sacrifice will not be 
 doubted for an instant. 
 
 " CAMP, BRIGADE OF GUARDS, BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, 30*A June, 1856. 
 
 " The telegraph must have already announced to you the melancholy 
 news of both Lord Raglan's and General Estcourt's deaths. The former 
 died, I believe, very suddenly, as at six o'clock on the evening of the 
 28th, nobody anticipated a fatal termination to his illness, and at ten 
 o'clock he was dead, purely they say from vexation of spirit, brought 
 on by the failure of 18th. I am very sorry for him, poor old man ; for 
 though I believe that many of the disasters that have befallen our 
 Army were partly attributable to him, yet I also as firmly believe that 
 he always did his best, and for the best ; and if he was not equal to 
 the emergency, it was not his fault. It must have been hard to die 
 when in the command of such an Army, and when within a month, or 
 perhaps less, of attaining success; and very hard to die without an 
 opportunity of clearing himself from the many imputations that have 
 been cast on him. Poor old man, I really grieve for him, and hope 
 sincerely that his fame will be vindicated. . . . 
 
 " You have no idea how wearisome life in Camp can become. It 
 is something passing description ; something not to be imagined. 
 
 " CAMP BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, 21st July, 1655. 
 
 "As we have been given to understand that the Division will 
 remain in its present situation for some time, I have begun to make 
 our little camp as comfortable as possible, and have built a Cook-house, 
 Stable, etc., etc., and hollowed out the Mess-tent, which is now very 
 snug. Having little to do now besides accounts and general superin- 
 tendence of affairs, it is rather agreeable to work away at something; 
 and I accordingly pick, and shovel, and dig, and build until my hands 
 are all over blisters. 
 
 " CAMP BEFORE SEBABTOPOL, 27<A July, 1865. 
 
 "The heat during the past week has really been something intense, 
 so much so indeed that I hardly feel as if I had energy enough left in 
 me to write my weekly letter. It is impossible to describe it. One 
 wakes about six o'clock, the sun already high in the heavens, and
 
 SUMMER IN THE CRIMEA 97 
 
 striking through the canvas tent with force sufficient to bake, roast 
 or boil ; all the flies that ever were born, buzz, crawl, fly about, and 
 bite one in a manner that effectually prevents any further thought of 
 sleep. There is no wind : that only rises about nine or ten o'clock ; 
 and then, instead of a cool refreshing West wind, it is a sort of Sirocco, 
 and one that, instead of cooling and refreshing one, really suffocates, 
 and takes one's breath away with the intensity of its sultriness. It 
 continues the whole day ; and if it were not for the expectation of the 
 afternoon bathe, which one tries to rouse one's self for, even though it 
 cost one a ten miles' ride there and back, I hardly think one could live 
 out the day. It is impossible to keep anything cool. 
 
 "About once a fortnight however a cool rainy day comes, like an 
 oasis in the desert, and lays the dust. Such an one came yesterday, 
 and Hanbury and I took advantage of it to ride to Baidar, which I 
 have already described to you, and even to a long way beyond it, to a 
 place called the Gates of Baidar, where after ascending a long zig-zag 
 road up a wooded mountain, we suddenly turned round a sharp corner, 
 and came upon a massive archway, cut almost out of the rock, through 
 which the road to Galta passed, and on the other side of which a 
 precipitous cliff some 500 feet in depth went sheer down to the sea, 
 which lay calmly and peacefully before us. It was a striking un- 
 expected and lovely view, and the forms of some twenty or thirty of 
 the 17th Lancers, with their horses grouped together under the arch- 
 way (placed there at picket), the men lounging about or reclining on 
 the benches, and their lances with the fluttering pennons stuck into the 
 ground, did not render it the less picturesque. We had a charming 
 ride, for we had come provided with everything, and we made two halts 
 in the day, the first for breakfast, about ten o'clock, and the second at 
 four for dinner. We reached home again about ten, having been about 
 fifty miles. 
 
 " CAMP, CRIMEA, \Wi August, 1855. 
 
 "Somehow or other, I think that something must be up to-night. 
 Our Division finds the men for the Trenches, and instead of going in at 
 five o'clock, their usual strength, they were delayed till eight by a 
 sudden order from Head Quarters, that every available man was to go 
 in. Accordingly cooks, servants, Batmen, etc., etc., have all marched 
 down, what for nobody knows, but I daresay there will be a row before 
 morning. 
 
 "I am only just returned from attending the funeral of a man with 
 whom I have associated a great deal out here, and for whom I enter- 
 tained great friendship and esteem by name Coppinger, in the Com- 
 missariat as a Volunteer from the Irish Constabulary. He was a 
 thorough Irishman, with a strong brogue, and a good deal of wit, and 
 
 7
 
 98 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 one of the most honest hearty straightforward, thorough good fellows I 
 ever knew ; a man about twenty-five, as strong constitutionally and 
 physically as anybody you could mention. I had seen a great deal of 
 him lately, riding to bathe with him almost every day, and accom- 
 panying him in picnics to Baidar, etc., etc. This day fortnight, he came 
 here with Barlee to ask me to ride with them, and as I could not, asked 
 me to dinner for the day next but one. When I went, I found he was 
 slightly ill of a bilious attack, and could not come to dinner. He got a 
 little worse afterwards, and I went to see him once to talk and read to 
 him; but the seeing anybody excited him so much that the doctor 
 would not allow him to see anybody but Barlee, with whom he lived, 
 and the hospital orderly. Nothing serious was however expected, and 
 he was improving every day, when yesterday afternoon, on my return 
 from Balaclava, I got a note from Barlee, saying that if I wanted to see 
 Coppinger alive, I was to go up directly. I did so, and got there about 
 half an hour before he died. It was a dreadful sight. I had never seen 
 a death-bed before, and hope that all deaths are not so horrible to see. 
 He was more emaciated than anything I could have conceived ; how- 
 ever I will not describe it. He had been insensible since eight in the 
 morning, and died at three, so I hope without pain. ... A letter ar- 
 rived from his family about an hour before he died; they little knew 
 how it would reach him. Poor fellow ! I cannot tell you how I lament 
 his loss. 
 
 "It is a melancholy theme to write upon, and I don't know why I 
 have told you about it, except that I am full of it myself." 
 
 THE RUSSIAN ATTACK ON THE TCHERNAYA. 
 
 "CAMP, 18th August, 1855. 
 
 "You will already have heard by Electric telegraph, I suppose, of 
 the unsuccessful attack the Russians made on the Tchernaya Bridge on 
 the morning of the 16th. The Tchernaya Bridge, you may remember, 
 was the termination of the flank march through the Wood, and on the 
 very spot where I drew up my Arabas, and went to sleep in one of 
 them, are now lying the bodies of about three hundred or four hundred 
 Russians. 
 
 " We had notice some four or five days previous, that an Army of 
 00,000 men was not far off, and that an attack might be expected ; and 
 accordingly at about four o'clock in the morning of the 16th, when the 
 Russians thought the French would all be rather the worse for drinking 
 the Emperor's health the day before, they advanced under cover of a 
 mist that was over the plain, drove in the Sardinians and French 
 pickets, and crossed the bridge. They were then however attacked by 
 a French Regiment in ambuscade, and a most murderous combat took
 
 SUMMER IN THE CRIMEA 99 
 
 place. Out of 2000 men that crossed the bridge, they say not one 
 returned. I only heard the firing at seven o'clock, and galloped there 
 of course as quickly as possible. The Russians were then retiring 
 across the plain, while some French and Sardinian Field Batteries 
 pitched into them, the Russians only answering from their heavy siege 
 guns in position on the Tchernaya heights, which did however a good 
 deal of execution. 
 
 "When out of range of our Field Artillery, they formed into squares, 
 and were slowly retreating, when the French opened fire on them with 
 some rockets from Canrobert's Redoubt on the Inkermann heights, and 
 sent them right into their squares and columns, and must have killed 
 them by hundreds. The distance was about two miles and a half, I 
 should think, or even more. The fight was over about nine o'clock, the 
 Russians being thoroughly repulsed. 
 
 "Averaging all the different accounts I have heard, I should say 
 that the Sardinians lost about 100, the French 800 or 900, and the 
 Russians cannot have lost less than between 5000 and 6000. I counted 
 myself 400 prisoners safe and sound, and about 1000 wounded prisoners, 
 and there cannot have been less than 1500 dead on the field, when I 
 rode over it yesterday afternoon, and I only saw those on this side of 
 the bridge, though I could see on the plain beyond they were lying 
 scattered all over it. The struggle on the bridge must have been most 
 sanguinary, equal to Inkermann, I should think. General Reid was 
 killed, and another General taken prisoner. On the former was found 
 a plan of the battle. If their attempt had been successful, they were 
 to have thrown up rockets, and the garrison of Sebastopol were to have 
 attacked the trenches, while they themselves advanced on Balaclava. 
 That's all I know about it. 
 
 " KAMARA, 1st September, 1855. 
 
 "The Highland Division moved down to this place last Sunday, 
 26th, as another attack was expected from the Russian Army in the 
 rear, and it was deemed advisable to strengthen the Force of Sardinians 
 and French in the Tchernaya Plain ; and so, to the great detriment 
 of the Guards and other regiments in the Front who have to do the 
 duty in the Trenches, 2500 canny Scots are encamped just behind 
 Kamara Church ; and as I was in orders as attached to them, I have 
 been obliged to accompany them, though I believe Sir George Maclean 
 will send me back to my old Brigade in a few days. In the meantime 
 it is a very jolly excursion, quite like leaving London for the country 
 for a few days, and I enjoy it exceedingly. I have pitched my camp 
 on a little spur of a hill above the troops. . . . There are a few quail 
 here, and I am going out this morning or to-morrow to try and have 
 a shot, at any rate to imagine I am out shooting.
 
 100 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " Yesterday the mail of 16th came ; but it reached me at the same 
 time that a party of Ladies, the wife and daughter of the second senior 
 Commissariat officer here, did; and as we had to entertain as best we 
 could, and escort them to Balaclava afterwards, I could not open your 
 letters till I returned at eleven o'clock at night, and they then took 
 me an hour and a half to read. It seemed so odd speaking to a lady, 
 not having spoken to one, as far as I can remember, for sixteen 
 months."
 
 THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL. 
 
 " CAMP, BRIGADE OP GUARDS, 8th September, 1855. 
 
 "After having spent ten days with the Highlanders at Kamara, I 
 have been ordered back to my old Brigade, and returned here the day 
 before yesterday. The farce of ' The Russians are coming ' is still kept 
 up, and the unfortunate regiments are under arms all day and all night 
 long, except when they are more peaceably employed in gabion-making, 
 but no enemy appears. 
 
 " I am however very lucky to have come back the day I did, as the 
 same night we set one of the Russian ships in the Harbour on fire, a 
 splendid sight, and one which I watched for nearly two hours with my 
 excellent glasses. The same day the bombardment recommenced, and 
 has been going on by fits and starts, sometimes ceasing altogether, and 
 at others shaking the ground under our feet. Something must be 
 coming off. Immense numbers of troops have gone down to the 
 Trenches, and those who have been in last night and all to-day, have 
 still to remain there, while every Artillery waggon in the Army is 
 employed in bringing up ammunition. 
 
 " CAMP, CRIMEA, 10th September, 1855. 
 
 "Well, so at last the 'doomed City' has fallen, the ships sunk, the 
 batteries destroyed, and Sebastopol is but an empty name. 
 
 "I suppose there is great excitement in London. For my part, 
 everything goes on here so much the same, that but for the cessation of 
 the eternal bang, bang, I should not believe that the place was taken. 
 Everybody was very much surprised. We went to bed on Saturday 
 night very down in the mouth, knowing that the French had taken 
 the Malakoff, that our soldiers, after being in the Redan for twenty 
 minutes, had been repulsed . . . that there was an immense sacrifice 
 of life, and the usual mismanagement on the part of the Generals. 
 
 "And we awoke on Sunday morning to hear that the Enemy had 
 abandoned the place, and that the whole town was in flames. The 
 Highlanders were all ready to storm the Redan at one o'clock at night, 
 when they suddenly found that there was no one inside it, and walked 
 
 (101)
 
 102 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 quietly in. The failure on our part to take the Redan was, as far as I 
 can make out, solely attributable to the want of support. The reserves 
 were all ready in the Trenches, but owing to some mismanagement, did 
 not advance. The French had great luck ; they took the Malakoff com- 
 pletely by surprise, as excepting the usual sentries, all the Russians 
 were in the big trench behind it, eating their dinner, and the General 
 himself was captured at his luncheon. The moment the French went 
 in, all the Russians ran out, and betook themselves to the Redan, thus 
 preventing us from surprising it, and doubling the number of troops in 
 it. Everybody says that there was no necessity for our taking the 
 Redan, the Malakoff being once ours ; and the Russians have proved it 
 by abandoning the place. Indeed one can see how completely the 
 Malakoff commands the Redan, and all the approaches to it, when one 
 is in the latter. There was however no excuse for our not keeping 
 it. ... 
 
 "There were frequent explosions all yesterday, and about ten o'clock, 
 Rolleston and I, accompanied by Lockwood on 'Tom,' went in by the 
 Malakoff, and rode all over the place; but though it had only been 
 abandoned four or five hours, every house was gutted, and we found 
 but little. All the houses almost were burning, and explosions going 
 on in every direction ; so after staying there a few hours, and seeing all 
 we could, we came out again. 
 
 " I brought out a Russian bugle, battered and bloody, two little 
 medals, two swords, two bayonets, a pot of hair-grease from Moscow, a 
 candlestick, and two or three glass dessert-plates, etc., etc. I had loaded 
 Lockwood with some heavier things, such as some laige dishes, a corn 
 sieve, which would have been very useful for my horses, and several 
 other things, but they were taken away from him. . . ." 
 
 [Alluding to the stringent measures against looting which pre- 
 vailed in the British Army.] 
 
 "In fact, the Russians left nothing they could carry away, and 
 there is accordingly but little plunder, and that very worthless. It is a 
 wonder they lived in the place so long: every house, even in the 
 middle of the town, had a shell or two through the roof. 
 
 "To-day I have been all over the Redan and Malakoff; they are 
 wonderful places, but the latter seems much the stronger of the two. 
 With proper reserves it would have been a victorious capture, instead 
 of an evacuation. Mail going out in a hurry, so good-bye. 
 
 CAMP, lith September, 1855. 
 
 "This is the anniversary of the day on which the Allied Armies 
 landed in the Crimea.
 
 THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL 103 
 
 "Well, I have been all over the place, Trenches, Batteries, Town 
 and everything. At first orders were necessary to enter the town, as 
 they were putting the vast quantities of powder in places of safety, but 
 now everybody can go in. 
 
 "I devoted a whole day to the Redan, Malakoff, and Flagstaff 
 Batteries. The latter, as far as I can judge, seem by far the strongest 
 of the lot, and they are wonders of fortification. . . . The French had 
 carried their sap right up to the ditch of the Malakoff, so that they 
 only had to knock the gabion at the end away, and there they were at 
 the edge of the ditch, while our men had to run over 240 yards in the 
 open before they reached the Redan. 
 
 "The Town is literally knocked to bits. The streets are ploughed 
 up by shot and shell, and every house has a hole in it. Their losses 
 must have been tremendous. As to their being short of ammunition, 
 it was all humbug ; there are hundreds and hundreds of guns piled up, 
 and enormous quantities of shot. They left nearly 3000 dead and 
 dying in their hospitals ; and yesterday Adair, who was sent down on 
 fatigue to bury, found a cellar with 300 more bodies in it, all officers. . . . 
 
 " The Russians are now fortifying themselves very strongly on the 
 N. side, and throwing up great earthworks, and it will soon be as im- 
 pregnable as the S. We have begun to fire on them, though ; and 
 Franky, who has just come up here, says that the ships are going in 
 almost immediately. 
 
 "Time they did, I think. . . . Nobody knows what our plans are. 
 Queen's message just arrived. Very good one. 
 
 " CAMP, CRIMEA, 21s< September, 1855. 
 
 "Yesterday, as you all without doubt remembered, was the anni- 
 versary of Alma, and the medals were distributed divisionally by order 
 of the Commander of the Forces. We did not get ours, as there were 
 not enough, but are to have them soon. There was of course great 
 rejoicing all over the Camp. The men had their feast, the Sergeants 
 theirs, and all the officers of the Brigade who were at Alma had a 
 grand dinner at the Club, at which I was present. Soyer cooked, and 
 it was very well done. We were twenty-eight all together. There 
 were of course a great number of toasts, amongst which my health 
 was drunk, coupled with Rolleston's, and amid loud cries of 'Black- 
 wood and Fresh Beef,' 'Rolleston and Salt Pork.' Rolleston as the 
 senior should have answered, but he was shy ; so I, for the first time 
 in my life, made a speech. . . . Afterwards songs were sung, and the 
 evening ended very jollily. This morning my sergeants informed me 
 that my health had been drunk at their banquet, and that they thought 
 they never would have done cheering.
 
 104 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " CAMP, CRIMEA, 28th September, 1855. 
 
 "We are entitled to medals, and I get one with three clasps, Alma, 
 Inkermann and Balaclava, as being on duty at the action, or rather 
 as being attached to a Division or Brigade on duty. I shall also have 
 a Clasp or whatever they give for Sebastopol." 
 
 With these events Mr. Blackwood's career in the Crimea may 
 be said to have ended, for although it was not until 8th December 
 that he sailed for England, the excitement of public events had 
 naturally passed its climax in the Fall of Sebastopol ; and the heavy 
 blow which now fell upon himself personally withdrew him in great 
 measure from the social interests and pleasures into which he had 
 hitherto so keenly entered. 
 
 That Mr. Blackwood was happily able to retain throughout the 
 whole of his Service the good opinion which he had won is shown 
 by the following letters. 
 
 FROM GENERAL LORD ROKEBY. 
 
 " CAMP, IST DIVISION, SEBASTOPOL, 6th December, 1855. 
 
 "Mr. Blackwood having been recalled to England, I consider it to 
 be a duty to certify that during the period which has elapsed since 
 I took command of the Service Companies of the Brigade of Guards, at 
 the Camp of Inkermann on the 31st Jan. 1855, I have had every reason, 
 not only to be satisfied with his exertions, but to form a high opinion 
 of his zeal and ability. The Report I had the honour to receive from 
 His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge prepared me to expect 
 good service, and the result of my experience has confirmed the belief 
 I was led to entertain. 
 
 " ROKEBY, Lieut-General, 
 
 "Commanding 1st Division." 
 
 Extract from COMMISSARY GENERAL SIR GEORGE MACLEAN'S letter 
 to LORD PANMURE, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR, 6th Dec. 1855. 
 
 "Mr. Blackwood's services with the Commissariat from the Com- 
 mencement of the Campaign, have been highly meritorious in every 
 respect, and his very efficient and zealous discharge of duties of an 
 arduous, trying, and to him of a novel character is most honourable to 
 him, and I trust may tend to his advancement in his own career."
 
 THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL 105 
 
 FROM THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE TO MR. STEVENSON BLACKWOOD. 
 
 " ST. JAMES' PALACE, 2,7th March, 56. 
 
 " MY DEAR BLACKWOOD, ... I am well aware of your services, and I 
 assure you I appreciate them, and cannot say too much in your favour. 
 
 " I remain, my dear Blackwood, 
 
 "Yours very truly, 
 
 "GEORGE." 
 
 But no words could speak so eloquently as the action of the men 
 with whom he had served. Quite spontaneously the Non-commis- 
 sioned officers and men of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, 
 presented him with a silver statuette of a Guardsman, in recognition 
 of the debt which they felt was owed to him by themselves and 
 their comrades, whose lives they believed to have been saved by his 
 exertions. The figure wears the old uniform of the corps, and stands 
 with fixed bayonet, beside a drum. On the ebony base is the 
 inscription : 
 
 " Presented to Stevenson Arthur Blackwood, Esq., by the Non-com- 
 missioned officers and privates of the First Battalion of the Coldstream 
 Guards, with which he shared the dangers and vicissitudes of the 
 Eastern Campaign, 1854-5-6."
 
 III. 
 
 THE DAY-SPRING FROM ON HIGH." 
 
 THE AWAKENING. 
 
 " CECI." 
 
 " FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE."
 
 THE AWAKENING. 
 " THE DAY-SPRING FROM ON HIGH." 
 
 With these words Sir Arthur Blackwood himself prefaces in his 
 brief autobiographical NOTES, the account of his conversion. The 
 impressions which he had so often disregarded and disobeyed, were 
 once again, through the unspeakable mercies of his GOD, to be 
 now revived. 
 
 In his own words, written to his elder sister on his forty-eighth 
 birthday, 
 
 "Twenty-four years under 'other lords,' 
 
 " Twenty-four years under ' one LORD ' make up my forty-eight. 
 
 " Now all will be clear gain ; and then Eternity." 
 
 As has been said, his Mother, in an agony of fear lest her idolized 
 son should not live to return from the East, had filled pages upon 
 pages of her letters with earnest entreaties that he would seek the 
 Face of GOD, lest, dying suddenly or unprepared, his soul should 
 pass away into the death that never dies. Even the letters which 
 tell of her boundless delight in the credit which he had won, do not 
 end without a return to the subject. 
 
 " My child, I pray earnestly for you, that your endeavours may be 
 crowned with success, as they have hitherto been ; but more especially 
 I ask Christ to give you His Holy Spirit, and a desire to seek your 
 eternal welfare. My Boy, my darling precious child, pray for yourself ; 
 it is not a light thing, it is not the applause of your country, it is 
 Eternity, a vast, an endless Eternity in joy unspeakable, or woe un- 
 utterable." 
 
 His sisters, who themselves "knew the grace of GOD in truth," 
 wrote many tender loving words about spiritual things ; but although 
 
 (109)
 
 110 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACK WOOD 
 
 it is impossible that all this can have been entirely without effect, 
 for above a year there was apparently no response. 
 
 Mercifully he was not deceived as to his own condition. There 
 were times when it was a distress to him to be unable to do 
 anything for the spiritual help of the dying men whom he saw 
 around him. A few weeks after the Battle of the Alma he says : 
 
 "One of the deaths I shall never forget. A young ensign was lying 
 just as he fell, with his head supported on his knapsack, which some 
 soldier had placed under him, shot through the lungs, I suppose, as he 
 was heaving out blood at every convulsive gasp for breath. He was 
 unconscious, I am afraid. I asked however Mr. Halpin, the Chaplain 
 of the Brigade of Guards, whom I met close by, to go to him. He 
 instantly did so, and kneeling down, prayed for a few moments over 
 him. I hope the dying man heard him, for he was past all earthly 
 help." 
 
 Still until the summer of 1855 even the attempts at a Christian 
 life which from time to time had characterized his earlier days 
 were entirely wanting. He abandoned every vestige of religious 
 observance, and for some years he entirely neglected the Bible and 
 prayer. As his Father's letters have shown, he had indulged to some 
 considerable extent in gambling, and the fact is constantly noted 
 in his own Journals. Thus at Malta he says : 
 
 '- Played vingt et un till three. Lost 2. Had however won 13 on 
 the voyage." 
 
 Even when the hand of death was stretched out amongst his 
 most intimate friends and constant associates, the old love of play 
 remained unconquered. In his PRIVATE JOURNAL, the sad list of 
 names which fills half a page of the entry for Inkermann on 5th 
 November, is immediately followed by the words, 
 
 ' Went to S s in the evening. Won 3." 
 
 Another entry of about the same date is as follows : 
 
 " Played vingt et un with W , with the Butchers' dirty cards, 
 
 and lost 6. 4. 0. Dined at D.'s. Played Loo afterwards, and lost 45. 
 Walked home again about 1 o'clock. Licked Antoine." 
 
 Even when anxiety and hard work brought graver feelings, there 
 was no change of heart. He "walked according to the course of 
 this world."
 
 THE AWAKENING 111 
 
 " But GOD, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith 
 He loved him," had not forsaken him. 
 
 And it was during this Summer in the Crimea that the final 
 awakening began to stir in his soul. 
 
 When it became evident that Sebastopol was not to be carried 
 by any coup de main, but that the long months of a siege lay before 
 the Allied Armies, Mr. Blackwood had written home for books. 
 Works of history, biography, and fiction were amongst his choice. 
 When the box arrived it contained one volume for which certainly 
 he himself would never have asked, but the choice of which was 
 surely guided from heaven. In one of his Mother's letters these 
 words occur : 
 
 "Aunt Charlotte sends you a Memoir, with her affectionate love. 
 I should like to have read it first, but have not the time, as it only 
 arrived this afternoon." 
 
 The " Memoir" was " The Change, a Life of Lt. Col. Holcombe, 
 R.A.," who had been converted through reading " The Sinner's 
 Friend," the well-known little book by J. V. Hall. 
 
 Thirty-two years later, as Sir Arthur stood beside the open grave 
 where lay the earthly tabernacle of this beloved and honoured 
 " Aunt Charlotte," he told something of the sacred tie which bound 
 him to her in undying gratitude and love. 
 
 " From the day of my birth she was indeed a friend to me. She 
 was my godmother, and I believe there was hardly a day of my life 
 that my name was not upon her lips in prayer. She accompanied 
 those prayers with efforts ; and by letters, books, and other means she 
 tried to bring me to the Saviour. A book sent by her to me produced 
 a very deep spiritual impression on my heart. It was while I was in 
 the Crimea, thirty-two years ago, that she sent me out this book. I 
 put it on one side, not caring for it. But when at last I had nothing 
 else left to read, I took it up, and it pleased GOD to bless the reading 
 of that book to my soul. It led me to seek the Saviour." 
 
 "And yet, when I look at it now," he says in his NOTES, "I can see 
 nothing in it at all calculated to attract or impress a young man of the 
 world. All I remember is that the impression I received from its 
 perusal was a perfectly new one that there was happiness to be found 
 in this world in a religious life." 
 
 Every afternoon, during the long weeks of that hot summer, he 
 would lie in his tent before riding down to the Tchernaya to bathe,
 
 112 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 and read this book over and over again. Other circumstances 
 combined to foster and deepen these impressions. All through his 
 service in the Crimea he had been more or less harassed and 
 annoyed by the debts which he had incurred ; and keen as was his 
 desire to return home on the fall of Sebastopol, he quite made up 
 his mind to stay out during the ensuing winter, that he might be 
 enabled himself to discharge these liabilities. 
 
 ' I thank you a thousand times, my dearest Father," he writes, 
 " for your wish so kindly expressed to help me out of my debts. I am 
 well aware of the sacrifices you have already made for me, and should 
 be grieved that you did, even if you could, any more. I am earning 
 money out here, which will, I hope, be shortly enough to relieve me 
 from my difficulties ; and I think it quite right that I should bear the 
 consequences of my imprudence, and not you." 
 
 " I am determined to pay my debts," he wrote in August, 1855 ; 
 and again a few months later, 
 
 "Darling Mother. ... I can only write you but a scrap, to thank 
 you again most sincerely for your repeated offer of money, and again 
 to decline it. I can now pay my own debts, and intend to do so. ... 
 Thanks again for your offer, dearest Mummy, but I do not want it. ... 
 If it is GOD'S will, we shall all meet again, whether it be in November 
 or March." 
 
 For some time, also, a feeling of intense home-sickness and 
 weariness took such possession of him that in his own slight NOTES 
 he recalls this depression, which evidently stood out in black out- 
 line, even after the passage of so many years. He was moreover 
 impressed by the fact that the man who shared his tent, although 
 apparently not a professing Christian, knelt in prayer night and 
 morning. 
 
 ' It was impossible," he says in the NOTES, "for any one to have lived 
 through the scenes of the past year without having had many thoughts 
 of a serious nature. Many of my friends I had lost in action ; not a 
 few I had seen dying of cholera; and from time to time I could not 
 help thinking how I should fare if any such fate were to befall me. . . . 
 During the months of leisure at Balaclava I had plenty of time to 
 think over my past life. 
 
 "One Sunday afternoon, happening to be in Balaclava, I saw the 
 announcement of an afternoon service; and I went up the staircase which 
 led into an upper room, where one of the Army Chaplains was reading 
 prayers for such as liked to come in. At the close of the service the
 
 THE AWAKENING 113 
 
 Holy Communion was to be administered. I had never been to the 
 Communion in my life, or indeed thought at all about it. But that 
 afternoon, why I know not, I felt inclined to remain, and the service 
 greatly impressed me, and deepened the convictions which had been 
 already weighing upon my mind. So strong did these convictions 
 become, that I began to form determinations of leading quite a 
 different life on my return to England ; and in order that these feelings 
 might be recorded, and known to those who had written to me so 
 constantly with regard to spiritual things, I wrote to my darling 
 Mother what I was then experiencing." 
 
 " 30th July, 1855, DESPATCHED Sat. 1th August. 
 
 "MY DEAREST MOTHER, You have so repeatedly in your numerous 
 letters, so kindly urged upon me the necessity of thinking more 
 seriously about the future, and have evinced so much anxiety upon the 
 subject, for which I am most truly grateful to you, that although I 
 have as yet never answered your kind solicitations, still I must write 
 to you now to tell you what I feel both, because I think it will in my 
 absence be a great comfort to you, and also because, having nobody 
 here to whom I can talk upon such subjects, it will be a relief to 
 myself. 
 
 " I at length hope that I am beginning to devote more attention to 
 the state and prospects of my soul than I ever have before; whether it 
 is the dreadful precariousness of life here, and gratefulness to GOD for 
 having so mercifully preserved me, when friends and acquaintances 
 have been cut off around me without a moment being given them to 
 make their peace with their Creator; or whether it is the entreaties of 
 you, of Lucy and of Ceci that, by Goo'sgrace, have produced their intended 
 effect, I know not, but I do really think that GOD is putting into my 
 heart a desire to become His, and to forsake the pleasures of the world 
 for His sake. I read my Bible with more pleasure. I try to pray more 
 earnestly, and to regulate my thoughts, words, and actions, so that 
 they might be more in accordance with GOD'S Word. 
 
 "But do not let this induce you to think that I am an altered man, 
 for I am indeed far from it ; I do not pray half so often or so earnestly 
 as I ought, frequently muttering a hurried prayer before going to bed 
 as an irksome duty, and often turning from my Bible to a novel, or 
 any other book, with a willingness which shows too plainly how much 
 I prefer the latter, besides passing whole days, nay, weeks sometimes, 
 without thinking of God more than casually. Still every now and then, 
 anxious thoughts as to my future fate will arise, and then I read and 
 pray more fervently for a short time, and I feel how great a sinner I 
 have been, and ask almost with tears for forgiveness for twenty-three
 
 114 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 years passed in sin ; and then I read the promises of our Saviour which 
 say that they who truly repent and ask for forgiveness through His 
 merits shall be forgiven, and I rise with a calmer mind, and full of 
 good resolutions, But the next morning they are gone. I am sur- 
 rounded by worldly friends, and I follow their example, and swear, 
 and think and talk of nothing but the sinful pleasures of the world, and 
 kneel down again at night to ask forgiveness for the same sins, and to 
 make the same resolutions over again. 
 
 " It is true that there are not so many temptations to deeds of sin 
 as there would be, were I in London, and that only makes me the more 
 fearful. For I think, if I cannot resist the temptations I am subject 
 to here, what shall I do hereafter, when there will be so many more 
 inducements to break through resolutions? But then I remember, 
 'Take no thought for the morrow. Sufficient for the day is the evil 
 thereof; : and that I should merely occupy myself with trying to resist 
 the present temptation, and that GOD will give me proportionate 
 strength to resist those that may assail me in future. But I have 
 nobody here to give me advice. . . . 
 
 "Cholera is beginning to rage here. Men are carried up past my 
 hut to the Hospital, and are dead in five hours, and die in such agony 
 often, that they have no time to think of GOD. And although one feels 
 confident in one's health and strength, yet one cannot help thinking, 
 Why am I spared ? And my conscience declares too plainly what my 
 fate would be were I cut off suddenly. . . . Sometimes I feel great 
 despondency, and am sure that twenty-three years, near half an 
 ordinary life-time, and perhaps a great deal more than that of mine, 
 spent in dreadful sin, and utter forgetfulness of GOD, could hardly be 
 forgiven ; and then at other times I feel confident that they are 
 pardoned, and that through the intercession of Jesus Christ, I may 
 become a better man, and a partaker of the benefits of His sacrifice. 
 
 " I took the Sacrament about six weeks ago for the first time, and 
 I think that it is in a great measure that which, making a great 
 impression on me at the time, caused me to think more seriously of 
 the stats of my soul. . . . 
 
 "I cannot tell you, dearest Mother, how happy I was to see from 
 your letters that you also were beginning to think more of heavenly 
 things. . . . Write to me, my dear Mother, and help me by your advice 
 to be steadfast and resolute. But this must not make you think that 
 I am already a converted person, for indeed I am not. I feel too 
 deeply that I am a dreadful sinner still, and that I do nothing else but 
 sin. 
 
 "These thoughts are not so frequent as I could wish, and I have 
 taken advantage of the frame of mind I happen to be in to-day to
 
 THE AWAKENING 115 
 
 describe to you my state. . . . The books I have been reading are 
 Doddridge's ' Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul,' ' Sir Powell 
 Buxton,' and ' Memoir of Lt. Col. Holcombe.' The latter of these makes 
 continual mention of a book which seems to have been the means of 
 converting many, ' The Sinner's Friend.' If you can, will you send it me? 
 
 " 29th July, 1855. All the above was written two months ago, or 
 more, when we were down at our old Camp near Balaclava ; and I have, 
 I know not why, always deferred sending it off, sometimes thinking 
 that it might lead you to expect too much. But I will send it, because 
 the fact of your knowing the resolutions I have formed, may in some 
 degree help me to keep them when I return to England ; for though 
 unfortunately one is often not reluctant to break resolutions formed 
 before GOD, yet those formed before men, and with their knowledge of 
 them, one is ashamed to break. 
 
 " I think from reading the Bible oftener, and with greater application 
 of my mind to what I read, that I become daily more impressed with 
 the wonderful love of Christ towards us sinful creatures, and with the 
 magnitude of His Sacrifice. Chapters that I had passed over before 
 as containing nothing interesting in them, now seem full of gracious 
 promises, and kind invitations, and each verse and word has a meaning 
 in it which until lately was completely hidden from me. 
 
 "Certainly after reading the gospels, no one ought to despair, and 
 indeed I do not despair. I am only afraid that I am too confident, and 
 rely too much on my own strength ; but when at the end of the day 
 I review what has taken place during it, the sins of all kinds that I 
 have committed rise up before me, so numerous and great that I do 
 not feel confident then. All I feel is a conviction of my own utter 
 helplessness, and that all I can do is to throw myself on Christ's mercy, 
 and pray again and again for pardon. 
 
 "... Oh, how I long for that day when, having grown stronger 
 in faith and love to Christ, those worldly pleasures shall be distasteful 
 to me, which are now such obstacles and causes of temptation ; and 
 when, having made my peace with GOD, I may look forward to the 
 future calmly without fear, and with a certain hope of salvation. Pray 
 for me continually, dearest Mother, and entreat GOD earnestly that 
 these feelings may not be transient, but that He will now, at this 
 moment, before my heart is hardened, give me His Holy Spirit, and 
 strengthen me with His grace, and make me a child of His; and I will 
 pray for you, dear Mother, and all of you, as I do every night and 
 morning, and ask of GOD that we may all meet in happiness again in 
 this world and in that to come. 
 
 " Your affectionate son, 
 
 " S. A. BLACKWOOD."
 
 116 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 This letter was despatched 4th August, and it was on the 12th 
 that he attended the funeral of his friend, Mr. Coppinger, whose 
 death must have come as a solemn seal upon the resolutions which 
 he had just recorded. 
 
 But the Hand of the LORD was to touch him yet more closely. 
 " The severe mercy of GOD'S discipline" was to be the response to 
 all these prayers, and " by terrible things in righteousness " was he 
 answered by the GOD of his salvation.
 
 "CECI." 
 
 Amongst the many home-ties of devoted and even enthusiastic 
 affection, the influence which appears in Sir Arthur's own estimation 
 to have been strongest and tenderest was the love which bound him 
 to his younger sister. Long afterwards, in telling of his conversion, 
 he said that the idea of her pride and pleasure in any credit he had 
 won had been a strong incentive in his work in the Crimea ; and 
 the thought of seeing her again was one of the things to which he 
 most looked forward, on his return home. She was his closest 
 friend and the darling of his heart. 
 
 "I will not relate events," he says in one of his letters to her, 
 " but just have a little chat with you, as if you were sitting on my 
 lap, and we were having a confab ; " and again he recals their 
 happy evenings together, when the elders were dozing, "and I 
 whispering to you over the fire." 
 
 She was "lovely in mind and in person." Quite recently one 
 whose only acquaintance with her had been during a few days spent 
 together in a country house, spoke to a comparative stranger of the 
 ineffaceable impression left by the beauty of holiness which dwelt 
 upon her. Her letters to her brother, filled as they are with the 
 simple detail of a young girl's life, again and again recur with a half 
 timid reiteration to the one subject which was dearest to her heart. 
 
 " I should like," she writes, " to ask you so many questions if I were 
 by you. Darling, I want to know if you are ever able to attend the 
 service whenever it is held on Sunday; if you can ever find time to 
 read any of the little book I put in your desk (if it is not lost), or your 
 Bible. Darling, I do so earnestly hope that the very awful scenes of 
 death and suffering around you may lead you to think of the cause of 
 all the misery in this world sin ; and of our own condemnation owing 
 to it, and of the only escape from it. I feel, dearest, that all you have 
 gone through has been of much use to your natural character, in 
 
 (117)
 
 118 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACK WOOD 
 
 developing its energies, and taking you away from a most useless life ; 
 and it makes me long for it not to end there, but to be made the means, 
 with GOD'S grace, of making you live for the next world instead of for 
 this one." 
 
 When the Committee of Enquiry was sitting, she wrote : 
 
 " MY OWN DARLING STEW, I really cannot think how I shall express 
 to you all the joy and pride I feel at the distinction you have so 
 deservedly obtained. . . . Your praises are in everybody's mouth, as 
 the only person who has got credit instead of blame in the course of 
 this Enquiry. I am so thankful it is instituted, as your name would 
 probably never have come out so prominently but for the investigations. 
 . . . We must try and remember Who it is that gives you strength, 
 wisdom and energy, and not glory in your success, but in His great 
 goodness which has allowed your exertions to meet with success. 
 Don't you remember that He says, ' Let not the wise man glory in his 
 wisdom, and let not the mighty man glory in his might ; but let him 
 glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, the LORD GOD 
 Almighty'? W T e are so apt to forget that without that knowledge, all 
 the rest is worse than valueless; and may be more hurtful than useful 
 to u?, if it leads us to overlook the Source of it all. I have been thinking 
 too so much of the words, ' Shall we receive honour from men, and seek 
 not the honour that cometh from GOD?' Darling, do let all the 
 honour you are receiving from men, make you seek that honour from 
 GOD, which we can only obtain through the death and righteousness of 
 Jesus." 
 
 In the summer of 1855 this beloved sister accompanied their 
 Aunt, Mrs. Cecil Fane, to Wiesbaden, where a few very happy 
 weeks were spent. She was then apparently in the finest health. 
 " I am strong enough now to do anything," she wrote, when build- 
 ing castles-in-the-air about a visit to her brother in the Crimea, to 
 be followed by a tour with him to Bagdad and Damascus. 
 
 Towards the end of September Mrs. Blackwood's letters speak 
 of her as slightly ailing. Still the attack was thought to be of but 
 little importance ; and as the family were leaving town, and the 
 house in Brook Street was in the hands of the painters, it was the 
 inconvenience of an illness at such a juncture which appears as its 
 chief feature. 
 
 Mrs. Blackwood writes : 
 
 " Sunday night, 30th Sept. 
 
 "Never could anything be so unfortunate. . . . The smell of the 
 paint is very injurious to Ceci, but as we were in hopes she would
 
 " CECI " 119 
 
 leave to-morrow, and the odour is not very strong on my floor (she is 
 sleeping in your room) we had not thought it worth while to take a 
 lodging. 
 
 "All day (nearly) yesterday I was hunting for a decent one 
 thirteen I looked at. ... I came home so tired. ... It is such close 
 oppressive weather. At night it never ceased lightening. . . . Ceci has 
 not been so well to-day. The pain in her head has ceased .... but 
 she is so very weak that she could not get up all day. ... I hope it 
 may please GOD she is better to-morrow. 
 
 "Monday, 1st Oct. Ceci is better. I am so vexed to conclude in 
 such a hurry. . . . Affectionate Mother, up to her eyes and over her 
 head in business." 
 
 His Father's letter of the same date shows how little danger was 
 apprehended. 
 
 " Mama has written to you about Ceci's indisposition in her usual 
 impulsive fashion. You need not be alarmed. She has had .... 
 nearly a fever, and is mending." 
 
 When the next letters were sent on the Saturday, 6th October, 
 she had already left them. 
 
 With tender consideration his parents, whilst preparing him in 
 them for any result, concealed the worst. His Mother came from 
 the room where her darling already lay dead to write a little note 
 " your cheerful scrap," as he calls it in which no sign was given 
 that even then she had passed away. 
 
 Two days later his Father wrote : 
 
 " Monday, 8th October, 1855. 
 
 " I rise, my dear Boy, from my knees to address you. I felt myself 
 unequal for the painful task devolving upon me until I had first nerved 
 my heart by offering up a prayer to Almighty GOD that He would 
 enable me to impart the sad news calmly to you, and that you might 
 have strength given to you to bear it with Christian and manly forti- 
 tude. And now I am better prepared to relate an event so fraught 
 with anguish to us all. 
 
 "My letter dated Saturday [6th] was in reality, barring the last 
 lines, written on Friday [5th] ... so I could not do more than give 
 you the account of our darling up to that afternoon. I have now to 
 resume from that time. In the afternoon she became more quiet, and 
 her mind wandered less. We flattered ourselves that she slept . . . and 
 ignorance gave us hopes ; for it was nothing but exhaustion, which 
 made it most difficult for her to take any nourishment. At seven on 
 Saturday morning a rapid change was visible. We sent for Mr. Jervis,
 
 120 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 who pronounced her dying. And truly enough at half-past eight, her 
 pure angelic spirit passed away peacefully, painlessly her sweet face 
 retaining its loveliness to the last. 
 
 "Such, my most dear Boy, my only child, was her end, . . . and 
 now she is looking down upon us. Let us be ready to join her. Well 
 do I know the intense love you entertained for this dear sister, and how 
 lacerated your heart will be at this sad intelligence. But unite with 
 me, my Son, in feeling happiness that she is transferred from a world 
 where she might have been destined to endure great sorrows, to a place 
 of everlasting repose. Torn as my heart-strings are by this event, not 
 alone for myself, but for all those who so dearly loved her, I avow to 
 you that I am happy, on her account, at her death. Try and feel the 
 same yourself. The awful uncertainty of life which you have witnessed, 
 and which has contributed to lead you to GOD, will have qualified you 
 more even than I cnn be, to bear up against this grievous affliction. 
 So put forth the bravery and energy of character so gloriously developed 
 in you (of which she was so proud) and rejoice with me at her great 
 gain. 
 
 " ... In conclusion, dearest Boy, I have only to add that this 
 distressing event must not make you commit the egregious folly per- 
 petrated by , who quitted his ship on the death of his Father. You 
 
 can render us no real service by coming home. And it will conduce 
 more to our happiness to know that you are performing your duty in 
 your accustomed exemplary manner, and having your thoughts diverted 
 by the stirring scenes of the Crimea. Remain therefore till such 
 time as you think fit to return in next spring, when we shall, please 
 GOD, then be able to fold you to our hearts with more tranquility than 
 we may be able to do for a while. GOD bless you. 
 
 " Your affectionate Father, 
 
 "A. BLACKWOOD." 
 
 His Mother's letter is endorsed, " Read this Last. Read Papa's 
 first, I entreat." 
 
 " Mmday, 6th Oct., 1865. 
 
 " MY DARLING, Another post must not escape me without a word 
 from your broken-hearted Mother. Your poor Father is more resigned. 
 He does not wish her back from the realms of bliss where she assuredly 
 is ; but / do. We did all we could to make her life happy, and we 
 might have enjoyed her some few years longer. I pray for submission, 
 but this is not submission. May Jesus speak His love to your heart in 
 this withering stroke. It is Love, my blessed Boy. It is difficult to 
 feel this. I do not sorrow for my Angel why should I ? She is 
 with her GOD. May we so live as to join her pure spirit.
 
 " CECI " 121 
 
 " I thank GOD she had no pain, but fell asleep, we may truly say 
 rich in faith and in works. 
 
 " You shall have a journal of her last days and hours, when I can 
 write it. ... 
 
 " I wish I could write so as to be a comfort to you, but I feel dried 
 up. May GOD the Father, and GOD the Son, and GOD the Holy Ghost 
 speak comfort to you. Try and bend to this heavy dispensation. Bear 
 it we must, but there is another way of bearing it. 
 
 " GOD is Love. He chasteneth those He loves and this is in truth a 
 chastening. A Father does not afflict his child willingly. . . . 
 
 "Recollect what an indulgent Fathers/cm have, and you will then 
 see that a Father does not willingly afflict his child. GOD is desirous of 
 having our hearts. ... I thank Him that He gave us such a blessing 
 for twenty-one years. . . . 
 
 "Your letter" [the letter on page 113] "was a comfort to her heart that 
 words cannot speak. Her eyes seemed brightened with heavenly light 
 when she said, ' Oh Mama, what a blessing ! and now that I can talk 
 to him, I cannot believe it. Oh, how overwhelming ! ' In her wander- 
 ings, you were ever on her tongue, and with that voice of pride which 
 she ever felt in you. It is not saying too much to say she gloried in 
 you. She has used this term herself when speaking of you. 
 
 "Your affectionate and fond 
 
 "MOTHER." 
 
 FROM HIS SISTER LUCY. 
 
 " Monday, Oct. 8. 
 
 " MY OWN DARLING STEVY, Our own precious Ceci is safe in the 
 arms of Jesus, safe from all sorrow, pain and sin, and ' for ever with the 
 LORD.' Shall we not say 'Amen, so let it be,' although our heart fails 
 us, and our spirits are overwhelmed within us ? May Jesus comfort 
 your heart, my darling brother, and be very near to you in this time of 
 trouble. Our darling one was so full of thankfulness and joy when she 
 heard that the Saviour Whom she loved had been speaking to your 
 heart ; and her thoughts and words were continually with you at the 
 last. . . . 
 
 "It comforted me so, the evening of the day she was taken, to open 
 upon these two texts in her book of Psalms which she read daily. 
 ' Nevertheless I am continually with Thee. Thou hast holden me by the 
 right hand, saying, Fear not, I will help thee. Thou shalt guide me with 
 Thy counsel, and after that receive me into glory.' She had marked them 
 her own self underneath. So it shows us what her hope was, and now 
 it is fulfilled."
 
 122 LIFE OP SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 FROM Miss ANNE WRIGHT. 
 
 " Your darling Ceci is not dead. She only sleeps in Jesus till the 
 morning of the Resurrection. Until then He will watch her sleeping 
 dust with the tender care of a mother to her sleeping babe, and will 
 raise it a glorious body like His own. Her spirit is with Jesus. He 
 loved her too well to suffer her to remain longer in this vain and sinful 
 world. He has long been drawing her heart to Himself, and nothing 
 but Himself could satisfy her. He loved her with an everlasting love. 
 He gave Himself tor her, and He has done all in infinite Wisdom and 
 Love. She loved you with her tenderest love. In her wanderings from 
 fever, you were ever uppermost, talking to you, kissing you, asking 
 what tidings from you, and even laughing with joy at any imaginary 
 good news. But ah, what is better still, she loved you in the strength 
 and vigour of her strong mind and intense affection, and every thought 
 and wish and prayer for you was centred in the one that you might 
 find and know and love and serve that precious Saviour Whom she 
 loved." 
 
 These heavy tidings reached the Camp on 22nd October. The 
 letter of 6th, received three days before, had evidently awakened 
 the greatest anxiety ; but still hope prevailed, and the blow, when 
 it came, fell with crushing force. In his letters the grief which 
 almost transported him is curbed and concealed so as to add no 
 pain to the sorrowing hearts at home, but his own NOTES draw back 
 t he veil which love had thrown over his real feelings. 
 
 " Never shall I forget the misery and rage into which I was thrown 
 by these tidings. . . . Shutting myself up in my tent, I only emerged 
 from it after dark, and then stormed up and down the Camp like a 
 madman. My grief was insupportable." 
 
 " I was nearly mad when I heard it," he once said in conversa- 
 tion with a friend. " I was in the most ungovernable rage against 
 GOD for daring to take my sister." 
 
 The next mail brought his mother's promised journal, giving all 
 the little details for which a bereaved heart so longs, when the door 
 is for ever shut between itself and the object of its love, " till death 
 us join." For the most part, they are of too sacred and personal 
 a character to reproduce. The very words tingle yet with the living 
 pain of the hearts whose sorrow is now all quenched for ever in the 
 joys of re-union. 
 
 A single incident may be given.
 
 "CECI" 123 
 
 " Whilst in one of her worst moments of delirium, she suddenly ceased 
 talking for a moment, and then in quite an altered tone of voice solemnly 
 said, 'I am prepared to meet my GOD' ; and then again, at another time 
 said, ' When we come to Jesus Christ, there is GOD the Father, and GOD 
 the Son,' and then stopping, continued for an instant almost in- 
 audibly, and then added, 'And there is the household on earth,' thus 
 showing how clearly she had felt and experienced herself that com- 
 munion with GOD which is the peculiar privilege and joy of His elect 
 on earth." 
 
 FROM Miss CHARLOTTE WRIGHT. 
 
 " I need not say how peculiarly lovely we thought her both in mind 
 and person. She had twined herself about our hearts more than ever 
 before, during a most happy visit here of six weeks last winter so 
 gentle, so intelligent, so lively, yet free from levity, so very affectionate. 
 Oh, it was sweet to see her! We did love her, precious, precious 
 child ! . . . But the purposes of our loving wise and holy Saviour were 
 otherwise. He too loved our beloved Ceci with a love far surpassing 
 ours. She was His own ' by an emphasis of interest His,' Who had 
 ' loved her with an everlasting love'; and when He hung bleeding and 
 dying on the Tree, the accursed Cross, had her in His eye and on His 
 heart. . . . He bore away her sins by His own precious sacrifice ; and 
 in virtue of it, when life was given her, what tender methods did He 
 use to make her partaker of a new and heavenly life. Oh, my dearest 
 Stevenson, it was not the beauties with which she was adorned in the 
 eyes of worldly friends, and which made her so attractive, which gave 
 her any access to the shining courts and blissful society above. Oh, 
 no ! it was that free, that sovereign, that boundless love of Jesus, which 
 sent the Holy Spirit into her heart, made her hate sin, and gave her 
 faith to receive the glorious atonement He had made for her, and this 
 drew forth her love to Him. . . . 
 
 " The LORD bless you, and sanctify this affliction to your soul, that 
 you may know that whom He loveth He chasteneth. 
 
 " The, Lodge, \Wi Oct. 1855." 
 
 All these prayers were not unheard. That the passion and 
 rebellion of grief were accompanied by struggles after submission 
 and by a search after GOD is shown by his letters. 
 
 To HIS SISTER LUCY. 
 
 " 2nd Nov. 1855. 
 
 " This sad event has for a time revived my slumbering religion, and 
 made me feel more delight in reading GOD'S Word and praying than
 
 124 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 usual, but how long will it last? I feel that I could not say, as Mama 
 told me our darling Ceci said, 'I am prepared to meet my GOD.' 
 
 " What makes me afraid is, that I do not feel the enormity of my 
 sins as I ought to do. I know that I am a great sinner, and have done 
 little else but sin all my life, but it does not make me unhappy. I do 
 not feel that heart-rending conviction of my sins which I am sure I 
 ought to feel, and which should make the sacrifice of Christ so precious 
 to me. Will you pray for me, Louey, that I may feel this, that I may 
 not only know that my salvation lies in fleeing to Christ, and trusting 
 in His death to cleanse me from my sin, but that I may really feel it, 
 and act accordingly ? 
 
 "It will be a great pleasure to me to know that I read daily the 
 same Scriptures that you do. I will therefore tell you what I am 
 reading at this date. . . ." 
 
 The Answer. 
 
 " FULBECK HALL, GRANTHAM, 18th Nov., 1855. 
 
 "Do not be discouraged or disheartened because you do not feel 
 your sins or your need of a Saviour so much as you think you should. 
 You know He draws us to Himself in so many different ways, that we 
 need not think it necessary to feel exactly as some others may do. 
 With many, it is true, the convictions of the Spirit come with such deep 
 and overwhelming force that they seem almost to sink beneath them. 
 With others He speaks in a still small voice to their hearts, teaching 
 them by degrees. 
 
 "The only thing we need begin by feeling is our want of a Saviour; 
 and let that want be however weak or however small, bring it to Him, 
 and He will make it more and deeper. The only way is to come just 
 as we are and waiting not. 
 
 " ' Just as I am, without one plea, 
 But that Thy Blood was shed for me, 
 And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, 
 O Lamb of GOD, I come.' 
 
 " ' Be not afraid, only believe,' are His own encouraging words. In 
 ourselves we ever are and ever shall be nothing, but in Him we are 
 'complete entire wanting nothing.' Let us therefore 'look unto 
 Him, and we shall be lightened.' The more we cast ourselves entirely 
 upon Him, the more we honour Him. And when we can look upon our 
 Salvation as a Free Gift, without anything in ourselves to cause it, the 
 more we shall see that, covered with His Righteousness, we shall indeed 
 be saved eternally. . . .
 
 "CECI" 125 
 
 "I shall so much like reading the Scriptures with you as you propose, 
 and I hope the time may soon come when we may study and search 
 them together." 
 
 In the meantime Mr. Blackwood's anxiety to return home had 
 become intense. 
 
 " CAMP, 24M Oct., 1855. 
 
 " I think that GOD has comforted me, and shown me that it is 
 merely a separation for awhile, and that it is meant to be perhaps an 
 additional incentive so to live, that we may soon meet again. Oh I 
 what a happy family we were ! and by GOD'S grace, we will be a happy 
 family still, with an additional cause for happiness, that one of us has 
 been removed to still greater joy; and while rejoicing in her great gain, 
 we may mutually assist each other in resisting the temptations of the 
 world, and striving to imitate whatever in her life was acceptable in 
 the sight of GOD. 
 
 " And now about coming home, I do not know of course whether you 
 have acted on the entreaties of my last two letters, that I might be re- 
 called ; but in answer to yours received to-day, I can only say that I am 
 quite willing to submit to, and do, what you think best, and most con- 
 venient for us all. 
 
 "My reasons for wishing to return are, First, that I long most 
 intensely to be amongst you again. ... I cannot bear to be away from 
 you whilst you are in such sorrow. And secondly, that I do not like to 
 run the risk of a longer absence. Death may come again quite as 
 suddenly, and take another of us away, and what credit or money can 
 compensate me for that ? I am most anxious to return ; but if I can't, 
 why, I can't, and I must then stay here, hoping that we may meet 
 again. . . . These are my views, but rest assured that whatever you 
 all think best to be done, I am content to abide by." 
 
 So heartily did Mr. Blackwood accept what he had reason to 
 think would be his Father's decision that he now set to work 
 energetically to build winter quarters for himself. In long letters 
 he describes his " house," thinking that the details might for a 
 moment serve to turn the minds of those at home from the one 
 sorrowful subject. 
 
 " CAMP, CRIMEA, Monday, 12th Nov. 1855. 
 
 " On Sunday, 21st ult. I first conceived the idea of building a 
 House, and drew a most minute plan of one on a scale. . . . 
 
 " On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday therefore I sent carts 
 down into Sebastopol. ... As far as I can remember, I have consumed
 
 126 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 eight cart-loads of beautiful square white stones, taken from behind 
 the Redan, for corner stones and facings ; twelve cart-loads of brick ; 
 thirty of rough stones ; ten of lime ; twelve of mould, and three of 
 timber, making seventy-five cart-loads in all, and about thirty horse- 
 loads of water, at twenty gallons a load = 600 gallons. Having by great 
 exertions accumulated this, I went to Col. Perceval, commanding the 
 Coldstreams, and asked him to lend me a mason for a few days. He 
 not only did this, but he and Percy Fielding (adjutant) lent me two 
 Bricklayers and two Labourers for a whole week. These four men, in 
 consequence of having everything ready to their hands, and induced by 
 promises of high pay, and copious draughts of beer, worked incessantly. 
 Lockwood and I were kept continually at work, cutting door-frames, 
 flooring, rafters, wall-plates, ridge-poles, etc., etc., and I am now quite 
 an adept at the saw, by no means so easy a thing to handle well as you 
 might suppose. The fireplace is entirely of brick, with an arched 
 chimney-piece, hobs, and a large chimney-corner to sit and smoke in. 
 "Empty ground-coffee boxes, seventeen in number, are built into 
 the wall, on their sides, and open to the front, in different places, thus 
 forming cupboards ; and on the right of where my writing-table will be, 
 a larger box, formerly containing eighteen bottles of lime juice, with 
 as many partitions in it, is let in, and will serve as Pigeon-holes for my 
 papers. 
 
 "23rd November. 
 
 " Except building the walls, which the bricklayers did, I have done 
 everything myself. I cut out the roof, put on the tarpaulin, laid down 
 the flooring, hung the doors, put in the windows, papered the walls, 
 made a ceiling of a crimson cotton stuff, painted the fire-place brick 
 colour picked out with white, hung a chandelier with weight and 
 pulley; ditto bell, paved the porch with bottles, and to-day nailed the 
 carpet down, etc., etc., etc. All things which, though seeming easy 
 enough, are by no means so when you try to do them yourself. 
 
 " I mean to sleep in my tent the whole winter, or at any rate as 
 long as I can, for it is very unpleasant going to bed in a hot room, 
 smelling of tobacco, brandy and water, and dinner, and I am sure it 
 will be the healthiest plan. 
 
 " You would, I am sure, smile to see the comfort we live in now. 
 It will spoil us for further campaigning." 
 
 On 26th November, to his great surprise and joy, Mr. Black- 
 wood received through the Commissary-General, the news of his 
 recal by the Treasury. The completion of his accounts detained 
 him until 8th December, when he sailed from the Crimea in the
 
 "CECI" 127 
 
 Clyde, stayed one night at Constantinople, a week at Malta, and on 
 the 27th reached England. A day later he rejoined his family. 
 
 To the last year of his own life Sir Arthur ever marked the days 
 of his parting with this dearest sister, and of her entrance into 
 heaven. Writing on 6th Oct., 1892, the letter ends with the words, 
 " Anniversary of Ceci's death." 
 
 Before another anniversary came round, they had met again.
 
 " FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE." 
 
 The year 1856 that year which was to be to him " the be- 
 ginning of years " opened very quietly. The shadow of death, 
 even though it was the light of Heaven which shone behind it, hung 
 over the re-united family. 
 
 The records of the early months of the year are few, and are 
 given in Mr. Blackwood's own NOTES. 
 
 "After about six weeks spent at Fulbeck Hall, (my Uncle Cecil 
 Fane's) I went with my sister to her Uncle Frank Wright, at Osmaston 
 Manor, Derbyshire. There I got much help in tbe new life I was try- 
 ing to lead from association with Henry Wright, his second son, about 
 my own age.* After some weeks spent there and at Lenton Lodge, I 
 once more resumed my duties at the Treasury." 
 
 In March, in recognition of his services in the Crimea, Mr. 
 Blackwood was placed in the Treasury Chest Department, an ap- 
 pointment which carried with it the duty of conveying Specie to 
 various ports. His first trip in this work was to Liverpool on 7th 
 March. 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " My ' Uncle ' Frank, for such he ever was to me, had introduced 
 me to a good old Admiral Hope, who used to invite me to dine with 
 him once a week, and then go to a Bible Reading at Captain Trotter's, (late 
 2nd Life Guards, an old friend of my Father's) held at Soho Square. 
 The members of this Bible Reading were many of them twice, if not 
 three times my own age. I think it can hardly have been suitable for so 
 young a beginner as I was ; but somehow, like it I did, and went there 
 most regularly. But as the season drew nigh many of my old friends 
 
 * Afterwards so well known and beloved as Hon. Sec. of the C. M. S. Drowned 
 while bathing in Coniston Lake in 1880. 
 
 (128)
 
 "FKOM DEATH UNTO LIFE" 129 
 
 coming up to London, and former acquaintances being renewed my 
 good resolutions began to grow somewhat weak. Although I adhered 
 to my determination to abstain from Operas and Theatres, I thought 
 I could enjoy a little of the world quietly, without abandoning my 
 religious profession." 
 
 Old fascinations and snares now put forth their power, height- 
 ened by the tribute paid to the distinction gained by his services 
 in the Crimea. Subtle and powerful temptations were to test the 
 worth of all his efforts and resolutions. His experience was that 
 recorded in the "Memorials of Captain Hedley Vicars." " Self- 
 interest, even when calculated with the reckoning of Eternity, is 
 not strong enough at all times to raise a man above the dominion 
 of his own inclinations. He knew not yet ' the expulsive power of 
 a new affection ' ; he had not learned to say ' The love of Christ 
 constraineth me.' " 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " I therefore began to lead a sort of half and half life a Bible 
 Reading once or twice in the week, and a Ball on several other even- 
 ings. I was not unconscious of the inconsistency, nor of the injury I 
 was sustaining by such a course, but at any rate I wilfully allowed 
 myself to be beguiled into old ways till at last, one evening at the 
 Queen's Ball at Buckingham Palace, my eyes were opened to see what 
 must be the result of the life I was leading, and how false I was 
 playing to what I had felt and avowed." 
 
 Of that night's awakening he afterwards spoke with great 
 emotion. 
 
 " Oh, if you knew all the circumstances ! the terrible tempta- 
 tions ! GOD has indeed taken me up out of an horrible pit." 
 
 The brief entries in his DIARY OF DATES stand as follows : 
 
 "April and May. Troublous times . . . undecided. . . . World in 
 my heart. GOD in my conscience. Falling back. Deceiving myself. 
 " 17th June. queen's Ball 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " ' Against the GOD that rules the sky 
 I fought with hand uplifted high, 
 When thus the Eternal counsel ran, 
 Almighty Grace, arrest that man.' 
 
 "And He was pleased to do so by a series of circumstances which, 
 to me at least, have always seemed most remarkable. 
 
 9
 
 130 
 
 "A day or two after the Queen's Ball in question, I was at work in 
 my room in the Treasury, when my friend Bob Anstruther, Adjutant 
 of the Grenadier Guards, who himself also had been the subject of 
 religious convictions for some time, ran upstairs. 'Stevie, old boy, 
 come down with me to the orderly-room door at once. I want to in- 
 troduce you to a great friend of mine who is at my door, Miss Marsh." 
 Who Miss Marsh was, I did not know; but accompanying Anstruther, 
 I speedily made her acquaintance. . . . She very kindly invited me to 
 dine at Beckenham Rectory, to see her father, Dr. Marsh. I accord- 
 ingly found my way thither; and walking with me under the shady 
 trees of the garden, Miss Marsh lost little time in speaking to me most 
 earnestly about the concerns of my soul. Not being naturally of a 
 reserved disposition, I told her where I stood, and what I felt; and 
 that I was perfectly conscious that, in the attempts at a religious life 
 which I had been making, there was no love to GOD in my heart. 
 Being under the impression, as I fancy, that I was further advanced 
 than was really the case, she remarked that an excellent means of 
 increasing love to GOD in one's own soul was to try to do good to the 
 souls of others. . . . We went out to a cottage meeting, where Miss 
 Marsh spoke to those assembled on John iv. the woman of Samaria." 
 
 Letters of the same date and other recollections supply further 
 details. Captain Anstruther, who had been much aided in spiritual 
 things by that honoured servant of GOD, Miss Marsh, had been very 
 desirous that his friend should become acquainted with her. An 
 opportunity presented itself when Miss Marsh happened to come to 
 lunch with his mother, Lady Anstruther. He accompanied her to 
 the train, discussing some question of Christian work in which both 
 were interested, and telling the cabman to drive first to the orderly- 
 room at the Horse Guards. Here, leaving her with a hasty apology, 
 he went to seek his friend, and returning introduced Mr. Blackwood. 
 After a short conversation, Miss Marsh invited him to Beckenham 
 Rectory. On 24th June she wrote him ; and after arranging for 
 his visit on the following Friday, 27th, she continues : 
 
 "Since our short interview the other day at the Horse Guards, I 
 have (more than once or twice) remembered you at the Throne of 
 Grace, but this evening you have been particularly on my heart for 
 prayer; and so I venture to claim the right it seems to give me, to ask 
 you if you are yet rejoicing in the coneciowness of your sins being 
 forgiven you for your Redeemer's sake? 
 
 "Have you ever noticed the order of the words (a truly Divine
 
 " FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE " 131 
 
 order man would never have so placed it) ? ' Be diligent that ye be 
 found of Him in Peace' comes before 'without spot and blameless.' 
 
 "Have you ever noticed also the connection of 1. John. 5. 10 with 
 llth verse ? 
 
 "'He that believeth not GOD hath made Him a liar, because he 
 believeth not the record that GOD gave of His Son. 
 
 " ' AND THIS is THE RECORD, that GOD hath given to us Eternal Life, and 
 this Life is in His Son.' 
 
 "Again, 'He that believeth on the*Son of GOD hath everlasting 
 life.' 
 
 " In all this, there is no character described ; simply, one act is 
 called for to believe a record to believe that ' Jesus Christ came into 
 the world to save SINNERS.' 
 
 " You probably know the story of a half-idiot hearing these words, 
 and making them the premiss of a syllogism, which he thus concluded, 
 
 " ' J am a sinner, Therefore, Jesus came to save ME.' 
 
 "A syllogism which carried him to Heaven. 
 
 "Goo give you faith to believe in the relationship thus made 
 between Himself and you, for we are 'children of GOD by faith in 
 Christ Jesus.' 
 
 " With the sense of relationship to such a Father through such a 
 Saviour, springs up Love ; and Love constrains us to live for Him Who died 
 to make this relationship free to us." 
 
 This letter was left at the Treasury by Capt. Anstruther. The 
 envelope is endorsed, " Je serai chez toi a pen pres quatre heures 
 du soir. R. A." Accordingly on the appointed evening, Friday, 27th 
 June, the two friends went down to Beckenham, then a quiet 
 country village " Blessed Beckenham," as he afterwards called it. 
 
 After dinner, " in the summer evening," they went to a Cottage 
 Reading at Elmer's End, a little hamlet near Beckenham. There, 
 in a small room in one of a row of cottages, Miss Marsh spoke from 
 the story of the Woman of Samaria, in John iv., dwelling specially 
 upon "the thought that there was nothing between that sinful woman, 
 and God's holiest gift besides a Saviour, but asking. Mr. Blackwood 
 listened intently, and then hid his face on the cottage window sill, 
 and did not raise it again until at the close of the meeting, we knelt 
 in prayer. During the ride home he scarcely spoke, and when, on 
 reaching the Rectory, he left the carriage, Capt. Anstruther . . . 
 went indoors to leave the way open for more personal conversation." 
 
 Towards the Railway the garden is bounded by a path shaded
 
 132 LIFE OF SIB ABTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 by a line of tall elm trees ; and walking up and down here, they 
 spoke of the things of Eternity. He told her how he had tried, and 
 how impossible he had found it, to give up this and that. She 
 replied that the first question was not " giving up," but getting 
 something better. With intense earnestness she set before him a 
 Saviour able and willing to save ; Who had been seeking and was now 
 seeking him. When he spoke of " having no love to GOD in his 
 heart," she said that an excellent means of increasing love to GOD 
 in one's own soul was to try and do good to the souls of others 
 "a piece of advice," Mr. Blackwood said afterwards, "which he 
 would not have given to a person in the state in which he knew 
 himself to have been ; but one which he was quite sure that she 
 was led of GOD to give to him," for it was another link in the chain 
 of mercy which was to draw him home to GOD. 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 "I do not remember," he says, "being impressed by anything she 
 said in particular, but on returning to London that evening, I could not 
 help feeling that it would be very inconsistent of me if I were to go to 
 any of the three balls to which I was invited. But on reaching home" 
 -[finding "his things all put out ready"] "thoughts of friends I was 
 likely to meet . . . gradually exercised their attractive power; and 
 before I knew what I was doing, I found myself first at one, then at 
 the second, and finally at the third, at Willis's Rooms. Standing and 
 looking on at the Quadrilles which were being danced, and putting why 
 I know not my fingers in my ears, so that no sound of music reached 
 m<;, the thought forced itself upon me, ' What folly 1 ... and all these 
 people have immortal souls to be saved!' Then recurred tome Miss 
 Marsh's words in the garden at Beckenham, ' Try and do good to the souls 
 of others.' I thought I would begin at once; and going to the supper 
 table and drinking champagne with an old friend, I began to speak to 
 him about his soul. He laughed at me and turned away. Not dis- 
 couraged, I sought some one else ; and asked a girl to dance whom I 
 had known very intimately indeed for a long time. When the music 
 began I proposed that instead of dancing, we should go and have a chat 
 in one of the side rooms. We accordingly did so, and I then began to 
 talk to her about the realities of Eternity, as I had never talked to any 
 one in my life. I have not the least idea what I said : but I only know 
 that I left that room with my religious emotions more deeply stirred 
 than they ever had been before ; and I went home to pray for my friend 
 and myself, as I had never prayed before."
 
 " FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE " 133 
 
 Sitting there "under the chandelier," he determined to give his 
 heart to GOD, and his life to His service. 
 
 " That was the last ball to which I ever went. The next time I 
 entered Willis's Booms, six years later, was to preach the Gospel." 
 
 His sister remembers that that night he stopped as he passed 
 her room, and roused her with the words, "O Loo, I have found 
 peace at Beckenham " ; and that he went to bed feeling as though 
 a load had been taken off his heart, " as happy as possible." But 
 next morning doubts and darkness returned. The sense of peace 
 which had come from the determination to surrender himself to 
 GOD, was succeeded by the old feeling of " impossibility." He had 
 tried and failed it would be the same over again. 
 
 It had pleased GOD to use one of His servants after another to 
 lead him thus far ; but the revelation of Himself in " the face of 
 Jesus Christ," the last touch that touch of Life which was to make 
 him " a partaker of the Divine nature " was to come from His 
 Hand alone. " It pleased GOD to reveal His Son in him." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " On Saturday, 28th, I went down to stay with friends at Willenhall, 
 near Barnet; and on Sunday morning we went to Christ Church, 
 Barnet, where the Rev. W. Pennefather was Vicar. I do not remember 
 the sermon ; but sitting behind the pew of my friend, Captain Trotter, we 
 rose to sing the second hymn John Newton's of which the 1st and 
 2nd verses run as follows : 
 
 " ' Rejoice, believer, in the Lord, 
 
 Who makes your cause His own : 
 The hope that's built upon His word 
 Shall ne'er be overthrown. 
 
 " ' Though many foes beset your road, 
 
 And feeble is your arm, 
 Your life is hid with Christ in GOD, 
 Beyond the reach of harm.' 
 
 "As we sang the third line of that second verse, which is word for 
 word the 3rd verse of Col. iii., the full light of truth shone into my 
 soul. The deep doctrine of the passage I did not indeed then under- 
 stand. All I remember was the joyful conviction which burst in upon 
 me, 'Then I am everlastingly saved.' Neither do I remember more 
 of that day, 29th of June 1856, except the intense joy with which, lying 
 on the lawn at Willenhall in the afternoon, and looking up through the
 
 134 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 early leaves of the lime trees to the blue sky, I realized for the first 
 time that GOD was my Father, Christ my Saviour, and heaven my 
 Home." 
 
 Many years ago one who knew Sir Arthur was told of a lady who 
 was at a Sunday morning service in Christ Church, Barnet, in 1856. 
 She passed out of the church alongside of a tall and handsome young 
 man. As they moved slowly through the porch, he looked down at 
 her and said, " I came into this church darkness. I am going out 
 of it light in the Lord." Neither the lady herself nor the narrator 
 had any clue to the identity of the speaker. The fact was told as a 
 remarkable occurrence. But it is easy now to know who it was who 
 thus instantly "confessed with his mouth" the Lord upon Whom 
 he had at length " believed with the heart." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " With what new feelings did I return to London and to my Treasury 
 work next day ! Instantly I made known the glorious things that had 
 happened to me to Miss Marsh, to my sister and to Bob Anstruther. 
 No struggle was then needed to give up the worldly associations to 
 which I had been foolishly clinging. They seemed to drop from me; 
 for the pleasures of the new life grandly made up for the excitement 
 and vanities of a dying world." 
 
 The Record of these events stands thus in his DIARY OF DATES : 
 
 "June 27M, To Beckenham for first time. 
 
 "2Sth, Willenhall. . . . 
 
 "29TH, SUNDAY. Church at Barnet. COL. in. 3. 'FoR YE ARE DEAD, 
 AND YOUR LIFE is HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD.' Rom. v. i. ' Joy and peace 
 in believing.' "
 
 IV. 
 "NEWNESS OF LIFE." 
 
 SERVICE AND SUFFERING. 
 
 ITALY. 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE.
 
 THEREFORE IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE is A NEW CREATION ; OLD THINGS 
 
 ARE PASSED AWAY ; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW." 
 
 Who that one moment has the least descried Him, 
 
 Dimly and faintly, hidden and afar, 
 Doth not despise all excellence beside Him, 
 
 Pleasures and powers that are not and that are ? 
 
 Ay, amid all men bear himself thereafter 
 
 Smit with a solemn and a sweet surprise ; 
 Dumb to their scorn, and turning on their laughter 
 
 Only the dominance of earnest eyes ?
 
 SEEVICE AND SUFFERING. 
 
 " This man put his Jiand to tJie plough, and never looked back." 
 
 So reads the epitaph on a tablet in Exeter Cathedral ; and some 
 such words might fitly describe the life whose birth had been "bright 
 with such excess of light." In Christ Jesus, revealed to him by 
 the power of the Holy Ghost, Stevenson Blackwood had now found 
 the joy and rejoicing of his soul, and in His Service, perfect freedom. 
 The instincts of the new and heavenly life were now the swift 
 evidence of its reality. It is hardly possible to estimate the magni- 
 tude of the debt which he owed, and especially at the time of his 
 conversion, to the prayers and influence, both by word and letter, 
 of his friend, Miss Marsh ; and when, on 30th June, he wrote to tell 
 her the joyful news of his passage "from death unto life," the re- 
 sponse was a letter so full of sympathy and wisdom, faithfulness 
 and courage, that it seems impossible to withhold its teaching from 
 others who may equally need instruction of so much value, and yet 
 so rarely given. 
 
 " PORTLAND HOTEL, SOUTHSEA, PORTSMOUTH, 2nd July, [1856.] 
 
 " MY DEAR MR. BLACKWOOD, Your letter has followed me here, and 
 made me thank GOD, with a full heart. 
 
 " I have not time to-night to give it the full and prayerful answer it 
 requires. But I could not let a single post leave, after receiving it. 
 without saying, Hold fast on to all you have gained. Beware of losing 
 one particle of peace by careless walking. Watch and pray lest you enter 
 into temptation. Seek to be filled with the Holy Ghost. Look, hour 
 by hour, to Jesus. See, in the light of His Cross, the true colour of sin 
 of your own sin. It does one little good to contemplate it in the 
 abstract. See every shade of it as the accursed thing which filled up 
 the measure of His agony. Can you bear it then ? 
 
 "Do not think (please, I must speak plainly) that you are to be the 
 
 (137)
 
 138 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Messenger of Jesus to any but your brother-men's souls at present. It is 
 all the devil's delusion if you attempt doing good to any woman's soul to 
 whom you may have given a dangerous bias before. It is only a new 
 'craft' of Satan, instead of an 'assault' of his; and 'from all the crafts 
 and assaults of the Devil, Good Lord, DELIVER us,' should be our constant 
 cry. 
 
 "In cases where your influence may have been injurious, let me 
 say send a good book, if you like (a Bible, best) and parting advice BY 
 LETTER. But do not meet do not keep up correspondence. I am venturing 
 very far, but I speak from deepest conviction, and a vast induction from 
 the experience of very many. GOD never sends His message to any soul by 
 another soul who has carried the Devil's message to it before. He will honour 
 you in your message to other souls, but never to that one. It is His curse, 
 'the mark of Cain,' so to speak, set upon every species of flirtation. Leave 
 it to Him to do good to such souls through other channels. I am not 
 advising I am beseeching you for Christ's sake. 
 
 "As to the friend who doubts you, I know all that sort of bitterness. 
 There is no anguish like it none to compare to knowing one has dis- 
 graced the Holy Lovely Blessed Name by which we are called, and 
 dragged a soul down nearer to hell, that one might have drawn nearer 
 to heaven. 
 
 " But there is nothing for it but to outlive, out-pray, out-love, the 
 accusation one has brought upon one's self. Don't give up praying for 
 him ; and above all, be much in prayer for yourself. Get into the habit 
 of ejaculatory prayer from hour to hour through the day. 
 
 "If I stopped to read this letter over, I should hardly venture to 
 send it. But I have prayed to be enabled to write to you 'after the 
 mind of Christ,' and I believe it is what He would have me say. I 
 speak from such intense conviction on that first question. How I do 
 bless Him for enabling you to speak to others for Him. Where it can 
 be safely and wisely done, and you have 800,000,000 of people in the 
 world to take your choice out of, there is no interest like it. What did it 
 ever profit to win hearts, compared to winning souls to Jesus Christ and 
 glory ? May He keep you very near Himself, drinking into the Fountain 
 of His heart of Love and Holiness. 
 
 " Should I say ' Forgive me ' for writing so frankly ? I do not think 
 you will say so." 
 
 Mr. Blackwood's own letters of this period to Miss Marsh, which 
 would have been of such value in the delineation of his spiritual 
 character and growth, have, alas ! been lost ; but the want is in a 
 measure supplied by their reflection in the other half of the 
 correspondence.
 
 SEBVICE AND SUFFEKING 139 
 
 " BECKENHAM, 7th July. 
 
 " I thanked GOD, and thanked you, when I read your letter, for the 
 manner in which you received mine. It was so very venturesome. . . . 
 Please remember how very VERY fallible I feel my judgment and advice 
 to be. Yet on the one point which seemed to come strongest in my 
 letter, I spoke from the experience of every single individual who has 
 happened to speak to me on the subject. . . . 
 
 " I was not surprised at your finding a little lessening of your joy in 
 the LORD. If it always kept up at 'high water mark,' earth would be 
 but the outer court of Heaven. I suppose 'the Valley of Humiliation ' 
 is as necessary for MS to walk through, as for 'Christian' and 'Faithful'; 
 and even the old Slough of Despond may have its good effect upon our after 
 course. But one thing I know we should be always pressing up to the 
 higher ground. 'Rejoice in the LORD alway, and again I say, rejoice,' 
 is a Divinely inspired command I believe as binding upon us as 'Thou 
 shalt not steal;' though it is wonderful how little thought of in this 
 light it is generally. . . . One thing however is always clear before me, 
 that Jesus Christ, the Same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, never wearies 
 of us poor sinners, never changes with all our chilly changeful love. Oh, 
 let us cleave to Him, closer and closer, every hour of our lives." 
 
 It was not long before an occasion arose for such a ratification 
 of his decision as should stamp for ever, not only upon his own 
 heart, but also upon his life before men, the certainty of " Whose he 
 was," and Whom henceforth he meant to serve. 
 
 On 9th July, just ten days after his Conversion, the Brigade of 
 Guards, the old comrades with whom he had served in the Crimea, 
 made their entry into London on their return from the War. Mr. 
 Blackwood rode in with his battalion a sharer in the triumph 
 which Archbishop Trench's lines commemorate. 
 
 " Two years an age of glory and of pain ! 
 
 Since we with blessings and with shouts and tears, 
 And with high hopes pursued your parting train, 
 With everything but fears. 
 
 ; One thing we saw, one only thing we knew, 
 
 Come what come might, ye would not bring to shame 
 The loved land which had trusted thus to you 
 Its wealth of ancient fame. 
 
 ' Therefore the old land greets you, whose renown 
 
 In face of friend and foe ye well upbore, 
 Handing the treasure of its glory down 
 Not poorer than before."
 
 140 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 A man is none the less a patriot and a soldier because he has 
 become a Christian ; and entering as he did into all the circumstances 
 of the occasion, it was a keen temptation to Mr. Blackwood to join 
 his old comrades at the Ball given by the Duchess of Wellington to 
 commemorate the event of that day. His absence would be mis- 
 understood ; his parents were very desirous that he should go ; 
 whatever his feelings on the general question might be, this was an 
 exceptional occasion, and he hesitated. 
 
 But beside him was one who had watched over him with un- 
 failing faith and love. His sister knew how critical was the 
 moment, and how inevitably a false step taken, a deliberate return 
 into temptation would have clouded the brightness of the new 
 life in his soul, and influenced his whole future; and earnestly she 
 prayed that he might be kept back. 
 
 " That evening they dined at an Aunt's house, and walked home 
 together in the moonlight. She knew that if he meant to go, he 
 would leave her at the house door. To speak on the subject she 
 felt would be unwise, but she kept on praying that GOD would keep 
 him back. 
 
 " Munro's Allegory of The Combatants had been presented to 
 her mind, and as they walked along, she began to tell it to him. 
 When the house door was reached, she had got to the part where, 
 when temptation is yielded to, the good Angels have sorrowfully to 
 stand aside, and the evil spirits come round, knowing that their 
 hour of power has come. She paused, and there was silence for a 
 few moments, while he took out the latch-key. To her thankful 
 joy, he turned to her and said, as he drew her into the hall, ' Come, 
 darling Loo ; let us shut the evil ones out ' ; and as she saw the 
 door shut from the inside she praised GOD for this victory won, 
 and that the Tempter had been overcome by the Stronger 
 than he." 
 
 A few months later, when in Italy, he records in his Journal his 
 acceptance of certain invitations, and his experience at that time, 
 which only convinced his judgment the more fully of the irrecon- 
 cilable nature of the spirit of the world and the Spirit which is of 
 GOD, and helped to settle him into the course which became the 
 habit of his life. 
 
 Two or three years later, in reply to a question from Miss 
 Marsh, he wrote :
 
 SEEVICE AND SUFFERING 141 
 
 " 5th April, 1859. 
 
 "You ask me about Balls, Theatres, etc., and why I gave them up. 
 
 "I don't exactly know the reasons why I gave up the latter. From 
 a child I had known that they were not, and never could be, conducive 
 to Godliness ; and though, before going to the Crimea, I had been a 
 confirmed play-goer, delighting in it perhaps more than in anything 
 else, except dancing and flirting, and also looked forward to it as a great 
 pleasure on my return, yet no sooner were my thoughts in any way led 
 to serious matters, than I at once accepted as a settled matter the fact 
 that Plays, Operas, etc., must be given up, if my soul was to be saved at 
 all. I did not then so much see their particular evil, as the simple fact 
 that I felt that they were irreconcileable with true faith in Christ as a 
 Saviour from the sins and follies of the world. Since then their harm 
 has been more apparent to me. The fact that you can hardly ever, I 
 should almost say never, hear a play where GOD'S Holy Name is not 
 taken in vain that the immoralities the whole system leads to both 
 before and behind the scenes are ENORMOUS (I speak from experience) 
 that the scene in itself, with its glare, its music, its deceptions, and its 
 frivolity is . . . far from calculated to produce or sustain that soberness 
 of mind which it should be the Christian's aim to keep . . . are, I 
 think, sufficient reasons for any man who has . . . love to Jesus, or ... 
 regard for his own immortal soul's welfare, to abstain from them. 
 
 " My opinion as to Balls, I must say, is no less decided, though it- 
 was a little longer before I saw it plainly my duty to give them up. 
 
 " I was very fond of them certainly, and for some months tried to 
 persuade myself that I could enjoy them and serve GOD too. I had 
 originally determined to abandon them also ; but in compliance with 
 others' wishes, and my own secret inclinations, I again frequented 
 them ; and beginning by losing all relish for the Word of GOD, prayer, 
 etc., I ended by falling so deep into sin that I could no longer remain 
 blind to the fact that they were destroying my soul. It was a hard 
 struggle ; for at that time I was only seeking, and did not know Christ. 
 The moment however that GOD, in His great mercy, enabled me to see 
 that Jesus was MY Saviour, and that MY life was hid in Him, ' beyond the 
 reach of harm,' then the struggle was over ; and with the exception of 
 one ball, the Duchess of Wellington's, where I wanted to go and meet 
 all my old Crimean friends of the Brigade of Guards, there wasn't one 
 that cost me a thought. 
 
 " It was no longer a question of what I must give up in order to 
 win Christ, but having won Christ, what can I do for Him ? How can 
 I, who am redeemed with the precious Blood of my Saviour, take 
 pleasure in the amusements of the world that crucified Him eighteen 
 hundred years ago, and hates Him now? How can I, when every
 
 142 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 moment is precious, (for they are not my moments, but GOD'S) spend 
 my time in dancing, frivolous talking, and false hollow civilities, when 
 there are such realities as Heaven and Hell, and souls perishing at 
 my door for lack of knowledge ? Shall I, who am a son of GOD, and 
 destined to live for ever in His glorious presence, live here as a man 
 of the world, whose only thought is the amusement of the moment? 
 GOD forbid I could do so no longer. 
 
 "Oh, that I could say all I know of the everlasting harm that these 
 things have done to the souls of men and women 1 I have been behind 
 the scenes, and know it thoroughly. 
 
 "Captain Trotter gave me a good rule at starting. 'Never go any- 
 where, where you cannot conscientiously ask the LORD Jesus to go with 
 you.' 
 
 I would say further. ' If Jesus is your Friend, you can't enjoy 
 anything where you have not the society of your Best of Friends.'" 
 
 Amongst Sir Arthur's papers was found a half sheet on which 
 was written the rough copy of an answer to an invitation. 
 
 'DEAR LADY A , I am very sorry that I cannot accept the in- 
 vitation you have so kindly given me; but I have for some years felt 
 so very strongly the opposition in which theatrical amusements, both 
 public and private, stand to the spirit of GOD'S Word, that without at 
 all wishing to condemn others, I cannot conscientiously take part in, or 
 encourage them myself. 
 
 "This is my real reason ; and I hope you will not mind my giving 
 it, but I never like to conceal my motive." 
 
 His way being thus made clear before him, Mr. Blackwood was 
 now able to give his undivided strength and interest to the service 
 of the GOD he loved ; and in this service he found, to his life's end, 
 the chief delight of his happy days. 
 
 A letter from Dr. Cay, late Coldstream Guards, gives a pleasant 
 picture of the joy and boldness with which he immediately con- 
 fessed Christ in every society. 
 
 "I have so little to say," he writes, "in reference to one whom I 
 dearly loved, having known him first on the field of Inkermann, in 
 that terrible winter of 1854-5, when he used to come over to the Guards 
 to see what he could do for our poor sick and wounded soldiers ; and 
 they, as well as myself, had to thank him for the splendid services he 
 rendered to us while lying on that bleak hill. I shall never forget 
 that glorious figure of my dear friend as he marched through the snow 
 and mud to our tents, clad in thick riding trousers, blue patrol jacket 
 and cavalry forage cap, and a heavy riding whip which he always
 
 SERVICE AND SUFFERING 143 
 
 carried. His very presence inspired confidence; and though he had 
 not become a Christian then, all his acts were those welling up from a 
 loving heart filled with sympathy for the suffering. ... I never met him 
 after the Crimean War until one day I was returning from London to 
 Camberley to join my regiment, when I saw him sit down in the 
 railway carriage opposite me ; and on the train starting, he pulled out 
 of his pocket a book very much like a Bible. This astonished me 
 beyond measure, and I at once said, ' Blackwood, what is that book you 
 are reading?' He opened those large beautiful eyes full on me, with 
 such a look, and said with a bright happy smile, ' It's the Bible.' I 
 replied, 'And how can you, an unconverted man, read the Bible thus?' 
 His answer, given with such assurance, was 'Don't you know I am 
 converted ? ' and he at once gave me the story of this change. 
 
 "I met him occasionally at the Treasury and at Bible Readings at 
 Captain Trotter's in Connaught Place. 
 
 " The men of the Coldstream Guards loved to hear him conduct 
 Bible Readings in Wellington Barracks, where, if I remember right, I 
 took him with the late Sir Robert Anstruther." 
 
 Mr. Blackwood's own letters now take up the thread. As will 
 be seen, these are drawn very largely from the correspondence with 
 two or three companions of about his own age, who were also 
 entering at this time upon the Christian course. They have pre- 
 served enough to give an interesting, though but a limited view of 
 the multitude of letters which passed between himself and his large 
 circle of friends and acquaintances, but which it is now impossible 
 to obtain. 
 
 To HIS SISTER LUCY. 
 
 " TBEASURY, 29th July, 1856. 
 
 " First I must tell you that I was very happy all Sunday, though 
 there wasn't a single person I could speak to about what I liked ; but I 
 went out into Windsor Forest, and there amongst the glorious trees, 
 with their arching branches meeting over my head, and giving me 
 glimpses of the blue sky through the beautiful tracery of their thou- 
 sand little leaves, I read and prayed and communed with GOD. Oh ! I 
 was so happy. I felt there was nothing between me and Him, and that 
 I was really close to Him, and I did enjoy it more than you can possibly 
 conceive. 
 
 " This morning I rode up to St. John's Wood to see in the 
 
 Coldstreams, whom I told you about ; but he was out, so I breakfasted 
 in his rooms with the Doctor ; and while breakfast was getting ready, 
 rode up through Belsize Lane to the George. Oh 1 how they have ruined
 
 144 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 dear Belsize Lane, where we used to lead the cow to graze, with Loodle. 
 
 It's all new houses now. It's quite heart-breaking. I was so sorry 
 
 was out, as I had taken up some of Miss Marsh's letters, and had nerved 
 myself up for praying with him; but he couldn't help it, as he was 
 ordered off to sit on a Court Martial at the Tower. 
 
 "Yesterday little - - came to see me again; and told me that I 
 had spoken to him just at the turning-point of his life. This morning 
 
 I have been having a 'go' at , who is stupid under the effects of it. 
 
 I am just going off to see a boy in Westminster Hospital Miss Marsh 
 has written to me about. 
 
 "My time is up. I've 1,000,000 things to say, but I must write to 
 
 Mrs. N , and Kempster, who has sent me something for Gravesend. 
 
 I know I shall have a letter from you to-morrow morning, and it'll do 
 me so much good. Pray for me, my darling, that my sight of Jesus 
 may become clearer and more distinct every day. One must either go 
 backwards or forwards ; and if we don't increase, we must diminish in 
 grace. There's no standing still, I'm sure of that. 
 
 "Give Mama, Titus iii. 5, 6, 7, with my very best love." 
 
 An entry in his DIARY OF DATES evidently refers to one of those 
 of whom he here speaks. 
 
 U 26th July. To Windsor. To Anglesea, Gosport. Saw - - on re- 
 turn. First Fruits." 
 
 A few months later he followed this same friend to the Cape with 
 a letter. 
 
 " B. who was to start for the Cape about this time, takes out a book 
 for you. It is difficult to write to anyone, especially on religious subjects, 
 who is at a distance, and of whose particular state of mind at the 
 time one is not aware. But as GOD in His wonderful love and mercy to 
 both of us, was graciously pleased to use me for your benefit and His 
 glory when you were in England, so do I now pray that He will make 
 me, and what I may say, the instrument of conveying fresh comfort 
 and help to your soul. 
 
 " I want to write to you as a fellow-sinner, but as one who has found 
 pardon and peace in our LORD Jesus Christ. I want you, when you 
 answer this, to answer above all, one question a question which we 
 must answer at the last Great Day Have you FOUND Christ f Have you 
 not only felt your want of a Saviour, experienced a sense of the necessity 
 of a change being effected in your heart, but have you also felt Him to 
 be that Saviour f Have you not only been able to acknowledge Him as 
 the Saviour of sinners in general, but also to appropriate Him as YOUR 
 Saviour in particular, and the Atonement for your individual sins ? Can you 
 see that your iniquities were expiated on His Cross? that Eternal Life
 
 SEEVICE AND SUFFEEING 145 
 
 has been given to you by His death, and that through His merits, you 
 are no longer a child of wrath, but a son of GOD ? Jno. i. 12. 
 
 "It will do us but little good to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son 
 of GOD all nominal Christians do that. If that were the extent of our 
 faith, it would not be so difficult to attain. Faith, to be saving Faith, 
 must be that which says, ' I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sin, 
 and is risen again for my justification.' Have you that faith ? Can you 
 look to Jesus as your only sure Hope, and see that your sins are for- 
 given, and heaven purchased, and bestowed on you as a, free gift, not in 
 reward of a life devoted to His Service, or the result of ever so exalted a 
 degree of spiritual attainments, but by virtue alone of His death and 
 sufferings ? I do trust and hope that you do ; but if you do not, ask for 
 it directly, ask Him for it earnestly. Let it be the sole desire of your 
 heart to obtain it, and never rest satisfied till you do. 
 
 "But if you are not able yet to realise Him as your Saviour, do not 
 be discouraged, or think that whatever impressions you may have 
 received were not of GOD. This is the one great truth, and all are not 
 alike enabled to see it with equal clearness, or equally soon 
 
 " And oh ! when we do know it ! when we are enabled by His grace 
 to see our Saviour with the eye of faith that is indeed the 'peace 
 which passeth understanding,' ' the joy that fadeth not,' 'the hope that 
 maketh not ashamed.' May you experience all this, and much more 
 than I can tell you of, my dear Boy. I cannot wish you a better New 
 Year's wish than this, for it includes all things." 
 
 FROM Miss MARSH. 
 
 " BBCKENHAM, 25th July, 1856. 
 
 "Why should you expect the happiness and peace to go away, dear 
 Friend ? David says, ' Great peace have they that love Thy law, and 
 nothing shall offend them.' Expect great things of the LORD Jesus, and 
 you shall have them. He is not One Who loves to disappoint, but to do 
 ' exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think.' GOD bless you, 
 and keep you too close to Himself to lose the sunshine of His Presence. 
 
 " Sunday night, on the stroke- of Monday morning, With July. 
 
 "Oh yes, my dear Friend, I know it well changes and fluctuations 
 must come, but see to it that you lose not your present peace for want of 
 prayerful watching and careful walking. Let us be wise enough to seek 
 to avoid whatever would hide from us the sunshine of His countenance. 
 Whenever self comes up, even in His Service, it clouds it. So I am glad 
 you prayed not to be proud of the boy's tears. GOD bless that boy, and the 
 
 10
 
 146 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 heart that spoke to his heart. Remember, though, whatever was of you 
 in that influence will pass away; whatever was of GOD will stand. 
 
 " Now will you do something for me? That evening I spent in the 
 
 Hospitals with my sister and Mr. A , a beautiful boy of eighteen 
 
 was brought up from Hastings, who had been playing at ball with a 
 child near a blacksmith's shop. The blacksmith the Devil rather 
 ran out with a red-hot pointed instrument, and ran it through his 
 leg. . . . To-day he is to have an operation performed. He is in a little 
 room by himself, close by Whitehall, in the Westminster Hospital. 
 Will you go and see him ? " 
 
 "With this request Mr. Blackwood complied, although he went 
 several times up and down the steps of the Hospital before he could 
 summon up courage to go in. This was the beginning of a ministry 
 to the sick and dying, which was carried on through life. When 
 brought face to face with suffering and death in the Crimea, he had 
 realised with pain his inability to help the soul of a dying man. 
 Now ho rejoiced to tell of a Saviour Who had saved himself. 
 
 FROM Miss MARSH. 
 
 " CANTERBURY STATION, 1th August. 
 
 "Thank you for both your letters the longer one particularly de- 
 lighted me, with its graphic account of your disinclination to go for 
 your first hospital visit, and your repentance. 
 
 "But what have you been doing to lose your joy? or is it only the 
 hot weather? It is amazing how much weather does affect one's 
 spiritual joy ! One thing I never find alter, only one thing, the sense 
 of a Rock under my feet. Waves have gone over my head ; I have felt as 
 if every grain of love to my Saviour had left me, again and again, but I 
 never can doubt never have doubted His Love to me, since I first heard 
 of it, when I was a mere baby at my Mother's knee." 
 
 Mr. Blackwood has endorsed this letter with its date, and the 
 words, " Never having doubted Love." Such an experience had evi- 
 dently taken hold upon his mind. A later letter of Miss Marsh's 
 says : 
 
 " R went with me to see your boy in Westminster Hospital, who 
 
 does so love you, and speaks of GOD having blessed your visits to him, 
 praised be His Name ! He spoke as a real Christian, one who has 
 found Jesus. Oh, what a Finding!" 
 
 He had by this time begun to hold little meetings in the mews 
 behind his Father's house.
 
 SEEVICE AND SUFFERING 147 
 
 To HIS SISTER LUCY. 
 
 " TREASURY, Friday. 
 
 "Goo helped me mightily last night. About twenty people. Blessed 
 work in the Hospitals. My little Boy kneels down at his bedside every 
 evening and says his prayers, and says he means to go on with it, for it 
 'sets an example to the others.' He is eleven. 
 
 "I've written a long letter to the Brockmanns, telling them all 
 about my change, which I want you to see before I send it. 
 
 "GoD be with you, my darling, and give you a very happy Sabbath. 
 Give the dear Mother my love of loves, with 2 Ch. viii. 15, 16, and 
 1 Peter ii. 4, 5. I like them much, the first very much, the second as 
 explanatory." 
 
 To ANOTHER. 
 
 " TREASURY, Tuesday, 11 A.M. 
 
 "I must just write one line to you before my brains get muddled 
 with routine and red tape to tell you what has been on my heart about 
 you the last few days, and that is that I want you to exert yourself and 
 your energies to win souls for Christ. There must be work where you 
 are, and it is your duty, if you'll excuse my saying so. But why I want 
 you to do it is not only for the sake of others and for Christ's sake, as 
 for your own : it does give one such happiness, real heart-felt joy, to tell 
 others of that love of which we have such abundant proofs. ' Watering 
 you get watered,' and it is so, so true : and we are told to do it. 
 
 "It is not only 'the Spirit and the Bride' that say ' Come,' but 'he 
 that HEARETH' is to say 'Come.' We are now servants of GOD, our 
 names are in the Book of Life, we must tell His message to others. 
 What does it matter what people say of us ? What does it matter its 
 being awkward to begin ? As McCheyne says, ' Of what utter insignifi- 
 cance in ETERNITY will seem the little awkwardnesses of TIME?' Think 
 of that, and at once begin to labour in the Vineyard, and it will be 
 blessed to you abundantly ; though we may not see the fruit of our 
 labours here, though others may reap what we have sown, think of our 
 harvest in heaven. And think too how we shall regret the moments 
 wasted here that might have saved souls from Hell. 
 
 "Forgive my talking to you in this way, but I have found such 
 benefit to myself that I cannot but tell you. I know you will not mind 
 it. John iv. 28, 29, and 39." 
 
 In September, 1856, Mr. Blackwood was taken ill with rheu- 
 matic fever, the result, it was believed, of exposure in the Crimea. 
 Although, throughout the whole of his service in the East, he was 
 never laid up by so much as a day's real illness, all that he went
 
 148 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 through had secretly told upon even his magnificent strength. The 
 illness which now supervened was of a very grave nature, the 
 heart being seriously affected. The bald mention of the fact in his 
 DIAJRY OF DATES, is followed by the words, 
 
 "Rom. viii. 38, 39." 
 
 In October he was able to be moved, under the care of a Doctor, 
 to Osmaston, where, and at Lenton Lodge, he spent the remainder 
 of the year. He " felt that he owed much under GOD to the long 
 time of convalescence, and leisure for the study of the Word of 
 GOD." 
 
 To MR. GEORGE HANBURY. 
 
 " OSMASTON, 20th Nov., 1856. 
 
 " You say you do not feel that you are making progress in the love 
 of Christ. I am afraid that I must tell the same story; for every day 
 I am more and more sensible how weak, if even it has any existence, 
 is my love in proportion to my knowledge; and it is very trying and 
 disheartening to feel one's heart always so cold and dead. There is 
 nothing I feel I am more deficient in, and yet nothing I pray for more. 
 
 "Our natural heart is indeed a stony one, full of enmity (not only 
 dislike and estrangement, but enmity) against GOD, and until He Him- 
 self of His free Grace, puts 'a heart of flesh' into us, we cannot feel 
 anything else towards Him. 
 
 " I am however quite sure |that when He withholds from us any one 
 grace, it is only to perfect us in another; and what does this unquali- 
 fied desire for Love in our hearts bring forth more than Patience? 
 Patience to know that when He sees fit, He will fill us with Love 
 towards Him, will so POUR it into our hearts, that we shall indeed be 
 able to ' love the LORD our GOD with all our heart, and all our mind, 
 and all our strength.' 
 
 "I do lament most bitterly over my want of love and gratitude, 
 and the total insensibility that often fills my heart when even on my 
 kneeB, and it makes me feel daily more and more my own horrid 
 depravity of nature. But He who searcheth the heart knows our desires 
 and wishes, and though we may not be able to ask for it as we ought, 
 He still sees our inmost aspirations, and will as certainly satisfy them. 
 We cannot think that He would put desires into our souls which He 
 did not intend to gratify, and whom can they come from but Him ? He 
 has said that 'they who hunger and thirst after righteousness SHALL be 
 filled.' Let us then rely on His promise. 
 
 " I do not know about Hunting. If my Father gives me half a 
 dozen mounts in the course of the year, I don't think /should refuse
 
 SERVICE AND SUFFERING 149 
 
 them ; for I do not think that they would do me harm. My heart is 
 however deceitful, and I may be wrong. 
 
 " But one must consider also, whether it might do others harm or 
 not, and be a' rock of offence to them, and St. Paul lays down the law 
 very distinctly in that case. 1. Cor. viii. 13. 
 
 "It is a subject for consideration, and we'll talk it over when you 
 come. 
 
 " Nov., 1856. 
 
 " My recovery is making rapid progress. . . . Two to three o'clock 
 I devote to serious reading and prayer, and find it a great benefit. I 
 have an opportunity for that now which I never have at my office, 
 except perhaps a moment now and then. 
 
 " I have been led to think lately very much, on how much we ought 
 to seek to be really one with Him, as He is with the Father, for when 
 we once are within the circle of His glory, and holding on to Him as 
 our Redeemer and Justifier, His Righteousness so surrounds and over- 
 shadows us that GOD only sees us through that glorious light, and can 
 consequently look at us without offending His purity, for we are 
 then clothed with the righteousness of His Son which is imputed to us. 
 But without that oneness with Him, we are separate from Him, and 
 GOD will not, cannot behold us, for His eyes are too pure to behold 
 iniquity; and what are we, standing by ourselves? 
 
 " I am glad to say that I am enabled to hope, as you are, that my 
 love towards GOD is increasing, and that my ability and wish to pray, 
 my sense of sin and of His wondrous love and mercy are making 
 progress, though slowly. But I feel so very much how more than ever 
 necessary humility is, and how constantly we must bear in our minds 
 that verse, ' He must increase, but I must decrease ' ; for if we do but for 
 an instant think or flatter ourselves that we are increasing, it is the 
 work of the devil, and not of GOD. As surely as the love and knowledge 
 of Christ increases in our hearts, so surely must the conviction of our 
 own imperfections and shortcomings increase. Humility is the 
 Christian's highest grace, 'the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.' 
 Let us pray for it. 
 
 " LENTON LODGE, NOTTINGHAM. 
 
 "I also am continually beset by fears that I talk more religion than 
 I mean, and I am afraid, like you, of acquiring the religious phrase- 
 ology without the practice ; and it is, I feel sure, an error easy to fall 
 into, for it is so easy to talk religion, and when one is with religious 
 people so flattering to one's vanity to have the appearance of religion 
 which is so easily acquired. But do you not think that if we feel 
 inclined to, and do put our words into practice, we may without pre- 
 sumption conclude that it is not all Phraseology? Well, GOD only
 
 150 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 knows our hearts to the very bottom, and He will sift the unreal from 
 the real ; and we may be sure that if we go to Him, really desirous for 
 Him to search our hearts, and disclose the true state of the case to UB, 
 He will do so. I do so like that prayer of David's, 'Examine me and 
 know my thoughts ; try me and know my ways, and see if there be any 
 wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.' . . . Mark ii. 24." 
 
 To MR. ROWLAND SMITH. 
 
 " 19th Dec. LENTON LODGE, NOTTINGHAM. 
 
 "I think I must have now just got to that part in Boston which 
 caused you to doubt the reality of the work in yourself. It is where he 
 details the various and successive steps which the converted man takes, 
 and the changes that he undergoes, in the process of being broken off 
 from the old stock, and grafted into the new; and I cannot say that I 
 have been able to recognize them all as having taken place in myself; 
 but I do not think that that fact causes me to doubt that a saving 
 change has taken place. It does not in the least disturb the relation 
 of Christ to me, as a Saviour to a sinner; and if as a sinner I can rely 
 on, and cling to Him as a Saviour, I don't see why my not agreeing 
 with all the marks of conversion mentioned should make me disbelieve 
 the fact of my Salvation. 
 
 "Still I quite agree with Boston in thinking that every change he 
 has mentioned must take place in the believer; but because all have not 
 taken place in me, I do not doubt those which have. On the contrary, 
 it makes me more earnest for their fulfilment in me; and the comple- 
 tion of some teaches me to rely on the accomplishment of the rest. 
 
 " I was very much struck the other night by what a Mr. Dundas 
 said on 1. Pet. iv. 19. for he laid great stress on the necessity of not only 
 committing our souls to GOD, and trusting to His faithfulness, but also 
 on the necessity of doing it 'in well doing' ; and I felt that I had to 
 a certain extent been overlooking that, and that I had been rather 
 inclined to repose an indolent reliance on the finished work of redemption, 
 knowing that He was a 'faithful Creator,' and to pass over and put up 
 with, as a necessary evil of the bodily state, those worldly frames of 
 mind which are too apt to take possession of me, instead of being active 
 in fighting against sin in my heart and in the world around us. It 
 cannot be right with us, if we are thus ; for the result of a true faith is 
 not to indispose us for exertion or render it unnecessary, but on the 
 contrary to rouse us against sin, as that horrid thing that crucified our 
 dear Saviour, and as that which dishonours our Father." 
 
 To MR. GEORGE HANBURY. 
 
 " ALVA HOUSE, CLIFTON DOWNS, BRISTOL, 1st Jan., 1857. 
 "I am glad you prayed with him; it is an acquirement one should
 
 SERVICE AND SUFFERING 151 
 
 strive to obtain, and PRAY for, for such blessings are promised to United 
 Prayer, and it may help many a beginner or weak brother. 
 
 "If Satan never tries you with worse temptations than . . . you 
 may congratulate yourself on being more than human. GOD bless you. 
 3. Epist. John, 2nd verse." 
 
 To MR. ROWLAND SMITH. 
 
 " POLES, Sunday, \\th Jan., 1857. 
 
 " I do not quite understand the distinction you would make between 
 ' called ' and ' chosen.' I always looked upon ' called ' as applying to all to 
 whom the Gospel is preached, and not alone to those who are visited 
 with certain convictions. Oh, do not doubt that you are chosen ; and if 
 good works are the fruit of your faith, I think that you may then believe 
 with assurance. If it does not lead to works, as its inevitable conse- 
 quence, then say your faith is dead ; but if the belief of your being 
 chosen incites you to show your faith forth by your works, and to serve 
 and glorify your Father which is in Heaven, I think you will be able 
 to conclude from Scripture that your belief was not ill-grounded, but 
 that it was in truth saving faith. 
 
 "I trust that He is teaching me, for though the actual process is so 
 gradual and insensible, still when I compare the idea and knowledge 
 that I had of my own sin a year ago with that which I have now, I 
 certainly can see a difference ; and the sight of that which is already 
 apparent to me, a beginner, makes me think how profound must be 
 those depths which have yet to be revealed, and which, however long 
 one may live, one will never get to the bottom of." 
 
 To His MOTHER. 
 
 " 16th Jan., 1857, POLES. 
 
 "I have 10,000 arguments for you about election, but I cannot put 
 them into words, and it would take too long. I cannot conceive any- 
 body . . . holding the doctrine that it is unnecessary to do anything 
 ourselves, for that if we are destined to be saved, we shall be, and vice 
 versa. Why, Paul, when about to be shipwrecked, knew of a certainty 
 that all the crew would be saved, for GOD had told him so ; and yet he 
 said, 'Except these abide in the ship, ye 'cannot be saved.' What did 
 that mean, but that we are to use those means which GOD has given us ? 
 viz. : reading of the Word and prayer. 
 
 " I should say that anyone who thought that GOD would save him 
 without any exertion of his own, and relied upon some future time, was 
 at the time he held that doctrine without doubt a child of wrath, and 
 under sentence of condemnation. 
 
 "What does our Saviour, what do the Apostles mean by saying
 
 152 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 'work,' 'use all diligence,' 'labour earnestly'? Surely not that we are 
 to sit still. For if they do, words have no longer the same meaning. 
 
 " No doubt the first impulse must come from GOD, and so far it is 
 not in consequence of any exertions of our own : but it is vain for any- 
 one to say, 'It's no good my doing anything till I receive that impulse' ; 
 for how often do we not, and did we not receive it, long before we 
 obeyed it '? What were the serious thoughts that in spite of ourselves 
 would force themselves upon our minds? What the warnings against 
 sin, and the occasional thoughts of a future, but the Voice of GOD 
 speaking to our hearts, and entreating us to turn? We have received 
 the impulse again and again, but we have deliberately rejected it. You 
 can't give a person anything, unless he opens his hand to take it : you 
 cannot force it into his closed hand. So GOD does not force Salvation 
 upon us. Unless we open our hearts to receive it, He will not give it 
 us against our will. He does not say, 'I will give you without your 
 asking,' but He says, 'AsK, and ye shall receive.' Jesus doesn't break 
 open the door of a man's heart, and enter by force; but He stands at 
 the door and knocks, and He sa} r s, 'If any man hear My voice, and 
 open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with 
 Ale.' But there must be an act on our part : we must open the door. 
 Rev. 3. 20." 
 
 Some extracts from Miss Marsh's letters of this date, chiefly 
 bearing upon the condition of another, are so likely to be of service 
 to other young Christians, that they are here given. 
 
 " TEBLINO PLACE, ESSEX, 1th January, [1857.] 
 
 '"That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign 
 through Righteousness unto Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our 
 Lord.' 
 
 "What think you of that, dearest Friend, to save you from de- 
 sponding? Or this 'That where sin abounded, grace should much 
 more abound '? 
 
 "And when you are tired of the wonderful 5th of Romans, which 
 teaches us such cheering truth, look at the 7th, and do not be surprised 
 if you have a hard fight of it, for St. Paul had it after many a year 
 of devotion to his Master, body, soul and spirit. 
 
 "Please, will you add those two sets of mottoes which I sent you, 
 (my Father's and mine) to your daily prayer this year? and see if you do 
 not tell me by the end of the year that GOD has helped you through 
 them. 
 
 " My Father's (for the past) Psalm li. 9; for the present year, Psalm 
 li. 10. 
 
 "Mine (for the present year) 'May I be filled with faith and with
 
 SERVICE AND SUFFERING 153 
 
 the Holy Ghost'; and Heb. xii. 1, beginning at 'Let us lay aside,' etc. 
 (that last, especially} and oh, remember to take the first clause of verse 
 2, for there is everything in it ' Looking unto Jesus.' 
 
 " nth Jan., 1857. 
 
 "Health is not got by living amongst wounds, but by breathing 
 pure air, and getting nourished and strengthened by wholesome diet 
 and tonics, bitters, sometimes ! . . . I could not bear to see him going 
 back into the worldly coat of his old manners, for manner is such a 
 symptom of mind. 
 
 " BECKENHAM, 2CM January, [1857.] 
 
 " I know the ENEMY is so powerful, and he would so like to injure 
 your Peace, and Holiness, and Usefulness, and there is NOTHING of 
 which I cannot suspect him, and so I wanted to know that you had put 
 away all too pitying thoughts ; for they are dangerous, and might make 
 a little hoard, which Satan could draw upon in the future, to your 
 damage. ... I am contemplating the miserable fall of the heart, which 
 is the moral plague of a Christian's life. . . . 
 
 " Please let us both try to strengthen his hatred of sin, and our own. 
 Never to speak of it, but as it is, disgusting, degrading, polluting; and 
 as little as possible to speak of it at all. Never, excepting to do good, or 
 to get good. 
 
 "St. Paul said to those who had lived in all sorts of horrid sins, 'Be 
 ye wise concerning good, but simple concerning evil.' So then this 
 sweet Free Grace of GOD can renew the simple purity of Childhood's 
 mind ! 
 
 "That is included in these words, 'Let this mind be in you which 
 was also in Christ Jesus.' 
 
 "... It is not that I do not think my own sins as bad, or worse. 
 But they would not excite any others to wishing to commit the same, if I 
 were to tell them. It is the peculiar danger of the sins that most defile, 
 that they also most delude, by being spoken of under false names, and 
 with false colouring. But oh, to be free from all sin, like Jesus, and 
 with Jesus for ever I 
 
 ". 24Ufc Jan. [1857] 
 
 " I am set upon having a growing year are not you ? I WON'T 
 
 STAND STILL, STILL LESS WILL I GO BACK, BY THE GRACE OF GOD. The 
 
 Time is so short for everybody, and may be a mere stroke of the clock 
 for me. And Jesus is such a SAVIOUR to have done so little for. I 
 think over what I am what I have been what I am doing what I 
 have done, and say, 'Oh no, my LORD and Saviour, it won't do. Now to 
 be warmer, stronger, fuller, in Thy Love and Service. Thine, Thine 
 only all ivays, and ever.' "
 
 154 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 FROM MR. STEVENSON BLACKWOOD. 
 
 To One in Sickness. 
 " 53 UPPEB BROOK ST., GROSVENOR SQUARE, 8th February, 1857. 
 
 "Mv DEAR FRIEKD IN CHRIST. I have this morning seen my doctor, 
 who told me he had been with you, and that you were looking forward 
 to the Promised Land, which was almost in view. You have, I know, 
 found Christ, and He has been made unto you both Justification and 
 Sanctification, and now your own eyes will soon see Him face to face, 
 and being redeemed from all sin and pain and misery, will live for 
 ever in the glorious light of His countenance. What a future is be- 
 ginning for you ! . . . 
 
 u I have often thought of you and prayed for you, and have wished to 
 see you again; but a few days after I saw you last, it pleased GOD to 
 visit me with a very severe illness, which brought me very near to the 
 gates of death, and from which I am not yet entirely recovered ; but 
 it graciously pleased Him to make it a means of grace to my soul, and 
 I trust that His Holy Spirit has taught me much that I had to learn, 
 and lias brought me nearer to my Saviour. And now I am leaving 
 England for several months in search of health, so that I cannot see 
 you. I send you these glorious verses, Isaiah xliii. 1, 2. GOD bless 
 you, my dear Friend." 
 
 To MR. ROWLAND SMITH. 
 
 " BECKENHAM, KENT, 6th February, 1857. 
 
 " I start on Tuesday with my sister, who accompanies me to Rome. 
 Thus you see I am not left without a companion at last, but that I am 
 provided with one who is completely of, and to, my mind, and with 
 whom I am of one, mind; and I thank GOD for so ordering it for me. 
 I also have the pleasure of escorting Miss Marsh as far as Marseilles, 
 and I am looking forward very much to what I hope will be not only 
 a pleasant but a profitable journey. I hope by the time we meet again, 
 we may both have got much nearer to Jesus, by living more by faith 
 on Him, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. May we never rest satisfied, 
 but always seek more; and may GOD give us grace, zeal, energy and 
 courage to work for His glory, and may that odious 'self be by His 
 mighty power, taken out of our hearts."
 
 ITALY. 
 
 On the 10th February the party started. Following his usual 
 practice, Mr. Blackwood not only wrote lively letters home during 
 the tour, but also carried on his own Private Journal, the whole tone 
 of which bears witness to the depth and greatness of the change which 
 had taken place. A few extracts from both are given as indications 
 of character and tastes. 
 
 To Miss ANNE WRIGHT. 
 
 " PARIS, llth Feb., 1875. 
 
 "It's a dreadful thing coming back to the world again. After quiet 
 Osmaston, Lenton, Poles and Beckenham, this tumult and hurry and 
 glare and bustle of the world suits me not. It has a distracting deaden- 
 ing effect ; one is not so alive to the things that are unseen and eternal as 
 one wishes to be. How I wish I could live more by faith on the Son of 
 GOD. Do pray for me, that I may be kept by His mighty power." 
 
 JOURNAL. 
 
 "12th Feb. Thurs., At eleven went off in & fiacre to Notre Dame. Sat 
 on the box and had a long chat with the driver. Sensible, and acknow- 
 ledged the errors of the human church, and how much it had fallen 
 away from Christ's simplicity; condemned confession of adults, and 
 had evidently read a great deal of history, and had much general 
 knowledge. Could get no answer, though, as to his own sense of forgive- 
 ness of sins, though he assented to all one said. Believed in the Holy 
 Coat at Treves. Rather a rationalist in most things, but a superstitious 
 believer in the coat. 
 
 "13th Feb., Fri., Started at ten. Dispute with waiter about some 
 wood and some soap. Conquered in the matter of the wood, but as he 
 contemptuously offered to make me a present of the soap, and I wanted 
 to give him a tract, the good effects of which the acceptance of the soap 
 would do away with, I had to give in ! 
 
 (155)
 
 156 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Feb., Sunday, Marseilles, Went to the English Church. 
 Walked up with 'Auntie,' [Miss Marsh] to a very steep hill just above 
 the town, from whence we had a glorious view of Marseilles, the rugged 
 and lofty mountains which hem it in all round, and the bright Mediter- 
 ranean studded with islands and ships. Such a Sunday! Gave away a 
 few tracts, and one to a little boy in a red shirt, who had neither father 
 nor mother. Talked to him ; and on his saying he liked the tract, gave 
 him a testament and wrote the Soldier's Prayer in it, which he promised 
 to say every day, and never to lose his book. GOD grant that the words 
 contained in it may be the means of eternal life to him." 
 
 The next day Miss Marsh left for Cannes, whither she was bound 
 on visits to her friends, the Duchess of Gordon, and Sydney, Duchess 
 of Manchester, whilst Mr. Blackwood and his sister sailed for Civita 
 Vecchia. 
 
 JOURNAL. 
 
 ' 18th February, Wednesday. Landed. Started at ten. Walked up 
 the hills. Had a conversation with an Italian who had seated himself 
 on our box. Gave him ' The Sinner's Friend.' He was very grateful, and 
 much astonished at a gentleman speaking to him of these things. Gave 
 him a testament which he promised to keep and read. Was quite 
 touched by my taking his hand. When I said I hoped we should meet 
 in a better world, said that he hoped to repay me there the kindness I 
 had shown him here. Asked me my direction, in order to bring me 
 some fruit. The Word of GOD, pure and undefiled, is now in his hands ; 
 may it please Him also to put it into his heart. About eight miles from 
 Rome, saw the great Dome looming in the distance. . . . My friend left 
 me, saying, 'Alia revidenda.' Where may it be? 
 
 " 20th Feb., Friday. Set out for St. Peter's ... I am not disappointed ; 
 it has exceeded my expectations. It is grand beyond all I could have 
 conceived. 
 
 " 23rd Feb., Mon. To the Forum. . . . Wandered on by Arch of 
 Titus to Coliseum. . . . Walked, wandered, and wondered. Begin by 
 degrees to feel that I am in ancient Rome. . . . Had given a tract 
 yesterday to a negro sen-ant here, for which he was very grateful. Is 
 coming to prayers to-night. Gave him a couple of books." 
 
 To HIS PARENTS. 
 
 " CLUB, ROMA, 2Qth Feb. 
 
 " We are leaving Rome for some days for Frascati, where we found 
 a nice clean hotel, fine bracing air, and beautiful walks and scenery. 
 Oh ! it was such a relief to get out of the hot muggy streets of Rome 
 into the clear brightness of the country.
 
 ITALY 157 
 
 "Everybody is very civil here, and I could have any amount of 
 dinner-parties, etc. if I liked ; but they are advisable for neither body 
 nor soul. I can't tell you the relief it is to us to get out of the Eternal 
 City." 
 
 JOUBNAL. 
 
 "March 2nd, Mon. The dear Parents' wedding day. Hope they 
 are enjoying it as much as we are. . . . Wards came with two dear 
 little children. Got on ponies and started off for Tusculum. . . . 
 Climbed up to the Capitol, or where the Capitol had stood, now a heap 
 of stones, surmounted by a Cross. Magnificent view on all sides, even to 
 the sea, where we could descry the ships. The effects of light and 
 shade were beautiful, as every now and then a great mass of shadow 
 moved across the bright Campagna. At our feet lay Frascati, Canaldoli, 
 Monte Pacio, and numerous other villages, white and bright in the 
 sunshine, and the hoary Apennines stood out clear and sharp against 
 the deep blue sky." 
 
 To MR. ROWLAND SMITH. 
 
 " FRASCATI, March 2, 1857. 
 
 " We have to-day come back from a most charming ride to Tusculum, 
 so enchanted with the beauties of nature that we are content to forego 
 the pleasure of visiting the beauties of art for some time. The Carni- 
 val was at its height ; Eome full of English, of whom I knew a great 
 deal too many, and most things dear and bad. 
 
 " Mr. Forbes told me that it was impossible to do anything in Eome ; 
 that if one even attempted to give a tract to the waiter of our Hotel, it 
 would be in the Priest's hands in five minutes, and our passport in our 
 own, with an intimation that the air of Rome would not agree with us 
 any longer. He said that there were nevertheless indirect ways of 
 distributing Testaments, but even then, only with the greatest caution ; 
 so we have made over our stock into his hands ; and can now only pray 
 that it may please the Almighty to enlighten by His Holy Spirit the 
 hearts of those to whom they may be given. We had been much 
 warned against taking books into the Papal States, but managed to 
 smuggle in about a hundred, principally ' The Sinner's Friend,' and nine 
 Italian Testaments. 
 
 " I have had two or three opportunities of declaring Christ amongst 
 the English, but in almost all to whom I have spoken, I have found 
 such an inclination to the Church of Rome, that I really think there 
 must be something in the air of the place which is infectious. . . . 
 However with the help of GOD, I will not lose an opportunity of telling 
 them of the glorious free unconditional forgiveness of sins, through
 
 158 LIFE OF SIR ABTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Jesus Christ, in the hope and belief that it may please Him to make 
 me an instrument in His hands for good. 
 
 " I am so thoroughly convinced, both by what I have read and heard 
 of the experience of others, and also by what I have experienced myself, 
 of the wonderful way in which GOD is pleased to make use of even our 
 stray words, if spoken with faith in Him, to the consolation, strengthen- 
 ing and awakening of others, that I feel now it should be a duty always 
 to speak whenever one has an opportunity. I have often found that 
 words spoken by myself, sometimes without the slightest thought of 
 their being of use to anybody, have been just the very thing which they 
 needed at that time; so that I am sure that GOD does make use of us 
 to carry out His will. And when one thinks how even one word has 
 sometimes sunk into a sinner's heart, never to leave him till it has 
 brought him to the Saviour, one cannot be too much in earnest, or too 
 watchful for opportunities to strive to promote GOD'S glory." 
 
 To Mus. BLACKWOOD. 
 
 "Thank you, my very dearest Mummy, for telling me about poor 
 Bishop and his happy end. I am so thankful that you and I were 
 enabled to be of some help and use to him, by the grace of GOD. 
 
 "The more we trust and believe that He is able and willing to 
 satisfy all our longings, the more we shall honour Him, and the more 
 will He fill us with Himself. I daily see more that all time is wasted 
 that is not spent for Him, and that all things are loss, which do not 
 give us an increased knowledge of Him. Let us also trust Him for all 
 things, for He in faithful that promised." 
 
 JOURNAL, 
 
 " 3n/ March, Tuesday. Very cold. Did an hour's Hebrew in the 
 morning, and then walked down to the train. Regular East wind day, 
 bitterly cold, clouds of dust, and very high wind. Repented of ever 
 having set out, and determined that we could not at any rate stay in 
 Rome, even to see a hundred Coliseums lit up. Felt rather seedy and 
 very out of temper. . . . Angry with the waiter . . . but it's ridiculous 
 to be angry about it. Sorry afterwards. Back by train to Frascati. 
 Glad to get back to our charcoal fire, and sorry we had ever been out. 
 Know better next time the Tramontana blows." 
 
 In a letter written to " the Aunts " at Lenton, his sister says : 
 
 " ALBANO, 12th March, 1857. 
 
 " Dearest Stevie is indeed ' kept ' by the power of GOD very near Him- 
 self, and often stirs me up by his earnest seeking after more faith and
 
 ITALY 159 
 
 love, and by his delight in reading and searching the Scriptures, and his 
 tenderness of conscience about sin. It is so touching to see his sorrow 
 if he feels he has, by any careless word or deed, grieved his loving 
 Saviour. I often feel about him just as Miss Marsh expressed herself 
 in a letter to me. ' I often wonder I have not got my Saviour to do as 
 much for me in as many years as He has for him in so many months.' 
 He has deeply felt being unable to do anything for the poor people 
 amongst whom we are. 
 
 "In the morning at prayers we are going through Deuteronomy, and 
 read to-day the 17th chapter. Stevie liked the latter part of v. 16. ' Ye 
 shall henceforth return no more that way,' for it seemed to him, he said, 
 not only a command, but a blessed promise." 
 
 To His MOTHER. 
 " Sunday Evening, 15th March, 1857, BOMB. 
 
 "I can have no pleasanter, and I am sure no more profitable occu- 
 pation to myself, my dearest Mother, than in having a few words of 
 chat with you upon those subjects which by the grace of GOD now 
 occupy both our hearts. What a comfort it is when we are separated, 
 to know and feel that whatever distance may divide us, we are still one 
 in Him. No time, no space can annihilate that union ; no earthly or 
 even devilish power can ever destroy it ; for once Christ's, always 
 Christ's. ' No man shall pluck them out of My Father's Hand.' 
 
 "What is more dishonouring to GOD than to think that, after having 
 given His only Son to shed His precious Blood for us, and His Holy 
 Spirit to tell our hearts of that blood-shedding, He will be unable or 
 unwilling to keep us, and will ever let us fall away again ? Oh, never 1 
 He is able to keep that which He has purchased by His Son's Blood, 
 and which, by the teaching of His Spirit, we have been led to commit 
 to Him, until the last day. The more we feel convinced of our redemp- 
 tion through Christ being complete and finished, and of our adoption 
 into the family of GOD having been consummated, the more shall we 
 feel bound by every tie of love and gratitude and duty to live as those 
 should who have been washed in the Blood of the Lamb, and as the 
 Epistle for to-day expressed it, 'Walk as children of light.' 
 
 "And how ways of work for Him seem to be opening for you, with 
 that lady in the Consumption Hospital, and the stall women. Who was 
 it that put the latter into your head? I think it is such a nice plan, 
 and mean to pray GOD especially to bless your endeavours. I have often 
 felt both for the physical and spiritual disadvantages of the poor old 
 women, and am so glad to hear of your beginning to work amongst 
 them. I think you must have a great deal of courage to speak to them 
 in the middle of the crowded street, with the passers-by hearing what
 
 160 LIFE OF SIR AKTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 you say ; but Paul ' spake the word boldly,' and the same Spirit that 
 worked in him, worketh also in us, and will give us, I trust, the same 
 courage, and the same zeal. I hope you may see some fruits of your 
 labours ; but do not be discouraged if you do not. GOD, I am sure, 
 sometimes tries us by withholding from us the outward comfort of see- 
 ing immediate results, for various reasons; and it is only of His great 
 mercy that He ever allows us to see them. Yet we can never tell what 
 may not be the ultimate result. And if it leads us to trust less in 
 ourselves, and more in Him, and to look away from ourselves as the 
 instruments, to the Holy Spirit as the Agent, it has, at any rate, one 
 sensible result. I hope, when you have time, you will tell us how you 
 get on, and all your hopes and fears, for your letters do give us such 
 real pleasure." 
 
 JOURNAL. 
 
 " \1th March, Tuesday. To St. Peter's. . . . Beautiful warm, and 
 yet not close day. Ascended the dome. Wonderful ! It is there one 
 first understands the enormous size of the dome, and sees what a great 
 part of the whole church it is. Got higher and higher until we at 
 last stood in the Palla, and looked the whole depth down to the pave- 
 ment. A thrilling sight. We went round the Balcony. Had a most 
 glorious view of Rome and the surrounding country. It moved one of 
 our party even to tears." 
 
 To HIS FATHER. 
 104 VIA DEL BABUINO. Tuesday, llth March, 1857. 
 
 "As my dearest Father will probably be very jealous at the long 
 and private letter which my Mother received from me a few days ago, 
 he shall have this one all to himself, and not communicate any of its 
 contents, if he doesn't like. 
 
 "All this afternoon I have been going about with H. S. looking for 
 horses ; for on Friday the hounds meet near the tomb of Cecilia 
 Metella on the Appian Way; and we are going to see what sort of 
 thing it is like. I have had the most amusing descriptions of it given 
 me. They find the foxes sitting like hares. The fields are divided by 
 strong posts and rails four bars high. The only man who jumps over 
 
 them is a Mr. K . We have found a couple of horses, which will do 
 
 to have a canter on; and I expect it will be rather good fun. 
 
 "Last night we had a bit of dissipation. The Miss Burnabys 
 wrote to Louie telling her that there was a new Cardinal's reception 
 at the Palazzo di Venezia, the Austrian Embassy, and that everybody 
 in evening dress was admitted. We therefore got ourselves up quite 
 genteelly, and went at nine. Bands were playing outside. Tli- whole 
 exterior was illuminated, and everything very grand. We went up-
 
 ITALY 161 
 
 stairs, feeling dreadfully small as, amongst the hosts of Principessas' and 
 Marchesas' grandiliquent names, our names were shouted out by four 
 successive chasseurs, with an effect very much resembling ' Mackerel,' 
 but no more like our aristocratic cognomina than chalk is like cheese. 
 However in we went, and found ourselves surrounded with a blaze of 
 diamonds and uniforms. . . . Being there, we determined to stay and 
 see what we could. I made my bow to the host and hostess, M. and 
 Mme. Colleredo, who kindly said they remembered me in London ; and 
 then walked through the rooms, where I found several friends, made 
 a bow to the new Cardinal a benevolent-looking white-haired old man 
 and were pointed out the celebrities, amongst whom was Cardinal 
 Antonelli, the Pope's Prime Minister. The jewels were magnificent, 
 the beauty very moderate, but the whole effect very pretty; and after 
 staying there for three quarters of an hour, we returned home, pro- 
 portionately gratified." 
 
 A later letter says : 
 
 "Oh ! I've never told you about my hunt. H. S. and I, having pro- 
 cured some antique-looking carriage 'osses, set out one hot and dusty 
 morning, with the ground like a brick, for the appointed place, about 
 five miles from Rome on the Appian Way, where we arrived about 
 11.30. I had a pair of spurs, and H. a whip, and we felt that if a fox 
 were found, both would be needed. The field consisted of about thirty, 
 principally Italian Princes, some of them very respectably got up, and 
 with very sportsmanlike seats on thoroughbred English horses: a very 
 neat little pack of hounds with an English huntsman and whip. 
 Several ladies and a great many carriages were present. A few regular 
 Cockneys in lavender kid gloves, low shoes and straps were also there, 
 who looked as if they meant riding. A tent was pitched, but whether 
 it contained luncheon, or a surgeon with his apparatus, I know not. 
 The fields were large, and covered with big stones, sharp and angular, 
 of the size of a hat-box, which it looked certain death to ride over. 
 For the posts and rails we had no fear, for a man who looked like an 
 earth-stopper, probably a descendant of Scipio's, was with us on a 
 shaggy pony, armed with saw, axe and bill-hook, whose services were 
 constantly put into requisition, and who did wonderful execution in 
 demolishing the timber. We drew a few fields blank, and at last a fox 
 was hollaed away from a ruined temple, and H. and I dug our heels in, 
 and galloped for our lives ; but .we found that wasn't the correct thing 
 to do, for at the end of the second field the fox was killed, and on 
 looking back we saw the gentlemen-sportsmen hadn't moved out of a 
 walk. So the next fox, which was lost after a ten minutes' scurry, we 
 took our time about, and by staying behind, saw all the fun, and 
 nearly lost our seats from laughter. 
 
 11
 
 162 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " The next one we determined to follow the same course with, but 
 being in the same field with the hounds when they found, I couldn't 
 resist the temptation to do a little riding on my own account; and so, 
 
 in company with Mr. K , the huntsman, and another venturesome 
 
 Cockney like myself, put my best leg foremost, and cramming my 
 unfortunate charger somehow or other over a couple of four foot stone 
 walls, found that we had it all to ourselves, and we really had a very 
 pretty twenty-five minutes without a check, best pace. Across the 
 Campagna we went, past ancient temples, under the arches of ruined 
 aquaducts, and over deep ravines till at last we came in view, and after 
 a five minutes' course, pulled the fox down in the bed of a brook, and 
 not a bit too soon either; for the charger was done, and dead lame too, 
 and no wonder, for if you imagine Oxford Street with the paving up, 
 and in a state of repair, you'd have an idea of what we had been 
 galloping over. The other Cockney asked the huntsman for the brush, 
 observing to me in tones that smacked of Cheapside, 'One likes to have 
 a brush that one's ridden for, Sir! Eh, Sir!' I agreed with him, and 
 accordingly got the fore pads, which I shall have made into handles for 
 paper knives. 
 
 "Having then had enough, and sufficiently immortalized myself, 
 we jogged home, feeling that what we had done was completely in 
 character with the spirit in which we ought to see Rome." 
 
 [ENCLOSURE.] 
 
 " For the Mother." 
 
 " I shall be so glad to get home to England, and settle down to some 
 regular work for our Master. It certainly has a deadening effect, the 
 being shut out from all spiritual communion of any kind; and though 
 one ought to be independent of these outward aids, still one falls very 
 far short of that. 
 
 " I feel I am living far below the mark. The glory of GOD is not my 
 object, my one sole aim, as it should be. I often feel reluctant to pray, 
 and can say no more than the Publican's prayer; and then doubts come 
 into my mind, and I think that because I feel so little, that my title to 
 Heaven and to pardon is not safe. But oh ! thanks be unto GOD for 
 His unspeakable gift, it is not so. ' While we were yet without strength, 
 Christ died for the ungodly.' He LOVED us, 'even when we were dead in 
 sins.' ' He came not to call the righteous, but SINNERS to repentance.' 
 Wondrous fact, my claim to His love is that I AM a sinner. Oh ! my 
 darling Mother, may we both have such faith given us from Him that 
 we may be enabled to trust on Him more humbly, more implicitly 
 every day ; and may we count all things as loss for the excellency of 
 the knowledge of the love of Christ. Ps. 119. 25 is the one you ask 
 me for."
 
 ITALY 163 
 
 JOUENAL. 
 
 " March 18, Wednesday. 
 
 "To 8. Pietro in Vinculi. Saw Michael Angelo's Moses, which, 
 remembering where, and part of what a colossal structure it was to 
 have been, I admired very much, not as a representation of Moses, 
 but as an impersonation of the stern grandeur of the Law." 
 
 To THE MISSES WRIGHT. 
 
 " ROME, 19th March, 1857. 
 
 "We have begun a mid-day reading as a means of a break in the 
 day, and are going through Isaiah, which I hope we shall be able to 
 continue. . . . We have been up to the top of St. Peter's, a wondrous, 
 wondrous, oh ! a wondrous sight ; down into subterranean caverns, 
 once Golden Palaces of the Emperors ; through Picture Galleries, Halls 
 of Sculpture, Museums containing things 2000 years old, a Library with 
 copies of the 1st Septuagint and 1st Greek Testament, Henry Sth's tract 
 against Luther, etc. This will give you an idea." 
 
 To HIS PARENTS. 
 
 " ROME, Monday evening, 30th March, 1857. 
 
 " It's my turn to write to you, my very dearest Parents. Our stay at 
 Rome is over. ... I am looking forward to enjoying the blue sky and 
 sea of Naples, where the beauties are the works of GOD. . . . An hour in 
 the colossal grandeur of St. Peter's, amid the ruins of the Coliseum and 
 Forum, or an evening's walk on the Pincian Hill to see the sun's last 
 rays shining over the city, have caused me more real enjoyment than 
 all the rest of Rome put together. 
 
 " One day we made a most charming excursion for two or three 
 miles along that wonderful street of Tombs, the Via Appia, and pic- 
 nicked at the Fountain of Egeria. It was a warm day, with yet suffi- 
 cient masses of clouds to render the distant Alban Hills and Apennines 
 as variegated in their colors as a piece of mosaic ; and if you had seen us 
 sitting under the shady ilexes of the Sacred Wood, and at one moment 
 enjoying the view, and at another paying most delicate attentions 
 to the champagne and cold fowl, you would have thought we enjoyed 
 ourselves very well indeed. . . . We did very much long for you, for we 
 had great fun. While Lucy made a sketch of an aquaduct and the 
 Tomb of Cecilia Metella, S. and myself employed ourselves most profit- 
 ably in cutting away at some sticks from the Circus of Romulus, which 
 I hope to bring home. We both have a weakness for sticks, and both an 
 eye for them ; and I can assure you that I have got some stunners, with 
 such knobs, which when polished up will form most capital souvenirs 
 of the places we have seen."
 
 164 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 To THE MISSES WRIGHT. 
 
 " Vesuvius far exceeded my expectations, and is the grandest 
 thing I have ever seen. I cannot describe it. All the battles, with the 
 din of cannon, and the ground shaking with the tramp of horses, fell far 
 short of this wondrous scene. I shall never forget it. We read the 29th 
 Psalm together, and indeed felt that our GOD was a mighty GOD." 
 
 To HIS PARENTS. 
 
 " April llA, Saturday. 
 
 " Left Salerno at 7.45 for Psestum, a drive of three and a half hours. 
 Reached it at eleven. Declining the offers of numerous beggars and 
 guides, we carried our basket into the largest Temple, that of Neptune, 
 and after a cursory glance round the ruins, bestowed a longer and far 
 more searching one on the basket, which ended in our making some 
 curious excavations, and discovering some objects which fully repaid 
 our search, in the shape of sundry cold fowls, hard eggs, and bottles of 
 Marsala. Having discussed them in a true antiquarian spirit, and 
 much impressed with the solemnity and grandeur of the stupendous 
 ruins, Louie and I read a little, and we then wandered about indepen- 
 dently. L. and I sketched. I found an old man who was making rush 
 baskets for cheeses, and tried to speak a word or two to him, but his 
 great anxiety was to know, as far as I could make out, if we made 
 cream cheeses the same way as he did. He said he knew Jesus had 
 died for his sins. GOD grant he may feel it too. Walked about the 
 walls and temples of this ruined city, at least 2500 years old, and which 
 was built when Hezekiah was King of Judah. The temples are cer- 
 tainly grand and majestic in their simplicity and colossal size; but 
 they are neither so big, nor do they impress me as I expected. We 
 left at two, and reached Amalfi at 10.30, and obtained lodgement at 
 the ' Moon,' formerly a Convent, with a picturesque cloister, and cut- 
 throat looking hosts. Were not sorry to go to bed." 
 
 To MR, GEORGE HANBURY. 
 
 "IBCHIA, April 2Oth, 1867. 
 
 "Though one naturally experiences a selfish feeling of annoyance, 
 on hearing that one by one, one's friends are all getting married, and 
 are thus lost to one for a friend is no longer one in the true sense of 
 the word, when once he is married, yet I must tell you that by far 
 the preponderant idea in my mind was one of pleasure that you had so 
 good a chance of being happy as your letter of 3rd announced to me. 
 I expected as much . . . and do not at all expect to see you here in the 
 capacity of a rejected suitor. I hope that your next letter will tell me 
 that all is happily and satisfactorily arranged.
 
 ITALY 165 
 
 "Be on your watch against the devil, my boy. Pray without 
 ceasing. One cannot know his wiles and crafts and deceits, and one is 
 only safe when one is looking to GOD for help against him. He so 
 continually makes earthly happiness such a snare ; but oh ! do not 
 let the thoughts of a temporal love, pure though it be, for one instant 
 diminish aught of your love to Him Who loves you, and gave Himself 
 for you. It is easy enough for me to say this, I know : whilst all the 
 time I am feeling how weak, how insignificant my love is; but I do 
 most earnestly desire its increase, both for you and for myself, and 
 dread therefore lest anything should come between us and Christ. . . . 
 
 "I have been lately reading some Lectures on Prophecy, which 
 have given me quite a new hope. I had always fancied that the end 
 of the world must, from the fact of so many prophecies having yet to 
 be fulfilled, be necessarily far far distant ; and pictured myself dying, 
 and sleeping, or at any rate not in full enjoyment of heaven for many 
 thousand years until the end of the world. But these Lectures most 
 clearly, as I think, prove that those prophecies which I always thought 
 must be first fulfilled, need not, and indeed will not be so, until after 
 Christ's Second Coming ; that His Second Coming is not the last day, 
 the Great Day when the Books shall be opened, but the beginning of 
 the Millenium; and that it may take place any day. They prove that 
 the first Christians were in that attitude of expectation which such a 
 belief would naturally cause. 
 
 "This has explained much that was before dark to me; and I now 
 see what a different effect upon the lives of believers such an expecta- 
 tion must have. If we believe that at any moment, the heavens may 
 open, and He may appear in glory, bringing His saints with Him, and 
 that we shall be changed, surely then we shall live as He told us to do. 
 We shall watch as servants for the coming of our LORD. 
 
 " But I must give you some account of our doings. . . . We intend 
 to leave to-morrow for Naples. We have had a most pleasant trip of 
 a fortnight. I have taken the prayers morning and evening, which at 
 first was nervous work ; but which is very good for one, and I trust 
 may have been good for others too. I saw this morning a verse in Job 
 for the first time, which I commend to your notice, ch. xlii. 10. May 
 we all make it our stedfast purpose to know but one thing, 'Jesus 
 Christ, and Him crucified.' 
 
 ' Faith, my Saviour, in Thee 
 Is the substance of all my request.' " 
 
 JOUENAL. 
 
 "27th April, Monday [1857] Naples. Up at six, which if possible I 
 mean to continue. Did an hour's music before breakfast, and began a 
 new plan of writing down heads for prayer. Tremendous wind all the
 
 166 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 evening. Duetts, and read ' The million-peopled City.' The Post-Office 
 and Omnibus men take the greatest hold on my interest. 
 
 "1st May. Up, I am sorry to say, at 6.30. A bad beginning for the 
 new month." 
 
 This habit of early rising was now felt by Mr. Blackwood to be 
 of incalculable importance. The practice in his case was certainly 
 not the result of inclination nor of natural disposition. In speaking 
 of a rather later period, his Wife says : 
 
 "In those early years he suffered much from the effects of the fever 
 and severe illness in 1856, and getting up early was very difficult, the 
 languor and lassitude were so great; but he had all sorts of contrivances 
 to insure his not sleeping after six o'clock, so that he should have time 
 alone with GOD before he went out. At that time he used to ride before 
 breakfast, but afterwards he took to walking, when he could think and 
 pray. He always said the day never could go well in any way unless 
 he had thus early received strength and help from the Word of GOD, and 
 had been alone with Him before he had to do with others." 
 
 Long afterwards, when this intercourse with GOD heart to heart, 
 had been exchanged for the fellowship which is face to face, it was 
 said by one who had known him intimately as friend and pastor, that 
 never but once had he felt himself to be unwelcome, and that was 
 when Sir Arthur had wanted to be alone with GOD. 
 
 JOURNAL. 
 
 " 1st May [1857] Went to the Duke of ; where the Prince of 
 
 Syracuse and the King of Bavaria were invited. Very pleasant party. 
 Prince of Syracuse a capital sculptor, and the artist of the beautiful 
 Angel in grey marble in the Museum, a fat bearded fair German-looking 
 man. King of Bavaria looked about thirty-five, slender, dark, hairy, 
 and very short-sighted. The Duchess introduced me to lots of people . . . 
 and I should have enjoyed the novelty and beauty of the scene if I had 
 not felt that one was led into sins of thought, manner, and words in a 
 way which a ' pilgrim in this world ' should not do. I was sorry that I 
 went, and have learned that I cannot go with impunity. 
 
 "2ndMay,Sat. UpatG.15. Went to the . Miss inthemidst 
 
 of her singing lesson. In consequence of a remark she had made to Mrs. 
 
 about my going to the Duke of , was led into an explanation, or 
 
 rather condemnation of my own conduct, which I trust may have had 
 no bad effect on her."
 
 ITALY 167 
 
 FROM HIS SISTER TO "THE AUNTS." 
 
 " FLORENCE, May 6, 1857. 
 
 " You will want to hear about Stevie. The Lord is indeed instructing 
 and teaching him, shewing him, I think, more and more of his own 
 heart, but never leaving him to himself; giving him a very tender 
 conscience about sin, and increasing views of the beauty of Jesus. It 
 does seem wonderful to me, the way in which the Spirit's light has 
 shined in so short a time upon all the ins and outs of his daily walk, 
 thus enabling his conduct and conversation [to be so consistent. I 
 know dearest S. feels how slow he is in learning, and how continually 
 and deeply he is humbled by the sin that dwelleth in him ; and it is 
 indeed a cause for thankfulness that to himself he is made to decrease, 
 while others see the power and love of Jesus perceptibly increasing in 
 him." 
 
 Leaving Florence, they reached Wiesbaden, where Mr. Blackwood 
 had been ordered to take a course of the waters, on 19th May. On 
 board the boat between Naples and Leghorn, he had " had some talk 
 to the Engineer, lent him ' Earthly Care a Heavenly Discipline,' and 
 gave him a ' Sinner's Friend ' in Italian, to make use of, if possible." 
 At Pisa " gave a ' Sinner's Friend ' to the guide at the Campanile " ; 
 and again on the boat from Arona, he " had very nice chat with the 
 Swiss Engineer," to whom he afterwards wrote from Wiesbaden. 
 Many copies of "The Sinner's Friend" were thus quietly given 
 away. 
 
 On the day of arrival at Wiesbaden, the Journal says : 
 
 "Saw the rooms that Aunt H. and Ceci had in 1855;" and a few 
 days later, "Read with Louie in garden, whilst she made a sketch of 
 the rooms Ceci had lived in." 
 
 On the same 19th May, according to Mr. Blackwood's DIARY OP 
 DATES, he " gave up smoking." His reasons are detailed in a letter 
 of that date. 
 
 " I have at last arrived at a point and a decision which you had 
 already reached in November last, and which I then did not see the 
 necessity of namely to give up smoking. For the last four years I 
 have never smoked much, a cigar a day being generally the maximum, 
 and sometimes not even a cigar a week for some time, and I thought 
 that I might without injury to myself and others occasionally indulge 
 in an afternoon weed ; and the more so as I did not feel that it would 
 cost me much to give it up. But I have lately begun to look at it in 
 another light ; and though I do not condemn it as wrong in the slightest
 
 168 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 degree, am nevertheless impelled to give it up, from the conviction that 
 it conveys a wrong impression to the minds of others. . . . 
 
 "Would it not have an unfavourable effect if, smelling of tobacco, 
 one were to sit down to read GOD'S Word by the side of some sick or 
 dying man? It might also be a stumbling block to others; and thus 
 on several grounds, all of which no doubt combined to cause you to 
 relinquish the habit, I have also decided to give it up. It is moreover 
 a small opportunity for self-denial. 
 
 " I have been dipping into Chalmers' Life lately, and in consequence 
 of a passage I read there, was led to think on the following subject 
 whether in one's attempts to do good to others, we should advise 
 them to give up worldly amusements and carnal pleasures. Hitherto 
 I have always thought not; and when speaking casually to anybody 
 have generally said, that I never should advise them to give up any- 
 thing of that kind, on another's recommendation, but to wait till they 
 were enabled themselves to see the evil of them ; that the first thing 
 was to believe, and that if that was done in truth, the other thing would 
 follow as a matter of course. But I am now not quite so sure that that 
 is proper advice to give. In the first place / know what is right, and 
 yet counsel them to go on doing what is wrong till they also see the 
 error of it. (When I say right and wrong, I am talking' of those worldly 
 pleasures which are in direct opposition to GOD'S Word, as being the 
 ' things of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the 
 pride of life,' and therefore wrong without a doubt.) 
 
 "In one's wish to commend Christianity to others, as not being the 
 severe (?) hard uncharitable faith which some say it is, one is often apt 
 to be too lax in giving one's opinion as to right and wrong, even when 
 one has no doubt of it oneself; but surely the true Christian, whose 
 only rule of life in things both great and small is his Heavenly Father's 
 will, cannot draw too strict a line of demarcation between the evil and 
 the good. If we allow a lower line of conduct than the Bible does, as 
 the method calculated in our opinion to be more successful in con- 
 verting sinners, we are setting ourselves up as judges of GOD, and 
 taking credit to ourselves for being more charitable than He is. 
 
 "Secondly, as regards those whom we may be addressing: Is it not 
 a wise counsel to tell them to cease to do evil, learn to do well? not to 
 humour and please them by saying that such a thing may be right or 
 wrong, but to tell them plainly that according to the law of GOD, by 
 which we shall be judged, it is wrong f And why should we tell them 
 not to fulfil GOD'S commands until they can judge of the correctness of 
 them themselves? Should we not rather say, 'These are the com- 
 mands of God. You are told to keep them; it will be a step in the 
 right direction if you endeavour to do so; and you are much more 
 likely to find His promises realized, if you thus obey Him, though you
 
 ITALY 169 
 
 may not be able to see at present how necessary it is to do so.' 
 Chalmers quotes these two texts upon the subject, 'If any man will 
 do His Will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of GOD,' (John 
 7. 17), and 'To him that ordereth his conversation aright, will I show the 
 Salvation of GOD ' ; (Ps. 50. 23), and in my portion of this morning, there 
 is an example of the way in which obedience was rewarded. Matt, 
 xxviii. 9, where, as the women were in the way of the command, doing 
 that which they were ordered to do, ' Behold, Jesus met them.' And 
 thus I am sure it often will be. Those who honour GOD by endea- 
 vouring, however weakly, to fulfil His commandments, He will 
 honour and help, by meeting them half-way, and revealing Himself to 
 them. Should we not use this as an inducement to others, and instead 
 of saying, 'First prove to yourself that the commandment is just, and 
 binding on you particularly, and then obey it,' say, ' Obey it as GOD'S 
 Word simply, perhaps even blindly at first, and you will not lose your 
 reward ' ? 
 
 "Tell me your ideas on this subject; I should be glad to know 
 them. Mine are not assertive, but interrogative." 
 
 JOUENAL. 
 
 "May 22, Friday, 1857. Twenty-five years old. I have now lived a 
 quarter of a century. I wonder whether I shall see another. I hope 
 if it be GOD'S Will, that I may be enabled to spend twenty-five years in 
 His service as I have already passed twenty-five, or nearly so, in the 
 service of sin. 
 
 " May 24, Sunday. Read Life of Chalmers. Oh ! for the quickening 
 power of the Spirit. I am miserably cold and dull. I want to be filled 
 with the love of Christ. GOD grant I may be more earnest in my desire 
 and search after Him. 
 
 " 1st June, Monday. I would this morning make a record of my 
 besetting sins, in order that there may be no self-deception on that 
 point, and that by the help of GOD, I may be enabled to fight against 
 them more systematically, and by reference to this record, once a 
 month, ascertain my spiritual state in reference to them; and may 
 this record be a means of humbling me if I find I have made no way 
 against them ; and if I find that I have made any progress may I be 
 kept from pride, and attribute the victory and glory to the grace of 
 GOD which worketh in me. . 
 
 " O GOD, enable me to be watchful and careful, strict in my self- 
 examination, and do Thou search me Thyself, and see if there be any 
 wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting, for Thy Son's 
 sake." 
 
 On 16th June the travellers reached home.
 
 CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 " The truest insight into the mind of a man is that afforded by 
 his private letters spread over a long period. Biographies show 
 merely an image refracted by the medium through which it is trans- 
 mitted. Autobiographies are trustworthy only within narrow limits 
 of time ; for who can step back into the past, and accurately recal 
 feelings since quickened, dulled, or perhaps inverted? In letters, 
 written at the moment, written too with no purpose but to convey 
 the fresh impulses of the mind, character lies bare." 
 
 To MR. GEORGE HANBDRY. 
 
 " TREASURY, 24tA June, 1857. 
 
 "I can't tell you how extremely glad I was to arrive just in time 
 to see you married. I would not willingly have missed it, and look 
 upon it, though still to a certain extent depriving me ol' a friend, as 
 a most auspicious commencement to the as it were new life I am 
 beginning; for as such I look upon it. 
 
 "This is, as it were, a starting afresh, clear and with no encum- 
 brances. What a life of liberty it is indeed, to feel that instead of being 
 torn asunder by a thousand conflicting interests, instead of being 
 slaves to the world and the devil, which we were, we have one Master, 
 even our loving Saviour. 
 
 "I dined with Chapman on Monday, where I met Gurney, and we 
 read Luke xv., and then Rom. vi., as a commentary upon it. We have 
 organized a Reading for Tuesday evenings. To-night I dine with 
 Rowland Smith, and we have a dual debate upon prophecy, as regards 
 the Millenium, afterwards. 
 
 "As yet I am not able to strike out any decided line of work for 
 myself, for I am hardly settled, and find that I have more than enough 
 to do amongst my own class. I hope I have commenced a weekly 
 Bible Reading with M . 
 
 "On Sunday Anstruther, R. Smith, and Bob L. (S. F. Guards) and 
 (170)
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 171 
 
 myself met at Mr. Goodhart's for the evening Service and Communion, 
 and it was very nice. 
 
 " I have had a very nice chat with my dear Father, who most 
 kindly and affectionately said he hoped I should act entirely according 
 to my own views with regard to society, though he could not help 
 feeling mortified by my giving it up so entirely. . . . 
 
 " I recur to our old plan of sending each other a verse. Isaiah xlix. 
 10." 
 
 The opportunities so humbly sought and so faithfully used were 
 now continually granted to his eager desire. 
 
 One morning, in the Park, he met with a ragged one-armed man, 
 in great distress. Mr. Blackwood succeeded in placing him at one of 
 the crossings in Mount Street ; and in the lodging which he found 
 for him, a little meeting was begun, attended by the very poor who 
 lived in the neighbouring attics, or were gathered in by the crossing- 
 sweeper. The man himself, although for a time apparently satisfac- 
 tory, eventually, to Mr. Black wood's great disappointment, returned 
 to his old habits. But the meeting continued. The London City 
 Missionary of the District heard of it, and helped; and for about ten 
 years it was held weekly in other quarters in the street, and was the 
 means of help to many. 
 
 "Certainly," say the NOTES, "it was a source of great spiritual profit 
 to myself, inasmuch as it compelled me to search the Scriptures, with a 
 view to explaining them to others, in a more thorough way than I had 
 ever yet done." 
 
 He had already given some attention to Hebrew, and now began 
 a more regular study of the language. " Commenced Hebrew," his 
 DIABY OF DATES says in August. In October the following notes 
 occur : 
 
 "Began Readings in Westminster Hospital, Brompton, and Mrs. 
 Clarke's. First Speech at Boatman's Chapel." 
 
 To MR. GEORGE HANBURY. 
 
 " TREASURY, 10th July, 1857. 
 
 " I have been dreadfully busy at this shop of mine, and have had no 
 time for writing. 
 
 " Our Readings at Chapmans have been going on most satisfactorily. 
 I am going to meet them, Macgregor, etc., at Poles to-morrow for the 
 tea-drinking of the Refuge boys. Yesterday I rode down with Bob to
 
 172 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Mr. Goodhart's, who is a dear old man, and asked us to come down some 
 Saturday evening, and spend it with him. 
 
 " I spend my day in a most regular manner. Up every morning at 
 six. Reading till 7.30. Music till 8.30. Hebrew four days a week till 
 9.30, and the other two, reading Ezekiel with my sister. Prayers and 
 breakfast. Office eleven till five, and then exercise and odds and ends 
 till dinner. I have not been quite so well since my return. . . . The 
 principal work I am engaged in is the distribution of tracts, which, if GOD 
 is pleased to bless it, may be of just as much use as anything else, and 
 whilst walking about, I can dispose of a good many in the course of the 
 day. 
 
 "Bob is to follow your good example on 29th at Beckenham. I'm 
 his best man. 
 
 "You will I know be anxious to hear how I am going on in the 
 spirit of my mind. I have had some low fits, but I have been brought 
 through them, and am now clearer and quieter and happier. I am 
 ceasing rather to enquire continually of myself whether I am growing 
 or not, and am a little more content to leave it to GOD, and strive just 
 to go on from hour to hour and day to day doing His will, and running 
 my race with patience. At the same time that we ought to watch over 
 our hearts carefully in respect of sin, I think we waste a great deal of 
 time, and only cause ourselves to doubt and fear by always looking into 
 ourselves for evidences of our growth. I think we should honor GOD 
 much more by this state of reliance on Him, and should not run the 
 risk of either exalting our pride, or giving rise to doubts by the constant 
 looking into self. 
 
 "Rowland Smith and I are studying the Millenium. You remember 
 my telling you what I had been reading about it whilst abroad. I 
 have now been reading Wordsworth's Lectures against it, and made 
 a prtci* of his arguments. Rowland is reading the Pros and Cons at 
 Derby, and when we meet we are going to compare our conclusions." 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 "TREASURY, Thursday. 
 
 " Had a Hebrew Lesson yesterday. You've no idea how odd it 
 seems to be talking to anyone about the Bible, who believes the Old 
 Testament, and yet doesn't believe in Our Saviour. It is rather un- 
 pleasant, even painful. 
 
 " Great work to get Edward up in the morning. Lazenby and 
 Thomas ringing door-bells, and I my own bell. Edward tumbles head 
 foremost into my room, with his hair all over his face, his body up- 
 stairs, but his heart in his bed downstairs. 
 
 " Such a nice Lecture from Mr. Molyneux last night, on Conversion
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 173 
 
 of Paul. Dwelt much on Ananias' conduct, as so like our own, ready 
 enough to say, 'Here am I, LORD,' but the moment a duty, specific 
 and perhaps distasteful, was enjoined, he remonstrated." 
 
 To MR. GEORGE HANBURY. 
 
 "29th July, 1857. 
 " Tuesday night, 12 P.M. 
 
 "... I like to think of Him, not only as the Son of GOD dying for 
 man, but as GOD Himself the Creator dying for the created, the 
 Monarch dying for the rebel, the Righteous Judge for the guilty and 
 condemned felon ; and the more we look at it in this light, the more 
 I think we see the frightful heinousness of sin, that the Almighty Ever- 
 living GOD could ALONE pay the penalty which it had incurred. But 
 thanks be to Him that penalty, which we could never have paid, has 
 been paid for us, and nothing more remains to be done. Justice is 
 satisfied. ' Who forgiveth ALL our sins. 1 And we only have to believe 
 that, for it to be true to the letter as regards us. The mystery of 
 salvation is indeed mysterious in its wonderful simplicity. 
 
 " Now what remains for us, having believed to the saving of our own 
 souls, to do ? Why, to shew forth our belief in every action of our 
 lives, and 'to please Him Who hath called us to be soldiers.' 
 
 " I have just been dining with Sir Ralph and Lady Anstruther and 
 Bob. . . . One thing she prayed struck me so particularly that I hope I 
 shall never forget it. She prayed that we might lead a new life l as one 
 alive from the dead.' Think of the life a person would live, who had 
 risen from the dead. And that is what we have done, I trust. We are 
 still young: what opportunities for usefulness we have. How much, 
 by the grace of GOD, we ought to be able to do for Christ." 
 
 To A FRIEND. 
 
 "I mean by His grace to devote my life to His service, and I hope 
 that you may have the desire and will and power to do the same. 
 
 "As far as I have tried it, I can say from my heart that there is no 
 happiness the world can give that equals that joy which GOD gives to 
 those who believe on His Son. No cause is so glorious a cause to fight 
 in. No banner is so proud a banner to fight under, and no Captain so 
 certain to lead us to victory as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 
 
 " LYNTON, N. DEVON, Aug. 2nd, 1857." 
 
 To MR. GEORGE HANBURY. 
 
 " TREASURY, 5th Aug., 1857. 
 
 "Will you make a memorandum of any texts into which you have 
 obtained an insight, and communicate to me, and of those you want to
 
 174 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 discuss, and I will do ditto: I think it would be a great means of 
 mutual improvement. 
 
 "As for self, I have been staying at Woodhall, Sacombe and other 
 places. I came up with my sister from Sacombe yesterday in order to 
 take part in our grand Review at Broxbourne. It was a great show. . . . 
 Sham fight, etc. Verulam commanded, and it all went off very well. 
 I was the only officer of the scarlet troop, and had to command the 
 Squadron. Altogether it was very good fun, but a long and hot day. 
 
 " I'm trying to get up a Young Men's Reading. , , and 
 
 one or two others will I hope join. 
 
 ' Bob's marriage went off capitally. I was his best man, and he's 
 very happy. They're down in Wales, and the only thing that disturbs 
 their felicity is the fact of the waiters being very patronizing, in con- 
 sequence of their extreme youth. 
 
 " I am going on slowly in Hebrew, and intend attending a course of 
 Lectures at the London University. 
 
 "As for my spiritual state, I trust that the LORD is leading me. 
 My great object is to have a present mind, intent on pleasing Him ; and 
 I find it very difficult, as one is always ready enough to make grand 
 resolutions and schemes for to-morrow, but very loth to serve Him in 
 little things to-day. 
 
 " Rowland Smith is to be married on the 20th inst. I hope to be 
 able to go to it. 
 
 " Ps. 27. 8 and 11. 
 
 " Monday, 10th Aug., 1857. 
 
 "Thank you, my dear old Boy, for your wishes for me on the 
 subject of a wife, but I'm in no hurry yet. I am only twenty-five, and 
 there's lots of time. As for health, thank you, I can't say much for 
 myself. . . . 
 
 " I have not half the time I used to have; they have added another 
 half-hour on to our daily labor at the office; and I find I have no time 
 for anything. 
 
 "Another marriage has just been arranged, viz. Henry Wright to 
 Miss Melville ... so that the world, and even the Christian part of it 
 too, are gone mad upon marrying. Mind, I shouldn't be adverse to it 
 myself, but I mean to wait until I distinctly see GOD'S Hand leading 
 me, and don't mean to rush into anything blindfold. 
 
 " I don't agree with you in thinking that religion is not a thing 
 which can be argued, but must be taken on trust. No doubt the great 
 Mysteries of it, being beyond comprehension, are likewise out of the 
 reach of argument: but otherwise I believe there is no science or branch 
 of learning or knowledge which has such abundant proofs, and such 
 incontrovertible ones.
 
 COEEESPONDENCE 175 
 
 "You say you find verses that contradict each other. If they do, it 
 is because we are dense : for the great principle to adopt in reading the 
 word is ' That GOD'S Word cannot contradict itself.' It is impossible. 
 When one once lays down and puts into practice that axiom, things, / 
 find, become easier. 
 
 " The Reformers stood out, as the great basis of their principles, upon 
 the rule that Scripture must be explained by Scripture, and I believe 
 that there is no part of it which is not capable of being so explained. 
 
 " The Restoration of the Jews is a most interesting subject, coupled 
 with the Millenium ; in fact, they cannot be well considered apart. . . . 
 How nice it would be, if we could devote one evening a week during the 
 winter to the sole consideration of some such subject. We might learn 
 a great deal of GOD'S dealings thereby. 
 
 " I find that I am rather apt to look to my activity in Christ's cause 
 instead of looking to Christ Himself; in fact, the Devil is very willing 
 to let us occupy ourselves with good works even, if he can keep us from 
 Christ. He will let us talk to others about Christ, if he can only 
 prevent us talking TO Christ ; and we must never forget that joy and 
 peace and rest and hope are only to be obtained through Him. If they 
 are obtained any other way they are to be distrusted. This is what I 
 am learning. I send you Ps. v. ii." 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 " 53 UPPER BROOK STREET, Tuesday, [22nd August, 1857] 
 
 "I had such an enjoyable Sunday at Bonchurch with the three old 
 ladies. (Precious little I should have enjoyed it two years ago.) I took 
 their prayers for them in the morning, praying extempore, only fancy 1 
 and read them and their three maid-servants a sermon in the evening. 
 It was a day of much peace and quietness, and I was much strengthened 
 by deeper views and feelings of Jesus as the Propitiation, and the Scape- 
 goat once for all of my sins. 
 
 " I had a very nice reading with the grooms last night, and was 
 enabled to speak more earnestly and solemnly than I have yet done 
 about the Broad and Narrow Way. 
 
 " TREASURY, [30th Sept. 1857] 
 
 " Our darling's extract on Humility is very good. Oh, I despair of 
 ever being humble. The Spirit has a mighty work to do in me yet. 
 When shall I get rid of ... all that is so directly opposed to humility? 
 Of course I know they will never leave me till I leave them and my 
 body ; but still when I see the humility of other Christians, it shows 
 me how much I have to learn. All Power is given nevertheless unto 
 Christ, and He can subdue all things, even our proud hearts, and bring 
 them into perfect subjection to Himself.
 
 176 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "I indeed spent some very enjoyable evenings at Dyrham, where 
 there is much to help one on. We generally spent the evenings with 
 our Bibles in our hands ; and I have much to tell you about some very 
 strange views on Prophecy that I have heard. I see every Christian 
 holds a different view, and every book too; and I think that GOD 
 allowsall Hischildren to haveasmall amountof lighten thesubject. . . . 
 and therefore I shall only read my Bible, not shirking the Prophetical 
 passages, but dwelling on them, and searching out for myself. 
 
 " To-night Miss Marsh has about a hundred and twenty navvies to 
 read to. It does me great good to see her earnestness for souls, and 
 stirs me up, and by GOD'S help I will strive to attain the same. 
 
 " I had my Reading on Monday night. It was marvellous how I 
 was helped. I had been stammering frightfully all day, and went to it 
 
 very weak in spirit, and very much afraid of ! But through prayer 
 
 to GOD, I hardly stuttered more than once or twice." 
 
 To MR. ROWLAND SMITH. 
 
 " TREASURY, Wednesday, 30th Sept., 1867. 
 
 " I was very glad to hear how much you have been enjoying your- 
 selves, for I must speak of you in the plural number now. Your 
 
 experience seems perfectly to agree with that of both and , 
 
 and goes very far to persuade one that married blessedness must very 
 far exceed single ditto. Nevertheless I am not in the slightest hurry 
 myself. I am so very happy as I am, at home; and I find that there 
 is so much to draw me away from the side of Jesus and His work as 
 it is, that I rather fear the distracting effect which another state of 
 life might have upon me. I am not speaking of the married state, for 
 there in its varied interests, and particularly with a wife of one's own 
 sentiments, I think there must be much to help one on, but of the 
 state which precedes it. ... 
 
 " I should be very glad sometimes to be quietly married and 
 settled, for I have great ideas of the happiness of married life ; but at 
 the present moment, I do hope that the chief desire in my heart, 
 though alas ! but weak when compared with what it should be, is to 
 know Jesus Christ, and His love for me, and to be able to work for 
 Him. I shall probably never have such another opportunity ; for now 
 I have time, which at other periods and in other conditions of life I 
 might not have, and my heart is free to love and serve Him wholly 
 and entirely. I do not say it does; but it's free to do so, and therefore 
 I do not desire circumstances which must very much interfere with 
 that freedom."
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 177 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " TREASURY, 5th Oct., 1857. 
 
 "I can't let to-morrow pass away without you receiving a token 
 from me that I, as well as you, am celebrating the day in my heart, 
 the second anniversary of that day on which our darling Ceci passed 
 from faith to sight, the Birthday of her endless joy, when she was 
 united to Him Whom she had loved and served on earth, Whom now 
 her heart is capable of loving FULLY, and of seeing perfectly. Truly 
 it is a day on which we should especially bless His Holy Name, and 
 thank Him that He has loved her so. 
 
 "I was thinking yesterday that if we had GOD'S Word for it that 
 she who had loved us so dearly on earth, should now ever be about 
 our paths, powerful though invisible, to shield us from every danger, 
 to comfort us in every sorrow, and to cheer us up whenever we were 
 cast down, how fully we should trust her to do it. Should we not feel 
 that it would be her especial delight to watch our every footstep, to 
 rejoice over us when we are happy, and to fly upwards to pray for us 
 to her Father when she saw us likely to fall ? 
 
 "We should have perfect reliance on her. We should know, and 
 never doubt but that she would never forsake us for an instant, but 
 that it would be her chief joy to guide us, whom she so loved, safely 
 to the heavenly land. Should we not ? Such a thing as doubt would 
 never cross our minds, would it? 
 
 " You see where I am leading to Why then should we doubt our 
 Saviour ? Him Whose love for us, compared with hers is as the ocean 
 to a drop ; Who has promised never to leave us, or forsake us, but to 
 be with us alway, even to the end of the world ? Oh ! how base our 
 ingratitude, how cold our love, how weak our faith ! He is near us, 
 there is only something before our eyes that prevents our seeing Him ; 
 but there He is, preventing and following us, watching us with the 
 tenderest care. The thought has done me good. I hope it may help 
 you, darling. 
 
 " I am engaged to deliver a Lecture to two hundred working men at 
 Paddington, and have chosen for my subject, ' How we became Protest- 
 ants.' What do you think of it ? " 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " TREASURY, 2nd Nov., 1857. 
 
 " Only one line to tell you that I have made my debtit in public life, 
 and spoke to two hundred working-men the other night, and GOD 
 helped me very much. . . . Last night I went to their Chapel " [the 
 Boatmen's Chapel] "and sat with about 300 men in smock-frocks and 
 rags, to worship our common Saviour. They were so earnest. 
 
 12
 
 178 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " Had two nice Bible readings yesterday, one with the grooms, 
 another in some Mews near me. Took the Prodigal Son. 
 
 " Oh ! for more earnestness ! more knowledge of the love of Jesus, as 
 well as of our freedom from condemnation. May GOD give it us ! 
 
 " I have much to thank Him for. Help me to praise Him. 
 
 " There is a rumour in London that ' Poor Blackwood has gone mad.' 
 Isn't that an honour ? 
 
 " I'm off to Southampton, Liverpool, and everywhere," [with specie] 
 " and take the chair to-morrow at a Lecture, besides learning Hebrew 
 and music. 
 
 " [November 1867] Thursday, 11 P.M. 
 
 " I received your letter this evening at 7.30. Had to dine, and be 
 at my Cottage-Reading at eight, where GOD was, I trust, with me. About 
 thirty-five there. Subject, Noah. And ever since have been with a 
 dying consumptive man near the British Museum, dying though in 
 hope, thank GOD, of a glorious resurrection. It is now eleven, and I 
 must be up at six to start off to Liverpool with Treasure. 
 
 "... I'm believing, but not seeing just now; but I've had such a 
 wonderfully happy time lately that I must be content not always to 
 be so. It's good for us to come down to earth sometimes. 
 
 "Pray that I may KNOW more of Jesus." 
 
 To MR. ROWLAND SMITH. 
 
 " TREASURY, 5th Dee., 1867. 
 
 " I begin to see that the fight of the Christian, which seemed easy 
 to me at my first start, and indeed was so, comparatively speaking, 
 whilst my knowledge of self was but small, the moment it ceased to 
 a great extent to be wholly with the outward temptations of the world, 
 began to assume a very different aspect. It is indeed a humiliating 
 lesson which we have to learn. 
 
 " Though at one time, when in the first burst of a new Love, I 
 thought the Christian should always be joyful, and felt angry with 
 those more advanced who seemed so often sad, I now begin to under- 
 stand that we must be ' sorrowful, though always rejoicing.' Our 
 Master was ' a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.' All His 
 sorrows were caused by sin, and so are, and will be, ours. 
 
 " I thank GOD that He has given me a new heart, which can be 
 sorry for sin ; it's a sign that one has passed from death unto life. I 
 am trying not so much to look for sensible joys, but to do His will, to 
 please Him perfectly, and to serve Him with a quiet present mind. 
 One day, all will be bright. 
 
 " I have given up shooting, though I shot that day at Poles. It was 
 the last."
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 179 
 
 It cannot be supposed that this quiet renunciation of one favour- 
 ite pursuit after another was made without a sacrifice, joyfully as 
 that sacrifice was offered under the constraining power of the Love 
 which had now become the supreme object of his life. 
 
 The DIABY OF DATES chronicles, evidently because felt to be real 
 events in the spiritual life, each step of renunciation ; and in every 
 case with the few added words which show where the real strain of 
 the sacrifice must have lain. 
 
 " November, [1857] . Poles with G. Hanbury, Anstruther. Shot for 
 last time. Wrote to Father about it. 
 
 " December 8. Wrote to Father about hunting." 
 
 Nothing surely could exceed the high-minded generosity with 
 which these communications were received and answered ; and the 
 pain caused by a confidence so touching must have been great 
 indeed. 
 
 FROM HIS FATHER. 
 
 [GBANTHAM, Thursday Evening, Dec. 11, 1857.] 
 
 " If I have deferred writing to you, my dear and precious Boy, on 
 the subject of shooting it has principally been because I am lost in 
 admiration at the noble example you set to me and others in resolutely 
 following a course which you think is right, and in abstaining from 
 pursuits which are not devoid of amusement to you. Whilst existence, 
 at your age, is so sweet, and earth so smiling to you, it is surely diffi- 
 cult to abandon pleasures so agreeable to the senses. But you have 
 compensations which I am satisfied reward you amply for the, to us, 
 seeming deprivations. . . . 
 
 "These are my notions hastily jumbled together. 
 "I would not however that they should prevail over your more 
 deliberate ones. For if you are convinced that yours are right, it 
 would be grievous to me that you did not act up to them. Whilst I 
 look to you, my dear Boy, and dwell on the memory of my ever precious 
 Cecy, that bright star now in the heavens, I feel an inspiration of good 
 often coming over me that warms up my dull sluggish soul, and urges 
 me to walk hand in hand with you. For the sake then of myself, for 
 the sake of others to whom you are a living beacon, I would not for 
 worlds that you should depart from your own well considered opinions, 
 and follow mine, which I am sure do not spring from such a holy 
 source as yours. 
 
 " Your affectionate Father."
 
 180 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 To THE HON. EDWARD LEGGE. 
 
 " LHNTON LODGE, NOTTINGHAM, 
 " 29th. 12. 57. 
 
 " Nothing, I am convinced, is more dishonouring to Him Whose 
 Name we bear, and nothing does His cause so much harm as an incon- 
 sistent walk, a half and half line of conduct. It declares plainly to 
 others that we do not find the pleasures we profess to enjoy in religion 
 alone, that Christ is not all in all to us, and that we must have a little 
 of the world's pleasures to fill up the void. And that influences others 
 very much. . . . We shall never be able to have that effect upon the 
 minds and souls of our fellow-men that we wish to have, till we show 
 them plainly that we have found Peace and abundant Joy in Him Who 
 is the Fountain of all Happiness. Never shall we get others to abandon 
 sin and the service of Satan till we show them by our lives that in the 
 service of our Master we find all that we desire, and that in Him we 
 are satisfied. 
 
 "And not only this. What harm we do to our own souls! How 
 can we expect Christ to 'dwell in our hearts by faith,' if we are only 
 giving Him half a heart ? Depend upon it, the Holy Ghost will never 
 make us His temples, till we come to Him, desiring to be emptied of 
 everything else, and filled only with Him. 
 
 " I think one great cause, if not THE cause of our reluctance to do 
 this, is the fact of our not sufficiently appreciating the value of Christ 
 and His atonement to our own souls. If we once had a clear view of 
 the Eternity of Hell that we deserved, of the infinite price it cost Him 
 to save us, of the love that prompted Him, and of the love tender, 
 changeless and divine that He now bears to us, we should never 
 hesitate to ' count all things as loss or as dung ' that we might win Him. 
 One sight by faith of the precious Saviour bleeding, dying on the Cross 
 for our sakes, and we should at once give ourselves wholly to Him, 
 body, soul and spirit, as our reasonable service. Rom. xii. 1, 2. 
 
 "Goo bless you, and give you an increasing knowledge of the Saviour. 
 May this year prove one of great growth in grace and faith. 
 
 " Take as a motto to use in your daily prayers, Heb. xii. 1, 2 down 
 to ' faith.' " 
 
 To HIS MOTHER. 
 
 " LENTON LODGE, 30th Dec. 1857. 
 
 " I am sure you do not think that I have forgotten my old Mother, 
 and it is such a relief to feel that one's affection is not doubted because 
 one does not write. Many happy returns to you, my Darling, and may 
 I live to see them all. 
 
 " At the 's there was a little to fight against outwardly, but a 
 
 great deal more inwardly.
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 181 
 
 "Here I have naturally been enjoying myself very much. My 
 Lecture came off last night, and Papa came over just in time, and met 
 us at the Schools, where it took place. My audience was about a 
 hundred and twenty, of a class superior to that at the Boatman's Chapel. 
 I stammered rather more, but by GOD'S help got on very well. To- 
 morrow I go to spend with the Daddy at Grantham. 
 
 "I ... want it to be a year of special growth in grace, not of standing 
 still, but of pressing forward through all difficulties to get nearer to Him. 
 GOD bless you, my Mother." 
 
 To MR. ROWLAND SMITH. 
 
 " FULBECK HALL, GRANTHAM, Jan. 6, 1858. 
 
 " I am taking great pleasure just now in reading ' Jukes on the Offer- 
 ings.' It's really most instructive. ... I have been given a deeper view 
 of the value of Christ, as fulfilling for me my duty towards GOD, and my 
 duty towards my neighbour. I trust the Holy Spirit may apply it to 
 my heart with power ; and I do think I am learning, by my fearful 
 short-comings and failures even in the smallest particulars, the great 
 need I have of that vicarious fulfilment of GOD'S Holy law, which is 
 provided for me in Christ Jesus my LORD." 
 
 To HIS MOTHER. 
 
 " 53 UPPER BROOK ST., Sunday afternoon. 
 
 " I have been hearing one of the best sermons this morning from 
 Mr. Molyneux that I ever heard in my life. It was on 2. Cor. iii. 9. If 
 you can make anything out of what I will try and put down, I shall be 
 repaid for the trouble. Mr. Molyneux speaks much too fast to be able 
 to take notes in church, and so much escapes one afterwards. . . . 
 
 " I read with the servants this morning. What a useful thing it is 
 to have to study the Word, to be obliged to do it. I prepare overnight, 
 and make short notes, which helps considerably, and enables me to 
 speak methodically ; and it then fixes it in one's memory for after use, 
 and self-edification." 
 
 To MR. ROWLAND SMITH. 
 
 " TREASURY, 12th March, 1858. 
 
 "Do you keep a Diary? I don't, and am sure I shouldn't know 
 where to find the time if I wanted to. 
 
 " You know that it pleased the LORD to show me my Salvation in 
 Christ without having first given me a view of my own sinfulness ; and 
 for a long time, I saw but little of it, and could not understand the ex- 
 pressions I read and heard of those who so much bewailed the naughti- 
 ness of their hearts.
 
 182 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "But I think that during the last five or six months or more, the 
 Holy Spirit has been revealing to me more and more how thoroughly 
 bad I am, and how continually I need that 'precious blood' of Christ 
 'which cleanseth us from all sin.' Though I believed it before, yet now 
 I can say with Paul, 'I know that in me dwelleth no good thing'; and 
 what proves it to me more than anything is the constant self-righteous- 
 ness and self-esteem, which hangs about me, and brings iniquity into 
 my ' holy things.' For six weeks or so, I had not been very happy, and 
 got into a kind of legal bondage, continually working for the LORD in 
 hospitals and elsewhere, but having no joy, partly I think because I was 
 overworking myself and rather fretting under it, and partly because I 
 looked to the work itself to procure me joy instead of 'looking unto 
 Jesus.' But for the last fortnight I have been quieter and happier, and 
 had much more pleasure in His Service ; and how happy He does make 
 one sometimes, when He comes Himself, and dwells in our hearts by 
 faith, and causes us to live above this vain world. It is then that we 
 can speak about Him to others." 
 
 To HIS MOTHER. 
 
 [9th April, 1868.] 
 
 " I don't like to leave you without one line, and yet I've no time, 
 as I must be up early. I am going to Dyrham for Sunday, and GOD 
 willing, will come to Dover the one after. 
 
 "Much joy and peace to thank my Heavenly Father for. 'He is 
 speaking Peace to His people.' Ps. Ixxxv. 8. 
 
 " My dear Father (earthly) is so sweet. He read the 40th Isaiah 
 this morning, and read prayers, or rather prayed them so nicely, and 
 takes such an interest in my readings and work." 
 
 To HIS MOTHER AND SISTER. 
 
 " TBEASUBY, Thursday, [15th April, 1858.] 
 
 "Thank GOD for the glorious weather. 
 
 "The groom, or helper, I spoke to at Grantham seems very thought- 
 ful, and is coming to my reading to-night. 
 
 " I can now most decidedly praise GOD for Townsend. There is no 
 doubt he is in perfect happiness and peace about his soul. He said, 
 ' I'm weaker in body, Sir, but stronger in Christ. I bless Goi> for the 
 day as ever I see you, Sir. All the Peace I have I owe to you.' 
 
 " ' Bless the LORD, O my Soul.' 
 
 " I went yesterday to St. George's Hospital, to see Mrs. Todd's brother, 
 very dangerously ill, and in deep anxiety. He regularly drank in my 
 words, and the Holy Spirit is indeed convincing him of his need of a 
 Saviour. Whilst speaking to him, I suddenly heard a loud burst of 
 grief, and looking up saw a poor young woman, who had flung herself
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 183 
 
 down by the side of her dying husband, and was sobbing as if her heart 
 would break. He was in the last agonies, breathing every half minute, 
 and the death-rattle in his throat. One never knows how much they 
 can understand, so I crossed over and said three texts slowly, loudly, 
 and distinctly in his ear about Jesus, and I hope he was saved. He 
 had been long ill. 
 
 "Ps. Ixvi. 16-20." 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " TREASURY, 29th April, 1858. 
 
 "What fun it will be going abroad. But I want the first object to 
 be our Master's glory, and am praying much about it. So is Aunt 
 Anne, and so must you and Sophie. I have laid in a most excellent 
 stock of German and French Tracts. 
 
 "I want to go abroad with the one object of spreading the glorious 
 gospel ; and GOD will, I trust, in answer to prayer, make the journey 
 a blessing. Only be much in prayer about it, especially about my trip 
 to Proseken. 
 
 " Townsend departed yesterday morning at 8.30, very peacefully. . . . 
 I praise GOD for his conversion and death. 
 
 " PROSEKEN, June, 1858. 
 
 "I must begin my letter with just a few words telling you how 
 abundantly our prayers have been answered. ... As I drew near to 
 Wismar, I almost wished I had never come; the way seemed so 
 difficult, the dangers and temptations so great, and my strength so 
 small that I had no resource but in prayer ; and then the thought of 
 the many who were praying in England for the same object was of 
 great comfort. 
 
 " But all my fears were without foundation. ' Hitherto hath the 
 LORD helped me ; ' and ' as my day ' so has my strength been. 
 
 " Thanks be to GOD, my letters did have a great effect here, and all 
 are most ready to speak and to hear of the gracious things that He 
 has done for my soul, and for the souls of others. 
 
 "I can give you all details when I return. 
 
 "I cannot describe to you the joy with which I have been re- 
 ceived. . . . 
 
 "This morning, after coffee and family devotions, which I am 
 happy to say they have begun, the Pastor and I went off to Fischer, 
 who, as you may guess, was equally delighted, and we breakfasted with 
 him. After dinner I went down to Zierow, and was most kindly and 
 warmly received. . . . 
 
 "I have been writing all this with a steel pen, and have been in 
 misery, but now have got a quill to finish with, and can go ahead. 
 
 "I had about 8s. to pay at Aix-la-Chapelle. They undid everything,
 
 184 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 and as I think I told you, made me lose the train, and caused me to 
 travel all night, instead of sleeping at Minden, as I meant. It was 
 annoying. I'm sure if religion did nothing more than prevent one's 
 losing one's temper and being upset by little things of that sort, it 
 would be worth having. But what a blessing it is when one is enabled 
 to see the Hand of GOD in every otherwise trifling thing that happens 
 to one. I doubt not that three hours' delay at Aix was for some pur- 
 pose. I gave away some French and German tracts there, which may 
 bring forth fruit." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " TBEASUBY, June 15, [1858.] 
 
 " Praise GOD with all your heart, as I know you will, for the mighty 
 answers to prayer in the strength given to me whilst in Germany, and 
 in the results of my visit. 
 
 " He has enabled me to tell no less than three friends about Jesus, 
 and has made their hearts willing in the day of His Power. 
 
 "Two of them are Germans; . . . the third a young English- 
 man . . . with whom I travelled home, who has just got his com- 
 mission 
 
 " Pray as you read this, that they all three may be kept unto salva- 
 tion. . . . GOD has helped me wonderfully . . . and I trust He has not 
 allowed my example to neutralise my preaching. 
 
 "This instant a messenger in my office has come into my room to 
 thank me for what I said to him a month ago, and to say that he is 
 humbly pressing towards the mark. 
 
 "Thank GOD again." 
 
 Of the two young men, the one for a time ran well, but after 
 joining his regiment, " in time of temptation fell away." For 
 several years Mr. Blackwood heard of him or saw him from time to 
 time ; but at length entirely lost sight of him, and although he still 
 remembered him in prayer, he never knew whether in the last Great 
 Day he must look for him on the right hand or on the left hand of 
 the King in His Glory. To himself, both as a Christian and as a 
 worker, it was a most solemn lesson. 
 
 The other, by the grace of GOD, "continues to this day." In a 
 letter dated 18th June, 1862, he thus recals the incidents of his 
 conversion. 
 
 "How kind of you, my dear Friend, just to write to me for the day 
 of my conversion. Do you remember it was on the 8th that we went 
 out to cut sticks, and you told me how you were almost shot by an 
 Englishman by mistake, and after luncheon I came to your room, and
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 185 
 
 you prayed with me? That was in fact the beginning. But the next 
 day when I came to Proseken, we went up towards the house, and you 
 then quoted Acts xiii. 39, which gave me grace to believe at once. The 
 LORD has been very gracious to me since, has given me far more than I 
 deserve. ... I certainly cannot thank GOD enough that He guided my 
 plans so that I could see you those four days here, and that He allowed 
 me to be convinced so soon by you." 
 
 From a long correspondence resulting from this visit to Mecklen- 
 burg, is now given a series of extracts which appear likely to be of 
 value to other beginners in the Christian course. Although ex- 
 tending over several years, they are here placed consecutively, so as 
 to preserve unbroken the sequence of thought. 
 
 " CALAIS, Sunday, June 13, [1858.] 
 
 "I just send a few lines to tell you how much I have been thinking 
 of you in the last two days, how often I have been praying for you, and 
 how continually I have thanked GOD for the change that I believe and 
 hope He has been pleased to commence in your heart. Oh ! what a 
 wonderful change it is too! ' From death unto life ' ' from darkness unto 
 light ' ' from the power of Satan unto GOD,' are the words the Bible 
 uses to describe it ; and when once one has been enabled to experience 
 it, in however so small a degree, one must immediately confess that 
 they are not a bit too strong. 
 
 "But oh ! do not forget the price which all this cost. Do not forget 
 that it was at the cost of the Blood and Life of GOD'S own dear Son ; 
 and do strive to remember that this tremendous price, which all the 
 whole universe and the million worlds we see above us at night cannot 
 equal in value, was paid for an object, and that a twofold one: 1st, that 
 you might be saved from hell ; and 2ndly, that you might live to the 
 glory and praise of GOD, Who esteemed your soul of such wondrous 
 worth that He did not hesitate to give His Son for it. 
 
 " Please look at Rom. xii. 1, 2 ; 2. Cor. v. 15, 17, 21 ; Col. i. 9-14. iii. 
 1-4. 
 
 " Watch and Pray. It's a hard fight, but the end is sure. Rev. iii. 
 21. 
 
 " TBEASURY, llth July, 1858. 
 
 " I often think of you, besides praying for you three times a day. 
 Do not forget that though the Christian has infinitely greater happiness 
 than the worldly or careless or merely moral man, and has the prospect 
 of eternal joy and glory so soon, yet it is also a life of trial. It must 
 be so. Jesus had to go through it, and if we are His disciples we must
 
 186 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 do so too. He tells us so plainly there is a cross to be taken up self- 
 denial must be practised the flesh must be mortified 'through much 
 tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of GOD.' There will be a 
 constant fight, opposition from within and from without. But still 
 remember Jesus is the same. He never forsakes us ; the end is sure. 
 ' We are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.' Nothing 
 can separate us from that wondrous invincible Love ! Rom. 8. 28-39 ! 
 ' Many n-at^rif cannot quench it.' 'Having loved His own which were in 
 the world, He loved them unto the end.' 
 
 "Your love may be cold, your faith weak, your hope dead; your 
 heart may be cast down ' because of the way ' ; 'all these things may 
 be against you,' as Jacob said. He is the Same, and all these things 
 may be working for your good, to teach you more of your own sinful- 
 ness, more of your need of goiug continually to the Blood of Christ. 
 
 "Be very careful with your parents. Honour them; show them 
 what a Christian is. ... 
 
 " ' Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.' 
 
 " ' Pray without ceasing.' 
 
 " ' Search the Scriptures. 1 
 
 " TREASURY, 11th Aug., 1858. 
 
 " Your letters are always a source of thanksgiving; and I rejoice at 
 the clear views which it has pleased GOD to give you, and for the strong 
 faith which enables you to say, ' I am calm and confident in my mind 
 of our certain salvation through faith.' Oh, what a blessing to have 
 this assurance ! ' I know whom / have believed, and am persuaded that 
 He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him until that 
 day.' And surely that's what we ought to be able to say. It's nothing 
 more than taking GOD at His word, 'believing the record that He has 
 given ' when He said, All that believe on Me 'hare everlasting life.' 
 
 "I feel unable to say anything to help you to-day. May GOD 
 therefore, Who knows your heart and every want a great deal better 
 than I can, give you that help which you need; above all, may He 
 enable you to confess His Son before men, where you are going; not 
 to be content with a religion in your own room, but to seize every 
 opportunity of making the Saviour you love known to others. John ix. 
 25. Ps. 84. 11. 
 
 "TREASURY, l&A Sept., 1868. 
 
 "I wished to have written to you upon the points you mentioned, 
 viz., racing and shooting, but have not time to go fully into the subject. 
 ... In considering the subject, I would remind you of Paul's words. 
 ' Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he 
 alloweth,' and above all, remember the force of your example upon 
 others. Read with reference to that, Rom. xiv. especially verses 13, 15, 
 21. and 1 Cor. viii. 9-13.
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 187 
 
 " It was mainly for fear of causing others to offend that I gave up 
 hunting, shooting and smoking; for one must never forget that the 
 smallest actions and habits of a Christian have an influence on others 
 which lasts for Eternity ! 
 
 " Racing I feel very strongly about, for in England it is attended 
 with so much evil ; but it is, I believe, different with you. In England 
 you could never persuade people that a man who rode races was a 
 consistent child of GOD. 
 
 "But in all other things I feel sure that you will seek the guidance 
 of GOD. Try and aim at a clear conscience, a single eye, and a deter- 
 mined line of action. Nothing honors GOD more, or has greater effect 
 on others than consistency ; whilst nothing furthers Satan's kingdom 
 so much as the inconsistency of professing Christians. I give you Prov. 
 iii. 5-7. 
 
 " It was a great struggle with me to give up many things ; but it 
 was made quite plain to me as the path of duty : the results have been 
 beneficial to myself and others. And after all, how can we talk of giving 
 up anything, or make a merit of any paltry sacrifice of pleasure or even 
 health, when we think of all that our dear blessed Saviour gave up for 
 us ? His glorious Home in Heaven ! His place in the Father's House 
 and Bosom ! His will ! His Life ! for you and me, guilty rebels : and 
 can we talk of ' giving up ' ? Shame on the thought ! We don't belong 
 to ourselves to give up. We're bought with a price, the Blood of Jesus, 
 and are His, body and soul. Let us remember too, that there is nothing 
 the Christian relinquishes for the sake of Christ, that Jesus does not 
 amply make up to him. Look at 2 Ch. ix. 12, and Mark x. 29, 30. 
 
 "Write me your mind on these points when you have time. I shall 
 be so glad to know it. 
 
 " GOD willing, I am off to Scotland on Friday for a month with my 
 Sister. 
 
 " HCNTLY LODGE, 7th Oct., 1858. 
 
 " I could write volumes to you, but I haven't the time. Your 
 Mother will tell you why and wherefore. All I can do is to touch upon 
 some points in your letter. 
 
 " I am indeed thankful that the company you have been in has not 
 dissipated your love for the Word of GOD and prayer ; but I would most 
 earnestly say, BE CAREFUL. Satan comes in by little and little, insidiously 
 and cunningly. Oh, beware his devices are awful, and are aimed at 
 nothing less than the ruin of the soul. 
 
 " ' Ye cannot serve GOD and mammon ; ' it's impossible, for you 
 must hate the one and love the other. Oh, may GOD keep you from 
 falling into sin ! 
 
 " . . . I know the danger. I have seen the end of some. I know
 
 188 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 that a downward step is easily taken, and with pain regained. If I did 
 not speak plainly, I should not love you as I do. . . . 
 
 " Neither do I agree with you as to racing, as you know. You speak 
 about its being necessary for the breed of horses. It may be: but is 
 that more important than the breed of Christians? But may GOD give 
 you light and judgment upon this and other points, which He will do, 
 if you seek it. Above all, may He make Jesus very precious, so that 
 you may count Him above your chief joy, and find that in His favour 
 alone is life. 
 
 "Remember, the peace of GOD will not fill your heart, nor can you 
 retain the joy which cometh from above at the same time that you are 
 wilfully indulging in the things which form the chief pleasure of the 
 servants of Satan. May GOD give you wisdom, zeal, and resolution to 
 cleave to Him ; and that you may not grieve Him by the least departure 
 from His love. You may think that I write strongly, but I feel 
 strongly. 
 
 " LONDON, 2nd Nov., 1858. 
 
 " Your letter received yesterday did indeed rejoice my heart, and 
 cause me to thank GOD. He has been better than my fears, and I 
 magnify His grace. 
 
 " I know and believe that if the work begun in you be really of GOD, 
 you mu.it be kept till the end; but what I fear, from having seen the 
 dreadful consequences in and on others, is lest you should not walk 
 worthy of your high calling as a child of GOD, and should bring any 
 reproach on the Name of Jesus, our precious Saviour. 
 
 "I do so rejoice at your new acquisition : what an opportunity it 
 gives you of making a noble start in life for GOD. Oh, I do entreat you, 
 say, ' As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.' 
 
 "Oh, if you could begin well, by having family prayers, no matter 
 how few attend it. It is at any rate a public acknowledgment of GOD 
 as the master of a household, and at once proclaims your determination 
 and opinions. Oh, what opportunities you have of glorifying Him, 
 amongst your people and dependents. Oh, remember Eternity, and 
 what you have received of GOD, and what you owe to Him. 
 
 " May Jesus be with you, and help you to devote yourself to Him, 
 body, soul and spirit. 
 
 " ISLE OF WIGHT, 30th Dec., 1868. 
 
 " I cannot agree with you about prayers in the family. The fact of 
 hypocrisy existing in connection with it is no argument against it. 
 According to that, there ought to be no church service, because 
 hypocrites go there. Remember that the devil always uses good to 
 educe evil; that where there is good money, there will always be 
 counterfeit coin ; at any rate the fact of some being hypocrites cannot
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 189 
 
 absolve the master of a household from the plain duty of giving an 
 opportunity to all in dependence on him of hearing the Word of GOD 
 every day. 
 
 "... Circumstances must yield to the Gospel, not the Gospel to 
 circumstances. 
 
 " I would also urge it on you, as a means of the greatest blessing to 
 yourself and all around you ; nobody who honoured his GOD and 
 Saviour by commencing and closing the day with a solemn act of 
 worship, prayer and praise with his family and household ever had 
 reason to repent it. May He give you grace to see it in the same light, 
 and when you do see it, to follow it honestly. ' Duties are ours, events 
 are GOD'S.' I remember a passage in the life of that noble Christian, 
 Havelock, which made a deep impression on me. ' When once he saw 
 the path of duty, he held consequences as light as air.' 
 
 " Cultivate your own soul ; let nothing interfere with your times of 
 reading and prayer. Try to work for Him, Who worked so hard for you. 
 Can you not visit some poor sick or dying man on your estate, and read 
 the words of Jesus to him ; and tell him how full, how free, how 
 unconditional the offers of salvation are for all sinners, and cheer his 
 sick bed or dying moments? GOD will bless you in doing it. Oh, read 
 Matt. 25. 31 to the end. 
 
 " TREASUBY, 20th April, [1859] 
 
 " My dear Brother in Christ Jesus, I want to speak to you very 
 faithfully. I feel I have a right to do so, for there is a closer connec- 
 tion between us through time and eternity than can subsist between any 
 earthly relations; and whilst but a child in the faith myself, I yet want, 
 as one who was, under GOD, the human means of good to your soul, to 
 speak most earnestly to you. 
 
 " I do not want to write censoriously, but as one who knows what it 
 is for faith to grow weak, the heart cold, reading distasteful, prayer 
 irksome, and then for temptation to come in like a flood, when there 
 is no strength of a soul in communion with Jesus to resist it. 
 
 " Oh, my dear Friend, I do want to see you taking a noble stand for 
 GOD in your country. A negative religion is not the religion of Jesus. 
 ' He that is not with Me, is against Me, and he that gathereth not with 
 Me scattereth.' If it be true that nothing less than the Blood of GOD'S 
 only Son was shed for us, we must not stand still. These are the days 
 when men are in earnest about everything; nothing is done luke- 
 warmly; men put their hearts into their work and their pleasures. 
 And shall we show less zeal and energy in the Service of our glorious 
 King than men do in the paltry pursuits of time, the money-making of 
 the busy world, and the pleasure-seeking of the rest ? Oh, surely not ! 
 Men talk about enthusiasm as if it were allowable in painting, oratory,
 
 190 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 hunting, trading, but not in religion ; and yet what more glorious field 
 for enthusiasm than the plucking souls out of the power of Satan? 
 What cause more worthy of devotion than that in which the Captain 
 and Leader gave up His own life ? 
 
 "But above all, if you want to be useful to others, Seek Jesus much 
 and often, meditate in His Word ; let your reading of other books be 
 calculated to help you in the knowledge of Him. Holiness is not ac- 
 quired easily; sloth and indolence must be overcome, evil habits 
 mastered, the thing taken up as one would take up an earthly profes- 
 sion. 
 
 " Do, I pray, write to me. . . . 
 
 ' Pray for these two things : 
 
 " 1. Greater knowledge of one's own sinfulness. 
 
 "2. Greater knowledge of the love of Christ. GOD help you abun- 
 dantly. 
 
 I cannot agree with you about not speaking to others. . . . You 
 can't get over the plain Word and command of GOD, 'Let him that 
 heareth say, Come.' Look at John i. 36, 3741, 42, 45; iv. 28, 29, 39. 
 
 'Oh, dear friend, we cannot know the inestimable blessings of 
 salvation, and that we ourselves are delivered from the horrible pit, and 
 leave others sinking down into it, without a word of warning. 
 
 " TREASURY, 9th June, [1859] 
 
 ' My time has been so thoroughly occupied, or I should have 
 written long ago to say how much I liked your letter of 1st May, and 
 rejoiced over its contents. 
 
 " Yesterday and to-day are, as it were, the anniversary of your new 
 birth. Oh, how I should like to praise GOD together with you on this 
 day which will be remembered by Jesus, you, and me throughout 
 Eternity, and over which there were songs of joy in heaven amongst 
 the angels of GOD. And I can do so in spirit, and will. 
 
 " I was hearing of a lady the other day, a thorough Christian, who 
 was dying. Her friends saw she was sad. They said, 'Are your hopes 
 growing dim?' 'Oh, no,' she replied. 'Then why so sad?' 'I'm 
 thinking,' she said, 'that I shall have no stars in my crown. I've 
 known Jesus all my life, and I've never told others about Him. I've 
 won no souls for Him, and there'll be no jewels in my crown when I 
 cast it at His feet.' 
 
 "Forgive my continually urging the point, but shall it be so with 
 you? Will you be contented to make your appearance empty-handed 
 in that day? What does Paul look forward to with such joy in 1. Th. 
 ii. 19, 20, but to meeting those he had carried a message of life and 
 peace to, in the presence of Jesus? You say, I'm not Paul, nor can I 
 come up to him in imitation. No! for you are to imitate One far
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 191 
 
 higher, even Jesus ; you are not to stop short with Paul, but to copy 
 the sinless One, even Christ. What a glorious privilege, not duty, to be 
 a, fellow -worker with Christ; to be able to add to the joy of the Saviour, 
 and make His heart, v/hich bled for us, glad by winning fresh souls 
 for Him. And it is not an unprofitable labour, even for us. ' He that 
 watereth others shall be watered also himself.' Once experience the 
 joy of 'saving a soul from death,' and you won't rest content without 
 winning others. 
 
 "You say it's not your gift HAVE YOU TRIED? Oh, do try. ... I 
 pray that GOD may so open the way for you, and give you such joy in 
 the work of getting souls for Him, that you may realize to the full and 
 continually the happiness He has sometimes given me. 
 
 " TREASURY, 16th July, [1859] 
 
 "Your last letter gave me much joy, and I thanked GOD for it much. 
 I was especially glad to see the kind and Christian way in which you 
 took all my repeated arguments about labouring for the conversion of 
 others. I agree with you that I have not quite understood you, and I 
 particularly concur with you that you might ' do a great deal of harm 
 by talking to everybody you meet, and on every occasion.' I am sure 
 it needs a great deal of discretion, and you must not think that /do it 
 to everybody. I feel there are particular seasons when one can speak 
 far more readily and with (humanly speaking) a far greater chance of 
 success, than at others ; and to seize these opportunities needs much 
 wisdom from above. No, do not think that I would urge your speaking 
 everywhere and to all men. Great good may be done by example, and 
 one can never lay down a precise rule of action for anybody. All I 
 would say is, 'Be of the same mind that was in Christ Jesus.' What 
 was His mind ? What was it set upon ? What else but the salvation 
 of sinners ? 
 
 " TREASURY, 30th August, [1859] 
 
 " Your letter, when it told me of your desires after Christ, and your 
 perseverance in the narrow way, filled my heart with thankfulness, 
 and my eyes with tears. . . . 
 
 "And now to answer one or two of your remarks. I quite agree 
 with you that a departure from one's general way of living is prejudicial 
 to the health of the soul. I only know of one remedy for it, increased 
 earnestness in prayer, determination about regularity in it morning and 
 evening, which nothing shall break through with. 
 
 "As to the Old Testament, let us remember that ' All Scripture is 
 given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, 
 for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of GOD 
 may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works,' 2 Tim. iii.
 
 192 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 16; and David had only the five books of Moses when he wrote the 
 119th Psalm, which is so full of his delight in the law of his GOD. 
 
 " If I were you I should read the Bible straight through from beginning 
 to end as a matter of history, and to become acquainted with it ; but 
 apart from your daily readings of the New Testament for the benefit of 
 your soul. A knowledge of Scripture is the GREATEST TREASURE a man can 
 have. I feel / know nothing of it ; and the examples of faith, prayer, 
 trust, etc. and the corresponding ones of unbelief, etc. in the Old Testa- 
 ment are often a guide to the Christian in his walk through life; nay, 
 he cannot do without them. Still, in answer to your question, I should 
 say Deuteronomy, Joshua, Nehemiah, Job, Psalms, Proverbs and the 
 last twenty-six chapters of Isaiah, are especially full of comfort, 
 strength, and advice and promises. 
 
 " May GOD bless you in the reading of them, but leave out none. 
 GOD has taken the trouble to write you a long letter; He means that it 
 is worth reading, and if man neglects any of it, he dishonors GOD, and 
 does so to his soul's hurt. Try and get a time for reading in the 
 middle of the day, and prayer: if it's only five minutes, instead of the 
 newspaper. 
 
 " Pray do not read . He is a very clever Greek scholar, but he 
 
 belongs to a school of this day, who are in reality 'enemies of the cross 
 of Christ.' They do away with Christ's atonement for sin, and thus by 
 degrees undermine the Christian's hope and faith. I hold such books 
 
 at arm's length. 
 
 " TREASURY, 1th. Nov. 1859. 
 
 " I don't know what the passages are that you allude to my having 
 taken more literally than you do; but I can only say that I wish I 
 could take the whole Bible more literally than I do ; for the more I do 
 so, the more comfort I get from it ; and I believe that a great reason 
 why Christians are so unlike Christ is that they put on a figurative 
 meaning where there is none, and therefore lose the application and 
 benefit of the passage. 
 
 " I think we can plainly distinguish between the two; and I would 
 just make this remark, that if one finds one's self putting a figurative 
 construction on a passage which, if taken literally, would cause one to 
 give up some favourite occupation, or to undergo some reproach or 
 trouble, or to do things which would be repulsive to the natural man, I 
 should strongly lean to the opinion that the literal construction was the 
 right one. 
 
 " Remember there is such a thing as 'handling the Word of GOD 
 deceitfully. 1 2. Cor. ii. 17; iv. 2. 
 
 " I believe our only safety in these days of abounding error lies in 
 taking it just as we find it not as the word of men, but the Word of 
 GOD.
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 193 
 
 "As to Henry Martyn's fasting, I think it is entirely a question 
 between a man and his GOD. If I thought that I could increase my 
 spirituality by that means, I would use it ; but as I think it would have 
 just the contrary effect, I do not. I am not aware of any distinct 
 command upon the subject, though there are many in which the 
 Christian is commanded to be temperate in the use of the things of the 
 world. 
 
 " TREASURY, 2nd Feb., 1860. 
 
 "You ask me about prayer for temporal things. What can I do 
 better than give you that text, ' Be careful for nothing : but in every- 
 thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be 
 made known unto GOD ' ? Phil. iv. 6. And that is my creed. It is the fact 
 of being in the habit of telling GOD about everything, and committing 
 all to His guidance that enables the Christian to be 'careful for 
 nothing ' : which does not mean that he is not to exercise carefulness 
 in his daily business and concerns, but that he is not to be over anxious. 
 See Ps. xxxvii. 5. 
 
 " I believe that ' everything ' means EVERY thing, that nothing is 
 excluded ; and therefore it is the greatest comfort to me to ask GOD 
 about business and house and family and money-matters and health, 
 and in fact every single thing : He cares for the hairs of my head 
 nothing is beneath His notice; and He loves the confidence of the little 
 child that tells Him and asks His advice about all things, however 
 small. There is nothing small in my Father's eyes. He has bestowed 
 as much care on the moss on the wall and the animalculae in the water 
 as He has on man, and on the sun and moon. ' His thoughts are not 
 our thoughts.' 
 
 "I am never so happy as when often in prayer about various persons 
 and things, either in my room at home, on horseback, in the train, or 
 at the office* 
 
 " Matt. vi. 33. ' The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness ' 
 spiritual blessings for ourselves and others the extension of the 
 Redeemer's glory, etc., should certainly be the first objects in our prayers ; 
 but our LORD has taught us that immediately after saying ' Thy kingdom 
 come,' we are to pray for the apparently and comparatively insignificant 
 object, ' Our daily bread.' Believe me, the more we know of GOD as our 
 Father, and Jesus as our Elder Brother, the more shall we delight to 
 tell Him ALL things. 
 
 "I don't think we should look at prayer as an instrument for 
 'changing one's own feelings,' as you say. Our object should be 
 ' fellowship with GOD.' 1 Jno. 1. 3. Feelings are nothing. Christ is all. 
 
 "You say you cannot remember the text in which Paul says he is 
 not aware of having committed sin. No more can I. But if you want 
 
 13
 
 194 LIFE OF SIB ABTHUE BLACKWOOD 
 
 to know what both Paul and John felt on the subject, look at Rom. vii. 
 15, 23, and 1 Jno. 1. 8. 
 
 "I don't believe that any day will pass until we stand in glory, in 
 which we shall be able to say we are without sin. 
 
 "TREASURY, 3rd April, 1860. 
 
 "I fear you have rather misunderstood my meaning about prayer. 
 Do not think that the ejaculatory and occasional lifting up of the heart 
 throughout the day is to stand instead of secret, stated, and regular 
 prayer. The two are quite distinct. Matt. vi. 6, 8, which you quote, 
 refers especially to the latter. 'When thou prayest, enter into thy closet.' 
 The strength of the Christian's life lies in regular secret private prayer. 
 Every saint I can remember in the Bible is an instance of this. 
 Nehemiah in ch. i. and ii. is an illustration of both kinds of prayer. 
 
 "We find he first prayed long and secretly, and then when the 
 emergency came, and he stood before the king, he momentarily 'prayed 
 to the GOD of Heaven, and said unto the King.' 
 
 "It is in the closet, when a man is shut out from the world, and 
 can come leisurely and calmly before GOD, and draw very near to Him, 
 and speak face to face with Him, that his soul makes progress in the 
 divine life. An hour alone with GOD in the morning in reading and 
 prayer is worth the whole of the rest of the day ; and a man comes out 
 of his chamber after pleading -with his Father, and pouring out his 
 heart before Him, refreshed for his daily course, with heaven in his 
 heart, and thankfulness on his lips. 
 
 "Point out the men who have been notable as holy consistent 
 Christians, benefactors of their generation, and eminent servants of 
 GOD, and you will find without one exception that they have been 
 regular in their morning, noonday and evening devotions. 
 
 " Depend upon it, though momentary prayer may do for an emer- 
 gency, it does not do to live upon ; and what is more, a man is not in a 
 frame of mind for such prayer, if he is not much with GOD in private. 
 
 " Another thing I may say too is this. A man's fondness for private 
 communion with God, is just the thermometer of his spiritual life. 
 May GOD give us grace to judge ourselves by this rule. 
 
 " WALMER, July 9, [I860.] 
 
 " I must answer one remark of yours. You speak about badly in- 
 structed Christians J^ing saved, and the same standard of Christianity 
 not being applied to everybody. 
 
 "In one way, I agree, viz.: that every Christian really believing in 
 the LORD JESUS, will be saved, however little his knowledge. 
 
 " But GOD has only one law and standard. There is but One Name 
 given, one way declared. And while GOD, Who is perfectly discriminat-
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 195 
 
 ing and just, will judge men by the advantages they have had, He 
 will also take into account the way they have used their advantages : 
 and in giving every man a Bible, with His own Spirit as the Teacher, 
 (2 Tim. iii. 16, 17) He has made us independent of earthly teachers, and 
 placed us on our own responsibility. 
 
 "While I believe that we, who .are- "saved, all enter Heaven only by 
 the Blood and Righteousness of Jesus, Scripture at the same time 
 plainly shows us that there will be different degrees in glory for those 
 who have used their talents well, as well as degrees of punishment. 
 
 "If you feel any interest in this subject, I would look out the texts 
 and send them you if I can find time. 
 
 " TREASURY, Nov. 22, [I860.] 
 
 " I was very glad to hear from you, and I lose no time in answering 
 your letter, as I feel there is so much that is important in it. I trust 
 that you will take all that I say as it is written, in a spirit of real 
 brotherly love, and with a sole regard to the glory and honour of our 
 Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
 
 " You acknowledge that there is temptation : you nevertheless de- 
 liberately go into it and yet hope that GOD will miraculously keep you 
 from harm. 
 
 "My dear Brother, this is not GOD'S way. You cannot pray daily, 
 ' Lead me not into temptation,' and then rise from your knees, and go 
 straight into it. 
 
 "Goc will not keep a man who acts thus. You do not, I daresay, 
 think so strongly, but remember ' To him that knoweth to do good, and 
 doeth it not, to him it is sin.' 
 
 " ' Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which 
 he alloweth.' Rom. xiv. 22. 
 
 " I beseech you to ask yourself, Is this wise ? Is it not dangerous ? 
 When Christ says, ' Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation, am I 
 right in deliberately doing those things which I acknowledge and feel 
 are a temptation ? . . . 
 
 " Oh, it is a dangerous thing to hurt one's conscience with any known 
 sin, however slight. Many a man's ruin, and the life-long unhappiness 
 of many a Christian, has begun with that. 
 
 " In all this, you see, I take for granted that you are not quite easy 
 about it. ... Paul counted all things loss for the excellency of the 
 knowledge of Christ, and said that he had suffered the loss of all things ; 
 and depend upon it, he was not a loser by the transaction. 'Godliness 
 hath the promise of the life which NOW is, as well as of that which is 
 to come.' 
 
 " No man ever gave up anything for Christ, but he received an
 
 196 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 hundred fold in this time, and in the world to come eternal life. Mark 
 x. 28, 29. 
 
 "I know that the struggle to keep some pet amusement, some 
 darling sin, is very great, and that just at that time the devil makes 
 them appear particularly enchanting, and makes one feel that if one 
 were to give them up, life would be almost a blank ; but I have gone 
 through the struggle; I know and can testify what a gainer I have been ; 
 and I also know that, once the thing is done and given up, it has 
 appeared perfectly trifling. 
 
 "You may think I am exaggerating the matter. Nothing of the 
 nature of sin in one who has been washed in the Blood of the Lamb, 
 can bf exaggerated. It cost the Blood of GOD'S own Son. My dear friend 
 and brother, I do not want to write dogmatically about this . . . but I 
 cannot help seeing the danger you are in ; and I am sure you will attri- 
 bute to the right motive my speaking plainly. See latter part of Lev. 
 xix. 17. My own conscience would not be clear, if I abstained from 
 pointing out the danger of going wilfully into temptation. I do beseech 
 you make it a matter of prayer. . . . 
 
 " LONDON, 8th Dec., [1860] 
 
 "I cannot resist at once writing to say how heartily I rejoice that 
 you received my letter so nobly and lovingly. . . . 
 
 " I argued from terms in your letter that you were acting against 
 your conscience; but your last dispels that idea. ... To keep a con- 
 science void of offence towards GOD and man is the highest Christian 
 attainment. 
 
 " OSMASTON MANOR, DERBY, 21st Feb. 1871. 
 
 "To answer your letter . . . GOD says plainly 'There is none other 
 name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.' . . . 
 'Charity and toleration ' are very good things; but we must not be 
 more charitable or tolerant than GOD has revealed Himself in His 
 Word. They are terms which are much abused, and are made to serve 
 as a cloke to much fearful indifference about men's souls; and many 
 use them in order to avoid the reproach of uncharitableness and narrow- 
 mindedness which is incurred by those who follow simply the teaching 
 of GOD'S Word. 
 
 "Cornelius was a very good man, a believer in the true GOD. See 
 Acts x. 1, 2. Yet it was clear that he, good and devoted as he was, could 
 be saved in no other way than by believing in the Name of Jesus of 
 Nazareth ; for Peter was sent expressly to tell him ' words whereby he 
 might be SAVED,' (Acts. xi. 14) and it was evident that Peter told him 
 that it was only by believing in Jesus that he could obtain the remission 
 of sins. Acts. x. 43. 
 
 "A ' charitable and tolerant ' person would have kindly supposed that
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 197 
 
 Cornelius was all right, because he was a good man, who had never 
 heard of Christianity. GOD saw differently. 
 
 "Another point you touch upon is the fact that hypocrisy always 
 appears where there is any attempt made for the good of souls. And 
 this seems to be a hindrance. But I do not think it should be ; for 
 GOD has specially warned us about it in His Word. 'Offences must 
 needs come,' Matt, xviii. 7. See 2. Tim. iii. 1-5. And as if it were to be a 
 beacon to us, we have an example of most consummate hypocrisy 
 amongst even the disciples of Jesus viz. Judas. If then amongst 
 twelve there was one hypocrite, and that one close to Jesus Himself, 
 should we be discouraged because there are many now ? It did not 
 prevent Jesus and the disciples doing good. 
 
 "We are also told in Matt. xiii. 24-30, that Satan's great occupation 
 (ver. 39) is that of making hypocrites, persons who resemble outwardly 
 true Christians, as the tares of that country resemble wheat. And we 
 are expressly told (ver. 30.) that ' both are to grow together till the harvest '; 
 that therefore while the world lasts, hypocrites will be found amongst 
 real Christians. Completely remedied it never will be till Christ comes 
 again ; but the best partial remedy is in our own hands, and that is, 
 1st, To be so downright and hearty and bold in our own profession and 
 following of Christ, that the hypocrites who will only go a certain 
 length may be left behind. 
 
 " 2ndly, By using every endeavour to bring persons really and de- 
 cidedly to Jesus, and to make true believers of even the hypocrites. 
 
 " Don't be discouraged. The devil will sow his tares. Go on in the 
 work of the LORD. Spread good books, Bibles and tracts among your 
 people. ' Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shalt find it after 
 many days.' Ecc. xi. 1. Remember GOD has said, 'Your labour is not 
 in vain in the LORD.' 1. Cor. xv. 58. 
 
 "TREASURY, March 13th [1861] 
 
 " Don't be afraid, my dear Friend, of saying what you think in your 
 letters, or as you say 'arguing.' I am sure I speak my mind plain 
 enough in my letters to you ; and I expect you to do the same. 
 
 "Real friends are those who speak the honest truth one with 
 another. 
 
 " We must have a talk some day about the subject of our last letters. 
 I still don't quite agree with you. You say, ' The case is different now 
 from the time of the Apostles then they were converted from heathen- 
 ism. Now,' you say, ' they are Christians to begin with.' There I am 
 at issue with you. I say no man is a Christian till he is converted ; 
 and an unconverted nominal Christian is in the sight of GOD just as an 
 unbeliever. The name of the thing makes no difference. 
 
 "You say, from Acts x. 31, Cornelius had already found grace. At
 
 198 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 any rate he had not found salvation, or else Peter would not have told 
 him 'words whereby he might be saved.' A man doesn't want to be 
 saved, who is already saved. 
 
 " TREASURY, 10th May, [1866] 
 
 " There are two things in your letters which I should like to say a 
 word about. 
 
 " 1. As to the handicapping. Of course racing in Germany and 
 England is very different. Here certainly no one would be looked 
 upon as a consistent Christian who was thus engaged. The whole 
 thing would be uncongenial to an earnest follower of Christ, being an 
 essentially 'worldly' thing, and so mixed up with roguery, cheating 
 and lying; . . . and any attempt to improve matters would be about 
 as hopeless as Lot's attempt to improve the state of things in Sodom. 
 Gen. xix. 6-9. He was in a wrong place, instead of walking with Abram 
 who walked ' before GOD.' Gen. xvii. 1. He had got down to the level 
 of the world, and instead of regulating it, was nearly destroyed with 
 it. 
 
 " In Germany however things may be different. Horse breeding is 
 certainly not more sinful than sheep breeding, unless it leads one into 
 sinful practices. 
 
 " There are many things which though harmless perhaps in them- 
 selves, one yet gives up on the principle of 1. Cor. viii. 13. 
 
 " However, dear Brother, the LORD and His Word must be y6ur 
 Guide. If your conscience is clear towards Him, all is well, and Ro. 
 xiv. 22 is a good rule. 
 
 "It is sometimes useful to ask one's self with regard to things 
 about which one may have doubts, ' Do I do this to please myself, or 
 to please and glorify GOD?' 
 
 " 2. As to our Children's salvation. 
 
 " It is a very large subject ; but the principles which I gather from 
 Scripture are these. 
 
 " GOD looks upon the children of His people as also His. Ps. cii. 28. 
 Deut. x. 15. iv. 37, and many other passages. Ps. cxxviii. 3, 5. cxxvii. 
 3. Acts ii. 39. 
 
 "2. He bids us train them up for Him, Prov. xxii. 6. Eph. vi. 4, etc., 
 etc., etc. 
 
 "3. Where, this is done, Parents have every reason to believe that 
 GOD will save their children. 
 
 "4. Where it is neglected, to expect their salvation would be un- 
 warrantable presumption. 
 
 "5. When the children of GOD' S people have turned out badly, there 
 is always a cause, e.g., Eli's sons, 1. Sa. iii. 13. 
 
 " I have very little doubt concerning the ultimate salvation of my
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 199 
 
 children. GOD may choose His own time for converting them, and I 
 may not see it in my life ; but I believe that He will, and therefore 
 bring them up for Him, and remind Him of His promises. . . . 
 
 " PENZANCE, CORNWALL, April 11, [1871.] 
 
 "... GOD has been very gracious to us both. Gen. 33. 5, and I 
 trust that, through His great grace we may be able, in the day of His 
 appearing to say (Heb. 2. 13) ' Behold I, and the Children which GOD 
 hath given me.' It is a great thing to believe that ' the promise is unto 
 us, and to our Children,' (Acts. ii. 39) and that ' Because He loved the 
 fathers, therefore He chose their seed after them.' Deut. 4. 37. See also 
 Deut. x. 15. 
 
 " But, dear Brother, how much grace and wisdom it needs to teach 
 them aright, and how much more to set them that constant example of 
 holiness and likeness to Jesus that is more effectual than all teaching. 
 
 "Our children learn far more from our ways than our words, and 
 involuntarily imitate what we do, while they quickly forget what we 
 teach, unless followed up by consistency in life. 
 
 " We may well say, 'Who is sufficient for these things? ' But the 
 answer is, 'My grace is sufficient for thee.' 2. Cor. xii. 
 
 " I daresay you have often thought how much we on the other hand 
 learn from our children." 
 
 The thread is now taken up again in the year 1858. A few 
 words from a letter of Mr. John MacGregor's ("Bob Eoy") give a 
 glimpse of Mr. Blackwood united with this fearless champion of the 
 truth, in open air work. 
 
 " July 11, 1858 A large crowd, especially of infidels and well-known 
 sceptics, heard my farewell address on 'The Rock and the Sand,' at 
 King's Cross. Many shook hands most cordially. Blackwood (the hand- 
 some fellow) spent an hour with me, giving cards and tracts." 
 
 To MR. ROWLAND SMITH. 
 
 " TBEASUBY, Aug. 16, 1858. 
 
 " Your ' little household cares,' which you carefully underline, are a 
 very powerful argument with me against matrimony, and are amongst 
 some of the things that make me think that, imperfect and worthless 
 as my service is now, it would be still more so in married life ; but 
 then you may argue that another line of service is opened to me, and 
 so it is, and I have no doubt that when once the LORD puts it into one's 
 way all those arguments will vanish into thin air. In the meantime I
 
 200 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 must repeat my statement that I am so thoroughly happy as I am, that 
 notwithstanding all my kind friends' wishes, I have no anxiety to 
 change my state. . . . 
 
 " I too am looking back on a two years' life as a new creature ; and 
 in doing so, I cannot praise GOD sufficiently for the wonderful way in 
 which He has upheld me. . . . Oh, how much greater need do I seem 
 to have of Jesus than I had two years ago! What should I do without 
 His daily sprinkling Blood and 'everlasting righteousness'? Two years 
 ago, next October, I began to pray that I might have deeper views of 
 sin. and of Him, and He has graciously taught me a great deal a great 
 deal more than I could have borne at the time; and yet how much 
 there is still to learn. 
 
 " My work prospers, thank GOD. On Thursday evenings I have 
 about seventy, or more, and am going through the 8th Romans. What a 
 glorious chapter it is ! 
 
 In September, GOD willing, we are going to Scotland." 
 
 But before that time arrived, a proposal was made to Mr. Black- 
 wood, through his Father, which, if accepted, must have changed the 
 whole course and character of his life. It was the offer of a Govern- 
 ment appointment as Colonial Treasurer and Commissariat officer in 
 British Columbia, and carried with it a seat in the Colonial Council 
 and also certain pecuniary advantages. That he felt the question to 
 be one of much moment is shown by the following extracts from a 
 long letter to his Father, who at the time was staying in the Isle of 
 Wight. 
 
 " TREASURY, 3rd Sept. 1858. 
 
 "DEAREST FATHER. I received your letters on returning from my 
 meeting last night, and read them to Mama. We talked the matter 
 calmly over during our drive to Norwood, considering it under every 
 possible aspect, religious, domestic, sanitary and professional. We did 
 so again this morning, and on my arrival here I saw Stephenson about 
 it. 
 
 " He looks on it in quite a different light from Trevelyan. . . . He is 
 of opinion that the appointment to such employment of the younger 
 members of the Treasury, whose places can easily be supplied during 
 their absence, is beneficial to the office; and that this appointment in 
 particular, the duties of which are analogous to those of the Treasury, 
 would be especially so. 
 
 " And he sees no reason why a young man should not be allowed to 
 profit by so advantageous an opportunity of acquiring knowledge and 
 experience. . . .
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 201 
 
 "I think therefore that, backed by him, Sir E. Lytton, and the 
 Chancellor of the Exchequer, we could not have much difficulty in 
 squaring the matter, and I do think that it would be a most excellent 
 opportunity for gaining information and experience, which routine 
 letter-writing here will never give. 
 
 " Looking at it too as a young man, unmarried, fond of novelty, 
 exercise, and ready for any kind of work, it presents a very attractive 
 aspect ; and I think moreover that it might be, humanly speaking, 
 the means of quite setting up my health, and making me a strong man 
 again. 
 
 "But I desire to look at it in a higher light, viz. : how it affects my 
 capability of working for GOD, which I hope is now my first object. 
 Whatever temporal advantages it might be the means of obtaining, they 
 are, after all, only temporal, and must ' perish with the using' in twenty 
 or thirty years ; whereas the results of work for GOD will endure 
 throughout Eternity. 
 
 " I trust that wherever I might go, I should have grace given to me 
 not to deny Christ, and to lead such a life as might influence others to 
 come to Him, and there is no doubt that the Christian in any and 
 every place can work for his Master, as well in the sick-room as in the 
 pulpit ; but it has pleased GOD to open a great door of usefulness for me 
 at home . . . and to abandon that work, which He has thus graciously 
 given me, and fitted me for, would be to leave a positive sphere of 
 la-bour aqd usefulness, for an uncertain and prospective one. . . . 
 
 " Here I am independent, have a great deal of time to myself and 
 abundant opportunities for work. There I should be dependent, 
 shackled, and probably in circumstances where so decided a line of 
 action as I am able to adopt here would not be practicable. 
 
 "These considerations urge me to dismiss the subject from serious 
 thought ; as, wishing to do not only that which is good, but that which 
 is best, not only that which is useful, but that which is most extensively 
 useful, I cannot but think that England and home is preferable. 
 
 "In a domestic light too my own feelings urge me to give it up. I 
 am, as you say, now your only child ; I should not like to leave you for 
 so long a time. It has pleased GOD to cast my lot in a position where 
 I have the pleasures of Home and devoted affection from all of you, 
 whilst many are exiled from all they love. ... I could not bear to be 
 separated from you for so long or uncertain a time. 
 
 "Mama too is in very precarious health; and though she expresses 
 her willingness to part with me at once, if I should see it to be for 
 GOD'S glory and for my own good, I can see how the thought of it goes 
 to her very heart, and I feel that I should but ill repay the devotion and 
 love she has bestowed on me for twenty-six years, by causing so much
 
 202 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 pain as a parting, and so much anxiety as a lengthened separation at so 
 great a distance certainly would do. 
 
 "My first duty, after GOD, is to my parents, though I often think 
 and feel that I do not fulfil it as I ought and might : ... and I do 
 not think that to go away so long and so far, would be following simply 
 the path of duty, let alone that of my own natural affections. I think 
 also that it would be really more than Mama could bear, though she 
 behaves most nobly about it, and even places the advantages of it before 
 me as favourably and impartially as she can. . . . 
 
 "Thus, whilst at the first blush of the thing, I very much inclined 
 to it, and very naturally so, maturer reflection induces me to decide 
 from the reasons stated, that I am in every respect better placed and 
 happier where I am, though, whenever I don't look at that side of the 
 question, I feel a great desire to go, and learn, and see. 
 
 " Thank you, my very dearest Father, for all the trouble which your 
 wishes for my welfare, though I am sure not for your own happiness, 
 have caused you to take ; and for the long letters which you wrote when 
 you ought to have been enjoying a little idleness. 
 
 'If you see fit, please tell Sir E. B. Lytton how grateful I am for 
 his great and disinterested kindness, and acquaint him with the reasons 
 which lead me to decline. 
 
 "I'll come over to you on Monday. 
 
 " Ever, dearest Father, 
 " Your very affectionate Son, 
 
 "S. BLACKWOOD." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " TREASURY, ISth Sept., [1868] 
 
 " Many thanks for your word of advice. At the present moment I 
 know not which way the matter will end. It is in the LORD'S hands. 
 Let Him do what seemeth Him good. It will depend very much on 
 what the Doctor says to-morrow, and my Father to-day. 
 
 " The matter had been decided against going, when it was brought 
 up again in an unlocked and unsought for way. . . . 
 
 "About the time you get this we shall be deciding. Pray that I 
 and all of us may act as for Eternity, with a single eye to the glory of 
 our Saviour, and that He may make it very plain." 
 
 The result of that decision was a final refusal. GOD had provided 
 some better thing for him.
 
 V. 
 MAEEIED LIFE. 
 
 HUNTLY LODGE AND FIRST HOME. 
 
 STREATHAM. 
 
 FROM PLACE TO PLACE.
 
 "At his best a Christian is but a stranger here, set him where 
 you will ; and it is his privilege that he is so. And when he thinks 
 not so, he forgets and disparages himself. He descends far below 
 his quality, when he is much taken with anything in this place of 
 his exile." 
 
 Copied from LEIGHTON ON ST. PETER, in December, 1858.
 
 HUNTLY LODGE AND FIEST HOME. 
 
 Within three or four days of this momentous decision, Mr. 
 Blackwood and his sister left London on a visit to the Duchess of 
 Gordon at Huntly Lodge, Aberdeenshire. 
 
 Huntly Lodge stands within a short distance of the little town 
 of the same name, which, situated near the meeting of the Bogie and 
 the Deveron, is the local capital of the district of Strathbogie, a region 
 holding a place of its own both in history and in fiction. To a 
 southern eye the surrounding country may appear bare and bleak, 
 but the lines of the Clashmach and other low moorland hills are full 
 of beauty ; and within sight are the peaks of Tap o' Noth, the Buck 
 of the Cabrach, Ben Ehynis, under whose shadow lies the birth- 
 place of Mackay of Uganda, and other outposts of the more distant 
 Grampians. 
 
 The old Castle of Huntly is now a fine ruin, planted on a little 
 knoll above the rocky banks of the Deveron ; and a quarter of a 
 mile or so on the other side of the river stands "The Lodge," a 
 dower-house of the Gordon family. 
 
 Here during her widowhood lived Elizabeth, the last Duchess of 
 Gordon, " the good Duchess," as she is still affectionately called; 
 and staying with her at this time was Sydney, Duchess of Man- 
 chester, the widow of her beloved nephew, George, 6th Duke of 
 Manchester, over whom and her two young children she had for 
 years watched with loving maternal care. 
 
 The announcement of the engagement which shortly took place 
 between Mr. Blackwood and the Duchess of Manchester is thus 
 made to one of his friends. 
 
 " THE LODGE, HUNTLY, ABERDEENSHIRE, 5th Oct., 1858. 
 " The wish so often expressed in your letters that I might find a 
 ' help-meet ' for me in life, has at last by the mercy of GOD been realized ; 
 and I \vrite to you amongst the first to let you know that I am engaged 
 
 (205)
 
 206 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 to be married to Sydney, Duchess of Manchester, with whom I have 
 been staying here, at the Duchess of Gordon's, for the last fortnight, 
 but whom I have known more than a year. 
 
 "You will rejoice to know that she is one of GOD'S own dear 
 children, whom He has been teaching in no ordinary school . . . and 
 who is in every way fitted to make my life thoroughly happy, as being 
 capable of filling every void and satisfying every want of my human 
 heart, at the same time that her whole desire is to glorify our GOD in 
 her life, and to spend and be spent for her Saviour. 
 
 "... No congratulations can come up to the demand for them. 
 
 "Will you and your dear wife praise GOD for me, Who has blessed 
 me thus abundantly and undeservedly, and pray that our lives may 
 be devoted to Him in singleness of eye and thorough sincerity of 
 heart ? 
 
 " Pray above all that Jesus may be first in everything, and as you 
 know the snare a time of engagement is, that we may have especial 
 grace for such a time of need. . . . 
 
 " I am happy beyond expression." 
 
 It need not be said that the news of the engagement gave general 
 and unbounded satisfaction. It happened that most of Mr. Black- 
 wood's chief friends and associates had themselves been recently 
 married. They now welcomed him with acclamation into their 
 ranks. 
 
 "I am sure GOD'S best earthly gift is a good wife," says one. 
 ' ' Were I to write pages I could wish you nothing more than that 
 you may be as happy in your marriage as I am." 
 
 "How truly I hope that GOD will increase your happiness year 
 by year, as He does mine," is another form of the same wish. 
 
 An older friend says, " It is a VERY rich blessing when GOD finds 
 'an help-meet' for one of His children. I can say that, after ten 
 years' experience. . . . Yes, I can say that from my heart, and so 
 will you." 
 
 His friend Captain Anstruther wrote in lighter vein. 
 
 " BALCASKIE, 4*A Oct., 1868. 
 
 " It would be strange if I did not to the full sympathize with you in 
 your happiness. May the LORD abundantly bless you both in it. . . . 
 To few is it given to draw prizes in Life's Lottery, but as our tender 
 Father has been pleased to give so great and precious tokens of His love 
 to you and me, let us be earnest in prayer that a proportionate amount 
 of willing heartfelt service may be rendered Him. I rejoice in your 
 happiness.
 
 HUNTLY LODGE AND FIRST HOME 207 
 
 "You 'don't think of marrying for some years,' indeed!!! Your 
 ' home is all that you want, and your sister is all that any woman can 
 be ' ! ! ! Ah, my Boy, haven't you dropped nicely down from your high 
 stool ! Never mind, old Boy, you are well able to laugh at a little chaff, 
 with such a companion to back you up. Rather an improvement upon 
 Columbia? . . . May I be allowed to send my warm congratulations 
 and regards to Her Grace through you ? I suppose you will not mind 
 giving them, not that there is much to congratulate upon in marrying 
 such a rag-a-muffin as you, ' mais c'est selon le go&t.' 
 
 " May the sun of your happiness be unclouded. 
 
 " Your own loving fellow-soldier in the Great Army, wherein may 
 we fight boldly till death, 
 
 " R. A." 
 
 FROM Miss CHARLOTTE WRIGHT. 
 
 " Here my heart is quieted and comforted and thankful under the 
 rather overcoming tidings of this morning: 'The steps of a good man 
 are ordered by the LORD, and He delighteth in his way.' ' Righteousness 
 shall go before Him, and set us in the way of His steps.' 
 
 " I bless Him for you. Oh, what wonders of providence and grace 
 has He wrought for you ! He has first betrothed you to Himself ' for 
 ever," Ho. 2. 19, 20, and in the love of this precious relationship He is 
 now rejoicing and strengthening your heart by the prospect of the 
 sweetest earthly union. The LORD be mightily with you, and bless you 
 both ! . . . We now see why the LORD said, ' Go not to British Columbia.' 
 
 " But I will not trouble thee to read more. May you walk together 
 through the length and breadth of that land which floweth with milk 
 and honey." 
 
 FROM MRS. CECIL FANE. 
 
 " I see the Fifth Commandment is indeed ' a commandment with 
 promise,' for this is a great improvement on the British Columbia 
 scheme! I cannot help thinking of the joy your marriage would have 
 been to our darling Ceci." 
 
 FROM SIR CHARLES TREVELYAN. 
 
 " TBEASUBY, 13th Oct., 1858. 
 
 " Judging from all I have heard, . . . you are singularly fortunate 
 in obtaining such a wife; but I also judge from my knowledge of you 
 that you deserve your good fortune, (I wish there were a Christian 
 word exactly expressing this) and will continue to do so. The Duchess' 
 father was shipmate of a brother of mine, now no more, in years long 
 gone by, in the Revolutionaire ; and as the recollections of that time are 
 fresh in my mind, I am not surprised at goodness being hereditary in 
 his family."
 
 208 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 FROM E. KEMPSTER, HIS OLD NURSE. 
 
 " UPPER SYDENHAM, 6th Oct., 1858. 
 
 "I cannot tell you the joy I felt after I had read your dear note. I 
 could not help shouting Glory to GOD. I cannot tell you the sad 
 feelings of my heart, when dearest Miss Wright told me it was most 
 settled for you to go abroad. My heart seemed to sink within me, and 
 I wept most bitterly, and cried unto GOD, to let me see that it was 
 right ; for I felt it was going from your work where GOD had called you 
 and owned you and blessed you to the souls of so many. I quite 
 believe I was right, do you not think so? I quite feel to love the dear 
 young lady. Oh, that the blessing of the Most High may rest upon you. 
 " Your most gratefully and affectionately humble servant, 
 
 " ELIZA KEMPSTER." 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN TROTTER. 
 
 "BuxTON, Qth Oct., 1858. 
 
 "Depend upon it you will need grace, wisdom, and constant prayer 
 to steer through the first starting, entangling and very difficult arrange- 
 ments. As a follower of Jesus it becomes you to take a very quiet and 
 unostentatious line in your first plans, in which, from all I have known 
 of the dear Duchess, I am sure she will fully support you. You must 
 be much on your knees, dear Friend, or your feet will be well-nigh 
 slipping." 
 
 FROM DR. MARSH. 
 
 " BECKENHAM, llth Oct., 1858. 
 
 "My DEAR FRIEND When an event takes place, which a friend has 
 secretly desired, the pleasure is doubled. I am thankful for what I 
 have just heard. 
 
 "Of the one I say A perfect gentleman and a sincere Christian 
 constitute the ' highest style of man.' 
 
 " Of the other, I say, ' Her price is above Rubies.' 
 
 " To Both, I say, 1. Cor. 4. 7, but only the first clause, because Both 
 are conscious, James 1, 17. 
 
 "And now, as I hope I am of the Royal Priesthood, 1. Pet. 2. 9, I 
 send you my Blessing, in the language of the Type, Numbers 6. 24-26. 
 
 " I like to send my friends to their Bibles. 
 
 "May you be happy in a Saviour's love, and useful in a Saviour's 
 service." 
 
 Thus, " sanctified by the Word of GOD and prayer," and blessed 
 by the holiest and most lovely thoughts, this happy union was 
 formed. 
 
 On llth October Mr. Blackwood and his sister left Huntly Lodge
 
 HUNTLY LODGE AND FIRST HOME 209 
 
 for a promised visit of a few days to friends whose acquaintance 
 they had made at Wiesbaden. 
 
 To SYDNEY, DUCHESS OF MANCHESTER. 
 
 " PEBTH, 2.40, Tuesday, [12th Oct., 1858] 
 
 "I began the third of 1st John in the train . . . and tried to fathom 
 the paradox, ' If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves,' and ' He 
 that is born of God doth not commit sin ; ' but somehow or other I 
 don't think I've a good reasoning mind, and the only solution I could find 
 was Ps. xxxii. 1, 2. It is only while we abide in Him that we do not 
 sin? But the believer always must abide in Him. How wonderful 
 to think that with all our fearful multiplied transgressions, we are yet 
 ' blameless before Him in love.' 
 
 "I have just given away some tracts in the carriage where we are, 
 superciliously received, and other books taken up. My Father has just 
 left us ; he doesn't the least mind my giving them away now dear old 
 man. He left us with his eyes full of tears. . . . 
 
 " May the peace of GOD and the GOD of peace be with you. Pray for 
 me, that I may be more earnest in seeking souls ; readier to embrace 
 every opportunity, and that no look, word, deed or manner may be 
 otherwise than becomes a brand plucked from the burning a pilgrim 
 and a stranger. Oh, for an outpouring of the blessed Spirit, that we may 
 be no ordinary common Christians, but living epistles and reflections 
 of Jesus. 
 
 " HCNTERSTON, 13th October. 
 
 "... I tried to speak a word, but my words seemed cold and hard, 
 not as if I felt what I was saying. Do pray that I may be so filled with 
 the Spirit of the living GOD that I may never speak of His love with 
 coldness and reluctance, but that it may be out of the abundance of my 
 heart that my mouth speaks. 
 
 "I liked so much the verses this morning on brotherly love; may 
 our lives be such imitations of Jesus, that we may always be ready to 
 give up all self, and lay down our lives for the brethren who are all so 
 dear to Him, as He laid down His for us, His enemies. 
 
 "I've been learning 'Through the love of GOD our Saviour,' this 
 morning whilst dressing. 
 
 "HUNTERSTON, lith Oct. 1858. 
 
 " The weather is dark and dreary, and there are great black clouds 
 of rain sweeping across the sea, and the mountains are wrapped in mist, 
 and I think weather must influence the soul, though I don't quite like 
 to concede it, for there are clouds and mists over my spirit to-day, not 
 at all 'rejoicing in the Lord.' But 1 John iv. 15 made me feel that 
 
 14
 
 210 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Jesus Christ was ' the sanif, yesterday and to-day and for ever,' and that 
 GOD does dwell in the hearts of His children and they in Him, though 
 they may not be always able to realize it. And then faith, God-given 
 faith, got hold of 1 Cor. iii. 21, 22, 23, and was strengthened. 'All 
 things are yours; ye are Christ's; Christ is GOD'S.' Oh, if Christ is 
 ours, what do we want besides? Though all the storms of doubt and 
 despair sweep across the soul, nothing, thank GOD, can shake that ' Ye 
 are Christ's.' As long as that's in the Bible ; as long as the Holy Spirit 
 says in plain English, ' Christ has got hold of you, you're His,' the devil 
 himself can't take away our sure and certain hope. And then, if we are 
 Christ's, what manner of persons ought we to be in all godliness? Ah! 
 there's the rub the flesh doesn't like that. We are very willing to lay 
 hold of the promise, but when the consequence comes in, and the result 
 of belonging to Christ is found to be that we must be redeemed from 
 all iniquity saved from our sins, the flesh staggers at it and thinks it 
 a hard bargain." 
 
 To Miss ANNE WRIGHT. 
 
 " HUNTEBSTON, 14th Oct., [1858] 
 
 "Thank you for your warnings and prayers: they are much, much 
 needed. A time of earthly business and bustle is coming on, and what 
 with office work and arrangements for the future when I get back, there 
 will be danger of the heart and mind being drawn away from that 
 Saviour Who loves me so much, and Whom I love so little. This is what 
 I have always feared so much, and what has made me look forward to 
 marriage with anxiety; but I thank Him that I can say, 'Hitherto has 
 the LORD helped me.' He has not allowed the human love, I trust and 
 hope, to outweigh the heavenly, feeble though it be, but keeps up a 
 desire in my heart to know more of Jesus." 
 
 On 27th October, his leave having ended, Mr. Blackwood, as he 
 notes in his DIARY OF DATES, " returned alone to London. Glorious 
 journey of work." 
 
 To SYDNEY, DUCHESS OF MANCHESTER. 
 
 " 27th Oct., 1858. 
 
 "... It's 12 o'clock. I'm getting near Inverury, where I shall meet 
 K. . . . I had such an escort to the train. I am in a 3rd Class 
 carriage with twenty-four people. I couldn't make up my mind to give 
 them all tracts at first. There were some swell ... of whom I was 
 dreadfully afraid. ' Notwithstanding the LORD stood with me, and 
 strengthened me,' and I was enabled to give to all. They were very 
 well received. Just met an old friend, a working man, to whom I had 
 given a tract the day I went to Keith Hall ; he gave me such a hearty
 
 HUNTLY LODGE AND FIRST HOME 211 
 
 shake of the hand, and has just got out. Just passed Inverury wonder- 
 ful man, K . I would I had his zeal for souls, and forgetfulness of 
 
 self. He put his head into the carriage, and after saying a few words to 
 me, began to preach to them all so solemnly. I shrink from such a thing 
 fearfully. Ah, mine's a wretched service. May GOD give me more 
 devotion of heart, and more constraining sense of His love. Still GOD 
 makes us all useful in our way. As the train went on, I got into a little 
 conversation with an old man opposite about K.'s concern for the 
 salvation of others, upon which he said, ' Is it you or he is Brownlow 
 North ? ' 
 
 " We are getting near Aberdeen. I must put up my epistle. Best 
 and most grateful love to my dear Granny." [Duchess of Gordon] 
 
 " Wed. 3.30. 
 
 "... At Aberdeen, whilst waiting a quarter of an hour for the 
 train, I went out to the Quay, and gave away a good many tracts, and 
 went on board a collier, and preached a little sermon ; and then whilst 
 taking my ticket, I gave a man a book called, ' I have found a Ransom,' 
 and began to speak. He asked me in an earnest way, ' How can I know 
 that my ransom is paid?' I pointed him as plainly as I could to the 
 truth and faithfulness of GOD in His word. He said, ' I should like to 
 see more of you ; this concerns me, it's a personal thing.' We parted, 
 engaging to travel in the same carriage, but I have not seen him again. 
 On starting there was one elderly man in the carriage with me ; in some 
 common-place conversation he said, ' It's a de'il of a long way to 
 London.' I felt obliged, constrained to speak ; and told him what a 
 fearful thing it was to speak so frivolously of the Enemy of our souls ; 
 that if we were familiar with his name, we were familiar with him, and 
 were his children, heirs of wrath. He had been drinking ; at first there 
 was opposition, but he soon softened, and we knelt down in the carriage 
 and prayed together. The poor man was so grateful, thanked GOD that 
 he had met me, that I had spoken so faithfully to him, and said he felt 
 it was a message to his soul. He is very solemn and sober now, just 
 opposite me, seemingly impressed. Some others got in, an old and a 
 young man and a young woman ; they got their books. The old man 
 read his ; then came over to me and took my hand and said, ' If you've 
 given me that pamphlet, Sir, for the love of the LORD Jesus Christ, I shall 
 see your face shining in glory.' A nice conversation then ensued. May 
 GOD grant that it may be a blessing to them and to me. He has helped 
 me so. ... The poor drunkard is much touched he has just asked 
 me to pray for him that he may overcome his besetting sin. He does 
 seem so in earnest. 
 
 "The young woman, who hadn't said anything hitherto, has just
 
 212 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 got out. She took my hand and said so sweetly, ' I shall meet you 
 again at Home, Sir, for I'm travelling home too.' Wasn't it nice? 
 
 "I've just found the other man; he's coming into my carriage at 
 Perth. May GOD give me something for him, for Christ's sake. 
 
 " The poor drunkard quite sober, and so, so earnest. We were left 
 alone again. He besought me to pray again with him, and knelt down ; 
 he rose sobbing like a child. ... I pray that GOD may have touched his 
 heart. He is praising GOD for His mercy. 
 
 "C o'clock, Perth. We were left alone again, and once more prayed. 
 
 Will you pray too for the poor man? and tell about him, for I 
 
 asked her to pray that I might be strengthened. I fear I shall not be 
 able to write more, for there is no light in our carriage. I want to 
 spend a night of prayer. . . . 
 
 " TREASURY, Thursday. 
 
 "[Oct. 28th.] Shoals of work of all kinds awaiting me, official, 
 domestic and religious, and but little time to do it in. ... 
 
 "At Perth my anxious friend joined me. After drawing me out, he 
 disclosed himself to be a Free Church minister, who had been preaching 
 four times at Inverness on the Sunday, and was on his way to Canada as a 
 Missionary. We had two hours' very pleasant communion. He said 
 he felt he had been remiss in availing himself of opportunities of testifying 
 for Jesus, and trusted that my having given him a tract at the Ticket 
 place, would stir him up to more decision. We parted the best of 
 friends for time and Eternity. A lady who got out in Edinburgh gave 
 me a sermon of Spurgeon's in exchange for my tract. Had the carriage 
 alone, i.e., with one other man, who snored all the time, and was as 
 comfortable as if I had been 1st Class. He read 'Have you?' and liked 
 it. At Newark fresh irruption of travellers two ladies, two gentlemen. 
 Books distributed, pleasant conversation with one of the gentlemen. 
 Then a Dissenting minister got in, and had an hour's very pleasant 
 journey, telling alternate stories, mingled with plain truths, and parted 
 from all almost affectionately. During the morning got an hour's 
 thought about Rom viii. 9, 10, 11, and composed my address. On the 
 whole, never had such a journey of work and pleasure in the work and 
 profit in my life. His mercy endureth for ever. GOD be praised! 
 People at home delighted to see me and I them. . . . 
 
 'TREASURY, 29th Oct., 1868. 
 
 "[Friday.] . . . Whatever the feelings may be, the work remains the 
 same: thank GOD. 'It is finished!' 'Ye are complete in Him.' Not 
 despair even can take us out of the cleft in the Rock of Ages. 
 
 " I am tremendously busy and must confine myself to business. I'm 
 remarkably well, and have walked five miles already to-day. 
 
 "Give my very best love to the dearest Granny, and tell her that
 
 HUNTLY LODGE AND FIBST HOME 213 
 
 apart from all the joy of heart my stay at Huntly has caused, I do feel 
 the rest and the instruction and the opportunities to have been very 
 good for my soul. 
 
 " Pray for me . . . that business and pleasure may not distract or 
 excite me ; there is danger of it. I want ' A mind to blend with 
 outward life, whilst keeping at Thy side.' " 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " TREASURY, 29th Oct. [1858] 
 
 " I returned yesterday, better in soul than I have been for many 
 a long day, after a journey from Huntly of which I never had the like 
 before. . . . He is keeping my soul near to Him, I believe; and His 
 work, thanks be to His grace, is ever foremost. I know you will be 
 anxious to hear this. 
 
 "... Oh, 'Auntie,' she is 'a gift from the LORD.' . . . May He 
 grant that I may make her happy. I feel wretchedly undeserving of 
 her, but He has led us together. . . . 
 
 " I had fifty young men in Huntly Church-of-England Church on 
 Sunday, and was much helped." 
 
 To A FRIEND. 
 
 "Sat. morning, 12 A.M. [30th October, 1858] 
 
 "You must not be thinking such hard things of yourself; it's dis- 
 honouring to GOD. Your heart is right in His sight, for it's not your 
 heart any longer, you've given it to Him ; and it's renewed after His 
 image ; and He has returned it to you to keep for Him, instead of that 
 stony heart you once had. Don't let the Devil tempt you with such 
 thoughts. Do not look for feelings feelings are only consequent on 
 faith : if you are doubting GOD, your being His, or your standing in 
 grace, your feelings cannot be satisfactory. Believe Jesus has loved you, 
 and bought you, and keeps you ; and feelings will come, but never while 
 in unbelief. May He strengthen your faith. 
 
 "I will pray for you that you may really see Jesus. He is giving 
 you an increasing desire to behold Him, and as it comes from Him He 
 surely will give fulfilment of it. I send you Isa. xii. 2. May GOD bless 
 it to you by His Spirit." 
 
 To MR. ROWLAND SMITH. 
 
 " TREASURY, 9th Nov. 1858. 
 
 "It goes well with me, thank GOD, in all ways, especially spiritually, 
 and He is mercifully making Himself still the first, and seems to be 
 binding me closer to Himself by ever fresh tokens of His goodwill. 
 
 " He has been working with me lately much, and I have hope of many. 
 
 "Of other things I can only say, 'The lines have fallen to me in 
 VERY pleasant places.' "
 
 214 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 To SYDNEY, DUCHESS OF MANCHESTER. 
 
 " TREASURY, Dee. 2. 
 
 "Only fancy, on going past my lecture room [in Mount Row] last 
 night, I found it completely gutted, and full of bricklayers, the walls 
 being pulled down. I was dismayed, as I had no means of letting the 
 people know; and if once the meeting is dispersed without knowing 
 where its future locale is to be, there's no getting it together again. I 
 did not know what to do. At last I've got a small room which won't 
 hold more than sixty, where it will be for the next few Thursdays, I 
 trust; till \ve can get a larger place. I used to have it there before; 
 and the woman who lives there, the wife of a Lifeguardsman, has been 
 converted under my 'ministry' as she calls it. May GOD give me a 
 message for them all to-night." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " TREASURY, Dec. 11, [1858.] 
 
 "I have seen the Bible! It is indeed a beautiful one! the most 
 perfect one I have ever seen. Oh ! how loving and how kind of you, at 
 a time of such weakness to take such pains to write those prayers in it, 
 as beautifully written as if you were possessed of all possible health 
 and strength. 
 
 " I shall count your Bible one of my greatest treasures, as coming 
 from one to whom I owe more of spiritual good than to any one in the 
 worUl besides. 
 
 " I am so overjoyed to think that there is a chance, even a remote 
 one, of seeing you either Monday or Tuesday. 
 
 " We shall be just ten of us at the LORD'S Supper, but I suppose 
 there is no hope of you for that. 
 
 " It would so start us in our married life to hear you say 'Goo bless 
 you.' " 
 
 The wedding was to take place from the Duchess of Gordon's, 
 who by this time had come to town, and was staying at Grillon's 
 Hotel, Albemarle Street. On 16th December, the marriage was 
 solemnized at St. George's, Hanover Square, by the Rev. Frederick 
 Chalmers, Rector of Beckenham ; and the newly-married couple left 
 for Dyrharn Park, Herts, the bouse of their friend Captain Trotter. 
 
 " DYRHAM, SiUurday 18th Dec., [1868.] 
 
 " MY DARLING MOTHER AND SISTER, Just a few words from your 
 affectionate son and brother to say that all goes very well with us, and 
 that, as you may expect, we are not very unhappy here. . . . We think of 
 enjoying the tranquility here for about ten days instead of going to the 
 I. of Wight at once.
 
 HUNTLT LODGE AND FIKST HOME 215 
 
 "We have prayers morning and evening, when I expound; and 
 this morning I had in all the farm people and labourers, about twenty, 
 to family prayers, which Captain Trotter always does on Saturday 
 morning, and gave them a lecture on the 63rd Psalm. 
 
 "We have a great deal of reading together, our books being 'Leighton 
 on St Peter,' and Stanley's ' Sinai and Palestine.' . . . You won't mind 
 my not writing much just now. 
 
 "We were so thankful at the way the wedding went off. Every- 
 thing seemed so nice." 
 
 FROM HIS FATHER. 
 
 " GRANTHAM, Sunday [19 Dec., 1858] 
 
 " It is a dreadful wrench to lose you. It is like parting with a 
 second Cecy an angel in the house, whose bright example is as the 
 guiding star in the East, which it is a crime not to follow. And I feel 
 strongly, by contemplation and otherwise, how potent is the influence 
 you have shed over me in the grand business of the soul." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " FRESHWATER BAY, Dec. 31 [1858] 
 
 " Besides being a time of honey-mooning and enjoyment of each 
 other's society, we have striven to make this also a time of gaining 
 health for soul and body. 
 
 " We left Dyrham on Monday. ... On the steamboat I had some 
 very nice work. I was dreadfully afraid at first, there were so many 
 well-dressed people ; but we prayed about it, and then I set to work. 
 
 "The books were eagerly received by all, even the Captain of the 
 ship, who asked for one, and afterwards asked G if I was a clergy- 
 man. I had a chat with a poor soldier of the 50th, who confessed he 
 was a backslider, but that the difficulties of his position as drill- 
 instructor were too much for him.,, Poor fellow, we have been praying 
 much for him. 
 
 " We are now at Freshwater, a charming place, hearing the roar of 
 the waves, and having enjoyed the most glorious weather. We get the 
 servants of the house in to prayers and exposition, and I have formed 
 acquaintance with a Christian Coastguardsman. There are also some 
 Artillerymen here, whom I hope to get at. 
 
 "We are having a good deal of reading of the Bible together, and at 
 other times McCheyne's Life, which I find most profitable, and Stanley's 
 Palestine. 
 
 "My darling wife is, thank GOD, very well, and I can see a decided 
 improvement in her. . . . ' The heart of her husband doth safely trust 
 in her.' . . . 
 
 "... Oh ! if He has been satisfying you, and making you feel that
 
 216 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 there is none that you desire in comparison of Him, pray that I may 
 do the same, that nothing else may be permitted to satisfy me but 
 Jesus Christ and Him crucified." 
 
 To BARON CHARLES VON BIEL. 
 
 " I. OP WIGHT, SQth Dec., 1858. 
 
 "Ours was a thoroughly Christian wedding. We were married 
 from the Duchess of Gordon's, in London, a sincere servant of GOD. 
 The night before, ourselves and families, about twelve in all, partook of 
 the LORD'S Supper together; and immediately after the wedding we 
 met together with about twenty friends and relations, all devoted 
 servants of the LORD Jesus, to ask a blessing on our union, and to pray 
 that our lives might be spent to His glory." 
 
 " While seeking a permanent home," says Mr. Blackwood in his 
 NOTES, " we first lived for six months in a house on Wimbledon 
 Common." 
 
 " Whilst here, and afterwards," writes his Wife, "he went regularly 
 to the Mount Row Meeting, and also to the Bible-Reading in Captain 
 Trotter's room in Soho Square, lent for the purpose. He would always 
 go over all the names of those who were present, members of Civil 
 Service, Officers, etc. He always tried to get men to join, and would 
 chronicle with joy how so-and-so came regularly and was really 
 interested. 
 
 " He tried to get work under the Rector of Wimbledon, Mr. Adams, 
 but his engagements made it difficult; and Mr. Adams told him he 
 thought he had already as much as he could undertake, and added to 
 me that his zeal was greater than his strength." 
 
 At this time he began the practice of inviting several cadets from 
 Addiscombe College to spend the Sunday at his house, the line of 
 blue uniforms sometimes almost filling his pew in Church. 
 
 " I have written," he says to Miss Marsh, " to ask E , M , P and 
 H for next Sunday, and have great pleasure in telling you that if we 
 get this house at Streatham, it will suit in every respect either you or 
 we can possibly desire." 
 
 " He sought so earnestly," writes his Wife, " to win those cadets to 
 the service of GOD. Some he knew and loved have passed ' within the 
 veil ' ; with others he corresponded, and was so happy when he heard 
 of the Christian life of one and another. For some he had to grieve 
 that the promise of early years was not fulfilled." 
 
 And yet of even some such he was allowed to know here on
 
 HUNTLY LODGE AND FIEST HOME 217 
 
 earth that his " labour had not been in vain in the LORD." So long 
 afterwards as 1878 almost twenty years later ! he received a 
 letter from a clergyman to whom he was personally unknown, which 
 
 says : 
 
 "You may not now remember a brother of mine," [mentioning a 
 name which often appears in Mr. Blackwood's letters of the earlier 
 date] "at Addiscombe many years ago. You were personally helpful 
 to him when he was there. He has for many years been under a cloud, 
 having sadly backslidden, but has lately been brought to decide boldly 
 for Christ. He speaks as if he had never known the truth before, but 
 my own impression is that the work of grace really began at Addis- 
 combe. Should you remember him, you will be glad to hear of his 
 restoration." 
 
 Amongst the letters which Sir Arthur preserved to the day of his 
 death was one from another Addiscombe cadet, written in 1863 from 
 a hill-station in India, and over which doubtless he had rejoiced 
 with great joy. 
 
 To BARON C. VON BIEL. 
 
 " TREASURY, 20tt April, [1859.] 
 
 " I must tell you about a glorious work that is going on at Addis- 
 combe College amongst the cadets. For about a year there has been a kind 
 of revival of religion there. It began with one young fellow, who after a 
 time was enabled to persuade others to join him in reading the Bible 
 and in prayer. They soon mounted up in numbers who have apparently 
 given themselves heart and soul to Jesus Who bought them ; and 
 notwithstanding great opposition are standing out boldly as good 
 soldiers of Jesus Christ. 
 
 "Last Sunday but one, a little fellow, who had been one of the 
 swearing drinking set, was with us, and was enabled then and there to 
 determine to live for GOD only, and is now, he writes, ' Happier than he 
 ever was before, rejoicing in the blessed truth that his sins are forgiven 
 him for Jesus' sake.' He has now joined the Bible-reading set. 
 
 "Goo has given them abundance of grace, and they are able with 
 Moses to ' count the reproach of Christ greater riches than all the 
 treasures of Egypt.' Heb. 11. 26." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " TREASURY, 31st March, [1859] 
 
 " Thank GOD for the new souls given. Our meeting is likewise 
 increasing, and I expect we shall not be less than twenty at our 
 Quarterly Prayer-meeting to-day, of which I send you the programme.
 
 218 LIFE OF SIR ABTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "As to shooting. ... It was seeing a poor little rabbit about a 
 fortnight old which I shot by accident, dying in agony, having both its 
 hind legs broken, and striving to crawl on its fore legs, squeaking 
 piteously, and looking with such misery of pain out of its bright little 
 brown eyes, that I felt, 'This isn't work I should like ray tender loving 
 Master to find me engaged in. ' . . ." 
 
 FROM HIS MOTHER. 
 
 " My dearly beloved Son, That I have not you with me on your 
 Birthday is a grief to me, but as it is GOD'S appointment that a man 
 should leave Father and Mother, and cleave to his Wife, I am more than 
 satisfied that you have such a Wife. . . . May every blessing be upon 
 you both ; length of days, and health to enjoy them. GOD Almighty 
 bless you, dear, dearest Son. I do bless and praise and magnify Him 
 that He has so over-ruled your movements that we have the blessing of 
 you here with us, and the blessing of such a new daughter. 
 
 " Your Loving Mother. 
 
 " 21st May, 1859. 53 UPPER BROOK STREET. 
 
 "Tell dear S. to make much of you on your birthday, and to be 
 thankful for such a Husband." 
 
 In May he went up for the Yeomanry Training at Hertford. 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 "TREASURY, 28th May, [1859] 
 
 "Thank you for your pleasant birthday letter. I had no time to 
 answer it at Hertford, for I was drilling all day long. ... I was very 
 deficient in earnestness and zeal ; but still I had several opportunities 
 of putting the truth before brother-officers, when it was well received; 
 but I am much humbled by my own sinfulness and coldness towards 
 the loving patient long-suffering Jesus, Who so graciously bears with all 
 my sins, and loves me still. His love does indeed pass all knowledge! 
 
 " S. was a great help and blessing to me. We had the children and 
 Lucy down for the Review, which they enjoyed immensely."
 
 STEEATHAM. 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " From Wimbledon, on 29th June, 1859, we moved to Wood Lodge, 
 Streatham, an old square red-brick house, looking over Tooting Common 
 towards the setting sun, and surrounded by about seven or eight acres 
 of old-fashioned garden and paddock." 
 
 Close at hand, indeed adjoining, were the Eectory and Parish 
 Church. 
 
 The Streatham of those days now entirely swallowed up into 
 a bustling London suburb was still really a village. It stood on 
 the high-road from London to Brighton. The short irregularly- 
 built street, lined here and there with trees, crept down a hill, and 
 on one side was broken by the village-green, which was bounded by 
 some of the beautiful elms for which the neighbourhood was then 
 remarkable. 
 
 Many historic recollections hung about the spot. The Parish 
 Church, at the top of the hill, stands on a site which is believed to 
 have been originally that of an old Roman station, though for many 
 centuries a place of Christian worship. It was the door-post of its 
 porch which old Dr. Johnson kissed, as he left for the last time the 
 building where he had so often worshipped with his friends the 
 Thrales, whose house stood within a few hundred yards of Wood 
 Lodge. It was in Streatham Rectory, parts of which are said to be 
 of very great antiquity, that much of the Reform Bill of 1832 was 
 drafted. The living was then held by Lord Wriothesley Russell, 
 and at an important crisis in the evolution of the Bill, Lord John 
 Russell retired to his brother's Rectory, where he lay perdu for 
 about three weeks, engaged upon his work, the study and a bedroom 
 above it being given up to his use. 
 
 In the southern part of the parish, around Streatham Common, 
 was the separate district of Immanuel Church, where Mr. Black- 
 wood attended. 
 
 (219)
 
 220 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Until February, 1868, Wood Lodge continued to be his home ; 
 and perhaps in the whole of his life, there were no happier years 
 than these. " Ah, there can never be another Streatham," he 
 would sometimes say. He was then in all the freshness and 
 spring-time of his spiritual experience ; temporally his cup was 
 indeed full of happiness ; and it seems to have pleased GOD to give 
 an unusually abundant and speedy harvest to his labours for Him. 
 It was also the sowing-time of much seed which reproduced itself 
 in later times, and whose accumulated harvests are for Eternity. 
 
 "Never perhaps," he says himself in almost the last words which he 
 was able to dictate in his Autobiographical Notes, "was I permitted to 
 engage in work more fruitful in definite blessing, resulting through 
 GOD'S grace in the changed lives of numbers whom I have ever since 
 counted amongst my truest Christian friends." 
 
 Moreover, as is evident from the Word of GOD, there are in the 
 spiritual history of the Church, as of the individual, seasons which 
 are " times of refreshing from the presence of the LORD," in which 
 the Spirit is poured out from on high. The most simple and 
 ordinary means of grace are then invested with a new power, and 
 extraordinary means seem to be merely natural and appropriate. 
 
 Such a period in the general life of the Evangelical Churches 
 coincided with this portion of Mr. Blackwood's life. What wonder 
 then that, in common with scores of earnest workers to the present 
 day, he ever looked back with holy recollections to that time of 
 wonderful blessing ? 
 
 He had already been much interested in soldiers and policemen, 
 and within a few weeks of reaching Streatham the record stands in 
 his DIARY OF DATES : 
 
 " August 2nd. Soldiers and Policemen's party on the lawn." 
 
 But something more permanent than this was desired and 
 effected, though little indeed could he have imagined at the time 
 " whereunto this thing would grow." "It commenced," he says, 
 " with an attempt to get hold of the Police Force of the village on 
 their pay-day. We met first at the rude little station which was all 
 that the quiet village of Streatham then boasted." This was merely 
 a room or two adjoining the spot where 
 
 " Under a spreading chesnut-tree 
 The village smithy stood."
 
 STREATHAM 221 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " This proving too small, we first adjourned to my coach-house, and 
 then to one of the downstairs rooms in my house, to which the men's 
 wives could also come. Presently others from the village dropped in, 
 and soon not a few of the better class. After a time it became necessary 
 to make a weekly clearance on Monday evenings of our dining-room, 
 library, and hall, which, together with the staircase, made room for 
 between 200 and 250 people." 
 
 " Usually," says the Duchess, "the space was all too small. How the 
 earnest attentive faces rise to remembrance ! As the meeting closed, 
 he would seek one and another to press home the truths on which he 
 had been speaking, his whole soul absorbed in the one desire that each 
 should know the Saviour so dear to himself. It was here that many 
 found life eternal, poor and rich, high and low. One remembers so 
 well some of the regular attendants the poor woman who came in all 
 weathers with her baby across Tooting Common ; the well-to-do farmer 
 who never missed ; the young men so attentive, so interested ; this one 
 and that many now gone home to glory, whose first start heavenward 
 was made there, and the many also of all classes who are still faithfully 
 serving and working for the Saviour Whom there they learned to know 
 and to love ; but some too over whom he mourned, who seemed to 
 begin well, but turned back to sin and the world's service. How quiet 
 all were, and how they listened and noted ! In the summer the garden 
 door was open, and many sat out in the twilight ; but though thus scat- 
 tered, all were so reverent, and seemed to catch the spirit of the earnest 
 pleadings to which they listened. 
 
 "A poor woman who had been in such trouble as to attempt to 
 drown herself from London Bridge, came to live at Streatham. One 
 day she overheard a woman say, ' That's the place to find peace.' She 
 went up and said, 'Oh, where? Tell me where I may find peace. I 
 am so miserable.' The woman told her of the meetings, and offered 
 to call for her the next Monday. She came; and the text seemed as 
 if spoken to her by GOD. ' Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are 
 heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' 'Rest' that was what she 
 needed. Her attention was riveted, and she left that house a changed 
 woman. 
 
 "Mr. Blackwood sought to follow up all whom he could reach. In 
 his morning walks on Sundays and holidays after his work in 
 London, his delight was to visit this one and that one, and help them 
 on in the heavenly way. 
 
 " His preparation was always most careful, whether for the few or 
 for the many. He had not much time, but from the first felt that he 
 could not speak to others unless he had some hours on Sunday evenings 
 quite undisturbed, all through his life he kept to this rule.
 
 222 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " Sometimes with all his preparation, he felt as if he could not 
 speak, and would go to the meeting much depressed; but whether 
 'prepared' or feeling quite 'unprepared,' his dependence was ever upon 
 GOD, and he would say how he had been helped, although not always 
 to his own comfort. Stammering was a great trial to him, but gradu- 
 ally, unless he was very nervous, this was overcome." 
 
 All that was involved in this constant upheaval of the ordinary 
 routine of a household can well be imagined. Only a grudging 
 attention could be expected for so unusual a duty as the weekly 
 moving of furniture, and carrying of forms and chairs ; and the 
 relief to the Duchess was unbounded, when the good providence of 
 GOD sent to them one who was heartily and cheerfully devoted to 
 herself and to his master, who continued a faithful and attached 
 friend when he left their service, and who, when death came, laid 
 the beloved remains in their last resting-place. 
 
 Before the close of this year 1859, the first references to the 
 Great Revival appear in the correspondence. 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " TREASURY, 24M Oct. [1859] 
 
 "No! clearest 'Auntie,' I've not forgotten you, but I'm over- 
 whelmed with work; and I too want to see you, and tell you about 
 our GOD'S gracious dealings here, there, and everywhere. It seems too 
 glorious. I believe we shall see 'great and marvellous things.' I am 
 looking for them in my house and family and neighbourhood and city. 
 
 "I send you a letter from the dear old Duchess." [of Gordon] "I 
 ought to have sent it before, but have been rushing up and down to 
 Liverpool and Southampton," [with specie] "and have been reading it 
 out everywhere. People weep as they hear it. Forty-six at my Streat- 
 ham meeting, mostly police, and 150 in London." 
 
 To BARON CHARLES VON BIEL. 
 
 " TREASURY, Xw>. 7, 1859. 
 
 " You have I suppose heard something of the wonderful revival of 
 religion in the North of Ireland, Scotland and Wales, where GOD seems 
 to be awakening hundreds and thousands to a sense of their lost state 
 without Jesus, and causing them to flee from the wrath to come. My 
 Wife's relations, who live in the midst of it, have sent us some account 
 of the marvellous change of heart and life that has taken place in 
 many amongst their own sen-ants, tenants and others. We have not 
 seen much of it in England, though there does seem to be a great and
 
 STREATHAM 223 
 
 increasing anxiety in the hearts of multitudes to learn about Christ 
 and His Salvation. There are numerous daily prayer-meetings. The 
 other day I went to one at some iron-works and mines in Derbyshire, 
 belonging to Wright's father, where I met eighty of the men in one of 
 the gas-houses for prayer at 1.15. 
 
 " These men have an hour for dinner, and out of that they spend 
 three-quarters in social prayer. I addressed a few words to them, we 
 sang a hymn, and several of them prayed most fervently. It was 
 wonderful to see them, black from the smelting furnaces, all meeting 
 together to call upon their GOD. 
 
 " Even in London, and where I labor, I think I see GOD working. 
 My Thursday Evening Meeting now numbers nearly two hundred, and 
 is often quite crammed ; and my Police meeting, which began with 
 twelve, now has increased to forty-six or fifty. Several of them are, I 
 trust, seeking Jesus, and some have found Him." 
 
 To MR. EOWLAND SMITH. 
 
 " TEEASUKY, Nov. 8, 1859. 
 
 " I find, which I suppose you have found too, that the fight, which 
 at the first was mostly external, has now become very nearly altogether 
 internal. ' He that subdueth his spirit is greater than he that taketh a 
 city,' seems to me just now to be a very powerful word, and the neces- 
 sity of having all the imaginations of one's heart subjected to the law 
 and love of Christ appears of paramount importance, if we would walk 
 worthy of our high calling as children of GOD, and joint-heirs with 
 Christ. Oh ! that the Word had more power over one, and that the 
 love of Christ more constrained one to bring every thought into sub- 
 jection. But it is a life-long process." 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " TREASURY, Nov. 22, [1859.] 
 
 "I must write you one line, though my hand aches with continuous 
 writing for almost four hours. 
 
 " We had such an evening last night. General Alexander gave us 
 an account in Mr. Eardley's Schoolroom of the Revival. Oh, it was so 
 solemn, so crowded. That fine old Christian soldier made one feel one 
 saw it all. Truly it is a wondrous and awfully solemn work, and not 
 to be spoken of lightly. Whither are all these things leading? 
 
 "The Spirit is poured out in Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, 
 
 America, Norway, Sweden, South of France, Africa, Burmah, India ! ! 
 
 ... A feeling of awe comes over one as one looks forward, and as 
 
 one looks around and sees the giddy careless crowd, eating and drinking, 
 
 marrying and giving in marriage with no reference to Eternity.
 
 224 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " May He give us waiting hearts, and all needful knowledge. 
 
 " Pray for a little Jew cadet I have asked for Sunday. He is feeling 
 something, and says he thinks the passages in the N. T. about the ' love 
 of Christ ' very beautiful. 
 
 " Colonel Stepney was with us last night, and was much impressed. . . . 
 
 " Do you take and think on, in connection with present events, Ps. 
 cii. 14, 16. 
 
 " TREASURY, 12th Dec., [1869.] 
 
 " As usual I have no time to spare. There are many I have spoken 
 to, whom I want to write to. I want time for reading and prayer and 
 meditation, both for my own soul, and others, and I mustn't neglect my 
 duty here. 
 
 " Such a glorious Sabbath yesterday. Old Colonel Stepney spent it 
 with UP, and brought his son. . . . Colonel Stepney, for whom I have been 
 so feebly interceding for two years and a half, seems in great anxiety. 
 Continually, as we were reading all together in the afternoon, and in the 
 evening whilst talking together, we heard a suppressed, ' LORD Jesus, 
 help me' coming from the old man's lips. I trust he was much 
 impressed." 
 
 A few years later, Colonel Stepney was called away, with only a 
 few days' illness, as the result of an apparently trifling accident 
 merely a fall on an icy road. His widow poured out her heart to 
 her husband's friend ; and some extracts from her letter will tell 
 how real had been the change wrought in that night by the Holy 
 Spirit's power. 
 
 " IMPERIAL HOTEL, JERSEY, Monday, 28th July. 
 
 " My heart has burned within me to write to you to tell you, as he 
 told me to do, that he died saved in Christ. He desired me to tell you 
 that he went forth with glorious certainty and hope to his Saviour's 
 arms. He longed that you should know his fearless happiness in death, 
 through your teaching. And he even told the doctor, lest grief might 
 prevent me, to be sure and tell you, his dearest Guide and Friend, that 
 you will see him yet with Jesus. 
 
 "All that night before he died he was rapt in glory holding out 
 his arms to his loving Saviour, and telling me to follow. His mind and 
 brain clear and strong to the last. No SHADOW of doubt lay over him. 
 
 " Tuesday night they sent me to lie down. At about 4.30 my maid 
 called me. He seemed departing fast, with full consciousness. He 
 was gazing upwards when I came to him, and describing all to me. 
 He said, ' I have seen it all, and the hour of Christ's coming (for me) is 
 at hand. It may be this night. I saw the throne, and the bands of 
 glorious angels preparing, and the music I have also heard. . . .' He
 
 STEEATHAM 225 
 
 was, oh, so gloriously happy. As day broke, he said he saw the end 
 was not yet. He gave me so many messages. In the forenoon he 
 desired me to send for the General, who at once came, and he told him 
 all he wished . . . but whenever he had said all these necessary earthly 
 things, he absorbed his soul in quiet rapid prayer, too ill to heed the 
 movements around, but his lips continually speaking low to Jesus, 
 ' Jesus Christ,' and ' dear LORD Saviour.' On Wednesday night, almost 
 in a moment he was gone. Will you send me the text that will go 
 later on his monument ? He would have liked you to choose it, I 
 think." 
 
 The long friendship which Mr. Blackwood had felt for this old 
 officer had been shared by his brother, who, as he said himself, " had 
 been a clergyman for thirty years, without peace." In those days 
 of spiritual awakening his anxiety about his own condition became 
 very great. He attended meetings in Ireland ; came over to London, 
 and sought, but in vain, for the sense of pardon and reconciliation 
 with GOD. Mr. Blackwood had much personal conversation with 
 him. After a short time, he left for Scotland ; and in a few days the 
 following letter was received. 
 
 " 21st Jan., 1861. 
 
 " In the train the other night, I was repeating the 53rd of Isaiah, to 
 while away the time, and when I came to the words, 'The LORD hath 
 laid upon Him the iniquity of us all,' I felt with indescribable force that 
 /must be included in the word all, and that as my sins had once been 
 laid upon the great Sin-bearer, that even had they been ten thousand 
 times more heinous than they are, He has made full satisfaction for 
 them, and thus they can never again be brought up against me. 
 
 " I trust this is the Holy Spirit showing me the truth ; and what 
 you said so positively about Christ dying for all, and having paid the 
 whole debt of all mankind, has greatly fortified me. You were so very 
 kind, I can't help opening my mind to you." 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " 12th Dec., [1859] 
 [Letter resumed."] 
 
 " I've begun a little meeting for prayer on Saturday evenings at eight 
 o'clock for half an hour, for real Christians. About a dozen from the 
 
 village come, and several of our servants. A policeman, whom W 
 
 calls my ' firstfruits ' amongst them, prays most beautifully. Prayers 
 limited to five minutes, two hymns, and a few verses. They've one at 
 Beckenham at the same hour. 
 
 " Oh ! what great things GOD is doing. But I want more power in 
 
 15
 
 226 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 my own heart and life. I seem often quite dead no sins subdued. . . . 
 Grace seems often powerless." 
 
 FROM HIS SISTER. 
 
 "21ri Dec., 1859. 
 
 "You spoke in your last letter, darling, as in most others, of having 
 ' as usual no time ' ; and it made me wonder whether perhaps you did 
 not sometimes try and undertake more than you could thoroughly do. 
 I feel I am the last person to suggest less work to you, when I do so 
 little for Jesus myself, but still I have heard and seen that Satan has 
 two ways of tempting GOD'S children, one being to do too little, and 
 the other to do too much. And I have generally observed that the 
 more experienced Christians become, the more time they seem to have, 
 and the less hurried they are; because I think they do not try to grasp 
 too much, and so get hearts 'at leisure.' 
 
 And I am sure when others feel that Christians are so busy, they 
 can only spare five or ten minutes to listen to them, it makes them 
 feel that there must be a kind of superficiality in their attention and 
 sympathy ; and that perhaps all the time, though really trying to help 
 them, and throw themselves into their interests, they are inwardly 
 thinking that their time with them is nearly up, and that they must 
 go on to the next person or thing of interest. 
 
 " I only speak now generally, because I like to tell you what I feel ; 
 and also because I think we all need to remember sometimes that 
 although GOD graciously makes use of us as His instruments in His 
 great work, yet that He is by no means dependent upon us or our 
 labours ; and that we may sometimes, by impressing others with the 
 quantity of things we want to do, and the little time we have for each, 
 prove a check and a hindrance to them, rather than the help we desire 
 to be, and should be, if our hearts were more restful and less anxious 
 and occupied about 'want/ things,' though each good in themselves. 
 And so we need as much of that wisdom which cometh from above to 
 show us where to stop, as how to go on." 
 
 THE ANSWER. 
 
 " STREATHAM, Saturday, [2&A Dec., 1869] 
 
 " Your letter just received was like oil upon troubled water. Ten 
 minutes ago I was so burdened with a heap of things: letters to be 
 answered; children's tree to be got ready; tricks to be prepared; 
 servants to be seen after; a ride, if possible, for half an hour; tracts; 
 accounts ; prayer-meeting, etc., etc., etc., till I felt overwhelmed, and 
 your letter has just put it all straight. 
 
 " J believe I do try to do too much ; and yet when I see what others
 
 STREATHAM 227 
 
 do, and remember the many who want writing to and praying for, I 
 feel that I do nothing ; and then I am never able to follow any cases 
 here to their homes, and feel half the work is undone (faithlessly). 
 But I don't get time enough for prayer, though perhaps more than 
 many do. What I want to realize and attain is the power of a present 
 praying mind, as you say, ' at leisure from itself.' 
 
 "... Oh, I can't tell you half the things I want. GOD is working 
 with Mr. Radcliffe and Brownlow North. I heard them at Exeter Hall. 
 I don't know when he comes to us." 
 
 How conspicuously, in after life, Mr. Blackwood was enabled by 
 the grace of GOD to attain the tranquility of spirit about which his 
 sister wrote, is shown by the testimony of the wife of his clergyman 
 at Crayford, who had for several years constant opportunity of 
 intercourse. She says : 
 
 " The repose of his life was something very beautiful. He was 
 never in a hurry. His early rising, and his splendid arrangement of his 
 time, contributed to this. So it came to pass that when in conversation 
 with you, he knew just how long he could spare ; and for that space he 
 was wholly at your disposal. But as the limit arrived, he would calmly 
 rise, and go to his next engagement." 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " TREASURY, 30th Dec., [1859] 
 
 " One word of hearty wishes for the New Year, in Dr. Marsh's words : 
 
 "'A lively faith in the 1st Advent. 
 
 "'A joyful hope in the 2nd Advent. 
 
 " 'A holy, happy, and useful New Year.' 
 
 " There is on every hand great cause for thanksgiving and encourage- 
 ment. . . . 
 
 " Kempster, as you may imagine, is almost out of her skin for joy. 
 She sings and prays all night long. . . . She's been here a fortnight, 
 and I shall be so sorry to lose her. I always speak into her trumpet at 
 prayers, which she enjoys immensely. 
 
 "We hope Mr. Radcliffe will come to us about 8th, and believe that 
 GOD is with him. 
 
 " This has been a very, very blessed year. I expect one of greater 
 blessing, though strange things loom in the future." 
 
 The Duchess' "Recollections" take up the story again at this 
 point. 
 
 "When the news of GOD'S dealings in Scotland, in 1859-60, reached 
 us, and letters from the Duchess of Gordon and Miss Calcraft,* telling 
 
 * Afterwards the wife of the Rev. C. D. Marston, of St. Paul's, Onslow Square.
 
 228 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 of the blessing upon Mr. Reginald Radcliffe's preaching round about 
 Huntly, etc., Mr. Blackwood could not be satisfied till he had arranged 
 that Mr. Radcliffe should come to Streatham, so that those around, for 
 whose souls he longed, should have the opportunity of hearing him. 
 The Drawing-room was prepared, and numbers came; and as Mr. 
 Radcliffe spoke on The Brazen Serpent telling how 'EVEN so must the 
 Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him' might THEN 
 receive healing for the soul by ' looking' the Word went home to many 
 hearts. 
 
 " A gentleman who came to the meeting, and sat near Mr. Radcliffe, 
 shook his head disapprovingly, and continued to do so during the 
 address. Many years afterwards a letter was received from him, 
 written in his last illness, and telling of comfort and profit received 
 from reading in 'Forgiveness, Life and Glory,' the very same truths 
 which had then called forth his strong disapproval." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " TBEASUBY, Monday [Jan. 1860] 
 
 "A glorious, glorious evening on Friday, with Mr. Radcliffe at West- 
 bourne Riding School. About 150 remained. Such a wondrous scene 
 of the Spirit's power. Hearts opened and Jesus revealed to them. 
 The same last night at Craven Chapel, Regent Street: about eighty. 
 Prayer answered about Police. There's a stir among them. 
 
 " Many, many thanks, but can't neglect my Thursday in London, 
 and have a meeting every other night this week in my own house, or 
 
 we should both be delighted to come. 
 
 " TREASUBY, 12th Jan. [1860] 
 
 "Please, much prayer about the police. GOD has, I believe, the last 
 two Mondays given me grace to tell the plain truth, (last Monday we 
 
 had over seventy,) and it is rousing enmity. , a professing Christian, 
 
 but a worldly man, is furious, I hear, and several of the others said 
 that if the preaching was not changed last Monday, they would not 
 come again. It was not changed and it now rests with the LORD. . . . 
 Altogether there is much opposition. I am beseeching the LORD to 
 change his heart ; and to pluck brands from the fire amongst them. 
 
 " Pray that I may have wisdom to tell them of Jesus' love. 
 
 "Tuesday Radcliffe will address as many as I can get in by ad- 
 vertisement or otherwise, and you must be there too. 
 
 " He wants a few believers to meet in prayer for London. We 
 might do it Tuesday afternoon, 23rd. Ask dear Mr. and Mrs. Chalmers 
 to drive over. 
 
 "Oh, for faith! not to doubt one instant, but to be filled \vith faith 
 and with the Holy Ghost ! Unbelief is the hindrance the doubting of 
 GOD'S people."
 
 STREATHAM 229 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " TREASURY, 13th Jan. [1860] 
 
 " Thanks for your letter of caution. There is indeed a necessity for 
 guarding against excitement, and I feel one should be slow to point out 
 people as converted people to others till one is very sure. At the same 
 time that one should not throw cold water on the people themselves, or 
 be 'slow of heart to believe' that GOD can and does work instantane- 
 ously. 
 
 " If the work were man's, we might say time was required ; but as 
 it is GOD'S, Who is Omnipotent, I see no reason for doubting that He is 
 able and willing to work in the same way now as He did formerly, when 
 3000 believed and rejoiced in one day. 
 
 " We must pray that Jesus may be realized by us and all engaging 
 in the work as our ' Wisdom,' which He is made unto us. 
 
 " This is a critical time, it seems to me, for London. The first drops 
 of the shower are being felt. We must not let GOD go without an 
 abundant blessing. ' Prove Me NOW.' 
 
 " TREASURY, 1st Feb. [1860] 
 
 "Thanks for your kind letter about my rheumatic pain in my heart. 
 It wasn't in it, only about it, was nothing serious, and left me, I am 
 thankful to say, last Thursday. 
 
 "The last month has made me feel and see much more of the 
 mighty power of the Spirit of Jesus to save, and renew. But unbelief 
 comes creeping in again continually. How needful is Heb. iii. 12. 
 
 " It's the same rotten old heart over and over again. It'll never get 
 any better. It's a worthless thing, but we are complete in Him. 
 
 " Jones spoke on Monday at Streatham. Four lads stayed behind. 
 The youngest, about twelve, had given himself to Jesus the night Mr. 
 Radcliffe spoke. The others were all most earnest. 
 
 "Last night I was with Captain Hawes at Wandsworth. Several 
 instances occurred of conviction. . . . 
 
 "A MOST WONDROUS sermon from Mr. Eardley on Sunday evening. 
 I never heard one like it." 
 
 FROM Miss ANNE WRIGHT. 
 
 " llth May, [1860] 
 
 "Aunt C. has been spending a few days at , and has sent us 
 
 wonderful tidings from thence of the work of GOD, particularly as con- 
 nected with the congregation of Mr. . He has been accustomed to 
 
 lay down one method in which the Spirit works conversion, but he is 
 constrained to yield to the present dispensation of Divine Grace ; it is 
 so manifestly of GOD. . . . Most of them have been under his ministry 
 from two to six years.
 
 230 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " I do with much love, yet often but feebly, remember you both 
 before my GOD. I think you have special need to be armed from head 
 to foot, lest the foxes, the little foxes which spoil the tender grapes, get 
 advantage over you, and I have no doubt those heart-burnings and 
 jealousies which spring up and trouble you are allowed in great wisdom 
 and love to keep you very low at His dear feet, and to empty you again 
 and again that He may fill you. 
 
 " Dearest ! her faith, her patience, her love, her endurance have 
 
 much to exercise them at home, whilst you are called to active work in 
 winning souls for your loved Master, far less crucifying to the flesh, 
 shall I say it, than hers. I love to consider the character and situation 
 of the Family, His Firstborn, whom He is bringing up. Jer. xxxi. 8, 9. 
 Why still lame, and blind, and burdened, and suffering? Is it not to 
 magnify the infinite sympathy and boundless compassion of their 
 Leader ? " 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " TREASURY, 12th May, [1860] 
 
 ' The weather is desponding, and that, somehow or other, has an 
 influence on faith. 
 
 '' But ice will, please GOD, go on beseeching Him. 
 
 "I seldom, if ever, know what it is to wrestle with Him, really to 
 grasp the promises for myself and others. Day by day I feel what a 
 half-hearted, prayerless, faithless life mine is, though some in their 
 ignorance may call it consistent and hearty. . . . 
 
 " Still He bears me on His heart, as Aaron did the names of Israel's 
 tribes." 
 
 FROM Miss C. WRIGHT, for his Birthday. 
 
 " WICKHAM, May 21, [I860.] 
 
 'In this time of great unceasing and blessed activity, I hope it may 
 so be managed that on the returning anniversary you may get a sweet 
 prolonged season alone with Jesus, remember all the way in which He 
 has led and is leading you, and have some sweet talk with Him of the 
 marvellous things which He has done. How often does He say 'Re- 
 member, remember,' to His own people! Doubtless because He Who 
 knows us so thoroughly knows our proneness to forget. We remember 
 generally, and are we not too often satisfied with this ? But I am sure 
 it is well for us, it is what He means us to do, to remember particularly 
 to remember the hole of the pit from which we were digged to con- 
 fess particularly, under His forgiving smile, to talk with Him of daily 
 departures, our unceasing regard to self rather than to Him in all we do 
 to bless Him particularly. It will cheer and humble and soften and 
 sanctify your heart to talk with Him of all these things. And then
 
 STBEATHAM 231 
 
 will He not tell you again that 'He is ever mindful of His Covenant,' 
 and that you shall never be forgotten of Him? wrap yourself up 
 afresh in your beautiful garments His own making, His own gift. 
 In company with Him, shake yourself from the dust that cleaves to us 
 continually in this dusty world, and put on your strength for His 
 Service." 
 
 To BARON CHARLES VON BIEL. 
 
 " TREASURY, May 25, [I860.] 
 
 " MY DEAR CHARLIE, I'm as usual, or rather, more than usual, 
 overwhelmed with work, and can only begin a letter, in the unsatis- 
 factory hope that, by fits and starts, I may be able to finish it in a few 
 days' time. 
 
 " 26th. I must try and get this off to-day, for Monday and Tuesday 
 I have to go to Liverpool. Remember this, dear Friend, wherever you 
 are Jesus is your Friend. What a beautiful Name it was the envious 
 Pharisees gave Him. How little they thought how that name would 
 be valued in after years. Luke vii. 34. ' Friend of Sinners.' 
 
 "What a Friend ! Almighty Unchangeable Everlasting the Living 
 GOD. 
 
 " What a contrast to human friends, weak, fickle, temporary, sinners. 
 And He loves me ! ! This should make our hearts glad. Do we treat 
 Him as a Friend? Confide everything to Him? our joys as well as 
 our sorrows ? trust Him at all times ? Oh, why do we not love Him 
 more ? Even because we believe His love to us so little." 
 
 In fitting together the fragments of a " life-mosaic," how curi- 
 ously fine are the coincidences which even here and now are re- 
 vealed ! The thoughts thus suggested by the Spirit and the Word 
 to Mr. Blackwood's mind for the comfort of his German friend had 
 yet another purpose to which GOD had "sent them." They evi- 
 dently abode in his own heart ; for although the Treasury duty 
 which took him on the following Monday to Liverpool, must have 
 prevented his speaking at his own meeting that evening, the subject 
 which he took on the succeeding Monday, 4th June, was Luke. vii. 
 34, "A Friend of Sinners ." 
 
 "It is thirty-four years to-day," wrote in 1894 one who owed to 
 him "her own self," "since on the 9th June, 1860, Sir Arthur's words 
 led me to GOD, before I had ever even heard him speak. From the 
 time I was a mere child I had been in the greatest anxiety about my 
 soul. I can perfectly recollect my first conscious conviction of sin
 
 232 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 when less than nine years old. From that time I had lived through 
 years of spiritual misery. I often prayed, even with agony, that some 
 of the Christians about me might speak to me; but they never did, 
 and I was afraid to speak myself. At the time of my Confirmation I 
 had set myself with my whole heart to seek the LORD. It was a time 
 of decision, but as yet there was no rest in the Blood that speaketh 
 peace. Five days later the MS. notes of an address given by Mr. 
 Blackwood at Wood Lodge on the 4th, were sent to me. They were 
 on the words, ' A Friend of Sinners.' It was just the simplest truth, 
 very winning to a wearied heart. He set forth Jesus as the Friend of 
 sinners. Almighty, Everlasting, Unchangeable, giving Himself even to 
 death for sinners. Then he contrasted His love with changing human 
 friendship?, and spoke of the correlative truth, 'I have called you 
 friends,' and the responsibilities of this heavenly fellowship. It drew 
 my In-art to Christ 'by the cords of love.' But there was nothing to 
 bring peace to a guilty conscience, till I turned over the last page of 
 the three closely-written sheets with which I shall never part on earth. 
 There I read these words : 
 
 "'Many people say to me, O Sir, if I could only feel! Well, it 
 doesn't say " Feel and be saved," but " Believe and be saved." Feeling 
 won't save you ; being impressed and weeping won't save you nothing 
 but believing taking Christ just at His word that He did die for you. 
 " Bi'lit'i-e on the LORD Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved." ' 
 
 "Upon these words the light of the Holy Spirit came, and I saw it 
 all. 'Well, but I do believe,' I said. 'Then it's all done.' I knelt 
 down, and thanked GOD for Jesus my Salvation, without any particular 
 feeling. But next morning in church, as we sang the old-fashioned 
 Jackson's Te Drum, and came to the verse, 'When Thou hadst over- 
 come the sharpness of death, Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven 
 to nil believers' then for the first time I knew what it meant to 'rejoice 
 with joy unspeakable and full of glory.' 
 
 " Strangely enough, I believe the last address I ever heard Sir 
 Arthur give was from that verse in the Te Deum. 
 
 "That was the beginning of the thirty-three years which made 
 him, as he wrote, 'an old and true friend.' I don't think he ever 
 forgot that sacred tie. The date 'May 14, 1864' stands in my Bible 
 beside the text with which he burst out as we knelt down to thank 
 GOD, when I took courage to tell him: 'It is a good thing to give 
 thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Thy Name, O Thou 
 Most High.' 
 
 " From that time until his death, he gave me a text each year, and 
 I believe that they were chosen with great care and prayer."
 
 STREATHAM 233 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 " 11 LOWER WALMER BEACH, DEAL, 12th June, [I860.] 
 
 "Here we are, enjoying a little rest and quiet, and really enjoying 
 it very much, but I don't suppose it will be of long duration, for there 
 are a thousand soldiers within a stone's throw, and a fairish lot of 
 sailors on the beach. 
 
 " Dear Arthur Vandeleur ! " [He had died on 6th June] " I never 
 saw any one who from his deep humility, that most beautiful and 
 Christlike of graces, seemed more fit for the Master's presence. He 
 is now satisfied with His likeness, Glory be to GOD. He was a dear 
 fellow. One couldn't help loving him, so simple, earnest, childlike, and 
 with such depths of piety and love. May I only be near him. 
 
 " TREASURY, 6th August, [I860.] 
 
 "Only one line amidst press of business. 
 
 "I fear I shall not be able to come just yet, as I have to fill the 
 place of three men besides my own here just now. 
 
 " GOD'S hand was undoubtedly with us at Walmer, and I have most 
 encouraging accounts from the soldiers there one poor dear fellow in 
 particular, whom I found in solitary confinement, but who is now, I 
 heartily believe, a new creature in Christ Jesus, and kneels down every 
 night and morning amidst twenty-five companions in the barrack-room, 
 and is trying to bring others. Say ' GOD bless him.' 
 
 "I had one barn there, in a village where the Gospel hadn't been 
 heard for ever so many years, and I look for fruit at the last day. Pray 
 for me that I may really LOVE Jesus." 
 
 The poor fellow here mentioned writes : 
 
 "WALMER, 2nd Oct., 1860. 
 
 " Sir, I have thought several times of writing to you before, thanking 
 you for the advice you gave me. It was on the North Barrack Guard 
 quite three months ago. You told a tale at the same time. It was of 
 a prisoner that was in a condemned cell, and a friend came to deliver 
 him ; and he would not be delivered at the time. He was expecting 
 to get a free pardon ; but when he came before the judge that was to 
 try him, to his dismay he then found it was the friend that he would not 
 listen to before. You may remember me by that. If not, I shall 
 remember you to the day of my death. I was at that time living in the 
 most wicked of ways, not caring for GOD or devil." 
 
 To BARON CHARLES VON BIEL. 
 
 "LONDON. [Begun: 22nd Kept.,} 3rd Oct., 1860. 
 
 "The events that are happening in this part of the world are truly 
 marvellous. In Scotland especially large meetings have been held for
 
 234 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 two days together for preaching the glorious Gospel in the open air, and 
 20,000 have on several occasions been gathered together at Huntly, 
 Aberdeen, Glasgow, Perth, Greenock, Paisley and other places. GOD 
 seems to bless the very feeblest effort in His service. 
 
 " I began this letter a week ago on 22nd [Sept.] It is now the 29th. 
 I little thought that while I was even writing the above lines, the LORD 
 was working so wonderfully in the very house where I was staying. . . . 
 On the morning of the 22nd I went up to London with a young Russian 
 gentleman who had been in England two years, and was the tutor in 
 the house. He was a clever man, . . . intellectual. He was by religion 
 a Protestant, but though having had every advantage during the time he 
 had been in England, had never received the truth into his heart. 
 
 " There is no house I know where a man would have greater 
 opportunities of giving himself to GOD than the one he had been in; 
 but though he had at times had serious impressions, they had faded 
 away, and he was to leave England for Paris in October, a still 
 unchanged man. On Saturday morning, as I say, he and I were going 
 up to London together, and were to return together in the evening. As 
 we were in the train, I felt I ought to speak to him; but knowing how 
 often he had heard the truth, felt that I could say nothing new to him, 
 and was very much inclined to say nothing. At last, after prayer in a 
 tunnel, I turned round to him, and said, 'And have you found Jesus?' 
 or some words to that effect. 
 
 "A conversation ensued, in which he gave vent to a good many doubts 
 upon various points of divine truth, and went on reasoning for a good 
 while in a very argumentative spirit. At last I gave him a little tract 
 called, ' I have my ticket.' He held it in his hands for some time, and 
 then suddenly turning round to me said, 'Mr. Blackwood, I will be 
 frank with you, I will not read this. I had much rather not.' I was 
 surprised, but only said that he must do as he liked, and we parted. 
 
 "In the evening he did not come down with me, or arrive in time 
 for dinner; but after dinner I was reading in the Drawing-room, when 
 suddenly I felt a hand laid on my shoulder. I looked up, and saw the 
 Russian's face. 
 
 " ' Come with me, Mr. Blackwood,' he said, ' I want to speak with 
 you.' We went into the next room. He exclaimed, ' My friend, I have 
 found Christ I AM SAVED. Let us praise GOD.' 
 
 " I could hardly believe it. It seemed so wonderful that the in- 
 tellectual doubter of the morning, the refuser of the tract, should so 
 suddenly have been changed into a humble believing child of GOD. 
 But so it was ; and then and there we knelt down, and with both our 
 hearts beating with joy we praised our Father. 
 
 " But the way in which it happened was if possible still more
 
 STKEATHAM 235 
 
 remarkable. It was thus. His refusal to read the tract weighed on 
 his mind all day; but in the evening so determined was he not to do 
 so, that he bought the Saturday Review . . . and read that instead. On 
 reaching his station, he got out and went to the omnibus; but found it 
 full. It was pouring, and he then thought he would get into the train 
 again, and go on to the next station, whence he would only have a 
 mile and a half to walk. Having only five minutes to spend in the 
 train, he thought he would not begin another article in the Review, 
 but that instead he would just look at the tract, and so be able to tell 
 me he had read it. He did so, and by GOD'S grace, when his eyes 
 reached the words, ' Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, and thou shalt 
 be saved,' the veil fell from them, and he believed in Jesus. Being 
 alone in the carriage, he fell down and poured out his heart in prayer 
 to his new-found Father in heaven. 
 
 " Thus it was GOD'S Word, the two-edged sword of the Spirit, which 
 effected the wondrous change. 
 
 "Dec., [1860] 
 
 " Truly one knows not what to say. 'It is the LORD'S doing, and is 
 marvellous in our eyes.' Moral upright professors and blackguards of 
 the very lowest kind are alike casting themselves on the mercy of GOD 
 through Christ. 
 
 " A man of fearful character who had lost an eye and an arm 
 through drunkenness, began to pray in a meeting thus: 
 
 " ' O GOD, I have cursed my eyes, and You took one of them and 
 spared my life. I cursed my limbs, and You took one of them, but 
 spared my life. I cursed Jesus, and He saved me by His precious 
 Blood. I cursed the Holy Ghost, and He has come down to dwell in 
 my heart.' " 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " TREASURY, 6th Dec., [I860.] 
 
 " I find I never can enjoy speaking as long as I am nervous, but 
 when once that is got over, and one realizes the importance as well as 
 the blessedness of the work one is engaged in, it becomes a different 
 matter. The chief thing, I am sure, is to lose sight of one's self in it ; 
 but that's not so easy a matter. 
 
 " I quite feel with you that there are very great difficulties in the 
 way of the immediate appearing of the LORD, by which I mean not the 
 positively immediate, but the possibly immediate. 
 
 " Still, the LORD'S commands to all to watch are so plain that I 
 cannot conceive that He meant Christians for the last eighteen hundred 
 years to be in any other than a waiting watching attitude. 
 
 " I think He plainly meant to leave His people in such a state of 
 hope and uncertainty that each believer might and was to be ready and
 
 236 LIFE OF SIB AKTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 looking for it in his own life-time. This attitude the Apostles and 
 early Churches mentioned in Scripture evidently maintained ; and 
 therefore I conceive that the predictions of premonitory signs and 
 events are not meant to negative such expectation. What they are 
 meant to do, I cannot say ; but I think that in the last times, in ac- 
 cordance with Dan. xii. 4 the understanding of prophecy will be 
 marvellously increased, and all these things will be made plain. . . . 
 "Radcliffe is wonderfully well, and full of faith about London." 
 
 The Duchess says : 
 
 "Mr. Radcliffe was the first to urge him to speak more publicly 
 than had hitherto been the case. Returning home from a meeting in 
 London one night, later than we had intended, we could not make 
 any one hear. Mr. Blackwood raised his voice, and shouted; and 
 soon we heard some one coming. Mr. Radcliffe turned to him and 
 said, ' That voice was given to you to preach the Gospel to thousands.' 
 'All very well for you,' he replied, ' but I am better fitted for my small 
 gatherings here.' 
 
 " However from that time he began to speak as opportunity offered 
 in Halls and Chapels, etc. 
 
 "The meetings at Willis's Rooms he undertook feeling deeply his 
 own inability, yet realizing with thankfulness the opportunity thus 
 given for speaking to many of the friends and acquaintances of his 
 careless days, whom otherwise he could never have reached. He sought 
 so earnestly for the right words to be given praying in the carriage as 
 we drove up to Town. He did rejoice to hear from many of blessing 
 received." 
 
 It was on llth May, 1861, that Mr. Blackwood first spoke at 
 these Meetings for the Upper Classes in Willis's Booms. In those 
 days the public preaching of the Gospel by laymen was a very 
 different matter to what it is now. Many religious persons, not 
 distinguishing between the work of the Pastor and that of the 
 Evangelist, looked on doubtfully whilst the LORD, in the distribution 
 of the gifts which He has received for men, gave not only some as 
 " pastors and teachers," but some also as "evangelists." No slight 
 cross was taken up by those who led the vanguard of the great 
 company of laymen who now publish the Word. Sir Arthur's own 
 record is as follows : 
 
 "Some meetings addressed by the famous lay-preachers, Brownlow 
 North and Reginald Radcliffe, had been held in various parts of London ; 
 and it was felt that special efforts should be made to reach, if possible, 
 the Upper Classes of Society. It was thought that if speakers could be
 
 STREATHAM 237 
 
 found, who were themselves known in those circles, not a few might be 
 induced to attend. Willis's Eooms, St. James, so familiar to the class 
 whom it was desired to reach, were secured ; and cards announcing that 
 addresses would be given there on Saturday afternoons, were scattered 
 broadcast throughout the West End. 
 
 " Captain Trotter, who had formerly been in the 2nd Life Guards, and 
 myself were chosen as speakers ; and thus it was that in the marvellous 
 grace and providence of GOD, I was permitted to re-enter as the servant 
 of Christ, the very Rooms which I had quitted only six years before as 
 a thorough-going votary of the world." 
 
 These words are the last dictated by Sir Arthur in his autobio- 
 graphical NOTES. 
 
 In view of his first address in this series the following letter was 
 written to Miss Marsh. 
 
 " 23rd April, [1861] 
 
 " Now, NOW, beloved Friend, besiege the Throne of Grace, if you ever 
 did, that souls may be saved from amongst the rich. 
 
 " The large room (holding a thousand) at Willis's Rooms, has been 
 taken, in faith that it will be filled. . . . Captain Trotter takes the first 
 two Saturdays, and I the following. 
 
 " How much grace do we both need, but myself especially. Oh, pray 
 that I may be faithful to my Saviour, wise to win souls, loving, but un- 
 compromising. 
 
 " Oh, to be emptied of self in the matter, and filled with the Holy 
 Ghost. The flesh fears it ... but ' Unto Thy Name, O GOD, give the 
 glory.'" 
 
 The Boom was filled. " I remember hearing at the time," writes 
 a friend, " how the line of carriages stretched all down St. James' 
 Street, and I recollect well the awe and almost trepidation with 
 which those meetings were begun. 
 
 "In connection with that first meeting, I remember Mr. Blackwood 
 telling us that on the following morning a gentleman called on him at 
 the Treasury. He was so busy that when the card was brought up, he 
 sent down word that it was impossible for him to see anyone. It was 
 returned with an entreaty for even five minutes' conversation ; and he 
 told how a fine soldierly-looking man came into the room, saying, ' Sir, 
 I was at Willis's Rooms yesterday' and then burst into tears. Several 
 months before, through the consistent faithfulness of another, he had 
 been awakened to realize, though only with resentment, something of 
 the claims of GOD upon the soul. He had now just returned from 
 India. Some one at his club had given him a card for the Address, and
 
 238 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 he had come, mostly out of curiosity. He was now in great distress of 
 soul ; but before leaving Mr. Blackwood's room he was enabled to see 
 Christ as his Saviour, and ever since has maintained a consistent 
 Christian life." 
 
 The impression received by the London Correspondent of the 
 
 " Scottish Guardian " was thus given : 
 
 "Now, in the very height of the London 'season,' and at the hour 
 of half-past three, the time for the West-end 'morning' performances 
 of concerts, etc. an assembly is held in these Rooms, which is nothing 
 less than a Revival meeting, and which last Saturday filled the great 
 hall to the doors. Outside, the empty carriages were drawn up in 
 double rows. As I entered, and with difficulty secured a seat, a gentle- 
 man unmistakeably so in his appearance ; tall, with dark moustache 
 stood up on the platform. 
 
 "... Never have I heard such a ' lay sermon ' in all my life. 
 Many clergymen were there, and there was not one of them that might 
 not take a lesson in preaching from this young gentleman. With a 
 remarkable union of gentleness and modesty, self-possession, courage 
 and fidelity, he spoke out in their fulness the 'glad tidings' ; was not 
 ashamed to ' mention hell to ears polite,' sought to 'shut up all under 
 sin,' and then to set forth the way of deliverance from the prison-house. 
 He referred to the change wrought in himself; and this for the purpose 
 of convincing his auditory that there was 'no peace' while 'under 
 sentence ; and under sin, but that 'joy and peace' were realities to each 
 one who ' believed.' The impression was profound ; the silence most 
 impressive ; the prayer short, earnest, and beseeching, with which the 
 speaker began and closed, seeming to bring all into the immediate 
 presence of the Eternal. ' I think,' said a lady to me on the staircase 
 as the company retired, 'it is what these men have been in their past 
 lives that makes them so powerful as preachers.' And what other 
 answer could one give after such a sermon, and in remembrance of 
 the past character of the many lay evangelists at this day than this, 
 ' Great sinners saved are the best heralds of a Great Salvation ' ? " 
 
 In a letter to the Christian in October, 1893, Pastor Frank White 
 says : 
 
 " My earliest recollections of Sir Arthur Blackwood are associated 
 with the old Willis's Rooms, more than thirty years ago. I well recollect 
 one occasion when, putting his arm round me in his old familiar way, 
 he remarked that he and I were of the same spiritual age. He pointed 
 to the little inner room and said, 'There, underneath that chandelier, 
 at a ball, I surrendered my heart to Christ! '
 
 STEEATHAM 239 
 
 "It was an old saying of his, 'Wherever and whenever I find one 
 who is a sinner, I have all the warrant I need for speaking of Christ as 
 a Saviour.' " 
 
 From these meetings arose many other smaller gatherings, which 
 were held in various Drawing Eooms during the London Season. 
 
 " For many years," writes the Duchess, " Sir Arthur gave weekly 
 addresses, from 5.30 to 6.30 to members of the Upper Classes invited 
 by Frances, Lady Gainsborough, to her house. Similar addresses had 
 been given by Captain Trotter, and continued till illness obliged him to 
 give up. From one and another of those who thus met, Mr. Blackwood 
 would hear from time to time, telling of difficulties overcome, of a 
 Saviour found. 
 
 " One lady, who had been for long in deep trouble and distress of 
 soul, vainly seeking in forms and religious observances to ' make her 
 peace with GOD,' had been persuaded to seek in the Church of Rome 
 that rest which she had failed to find. An interview had been arranged 
 for her with Cardinal Manning; and she came to London with the 
 intention of seeing him, and asking for instruction and admission. 
 On arriving at home, she found a note from Lady Gainsborough, en- 
 closing a card, and asking her to come to the address next day. She 
 also found that for some reason the interview arranged for, had to be 
 postponed ; and she decided to go to the address in response to Lady 
 Gainsborough's invitation. 
 
 " The subject was the High Priesthood of Christ the ' One Mediator 
 between GOD and men ' Who, having ' offered Himself without spot 
 to GOD,' had 'entered in once into the Holy Place' Who bore the 
 names of His people on His heart before GOD, and ' Who ever liveth 
 to intercede.' 'Seeing then, that we have such an High Priest, let 
 us draw near come boldly to the throne of Grace, to obtain mercy, 
 and find grace to help in time of need.' As she listened, her eyes were 
 opened. She saw that there was no need for human intervention. No 
 one could come between her soul and Him Who, ' by His One oblation 
 of Himself once offered,' had atoned for her guilt, and Who was both 
 able and willing to undertake all for her. She went home rejoicing, 
 and wrote in the fullness of her heart to tell of the load removed and 
 the rest, so long sought now found. 
 
 "With those to whom in various meetings he had spoken individu- 
 ally, or who wrote to him for spiritual counsel, he tried to keep in 
 touch visiting where possible, corresponding where time permitted, 
 and praying regularly for them. He kept a list of names to be re- 
 membered on certain days in prayer." 
 
 "In connection with the work begun at Willis's Rooms," writes 
 another, " I remember well the stir made in our own neighbourhood
 
 240 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 by the Tent meetings, which were mostly addressed by Mr. Blackwood 
 and Captain Trotter. They were held in various grounds within five 
 or six miles of Streatham. There was also a series of Drawing Room 
 evening meetings, when Mr. Blackwood himself spoke; I am sure that 
 through these various means many were reached who had never heard 
 anything of the sort before, and possibly never did again. 
 
 "Another thing at Wood Lodge which was of great service to 
 myself as a beginner was the fortnightly Bible-Readings. They were 
 certainly the most profitable meetings of the kind which I ever 
 attended. They were thoroughly well arranged ; the time was never 
 long enough to hang heavily ; and there was always some one present 
 of interest and po%ver who would open the subject in an address of ten 
 or fifteen minutes, after which conversation became general and very 
 instructive at least I know it was so to me." 
 
 In his NOTES Sir Arthur mentions these Drawing-room Bible- 
 readings with his neighbours, a8 one of the special branches of 
 "very happy Christian work" which rose to his memory, in re- 
 viewing the years at Streatham : 
 
 " Valuable and pleasant were the Christian friendships thus formed, 
 and among those whom we shall never forget, I cannot forbear to 
 mention the Sidney Roper Curzons, the Daniel Wilsons and Graves', 
 the Joseph Trittons, Mrs. Hamilton and Mrs. Spencer Thornton and 
 their families, and the William Morleys and the Baileys, and others. 
 We always secured the presence of some one of considerable Scriptural 
 knowledge, whose teaching was a source of very great profit to us all." 
 
 The Recollections of the friend already quoted continue : 
 
 " Another day which stands out clearly in my memory is that of 
 the Advent Conference which Dr. Marsh called in November 1864, and 
 which was held in the old Beddington Hall. At the afternoon meeting 
 the addresses and prayers were prolonged until it was quite dark, and 
 Mr. Blackwood spoke with no other light in the beautiful old hall but 
 that of the great flickering logs on the hearth. It was a most solemn 
 time. I think such preparation of heart was given that no one would 
 have been much surprised if even then we had heard the voice of the 
 Archangel and the trump of GOD. 
 
 " Then there was work amongst the navvies employed on the new 
 line which ran across Tooting Common and below our fields, in 
 whom Mr. Blackwood was greatly interested. Amongst others, we 
 went every day to read to the men at the dinner-hour, and GOD 
 graciously blessed it. The first soul for whose conversion I was ever 
 used, so far as I know, was one of these men, who had been in the 17th
 
 STREATHAM 241 
 
 Lancers, and had ridden in the Death-Charge at Balaclava, coming out 
 without a scratch, though with several bullets in his clothes. I am 
 sure that but for Mr. Blackwood whatever was done would never have 
 been attempted or carried through. He cared for them in every way. 
 I remember well his unfailing kindness towards a perfect giant in 
 whom my sister was interested, and his delighted amusement at the 
 comical side of the thing, when the man wrote from hospital, asking 
 her to say whether he should have his leg cut off or not. 
 
 " Then there were tea-parties for the Haymakers. I particularly 
 recollect one in your field, under the large chesnut tree, when there 
 seemed to be a great movement amongst them. One of these men we 
 followed for years, Mr. Blackwood's help and sympathy never failing 
 through the many vicissitudes of the poor fellow's wandering life. 
 
 "Again, when in 1861-2 our Mother became interested about the 
 Letter Carriers, Mr. Blackwood was one of the first whose advice she 
 sought. I need not go into the history of the mission which had so 
 humble a beginning, but just recal the value of his counsel and prayers, 
 and of the beautifully suitable addresses which he gave year by year, 
 when a number of the men, with their missionaries, came down to 
 spend the afternoon and have tea on our lawn. 
 
 " One other matter connected with those days I may recal. Our 
 Mother, feeling the great value of Mr. Blackwood's addresses, often 
 asked him to publish them. This he entirely refused at first ; but after 
 some time, he agreed to allow her to have down a shorthand writer 
 from London, only stipulating that he himself should not know when 
 the man was present. The result was the issue of ' Forgiveness, Life, 
 and Glory.' ' The Shadow and the Substance ' was also a series of the 
 addresses given at Streatham. 
 
 "You asked me for my recollections of him ; but what I have 
 written seems to be of his service rather than of himself, and of that I 
 hardly know how to speak. I think if I might venture to put into one 
 word the impression which he ever left upon me, it would be that of 
 Sunshine. I never met him without getting a smile of welcome, and I 
 think I may truly say never without also receiving some word of GOD. 
 There are verses which will ever be connected with him. 
 
 '"I remember meeting him one day, when C. T., who was with 
 me and was then a young Christian, was in low spirits, from which I 
 could not raise her. As we went round the railings of the Parish 
 Church, we suddenly came face to face with him; and seeing our 
 downcast faces, he said to us, 'Who is among you that feareth the 
 LORD, that obeyeth the voice of His Servant, that walketh in darkness 
 and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay 
 upon his GOD.' 
 
 16
 
 242 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " Another |day my sister and I met him in the village, driving, at 
 a time when there was very considerable opposition. He pulled up, 
 and told us sundry little particulars of interest; and then I remember 
 well, as he took up the reins again, the beaming upward look with 
 which he said, ' But the wrath of man SHALL praise Thee.' 
 
 " I recollect his saying another day how he ' had been living for a 
 week on those two words, JUSTIFIED FREELY.' 
 
 " He stands out before me very vividly at a Meeting in Freemasons' 
 Hall in the Week of Prayer in 1870 when, after a good many addresses, 
 his turn came. He stepped quite to the front of the platform, and 
 lifted uj) his voice till it rang through the room, with the question from 
 the Prayer-book version of Psalm Iviii. 1. 
 
 '"Arc your minds SET upon righteousness, ye congregation ?' and 
 then spoke upon the need of a determined purpose, if any advance was 
 to be made in spiritual life. 
 
 "Another recollection of him is during a meeting when many were 
 giving their present experience in a single verse of Scripture. He was 
 on the platform, and it was a long time before he rose. When he did 
 so, it was with more emotion than I ever saw him manifest elsewhere, 
 and with a flush on his face which was so unusual that I fancied at the 
 time that he was speaking out of a really powerful experience. And 
 his text, with a strong emphasis upon the second clause, was this: 
 
 " ; O LORD, I will praise Thee; though Thou wast angry with me, 
 Thine singer is turned away, and Thou comfortedst me.' 
 
 " These are such little things ; but they are what bring him so 
 vividly to my mind, and may have been indications, I think, of much 
 which it was not his habit to express. 
 
 "Another day, he quoted to me the line, 
 
 ' My living EVERLASTING Treasure ' 
 
 from one of Miss Waring's hymns, of which he was so fond, saying it 
 had been food to his soul. Again, I remember his repeating to us the 
 whole of her hymn, 'Though some good things of lower worth,' and 
 those verses of Miss Hull's beginning, 'Oh, the glory ! ' 
 
 "Once, meeting my sister for only a minute at a railway-station, he 
 said to her, 
 
 '"I've just been reading this verse, "Give thanks at the remem- 
 brance of His holiness." What a subject of rejoicing for the saints 1' 
 
 "Thus you see most of my associations with him are connected 
 with some Word of GOD, and I am glad that it should be so. It is 
 those, I suppose, which abide when other memories pass away. His 
 keen sense of humour was a thing which I did not discover at first ; but 
 I remember its dawning upon me that he was very full of fun, and of 
 course after that I had plenty of evidence of the fact."
 
 STBEATHAM 243 
 
 "What thousands have lost a friend," writes an earnest worker, 
 " but it is not all that can go back thirty-three years as we can. I am 
 sure the Streatham teaching has coloured our whole lives." 
 
 It is to the month of April 1861, that a letter which appeared in 
 The Christian of 19th October, 1893, refers, and no more touching 
 testimony has been given to the work at Wood Lodge. 
 
 " Though at a distance, I desire to place my little wreath upon the 
 sacred memory of Sir Arthur Blackwood. In all the world there is no 
 man who has deeper and sweeter reason for doing so than myself. All 
 I am and all GOD has been pleased to do through me are to be traced 
 back to that dear man of GOD. He was GOD'S instrument of my salva- 
 tion. Thirty-two years ago, just to keep a promise, I went to the 
 Monday meeting at Wood Lodge, Streatham. I was a careless young 
 fellow, and had little faith in the reality of Christians. Before Mr. 
 Blackwood had been speaking ten minutes I felt that I was listening to 
 one who believed every word he spoke. 
 
 "Great was my surprise when, at the close of the meeting, he came 
 straight up to me, put his hands on my shoulders, and looking me in 
 the face with those loving eyes of his, said, ' Young man, you are a 
 stranger here. Are you a Christian ? ' I confessed at once that I was 
 not, and had no great desire to be. I think I can now hear him answer- 
 ing, ' How sad ! ' That question hooked itself into my heart. For two 
 days I had no rest. Then I found peace in Jesus. I went at once to 
 Wood Lodge, and told Mr. Blackwood I could now say 'Yes' to the 
 question, 'Are you a Christian?' He took me into his private room, 
 kneeled down with me, and poured out his soul in thanksgiving. The 
 next week he asked me to breakfast, and took me down to Tooting 
 Common, where a railway was being made. He introduced me to the 
 navvies, and told them I would come every morning during their 
 breakfast time and read the Word of GOD to them, which I did. He 
 thus not only won my heart to Christ, but gently led me into His 
 service. Living as I did then in Clapham Park, I used to see him 
 almost every day as he rode on horseback to the Treasury. He always 
 pulled up to allow me a few minutes' walk by his side, and his loving 
 words helped me all the day. 
 
 " A few months later dear Mr. Spurgeon took me by the hand, and 
 brought me into his College. The rest is generally known. I went to 
 East London, and preached the Gospel as I had learned it from Sir 
 Arthur's lips. GOD mightily blessed the same ; and it has been my 
 gracious privilege to baptize over 5000 who have been converted by the 
 same Gospel that won me. Pardon any seeming egotism. I only 
 mention the fact as a tribute to the memory of that faithful servant of 
 GOD, who thirty-two years ago grasped me by the hand and won me to
 
 244 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 the Saviour. Whenever I met him he used always to ask with loving 
 smile, 'How are all my spiritual grand-children in East London?' 
 Thousands to-day have reason to join me in praising GOD for that 
 Monday evening thirty-two years ago. He has entered into glory, and 
 his works do follow him. As one of his early converts, allow me to 
 bear this grateful witness to his precious memory. 
 
 " Yours very faithfully, 
 
 "ARCHIBALD G. BROWN. 
 
 " MEN-TONE, ISth October" 
 
 A few weeks later Mr. Brown wrote : 
 
 " MENTONE, 2nd Nov., 1893. 
 
 " Please accept my heart's sincerest thanks for the Memorial card 
 just received, and the kind letter in which it came. I do indeed feel 
 the kindness which remembers me in such a time of grief. No words 
 can ever tell what dear Sir Arthur was to me. I loved him with a holy 
 reverence. From my first visit to Wood Lodge I was under his gracious 
 spell. To see him was an inspiration. As a young man I used to wait 
 about the lane from Tooting Common, just to have the pleasure of a 
 few minutes' walk beside his horse as he rode up to the Treasury. All 
 through the many changes of my life the blessed fascination has 
 continued the same. I can never hear his name mentioned without 
 thanking GOD for him. Instrumentally I owe all that lies in 'Goo's 
 Salvation ' to him. What a welcome he has received in glory! What 
 your loss must be I dare not think. I can only pray the GOD of all 
 comfort to sustain and solace you. Painful experience has taught me 
 that in the hour of great bereavement, they act most kindly who say 
 little, but pray much. 
 
 " This place has a sacred charm through its association with another 
 of GOD'S aristocracy. I look out now on the Hotel where dearSpurgeon 
 breathed his last. How much he loved your dear husband I have good 
 reason to know. Two faithful witnesses two noble spirits two 
 Christ-filled men two splendid warriors of the cross, they worship 
 together in the presence of Him they loved and served. 
 
 " With a happy memory of that morning when you entertained me 
 at breakfast, on my first visit with Sir Arthur to the railway men upon 
 the Common my first introduction to Christian work and with 
 profoundest sympathy for you in your great sorrow, in which my dear 
 wife joins, 
 
 "Believe me, yours most faithfully, 
 
 "ARCHIBALD S. BROWN." 
 
 Mr. Blackwood's own correspondence is now resumed in a letter 
 to Miss Marsh.
 
 STBEATHAM 245 
 
 " Monday, [May 1861] 
 
 "... He is jealously afraid of a double motive, for which I thank 
 GOD. But He Who has caused to be recorded that Zaccheus first came 
 from curiosity, and the Prodigal from sheer hunger, has said, ' Him that 
 cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.' 
 
 "Believe me, / do desire to honour mightily the Blessed Spirit, and 
 cease not to implore that He will accompany the Word, and convince 
 as only He can and must. 
 
 " / have no confidence in anything else, but I cannot see the Tightness 
 of preaching the work of the Holy Ghost to dead souls, instead of the 
 work of that Jesus of Whom He testifies. 
 
 " Do we not fully agree in this ? If I am wrong, tell me. 
 
 "I am better, thank GOD, body and spirit. 
 
 [May, 1862] 
 
 " In praying for S ask that she may receive so much of the joy 
 
 of the LORD by the power of the Holy Ghost that she may be willing to 
 suffer while He chooses it. ... But GOD can and will use it all in 
 conforming her to the image of His Son, and will make it useful to me 
 too. 
 
 " TREASURY, llth June, [1862] 
 
 " I can't say the comfort your words and prayers are to me, and 
 thank GOD and you for them. I was wretched yesterday, having to 
 preach at night, and though much in prayer and study, perfectly empty 
 and dead, if you know what that is. A dear friend offered to come and 
 preach for me, which I at first accepted ; but after prayer and thought 
 we decided it was faithless to do so, seeking help from man instead of 
 GOD, and that I ought to ' go forward.' 
 
 " So I went forward. On reaching home I found your deeply 
 comforting note, with its enclosure, teaching me to trust in Him Who 
 was so gracious on Saturday, though I was miserable, and felt the 
 whole time that I was saying just the wrong thing, and calumniating 
 GOD and His Christ. 
 
 " I thanked GOD and took courage : and though barren till the very 
 moment when I had to begin, He gave me texts and words (though only 
 as I went on, just supplying the present need). And helped me through 
 all, to the comfort and refreshing of others. 
 
 " Oh, that I could trust Him more simply, and endure as seeing 
 Him Who is invisible. 
 
 "You will praise Him, won't you? Ps. cxvi. 1. 
 
 "I think He has taught me something by it. 
 
 "I will take care, dearest Friend, and be very cautious, both as to 
 food, work, and everything, and have your letter framed and glazed, I 
 think. It will delight S.
 
 246 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " Pray for me to-morrow evening. An address in a drawing-room 
 in Hyde Park Gardens. 
 
 "Babe well. I'm very foolish about it, of course. . . ." 
 
 Another letter, undated, speaks of the same difficulty one from 
 which, especially in his earlier years, he often suffered. To "get " 
 his subject was sometimes a great anxiety. 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " TREASURY, 18/6. 
 
 " The LOUD did marvellously rebuke the winds and waves last night 
 at seven o'clock, for up till that hour I feared there would be no service ; 
 and a glorious rainbow shone over us. 
 
 "A large and very attentive audience. I so empty that I was ready 
 to cry with vexation and despair before speaking; but the Never-failing 
 and Unchangeable One helped me. 
 
 "TREASURY, Uh Jan. [1864] 
 
 " I think my faith is getting stronger about answers to prayer for 
 conversions, and I am quite sure that one of the things which will 
 astonish and rebuke us most when we see Him face to face, with all 
 the ' general assembly ' made up, will be the number of those for whom 
 prayer was offered in so much doubt and unbelief. 
 
 " I do want, i.e., I do need, a re-baptism of the Holy Ghost, for I 
 cannot tell what coldness, deadness, prayerlessness, stupor, etc. creeps 
 over me. 
 
 "Were it not for the active work which the LORD has given me to 
 do, I should (humanly speaking) have been quite dead ere now. 
 
 " Still He does keep alive the life He has implanted, for His Name's 
 sake. But I groan after more communion with Him, more power, 
 more likeness to Him, more presentation of myself to Him Who has 
 bought me." 
 
 To A FRIEND. 
 
 "24.11. [1864] 
 
 " I will try and help you by prayer. 
 
 "Only tmixt Him Who did not lie when He said, 'My grace is 
 SUFFICIENT for thff.' Not 'nearly sufficient,' or 'sometimes sufficient,' 
 but 'SUFFICIENT.'" 
 
 A letter from a neighbouring Clergyman tells of blessing amongst 
 the class for whom the meetings were originally begun. 
 
 " LOWER TOOTINO, Jan. 1, 1868. 
 
 " I have lately attended the deathbed of a man who owed his 
 conversion to your means, a policeman, who attended several of your 
 addresses on Monday evenings.
 
 STEEATHAM 247 
 
 " Hearing several months back that he was ill I went, as the curate 
 of the parish, to visit him. ... I soon to my delight found that ke was 
 far other than what I had imagined he would be. Though he said 
 little, (being naturally reserved) yet what he did say, and the deep 
 earnestness of his manner fully convinced me that he was a sincere 
 believer. I asked him how it happened. The substance of his own 
 words was : 
 
 " ' It was from my going to hear Mr. Blackwood one Monday 
 evening. As I was going away he came to me, and began talking to 
 me. He asked me whether I had peace with God I was quite taken 
 aback, and hardly knew what to say, and could only say that I did not 
 know. He then said to me he would advise me to get it at once. 
 
 " ' I came home, but I could not get the question out of my mind, 
 whether I was at peace with GOD. I was wretched. I did not know 
 what to do.' 
 
 "His wife tells me that for a fortnight after, his state was most 
 miserable; however he continued attending your addresses whenever 
 his duties permitted, and I understood from him that you spoke to 
 him on one or two occasions. GOD through you spoke peace and 
 pardon through the Blood of Christ to his soul. I saw him often 
 during his long and suffering illness. His death was comparatively 
 sudden. Then the power of Christ's Cross was displayed. All his 
 reserve was taken away, and he spoke boldly, and oh I most rejoicingly 
 of his hope in Christ, and of what Christ was to his soul. I shall not 
 readily forget the beaming expression of his face, and the solemn 
 manner in which he lifted up his wasted hand and arm, when I asked 
 him whether he did not feel Christ to be a firm and precious founda- 
 tion to his soul. He was continually uttering the promises of GOD, 
 and exhorting those whom he saw to lay hold of Christ Jesus. . . . He 
 was a most affectionate husband and father, and one of his last 
 utterances was, ' I am going from a happy home to a happier.' 
 
 "I rejoice with all my heart in the work you are permitted to 
 carry on." 
 
 The following is from a lady at Streatham. 
 
 tl 12th Jan. 1864. 
 
 "Are you at all acquainted with a person of the name of ... a 
 Riding Master, who is frequently at your meetings? Last night I said 
 to him how glad I was to see him there. 
 
 " He replied, I always come when it is possible. Some time since 
 I was persuaded to hear Mr. Blackwood at the Union Chapel. I went 
 from curiosity, but the LORD met me there. I became miserable, and 
 my friends could not think what was the matter with me. I went
 
 248 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 again to hear Mr. Blackwood, and peace was brought to my soul in 
 believing; and since then my wife has also become a believer.' 
 " I asked if he had ever spoken to you. He said he had not." 
 
 Seven years later a daughter-in-law of the Riding Master wrote 
 to Mr. Blackwood, telling of blessing to her own and her husband's 
 soul, and adding, " He wishes me to mention that his father died 
 last month, perfectly happy and rejoicing, which he has reason to 
 believe was by hearing you at the Chapel about eight years ago." 
 
 This is only one out of a large number of letters telling of similar 
 cases of conversion through addresses at this chapel at Brixton. 
 The letter which follows concerns a local and temporary matter, 
 into whose details it is unnecessary to enter ; but it gives token of 
 the impression of Mr. Blackwood's singleness of heart and aim 
 which was conveyed to one who was a keen and discriminating 
 judge of men. 
 
 " THE PARSONAGE, STBEATHAM COMMON, Dec. 14, 1864. 
 
 " MY DEAR FRIEND, I give thanks to GOD for what He has done in 
 this matter. 
 
 " I am sure you have done right, and whatever be the issue, you are 
 in the ritjht position. . . . 
 
 " I love you for your simplicity in this thing ; and I do hope and 
 pray that GOD may ' sanctify you apt to teach and prepared for this 
 good work.' See 2 Tim. ii. the last ten verses. I feel that you have 
 illustrated part of it in this . . . and I have strong hope that blessing 
 will come of it. 
 
 " Yours affectionately 
 
 " STENTON EARDLEY." 
 
 During his sojourn at Streatham, Mr. Blackwood attended Mr. 
 
 Eardley's ministry. 
 
 " He was, I am sure." says a friend, "a very attentive listener and 
 learner. When our pew was full, I often sat in one just behind yours, 
 and remember often seeing him take out his pencil and note anything 
 which struck him. Mr. Eardley's exactness of definition and sense of 
 the value of words must have made his teaching of much worth to one 
 who was so keen and patient a student of the Word of GOD." 
 
 A few from amongst many other instructive and interesting re- 
 collections of these happy days are now added. 
 Mrs. Spencer Thornton writes : 
 
 "In the year 1801 I went with my family to live at Streatham. I 
 was much pleased to find that Mr. Blackwood opened his house every
 
 STREATHA.M 249 
 
 Monday evening to his friends and neighbours in order to speak to 
 them the words of Life. 
 
 "My children and I gladly availed ourselves of the opportunity, 
 and scarcely a Monday evening passed but some of us were there. 
 
 " I have often thanked GOD for what we learnt. My children, who 
 were just then at a very important age, gained such a happy bright 
 view of the service of GOD. Whenever he met any of them, there was 
 always some cheery word or question about their walk with GOD, and 
 for what object they were living. Mr. Blackwood's whole-hearted sur- 
 render of everything to Christ was such an example. 
 
 "At Wood Lodge also we were privileged to attend some evening 
 Readings where many from the neighbourhood met to study the Bible, 
 and I always found Mr. Blackwood's words most helpful." 
 
 FROM A STRANGER. 
 
 " I have often longed to tell you something which I know will give 
 you joy, though it happened eight years ago. I had a dear young friend, 
 the daughter of a clergyman. From what she told me, I feel sure she 
 never had a serious thought, but was most unbelieving, and in her love 
 of fun turned everything into scorn and ridicule, even the Word of GOD. 
 
 " But GOD led her to hear you, and she received such a blessing that 
 I could only see how real it was. When I went to stay with her, she 
 took me to hear you at Streatham, instead of to see St. Paul's, or to 
 different places of amusement. Oh ! the change was so GREAT in her. 
 Some eight years ago she was coming to stay with me, but on the very 
 day, I had a note from her father to say she was gone, after only three 
 days' illness ! She was only about twenty-one." 
 
 FROM MR. WILLIAM MORLEY, JUNR. 
 
 " STBEATHAM, 12th April, 1883. 
 
 "I feel I must send you a short line, as you have been, to a great 
 extent, the cause of my dear Father's happy life and death. He spoke 
 so very affectionately of you the last time he saw you, and it will, I am 
 sure, be such a consolation to my dear Mother that she was able to be 
 present at that last address you gave in Streatham. They came home 
 that evening, both full of joy, saying they had not been so happy for 
 years ; that your kind manner, and the familiar voice uttering the 
 truths to which they both have so steadfastly clung, reminded them so 
 vividly of their youth, and the days when you were such a help to them 
 both. My dear Father was as happy in death as in life." 
 
 One who has since passed away, wrote in 1894, recalling the 
 numbers of her own family who were led into " full assurance of
 
 250 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 faith," through attending the meetings from 1863 onwards. She 
 adds : 
 
 "My young brother of eighteen was drawn out, by personal dealing, 
 to work for the LORD, and induced, by an introduction to an older 
 worker, to visit many of the cottages. In 1864, he was called home. 
 The last address he heard at Wood Lodge, in great weakness, was from 
 Ps. xvi. 'At Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.' He never 
 went out again, and in the short interval before his release, Mr. Black- 
 wood visited him. His tenderness is always remembered, as he stooped 
 and kissed my brother, who said, ' I little thought I should so soon go 
 in to taste of those pleasures.' 
 
 "Later in the year he more than once visited another brother, one 
 of the links in whose conversion had been an address at Wood Lodge 
 on John x. 
 
 " I often meet with those whom I did not know in the Streatham 
 days, but who went to the meetings, and this is a link between us at 
 once; the testimony never varies, 'There were no times like those."' 
 
 FROM MME. LEITE ROZAS. 
 
 " 9th February, 1895. 
 
 " Eternity alone will re%-eal what your beloved husband's faithful 
 testimony concerning Christ and His full free salvation was to those 
 who attended the meetings at that time. It was his intense earnestness 
 and impressiveness of manner, and his winning kindly words, in dealing 
 with each individually, after he had preached the Gospel message, 
 which convinced so many of the reality of the truth. I shall never forget 
 my dear husband at that time, how deeply he was stirred, and how soon 
 he, who before had never handled a Bible, was brought into light and 
 liberty. It was then also that my mother, a sister and brother, and 
 some other relatives were brought to a saving knowledge of Christ ; and 
 I myself and others were quickened and encouraged, and possessed an 
 assurance of salvation which we had never known before. How many 
 shall rise up and call him blessed in the coming day when ' the secrets 
 of all hearts shall be revealed ' I" 
 
 FROM MR. LEITE ROZAS. 
 
 " 42 KENSINGTON PABK GARDENS, 24<A March, 1895. 
 " It was in 1864 or 1865 that I first knew Sir Arthur Blackwood. 
 "Although nominally a Roman Catholic, and at heart an atheist, at 
 the solicitation of friends I began to attend some of the meetings. I 
 speedily became interested for my own sake. I shall never forget the 
 fascination of his remarkably impressive delivery, the loving bright, yet
 
 STREATHAM 251 
 
 solemn manner in which he gave his Master's message. Always the 
 Master. He never preached himself. His whole heart seemed bent on 
 winning souls to Christ. As one of the multitude who knew him as the 
 one who first gave them their deep religious impressions, I am glad to 
 add my note of gratitude and loving reverence for the memory of Sir 
 Arthur Blackwood, one of the best men I have ever known." 
 
 It was during these years that Mr. Blackwood made his journeys 
 to the various ports, with specie. He often travelled at night, in 
 order to secure at home the day allowed for the return journey, and 
 many were the interesting conversations which he had with fellow- 
 travellers, with some of whom he afterwards corresponded. 
 
 In December, 1860, he was on a return journey from Liverpool, 
 when the only other passenger in the carriage used an expression 
 which made Mr. Blackwood feel it was impossible to hold his peace. 
 A long conversation followed ; and his fellow-traveller became deeply 
 anxious about his state. When within ten minutes of Euston, Mr. 
 Blackwood proposed that they should pray together, which they did; 
 and on parting exchanged cards. As they wished each other good- 
 bye, Mr. Blackwood said, " Give GOD no rest, till you know you're 
 a saved man." 
 
 In a few days he received a long and interesting letter : 
 
 " QUEEN'S HOTEL, ST. MABTIN'S LE GBAND. 
 
 " MY DEAR SIR. I feel assured from the kind interest you took in 
 my spiritual welfare when in the train from Liverpool on Friday night, 
 that you will pardon me in writing you. 
 
 " GOD in His goodness has dealt very graciously with me, and in 
 your kind and memorable words has withdrawn the veil from my heart, 
 and is I trust leading me in the way of everlasting life. 
 
 " I spent a very anxious night after I left you, a night of prayer and 
 tears ; and although somewhat distracted with hopes and fears, I hope 
 and pray that GOD will not again leave me to myself. . . . 
 
 "18th Dec., 1860. 
 
 "Go where I will, do what I will, think what I will, the grand and 
 sublime truth is ever before my eyes, ' Believe on the LORD Jesus 
 Christ, and thou shalt be saved.' I am not naturally either a weak- 
 minded or superstitious man . . . and I cannot arrive at any other 
 conclusion than that it is the work of GOD'S Holy Spirit. 
 
 " I was neither ill in body or mind when I met you, had no 
 predisposition in any way towards Revivals, in fact did not believe 
 in them, although I had gone to their meetings, but felt no interest in
 
 252 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 them, even though I wished it ; and even yet, although I cannot now 
 doubt GOD'S direct interference by His Holy Spirit, I am constantly 
 afraid of falling back, although sensible of a great change even in all 
 my modes of acting and speaking, and which I can only attribute to 
 the effects of Faith." 
 
 After one of the second series of meetings in Willis's Rooms in 
 the summer of 1862, Mr. Macduff, the well-known author of " The 
 Faithful Promiser," came up to tell Mr. Blackwood that his late 
 fellow-traveller was a member of Mr. Macduff s church in Glasgow, 
 and was leading a holy and consistent life; and added that his 
 sudden conversion had excited great wonder amongst his fellow- 
 merchants, as well as his remarkable change of life. 
 
 A year after his own conversion this merchant was resorted to 
 by Mr. Blackwood as a spiritual helper for a young man whom he 
 had met quite accidentally on the Calton Hill in Edinburgh, and to 
 whom he had spoken about Christ, following up his words by a long 
 correspondence. After about a year, the young man wrote that, 
 although with a trembling faith, he had " gone forward and joined 
 the Church." 
 
 He was engaged in a Branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland, and 
 adds a postscript to one of his letters : "I never have a bill in my 
 hands drawn on The Honourable The Lords Commissioners of Her 
 Majesty's Treasury, but my heart warms towards it, and I remember 
 you." 
 
 Another instance, showing how Mr. Blackwood used every 
 opportunity for speaking of Christ, is given by his sister. 
 
 " On one of his journeys with specie to Liverpool, while superintend- 
 ing the storage on board the vessel in the Docks, he was attracted 
 by the cries of a little dog which had slipped overboard. He saw 
 that the poor little creature's strength was failing, and desired a sailor, 
 who was trying to encourage it by words, to go down to the level of the 
 water and lift it out, which he did. Turning to those around him, Mr. 
 Blackwood used the incident to illustrate the truth that Christ came 
 from Heaven to be a Saviour to those who were 'without strength,' not 
 only to help in men's efforts to save themselves." 
 
 A friend supplies the following incident. 
 
 "Did you ever hear this rather amusing story? I was told that 
 
 Lady B , a very earnest Christian, was travelling a good many years 
 
 ago on the line to Norwood. When she got into the carriage, the only
 
 STREATHAM 253 
 
 occupant was a very handsome well-dressed young man, who was busy 
 reading. She longed to give him a tract, but could not gather courage 
 to speak. She sat with her hand on the tract in her pocket ; but station 
 after station was passed, and still she could not begin. At last she 
 made up her mind that before the train stopped at the next station the 
 deed should be done. They were drawing up at Streatham Hill, 
 and she was just about to put forth her hand, when the young 
 man started up, seeing that his station was reached, and as he 
 jumped out of the carriage handed her, with a most courteous bow, a 
 little tract! She had enough presence of mind left to ask a porter who 
 the gentleman was ; and heard to her regret that it was Mr. Blackwood, 
 whose acquaintance she would have been only too glad to have made." 
 
 A somewhat similar incident is mentioned in his sister's Eecollec- 
 tions. 
 
 " On getting out of a Hansom one day, he was feeling in his pocket 
 for a little book to give the cabman with his fare, when the latter was 
 beforehand with him, and offered Stevie one, saying he hoped he would 
 pardon the liberty he took in so doing. Stevie looked at it, and found it 
 was good ; and said to the cabman how glad he was to accept it from 
 him, and that he hoped he knew something of Jesus for himself. ' In- 
 deed I do, Sir,' replied the man, ' and I always find that watering, I get 
 watered.' " 
 
 Although of a much later date, another of these travelling con- 
 versations is indicated by a little note, labelled by Mr. Blackwood, 
 " The lady in the train." It enters into a difficulty which is felt by 
 
 many. 
 
 " CHELSEA, Uh May, 1878. 
 
 "As for the 'Eternal Life,' it just answers the one thing that was 
 always such a puzzle to me. For by one breath, we were told we 
 must be good, and by the next that to be good was impossible ; but 
 I see in your little book, ' Believe first ; and the moment you have life, 
 works are sure to follow? Now I can understand ; and now the task does 
 not seem so hopeless just the one thing that I never could understand 
 fully explained." 
 
 The accounts here given of blessing received, though numerous, 
 are few as compared with the number of letters from which they are 
 selected ; and they are thus given, not to multiply testimonies to " the 
 exceeding grace of GOD " in His servant, but to show that the " old 
 old story," told out of a heart that has experienced its power, is still 
 to " all sorts and conditions of men" and women, "the power of 
 GOD unto Salvation to every one that believeth."
 
 254 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall 
 understand the loving-kindness of the LOKD." 
 
 During one of these years spent at Streatham the following letter 
 was published. 
 
 To THE EDITOR OF THE RECORD. 
 
 " SIR, May I, through your columns, ask some of the older 
 brethren, who are occupied in discussing the important question of 
 the nature of Scriptural Repentance, to tell us what they believe to be 
 the simple and primary meaning of the Greek words /ifravota and 
 (j.(Tai>otii>, which are those, with but few exceptions, translated ' repent- 
 ance ' and ' repent ' ? 
 
 "On turning to Parkhurst's Lexicon (Major's Edition, London, 
 1851), I find that the following meanings are given to utravoia. 
 
 " I. A change or alteration of mind, and reference is made to Heb. 
 xii. 17, where Esau is described as finding no room to change his 
 father's mind, though he sought it with tears. 
 
 "II. Repentance, change, alteration of mind, and consequently of con- 
 duct, or behaviour from evil to good, where numerous references are ad- 
 duced, as well as a quotation from Athanasius, who says, '/* fTa " ola i 8 8O 
 called, because it transfers the mind from evil to good.' And Aretas 
 says, ' pTai>oia is a change from worse to better.' 
 
 " fjLfTavtxtv is thus rendered, 
 
 "I. To understand afterwards. Supported by a quotation from 
 Plato. 
 
 " II. To change one's mind or opinion. 
 
 "III. To repent, i.e., either to be wise after a fact or facts com- 
 mitted, to return to one's wits, or to change one's mind or sentiments, 
 to have them really altered so as to influence one's subsequent be- 
 haviour for the better. 
 
 "It is sometimes rendered, when followed by OTTO, as 'desisting in 
 consequence of repentance,' and the same when followed by . Acts, 
 viii. 22; Rev. ii. 21, 22; ix. 20, 21 ; xvi. 11. 
 
 " Followed by an, before the thing repented of, it implies sorrow for 
 it, and a consequent change of heart. 
 
 "In the LXX this verb almost continually answers to the Hebrew 
 CH2, which, in like manner, denotes to change the mind. So far 
 Parkhurst. 
 
 " Now is not the difference of opinion, evidenced by the corre- 
 spondence in your columns, attributable to the confounding the effect 
 with the cause? 
 
 "No one can deny that 'repentance,' in its fullest sense, denotes a 
 change of mind, followed by a change of conduct, and without the
 
 STEEATHAM 255 
 
 latter, the assertion of the former having taken place would be a fiction. 
 But which comes first? Must not the change of mind? And is not 
 all change of conduct valueless, unless resulting from the change of 
 mind ? Just as works must follow faith, for faith without works is 
 dead ; but works not resulting from faith are valueless. (Heb. xi. 6) 
 
 " The works have no part in justifying a sinner before GOD, for we 
 are 'justified by faith" ; they are not preliminary to justification, but 
 consequent upon it. So, it seems to me, is it with repentance. The 
 feelings of regret for sin and the immediate change of conduct which 
 follow a change of mind towards GOD should not be confounded with 
 the change of mind itself. 
 
 "If they are, the consequence is, that the sinner is led to look into 
 his own heart and life for certain feelings and conduct, instead of unto 
 Him Who is put forward as the sole object on which his eyes are to 
 rest. 
 
 "When the sinner's mind apprehends Jesus Christ as the One in 
 Whom ' righteousness and peace kiss each other, and mercy and truth 
 meet together,' when he sees GOD'S justice satisfied, and his own sal- 
 vation provided, in the cross of Christ, when he sees that GOD loves 
 him as a sinner, while He hates and has punished his sin, then there 
 is ' repentance,' (a change of mind) ' toward GOD, and faith toward our 
 Lord Jesus Christ.' 
 
 " But to make sorrow for sin, change of life or good works necessary 
 before justification, is surely to teach that a man is justified by the 
 works of the law, and not by the faith of Jesus Christ. 
 
 " I shall be so much obliged to any dear brother in the LORD who 
 will correct any error I have made, as for my own sake, and the sake 
 of those to whom GOD has graciously given me the privilege of now and 
 then declaring the good news, I am most anxious to have clear views 
 on this all-important subject. 
 
 " I remain, Sir, 
 
 " Your obedient servant, 
 
 " S. A. BLACKWOOD. 
 "STBEATHAM, 10th December."
 
 FROM PLACE TO PLACE. 
 
 Perhaps nothing is more characteristic of Sir Arthur's life, than 
 the way in which he was enabled, wherever he went, to leave 
 behind him the print of a Christian's footmark. 
 
 His public service for Christ, especially in the days of fuller 
 strength, was not confined to his stated engagements in London or 
 around his own home. His visits to various places, either on 
 official business, or for his holidays, were all occasions for preaching 
 the glorious Gospel of GOD. Some few of the many instances of 
 blessing, which came to his own knowledge as the result of his 
 efforts in different spots, are here given. The extracts from his 
 correspondence show something of the fixity with which, amidst 
 all the joys of Home and the interests and duties of life, his heart 
 was ever set upon the one thing. 
 
 In the summer of 1861, he and his wife paid what proved to be 
 a last visit to the Duchess of Gordon at Huntly Lodge. She died 
 in January, 1864. 
 
 Thence they went to Ireland, to stay with the Duchess' parents 
 at Castle Dobbs. Here Mr. Blackwood held meetings in the open 
 air on Sunday afternoons. 
 
 A friend writes : 
 
 "I remember on his first visit, his standing out on the steps lead- 
 ing to the vestibule at Castle Dobbs, and addressing the people. There 
 were fully a thousand present. He also gave addresses in Carrick- 
 fergus to large congregations. The last time I heard him was in the 
 Kilroot School House. Many were blessed at these meetings. . . . One 
 thing I can say; he was greatly blessed to my own soul. . . . You will 
 
 remember how, on that first visit, gave his heart to the LORD, and 
 
 for many years preached the Gospel and helped in every good work." 
 
 A relative says : 
 
 "In recalling the memories of those hallowed visits, the joy of the 
 (256)
 
 FROM PLACE TO PLACE 257 
 
 people when they heard Sir Arthur was coming and the sorrow when 
 he left showed what a blessing he had been to them." 
 
 His Wife writes : 
 
 "We went over to Castle Dobbs about every second year, if possible. 
 
 "My Father always made him take Family Prayers, and the sight 
 of the long row of servants seems printed on my mind the wonderful 
 interest, the stillness, the solemnity. I remember particularly the old 
 butler who had been with my Father before his marriage, and was 
 quite a character. I used to observe him listening so eagerly. He 
 was with my Father until his own last illness, and I cannot doubt that 
 master and servant have met in happiness now. Many of the servants, 
 as well as many many others, thanked and blessed Sir Arthur for 
 what they heard." 
 
 A relative, who was staying in the house during a visit in 1877, 
 writes of blessing received by her maid, and adds that ' ' she became 
 quite changed, and has held firm ever since under very trying 
 circumstances." In some Notes made at the time, the young 
 woman wrote of the morning and evening prayers. " How I did 
 love to hear him speak ! What a blessing that Christian was to 
 me ! " She goes on : 
 
 " When I heard Mr. Blackwood speak in Carrickfergus for the first 
 time on Eph. ii. 16. and iii. 15, 21, I will never forget how I felt at the 
 silence of such a lot, some very rough people. One soldier that I saw 
 brush away his tears never left my memory. Mr. Blackwood asked 
 any person that would wish to speak to him to wait, but I had not 
 courage. The head housemaid at Castle Dobbs was with me, and 
 neither of us felt inclined to speak on our walk home. I made up my 
 mind to write a note, and leave it on his looking-glass. On Monday I 
 met Mr. Blackwood. I can never forget his smile as he said, ' I got 
 your note.' I felt shy at first, but he said, 'You have been seeking the 
 Saviour? ' and then, when I said Yes, he said, 'Have you never thought 
 of the same Saviour seeking you ? ' Then he went into his room, and 
 got me a little book, ' Eternal Life,' and he gave it to me. ' Is that 
 yours now ? ' he said. And I said, Yes. ' So is Eternal Life yours 
 through Jesus Christ Do you believe this ? ' I said Yes. He told me 
 ' not to wait for a change, but to kneel down, and thank GOD at once.' 
 I did so, and found such peace." 
 
 The Duchess continues : 
 
 " In the early days of the century, when a bold confession of Christ 
 was not easy, my dear old Father had ' fought the good fight ' whilst 
 
 17
 
 258 LIFE OP SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 serving his country on board the Revolutionaire and other men-of-war. 
 It was pleasant to see him glad to hear from his young son-in-law the 
 truths long known to himself. As the years went on and infirmities 
 increased, he would sit beside him at prayers with his hand to his ear, 
 so that no word should be lost, listening with evident enjoyment, and 
 then joining heartily in the prayer that followed. He delighted too in 
 taking his arm, that they might walk together, talking of the things of 
 the Kingdom. 
 
 "In Sir Arthur's rambles over the country, he was constantly 
 dropping into the cottages here and there. 
 
 "We always made it a point to pay a visit together to one old 
 woman who lived in the Kilroot Lodge. She would enquire earnestly, 
 as time went on, how we thought 'the Master' looking. 'He has the 
 better of me by a year,' she would say. ' Perhaps he'll be called Home 
 first.' Then, after many enquiries about the various members of the 
 family, and remarks not always complimentary upon the effect of 
 time upon our own appearance, she would tell of her mercies and her 
 rheumatics, and then listen with pleasure while he read a few words 
 from his little Testament, and prayed with her. 
 
 " My Father entered into rest on 28th February, 1886. B. McD 
 'had the better of him,' for she passed away in 1880." 
 
 In Sept. 1862, having much run down in health, it was thought 
 well that Mr. Blackwood should take a week's walking tour on the 
 Moselle, leaving his wife and baby at Walmer. 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " BERNCASTEL ON THE MOSELLE, Monday morning, 8 A.M. 
 [Sept. 1862, TO WALMER.] 
 
 "I think I'm a great fool for leaving home. I've been wretchedly 
 home-sick ; and wished myself heartily back again, I don't know how 
 often. Catch me doing this kind of thing again. . . . It's nojoke at all. 
 I'm in sober earnest. It was apparently by chance that I came here, 
 for I had half decided to spend Sunday at Treves, but my steps were 
 ordered, and the LORD just caused me to light upon a very small band 
 of hearty believers, amidst a R.C. population, and I have much to tell 
 you. The Pastor at once invited me to dinner. In the afternoon we 
 had a lovely walk to a distant village in the valleys, where he had a 
 Cottage reading, and spoke from John vi. 37. Before the reading we 
 had to take part in a baptismal feast, a christening party, with the 
 peasants, to whom I spoke. Oh! they were such dear hearty people ! 
 We seemed mutually to refresh each other, so much. 
 
 " Oh, how often have I wanted to see you and Baby, little pet I I 
 wish I could see her smiling and crowing. . . . 
 
 " I send you Ps. 37. 23, 24."
 
 FEOM PLACE TO PLACE 259 
 
 After a month at Walmer, he resumed his work at the Treasury, 
 returning for the Saturdays and Sundays, when he gave addresses in 
 the town and neighbourhood. 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [Oct. 1862, TO WALMEB.] " TREASURY, Monday, 2.30 P.M. 
 
 " My miserable time, which is towards evening, has not come. I 
 am pretty jolly as yet. . . . 
 
 " I had, as you may guess, a very pleasant evening at Barnet. Poor 
 Matamoros' fiancee was there, such a nice Spanish young lady; has been 
 imprisoned herself, and behaved nobly. 
 
 "Dear Pennefather spoke so nicely from 2 Chron. xxxi. 1. 'When 
 all this was finished ' ; it being in the power of communion, and not 
 before, that the idols were cast down and out. 
 
 " Tuesday, 
 
 " Miss Blackburne writes that Mr. Dombrain has accepted me for 
 Saturday at eight, so you can let people know. It will be very disappointing 
 not coming straight to you, but I shall try and come early, and so have 
 a bit of you and Baby first. 
 
 " Thursday. 
 
 " Such an encouraging letter from Miss Blackburne, saying she had 
 heard of so much good from the preaching. . . . There's a glorious 
 promise in Isa. xl. 31, and He is faithful who wrote that promise. I need 
 it to-day. 
 
 " Friday. 
 
 " I suppose I shan't get to you till near eleven to-morrow night. . . . 
 
 " For once in my life found a response in the man who cut my hair 
 this morning. It was quite refreshing." 
 
 To HIS MOTHER. 
 
 " TREASURY, 20-24 Nov. [1862] 
 
 "I am so glad you are coming. Baby is so enchanting: she has just 
 begun to make the prettiest noises imaginable, and is a great little 
 joke. . . . 
 
 "You will like to think of our subject this morning at prayers. 
 Gen. xviii. 1-9, compared with Jno. xiv. 21-23, and Rev. iii. 20. How 
 Jesus the LORD manifests Himself to His obedient people condescends 
 to ' dwell in their heart by faith,' (Eph. iii.) accept their service, and 
 hold communion with them." 
 
 Eepeated visits to Brighton, from the year 1863 onwards, were 
 the occasions of meetings in the Pavilion, and in the open air on the 
 beach.
 
 260 LIFE OF SIE AKTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 FROM A LADY. 
 
 " Uth May, 1863. 
 
 " What impressed me so much on that night at the Pavilion was 
 this your firm belief and your happy assurance in your Salvation. 
 
 " Oh ! if I could but feel as secure as you do about this most solemn 
 subject. I had never regarded the matter in this light before, and it is 
 difficult to digest the new food at once." 
 
 Another lady writes : 
 
 "I must tell you how much I have to thank GOD for in that last 
 address you gave at Brighton. I had seen some Christians living in 
 realization of 'fulness of joy'; but I have often despaired of realizing 
 it myself ; and the three reasons you gave as the cause of any one not 
 experiencing it now, made me see it in a new light. I see now that 
 not to have that joy continually is my own fault, and that GOD means 
 us to have it, as much as the present assurance of eternal life. 
 
 "I think the three conditions you mentioned are very difficult to 
 carry out in daily life, particularly the bold confession of Christ ; but 
 I always find that when I am not ashamed to speak to any one of Jesus 
 and His love, my own soul gets quickened to love Him more directly. 
 One verse you gave us is continually on my mind, ' My soul, wait thou 
 only upon GOD; for my expectation is from Him.' Many of us at 
 Brighton have reason to thank GOD for sending you amongst us." 
 
 The summer holiday of 1863 was spent with his wife and baby 
 in Switzerland. When her parents went on to the Engadine and 
 the Italian Lakes, it was thought advisable to leave the baby at 
 Seelisberg in the care of their friends, Mr. and Mrs. Stepney and 
 their daughter. These scenes were revisited by Sir Arthur in 1893, 
 in very different circumstances. 
 
 To HIS MOTHER. 
 
 " SCHWEITZEN HOP, LUCERNE, IQth August, 1863. 
 
 " Is. xxvi. 3, 4 is a verse that is much on my mind. I feel specially in 
 the hurry of travelling how needful to be leaning much on Jesus. 
 Things that are seen and temporal so easily detach one's mind, if it be 
 not 'stayed' on Him, and 'the things that are above.' Oh, how soon 
 we shall see Him, and wonder that earthly things have had such power. 
 Pray for us. 
 
 " HOTEL DU PARC, LUGANO, 2nd Sept. 
 "At Seelisberg we stayed very pleasantly. . . . 
 
 "On Sunday we had services, and there was rather an unhappy 
 misunderstanding between the clergyman and certain English who
 
 FROM PLACE TO PLACE 261 
 
 wished me to give an address to them. The clergyman very properly 
 stuck to his two services, in which I supported him. The matter was 
 eventually compromised by a third service in the afternoon, which I 
 conducted, and to which he very nicely came with his party. So all 
 went off smoothly, and I hope good was done. 
 
 " ENGELBERG, Sunday evening, 13th Sept. 
 
 " Since Baby was given to us, I have so much more understood that 
 verse, ' Like as a father pitieth His children, so the LORD pitieth them 
 that fear Him.' How it would go to my heart to have to cause Baby 
 severe pain. How one would do everything to avoid it. So does He, 
 and even when He does send pain, feels for us and with us. 
 
 " ENGELBERG, 17th Sept. 
 
 " I think I said that on arriving at Brunnen on Thursday it was too 
 wet for Baby to meet us, so early on Friday I crossed the Lake and ran 
 up to Seelisberg to breakfast, and to fetch her down. She was standing, 
 just as I hoped, at her window, and at once recognised me, putting up 
 her hands to her face, flattening her wee nose against the window, and 
 making such a noise of delight that Underwood's attention was at once 
 attracted. The little pet is quite well. 
 
 "Sunday, 13th, we spent very quietly, having two services, in which 
 some clergymen and myself took part, our numbers being increased by 
 
 Lady J S and her daughter, a Mrs. B , full of zeal and 
 
 earnestness, a Mrs. G , a very nice Scotch lady, etc. etc. Mrs. B 
 
 was full of Irish fun, and kept us all in roars of laughter. On Monday 
 we had some pleasant Bible-Reading in the open air. 
 
 " I was speaking on Sunday of the privilege accorded to Moses and 
 Elias, who ' appeared with Him in glory ' ; and yet the Holy Ghost has 
 used the very same words in Col. iii. 4 of the destiny of the believer. 
 And as Moses and Elias had for their subject of conversation then ' His 
 decease,' will not our subject of conversation be the same, when we 
 sing praise 'unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in 
 His own Blood ' ? How can we thank Him sufficiently for the certainty 
 He has given us of this glorious future ? 
 
 " Sept. 22nd, LANTERBRUNNEN. 
 
 " It was so curious to be at Interlachen again, and to remember the 
 past fourteen years ago with you all, and just ten years ago with 
 Hobhouse. . . . What a change in these ten years, particularly in the 
 history of my soul. I so well remember having such serious thoughts 
 at Chamounix, and praying that I might be converted ; and then 
 spending the next Sunday at St. Gervais, playing billiards, and coming 
 down to Interlachen to flirt. And yet GOD bore with me, and at last
 
 262 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 brought me to Himself. . . . These and other thoughts, many, it called 
 up, and made me not sorry to be there again." 
 
 Leaving the Duchess at Enghien to take the waters, Mr. Black- 
 wood had to return to work, in London. 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [To ENGHIEN.] " Oct. 2nd [1863] 
 
 "About fifty more letters from Streatham last night. . . . One a very 
 interesting one from a lady I spoke to at the end of the address at 
 
 Brighton, saying she had found her Saviour; one from Duchess of , 
 
 sending me a nice book; and one from young in India, so much 
 
 happier, and seemingly really trusting to and walking in Jesus 1 
 
 " Don't be nervous about leaving Enghien alone. I'll certainly come 
 for you, and shall enjoy all but the two crossings in twenty-four hours, 
 the second being before one has had time to get over the first. ... I 
 don't know what to do with my heap of unanswered letters and work, 
 but shall get through in time. 
 
 " I've been working like a trooper, and getting through arrears 
 famously. 
 
 " [5th Oct.] Monday, 4 P.M. 
 
 "You may generally think of me at this time as writing to you, 
 for I work hard all day so as to have time for a cosy little chat with 
 you. . . . Talk to Baby about 'Father,' so that she doesn't forget me. 
 
 " 13th Oct. 
 
 "They had a glorious opening day at Aldershot, enjoyed it im- 
 mensely. I am not wanted, and what's more, couldn't go if I were. I 
 went yesterday after the office to W. Carter's Tea-meeting for Wood- 
 choppers, a remarkable sight. 
 
 " Uth Oct. 
 
 " Hurrah ! Hurrah for the last letter, hurrah ! My spirits are 
 rapidly rising to 'set fair,' though I'm afraid the crossing will knock 
 them down again. I see in to-day's Times the 'drum' is up, but never 
 mind ; two hours isn't very long, and once over, it doesn't matter. 
 
 " I went to Brixton last night. The meetings had been very thin, 
 but it was crammed ; then on to Beddington, which I much enjoyed." 
 
 The next few letters give a glimpse of the year 1864. 
 
 To MR. ROWLAND SMITH. 
 
 " TREASURY, 5th March, 1864. 
 
 "There were two deeply interesting meetings at Brighton this 
 week, one at the Pavilion, densely crowded, and apparently impression
 
 FROM PLACE TO PLACE 263 
 
 made ; and another at Lord Kintore's, to which over a hundred came 
 in full evening dress. . . . 
 
 " Thank you for your kind words about my wife. I do indeed wish 
 she were stronger, as it is most trying . . . particularly when we have 
 such open doors for active work. But ' all the paths of the LORD are 
 mercy and truth,' and so it is well." 
 
 In the summer of this year Dr. Marsh died. Mr. Blackwood 
 writes to Miss Marsh from Ilkley, Yorkshire, where he was staying 
 with his family. 
 
 " [23rd Aug. 1864] ILKLEY, OTLEY. 
 
 "We trust that ere this, in answer to many prayers, you may be 
 already praising GOD that your dearest Father is in a measure better. 
 
 "Dearest Pennefather is here, and we have together besought the 
 LORD on his and your behalf; and we do hope that He Who, in a 
 marvellous way in answer to prayer, caused the clouds to cease raining 
 and the sun to shine yesterday, for JUST the hour and a half we had 
 advertised for open-air preaching, will also have answered prayer for 
 him, and that the blessed life of your dear Father may yet be shining, 
 and to shine in Beddington, if it be His will, and for His glory ' till He 
 come.' 
 
 "We are much enjoying quiet and rest, and the Pennefathers three 
 doors off. So pleasant. All well, though I don't think S. has much 
 benefit as yet. 
 
 "There is an open door. But I am keeping quiet except just a 
 little. 
 
 " The LORD was with us yesterday. There were many present, rich 
 visitors and poor inhabitants, clergy and others, and I never saw deeper 
 attention. There was many a moistened eye, and anxious face. 
 
 "The clergyman, whom we called on, expressed his concurrence 
 with our effort, for which we were thankful. 
 
 " 25th August. 
 
 "BELOVED FRIENDS. That we rejoice and grieve with you, you 
 cannot but be sure : the LORD knows how much we are one with you 
 in the gladness at his unspeakable gain and glory, and in your deep 
 deep sorrow. . . . 
 
 " It is our one cry (together with the dear Pennefathers) that His 
 presence may be abundantly manifested, Whom the fiery trial ever 
 brings into the midst of His beloved ones. 
 
 "I will not say more now: and human words avail little in times 
 like these. He alone can really, and He will comfort." 
 
 In February, 1865, his family were again at Brighton for a few 
 weeks, Mr. Blackwood joining them for the Sundays.
 
 264 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [1865.] " TREASURY, 2(MA February. 
 
 " It's very hard to be separated so much . . . but we are better off 
 than many. 
 
 " My Father talked nonsense. I'm perfectly well and very jolly. . . . 
 I'd a very nice evening at Epsom. Miss Alexander was to have met me 
 with pony cart, but made a mistake; so I went straight to the Inn, 
 where I had tea, for which the landlady would not let me pay, and a 
 quiet half hour. Took Rev. iii. 20. again, and was helped, I think. 
 About thirty remained afterwards, but they were mostly believers. 
 
 " A delicious moonlight walk afterwards. Breakfast at eight, and 
 then had a charming walk with Miss A. and a friend over the lovely 
 downs towards Ashstead, where you remember we dined. Oh ! such a 
 country ! But Ps. xlvii. 4. must be our motto. Heb. xi. 16. is another 
 motto. . . . 
 
 " March. 
 
 " At last I've got a moment to write to you in. Just about self, as I 
 dare say that may interest you. 
 
 "A very full meeting on Monday. Hedman had tea with me, and 
 is prospering much. Streatham looked very nice, it was quite a Spring 
 evening. Met at Soho Square yesterday, when it was decided to hold 
 some more meetings at Willis's Rooms, and we meet again next Wednes- 
 day to settle days and speakers. 
 
 " I agreed to take the Circus this Sunday. It will suit me better 
 than any other. Tell Marny" [Miss Marsh] " I am enjoying Hawker at 
 my luncheon. I have the little copy she gave me after recovery from ill- 
 ness, all underlined and marked. Ask her if she doesn't think the passage 
 for Feb. 27 beginning, ' When His time is near at hand,' etc. etc. is true 
 of the prayer for His coming which He is putting into so many hearts. 
 I think it must be. 
 
 " I can't quite, though I can perhaps a little, understand . . . feelings, 
 and therefore I don't know how to meet them. But I feel sure that it's a 
 tremendous and long onslaught of Satan's, which GOD permits and 
 will give deliverance from. And I pray Him to give a glorious and out 
 and out deliverance, that joy and peace may be a hundred fold greater 
 in proportion than the depression and misery has been; and I believe 
 He will do it, and I look for it. ... 
 
 " I believe the only remedy, so far as we are concerned is, in such 
 trials of soul to be content with a believing look unto Jesus just taking 
 refuge an we are, in His work and word and love. As I read the other 
 day, ' If a dog barks at a very little child, it does not try to fight with 
 it, but instantly runs to its mother.' And that's our safest way, instantly 
 o resort unto Him, in spite of unbelief and coldness and morbid feel-
 
 FROM PLACE TO PLACE 265 
 
 ings and everything, saying, ' Unto the LORD WILL I lift up mine 
 eyes. . . . For the LORD will not cast off for ever. But though He cause 
 grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His 
 mercies.' Lam. iv. See also verses 54 to 58. Compare Ps. xc. 15. with 
 Isaiah xxx. 18, 21. I believe there are better days in store, when peace 
 shall be as a river." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 " STBEATHAM, Saturday Evening, [March, 1865.] 
 
 "After speaking in Circus on Sunday evening, I got dreadfully 
 hoarse and completely lost my voice. A journey to Southampton on 
 Tuesday, and the bitter N. wind of following days quite finished me, 
 and I am spending three solitary days under the care of Heather and 
 Puff, with poultices, mutton broth, and breakfasts in bed! 
 
 " I should not mind all that but I can't get down to Brighton, and 
 see my beloved ones. ... A time of loneliness is good, very good, and 
 I trust it will leave its mark behind. 
 
 " I did write to you about Mr. L . I felt very powerless with 
 
 him, never having met such a case before. There was no ground on 
 which we could both stand but that of creation by the same GOD, for 
 everything else he disbelieved. Of course I did not argue with him ; 
 but when he said he liked Job, caught at it to read him the end of 
 ch. xxxiii. Everything seemed to fall powerless on him, except that he 
 agreed it was madness, supposing my view of truth to be the right one, 
 to shut his eyes to it, and that he ' would ask the GOD Who made him 
 to show him light, if further light there were.' 
 
 " He seemed very grateful, allowed me to pray, appeared struck by 
 ' The Victory Won,' and said he would be very glad to see me again. 
 
 " He spoke of death as a dreadful blank, and said he would gladly 
 have the joy and peace that Christians had. . . . 
 
 " I saw his father, who told me of an elder brother, who had been in 
 a precisely similar state, but had been brought out of it by two re- 
 markable dreams of the judgment day, and had told his brother that 
 they had both been all wrong. 
 
 " Oh ! may the LORD convince him of Sin, and that speedily. Till 
 then a Saviour can only be an empty name to him but then how 
 precious ! 
 
 " Bebay, I hear is trying to say ' Mr. Blackwood,' for ' Bebay no like 
 Tievie.' " [Stevie.] 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [1865. To BRIGHTON.] " STBEATHAM, March 11, Saturday, 2 P.M. 
 
 "I am sorely disappointed at not being able to come. I didn't 
 think when I wrote yesterday that I should actually be unable. ... I
 
 266 LIFE OF SIB AETHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 am very much inclined to be angry with the perpetual N. E. wind, did 
 I not remember, ' The LORD prepared a vehement east wind '; and that 
 verse, ' Stormy wind fulfilling His word.' If He has prepared it, and if 
 it is fulfilling His word, I've no right to be discontented. 
 
 " Sunday, 3.30. 
 
 "I'll write a few lines, not very favourable, I fear. I don't know 
 when I have felt so seedy. I sent for Dr. . . . Catch me trifling with a 
 throat again, but it was very difficult to help it this time. 
 
 " How blessed it is, when feeling so weak and low, to remember 
 that 'It is finished,' and to rest on the great Salvation, though one's 
 feelings are all gone to the winds, and prayer seems an empty name. 
 ... It reminds me of nine years ago, when I was taken ill all alone 
 in Brook Street, and the cook read to me 'Pilgrim's Progress.' 
 
 " Monday, 4 P.M. 
 
 "I am just up and have crawled downstairs. To judge by present 
 feelings, coming to Brighton is a great problem, for I can hardly stand. 
 
 " Tuesday, 9 A.M. 
 
 "A bad day again. Wind N. E. and snow falling. Oh, when will 
 the winter be past, and the time of the singing of birds come? I could 
 not go to the meeting, but stayed in my room, and heard almost every 
 word, though the door was shut." 
 
 Within two or three hours, the Duchess was with him, and Mr. 
 Black wood gradually regained health and tone. But for the rest of 
 his life, the least chill went to the weak place, sometimes preventing 
 his speaking for months together. 
 
 To recruit after this illness Easter was spent at Lewes, whence 
 the following letter was written to his step-son, Lord George 
 Montagu. 
 
 [LEWES, 17th Ap. 1865] 
 ' ' Monday Evening. 
 
 "Mother had better read this out loud to you both, if you can't 
 manage it. 
 
 " MY DEAR GEORGIE, I think you must have a letter from me to-day, 
 as I've no doubt you've been a good boy and deserve one. I wonder 
 what you've been doing, but as I can't guess, I'll just tell you what Tve 
 been doing. 
 
 "On Sunday morning went to church with Cousin Fanny, and 
 heard a sermon from Col. iii. 1-3. Then took a short walk. After 
 dinner went out for a longer one on the beautiful downs. Oh 1 it was 
 so lovely. I took my Bible and another book, and every now and then
 
 FEOM PLACE TO PLACE 267 
 
 I sat down and read. When three o'clock came, I prayed for Sister and her 
 class, and at 4.30 and five thought of you all reading together. I guess 
 you read something about the Resurrection Am I right ? At last I 
 reached the top of a very high hill, where I lay down under a bush 
 which sheltered me from the wind. I listened to the sheep-bells in 
 the distance, the little larks singing, and the gentle soughing of the 
 wind through the furze-bushes, bringing the sweet smell with it ; and 
 then almost lost myself in gazing at the beautiful white clouds, which 
 you remember we read of as ' GOD'S chariot,' and the 'dust of His feet' ; 
 and tried to picture the beautiful streets of heaven in the silver moun- 
 tains which they formed. And then I tried to fancy the bottoms of 
 the clouds were really the top ; and that I could walk away on them 
 till I reached the golden sunlight beyond. I often thought of the 
 Sunday evening walk to Emmaus, and how happy we were to be no 
 longer 'sad,' like the two disciples who didn't know that Jesus was 
 risen from the dead. 
 
 "But at last it grew dusky, and I wandered home to tea, only 
 wishing that I had been with you all, or you with me. 
 
 "Then to-day I've had such a happy day, again. The Volunteer 
 Review was near here, and there were to be 25,000 men there. And 
 if you had been with me, we would have gone there together: but 
 being alone, and having seen many such sights, I preferred having a 
 quiet ride in another direction. So at eleven o'clock, I rode off through 
 the most beautiful lanes, full of primroses and cowslips, and in about 
 an hour reached the foot of a very high hill, which I had to mount and 
 cross to get to Seaford, about eight miles off, and I didn't know the 
 way a bit. 
 
 " However up, up, up we went, nag and I, though I daresay, if you 
 asked him, he would say he did all the up, up, up. At last we reached 
 the top and then if he didn't enjoy the view, I'm sure I did. It was 
 so lovely. Five or six miles off, Newhaven and Seaford (Get the map 
 and look for them) with beautiful undulating downs in between, and 
 then the sea so calm and beautiful. To the north lay Lewes and miles 
 of cultivated country all the way to Reigate, so that wasn't far from 
 Streatham. I did so wish for you all to see it. 
 
 " Well, I had to get to Seaford, but that was no easy matter. It 
 looked so, to be sure, but I found the downs crossed by so many deep 
 ravines where I had to get off, and lead the horse down, or go round, 
 that I thought I never should get there. The downs were like velvet, 
 studded with violets and the delicious smelling furze, and rabbits 
 popped about everywhere, and it was a most pleasant ride. However 
 at last I got there. . . . Having had my lunch and saddled my horse, 
 I started off again, and by keeping on the top of the hills, though rather 
 roundabout, got back quicker.
 
 268 LIFE OF SIR ABTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "About six miles off I could see the smoke and hear the sullen 
 boom of the cannons, and when I shut my eyes, I could fancy myself 
 ten years back on the downs of the Crimea, hearing the cannonading of 
 Sebastopol. It brought back so many recollections, you can't think. 
 
 " I was so sorry to leave the downs, but I did so at last, and came 
 home for a walk with Fanny, and here I am." 
 
 To HIS MOTHER. 
 
 " 8th August, [1865] 
 
 "... It seems unfortunate just at the last moment: but nothing 
 can go wrong with those who are hedged in on every side by the love 
 and omnipotence of GOD. 
 
 " There are no accidents with Him. . . . 
 
 " It upsets everything that we arranged ; but nothing that our Father 
 arranged ; and only proves that we didn't arrange rightly." 
 
 This refers to an awkward and unexpected delay in the start of 
 the whole family for Crieff, where the autumn holiday of this year 
 was spent. 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " CBIEFP, th Sept., 1865. 
 
 "We really have been most fortunate in our choice of a place the 
 house so comfortable, the air so fine, the variation of scenery so great that 
 from our windows we can either look on the broad vale of Srathearn, 
 stretching for fifteen miles beneath us, or the rugged dark blue 
 Grampians. 
 
 " You may guess that I've taken many a good stretch around the 
 country. My day is generally spent thus. Rise at six, and before break- 
 fast at 8.45 a walk up a fir-clad hill at the back of the town, which it 
 takes me twenty minutes to reach, and whence I can take a good look 
 to all sides, and form a pretty good idea of the weather. I often think 
 how good it is to get up to ' high places' 'early in the morning.'' There 
 are things to be seen and learnt which can only be seen and learnt 
 there, and the rest of one's day very much depends on the view that 
 one gets then of ' earthly things ' from the high ground of GOD'S presence 
 you understand. 
 
 " At 8.45 breakfast : 9.30 prayers. At ten out at once again, generally 
 a very long walk alone, or a ramble with the children and their fishing 
 rods and sketch-books and baskets, with Bebay on my shoulder, till it's 
 time for her to return with Underwood, and they go on with me till 
 two o'clock dinner; and then out again till seven walking, or driving 
 with Syd and chicks ; tea till eight, and prayers at 9.30. So that the last 
 hour and a half is my only time for writing necessary letters, fetching 
 up the news, and reading Scotch history, or studying maps, etc.
 
 FEOM PLACE TO PLACE 269 
 
 " If alone in the morning, I often walk off some twelve miles or so, 
 and S. meets me half way back in the afternoon, which is very pleasant ; 
 and there's a shout, as Georgie on the box, or Bebay inside, suddenly 
 spy 'Va' in the distance, a most dishevelled figure, without hat, coat, 
 or neck-cloth. 
 
 " Once I went off to Aumbree, a Highland Inn in the midst of 
 moors, through most lovely glens, purple with heather, to see whether 
 we could go there after leaving this ; but it was too rustic a place for 
 anyone not up to roughing. . . . 
 
 "Last Tuesday and Wednesday morning I spent at Macdonald's of 
 St. Martin's, the other side of Perth, where I met a very dear friend, old 
 Hector Macpherson, who was the Duchess of Gordon's missionary at 
 Huntly, and with whom I used to take such long walks and talks there. 
 
 "On Saturday a great climb up Ben Howzie, a giant just behind us. 
 Oh ! so enjoyable. Up rock and over heather, splashing through burns, 
 putting up grouse by forties and fifties, blackcock and hares every 
 moment, and at last getting the most beautiful view I think I ever saw 
 for combination of scenery; not even in Switzerland do I remember 
 such a scene, for though the great height was wanting, and the snow, 
 yet the blueness of the dark ravines among the Grampians the sweep- 
 ing moorlands so brown and purple the extensive and wooded plain, 
 which, unlike that seen from the Rigi, was backed by the beautiful 
 range of the Ochils, made it to my mind quite unequalled. I could 
 see for miles beyond Perth in one direction ; Stirling Kock was visible 
 in another ; Crieff and Comrie lay below me, with their white church 
 towers and country seats, and it was with actual pain that I began to 
 descend at last. 
 
 " The only drawback is that S. has been so little up to any fatigue 
 or exertion, unusually so, and she has had but little enjoyment, and 
 much suffering. . . . 
 
 "Beyond tract-distributing unsparingly, I have done little. One 
 Sunday evening service, and an open-air in the Town Square last 
 Saturday has been all, and I believe I can trace some fruit from both." 
 
 The Eev. A. Henderson wrote : 
 
 " CRIEFF, Sept. 1865. 
 
 "I wish, dear Sir, I could express my thankfulness for your visit to 
 this neighbourhood. You and Mr. North and others reach a class, and 
 speak with a peculiar advantage which we ministers cannot do. ... I 
 know that your sojourn has been the means of blessing to some, among 
 others, of my own flock. 
 
 " It is a great strengthening of the hands of a minister to know that 
 there are some in his congregation thirsting with the ardour of new- 
 born babes for the sincere milk of the Word."
 
 270 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Long afterwards, a letter from a lady told of other fruit gathered 
 during this year. She says : 
 
 " I am just one of the many souls who owe to you under GOD their 
 soul's salvation and joy. This was in 1865." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " TREASURY, 29/11. 
 
 " I am taking great care, and believe, with your loving prayers, and 
 much being done in the way of being dripping-sheeted, dry-rubbed, 
 ironed, mangled, and hung out to dry, that I shall soon be well. 
 
 " I preached most gently on Monday, the people must have thought I 
 was going to sleep; and found two souls afterwards in much joy, the 
 one having found the LORD after long hardness of heart, the other 
 having been re- found by Him, after a year and a half in Doubting 
 Castle." 
 
 The holidays of 1866 were passed at Malvern, whither Mr. 
 Black wood's family had preceded him in July. He spent the 
 interval with his parents; and also accepted an invitation from 
 Hannah, Lady Buxton,* to speak to her people and friends and 
 neighbours at North Repps, near Cromer, leaving London on the 
 Friday and getting back to work early on the Monday following. 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " 53 UP. BROOK ST., 20th July, [1866] 
 
 " I have to write to you in such a hurry at the office that I feel I can 
 have no cosy chat with you, and therefore attempt one now after dinner, 
 and after a little stroll with Mother in the Park. It is then I feel 
 specially, when the rush of the day is over, and I have time to think 
 of you, and feel that you are all alone. . . . 
 
 " Oh ! now I must tell you that in consequence of a plot laid by 
 
 Marny, who should come in while I was calling at the other day but 
 
 Mr. . She has long been wanting him to speak to me about my 
 
 body, and me to him about his soul. Both took place. In a few words, 
 after hearing all I had to tell him, he said that I was over-working, and 
 that unless that ceased no course of diet or medicine would restore 
 tone. . . . 
 
 " There, haven't I given you a long story? I wish I could come and 
 tell it you. I often feel so inclined to come down after office and 
 surprise you. 
 
 Widow of Sir T. F. Buxton, the philanthropist.
 
 FROM PLACE TO PLACE 271 
 
 " 26. 7. 
 
 " I am getting wretchedly lonely . . . however, we are to be careful 
 for nothing. How little things mar one's peace the change of weather 
 loss of a nurse over-work, and many trifles much smaller, quite take 
 the shine out of one ; but if one's mind was stayed upon GOD, and one 
 was seeking one's happiness in Him, it could not be so. He permits all 
 these things, and many other daily worries, in order that we may be 
 shaken out of our false sources of joy and peace, all in the creature, and 
 rest only in Him, and then, ' WITH HIM ALL things.' 
 
 "The papers say nothing about Cholera being so bad in E. End. 
 The rows seem over for the present. G. delighted at the mob burning 
 down a tree I 
 
 " No end to the work, and never will be. It's far too much for us, 
 and there'll be a break-down. . . . 
 
 [28<A. July, 1866.] " NORTH REPPS, CROMEB, NORFOLK, Sat. 2 P.M. 
 
 "Were it not that you are all absent, I should be very happy, but I 
 am counting the days to next Friday, when I hope nothing will prevent 
 my turning up at Malvern. 
 
 " I trust the children reached you safely, that G. did not lean 
 against the door and tumble out, and that S. didn't lose the tickets. 
 
 " I left Shoreditch at five, and travelled to Norwich, reaching it at nine, 
 when a twenty miles' drive in Lady Buxton's carriage was before me. 
 I had quite forgotten that I should be so late, and had omitted to lay in 
 a supply of food at Cambridge at seven ; so that on reaching this at 11.45 
 P.M., with only a bun at Cambridge and some slices of bread and 
 butter kindly bestowed on me at an Inn where we changed horses, you 
 may imagine that I was rather hungry. A roast fowl and tea however 
 took any unpleasant feelings away, and Caesar or whatever the 
 gentleman's name was who wasn't himself, but somebody else for a 
 short time is himself again. 
 
 "... The D. Wilsons from Mitcham are here. ... A very pretty 
 house, about two miles from the German Ocean, thickly wooded 
 low hills to the sea shore. We are just going out for a walk after 
 breakfast. D. W. and the ladies and I played at fives, which I haven't 
 played at for twenty years, since I was at Eton. It did me much good 
 such capital exercise. I think I'll build a wall and have a game 
 every day with G. for health's sake. Then a Bible-Reading with old 
 Lady Buxton, and a walk to an old ruined Church at Overstrand, 
 (seaside) where Sir T. F. Buxton was buried. We are now going out 
 for another lovely walk. Dinner at six; and then a Drawing-room 
 meeting at another Lady Buxton's at Cromer, where clergy, visitors, 
 and residents are all coming. To-morrow I purpose going over to Mr. 
 H 's Church, and preaching for him in the Churchyard after
 
 272 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 morning service, and am to hold a meeting here for the poor in the 
 
 evening. I shall probably drive over to Mr. Buxton's, who married 
 
 a daughter of Gurney Hoare's, near Norwich, and go up to London 
 early on Monday morning. This is better than leaving here at 4.30 
 A.M. After Treasury work this is very pleasant, and if only you were 
 here ... I should be quite content. 
 
 "Tell G. there will be no row on Monday. The Reform League 
 have given in, and will hold their meeting on Primrose Hill, which 
 Government have granted, so he needn't come up to be a Special 
 Constable. I am looking forward to my holidays. . . . Good-bye." 
 
 The story which follows is taken partly from memory of the facts 
 as given by Mr. Blackwood himself, and partly from a little book 
 published by Holness. It has been confirmed by reference to R. H. 
 
 himself. 
 
 " The meeting had been held in the coach-house at North Repps. 
 The audience had dispersed, and Mr. Blackwood, who was just starting 
 to drive to a friend's house near Norwich, to be ready for the early 
 train to London next morning, found that he had left something be- 
 hind, and returned to the coach-house to seek it. The young Coach- 
 man and his wife were putting out the lights. Mr. Blackwood said to 
 him, 'Have you decided whose side you mean to be on for Time and 
 Eternity ? ' R. H. answered he hoped to go to Heaven, but there was 
 time enough yet ; and looking at his wife, added that they were young, 
 and need not trouble about such things yet a while. 
 
 "Kindly but gravely, Mr. Blackwood said, 'I entreat you, don't 
 trifle thus with eternal things. How do you know that this night your 
 soul may not be required of you? Will you do this for me, before you 
 go to bed to-night ? Take a sheet of paper, and write on it these words, 
 " // 1 die to-night I shall go to Hell," and pin it up over your bed.' 
 
 " R. H. promised readily to do as he was asked. Mr. Blackwood 
 hurried off, and R. H. and his wife went to their house in the yard. 
 
 "After supper they were retiring to rest, when the wife said, 'Oh, 
 Robert, you've forgotten to do what you promised the gentleman.' 
 ' So I have; I'll do it now,' he said; and taking a sheet of paper, and 
 kneeling down by the table, began to write carelessly across the paper 
 in large text hand, ' If I die to-night 'Then he stopped, and looked at the 
 words; they were solemn and serious: what if he did die? Death 
 seemed nearer, more real ' If I die to-night /' As he pondered, the 
 clock in the yard struck ten. It sounded like the knell of his de- 
 parture. Mechanically he wrote on, 'I shall go to Hell.' He started 
 and trembled. There, in his own handwriting, was the answer to his 
 thoughts. His sins passed in review before him. Could he pin that
 
 FROM PLACE TO PLACE 273 
 
 paper over his head and sleep ? What should he do ? His eyes seemed 
 glued to the paper. As he looked a tear fell then another, and blurred 
 the last dread word. He looked up hastily, his wife was stooping over 
 him, her eyes were full. Drawing her to kneel down beside him, they 
 wept together over their thoughtlessness, and their danger. The sins 
 of their past lives came to remembrance. They had not been bad 
 people, and had felt that if they kept out of evil company and did their 
 duty all was well. They had been indifferent as to the service of GOD, 
 but not opposed. All looked very different now. Together they cried 
 to GOD for mercy, but no light came; and in this state of mind they 
 continued for about a fortnight. 
 
 "At last their unhappiness became so great that they determined 
 to sit up all night and search the Bible, to see if there could be mercy 
 for them. As the clock in the yard struck hour after hour and no 
 light came, they felt as if their day of mercy was passing fast. They 
 seemed to find nothing in the Bible but what confirmed their worst 
 fears. ' The soul that sinneth it shall die' ' The wages of sin is death,' 
 and similar verses. 
 
 " Four o'clock struck ; and in despair R. H. pushed the Bible away, 
 and they sat with bowed heads. The candle had burnt out, and the 
 morning light was coming in. At last E. raised his head, saying, 'Ah, 
 Wife, surely I have heard of a Saviour for sinners like us. Surely the 
 Bible tells of how GOD can pardon sins through the blood of Christ ; ' 
 and pulling the Bible again towards him, he read, just where, when 
 pushing the Book away, it had fallen open, 'J, even I, am He that 
 blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember 
 thy sins.' Yes, there were the words plainly enough Isa. xliii. 25. 
 How was it he had not seen them before? Trembling and joyful, he 
 pointed them out to his wife. ' See, that's what we want.' They 
 thought they would look and see if there was more to confirm this. 
 Turning over the leaf, in the next chapter they read, ' I have blotted out 
 as a thick cloud thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins. Return unto 
 Me, for I have redeemed thee.' The light burst upon them both. 'It is 
 enough, LORD. We do come to Thee now, through Thy Son our 
 Saviour.' In joyous thanksgiving they praised GOD for His pardoning 
 love to so great sinners ; and as the clock struck five, they blessed Him 
 Who had sent them light and joy, and turned the sound which had 
 been so terrible to them into a token of the beginning of a new and 
 better day. 
 
 " Some time afterwards Mr. Blackwood heard of the new life thus 
 begun, and visited them frequently, probably when at Cromer in 1869. 
 
 " The wife has now gone to her rest, but R. H. still lives to testify 
 to others of the Saviour he has found, and of the happiness which 
 came to them that night." 
 
 18
 
 274 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 During this later visit, in 1869, many meetings were again held 
 in the town and neighbourhood, and Mr. Blackwood also conducted 
 a course of the Bible Readings held from year to year at Colne 
 House. It is to this period that the following letter, written about 
 1881 by Mrs. O'Rorke to Miss Marsh, evidently refers. 
 
 " CROMER. 
 
 "Will you tell Mr. Blackwood that we met yesterday a Miss , 
 
 and that her face told plainly of a heart at peace, and glad in the LORD ; 
 and I hear that her life is full of blessed work for Him ? 
 
 "She told me that it was in Mr. Blackwood's meetings held here 
 and in this neighbourhood about twelve years ago that she found her 
 Saviour, and that she has rejoiced in Him ever since; and that out of 
 many who decided for Christ at the same time, (during Mr. Blackwood's 
 work here) she does not know of one who has gone back. I think this 
 
 will be a ' cordial ' for him. The clergyman at whose church Miss 's 
 
 family attend, with his wife, who has lately died full of peace, got a 
 blessing at the same time. They were good people, and those meetings 
 were new life to them." 
 
 A lady in the neighbourhood, writing in 1894, says : 
 
 " I never forgot a little meeting he took in this house years ago, 
 when I was first beginning to work for Christ. My dear sister and G. U. 
 who have both since ' entered in ' and myself, after much anxiety 
 and prayer, asked my Mother to invite Sir Arthur to take a Drawing- 
 room meeting here the first we had ever had. He did it so beautifully, 
 and we were so thankful, and cheered on our way." 
 
 The following letter to Mr. Blackwood refers to hia stay at 
 
 Malvern. 
 
 " MALVEBN, I2th Oct. 1866. 
 
 " I cannot deny myself the happiness of telling you hotv GOD out 
 of our visit to Malvern has brought spiritual good through your 
 instrumentality to two dear friends of ours. 
 
 " I came here with a sad heart. ... A dear friend from Guernsey 
 came the day before your first address, and was able to attend every 
 time. A niece came to spend the day of your last address with her. 
 Her Aunt rejoiced at the prospect for her, as she was in a greatly 
 depressed state spiritually. It pained me as we went down to the 
 meeting to see her depressed countenance. . . . You may imagine then 
 my joy and thankfulness when two days after, my friend read me from 
 her niece's letter, 'I could not enough thank GOD for having heard Mr. 
 Blackwood. I hope I shall never forget it: indeed I don't think I ever 
 can as long as I live ; ' and in another letter she says, ' Every day I bless 
 GOD more and more for that day at Malvern. Everything seems quite
 
 FROM PLACE TO PLACE 275 
 
 changed. GOD has given me life and strength for daily use.' My friend 
 also wrote, 'Dear Malvern, my thoughts go back there so often. I can 
 indeed say it has been a place of blessing to me. As time goes on, Mr. 
 Blackwood's words shine more and more brightly upon me. How 
 little F. thought that his going to Malvern'" [for health] "'was the 
 carrying out of GOD'S will in the way of blessing to two souls who 
 needed help ; but for his being there we should not have heard Mr. 
 Blackwood.' " 
 
 To HIS WIFE, AFTER RETURNING TO LONDON. 
 
 " 3rd Nov. [1866] 
 
 "... How difficult to feel that it is all right, all for the best, all 
 love. But it is so, thank GOD, and whether we feel it or not we shall 
 shortly see it, perhaps sooner than we expect. I pray that He may 
 strengthen you according to His glorious power unto all patience and 
 long suffering with joy fulness. 
 
 " I hope to go to Liverpool next Friday, and hope to spend part of 
 Saturday and all Monday with you, won't that be nice ? " 
 
 In 1867 the holidays were spent at Ore, near Hastings, where 
 his eldest son was born. 
 
 To HIS FATHER. 
 
 "TREASURY, 12. 9, [1867] 
 
 " MY VERY DEAR DADDY. You will be thankful to hear that all is 
 going on well at home. . . . The boy is really a beauty. . . . 
 
 " I should like to be with you in the wild country. I don't see a 
 prospect of holiday now till next Session is over, rather a bad look- 
 out. I get to Hastings for one day a week, and spend one night there 
 i n the middle, but it's a great rush. . . . 
 
 " Dear Mother needn't be anxious about the Mission Hall money, 
 [at Streatham] It will all come in. I intend opening the place for 
 public worship on Sunday, 6th October, the day when our darling Ceci 
 commenced her public worship in the courts above." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [To ORE, 1867] " IN THE TRAIN. " TREASURY, 3. 10. 
 
 " ' Let Patience have her perfect work.' 
 
 "... It is easier to see His hand in other people's matters than in 
 our own. I am sure Satan thus reaps an advantage, hindering our 
 peace, and thereby robbing Him of the glory we might otherwise bring 
 to Him. 
 
 "... Oh! think of what it will be when 'the wondrous lessons 
 learnt in the pilgrim days' are all over, and the eternal result
 
 276 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 manifested, and we see how every daily circumstance was ' line upon 
 line.' 
 
 [1867, TO HASTINGS] "!N THE TRAIN. "4th Nov. 
 
 "... I am so grieved, much more for you, much more! for I am 
 well and strong, and ' these things move me not much.' ... I pray 
 that GOD may strengthen you to bear them, and that we may glorify 
 Him in them. Let us try to look at them all as special opportunities 
 for glorifying Him, by manifesting patience and submission and love 
 and quietness which shall please Him. Let us be very careful lest 
 Satan get an advantage over us by leading us to murmur and complain, 
 and thus to turn those events which our Loving Father has sent us as 
 blessings into curses. It is very difficult to maintain a Christ-like spirit, 
 but the prayer ' For this cause came I unto this hour, (every hour of our 
 life . Father, glorify Thy name,' is a wonderful assistance. Now we have 
 an opportunity of glorifying Him which we never can have in Heaven. 
 I know He will help us." 
 
 To HIS MOTHER. 
 
 " TREASURY, 16. 10. [1867] 
 
 '' It tras a treat seeing you all. I can't say how great. How pleasant 
 it is to love each other so much as we all do. It renders one susceptible 
 of greater pain than those are exposed to who don't love so strongly; 
 but I would rather have the deeper joy with the pain, than be without 
 the former. 
 
 " Off to Hastings now." 
 
 Here again is a record of work done during a short visit to 
 Scotland a few years later. 
 
 " COUPAR ANGUS, 23rd Sept., [1872] 
 
 ' I cannot say how obliged I feel for the great kindness you have 
 shown me, first by coming to see me, and now by sending me such a 
 nice book. ... I can never feel sufficiently thankful that I had the 
 privilege of hearing you in Coupar Angus last Monday. The words you 
 then spoke were the means of awakening new feelings in me. 
 
 " 30th November. 
 
 " I am so unaccustomed, I regret to say, either to speak or write 
 about serious matters, that it is with great difficulty I venture to reply 
 to your truly kind letter. ... I used always to think it presumptuous 
 (except for a chosen few) in people making sure that they were really 
 in the right way. I thought that would only be settled at the Judgment 
 day. Since however I have carefully studied the little book, I find how 
 mistaken I have been . . . and thank GOD, the conviction has at last 
 come home to me, that 'my transgressions have been removed from
 
 FROM PLACE TO PLACE 277 
 
 me'; and in all humility and thankfulness I can now say, 'Jam the 
 LORD'S.' " 
 
 In the summer of 1874, a charming house at Saltburn in York- 
 shire was kindly lent by Mr. William Morley of Streatham ; and 
 here again a series of meetings was held, concerning which a stranger 
 wrote : 
 
 " 1. Sa. 2. 9. Col. 3. 24. 
 
 " A sinner saved by grace cannot let Mr. Blackwood leave Saltburn 
 without telling him of the deep abiding joy she has experienced through 
 attending his meetings. And never more can I doubt the power of my 
 Saviour. 
 
 " I have had the great pleasure of being present at every meeting 
 but the first one. . . . Never have I come away from any place so 
 richly blessed. 
 
 " September 25th, 1874." 
 
 To HIS MOTHER. 
 
 " 31st Dec. 
 
 " I just send you a line to wish you and the Daddy a year full of 
 blessing. 
 
 "And indeed the child of GOD can have nothing but blessing. 'All 
 things are yours, for ye are Christ's, and Christ is GOD'S.' 
 
 " I have been thinking much of Col. 1. 13. ' Translated into the 
 Kingdom of the Son of His love.' 
 
 " There we are now in the Kingdom, the Kingdom where Jesus, 
 Whom the Father loves and delights to honour, reigns. And so all 
 must be well, for all is love. 
 
 "We ought never to doubt this: the moment we think anything 
 that happens to us (except our own sin) is the result of anything but 
 our Father's love, we dishonour Him, we doubt His word, and a cloud 
 comes over our soul at once. 
 
 "Oh, it does give such peace to remember the words of Jesus, 
 ' The Father Himself loveth you.' 
 
 " I look for great things in the Church of Christ, and great things in 
 my own soul."
 
 VI. 
 AT HOME AND ABEOAD. 
 
 SHOOTEBS' HILL. 
 CONSTANTINOPLE . 
 CBAYFOBD. 
 IBELAND, WIESBADEN 
 
 AND EAGATZ. 
 OAKHAM.
 
 SHOOTEKS' HILL. 
 
 Early in 1868 the nine years' lease of the house at Streatham 
 expired, and a move was made to The Wood Lodge, Shooters' Hill. 
 
 But Mr. Blackwood soon found that the situation made the 
 return home after his many evening engagements a great difficulty. 
 When therefore in 1871, an offer came of the Manor House, 
 Crayford, with an earnest call to work, and almost simultaneously 
 with this a proposal to take The Wood Lodge for the remainder of 
 his long lease, the decision to move was made. 
 
 A curious combination of circumstances obliged him to return to 
 Shooters' Hill in 1892. 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 " TREASURY [SHOOTERS' HILL, Jan. 25, 1868] 
 
 " Your lines at New Year's time, about not letting anything cast a 
 shadow between Jesus and my soul were, I can't say how opportune. I 
 don't think you were right about 'seeing it in my eyes ' that day, for I 
 was just then low PHYSICALLY; but at any rate it led you to pray for 
 me, and to write the right thing ; for there was a shadow a VERY 
 SUBTLE snare of the Tempter's, which tried me much. But thanks be 
 to my gracious LORD, I am able to say, ' The snare is broken, and we are 
 escaped.' 
 
 " What a blessing is active work for Christ ! The very week when 
 the power of the enemy was strongest, I had, against my own wishes 
 and plans (for I wanted rest) to preach five times, instead of three, my 
 regular number, and was thus compelled to cleave unto the LORD. Had 
 I been idle, a deep sleep might have come over my soul. But ' His mercy 
 endureth for ever.' 
 
 " Just interrupted by a young clerk in a neighbouring office who 
 came in to say that words spoken to him last Thursday, and a tract 
 then given to him, have let in such light as he never had before, and 
 we have together knelt down and praised GOD. You will join, will you 
 not, and send up a word of prayer for him too ? " 
 
 (281)
 
 282 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 To HIS MOTHER. 
 
 "TREASURY, Jan. 29. 
 
 " I have been much struck lately with the Word in Rev. ii. ' To him 
 that overcometh I will give to eat of the hidden manna,' showing the 
 secret sustenance of the believer's soul, as with Christ Himself in John 
 iv. 32, and specially as that which Christ offers at the time when the 
 soul is tempted to feed on something else, the things of the world, 
 ' things sacrificed to idols,' ver. 14. 
 
 " Thus Jesus ever offers us a better, far better thing than that which 
 world or flesh holds out ; but we cannot feast on both at once. 
 
 " Oh, for grace to labour more for ' the meat that endureth unto 
 everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto us,' Jno. vi. 27. 
 
 "Then our souls will be strong, and we shall live, John vi. 57, and 
 that life a more abundant one, John x. 10. For the Word of Christ fed 
 on and digested is life and strength, John vi. 63. 1. John ii. 14, last 
 part. Is. Iv. 1, 2, 3." 
 
 To HIS FATHER. 
 
 [1868.] 
 
 " I am longing more than I can say to come to you, for I want to 
 see you both very badly, and I want rest very much. I have fifteen 
 days, and should like to get them all clear, but have no chance of that, 
 unless there's a Dissolution. ... I have been having a hard time of it, 
 sometimes at the House till past twelve." 
 
 To A FRIEND. 
 " THE WOOD LODGE, SHOOTERS' HILL, 1. 1. 69. 
 
 " I am glad to see Christian men in Parliament, for though we have 
 no longer a Christian parliament, it's well to have Christians in it. 
 
 " Most men have their Christianity swamped by it. I have often to 
 be there, and it's the most godless atmosphere I know. 
 
 " You will be in slippery places, but Jesus can and will I trust up- 
 hold you and your brother. 
 
 "May He make you both very true to Him. The difficulties are 
 tremendous. But He is able." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " THE WOOD LODGE, SHOOTERS' HILL, 19. 8. [1869.] 
 
 " I am so ' pressed out of measure ' at the Treasury that I don't 
 know what I should do if I had the anxiety I sometimes had. . . . 
 
 "I can't say how I should like to come to you; but if you only 
 knew how I am at it early and late, hardly seeing wife and children, 
 and how all the work of the year has its climax and final rush in the 
 last two and the next month, you would see how next to impossible it
 
 SHOOTERS' HILL 283 
 
 is. I am often at office at 9.30, don't leave till nearly six ; and beyond 
 Streatham, which I can easily reach after office, and get home by 10.30, 
 am not going elsewhere. I have not had more than one day's holiday 
 for five months, and don't expect one." 
 
 To HIS FATHER, 
 
 " [1869] 3rd April. 
 
 "... Since I last wrote I have had much anxiety. ... So I have 
 had a hard time, and the high pressure work at the office has made me 
 quite in a feverish state till it is done. By Thursday however I hope 
 to get the Estimates printed and laid on the table, and I shall then 
 breathe. Every one knows that we are overworked. . . . 
 
 " It's a wonderful comfort when mind and body are so taxed, to feel 
 a perfect peace, with unshaken confidence in the tender love and 
 wisdom of a heavenly Father; and things are brighter now." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " THE WOOD LODGE, 5. 8. 69. 
 
 "Oh, that you had been with us yesterday. Such a day of joy and 
 blessing ! Such weather too. GOD was good. Though a heavy storm 
 in London, none with us. If you could have seen the widows and 
 little ones ! * One blue-eyed laughing little thing of five years old, now 
 so happy, had been KICKED out of doors by her own father, and had 
 slept a fortnight in the streets. 
 
 "A swell-mobsman from Epsom 'in his right mind'; a boy-burglar 
 of ten, who could effect his entrance into most houses in London ; and 
 then some aged penniless, but rejoicing Christians, some blind. 
 
 "It was a marvellous day. S was, I am sure, strengthened for 
 
 it, and with B. and C. gave each a nosegay and shook hands with every 
 one of over 200!" 
 
 -* 
 
 The reminiscences eontributed by Miss Macpherson to The 
 Christian of Nov. 2, 1893, may find a fitting place at this point. 
 
 " We first met in a tiny garret in a dim old alley near the Home 
 of Industry, twenty-seven years ago. 
 
 " The occupants were a couple of saintly, but very poor widows. 
 He was in the act of commending their suffering bodies to the loving 
 Father ; this was done with both tears and tenderness ; no haste ; he 
 seemed full of leisure, revelling in ' the joy of doing kindnesses,' carry- 
 ing sympathy and compassion down to his LORD'S much-tried children. 
 The elder was bed-ridden, and the younger a widow with twisted 
 fingers, trying to wind silk for the neighbouring weavers. 
 
 * From Miss Macpherson's " Home of Industry."
 
 284 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "Our next meeting was quite a different scene. Some 300 poor 
 little matchbox makers were to have a Christmas treat. Sir Arthur 
 came, bringing his two elder children. How we toiled all that night, 
 fitting those half-naked children with garments made by the ladies 
 who attended his Mission -Hall services. What a help to a beginner 
 in East-end work to have one who could not only give an address, but 
 keep order whilst the robing each wee mite went on. It would be 
 difficult to say who showed most delight, the giver or the receiver. 
 This we know, that the deep interest shown by this noble man and 
 his dear lady to the suffering poor after the scourge of cholera in East 
 London cheered many a labourer. Then with his large heart he de- 
 vised the thought of taking the poor into the country from our closely- 
 packed dens. After we arrived at his mansion in waggons, how his 
 delight was to marshal them amongst the flower-beds, and regale them 
 most sumptuously. Songs of Zion were sung, words of -loving cheer 
 were spoken, and we returned to our city life under the influence of 
 his prayers and blessings. 
 
 " We have heard how the rich and the great loved him, and flocked 
 to his Bible-readings in halls and Drawing-room meetings in the West 
 End, but we know how genial and attractive he ever was to the poor 
 and needy. Many became pensioners of his bounty, and they have 
 never been forgotten these long years with their weekly allowances. 
 Many are on before, and would welcome him on the golden shore." 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " 5th Oct., 1869, TREASURY. 
 
 "One line to greet you to-morrow, just to remind you that you have 
 still an affectionate brother in the Church Militant as well as a loved, 
 and I believe loving sister in the Church Triumphant. 
 
 "The time is drawing near when we shall 'all meet again.' 
 
 " Does she enter into your thoughts of Heaven much? 
 
 " Oh ! how glorious it will be. How kind of Jesus to say that He 
 will certainly bring her to meet us when He comes to fetch us home 
 for the eternal holydays. Just like Him, isn't it? 
 
 "I am staying at Wilton Crescent till to-morrow, and then go 
 knocking about preaching. To-morrow I preach at Croydon. Pray 
 that as, two years ago, a soul was born to Eternal life on 6th October, so 
 it may be again." 
 
 In connection with the Meetings at Croydon, where from time to 
 time he gave courses of addresses, he had the joy of seeing much 
 fruit as the years went on. One who entered into a long-sought 
 peace, whilst Mr. Blackwood was dwelling on the words, " He that
 
 SHOOTERS' HILL 285 
 
 believeth on Me hath Everlasting life," wrote to tell how the argu- 
 ments he had then learned had been the means of the salvation of a 
 young Sunday School teacher, and of a man of business, a Roman 
 Catholic by birth. " He is hardly like the same man. He now 
 seldom misses an opportunity ; on 'change, market, or ship as a 
 ship-broker he presses home the vital question of salvation on all 
 he meets. Such transforming power has redeeming love ! " 
 
 Another writes : 
 
 " CBOYDON, 20th Feb. 
 
 " I cannot refrain from thanking you. ... I had been for nearly 
 five years tossing between two Masters. . . . 
 
 " If you only knew what a stimulus your standing up for Christ 
 gives to Christians in a humbler state of life, you would not think your 
 labours (which must be great when one considers the day has been 
 passed in arduous public duties) too great, or spent in vain." 
 
 After a pleasant holiday at Cromer Mr. Blackwood returned to 
 his work, on llth October, leaving his family to follow. But on the 14th 
 his daughter was attacked with scarlet fever, and a week later the 
 Duchess, her eldest daughter, and several of the servants were 
 added to the list of sufferers. 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " TREASURY, 15th Oct. [1869] 
 
 "All is well, and must be well. The time and place of every pain is 
 ordered, and though this must cause increased anxiety, expense, and 
 trouble, we know it's all right. I am praying often through the day 
 for you and darling C. and the others, and our loving Father will watch 
 over us all, and bring us triumphantly through whatever He may have 
 in store for us. 
 
 " I preached last night " [at Croydon] " about passing through 
 tribulation, and its three purposes, God glorified, the believer perfected, 
 and unbelievers led to trust. May that end be accomplished in us. I 
 telegraphed to say that I could come to-night or to-morrow. . . . 
 
 " I EELY on your letting me know by telegram that you want me, 
 not only if illness dangerous, but to be a comfort and help to you. 
 Have no scruples about Streatham [meeting] or anything else. 
 
 " 19. 10. 
 
 "I am very wretched at not being with you, not so much in the 
 daytime while the sun shines, but towards night when I get into 
 train, and find myself going the wrong way, and it gets dark, and I 
 think of you all, and I feel as if I were deserting you, and leaving you 
 to fight it out all alone.
 
 286 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "... Oh ! dear, oh ! dear I am learning what ' the anxious dread 
 to-morrow ' means, and yet I am not anxious, for I can trust. . . . 
 
 " The sudden cold went to my throat as usual, but I was able to 
 speak to 600 or 700 last night" [at Croydon] "without much injury, 
 though to-day I have a little roughness and cold. They are most kind at 
 Haling, every comfort, convenience and kindness that can be shown. 
 
 " A great meeting last night. It was really humbling to find so 
 many coming to speak of blessing received." 
 
 The next day, Mr. Blackwood went down to Cromer, and took 
 
 the younger children home. 
 
 "SHOOTERS' HILL, [27<A Oct.] 
 
 " I feel terribly at a loss without you. ... I feel a degree of 
 responsibility for the children, with an amount of ignorance in myself 
 about them, which makes me not like to leave home for a moment. 
 
 [29th (M.] " TBEASUHY, Friday. 
 
 " My heart is full of thankfulness to-day. . . . The chicks little 
 darlings arc all well, and so sweet and good. Throats passing off, Doctor 
 not coming again unless sent for. . . . ' Surely goodness and mercy do 
 follow us, all the days of our life.' We can see it when matters mend I 
 wish / could believe it when they seem to grow worse. 
 
 " SHOOTERS' HILL, Sunday, 5. P.M. 
 
 "I am going to write ... a Sunday letter. ... I was feeling my 
 loneliness this morning, for though it's very sweet to have my three crow- 
 ing chattering pets round me, at times I begin to long for some other 
 beloved ones at Cromer and wish you were here. I accordingly turned 
 to Keble while at breakfast, and lo ! to-day's verses began, 
 
 " ' Why should we faint and fear to live alone, 
 
 Since all alone, so Heaven has willed, we die, 
 Nor even the tenderest heart, and next our own, 
 Knows half the reasons why we smile and sigh ? ' 
 
 " So it was very appropriate. 
 
 "... But you must be more lonely, and as the days grow shorter, your 
 evenings must be rather mournful, when you lie and think of the trio, 
 or perhaps the quartette here. . . . I've been noticing passages in Ruth 
 Bryan's letters which show that she had got hold of the experience 
 which Bramwell had ; but she does not express it in the same way. 
 Somehow I do not seem nearer to it ... and feel that it is lamentable 
 that there should be a degree of blessing, peace, joy, power, life and 
 holiness which has been and is attained and realized by many, that it 
 should be all 'of grace,' so that all may attain it alike, and yet that I 
 should come short of it, and live a life . . . infinitely below that which
 
 SHOOTEES' HILL 287 
 
 I might live. I feel that the recent wonderful mercies we have had 
 ought to cause me to present myself afresh, a living sacrifice. . . . 
 
 " And yet GOD has blessed me in a way and to an extent few have 
 been blessed. What a number of souls He has permitted me to convey 
 the message of life to ; but I begin to think that one may be a pipe to 
 convey water without absorbing any oneself. 
 
 " You will think I am in a lonely morbid fit ... but it's not so. I 
 am very well, and in good spirits, and only express what I continually 
 feel. 
 
 "I see all the promises in the Bible about holiness, and expound 
 them to others, and yet don't lay hold of them for myself, though others 
 think I do. ... I think neglect of prayer is a great cause. I mean real 
 downright prayer, secret, ejaculatory, intercessory, instant. . . . 
 
 "Chicks have just finished tea and are coming to me for pictures." 
 
 To HIS MOTHER. 
 
 "THE WOOD LODGE, SHOOTERS' HILL, {Dec., 1869] 
 
 "... It isn't a bad thing for one to be occasionally pinched makes 
 one feel for others, etc., and deny one's self a little. . . . 
 
 "A most happy New Year to you when it comes. We can't tell 
 what it may bring, but we can say, ' Surely goodness and mercy shall 
 follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of the 
 LORD for ever.' Your most affectionate and grateful Son." 
 
 The next year did indeed bring a great family sorrow in the very 
 sudden death of the Duchess' mother on 22nd June.
 
 CONSTANTINOPLE. 
 
 In 1870 Mr. Blackwood was sent by the Treasury to Constanti- 
 nople on a Committee of Enquiry into Consular Fees, and thus re- 
 visited old scenes filled with recollections of the Crimean war. 
 
 He started on 7th September, having taken the Duchess and 
 their children to Broadstairs, where they remained during his 
 absence. 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " BROADSTAIRS, 5th Sept., [1870] 
 
 " I start, GOD willing, on Wednesday evening, vifl, Belgium, Vienna, 
 and Danube. 
 
 " The Foreign Office wish me to abstain from tract distribution to 
 Foreigners, whilst acting as a British Commissioner, but my tongue is 
 free, and I can work amongst English and Hospital at Constantinople. 
 So I thought it right to accede, as one has no right to compromise the 
 Government." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 " HOTEL DU NORD, COLOGNE, Thursday evening, 6th Sept., 1870. 
 
 "As it will save you some trouble, I shall make my letters to you, 
 commencing with this one, a kind of journal, which you can send on 
 to Parents and Lucy, and reserve any private communications for 
 separate sheets. 
 
 "Hitherto I have got on capitally. I tried to descry the beloved 
 Broadstairs, but being t'other side of Goodwin Sands, failed to do 
 so. ... Near Aix la Chapelle, we stopped alongside a train of wounded 
 Germans, principally Bavarians. With the exception of a few carriages 
 in which they were lying on straw, they were all slightly wounded in 
 hand, face or leg, and were very cheery. We reached Aix la Chapelle 
 before them, and saw all the preparations for their reception in the way 
 of food, and Red Cross Society Agents. Everything seemed wonderfully 
 well arranged temporary Hospitals, etc., etc. 
 
 "Cologne we reached at five, and dined at the Station in the Ladies' 
 Waiting Room, which was temporarily appropriated to a party of about 
 (288)
 
 CONSTANTINOPLE 289 
 
 twenty French officers, who were busily employed in writing letters, 
 drinking absinthe, and reading the Figaro. I had a chat with one of 
 them, with whom I fraternized on account of his having the English 
 Crimean medal. He said that they had been surprised and captured 
 at the Battles of Beaumont and Mouzon. They seemed tolerably jolly 
 under the circumstances, and perhaps thought that they might be 
 worse off. I wished I could have offered them, and the quantities of 
 Prussian soldiers of whom the town is full, something better than the 
 newspapers. 
 
 " My passport with Red Arms thereon commands respect, and the 
 little white despatch bag, which I hug like a baby, invariably secures 
 one attention, and a good place. I have another big white despatch 
 bag, but that goes with the luggage. 
 
 " ASCHAFFENBURG, Friday Evening, 9th Sept. 
 
 " Picture to yourself a rainy evening, a gloomy old German town, 
 all railway arrangements utterly upset, and me landed here. . . . We 
 were everywhere delayed by trains either taking troops to the front, or 
 bringing convoys of French prisoners of war to the rear. 
 
 "The generality of soldiers, prisoners, or escort that I see are just 
 as they have come off the field, torn clothes, mud, footsore, drenched, 
 but generally jolly. It seems so curious, after being so long associated 
 with French soldiers as comrades in the Crimea, to see them in hun- 
 dreds and thousands as prisoners, guarded by a few Prussian sentries 
 with fixed bayonets." 
 
 [SEPARATE ENCLOSURE TO HIS WIFE] 
 
 [MUNICH, llth Sept.] 
 
 "... The preacher said to-day on 2 Cor. 1. 4, that God comforted 
 us in our tribulations in several ways. 1st, by in His own good time 
 taking us out of it, (that was the way we liked best.) 2nd, by giving 
 us compensating and counterbalancing mercies, instancing Hannah 
 who had no children, but her husband's love. Mephibosheth who was 
 lame ; but his lameness saved his life. 3rd, by manifesting Himself to 
 us in them. We shall see the light that is in the clouds one day. 
 
 "I'm not going to complain of loneliness this time, unless it gets 
 very bad." 
 
 JOURNAL LETTERS. 
 
 " GRAND HOTEL, VIENNA, 13th Sept., [1870] 
 
 " I can hardly believe I am again in Vienna, and it seems almost 
 a dream to be as it were suddenly transported from the sands at 
 Broadstairs to this gay fashionable pleasure-seeking city. I wish I had 
 you with me. ... I was shocked to read about the Captain. What 
 
 19
 
 290 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 a fearful catastrophe ! Poor Mr. Childers ! He little knew when I 
 saw him last Friday of what had already happened. We rely much on 
 our naval power as protecting us from events and scenes like those now 
 happening on the Continent. This only shows how worthless such a 
 reliance may be. GOD allowed the sea to defend us in the days of the 
 Spanish Armada, for then we were nationally standing up for His 
 Truth, and the Martyrs were dying for it. Now, we are nationally 
 denying it, and it may be that our seas and ships will avail nothing. 
 1 cannot help thinking that we are on the eve of much greater events 
 than the world supposes. For a long time 'Peace' was the fact and 
 expectation. ' Safety' was thought to be attained by the nations, even 
 though by enormous armaments and new weapons. And what has 
 come for the last twenty years? Nothing but wars Crimea, India, 
 Mexico, America, Italy, Prussia and Austria, and now this last, till 
 truly men are ' in perplexity, looking for those things that are coming 
 on the earth.' 
 
 "All this might be nothing, but when it is accompanied by the fall 
 of Rome, I confess it is to me most ominous. And looking at the con- 
 vulsed unruly embittered state of nations and classes, those words, 
 'and the nations were angry,' which describe the state of the world of 
 Christendom at the sounding of the last trump (Rev. xi. 18) will not 
 leave my mind. 
 
 " I must send you a translation of what I have copied out of a 
 Vienna (and therefore not Protestant, though very liberal) paper of to- 
 day. It is remarkable language for a newspaper in the capital of a 
 hitherto intensely Roman Catholic Country. It is an article on the 
 Entry of Italian troops into Rome, headed ' Rome's Fair \ 
 
 " ' The last hour of the Papacy has struck. No one can be found 
 courageous enough to support her when sinking. The temporal king- 
 dom of the Pope cannot be saved. With the end of the temporal king- 
 dom the spiritual power sustains a tremendous blow. The times are 
 passed in which the folly of superstitious men supported the mad will 
 of the Papacy, and millions lay in the dust before an imaginary phan- 
 tom. Even the assumption of Divinity, (for to be infallible is to be nothing 
 less than GOD) has proved unavailing. The last remnant of the Middle 
 Ages has fallen, and the Priests' Kingdom, rich in sins and crimes, is 
 now a subject for the impartial examination of history.' 
 
 "Is this not remarkable? 
 
 "Well, if troublous times are at hand, the morning is also near, 
 and may we be found watching and waiting. 
 
 " I think it has done me good to have a look at the world and its 
 worldliness from the outside. I live so much in the same groove that 
 one forgets what things outside that groove look like; and being out of
 
 CONSTANTINOPLE 291 
 
 London, except for office, I see nothing of it there. I certainly see 
 what I have not seen for fifteen years of what ' the lust of the flesh, the 
 lust of the eye, and the pride of life ' means. I don't mean that there 
 is not that anywhere, even in one's own heart and narrow circle, but 
 here one sees it in its full-blown growth. 
 
 " To-morrow I start at seven to the Imperial Castle where Minnie 
 
 T lives, and take a parcel to her, from the Embassy. Oh, how I 
 
 wish you were able to see all I am seeing, and have the thorough change 
 it is. I wonder how you and my sweet pets are getting on. 
 
 " No. 5. " VIENNA, 18th Sept. Thursday. 
 
 "At seven yesterday morning I started by express to Miirzzuschlag, 
 which I reached at 10.15 by the most wonderful and beautiful railway 
 over the Gemmering Pass on the road to Trieste. The mountains in 
 the Styrian Alps are not nearly so lofty as towards the Tyrol and 
 Switzerland, but they are high enough to make it very grand as the 
 train winds along, and round and round, and up and up. Finding that 
 Neuberg, where the Emperor was staying, was five miles off, and as I 
 wanted to avoid getting wet, which was probable, I hired a two-horse 
 trap to take me over, along a very lovely valley, but over roads that 
 would have smashed most springs all to bits in half an hour. 
 
 " ... At last we arrived at Neuberg an old Monastery in a valley 
 like well, like Engelberg, only much smaller and narrower. In the 
 Monastery, a large straggling building in wretched repair (dissolved some 
 thirty years ago), the Empress was staying. There were no sentries, 
 servants, or such like about ; so I roamed in, and about its dark cloisters, 
 a few workmen in one place, and heaps of portmanteaux in another, the 
 whole place about as well fitted up as our coach-house and brew-house. 
 I was rather afraid of straying into the Emperor's rooms, for there was 
 no one to prevent me, but came at last across a gentleman in evening 
 dress who was, I fancy, a groom of the chambers ; but hearing me ask 
 
 for Miss , at once answered in English, and showed me to her 
 
 room. . . . She seemed delighted to see me, and immensely surprised. 
 We had a long talk over old days, and our different family matters, and 
 so on. She seems to like the position very much. She is nominally 
 the head of the little two-year-old Archduchess' establishment of two 
 nurses, footmen, etc., and is in reality Dame tfhonneur in constant 
 waiting. They lead the simplest life there. The Empress, who is always 
 fond of seclusion, left Ischl to come here in order to let the Emperor 
 come and shoot, which he couldn't do at Ischl, as it took two days to 
 get there from Vienna, and he has to attend to business a good deal. 
 They both get up at four or five. She walks out with Minnie or 
 
 Countess , the other Dame d'honneur, feeds the baby, dines at 
 
 three, and goes to bed at eight. She strolls about the little village just
 
 292 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 as you would, and enjoys it very much. The Emperor carries the baby 
 to bed, and the Empress tucks her up. . . . 
 
 " I then took a good stretch round the hills, and enjoyed the Alpine 
 scenery and thought of you all. . . . 
 
 " I meant to have walked back, but it came on to rain heavily, and 
 
 as the Emperor's Chamberlain, Baron , was going to Vienna, he 
 
 drove me to Miirzzuschlag, in one of the Emperor's little voitures de 
 chasse, and was very pleasant company. 
 
 " It was a curious journey down the mountains, for it was nearly 
 dark, and what with the great mountains, and the clouds, sometimes 
 around, sometimes beneath us, and the lights of little villages far below, 
 it all seemed in the gloom rather weird, and as if we were floating 
 down upon the world from another sphere. We got back to Vienna at 
 ten, where I parted company with my Hoch-wohlgebornen Ober Hof- 
 Meister, i.e. my High and Well-born Upper Lord Chamberlain. I have 
 now three days and nights' incessant travelling before me. Hitherto 
 I've met plenty of acquaintances. My next three days probably will be 
 more solitary. 
 
 " Your loving Husband, Father, Son and Brother." 
 
 ENCLOSURE. 
 
 "In connection with the thoughts in my last letter about the 
 aspect of things, and the readiness we ought to be in, those words 
 struck me in Lu. xxi. ' Lest your hearts be overcharged with . . . cares 
 of thin life,' and I saw in the German Bible that the word especially 
 refers to the cares connected with household-nourishment, etc. It is 
 a great thing to think that the LORD knows that we have these cares, 
 but that He does not mean them to overcharge us." 
 
 " No. 6. " PESTH, 16th Sept., 1870. 
 
 " Here I am in the wilds of Hungary, at a place where I see on the 
 Bill of Fare, that I may have 'Schopps' and 'Budding.' I had however 
 neither, but some Venison and Apple Tart, and having an hour and a 
 half to wait before the train goes, spend it in writing a letter to you 
 . . . which I hope will find you tolerably well, as it leaves me. 
 
 " I left Vienna at 7.30. . . . Almost the whole day's journey lay 
 through the vast plains of Hungary. 
 
 " Saturday night. 
 
 " Now I am on the Danube. It is after dinner, and dark. It has 
 been rather a weary day. . . . 
 
 " My principal acquaintances to-day have been a very nice Greek 
 gentleman, who talks French, and a Wallachian engineer, who talks 
 German. The former has told me all about his wooing, betrothing, 
 marrying, the character of his wife, and a great many other things.
 
 CONSTANTINOPLE 293 
 
 We had a little talk about other things. But he had been educated by 
 an infidel schoolmaster, when quite a boy, and I'm afraid I didn't get 
 very far with him. 
 
 "We passed Orsova, Turn Severin, etc., and I began to recognize 
 my old friends the Bulgarians, whom one used to bully sixteen years 
 ago. They didn't look any cleaner or more intelligent than at that 
 time, which is not saying much for them. Oh ! how I wish I were 
 going up the river instead of down it. 
 
 "Sunday morning. In the train I shall pass close to Alladyn, 
 where we first encamped in Bulgaria for a month, and lost so many 
 from cholera, and shall coast along the shores of the lake where I used 
 to bathe. It was at Alladyn I remember first seeing death, in the case 
 of one of our Bulgarian carters, who died of cholera. It was there too 
 my charger died. It seems so curious to be travelling along on Sunday. 
 . . . Have just had another conversation with my Greek friend, and hope 
 to resume it afterwards, and get him to promise me to read the New 
 Testament for himself. He is such a gentleman-like, well-informed 
 man the nicest Greek I ever saw. 
 
 " The impression that seems to be gaining ground as to the ultimate 
 course of national events, as I gather for instance from Jules Favre's 
 reply to Italy, from . . . , and from conversations with people of all 
 nations, is that Europe will be divided into three great Divisions 1st, 
 the Latin in France, Spain, Italy. 2. The Teuton Germany, who will 
 claim from Austria its German provinces of the Tyrol, Salzkammergut, 
 etc. 3. The Slav i.e. an Austrian Confederation of all the nation- 
 alities about here Hungarian, Wallachian, and a number of others. 
 This is quite in accordance with the view expressed by a writer on 
 prophecy in the Times some years ago, that Rev. xvi. 19, would be 
 fulfilled by the division of the Roman Empire or Christendom, 'the 
 great City,' into Pan-Latinism, Pan-Teutonism and Pan-Slavism. 
 This happens at the 7th Vial, just as 'the anger of the nations' in Rev. 
 xi. comes at the 7th Trumpet ; and if the two are contemporaneous, 
 as I believe they are, their application to the present time is very 
 momentous. 
 
 "This very day, sixteen years ago, I was on the Black Sea, nearing 
 the Crimea. 
 
 " No. 7. " HOTEL D'ANGLETERRE, THERAPIA, Monday, Sept. 19, 1870. 
 
 " Before leaving the ship, I had a very nice closing conversation 
 with my Greek friend, and gave him my only French Testament, 
 having marked a quantity of passages for him, and he promised 
 faithfully to read it, and seemed somewhat impressed. 
 
 " I was hoping to catch a glimpse of Alladyn, Gevreckli, etc., but 
 unfortunately dusk came on, and we did not reach Varna till 7.30.
 
 294 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Still, it was very interesting and curious to feel myself so close to places 
 one never thought to have passed again, and to see all round one the 
 costumes, and carts and horses and all things that brought the time of 
 sixteen years back so vividly to one's recollection. Certainly a review 
 of those years, and of all the spiritual and temporal blessings received 
 since then, gave me much cause for thankfulness. On reaching Varna 
 we embarked in a small boat in the dark, and got on board the 
 Austrian Lloyd's steamer, where after supper and talk with another 
 Greek gentleman, I went to bed. I got here about two o'clock. 
 
 " My Greek friend expressed to me his fears about Russia, and said 
 that if once Russia got possession of Turkey and Greece, it would be a 
 crushing despotism, and all up with Europe, and in fact, in his own 
 words, ' Ce sera le fin du monde.' . . . 
 
 " Having breakfasted, I went to the Embassy, and found Count 
 Pisani, the Chaneelier, an old acquaintance, delivered my bags, and the 
 Ambassador being out, went for a walk two miles along the lovely 
 Bosphorus, and then three inland, up among some lovely hills. I then 
 went to see Sir Henry Elliott, and had a preliminary talk about official 
 matters, on which I begin to-morrow, and dine at the Embassy after- 
 wards. 
 
 "No. 8. "THEBA.PU, Thursday Evening, Sept. 22. 
 
 " I wish I were at home again. . . . 
 
 " Wednesday I went into Constantinople with Kennedy, one of the 
 Secretaries, and spent an hour or two at the Consulate, where our 
 general work will have to be done. . . . To-day I went in by early boat 
 with Sir P. Francis, the Judge, my other colleague, to Constantinople, 
 and spent the day at the Consulate over accounts, and have just come 
 out, and am writing this before going to dinner at the Embassy. ... I 
 was able to give some tracts on board the steamer, which were much 
 welcomed, and some in the British Prison to-day. I find I can get 
 Gibbon from Sir H. Elliott." 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood had by this time joined the party at 
 Broadstairs. 
 
 FROM HIS MOTHER. 
 
 "Sept. 29, 1870, BBOADSTAIBS. 
 
 " Here I am with your dear wife and sweet pets, and I am truly 
 happy to be here, as far as regards myself, but I fear I can contribute 
 but little to dear Wife's comfort ; the incessant pain I am in dispirits 
 me. . . ." [From a broken rib.J 
 
 " I wish I could perceive in your letters that you were thoroughly 
 enjoying your freedom, the thorough change of air, and the variety of
 
 CONSTANTINOPLE 295 
 
 life, instead of that perpetual hankering after home which is ever and 
 anon peeping out of your letters. I fear it will prevent the benefit the 
 career might otherwise be. 
 
 "Saturday, 1st Oct., 1870. 
 
 " My precious and dearly loved Son, I've naught to say, but it would 
 seem strange to you not to get a silent sound from your loving Mother, 
 and here too ! 
 
 " Your letter No. 8 annoys us all, yes ALL ; the Daddy, Wife, and me. 
 Why not enjoy to the full the wonderful change of scene and life ! the 
 difference of climate and habits of the country ! the absence of close 
 room, desk, and office routine ! and thankfully enjoy a variety which 
 thousands would so thoroughly relish ? We should be thankful for all 
 things, and such a trip, such a complete change, ought to be beneficial 
 to health and mind, if you would not let an undercurrent undermine 
 it all. 
 
 "... I want your next after receipt of this to say, ' I am so enjoying 
 myself.' 
 
 " Loving Mother." 
 
 JOURNAL LETTERS. 
 
 " No. 9. " H.B.M. CONSULATE GENERAL, CONSTANTINOPLE, 26. 27. Sept. 1870. 
 
 " On Friday, I spent half an hour on board Hobart Pasha's yacht, 
 which is lying in the little harbour. They are very kind and civil, and 
 have offered me cruises, and asked me to dinner, etc. etc. He's a jolly 
 cheery sailor, and one who apparently understands what he's about. 
 He has a capital appointment . . . and is Cock of the walk over all the 
 Turkish Admirals. He speaks very highly of their Fleet, and, which 
 surprises me, of their Army, and says that they could bring 500,000 men 
 into the field, armed with breech loaders, in a very short space of time. 
 The other day he said somewhere that he would undertake to blow 
 Odessa to pieces in four hours. The Russian Minister heard of this, 
 took offence at it very foolishly, and complained to the Grand Vizier, 
 who sent for Hobart Pasha, and asked for an explanation. 'If they 
 want an explanation,' said H. P., 'tell them, I'll do it in two hours, if it 
 be necessary.' The consequence is that the Russian Embassy have 
 orders to hold no communications with Hobart Pasha! ! 
 
 "Monday 2Qth. I met four English merchant Captains on board 
 [the steamer.] They received tracts with pleasure, and welcomed most 
 gladly an offer to go on board their ships, which are waiting for cargoes 
 in Buyukdere Bay, and hold a service there next Sunday. I am de- 
 lighted to have got this opening. In fact, there are so many opportuni- 
 ties of getting at English people, that my store of tracts, no small one, 
 is getting exhausted. . . . The fine weather has come, and this place is
 
 296 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 too lovely for description. Some scraps for you on another sheet ... so 
 here, which is in a manner public, receive the assurance of my most 
 high consideration. 
 
 "No. 11. "THERAPIA, Thursday evening, 29fA Sept. 
 
 " In some respects our work will not be pleasant. . . . 
 
 " You may tell - for her glory and comfort, that I found the Am- 
 bassador in his garden to-day, playing croquet! Fancy the Great Eltchi 
 thus engaged ! 
 
 "... Sunday 2nd, I was going to attend the service on board the 
 Jasrur, and was wishing, almost praying, that I might have some oppor- 
 tunity for work, when on reaching her at ten, almost the first words 
 Captain Hotham said, were, 'I wish you would take the service, and speak 
 to the men afterwards ! ' This was quite unexpected, as I feared it 
 would be contrary to regulations, and did not therefore venture to think 
 of asking to be allowed. We arranged that he should read the prayers, 
 and I then was to read the lessons, or lesson. 
 
 "We went all over the ship after parade, and then at 10.30, the 
 crew and officers all came aft on the Quarter-deck, and sat in rows, 
 while Captain Hotham read. They repeated the responses very nicely. 
 I then read Mark v. and spoke to them for twenty minutes, on the cases 
 of the power of Jesus to save from power of Devil (the madman) ; from 
 sin (the disease of the woman), and from death, (Jairus 1 daughter) 
 alluding to loss of Captain. They all seemed very much interested, 
 and listened with great attention, and I trust some good seed was sown. 
 I was so thankful to have the opportunity. I then breakfasted on 
 board with Captain H. at twelve, and at 1.30, walked with him and Sir P. 
 Francis to Buyukdere. There I (alone) took a caique, and in a heavy 
 sea started on a voyage of discovery for the ship of the Captain I had 
 met on the steamer. I hailed several, but they were all foreigners, and 
 my caiquers were getting quite alarmed and helpless in the waves, 
 when we got under the stern of the Arethusa from Sunderland, and I 
 holloa'd the Captain out of his cabin. He instantly hung out the 
 companion ladder, and I clambered up. He was a sincere Christian, 
 a Sunday school teacher when at home, and was delighted to see me. 
 The other two ships had however sailed, and it was too rough to get 
 hold of the crews of any other ships, so all we could do was to assemble 
 all of his men who would come in his little cabin, and there I held 
 another little service, and gave away books, after which he sent me on 
 shore, getting nicely sprinkled with the sea. Altogether it was a very 
 pleasant, and I hope not useless day. I picked up Hotham and Sir P. 
 F. and walked back over the hills to Therapia. 
 
 "... After our Enquiry is finished, we shall have to prepare our 
 Report, to which both the Foreign Office and the Treasury will attach
 
 CONSTANTINOPLE 297 
 
 great importance, and which, if approved of, must form the basis of an 
 Order in Council, and will largely affect the interests of British Com- 
 merce in these waters. Added to this, the whole thing will most 
 probably be brought up before the Select Committee on Consular Service 
 which is adjourned to next Session, and we must therefore be particularly 
 careful in our reasons and conclusions. All this, apart from the mere 
 sense of duty, will render it necessary not to hurry. ... I do not like 
 the thought of your having the trouble and anxiety of moving without 
 me. Still I cannot disguise from myself that I may be detained so 
 long as to prevent my reaching you by 27th. 
 
 " BUYUKDERE, 6th Oct., 1870. 
 
 "... Most faithful in letter-writing. . . . You have given me 
 another treat. . . . Tuesday th, I dined at Embassy and met Rustem 
 Bey, Turkish minister at Vienna, now going to St. Petersburg ; Count 
 Bombolan, Italian Ambassador ; and the Servian Representative. In 
 the evening, contrary to expectation, I had a very interesting conversa- 
 tion with , to whom I last night gave my only copy of ' Shadow and 
 
 Substance, 1 and also with , who seemed a hearty Christian. 
 
 " To-day, I went in early at 6.45. Delicious steam down the 
 Bosphorus in the morning sun and dews, and got to work at Consulate 
 at eight. Then came out here, to Sir P. Francis, whence I intend 
 riding in to-morrow, and whither I hope to return to-morrow evening. 
 
 " We are getting on very well with work. We received a deputation 
 of ship-owners and merchants yesterday; and I quite out-Ayrtoned 
 Ayrton in speaking of 'the views of Her Majesty's Government.' . . . 
 
 " MESSEEIS HOTEL, Monday Evening, 10th Oct. 
 
 " Friday I rode out again in the evening to Buyukdere . . . and we 
 sat up working till nearly one. We had a difficult matter to arrange, 
 i.e., how to draw up our Report, on a number of various but intermixed 
 subjects, so as to be clear, but exhaustive. It led to some differences 
 of opinion, which were amicably settled. ... I hope it will be success- 
 ful. 
 
 " Saturday we worked till two, and then I went down to Scuteri, 
 with a Mr. C , a barrister here, a Christian of earnest character. I 
 walked over most of the old places where I had spent the Spring of 
 1854, the Turkish Barracks I had been quartered in, the slopes where 
 I had encamped with the Guards, where I cut off my moustache (which 
 Mother will remember), and then walked on to the cliffs, where Lord 
 de Ros' Tent stood. . . . The English Cemetery is there now, on about 
 the loveliest spot you can imagine, just on the edge of the cliff on the 
 sea of Marmora, the minarets and domes of Stamboul, about three 
 miles to the right ; in front the Princes' Islands, occupying something
 
 298 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 the position of Capri in the Bay of Naples, but nearer and smaller. 
 Then round to the left, or East, a promontory studded with villas like 
 Sorrento, and then twenty miles across the sea the snowy range of 
 Olympus. It was most beautiful, and such a summer afternoon as 
 made it most enjoyable. It brought back many recollections, which I 
 should have liked to have indulged in at leisure. ... I saw the graves of 
 many whom I had known. The Cemetery is excellently kept by a Ser- 
 geant of the R. E. who lives there ; and if one cared about being buried 
 anywhere in particular, one could not choose a sweeter spot. 
 
 "To-day has been a good day's work. We conferred with the 
 Ambassador in the afternoon, and he approved of our proceedings. . . . 
 
 " 14//J Oct. ... I am working night and day to get off on 18th. I 
 hope this will be my last letter from this place, which I shall leave with 
 regret on account of its loveliness. 
 
 <; DANUBE STEAMEB, Thursday Evening, 2/Oth Oct., 1870. 
 
 "Although I hope so shortly to see you, . . . yet I may as well 
 complete my journal letter-writing. 
 
 " Sunday IGth, having been earnestly pressed to preach at the Chapel 
 of the Dutch Embassy in Pera, I had agreed to do so at three P.M., and 
 also to hold a service at Therapia, at the Hotel, at eight P.M. Mr. Clifton, 
 to make the matter easy for me, very kindly engaged a carriage, and 
 we were to drive into Pera and back again. So we started at twelve, 
 giving ourselves three hours to get over the bad roads, twelve miles. 
 Unfortunately we arranged to begin by walking the first three miles 
 over some hills, and the carriage was to meet us at the top. But imagine 
 our dismay when, on reaching the top, and having only just time to 
 drive in, \ve found no carriage. We instantly guessed that the Turkish 
 coachman had misunderstood, and there was nothing to be done but 
 go down again. It was a broiling day and South wind, but there was no 
 help for it. I ran nearly the whole way down, and found the carriage 
 quietly waiting still at Therapia. . . . 
 
 " Eventually we reached the Dutch Embassy at 3.40, in anything 
 but the quiet mind I should like to have been in. However the service 
 had not long begun, and I at once went on, not with much comfort, 
 
 but so far as I know, with some good result. . . . Mr. , a Roman 
 
 Catholic, was there, and I really hope that a deep impression was made 
 on his mind. His expressions seemed to show that he had really laid 
 hold of some important truths, and he begged me to write to him, 
 and send him some books. So I hope that the service was not in vain. 
 
 " Well, we left at five, and had to be at Therapia at eight, but at 
 6.30 darkness came on, the lamps would not act, and we only got on by 
 means of a lad running before us the remaining five miles with a 
 lantern. When half a mile from the village, I jumped out, and ran on,
 
 CONSTANTINOPLE 299 
 
 reaching the Hotel just as the people were assembling. The good 
 landlady, an Englishwoman, instantly gave me a cup of tea, and I was 
 able to conduct the service with greater comfort and freedom than I 
 remember for some time. 
 
 "... Some seemed very much interested, especially a Greek 
 doctor, who accepted some books with much gratitude ; also a German 
 gentleman. So the day, spite of its contretemps, was after all a very 
 happy one. ... It was curious that your letter received on Tuesday 
 should say that you had been reading a sermon on 2. Cor. v. 15, when 
 that was my main text on Sunday. 
 
 "Monday was a hard day; and in order to complete, Kennedy, the 
 Secretary and myself all went to Buyukdere to Francis to dine, and 
 read our Report over, and sleep if possible. You may guess that we 
 have not been idle when I say that it took four hours to read the draft 
 Keport aloud with only a few bits of discussion now and then. At last 
 it was concluded, and at 2.30 we got to bed. 
 
 " Thursday 18th. Off at seven to Therapia where I packed, break- 
 fasted, and went to Embassy, and thence to Pera. At 2.30 P.M. the 
 eventful Report was signed in due form, and our labours concluded for 
 good or ill. . . . 
 
 " I embarked amidst a convoy of commissionaires, consuls, cavasses 
 (Police) and friends at four, and for the last time steamed up the 
 Bosphorus, and away from the minarets and cypress-groves of Stam- 
 boul. I always feel rather melancholy at leaving places ; and what 
 with previous associations, and a most pleasant stay this time, I was 
 after all, very sorry to go away at last. 
 
 " We had a tolerably easy passage, but I was glad to reach Varna at 
 nine. I was to have ridden to Alladyn, but it was a soaking day, and 
 impossible. I just managed to walk up to the ground I had once 
 camped upon near Varna town, and that was all. 
 
 " Vienna, 22nd Oct. Letters just arrived. Only time to see that 
 you fix 28th or 29th [to leave Broadstairs]. So I can travel easy, and 
 reach you by the latest evening of 27th. S. A. B." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " SHOOTERS' HILL, 30. 12. 70. 
 
 '" The past has been a year of many blessings, I can say, and enough 
 anxieties to make me feel that my Heavenly Father does not forget 
 me, or allow me to make this my rest. 
 
 " I want to attain that ' holiness ' with which one shall see the LORD. 
 
 " There is a vision of the Invisible One, which I have not attained 
 
 yet. It is spoken of in Matt. 5. 6. and Is. 33. 17. Pray that I may get 
 
 it. Ask Him also to give me the right word at Freemasons' Hall next
 
 300 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 week." [This was the occasion to which reference is made on page 
 242] 
 
 " Just heard of a most triumphant end of an old Crimean brother- 
 officer, whom I had never been able to speak or write to, though often 
 longed for a cheery happy worldly fellow. But the LORD did what I 
 had wanted to do ; and his widow, whom I knew not, wrote to say that 
 he had obtained full assurance and peace, through ' Forgiveness, Life, 
 and Glory,' and told her with his last words to tell me so." 
 
 The following is an extract from Mrs. Barlee's letter : 
 " I am sure it will give you pleasure to hear, that from reading an 
 addre?? of yours, on ' The Sin-offering,'' in the little book, 'Forgiveness, 
 Life, and Glory,' he was enabled to see that it was not presumption to 
 say he was saved, and had Eternal life. For a long time, I had in every 
 way tried to convince him, but he couldn't see it, until through GOD'S 
 blessing he was able to do so, on searching your book. I shall never 
 forget how happy it made him ; and one of his last requests was that I 
 should write and tell you from him. . . . All through his short illness, 
 his sufferings were frightful, but he was gentle and patient, and at last 
 passed away in his sleep, just as he wished, and prayed might be the 
 case." 
 
 MR. BLACKWOOD TO HIS SISTER, 
 
 " SHOOTERS' HILL, [May 1, 1871.] 
 "How goes it with you? ... I am well, thank GOD, and in full 
 
 work. The only thing I really lack, is the experience of Eph. iii. 18-22; 
 
 but I believe it is to be fully realized, and I trust I am beginning to 
 
 seek it more thoroughly. 
 
 " I feel that though fifteen years old next month, I know very very 
 
 little of ' the life of faith,' and of complete surrender to Jesus, but I 
 
 think He is working in me to will it, and then He will work in me to 
 
 do it. 
 
 " I want to realize Gen. 17. 1. and 2 Cor. 7. 1." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " SHOOTERS' HILL, 22 May, [1871.] 
 
 "Goo has indeed made my lines to fall in pleasant places, above 
 and below, and the half has not been told me. 
 
 "My heart is full of praise. Yes, the whole surrender of self, so 
 that every corner may be vacant to be filled with the fulness of GOD, 
 that is the secret. 
 
 " I am determined to get it, by GOD'S grace, and I believe He is 
 determined to give it me. For He says, John x. 'that they might have 
 it more abundantly, 1 and Eph. iii. 'exceeding abundantly.'"
 
 CONSTANTINOPLE 301 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 [ Undated.] 
 
 " Such a satisfactory meeting yesterday with twelve leading London 
 clergy, Thorold, Canon Chapneys, Auriol, Cadman, E. Bayley, Lumsden, 
 D. Wilson, and others, who held out to us (laymen) the right hand of 
 fellowship, and said, GOD speed you we'll work with you, and be glad 
 to have your help. Our school-rooms are open to you let's all work 
 together. This is most cheering, and we feel it's an answer to prayer. 
 Tell the Daddy. I'm sure he'll be glad." 
 
 To HIS SISTER, on her Birthday. 
 
 " HOUSE OF COMMONS, June 2, 1871. 
 
 "As I am spending many a weary hour in these halls of the Legis- 
 lature, while waiting on an ungrateful and Liberal Government, I have 
 determined to make use of part of the time in writing you a Congratu- 
 latory Epistle. . . . 
 
 "The dear old Daddy came with me to open-air service, and cour- 
 ageously stood by me while I read aloud Is. Iv. to three ragged boys 
 and some bare walls. And afterwards, when a couple of hundred were 
 assembled, he gave away a hymn here and there, and sang by my side 
 as loud as he could. Surely there must be something in his heart to 
 make him content to take up such a position. 
 
 " I wish you every blessing in this new year, above all, to be ' filled 
 with all the fulness of GOD.' Obedience to Ro. xii. 1 is the way to it, I 
 feel convinced. Yielding one's self to Him moment by moment, to be 
 momentarily filled by Him." 
 
 During the autumn, Mr. Blackwood was asked, for the first time, 
 to give an address on the Spiritual Life at the Church Congress, and 
 in reference to this he wrote to Miss Marsh : 
 
 " llth Oct. [1871] STOKE ROCHFOBD, GBANTHAM. 
 
 "Goo bless you for holding up my hands. . . . He was with me at 
 Nottingham. It was nervous work, before four or five Bishops, and 
 nearly 2000 Laity and Clergy. I shrank from it dreadfully, until I was 
 'on my legs,' and the Great Shepherd and Bishop stood by me, and 
 made [me] as bold as a lion. 
 
 " I was able in some measure, I trust, to exalt Him as the Resurrec- 
 tion and the Life, and the only Source of a deeper life and power ; but 
 not to my satisfaction. I believe however that souls were helped, and 
 I am so far content. . . ." 
 
 In the previous December, Mr. Blackwood had been offered by 
 Mr. Lowe, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, a post in Ireland,
 
 302 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 which however he saw reason to decline. In the August of this 
 year (1871) he met with a disappointment by being superseded in a 
 step in the Treasury, which he had had reason to expect. 
 
 With characteristic English generosity the colleague who had 
 received the appointment wrote, enclosing a letter from his predeces- 
 sor, and saying : 
 
 " I can't help sending you F 's note to look at. 
 
 " I have tried to let you know what I feel at being the cause of 
 disappointment or dissatisfaction to friends and colleagues, and I 
 assure you it is not lessened by such a note as this, the feeling of which 
 I thoroughly appreciate." 
 
 The enclosure a letter of congratulation began : 
 
 " Before I say a word about yourself I am sure you will pardon me 
 if I express, even to you, the distress I feel at the Chancellor of the 
 Exchequer having thought it necessary to pass over so good a man as 
 Blackwood. 
 
 " We have worked so pleasantly together, and I have felt the advan- 
 tage of his ability and sound judgment on so many occasions, that I 
 always felt the Department was safe in his hands. 
 
 " But the Chancellor of Exchequer has decided otherwise, and 
 setting aside the regrets which I cannot help but feel, let me offer to 
 you personally my sincere and cordial congratulations. . . . 
 
 " I congratulate you also on having to deal with so high-minded and 
 noble a fellow as Blackwood, and with the excellent feeling you express 
 in your letter to me, I am sure you will work well together."
 
 CEAYFOED. 
 
 The move to the Manor House, Crayford, had been made in 
 June, 1871. On July 24th, a large gathering was held in a Tent 
 in the field, announced by Mr. Blackwood as " a House-warming," 
 to which all were invited, to hear the Gospel in his grounds. He 
 began work immediately, speaking at Bexley Heath on the Sunday 
 evenings, and taking Open-air Services on Crayford Bridge. 
 
 Although still a "village," several large factories are situated in 
 Crayford ; and the number of public-houses and the temptations 
 offered by them to the many working men stirred his heart. He 
 soon began to raise funds to build a British Workman Coffee Tavern, 
 to which was added a Hall for meetings. The building was opened 
 in April, 1874 ; and here were held the Men's Night School and 
 Bible-classes, the Mothers' Meetings, the Temperance and Band 
 of Hope meetings, preaching on Sunday nights, and the weekly 
 Tuesday evening Service. 
 
 When the first Anniversary came round, Mr. Blackwood arranged 
 for its commemoration by "an All-Day Meeting for the purpose of 
 united Praise, Prayer, and Mutual Edification." This little Con- 
 ference was repeated in each of the seven following years, until 
 other overwhelming calls upon his time and strength rendered it 
 impossible for him any longer to make the necessary arrangements. 
 
 Of the work thus carried on through many succeeding years the 
 following letters speak. 
 
 Miss Odell says : 
 
 " The distance many came to attend the Tuesday meetings is some 
 testimony to the value they were felt to be. One writes, 'Although 
 familiar with the words of Holy Writ from childhood, I had never 
 followed out complete subjects all through the Bible in the way we 
 did under Sir Arthur's teaching.' 
 
 "In a letter from one of the Night School men, he says, 'I was 
 talking about the Tuesday night meetings. What a blessing they 
 
 (303)
 
 304 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 was to us, being so full of teaching. Dear Sir Arthur made it so real 
 to us. I have his photo standing so that I can see it when I go to read 
 the Bible. It seems to make me think of old times.' 
 
 " We always felt the Night School was very dear to Sir Arthur. He 
 opened it in 1870, when such help was much more needed by working 
 men than in these days. The numbers who attended, and the distances 
 many walked showed how much it was valued. Even on earth there 
 has been great rejoicing in seeing those who before were drunkards, 
 blasphemers, and aliens from God, stand up and testify it was there, in 
 the Village Hall, that they were brought to Christ. Nor was their 
 temporal good overlooked, as the generous Interest he gave on their 
 Deposits in the Savings Bank which he instituted in connection with 
 the School, showed. And what a warm welcome he gave them when 
 he received them as 'his guests' at tea at the opening and closing of 
 each Session, presenting each scholar with a book in remembrance of 
 the Winter's work. 
 
 " It is only those who had the privilege of being associated with 
 him in the work, can tell the strength and power, courage and faith he 
 brought into it, as also his wonderful personality and influence, entering 
 into the smallest detail connected with it, with such prayerful untiring 
 interest. 
 
 " All who came seeking his help and counsel (and these were very 
 many) either for their work for GOD or their own personal needs, in- 
 variably met with loving sympathy and courtesy. 
 
 " At the time Sir Arthur was taken Home, a Clergyman's wife 
 writing, says: 'All the seven years we were privileged to be near him 
 have been passing before me. How lovely he always was! I can 
 scarcely realize that we shall never again see his loved face, and feel the 
 warm clasp of his hand. I don't know how we live through it all ; the 
 world goes on just the same, but to me, it seems to make the blank 
 more felt. He was my Prince of men. I hardly ever saw a flaw in him. 
 I can't recal one.' 
 
 " Some of those who gathered round that open tomb on the 9th of 
 October were accustomed to stand with him as he preached in what he 
 called his 'Cathedral,' the open air on Crayford Bridge, and remember 
 seeing him walk down the street bearing the Text Banner. Who can 
 tell the result of those Services? 
 
 "It is impossible to give any adequate idea of his work and influence 
 in Crayford and the neighbourhood, nor of his help and sympathy ex- 
 tended to other Christian enterprises for miles round, and still more 
 impossible to tell of the deep sorrow when the sad news of his death 
 was made known." 
 
 Miss E. Edwards, another fellow- worker, says :
 
 CBAYFOBD 305 
 
 "You ask for facts connected with the work at Crayford. Sir 
 Arthur's influence was strongly felt in the place, even before the Village 
 Hall was built. 
 
 " Old Mr. S., for many years a grocer in the village, says there began 
 to be a change in Crayford before Sir Arthur had been there three 
 months ; and many others have told us exactly the same. 
 
 "One of the most striking features of the work seems to us to have 
 been the way in which families have been blessed. 
 
 "The very day the Village Hall was opened, old Mrs. L. was led to 
 the Saviour. I believe there never was a Conference without souls 
 being saved. Since then two of her sons and a daughter have been 
 converted through the work there ; Mrs. B. and G. at Mr. Spencer 
 Walton's Mission, and T. in the Night School. More recently, the 
 father has been led to decision through reading ' Grace and Truth,' put 
 into his hands by one of the Night School teachers. All of these we 
 believe are now leading Christian lives. 
 
 "Then G. K. was first impressed one Sunday night, as he with his 
 wife was casually passing the Bridge, by hearing Sir Arthur say, 'What 
 shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own 
 soul ? ' He thought it a ' funny saying,' but a true one, and could not 
 forget it ; but had no idea it was a text from the Bible. Soon he and 
 his wife took to reading GOD'S Word, beginning at Genesis. They soon 
 got fagged, and gave up in despair ; but he was still vaguely uneasy. 
 However, he soon afterwards came to the Night School, and through 
 the Bible Reading was convinced of sin, and soon led to Christ. His 
 wife was converted shortly after. 
 
 "When Sir Arthur was giving up the Crayford work, it was G. K. 
 upon whom devolved the duty of making the presentation of the 
 Blotting-case given with such great pleasure by the men of the Night 
 School. It was a never-to-be-forgotten scene, quite past my powers of 
 description. I cannot remember what was said, but K. afterwards told 
 us, he did not know what words he made use of, but his feeling was 
 that ' Our father was leaving us.' 
 
 "Old Mrs. C. tells how she used to persuade her drunken son 
 Charles to go with her to hear Sir Arthur preach on the Bridge on 
 Sunday nights. He used to stand there with the tears streaming down 
 his cheeks. He was afterwards wonderfully converted through the 
 instrumentality of the Missionary-manager of the British Workman ; 
 lived a consistent Christian life for many years, and died a Christian's 
 death. While Sir Arthur was still living in the neighbourhood, an old 
 man sent for him to 'show him how a Christian could die.' He had 
 been brought to the LORD by listening through his window to Sir Arthur 
 preaching on the Bridge. 
 
 20
 
 306 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " A man named , who now holds a prominent position in China, 
 
 in connection with the China Inland Mission, was also led to Christ 
 through Sir Arthur preaching on Crayford Bridge. 
 
 " Last year, Dr. from M came and held a Mission in 
 
 Crayford. He said he felt he had a link with the place. A man who 
 
 had formerly lived in Crayford, and who was in Hospital at M , 
 
 told him of Sir Arthur's Bridge Services. This made him think that 
 ' If such a man as Mr. Blackwood could preach in the streets, surely 
 he could.' This led him to commence outdoor preaching, which has 
 been very greatly blessed. 
 
 "Mr. - told us that he was brought into the light through one 
 of Sir Arthur's Tuesday addresses on 'Salted with the salt of the King's 
 Palace.' 
 
 " It seems superfluous to speak of the great kindness and sympathy 
 always shown by Sir Arthur ; but one cannot forget how he met poor 
 Mrs. \V. by the waterside in tears. How he spoke kindly to her; 
 followed her and her husband up unweariedly, and never rested until 
 the drunken husband became a new man 'in Christ Jesus.' 
 
 " We remember also, how at a Navvies' Tea at the Village Hall, one 
 man's dog came too. Sir Arthur spoke kindly to both man and dog, 
 and the latter was allowed to remain. 
 
 " Long after the man came back, and told how the kindness shewn 
 more especially to the dog had made him willing to listen to the 
 message of salvation from Sir Arthur's lips, and through the word he 
 heard that night he was brought to the Lord. 
 
 " Do you remember that after Sir Arthur had left the neighbour- 
 hood, he one night paid the Night School a very special visit, and 
 stayed to the Prayer Meeting? There was a man there who was most 
 anxious. It began to get late ; but Sir Arthur seemed as if he could not 
 leave until the man had decided. He did so that night; and we heard 
 not long since that he is doing well." 
 
 This letter from a Working Man at Crayford is given as it 
 stands. 
 
 " November, 1886. 
 
 " DEAR FKIEXD, please Reseive this A little thank hofering unto 
 the lord our God who hath done grate things for bus wheareof we ar 
 glad. 
 
 "I think it is About 14 years sence you stood on the bridge one 
 Sunday night and sed God Receves the devels castaways. That was 
 
 good news for me for our old frend S had taken hall my props 
 
 away and let me down in the mire and clay. Oh how I longed to get 
 out. 
 
 " then in the weak of speshel serveses in the Iron curch [Room]
 
 CBAYFOBD 307 
 
 you held up Rahab and the scarlet cord. I had that like a drowning 
 man wuld A Rope." 
 
 On the Bridge, after Sir Arthur left Cray ford, a drinking fountain 
 was erected, "In grateful remembrance of Christian work in Cray- 
 ford 1871-1880." The text, "Whosoever will, let him take of the 
 water of life freely," was added, to call to the remembrance of 
 passers-by the free offer of that Living Water which had so often 
 been proclaimed to them there. 
 
 The following letter was written by one of the Night School 
 men, after Sir Arthur's death. The "mite" of which he speaks 
 was a pound; and though, as his former teacher says, it is "not a 
 very high testimonial to the educational advantages of the Night 
 School, as far as spelling is concerned, it is very sweet to see the 
 gratitude." 
 
 " ORANGE FREE STATE, SOUTH AFRICA, 13th February 1894. 
 
 " In refference to our dear Friend, Mr. S. A. Blackwood's deth, I 
 was moved with compashun for his dear Wife and family, and also for 
 friends who like myself have lurnt to love him. I shall feal it a favour 
 granted me if I may conturbrut a mite towards any memoral that may 
 be put forth in his dear name. I am sure he is worthy. I would like 
 to say that through his labours put forth in refference to the Crayford 
 School I am to-day in a place of honour and trust, which I should never 
 atained if not for him and the dear Teachers. 
 
 " He was a gentleman that there was no pride in. He could come 
 and neal down in the midst of working men and pray that there burdens 
 might be made light. He was a man of practical Christianity which 
 the working men wants to encourage and help them. . . . There are 
 many of the working men of Crayford Night School that there homes 
 have been made brighter and heart made glad. In fact, what was the 
 Crayford Brickfield befor the Night School opened. It was nothink 
 but Drunkardness, disorder. There was two or three Christain men. 
 But through the labour of the School nearly all the grate Drinkers 
 became Christians. There are some in Africa to-day. There are so 
 many that I can't count them. His labours do follow him. Praise GOD 
 for his life. Amen." 
 
 Mr. T. L. Mitchell says : 
 
 " Sir Arthur was often to be seen in the brickfields before 7. A.M. 
 speaking to individual men about their souls, and one brickmaker, at 
 the Dartford Martyrs' Memorial Hall last Sunday, testified that it was 
 through Sir Arthur he was converted."
 
 308 LIFE OF SIB AKTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 In the neighbouring town of Dartford, two excellent institutions 
 now preserve in their titles the memory of Sir Arthur's share in 
 their existence the Blackwood Temperance Hotel in Lowfield 
 Street, and the Blackwood Institute for Lads, attached to the Martyrs' 
 Memorial Building. The former was founded by a tradesman of the 
 town, whose interest in the matter was aroused whilst fitting up the 
 Crayford Hall. Mr. Blackwood " gave his ever ready help, and the 
 first donation of Five Pounds ; " and at a subsequent time of great 
 strain he at once came forward with the gift of 100 ; and after- 
 wards collected between 400 and 500, to lift the burden from the 
 worker's shoulders. 
 
 On first coming to Crayford, he had arranged for addresses in 
 the Assembly Rooms at Dartford by himself and other evangelists ; 
 and in later years he took an important part in the erection of the 
 Martyrs' Memorial Hall, of which he laid the first stone, and was a 
 Trustee. The work so prospered that the year after Sir Arthur's death, 
 it became needful to enlarge its borders. An additional building, to 
 be called The Blackwood Institute for Lads, was opened on 20th 
 February 1895, together with a new organ in the large Hall. It was 
 mentioned by Mr. Mitchell, the founder of the institution, that to 
 this, as an added memorial to Sir Arthur, above three hundred of 
 the lads had contributed. 
 
 FROM A MINISTER AT DARTFORD. 
 
 " 6th Dec. 1877. 
 
 "You will be glad to hear of a case of conversion traceable to your 
 preaching on Crayford Bridge. A young man who used to spend his 
 Sunday evenings at the ' Bear ' was passing by the summerjbefore last, 
 to go as usual to the 'Bear.' You cried out, 'Sinner, what have you 
 done for Christ ? ' The words arrested him, and fixed him to the spot. 
 He stayed until the Service was over, and then went home. He con- 
 tinued for some months in great distress of mind, trying to save him- 
 self. At length, one morning about three o'clock, while working in the 
 Creek Paper Mill, he saw clearly the simple way of Salvation by faith, 
 and was enabled to believe to the saving of the soul. From that time he 
 has lived a consistent Christian life. His wife too has now found peace 
 with GOD." 
 
 A mere business letter from a tradesman of Dartford closes with 
 these words, written in June 1873. 
 
 " Sir, I know it will gladden you to hear I was brought to know my
 
 CBATFOED 309 
 
 Saviour through hearing one of your discourses last summer on Cray- 
 ford Bridge." 
 
 The thread of correspondence is now resumed with a letter from 
 Mr. Blackwood to his sister. 
 
 " [August 1871, RENNET.] 
 
 "... But He is teaching us wisdom by successive disappointments 
 in ourselves, and our circumstances. And ' none teacheth like Him.' 
 
 " Christ is ihe Good Physician. He never makes a mistake, and 
 never takes down the wrong bottle. 
 
 " I am to have a Drawing-Room Meeting to-morrow, and trust for a 
 blessing to follow. 
 
 " MANOR HOUSE, CBAYFOBD, Dec. 22. 71, 
 
 " And now I must tell you what I think will please you. 
 
 "The Chancellor of the Exchequer sent for me the other day, and 
 after alluding to my recent disappointment, and saying that he had 
 noticed with so much pleasure the way in which I had borne it, (for 
 which all glory be to GOD) ended by offering me an independent post. 
 
 " He did it in the handsomest way, refusing to be thanked for it, 
 saying that he considered I was the fittest man for it, and that as it 
 was the first actual piece of patronage he had had to dispose of, he was 
 most glad to offer it to me. 
 
 "You may imagine what a surprise it was and is still. 
 
 " It is really a better place, and easier as to work, and far more in- 
 dependent than the one I lost. 
 
 " It is most gratifying to see how glad everybody in the Treasury is, 
 for they all sympathized with me thoroughly before, and now rejoice 
 with me. Truly GOD has given me favour in their eyes. 
 
 " Such a post seldom falls vacant, and it is surprising that he should 
 offer it me. 
 
 "Don't mention it yet. . . . I'm going to tell the parents after 
 dinner to-night." 
 
 But difficulties came in the way ; and on 22nd January, 1872, Mr. 
 Blackwood wrote to his mother. 
 
 "From rumours I hear, I think we must be prepared for a dis- 
 appointment. . . . 
 
 " If I don't get it, I shall be perfectly at ease, knowing that ' my 
 Father which is in heaven ' only gives that which is good, and with- 
 holds that which would have been evil ; and be thankful for a month's 
 pleasant dream of independence, liberty, etc." 
 
 A little later in the month he wrote again :
 
 310 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " I am not uneasy. Man's disappointments are GOD'S appointments, 
 and there can be no mistake with Him. 
 
 " GOD setteth up one and putteth down another, and it is not for 
 me to murmur. 
 
 " I am quite easy about it, as if it be good for me I shall have it ; 
 and if not, I had rather not have it." 
 
 In the sequel, the Chancellor of the Exchequer wrote, on 12th 
 March, 1872, that he was "very sorry to say that the matter was 
 taken out of his hands " ; and added, " I can only assure you that I 
 have done all in nay power to give effect to my undertaking." 
 
 In July of the same year, Mr. Blackwood wrote to his mother, 
 in reference to another appointment. 
 
 "!N THE TRAIN. 
 
 "... I daresay you do not like 's appointment. But why 
 
 not ? I have a better portion which fadeth not away. 
 
 " IN THE TRAIN, 22. 4. [1872.] 
 " Did I tell you that came to hear me at Croydon and Norwood, 
 
 and after a long time of seeking salvation by good works has found 
 
 peace by trusting to Jesus f 
 
 " She comes regularly to Streatham now, and is rejoicing. 
 
 " How lovely everything is ! How much more lovely when the King 
 
 returns, and earth is gladdened by His presence. See end of Ps. 96 and 
 
 98. Ro. 8. 19-21." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 "MANOR HOUSE, CRATPOBD, August [1872] 
 
 " ' I have been much hindered in coming to you ; but now, having 
 no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many 
 years to come unto you I will come to you; for I trust to see you in 
 my journey, and to be brought on my way, if first I be somewhat filled 
 with your [company. And I am sure that when I come unto you, I 
 shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ. Now 
 I beseech you, brethren, for the Tjord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love 
 of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in prayer to GOD for me, that 
 my service may be accepted, and that I may come unto you with joy by 
 the will of GOD, and may with you be refreshed.' 
 
 " And I hope to arrive at Shifnal on Monday at 7.56, and can hold 
 two meetings on Tuesday, and must leave early on Wednesday. 
 
 " ' Now the GOD of peace be with you all. Amen.' 
 
 " 8. A. B. 13. 8."
 
 CRAYFORD 311 
 
 [On returning from Sheriff Hales.] 
 
 " MANOR HOUSE, CRAYFORD, Sept. 6. [1872] 
 
 " My own soul was refreshed more than I can say. . . . 
 
 " A happy journey to London, with a Christian farmer, an earnest 
 local preacher and some others who appeared Christians. Also a 
 
 beautiful-faced and bright young porter at W Junction, converted 
 
 a month ago. 
 
 " All well here, thank the LORD. 
 
 " ' All my borders are pleasant stones,' and if sometimes there are 
 rough and sharp ones in our path, it is only to prove how strong are the 
 ' shoes of iron and brass,' and 'peace ' (Eph vi.) with which the Prince's 
 Daughter is shod. (Song.) 
 
 " Though, as one has said, we must dip our feet in oil to put them on. 
 
 " I should think ' the higher life ' was indeed in that verse in Ps. 
 119, and where is it not, now that one's eyes are opened to see it ? 
 
 " I send you Ps. Ivi. 11, 13, and Ps. cxxx. 7. They are full of it. 
 
 " Oh ! may no grave clothes hinder any of us from walking at liberty, 
 all the day long." 
 
 Shortly afterwards Mr. Blackwood went to Scotland with his 
 step-daughter, to visit several friends. 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 " ST. MARTIN'S, PERTH, [Monday, Sept. 20, 1872.] 
 
 " One line to tell you to thank GOD for many open doors, and for, I 
 trust, some open hearts. I know He has opened my lips, at any rate, 
 and He has given me much joy and liberty. 
 
 " His corn does make the young men cheerful, for how great is His 
 beauty and how great is His goodness. 
 
 " Pray for blessing to follow the word to be preached now at Keith 
 Hall. I am expecting great things, for is not Joel ii. 21 true ? 
 
 " I expect to be at Keith Hall till next Monday. Then at home for 
 a week before Ireland."
 
 IRELAND, WIESBADEN AND RAGATZ. 
 
 In 1872, Mr. Blackwood was sent by the Treasury to Dublin, on 
 a Commission of Enquiry into the Police and Civil Service, in con- 
 junction with Lord Monck and Mr. O'Reilly, M.P. 
 
 "GoD bless you," he wrote to his Wife during his journey on 19th 
 October, " and give you the sense of His company, which does indeed 
 prevent one's feeling lonely or deserted. May you enjoy as much of it 
 as He can give and you can bear. 
 
 " Such a lovely journey from Chester. A bright warm summer's 
 day, the Welsh mountains tipped with snow, the beautiful valleys, the 
 blue sea, altogether most exquisite . . . and were it not that each 
 minute puts another mile between us, it would be completely enjoyable. 
 But the great thing is to live in the present one constant NOW, neither 
 regretting the past, nor fearing the future." 
 
 During his stay, which lasted over two months, his leisure hours 
 were devoted to the service of his LORD. As he stayed in the houses 
 of friends in Dublin, or spent the Sundays with others in the country, 
 he spoke at one meeting after another which was arranged for him ; 
 and this with great manifestation of the power and presence of GOD. 
 But few details however remain : the record of this, as of so much 
 other service, is not here. 
 
 " They say," he wrote to the Duchess on 30th November, " that the way 
 in which the meetings are crowded is most remarkable. I have not, 
 with one or two exceptions, enjoyed them, perhaps from not feeling well ; 
 but Gon can bless the truth all the same. I shall think much of you 
 to-morrow. . . . ' Ye shall bear no burden on the Sabbath day.' How? 
 By ' casting thy burden on the Lord,' Who says, ' I will carry thee,' And 
 of course our burdens also, but moment by moment. 
 
 " 10th December. 
 
 "Mr. Achilles Daunt invited me to his Schoolroom last night. 
 There was not standing room. I should think there were more than 
 five hundred, principally upper classes. 
 (312)
 
 IRELAND, WIESBADEN AND EAGATZ 313 
 
 " 12th Dec. 
 
 "My heart is jumping at the thought of home again. ... I will 
 pay the Townsend Street Schools. I am staying with the person who has 
 most to do with them, Mrs. Smyly, and have been to them several 
 times. A most crowded meeting for the last at Mr. Law's yesterday. 
 It is quite marvellous. I hear of several instances of awakening, and 
 some of what I hope is real conversion. . . . Saturday I go to Charleville 
 
 again. I have been reluctantly compelled to dissent from , for 
 
 which I shall probably be stigmatized in Parliament next year as a 
 * narrow-minded official,' but I can't help that." 
 
 It was whilst staying in the house of Capt. Kearney White, 
 Secretary of the Scripture Readers' Society for Ireland, that an 
 interest which never abated was awakened in that Society. He 
 telegraphed to the Duchess to become Patroness of a Ladies' Auxili- 
 ary which he formed ; and himself filled for several years the office 
 of President of the London Committee, and often spoke for the 
 Society in Exeter Hall, at Lady Gainsborough's and elsewhere. He 
 was greatly beloved both by the officials and agents. 
 
 " I wish," wrote Mrs. J. G. Watson, in 1894, " that I could in any 
 adequate manner describe to you the pleasure we all experienced when 
 in 1872, dear Sir Arthur Blackwood staid with my mother in Dublin. 
 His delight was in his Father's business. ... I need not tell you that 
 these blessed times will be remembered by many with thankfulness." 
 
 More than a year later Mr. Blackwood received this message 
 
 from a lady. 
 
 "1th January, 1874. 
 
 "Tell him that for myself, all has been well a most blessed happy 
 year ever since that 22nd of November 1872, the day which I shall 
 always consider the greatest in my life, for my heart was just turned 
 right round from sin and sorrow to forgiveness, light, life, a deep 
 and abiding peace. 
 
 " My children are I trust following, and other members of my family 
 well inclined." 
 
 Through all those weeks however Mr. Blackwood was in continual 
 pain, and "from this time," says the Duchess, "till after Lady 
 Kintore's marriage in August, 1873, he suffered martyrdom from 
 neuralgic rheumatism. The pain was dreadful. He could not rest 
 at night, but had to walk up and down the room. Still he worked 
 on as usual." 
 
 Having been ordered to Wiesbaden for the Baths, he left England 
 on 18th August, 1873, accompanied by the Eev. Henry O'Borke.
 
 314 LIFE OF SIB ABTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " HOTEL DES QUATRE SAISONS, WIESBADEN, 
 " Thurs., 21st August, [1878] 
 
 "To begin with, will you preserve these letters? It will save my 
 keeping a journal. Anything I want to say special, I can put on a 
 separate slip. 
 
 " I was rather tired, and my leg ached a good deal ; but we had a 
 pleasant journey, and tracts were well received. An English gentleman 
 was glad to take ' Eternal Life,' and also some German Tracts for 
 distribution. He said he had heard Mr. Blackwood preach some very 
 good and earnest sermons ; he believed Mr. Blackwood superintended 
 the publication of the Christian Knowledge Society's publications! I 
 should be dreadfully lonely without Henry O'Rorke; but you have no 
 idea what a comfort it is to feel one has some one who knows about 
 home with one, and we mourn together about our absent wives and 
 children. ... I send a scrap of Sunday questions for my darling C. 
 and B. 
 
 "23rd Aug., [1873] 
 
 " Your letter contained good news of you all, and the welcome 
 tidings of Deacon's and the other gifts for the Hall." [at Crayford.] 
 
 " How wonderfully GOD is inclining people's hearts to help ! Why, 
 if all is given, here's nearly 900 already. I thank GOD, and take 
 courage. 
 
 " I am thankful that Major is safe 'at home. 1 The whole story 
 
 has been very wonderful, and is a proof how the LORD cuts out our 
 work for us. How humanly speaking unlikely that I should go to 
 Kilbeggan in Westmeath, and yet He led me there to preach Christ to 
 that soul. It is an immense encouragement to trust Him more and 
 more. 
 
 " Now as to my doings. . . . 
 
 " To-day I went to call on the Princess. She seemed very glad to 
 see me, and H. and I dine with her this evening at eight. She does not 
 see the way quite open for any meetings, as there are so few English 
 here, but thought someof herGerman friends might be gathered together. 
 We shall see. 2 Cor. vii. 6, is very applicable to me. 
 
 " 25th, 26th Aug. 
 
 " Your letter was an unexpected pleasure; . . . but it is worth three 
 pence to give me so much joy in a strange land. 
 
 "Sunday, after water and bath, to English Church. Up to this 
 time we could see no way clear for work, beyond German tract dis- 
 tribution in the Gardens, country and town, and English tracts in the 
 Hotel. But we had prayed a good deal about it, and the way presently 
 was opened. It occurred to us both that we might announce a meeting
 
 IEELAND, WIESBADEN AND KAGATZ 315 
 
 to be held somewhere in the week. The master of the Hotel placed a 
 large room at our disposal, which will hold a hundred, and we decided 
 to hold two meetings, to-morrow (Tuesday) and Thursday at eleven A.M. 
 The next thing was how to make it known. We decided to ask Mr. 
 Osborne [the chaplain] to announce it on Sunday evening. I accordingly 
 wrote out a notice that I would give two addresses here on ' The King- 
 dom of Heaven opened,' and ' The joy of the LORD.' We prayed that Mr. 
 Osborne might be willing, and then waited at the church-door for him, 
 introduced ourselves, and asked him. The moment he saw my name 
 he seemed glad, (having, I believe, seen some of my books the Princess 
 had lent him), and declared himself quite willing, only regretting he 
 had not known, so as to announce it to the much fuller morning con- 
 gregation. So far all was well. This morning I went to a printing- 
 office at seven, got some placards printed, and small hand-bills ; had 
 them sent to all the Hotels, (forty) and posted on the walls ; sent the 
 hand-bills to the Princess, Mr. Osborne, and to a Mr. Tugwell, a clergy- 
 man, who had called to say how glad he was to hear it announced ; and 
 then took a number round to the Reading Rooms, and for private 
 distribution to the English in the Hotels. And now we are looking up 
 in strong expectation for a blessing. We may have but few, as the 
 notice is so short, and English are not numerous ; but we believe it 
 will not be in vain. 
 
 "On Sunday afternoon I went to the German Church, and heard 
 a very nice sermon. After evening prayers at the English Church, we 
 went to supper at Princess', to meet the Pastor, and the Dean of the 
 Diocese, and another of the clergy, all true men. ... I have to get a 
 'Permit' from the police to hold meetings, but there was no difficulty 
 in it. It is granted to 'Mr. Steveson from Blackwood.' 
 
 " Tuesday Evening. About forty came, English and Germans. 
 Some seemed very thankful for it. 
 
 11 28th August. 
 
 " To-day had a still better meeting, about fifty, some thoroughly 
 worldly Germans there, and most intense attention. The chaplain 
 came and seemed much pleased, asked also to announce future meetings. 
 The Princess sent down an harmonium, and her Lady played ' Belmont,' 
 and ' Happy Day.' 
 
 "Wednesday the Princess took us an expedition to the beautiful 
 castle of Rheinfels, and then in a carriage through the Forest, with 
 lovely views of the Rhine. A very pleasant day. Tracts gladly 
 run after. Good-bye. Kisses to all. ... who forbears to plague you 
 with any statement of his distresses of mind from absence. 
 
 " Sept. I, 2. 
 "On Sunday the chaplain again gave out the meetings, subjects
 
 316 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 and all. H. and I stood at the door of the church afterwards, and gave 
 away 180 notices. Everybody received them, except a young lady who 
 tossed her head disdainfully. 
 
 "After early table d'hdte we drove over to Schwalbach, where 
 Sulivans had announced a meeting: a beautiful drive up through the 
 Forest. We reached them at five. Eighty-five people came, including 
 High Church people who had said nothing should induce them to 
 come, worldly people and others, and I never saw such attention. We 
 sang ' I heard the Voice,' and ' One there is ' ; and I spoke on ' A 
 Present Salvation.' As far as one can judge by freedom of utterance, 
 one's heart going out to the people, and the apparent impression on 
 some, it was a time of blessing. But the result is sure, whether visible 
 or not. Some pressed very much for another next Sunday. It seems 
 an open door to get at many, inaccessible at home. We then had some 
 chops with the Sulivans, and started at 8.15 to walk home, imagining it 
 to be about ten or eleven miles. It turned out to be fifteen. The moon 
 set, mists came on, and a steady drizzle. The forest was darker than 
 anything you can picture. We could only see about a step or so before 
 us, and we reached the Hotel at twelve, pretty well soaked, and rather 
 weary. But it was a pleasant 'Sabbath day's journey' in the Master's 
 service, and I believe we had His presence. This morning I was up 
 at six again, and though a little stiff, am all right. 
 
 " Uh Sept. 
 
 " Thursday. Just finished the meeting. The number and apparent 
 interest increase. Seventy-five to-day, and wonderful attention. I 
 asked them to bring their Bibles, which seemed a new idea to them, 
 but many brought them, and marked the passages for reference. I 
 believe that GOD will bless the Word. One young person, a German 
 'seller of purple,' appeared to be just where Nicodemus was, saying, 
 'How can these things be?' I trust, like Lydia, she may be having 
 her heart opened. To many, I am persuaded, a FREE and immediate 
 Salvation is a perfectly new thing. 
 
 "Yesterday the Princess drove us to Mayence. ... I had forgotten 
 that one of my books had been the means of leading her mother to the 
 knowledge of Christ. 
 
 " I shall be leaving, I expect, on Friday week, I don't know whither. 
 All places are equally desolate to a man in my wretched plight. Like 
 Lord Bateman,' 'all countries are alike to me.' . . . To-morrow H. 
 goes. His presence has been a great comfort to me. 
 
 " 8th Sept. Monday. 
 
 "It was a 'merciful Providence,' as people say, that urged you to 
 write on Saturday contrary to your intentions, for Henry having left 
 this morning, and no letter being expected, I felt a peculiarly lonely
 
 IEELAND, WIESBADEN AND EAGATZ 317 
 
 and deserted being. But your pleasant and unexpected letter has a 
 little revived me. ... I trust that amid your many matters in moving, 
 you may have found a spare moment to write to your wretched 
 husband, or I shall receive nothing till Friday four days of silence 
 ' a stranger in a strange land.' . . . 
 
 " Sunday Henry preached a very nice clear sermon, which I was 
 very glad of. We then went to Schwalbach. . . . But although many 
 had left the place, there were more than last time. There are great 
 Autumn Manoeuvres going on all round here, and great excitement in 
 consequence. 
 
 " 9tk Sept. 
 
 " It's a little warmer to-day, and I'm going up into the woods, if I 
 can get so far, but every atom of strength is gone out of me. . . . To- 
 day we had a very good meeting, as far as numbers went, about eighty, 
 and a good many new faces, three clergymen, amongst them Mr. 
 Pyrn, who came from Homburg with his wife and Baroness Hambro. 
 It was a great help having him. The interest seems very great. GOD 
 grant there may be lasting results. To-morrow I am going over to 
 Homburg, where they've arranged a meeting. 
 
 " llth September. Yesterday passed a day without pain. ... I 
 went to Homburg. They had arranged a gathering in the Golden 
 Saloon, where only a few months ago the gambling-tables stood ; and 
 though at very short notice, about 120 came, including the chaplain and 
 his wife and the chaplain from Frankfort, who gladly came out. People 
 very attentive, and I trust good was done." 
 
 That this was the case, Mr. Blackwood heard a few months later, 
 through a lady who had herself received blessing during his stay in 
 Dublin. She wrote : 
 
 " At Homburg during the summer some of my cousins were staying 
 at the Hotel there with a great friend of Mr. Blackwood's, and she 
 induced them to go and hear him at the Kursaal. That one lecture has 
 been blessed to them, and they have ever since been trusting, working, 
 and loving our Master Christ ; also some other friends of mine, a very 
 gay military man and his wife, who heard him. ... I know he will 
 rejoice to hear it." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " llth Sept. 
 
 "I dined with the General, who with his wife has, I really believe, 
 received the truth with his heart at these meetings. He seems deeply 
 touched, his wife too. I am to walk with him to-morrow. Several 
 tokens have been given that GOD'S Word has not been in vain, and I am 
 much encouraged.
 
 318 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " 12th Sept. Such an interesting talk with the General this morning. 
 He has, I think, really received the truth with his heart, but is much 
 perplexed at the struggle. . . . 
 
 " Sunday. Though in some respects I can stoop, and do things I 
 could not before, I have had more pain. I trust it may please the LORD 
 to remove it before the cold and damp of winter sets in at home, which 
 I shall otherwise rather dread. ... I had a very nice gathering 
 yesterday morning, and a meeting to-day at two, which was to have 
 been just for Bible-reading and prayer; but there were too many for 
 that, so it was an exposition instead. The thirst for GOD'S Word seems 
 very great among them, and I feel most thankful for the open door 
 which He has been pleased to give me, and the hearts which He has 
 touched. It is worth having a bad leg and the long journey to see the 
 
 change in General , and I trust it is a permanent one. Although 
 
 lonely and depressed, I shall yet be very sorry to leave the place to- 
 morrow, for GOD'S work has made it so interesting, were it not that it's 
 a move in the road home, though I go round by Switzerland. . . . Dr. 
 Bayes says, stay at Ragatz to 26th. 
 
 "Just been to evening service, no sermon. The Osbornes so very 
 hearty." 
 
 In spite of his ever-increasing work, Mr. Blackwood did not allow 
 his intercourse with General - to drop. A letter acknowledging 
 a copy of " The Victory of Faith," years afterwards says : 
 
 ' I am glad to tell you that the result of reading all your books and 
 little tracts has been very beneficial to my soul. I feel it every day 
 more and more that my heart is drawn nearer to my Saviour. ... I 
 feel it often how thankful I ought to be, that His atonement alone has 
 saved me from the wrath to come, and that one day I shall be with 
 Him." 
 
 In this sure and steadfast hope he continued, until by the mercy 
 of GOD, it was fulfilled. 
 
 MR. BLACKWOOD TO HIS WIFE. 
 
 " HOF RAGATZ, 
 
 " Betjun Thurs. evening 18th, despatched 19th, [September 1873] 
 "[Louisa,] Lady Ashburton is here and her daughter. She told Dr. 
 Bayes she hoped I should give an address here, and as others seem to 
 wish it, I daresay we shall have a meeting on Sunday evening. 
 
 " Sunday, [21s< Sept.] If ever there was a place and climate and 
 scenery and air which could render absence from home in any degree 
 supportable, it might be this. You remember those lovely days at 
 Engelberg, the air so clear, the outline of the mountains so sharp, a
 
 IRELAND, WIESBADEN AND BAGATZ 319 
 
 few fleecy clouds on one or two, the one side of the valley bathed in 
 sunshine, the other in deep refreshing shade. So it is here, only the 
 scenery is, I think, grander, and the Tamina waterfall, and the rushing 
 Rhine impart more life to this broad valley than there was at Engel- 
 berg. I wish you could see and enjoy it with me. ... I felt so very 
 weak yesterday. I have just come out of church, where we had a 
 monotonously half-intoned service, and a sermon of husks. 
 
 " HOP BAGATZ, Saturday Evening. 
 
 " Only thirty-six hours now before I start on the homeward journey, 
 . . . yet with the contrariety common to human nature to some extent, 
 but peculiarly the attribute of your unworthy husband, I am almost 
 regretting leaving this place. It is so quiet, the scenery so lovely, the 
 sunshine and air so warm and yet fresh, the Hotel, Reading-rooms, 
 gardens, fountains, baths, mountains and valleys so almost entirely at 
 my own disposal no one and nothing to disturb me, that the past 
 week has, after all, made me quite attached to the place. But the 
 home longing is stronger. . . . 
 
 " I am certainly better. The pains which were aggravated at first, 
 have subsided considerably. ... I can touch the ground after four 
 attempts, instead of after twenty, and with very little pain, and am 
 conscious in many other ways, that I am better, for which I am most 
 thankful. Yesterday I walked with the landlord, such a nice intelligent 
 attentive and obliging man, up the Piz Aluna. We had a good six 
 hours' walk and climb, and very enjoyable too. 
 
 " Did you read the address in Thursday's Times of a Professor, who 
 argued that because there was a part of the human body for which he 
 and his clever associates could not discern the use, (and which must 
 therefore necessarily be useless! ) there could be no design in the forma- 
 tion of the body, and therefore no Designer ! since not even an 
 intelligent builder would leave a bit of scaffolding for which there was 
 no use, standing on a finished house. 
 
 " Therefore the theory of Evolution, (not Creation) must be true ! 
 
 "Do read it. It's short. 
 
 " Goodbye. May the LORD grant a safe journey and a happy meeting 
 in His goodness. 
 
 "S. A. B." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 \ltth Nov., 1873. IN PENCIL] 
 
 " IN THE TRAIN. Friday. 
 
 " Your letter was very welcome ; but its intelligence about Dudley 
 sad, when one thinks of the dear Kintores. The loving LORD will 
 uphold and comfort them. I have written to K.
 
 320 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "I am, thank GOD, much better, almost well. I still have a 
 knowledge that I have a leg, and must be careful. But the LORD has 
 been very gracious, and ' the things that have happened unto me have 
 fallen out unto the furtherance of the Gospel.' 
 
 ~ " I was permitted to see some blessing at Margate, also Christians 
 revived, and one or two finding Christ and liberty. Ditto at Streatham, 
 thank GOD. 
 
 "1200 has come in for my Hall. 
 
 " Oh ! what signs of blessing these are ! 
 
 "Think of that meeting of three Bishops in St. Paul's with all their 
 clergy, and urging them to preach Christ, and lamenting their own 
 lack of love to souls. 
 
 " Surely we may expect great things. 
 
 "Oh! will you come to us for two nights at the least? Please, 
 please do, do, do, do. S. A. B."
 
 OAKHAM. 
 
 The death of his much-loved Father, at the comparatively early 
 age of sixty-five, which took place just at the passing of the year 
 1873 into 1874, was a severe blow to Mr. Blackwood. 
 
 On his return from Eagatz, his Father and Mother had joined 
 him at Cliftonville, Margate, where his wife and children were staying. 
 It was for his Mother that considerable anxiety was then felt : Mr. 
 Arthur Blackwood being in robust health. They thoroughly enjoyed 
 long walks together ; and it was touching to see his Father listening 
 with rapt attention and evident emotion, to some addresses which Mr. 
 Blackwood gave, especially to one, whose text was afterwards found 
 written in his Bible. When they parted, it was with many plans 
 for other happy meetings together when " holidays " should allow. 
 
 On 23rd December, Mr. Arthur Blackwood was seized with what 
 seemed to be no more than a severe chill; but on the 27th, the 
 accounts received by his son were not good, and he at once started 
 for Oakham. 
 
 NOTES 
 
 taken from a short "In Memoriam," written at the time by Mr. 
 Blackwood. 
 
 " I went down on Saturday, 27th, in the evening. ... I saw my 
 father at 9.30 P.M. He said, 'Well, my Boy, here I am, you see, down 
 at last ; ' and then added, ' If I could have chosen the mode of departure 
 from this life, I should have preferred some other, for to a man of my 
 frame, death from congestion of the lungs is so very painful.' . . . After 
 a little talk, I prayed with him." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " OAKHAM, 28 Dec. Sunday. [1873.] 
 
 " Dr. Paley from Peterboro' came this morning. He told me plainly 
 that his condition was ' precarious ' and ' very critical.' 
 
 21 (321)
 
 322 LIFE OF SIR ABTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 "I am most thankful I came, for though I hope for the best, I shall 
 not be surprised at the worst. My Mother was told nearly as much by 
 Dr. P. She always looks at the worst side, as you know, and therefore 
 gives up all hope, but I do not. My presence is a great comfort to him, 
 and almost more to her, as she is nearly breaking down. . . . He likes 
 me much to read and pray with him, and says, ' My whole trust and 
 confidence is in my Saviour, not with your strong faith, but in my poor 
 
 way.' 
 
 " [Dec. 29. 1873.] Monday 1 P.M. 
 
 "My report is still a sad one, I grieve to say. My dearest Father 
 seems sinking. He has now no pain, and dozes a good deal. Some- 
 times he rambles, but is always clear when we want to ask him any- 
 thing, and asks sometimes for prayer, and catches up and finishes the 
 end of a verse. He said to me, ' He does give me rest. He is every- 
 thing to me.' He has spoken much about the children ; he is so fond 
 of them all. It is a terrible thing to see so strong a man brought down 
 so quickly. I cannot realize that he is so ill. . . . The LORD may yet 
 raise him up. 
 
 " Tuesday, 30th Dec. 3 P.M. 
 
 " Dr. Paley just left. Report on the whole more favourable . Though 
 recovery is not probable, it is more possible than yesterday. . . . He 
 delights in verses, or hymns or prayer, and has said several nice things 
 which I write down and keep, such as 'I am entirely in GOD'S hands, 
 not in the hands of men. I commit myself entirely to Him.' When 
 GOD'S love was spoken of, ' Yes, yes, I know it. I have long felt utterly 
 undeserving of it of the great love He has bestowed upon me so 
 undeserving, so very undeserving.'" 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " Tuesday 30th. 
 
 " He gave me some clear directions about some dividends, etc. 
 " 'Then do you think you are going to leave us? ' 
 " ' Yes, I think it must come to that.' 
 " ' And you are ready f ' 
 
 " Lifting up his eyes to heaven, ' Yes, ready.' 
 " ' Washed in His Blood ? ' 
 '"Yes, washed in His Blood.'" 
 
 " 11.30 P.M. 
 
 " I repeated PP. 46. 1. He said, with such a sweet smile, ' Jesus is 
 mine, thank GOD.' " 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " 31$* Dec. 
 
 "I get little away from his room. No one but G. and myself can 
 lift him. But it's an unspeakable comfort to me to be here. ... I
 
 OAKHAM 323 
 
 never thought I could have nursed so. But he clings to me, is always 
 asking for me, though he is very anxious for me to get sleep, food, etc. 
 Also does everything I tell him almost at once, and is so patient. The 
 LORD has been so good. You can't conceive how gentle, patient, 
 thoughtful and loving my dearest Father is. ... I could much less 
 bear to lose him after all the nursing than before. 
 
 " New Year's Day, 1874, 6 P.M. 
 
 " I went to bed at one this morning after a happy prayer with my 
 dearest Father. He asked me to pray at 1.55, and quite understood 
 about the New Year. Lucy and I, after prayer, went to bed very 
 hopeful, but he had a bad night. At twelve Dr. P. came and gave bad 
 report. . . . No hope at all. ... I took a good gallop which was bene- 
 ficial, round the fields of Burley, where I had so often been with him, 
 and got a little relief by a good cry. I can't be away long, for he misses 
 me. I never can be sufficiently thankful for having been such a comfort 
 to him. He loves to put his arm round me and kiss me. His change 
 of mind is wonderful, telling me exactly what he wanted on his 
 grave." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 " 1st Jan. 1874, 2.20. P.M. 
 
 '"When I die, let there be a plain inscription,' and he detailed the 
 words. . . . 
 
 " ' Would you like a text upon it ? ' 
 
 '"No; no hypocrisy.' 
 
 " ' I think we should like to put some text on your grave.' 
 
 " ' Oh, very well ; but one without hypocrisy.' 
 
 " I suggested 1 Ti. i. 15, and John vi. 47. 
 
 '" This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ 
 Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' 
 
 " ' He that believeth on Me hath Everlasting life.' 
 
 " He smiled approvingly. I again repeated the texts, and he said, 
 4 Yes, you may put that. ... In that faith I die.'" 
 
 LETTER CONTINUED. 
 
 " His dear face is but a little altered. ... It is a sad thing to see 
 his fine strong frame so prostrated, and the whole makes one feel what 
 a terrible thing sin is, to bring such a penalty. How little we thought 
 of such a New Year's Day. Tell C. and B. that he sends them his love. 
 . . . He is so fond of C. and wishes her to have his cob." 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 "About 11.45 P.M. he said he would like me to pray with him. 
 Before this I said, 'Jesus is with you, dearest Father, is He not ? '
 
 324 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " < Don't I feel it ? Don't I feel it ? ' 
 
 " He spoke no more that I remember 
 
 " Friday, 2nd Jan. 1874. 
 
 "At 5.45 A.M. I suddenly heard him draw a long breath. Lucy 
 noticed it too. . . . We knelt down and commended his precious soul 
 to the LORD. One or two longer breaths followed at greater intervals, 
 and he fell asleep." 
 
 To HIS MOTHER. 
 [Written on a half-sheet, undated.] 
 
 " Darling, I felt so for you, when you said you were so lonely. I 
 cannot bear to think of you being lonely, who have been such a mother 
 to me. And you need not be. Seek, and do seek earnestly to realize the 
 presence of the loving Jesus, Who says, and means it, and keeps His 
 Word, ' I will tvver leave you, no, never forsake you.' ... I wish you 
 would come to us more, that you mightn't be lonely. 
 
 " Come to our meeting next Monday. 
 
 " Your loving Son."
 
 VII. 
 SEVEN YEARS OF PLENTY AND THEIE SEQUEL. 
 
 VARIOUS LETTERS, FROM 1873-80. 
 
 THE MILDMAY CONFERENCES. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, AND WORK AMONGST YOUNG MEN. 
 
 THE PEN OF A READY WRITER. 
 
 TOTAL ABSTINENCE, AND OTHER PHILANTHROPIC 
 
 AND SOCIAL WORK. 
 PROTESTANTISM AND PATRIOTISM.
 
 VARIOUS LETTERS, FROM 1873-80. 
 
 The years 1873-4 were marked in Mr. Blackwood's life as being 
 those in which he entered upon a wider and more public position 
 than he had hitherto filled in the service of either his Heavenly or 
 his earthly Sovereign. In 1873, he was called to be the Leader of 
 the great Christian Conferences at Mildmay ; and it was in 1874 
 that a change took place in his official life, by his removal from the 
 Treasury, and his appointment as Financial Secretary to the General 
 Post Office. An enlarged sphere of Official and Religious interests, 
 both involving a widened acquaintance with men and things, thus 
 began to open before him. 
 
 In a more personal sphere also, events told upon him, his 
 Father's death bringing him into fresh responsibilities, together with 
 the removal of such valued friends as Capt. Trotter, his old Nurse, Mr. 
 Pennefather, and many others. There were changes too in his own 
 home the marriage of his step-daughter, Lady Sydney Montagu, 
 to the eldest son of his old friend, Lord Kintore ; and the entry 
 of his step-son, first into the Royal Artillery, and afterwards into the 
 Diplomatic Service. His DIARY OF DATES begins now to record the 
 years of his own pilgrimage "My 42nd Birthday" just as in 
 after years the almost unconscious testimony to the flight of time is 
 given by the List of " Deaths during the year," which begins to 
 appear in 1880- 
 
 Early in the year 1874 Mr. Blackwood took part in the London 
 Mission, during which a former servant wrote to tell him that his 
 words, during one of the Prayer-meetings, had led her "for the first 
 time in her life to say from her heart, I am GOD'S." 
 
 "You will remember," she says, "when I was living in your house 
 you used to pray very earnest for the servants that they should be GOD'S 
 servants. I owe you a great deal and I thank you very much." 
 
 (327)
 
 328 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Another letter from a servant, written in later years, says, 
 
 'Although years have rolled on, I have not forgotten your Christ-like 
 example ; " and on hearing of Sir Arthur's death, she wrote : 
 
 - cannot express how overwhelmed with sadness she was, when 
 reading of the death of that honourable man of GOD, Sir S. A. Black- 
 wood, having been myself a witness how far he exceeded the best of men 
 I ever met with." 
 
 Another wrote from Bradford, to sympathize with Sir Arthur in 
 his last illness, saying how the book given to him on leaving then 
 lay open before him, and adding, 
 
 "In a few weeks it will be fourteen years ago since I came under 
 your roof. Although the foundation had been dug years before, I 
 firmly believe yourself and Her Grace have had much to do with all I 
 have to be thankful for in ever entering your service." 
 
 Some extracts from Mr. Blackwood's general correspondence 
 will now carry on the history of his personal life until the year 1880. 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [1874 Jw/yJ20-21] " BBOADLANDS, Tuesday Evening. 
 
 "Just a word to tell you what you never heard before that ... I 
 am lonely without you. I wish you were here at this lovely place in 
 such happy Christian atmosphere, if only for one day. 
 
 " It is of course 'meetings' from seven A.M. under the trees, to 8.30 P.M. 
 in the Orangery. But it is all easy, happy, and quiet. The impression 
 on many is wonderful. I'll tell you all about it; a wonderful mixture, 
 but love reigning, and I trust real good out of it all. 
 
 "Cowper Temple magnificently hospitable in this palace. Parks 
 thrown open to Romsey people." 
 
 The following letters were written to Saltburn, where the 
 holidays had been passed, on returning to work. 
 
 "TREASUBY, 29/9 [1874] 
 
 "... All smooth here met Tilley at the door, who was most 
 friendly, and congratulated me warmly.* The business is now leaking 
 out, and I hear that the appointment appears to give public satisfaction. 
 I only trust it raw continue to do so. The final Treasury letter has 
 just been settled by Chancellor of Exchequer and Mr. W. H. Smith, 
 and goes on at once. I imagine the appointment will be definitely 
 made in the course of a week or so. 
 
 On appointment as Financial Secretary to G.P.O.
 
 VARIOUS LETTERS, FROM 1873-80 329 
 
 "I thought of you at all hours to-day, and long for the pleasures of 
 Saltburn again. But it is good to be at work, and ' profess an honest 
 trade.' Tit. iii. marg. 
 
 " IN TRAIN, 1/10. 
 
 "I am full of hope, 'abounding in hope,' that we shall see greater 
 and more blessed things than anything yet known, and shall pray 
 trustfully. These are my texts for . . . ' Out of weakness were made 
 strong ; ' and Romans iv. 19. A hundred years of deadness are nothing to 
 God. ' Be not faithless, but believing.' 
 
 " I miss my Private Secretary terribly, and shall send her, I think, 
 some letters to answer. . . . Streatham to be given up to-day after 
 fifteen years' work. It is sad to me. But it is right, and I thank GOD 
 for His wonderful goodness in those fifteen years. I can see you all at 
 Saltburn, and have the photo before me. 
 
 [At] " MB. MORLEY'S, STREATHAM, 2/10, [1874] 
 
 "A line before starting for town. Such an interesting meeting last 
 night. The change inaugurated from an unsettled to a fixed and 
 permanent order of things; the end, so to speak, of fifteen years' 
 preaching and teaching in a place where one had had such manifest 
 
 blessing ; the departure of S the next day, and the introduction of 
 
 the new ministry, were all things which gave the meeting a peculiar 
 character. 
 
 "Despite tremendous rain, the Tea and the meeting afterwards 
 were crowded to excess. Many came to show sympathy Moreton and 
 others. You may imagine what I felt when, just as I was about to 
 open the meeting, Morley agked leave to interrupt me, and in a few 
 very nice words presented me with the enclosed letter and 53, to be 
 used as I chose, only suggesting that I might like to devote it to 
 Crayford. It was somewhat difficult to express what I felt, but I got 
 through. . . . Then followed addresses. 
 
 " It was on the whole a very interesting and successful gathering, 
 and a striking testimony to what the LORD has done for us in the past. 
 All seemed much encouraged, and I believe that GOD will bless the 
 steps now taken ; and that we shall see a good work carried on for 
 many years. As for myself, I can do nothing but thank GOD for His 
 great goodness, and wonder at the way in which He has blessed the 
 work there." 
 
 This refers to the transfer of the Mission Hall to the English 
 Presbyterian church, by whose wish the building was named, after 
 Sir Arthur's death, " The Blackwood Hall," so as to preserve in 
 the place where he had so long laboured, the memory of his name.
 
 330 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 To HIS SISTER, AT MANNEDORF. 
 
 " TREASURY, 3rd Oct. [1874] 
 
 " You have my frequent prayers that, if it be our LORD'S good 
 pleasure, He may open your ears, and enable you to hear the ' many 
 voices ' of ' this world,' even as you have heard the ' great voice from 
 heaven." 
 
 " I have been reading your letters with the greatest interest, darling, 
 and following you to Zurich and Mannedorf. You must have thought 
 of the Sunday we spent just twenty-five years ago with darling Ceci 
 at Zurich, 1849. You will probably get this on the 19th Anniversary of 
 her entrance into the Eternal Sabbath of the New Jerusalem. 
 
 ' I have to-day received the official notification of my appointment 
 as 'Financial Secretary to the Post Office,' . . . and shall probably take 
 my scat there in a few days. It will be a most responsible and arduous 
 post, but 'He giveth more grace,' and I know will not fail me, or allow 
 me to disgrace His name by a breakdown. Pray for me." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [To SALTBUBN.] " IN TRAIN, 3rd October, [1874] 
 
 '' I am perplexed as to work. ... If the LORD ever called me to any 
 work, I am sure He did to the Streatham work ; and the money He has 
 sent me for Crayford and the success there, I cannot but regard as 
 tokens of being right. 
 
 il But the unceasing calls for service in many ways are so great, 
 and the new and responsible work which is apparently given me by His 
 Providence at the P. 0. clearly shews me that I can expect no diminu- 
 tion of labour. Nor do / want it. Whilst health and strength and 
 mind are continued to me, I am happy in it. ... How am I to draw 
 back ? It sometimes seems to me that GOD is so blessing the work now, 
 and calling to sen-ice and sacrifice, that one ought to surrender official 
 life, and devote oneself in these days (perhaps the last) of ingathering, 
 to His work entirely. But I do not see it clearly. . . . 
 
 " However I hope we shall both see our way more clearly, and have 
 the blessing. 
 
 "Welby gone; and I am in charge at Treasury, so pretty hard at 
 work between two stools. Best love to darling old Mother. 
 
 " 5th October. 
 
 " I send you a few newspaper extracts which may interest you. 
 Keep them for my scrap book. A pleasant time at Aldershot. Short 
 service at three; full Hall at seven. A little Drawing-room meeting on 
 Saturday night. 
 
 " Have just been to P. O. Rather formidable, having the principal
 
 VARIOUS LETTERS, FROM 1873-80 331 
 
 Officers introduced to me, and making a small inspection. The an- 
 nouncement being in all to-day's papers, it had spread everywhere, and 
 all the people at P. O. were of course curious. The work seems startling, 
 but I trust I shall be enabled to do it with satisfaction, by GOD'S help. 
 I shall probably take my seat next Monday. A nice room and every- 
 body friendly, except S who, though he likes me personally, was 
 
 very stiff, and compared my coming to a dose of rhubarb, etc. . . . 
 
 "Thought much of you yesterday, and the children, and darling 
 old Mother too. Tell her so. 
 
 " I expect to have a heap of writing in answer to letters of con- 
 gratulation, and men are coming in all the day long." 
 
 To THE MISSES WRIGHT. 
 
 "Oct. 1. [1874]. CBAYFOBD. 
 
 " Please remember me specially before the LORD on Friday at noon, 
 when I speak at Brighton " [at the Church Congress] " to perhaps 4000 
 or 5000 people on the Spiritual Life, for FIFTEEN MINUTES. The numbers 
 are so great that the speakers that day are asked to speak twice over to 
 two separate gatherings. It is a great opportunity. Oh, for power from 
 on high ! 
 
 " Hold me up do I am nothing. But the Holy Ghost can fill my 
 heart and lips. 
 
 "You may have seen my new appointment in the papers. ... I had 
 much time for prayer about it, and asked the LORD not to let me have 
 it, if I should dishonour Him by receiving it. 
 
 "The work, responsibility, and influence will be great, and much 
 grace will be needed. But He has plenty, and 'giveth more.' 
 
 "He permitted me to see a blessed work at Saltburn, where I trust 
 many souls were gathered in. Praise His name. 
 
 "Our boy Georgie has just joined his regiment, the Royal Artillery." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [1874] " IN TRAIN, 8th Oct. 
 
 " I am off to Brighton to-day, after a Committee at Foreign 
 Office. Full of faith that GOD will fill me, and use the word through 
 me. But the emergency is great. The throng I hear tremendous, and 
 the interest in the subject of Friday very deep. 
 
 " I send a few more letters. You will quite coincide with Mrs. ! 
 
 " Dined at Watson's, and then home for a quiet evening. A de- 
 licious walk round by Northumberland Heath before eight this 
 morning, and then a lovely ride round Dartford Heath before nine. 
 I intend to get home to-morrow night for quiet's sake. Direct your 
 Saturday letter to General Post Office. I feel there will be need of
 
 332 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 wonderful discretion there . . . but I trust for sufficient grace. Pray 
 for me to-morrow specially at twelve, if able, and ask others. 
 
 [9th Oct.] " Friday, 10 PALMEIBA SQUABE, BRIGHTON, 2.30 P.M. 
 
 " The ordeal is over, I am glad to say, and I trust to the glory of 
 GOD. The Dome was thronged a sea of human beings, and a very 
 quiet and solemn spirit prevailed. No expressions of feeling were 
 allowed. I think I said all I wanted to say, and having said it in the 
 Dome, hurried off to the Corn Exchange, which was also very full, and 
 said it again. Wilkinson, Money, Garbett, Cadman, Maclagan, all 
 spoke very nicely, and the only abominations I heard came from 
 
 " I was quite at ease, for the LORD sustained me, in answer, I am 
 sure, to many prayers, and I praise Him for the opportunity of testify- 
 ing to Jesus and the Life in us. 
 
 "You will have heard ere this perhaps, that dear Beauchamp* is 
 gone home. I saw it on the placard of an evening paper." 
 
 " G. P. 0. 13/10 [1874] 
 
 "It is private correspondence that is almost a greater pressure than 
 anything else, and I don't know how to get rid of it. You kindly do 
 a good deal, but I hate taking up your time and wearying you with it. 
 Arrears worry me more than the trouble of writing. C. must soon 
 become Private Secretary. 
 
 " I said good-bye to everybody to-day." [Treasury]. " It's very 
 pleasant to leave a place of twenty-two years' service amidst so much 
 real feeling, and such hearty expressions even from those who could 
 not but dislike my religion. ... I have given books to many, and 
 spoken to some to-day. 
 
 "The enclosed envelope, posted yesterday and delivered to-day, 
 speaks well for my new Department. 
 
 [llth Oct. 1874] " COLCHESTEB, 2. P.M. Sunday. 
 
 " I have it on my heart to write to thee, and therefore do so before 
 the meeting at three on Holiness. I had a crowded and most earnest 
 meeting in Town Hall last night. Several seemed much impressed. 
 This morning I have spent in the fields and lanes, enjoying the quiet 
 
 walk, and talking with the LORD talking with Him too about . I am 
 
 so anxious that - should know and realize the rest of the life of 
 trust. What I know of it (though not all I want to know) makes me feel 
 that it is the very thing for aching bodies and weary minds and in- 
 cessant worries just that which is needed; and that if enjoyed, this 
 restfulness would react on mind and body, and give peace amidst 
 not deliverance from the necessary worries of home life. . . . Pray 
 
 * Sir Thomas Proctor Beauchamp.
 
 VARIOUS LETTERS, FROM 1873-80 333 
 
 for me that in all that awaits me at P. 0. (and the nearer it comes the 
 more anxious a business it appears), I may not be unhinged, but 
 enabled to glorify GOD, by abiding in Him as my Resting place. 
 
 "These verses are on my mind about. . . . 'Thou shalt keep them 
 secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.' ' Whose mind is 
 stayed on Thee.' 
 
 " I thought it right to see Dr. yesterday. I had become con- 
 scious, though never feeling better as to mind and strength, that that was 
 true which my mother said, and that I was looking very far from well. 
 
 Dr. said it looked like brain fag, and that above all things I ought to 
 
 have more sleep. ... I ought also, he said, to have Sunday's rest (this 
 is my last of work), and I must be sparing in the Sunday evenings at 
 home at the Hall, I think. 
 
 " As to sleep, I hardly know how to manage. I must get some time 
 alone in the morning, some good exercise, and the time with the 
 children. I can't begin the day in health and quietness without these, 
 leisurely undertaken, and to do these I must rise at 6.15. Without that 
 the day domestic and the day official goes wrong." 
 
 Amongst the letters of the year 1875 preserved by Mr. Black- 
 wood is one from a little girl at Gravesend, thanking him for a book, 
 and for having " so kindly and loving thought of a little girl like 
 me, and looked on me as though I was the only one in the room." 
 
 It was early in this year that Mr. Moody's first great Mission 
 was held in London. The Agricultural Hall at Islington, and the 
 Opera House in the Haymarket, then standing unused, were both 
 engaged for services. Mr. Blackwood threw himself heartily into 
 the work, only regretting that his time permitted him to give so 
 little help. 
 
 His Wife says : 
 
 "In April, 1875, he gave at Mr. Moody's request, three or four ad- 
 dresses in the Opera House, though shrinking much from doing so, as 
 he felt it was not himself, but Mr. Moody, whom people wanted to 
 hear. 
 
 " One who dates the beginning of a new life from these addresses 
 tells how up to that time she had been leading a careless life of formal 
 profession, at times resolving to read her Bible regularly, but soon 
 tiring. Some one had given her a copy of ' Forgiveness, Life, and Glory,' 
 but not caring to read it, she had put it aside. Her father's death, 
 occurring about this time, solemnized her, and she would lie awake at 
 night, thinking of and dreading her own death. The thought of the 
 book which she had been given returned to her, and she began to read
 
 334 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 it secretly, hiding it away if she heard a footstep. She became in- 
 terested, and though not wishing to come across Mr. Blackwood, yet 
 hearing of the services, thought she would go once, and no one would 
 know. Being alone at home that week, it was easy. 
 
 '"I had never been to a meeting of that sort before,' she says, 'and 
 was much struck. Every one seemed to be in earnest, and everything 
 so real. Mr. Blackwood's calm dignified manner also much struck me. 
 I can never forget the impression made upon me when, during the 
 address, looking round on that large gathering, he said, his own face 
 lighted up with joy, "You don't know what a happy thing it is to be a 
 Christian." I felt he had a peace I did not possess. I felt the un- 
 reality of my previous life . . . that I was not a Christian in the true 
 sense of the word. I went home anxious and unhappy, and prayed 
 earnestly. The Gospel so simply, so clearly preached, was quite a new 
 thing to me. In a general way, I had believed in Jesus Christ as the 
 Saviour of the world, but up to that time had not seen my personal in- 
 terest in Him, that He loved me and gave Himself for me that He had 
 redeemed me to GOD by His precious blood. 
 
 " ' The next address, on Isaiah 33. 14-17, seemed to show me exactly 
 where I was in GOD'S sight, and I was then led by GOD'S grace to take 
 Him simply at His word, and trust myself to Jesus, just as I was. I 
 then knew what it was to have joy and peace in believing. 
 
 " ' I had been passionately fond of operas and theatres, but from 
 day to day I began to see things that must be put away. I realized 
 GOD'S claim upon me, and also saw things to be sin which before had 
 not appeared to be sin. From that time GOD took away all desire for 
 what I had before loved. 
 
 " ' I remember how Mr. Blackwood rejoiced with me in my newly 
 found joy, and how earnestly he said, "Now He is pledged to keep 
 you" which He has so faithfully done, notwithstanding all my miser- 
 able failings and shortcomings. 
 
 " ' I am indebted to Mr. Blackwood, not only for being the means of 
 bringing me to Christ, but also for building up my spiritual life. He 
 had such power in conveying Old Testament truths, bringing out of them 
 the glorious Gospel so clearly. He brought me to see how the New 
 Testament was enfolded in the Old, and the Old unfolded in the New. His 
 writings have been invaluable to me. But more, after I had enjoyed 
 his true friendship for some years, and had the privilege of seeing 
 much of him in his daily home life, I remember saying to him, "Your 
 life has done for me even more than your teaching"; for in his life I 
 saw the possibility, by the power of GOD'S grace, of living out all that he 
 taught. And to the end of his life here below, he was my sincere 
 faithful and prayerful friend.'"
 
 VAEIOUS LETTEES, FROM 1873-80 335 
 
 r 
 
 Several other letters tell of striking instances of blessing through 
 these addresses, but it would be impossible to quote from all. 
 
 MR. BLACKWOOD TO Miss ODELL. 
 
 " CRAYFOBD, 2%nd May 1875. 
 
 " If it gives you and your sister much pleasure to give me so nice a 
 book, I can assure you it gives me a very great deal to accept it ; and I 
 shall value it as a token of the true friendship that exists between us, 
 founded on so secure a basis as union in Jesus. 
 
 " I was wishing for a copy of the tunes, and you have kindly grati- 
 fied my desire. 
 
 " Accept my sincere thanks. It will always remind me of you, and 
 of the happy, very happy fellowship we have had so long in the service 
 of the Master. 
 
 "And when that is over here, we know that we shall have a new 
 edition of the Hymnal ready for us in the New Jerusalem." 
 
 In May he was at the Brighton Convention, and thence wrote to 
 his Wife : 
 [31st May, 1875] " 61 KINGS ROAD, Monday 3 P.M. 
 
 " So far, so good . . . indeed I may say very good. Everything has 
 gone well. The tone, utterances and general character apparently all 
 that could be desired. After tea on Saturday I went at seven to the 
 reception of Foreign Pastors in the Dome, where German, Swiss, French 
 and Italian ministers spoke. Then General Meetings at eight till 9.30. 
 
 " Yesterday morning, meeting at seven to 8.30, very nice. I took some 
 part. Prayer-meeting again 9.3010.30. Then went for a two hours' 
 stretch on the Downs with Moreton and Sherbrooke, and had worship 
 amidst the furze bushes. Dined with Lady K., Baroness H. and little 
 Arthur K. F. 
 
 "At 8.30 I preached in Corn Exchange, crammed, about 1500. 
 Many stood up ; and had a most interesting inquiry meeting. I believe 
 many found Christ. This morning, at seven again Corn Exchange 
 crammed ; morrow at eleven, and so on. I preside at 5.30, and again at 
 8.30. Vast numbers here. Very like a Mildmay Conference from faces 
 one sees. I am sure there is a good and deep impression, if one can 
 judge by the utterances and prayers of men like. ... I trust it will all 
 be a great blessing. 
 
 " I feel lonely, and want to be at home very much. But I feel I am 
 of use here, and must be content. 
 
 " G.P.O. 3rd June, Monday. 
 
 "Thank you for your note received this morning. I meant to ask 
 prayer. . . . Let us expect deliverance. I had to come up again to-day,
 
 336 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 so am getting hardly anything of the Convention. I preached last 
 night, and trust some souls were saved. A great Evangelistic move- 
 ment is going on all over the town. The meetings, I understand, are 
 deepening in interest and power, and I want to get some of it if pos- 
 sible, so, though unwilling for some reasons known to you to do so, I 
 think I shall yield to requests to stay Sunday. But I don't want to 
 put a burden on you, yet am unwilling to lose the last day of a series of 
 meetings the like of which may never be again. 
 
 " Saturday, [5th June, 1875] 
 
 " I have just had a good stretch along the Cliff, and am now going 
 to a meeting for men only in the Dome. Preached in Town Hall last 
 night, crammed and several found peace, I believe. 
 
 "A most deeply interesting meeting of Continental Pastors this 
 morning. So impressive, as representatives of every European land 
 sang the chorus of ' Jesus saves me,' each in his own tongue, and Acts 
 ii. and Rev. vii. were read. It was a striking and solemn time. 
 
 " I shall go up to London Monday, and probably return for united 
 LORD'S Supper in the evening, and closing Prayer meeting on the 
 Tuesday morning, so shall be home after Lady Gainsborough's." 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 [On a birthday.] " 6th June [1876] 
 
 " My message to you is in 2 Kings 25. 30. 
 
 " May you have a 
 Continual allowance 
 I at % 
 
 A Daily rate 
 
 . 
 
 for > 
 
 Every day, # 
 
 All the days of your life. * 
 
 The Summer holidays of 1876 were spent abroad. The Duchess, 
 having been ordered to Homburg for the benefit of the waters, had 
 preceded him, with their daughters; and on 4th August, Mr. 
 Blackwood and his son joined them. 
 
 His Wife says : 
 
 " On Sunday, 6th, after service, he invited any one who liked to come to 
 our lodgings for a Bible-reading; and although the notice was so short, 
 the rooms were filled in the evening. He then arranged for meetings 
 in the Golden Salon, and spoke there twice during his short stay.
 
 VAEIOTJS LETTEES, FEOM 1873-80 337 
 
 From Homburg we went to Diablerets and Villars, above the Lake of 
 Geneva ; and at Diablerets he held a service on Sunday evening in the 
 Restaurant of the Hotel." 
 
 On hearing of the death of the Eev. C. D. Marston, of St. Paul's, 
 
 Onslow Square, he wrote : 
 
 " HOMBURG, lth August. 
 
 " I hardly know how to write to you. I cannot realize that what we 
 have this morning heard is true, and that your beloved Father has 
 indeed gone to see face to face that Saviour Whom he loved so truly 
 and served so faithfully. . . . 
 
 "I pray that you may all be enabled to feel how short the separation 
 is, and that he whom you so love is only gone in to one of the rooms 
 upstairs to see the King, and to come out again with all the glory which 
 is so soon to be manifested. 
 
 "You cannot grieve for him, I know. You rejoice because he is 
 gone to the Father. Oh ! how near it brings the golden gate, when one 
 we love passes in to enjoy the Royal presence. 
 
 "To me it is indeed the loss of a much loved and faithful friend; 
 and I know how many, how very many, will feel it most deeply. His 
 prayer at Mildmay this year has been spoken of to me, as one that touched 
 so many hearts. He was no doubt ripening for still closer communion 
 with Jesus. 
 
 "I can only say, as I shall often be praying, ' The LORD Himself 
 give you peace always, by all means.' 
 
 " Oh, if we feel so acutely for one another, what must His sympathy 
 
 be? 
 
 " HEIDELBERG, 18th August. 
 
 " That verse is often in my mind, ' He healeth the broken in heart, 
 and bindeth up their wounds.' What a loving gentle hand is His, and 
 how mighty, and omnipotent ; for the next verse says that ' He telleth 
 the number of the stars,' and then that ' He is of great power.' Ps. 147. 
 
 " Then I was reading the end of Hab. iii. Last verses. 
 
 " Oh, what a song to put into the hands of the ' Chief Singer on your 
 stringed instruments,' the only One Who can set it to the right tune I 
 What a joy in GOD, after every earthly comfort was taken away. 
 
 " May you be able thus to prove that GOD your Maker (nay, more, 
 your Redeemer), ' giveth songs in the night.' Job. 35. 10. And though 
 the clouds are dark, may the gentle wind of the Spirit's power so pass 
 over all your hearts, as to make a rift in them, and show you the bright 
 light that is there. Job. 37. 21. 
 
 " And at least, may you be able to say, ' Thy will be done,' and then 
 He is glorified, when you say, ' Even so, FATHER, for so it seemed good 
 in Thy sight. 1 
 
 " GOD bless you all." 
 
 22
 
 338 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " 13. 1. 77, CRAYFOKD. 
 
 " Thank you, with both of all our hearts I mean, with all of both 
 our hearts, for your new book, so kindly sent, with its sweet stories of 
 GOD'S grace, and its pictures of dear old Beckenham. . . . 
 
 " Ought we not to lift up our heads? The Euphrates drying up! 
 The Kings of the East (the Jews) returning home in such numbers I 
 The 1200 years finished ! Surely the seventh Angel is about to begin to 
 sound, and the Mystery of GOD to be finished. But the third Woe 
 (Russian?) has to fall on Christendom has it not? 
 
 " The LOUD keep us all waiting and watching." 
 
 To his Wife, at Dunichen, Forfarshire, he wrote on the birth of 
 
 her h'rst grandson. 
 
 [Crayford] "6/4. [1877] 
 
 " The good news reached me at seven last night on getting home. 
 I am delighted that it's a boy GOD bless the lad; and am very glad 
 that you got there just in time, though I fear hardly soon enough to 
 get sufficient rest before assuming the character of Head Nurse. I 
 trust all will go well. I have sent off the box of sweetmeats. Don't 
 stuff the heir apparent with them." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " CBAYFOBD, Whitsuntide, 1877. 
 
 " We are going off for a week's holiday, driving through Surrey and 
 Kent, a thing I have long wished to do with 8., and only now practicable ; 
 and taking poor Lucy with us, who has been very ill, and is much 
 knocked down. 
 
 " Pray for her, and that the seed we scatter on our journey may 
 spring up. 
 
 "It urn pleasant to see you at Lady Gainsborough's, and to feel that 
 you were praying that that glorious story of John iv. which I so well 
 remember at dear old Beckenham twenty-one years ago, might have 
 great power, then and there. 
 
 " Thank you so much for that sweet little book of your dear Father's. 
 
 "I have nothing so rich to offer it is all 'silver and gold.' But 
 such as I have give I unto thee." 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 "5 June, 1877. 
 
 " Here's my best wishes for your 50th birthday. 
 " I congratulate you, and I can assure you that the second half of 
 your century will be infinitely happier and more glorious than the 
 first, since it will most probably (unless you live to be 101) witness your 
 entrance into the Everlasting Kingdom and the Crystal City."
 
 VABIOUS LETTERS, FROM 1873-80 339 
 
 The five letters which follow were written to Miss Mary Glad- 
 stone, when at school. 
 
 " 29. 6. 77. 
 
 " Of course you ' find it hard to be good.' 
 
 " The Christian life is a fight ; and fighting is generally hard work. 
 
 " But when ' they cried to GOD in the battle, they were helped.' (1. 
 Chron.) And when Jehoshaphat cried out, the LORD helped him, and I 
 feel sure He will help thee too. 
 
 " So be of good courage. 
 
 "You have only got a little time to fight, and then the reward. 
 
 " And remember, it's only one second at a time. 
 
 " Now is the day of Salvation. Jesus saves me NOW. Your life is a 
 constant NOW. So don't make resolutions, but live each present 
 moment in Jesus, with Jesus, for Jesus. 
 
 " Pray. 
 
 Read. 
 
 Trust. 
 
 Read. 
 
 Trust. 
 
 Pray. 
 
 Trust. 
 
 Pray. 
 
 Read. 
 
 ' And you will be conqueror. 
 
 " 18th May, MANOR HOUSE, CRAYFORD. 
 
 "You must feel very strange at first. Did you ever think how 
 strange and lonely Jesus must have felt in a world so unlike His 
 heavenly home ? But He said, ' I am not alone, for the Father which 
 sent Me is with Me.' 
 
 " So He can sympathize with you if you are lonely ; and you too 
 may say, ' The Father is with me.' How wonderful ! The Great GOD 
 with me ! ! Yet He says, ' Lo, I am with you all the days, even unto 
 the end of the world.' 
 
 " Believe this. Believe it, when you don't feel it, as much as when 
 you do. 
 
 " To be with GOD will be Heaven. To have Him with us is Heaven 
 begun below. 
 
 " I often pray for you. Jesus always does. 
 
 " 29th May, CBAYFOBD. 
 
 "Wasn't it a glorious thing to have one's birthday on 'Ascension 
 Day ' ? See the collect for that day ' That we may in heart and mind 
 thither ascend, and with Him continually dwell,' just as Joseph's 
 brethren came and dwelt with him after his ascension to the glory 
 of Egypt. 
 
 " Notice, they came twice for what they could get. The third time, 
 it was to dwell with him. 'And he nourished them.'
 
 340 LIFE OF SIB AETHTJE BLACKWOOD 
 
 " Notice also Jacob's idea, ' Buy a little food.' Joseph's word, 
 ' Fill the men's sacks, as much as they can carry.' That is how Jesus 
 deals with us. 
 
 "As to who will be raised and ascend with Him when He comes, 
 it seems to me that 1. Cor. xv. 23, ' They that are Christ's, 1 settles the 
 question. But there are many other passages, which teach the same 
 truth, that our title to be owned as His when He comes does not depend 
 on anything we feel or do, but on our being washed in His blood, and 
 joined to Him by a living faith. 
 
 " I was sure you would find it a help to pray aloud. I always find 
 it so. 
 
 " 2&th Feb., 79., CBAYPOKD. 
 
 " I am not surprised that you find it hard to be patient. It's a 
 lesson to be learned. 
 
 "A friend of mine had a prayer he often used : 
 
 " ' LORD, make me patient patient with myself, patient with 
 others, patient with Thee.' 
 
 " Now is the time to learn, not only lessons, but patience, and every 
 other good thing. And the place to learn is where Mary sat 'at the 
 feet of Jesus.' 
 
 " Keep there as much as ever you can. 
 
 " 21. 2. 80, CRAYFORD. 
 
 " Yes ! that's the plan. Go straight to Him. He will be your ' arm 
 every morning,' and will ' cover you all the day long.' 
 
 "... Just now I am reading Proverbs at night. 
 
 " I generally read one-third of each chapter, the chapter correspond- 
 ing with the day of the month, and this takes three months, you see. 
 
 " I think however if you read the Old Testament in the morning, 
 I should read the Epistles at night, from Romans to Revelation, or 
 the Gospels, taking about ten or fifteen verses. If thought over they 
 are enough. But one can hardly lay down a rule." 
 
 To A FRIEND who had lost his Mother. 
 
 " HUNSTANTON, Aug. 13. 1877. 
 
 "I think of you in your loneliness. In that loneliness, appointed 
 as it is by a loving Father, you are learning something of the sufferings 
 of Jesus. How terrible must His loneliness have been, accustomed as 
 He had been to the society of Heaven, and to communion with His 
 Father from all Eternity. What was His comfort? 'I am not alone. 
 The Father is with Me.' " 
 
 FROM Miss C. WRIGHT, for his Birthday. 
 
 " LENTON, May 21. 1878. 
 
 " I feel as if I cannot let the dear day pass without some recogni- 
 tion of it a day on which Love's Eternal purposes began to unfold
 
 VAEIOUS LETTERS, FROM 1873-80 341 
 
 towards one poor sinful soul, and never to cease unfolding to all 
 Eternity. No, ' I am the LORD Jehovah. Therefore you are not con- 
 sumed.' 
 
 " Looking into Jeremiah's trials, I fell upon chapter xv. 15-18, and felt 
 that ver. 16 had sufficient in it to console him, and all the people of 
 GOD in this day of great sorrow and trial. And so, dearest, with my 
 tender love, I send it to thee, ' Thy Name is called upon me.' What can 
 we want more ? And this is the name ' The LORD our Righteous- 
 ness.' 
 
 " To all your labours of love and ministrations in the Word, may 
 you more and more unreservedly, entirely go forth in the strength of 
 the LORD, ' making mention of His righteousness, and of His only,' to 
 the Master, to His servants and to sinners ; and His word of promise 
 is, ' I will strengthen them in the LORD, and they shall walk up and 
 down in My Name, saith the LORD.' ' Do all ' all 'in the Name of the 
 LORD Jesus Christ.' Then what matters the weakness or the vileness 
 of our name ! . . . 
 
 " ' Oh 'what will it be to be there ! ' 
 
 "Dear Aunt Anne and I are both well for such old ones. 
 
 " We are just one in love to thee, and to thine." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " 22. 5. CBAYFOBD, [1878 or earlier.] 
 
 " Thank you so much for your welcome and loving words. 
 
 " ' Having obtained help from GOD, (and a vast lot of it through you) 
 I continue unto this day,' and trust I may hold on to the end. 
 
 " I am just now harder worked than ever in my life before. . . . 
 
 " I am sending you my new book the last I can ever write, I 
 think. 
 
 "Goo restore dearest Bob. At Aldershot last week I met a man, 
 Seymour I think, Drum-Major of 1st Batt., and formerly in 2nd Life 
 Guards, who said Bob had been the main instrument in his con- 
 version." 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " June 5, 1878, CEAYFOBD. 
 
 " ' Ye shall hallow the fiftieth year : ' ' It shall be a jubilee unto you.' 
 ' The acceptable year of the LORD.' 
 
 " May you, my darling Lucy, have the blessing of the people who 
 know the joyful sound of the sweet trumpet of Jubilee. It is a three- 
 fold one :
 
 342 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " To walk in the light of the Saviour's countenance 
 
 " To rejoice in His name all the day and 
 
 "To be exalted in His righteousness. 
 
 "If you have that, and there is no reason why you shouldn't, you 
 will have 'a year of Jubilee,' 'a Sabbath of rest,' 'the rest that re- 
 maineth for the people of GOD;' and I cannot wish or ask more for 
 you." 
 
 FROM THE REV. C. H. SPURGEON. 
 
 " NIGHTINGALE LANE, CLAPHAM, 24f& Sept. 1878. 
 " MY DEAR SIR, 
 
 " I don't think I differ from you in opinion on the great 
 matter. The particular illustration referred to I should not defend. 
 The doctrine of the sermon I think I should maintain ; but considering 
 that I preached it in the year 1856, or twenty-two years ago, I do not 
 feel bound to go into the matter now. 
 
 " I hope that both you and I will know more at forty-four than at 
 twenty-two, or at least will be better able to express ourselves. 
 
 " We preach a Gospel which is for ever the same, and we are happy 
 in having long known it ; but as to modes of illustrating it we ought to 
 be advancing. 
 
 " Yours very heartily, 
 
 " C. H. SPURGEON." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " 3rd Jan. 79. 
 
 " May you have a very blessed year. It may be the LORD will come 
 to us, or take some of us to Him. We are just arranging for a Second 
 Advent Conference at Mildmay first week in March, to ask Him to 
 come quickly. 
 
 " May your precious eyesight be preserved. 
 
 " I have spent a lonely Christmas, S. (with little Bee) being with 
 young Syd in Forfarshire. Ceci in Derbyshire, I looking after the three 
 little ones at home." 
 
 The letter to his Wife which follows was written whilst President 
 of a Prophetical Conference at Mildmay, in March, 1879, when his 
 eldest son was seriously ill, and most of the family and servants 
 laid aside. 
 
 " 68 MILDMAY PARK, Wed. night, 10 P.M. 
 
 "Your letter of to-day is not reassuring, and I can't help feeling 
 very anxious about you all. . . . Well, I only trust that all this trouble 
 and anxiety may do us good by GOD'S blessing on it. I am writing 
 opposite the verse, 'We know that all things work together for good to 
 them that love God,' and this is certainly one of them.
 
 VAEIOUS LETTEKS, FROM 1873-80 343 
 
 [No date.] 
 
 "Thank you for your comforting words. I wish I could help . . . 
 but I'm sure the LORD will. He has all the blessing in store, and only 
 wants you to trust yourself to Him for it, ' Just as I am,' and let Him 
 work in you. This is Trust. I am persuaded that is the secret of it 
 all. ' I have no man to help me,' said the impotent man. Jesus knew 
 that he had been a long while in that case, and cured him then and 
 there. Only believe, and we shall see great things." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " 24th April, 79, NONINGTON RECTORY. 
 
 " You have all been much in my mind, and I do trust that it may 
 please our loving Father to restore dearest Henry. It went to my heart 
 to think of his going for 'a silent day into the mountains,' when I 
 thought of how GOD had used his now silent lips, and how often the 
 fruit of them had refreshed me in that happy time we had together at 
 Wiesbaden. 
 
 "We have had indeed much anxiety, and several are still ill at 
 home. I am much weakened by ... and ulcerated sore throat. But 
 ten days in this bracing air, and the loving nursing of these most beloved 
 friends has done much for me and darling A., and I trust to address 
 undergrads at Oxford on Monday evening. Breathe a prayer for 
 blessing. 
 
 " We are leaving Crayford, if the way be made plain. Ask that we 
 may be guided aright. 
 
 "Artie was given back to us in much mercy. But we feared we 
 were to lose him." 
 
 To Miss BAHLKE. 
 
 " 26./S. [1879] MANOR HOUSE, CRAYFORD. 
 
 " It seems to be, at least for the present, your duty to stay where 
 you are. 
 
 " And I should not disturb myself by doubting now that you had 
 taken the right step. 
 
 " If you did make a mistake it was not intentional, and the LORD 
 overrules our blunders to His glory." 
 
 FROM MRS. F. LATROBE FOSTER (Miss F. Gladstone) 
 
 " Sept. 28, 1876. 
 
 " As you well know, Sir Arthur was the means, in GOD'S hands, of 
 turning my whole life Goo-wards ; for though I was only fourteen, I 
 was determined to ' have a good time,' and dreaded being spoken to by
 
 344 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 any one about my soul, lest I should have to ' give up ' all that was 
 bright and pleasant. With GoD-given wisdom, Mr. Blackwood never 
 thus spoke to me till he had won my real respect and affection by his 
 great kindness and fatherliness. Then on the eve of my confirmation 
 in 1874, for the first time he spoke direct words to me about Christ and 
 His service, a service which by that time I realized was to him life and 
 peace ; and by the power of the Spirit, these words went straight home. 
 From that moment Mr. Blackwood helped me increasingly, leading me 
 to find the treasures in the Word of GOD, and helping me step by step 
 as work opened out. I never cease to thank GOD for bringing me under 
 his influence. As you know, the blessing was not confined to me." 
 
 To Miss F. GLADSTONE. 
 
 " PITLOCHBY, 5th Sept. [1879] 
 
 " I waited to answer till I had read, ' Kept for Jesus.' 
 
 " I would not willingly say a word to diminish the effect of any of 
 Miss Havergal's words, or to lower the high standard she lifts. 
 
 " But I must confess that I do not agree with her as to the entire 
 giving up of secular singing, and confining the use of the voice in song 
 exclusively to that which is direct testimony to Christ. 
 
 "It seems to me she draws the string too tight. If the rule be 
 good for the voice in song, then it must be equally right and necessary 
 for simple speech also ; and this is out of the question. 
 
 " No doubt no Christian should sing songs of a foolish or hurtful 
 tendency, and it needs much care to know what to sing, and what not 
 to sing. 
 
 " No doubt also much good may be done by direct singing for Jesus, 
 if wisely introduced, and done ' in the Spirit.' 
 
 "But beyond that I could not go myself in advising others; and I 
 think the line she advocates is calculated, except in rare instances, to do 
 more harm than good. 
 
 " But I trust I am not weakening the effect of her most blessed 
 words, and should say to every one in doubt, ' Make it a matter between 
 GOD and yourself." 
 
 " The LOKD guide you, dear friend. 
 
 "... We leave this, D.V. on 17th, for some visits to Kintores, 
 Kinnairds, Inveruries, etc. Hope to be back by 1st. Night-School Tea 
 on Gth ; Social meeting on 7th. Hope your mother and H. will be able 
 to come, and I shall be glad to see you too. You will like the inn at 
 Guildford. We used to row before breakfast. Remember to see 
 ' Silent pool ' near Albury." 
 
 " Remember," he said about this time, in giving advice to another
 
 VAEIOUS LETTERS, FROM 1873-80 345 
 
 young friend, " GOD will not teach you by grace what He has already 
 taught you by nature." 
 
 To A FRIEND. 
 [27th Jan. 1880.] CBAYFOBD. 
 
 "'Let the WOKD of CHRIST DWELL in YOU EICHLY.' 
 
 "May this be a fruitful motto to you, so that with such an indwell- 
 ing through the power of the Spirit (' North and South wind ') the spices 
 of your garden may FLOW OUT. 
 
 " Thanks be to GOD for the last twenty years. . . . 
 
 " May you abound more and more." 
 
 Amongst Sir Arthur's papers was found a soiled and crumpled 
 programme of the 35th Annual Meeting of the Young Men's Christian 
 Association in Exeter Hall, 15th April, 1880. It had been carefully 
 preserved, for it had brought to him the knowledge of fruit from seed 
 long since sown, and probably long forgotten. 
 
 It is addressed in pencil, " Stevenson Blackwood, Esq. On the 
 Platform," and on the back is written : 
 
 " I cannot sit opposite to you without deep thanks to Almighty GOD, 
 as I remember that He blessed your words on 28th February 1862 to 
 my Salvation ; and being then but twenty years of age, I have now the 
 great joy to acknowledge that by your means I was led into safety at 
 the most important time of my life, just entrance into City business 
 life. I have been preserved by the Holy Spirit ever since, and with 
 gladness inform you that I joined the Y. M. C. A. work, and am on the 
 Committee." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " 19. 4. [1880] 
 
 " Praise GOD for a wonderful Conference here," [Crayford] " and 
 blessing still going on. Souls coming into the Kingdom every day. 
 
 " A most blessed work. Oh ! may it be deepened and stablished 
 and extended. 
 
 " I need your united prayers much. 
 
 " The Government have just appointed me Secretary to the P. O., 
 where as the Permanent Head of 5000 men, I need constant wisdom 
 and grace ; and Lord Beaconsfield offered me on Saturday a C.B. ship. 
 
 "You will see it in to-day's Times. 
 
 "Pray that the honour may be accepted from and used for the 
 Lord. I sought it not. The responsibilities will be very great, and 
 who am I ? 
 
 " Pray for Steinway Hall to-morrow."
 
 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " 5. 6. 80. CRAYFORD. 
 
 " Accept, beloved Loo, my little annual thank-offering for so sweet 
 a sister for half a century here, and for eternity hereafter. 
 
 " I am so sorry to hear you are so ' down ' physically. May you be 
 ' up ' spiritually, and then be able to confirm Eliphaz' testimony, ' When 
 men shall say there is casting down, thou shalt say, There is lifting up.' 
 
 Indeed, ' By these things men live, and in these things is the life 
 of my soul,' and though 'grievous for the present,' yet 'Afterward,' etc. 
 Oh ! that grand Afterward ! 
 
 My throat is better, and I am speaking very little," 
 
 To REV. G. SAVAGE. 
 [Undated, probably Sept. 1880]. "KEITH HALL, ABERDEENSHIRE. 
 
 " Beloved Brother in the LORD. 
 
 " Only one line to say, Praise GOD for open doors, open lips, and 
 opened hearts. 
 
 " I am full of praise. I know you have prayed. So now praise. 
 
 " I pray for you often, and your work. . . . 
 
 " I send you this : 
 
 " ' MY KINDNESS shall not depart from thee.' 
 
 " How sweet, how blessed. 
 
 " I have read a little of Tersteegen, but not much. It is good. But 
 my hands are full, and often preaching. 
 
 " Pray still for me that I may be kept, and not be a vessel in which 
 He hath no pleasure. 
 
 " Yours in His love, " S. A. B." 
 
 A chronological order will now for a time be abandoned, to give 
 under separate headings some details of the varied work of these 
 and following years.
 
 THE MILDMAY CONFEEENCES. 
 
 The Annual Conferences now held at Mildmay were originated 
 by the late Eev. William Pennefather, when incumbent of Christ 
 Church, Barnet ; and the first took place in the School-room of Christ 
 Church in 1856. They were designed by him to bring together all 
 who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity for conference and study 
 of the Word of GOD and for worship, thus to realize their oneness 
 in faith and spirit, however they might differ on the lesser points 
 of Church government and outward forms. Year by year the 
 attendance increased, till from the first gathering, when " the 
 number of names together were about an hundred and twenty," it 
 rose to about three thousand. 
 
 In 1864 Mr. Pennefather became Vicar of St. Jude's, Mildmay 
 Park, and in 1870, the Conference Hall was built. In the Spring of 
 1873 Mr. Pennefather's health, never robust, gave cause for much 
 anxiety, and he went to rest awhile at Muswell Hill. He was 
 however in the full expectation of returning in two or three days to 
 his Parish, when on 30th April, almost in a moment fit ending to 
 the earthly life of one who had so walked with GOD " he was not, 
 for GOD took him." 
 
 In the last week of June the Conference, the arrangements for 
 which had been begun by Mr. Pennefather, must be held. 
 
 " It was then," says the Duchess, " that the call came to Mr. 
 Blackwood to fill the vacant place. The tie to Mildmay and its 
 Institutions was strong. From the time in 1856, when in Christ Church, 
 Barnet, the light from on high 'streamed into his soul,' the friendship 
 between himself and Mr. and Mrs. Pennefather had been of a very deep 
 and sacred nature. He had regularly attended the Conferences from 
 the first, and was in full sympathy with all that Mr. Pennefather 
 wished that they should be. However much, in his desire to be a 
 learner only, he would strive to hide himself in the throng, Mr. Penne- 
 father was sure to see him, and presently to say, ' Mr. Blackwood will 
 
 (347)
 
 348 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 now lead us in prayer.' Or he would send to ask him to come to the 
 platform ; and then, as only Mr. Pennefather could, would say, 'Beloved 
 friend, you will now give us a few words,' and so would compel him to 
 speak. As time went on, Mr. Pennefather would write and arrange 
 beforehand for him to take a more prominent part. 
 
 "When thus suddenly Mr. Pennefather was called to higher service, 
 it was on Mr. Blackwood that the thoughts of those on whom the 
 responsibility was laid at once rested; and Mrs. Pennefather earnestly 
 desired that he should take the vacant place. But he shrank back with 
 a strong sense of unfitness. Feeling entirely unworthy and incompetent 
 to succeed that holy man of GOD, he could not for some days bring his 
 mind even to entertain the idea. 
 
 "When giving strong expression to these feelings at home.it was 
 pointed out to him that, considering all the circumstances, the call 
 seemed to be distinctly from GOD, and that he would do wrong to decline. 
 Turning sharply he said, 'Do you at all realize what it means? Do 
 you consider that I shall be called upon to lead men greatly my seniors, 
 and far before me in the things of GOD?' On the reply being given, 
 that if, as seemed to be the case, the call was from GOD, then it was for 
 Him to give the wisdom, power and grace needed, and He would also 
 give him acceptance, he said no more; but shortly afterwards, having 
 diligently sought GOD'S guidance in prayer, he consented, 
 
 " On the morning in June when first he had to stand in the place of 
 his beloved and honoured friend, he was much affected. The first 
 hymn had been chosen from among those written by Mr. Pennefather, 
 and often quoted by him, 
 
 " ' Once more with chastened joy 
 
 In fellowship we meet; 
 We still are on Life's stormy sea, 
 They tread the golden street. 
 
 " ' Jesus, we bless the grace 
 
 That folds them to Thy breast ; 
 While we are in the thickest fight, 
 Tltey in Thy presence rest.' 
 
 " His last words, on leaving 68 Mildmay Park for the Conference 
 Hall that morning, were, 'Oh, do pray for me; and may I not break 
 down as I give out that hymn.' " 
 
 The sacred personal recollections of his first connection with Mr. 
 Pennefather were never forgotten by Mr. Blackwood. Some who 
 were present at the Conference of 1883 remember still the deep 
 solemnity and emotion with which, on the morning of the 29th June, 
 he spoke the words that follow :
 
 THE MILD MAY CONFERENCES 349 
 
 " A friend suggested that I should mention it, and I do so to the 
 glory 'of GOD. It is a solemn, and yet a blessed thing, for me to stand 
 here this morning, the twenty-seventh anniversary of the day when, 
 in dear William Pennefather's church, the light of GOD streamed into 
 my soul in all its fullness. A marvellous thing ! but as I look back 
 on those twenty-seven years, ah ! friends, you who look back on your 
 life, your Christian life too, you can realize what I feel of failure and 
 of fruit-bearing unto self. It is good to look back. We have been 
 praying for the broken and contrite heart. The LORD grant this to 
 every one. What a wonder that He has kept us in His service 1 What 
 a wonder He permits us to engage in it still ! " 
 
 The Duchess continues : 
 
 " For the preparation of the subject for the Mildmay Conference 
 year by year, he would if possible take advantage of an occasional 
 holiday, and leaving home very early with a packet of sandwiches, 
 would breakfast at some roadside inn far away in the country, and then 
 walk off over hill and dale, and return in the evening after some thirty 
 miles, 'rested and refreshed,' and with the subject ready. The last pre- 
 pared by him was during the long wakeful hours of his severe illness 
 at Bournemouth in January and February, 1893." 
 
 For just twenty years the subjects were thus chosen. 
 
 How acceptable this "sacrifice and service" of himself was 
 made to the Church of GOD, there is no need to say. Many have 
 quoted the old words, " We shall never look upon his like again." 
 " What a prince among men he was," writes the venerable Canon 
 Fausset of York, "when he rose to expound GOD'S blessed Word 
 to the assembled multitudes at Mildmay ! " " He did seem always 
 so high and lifted up above most Christians," says Lord Polwarth, 
 his successor as president. "The last time I heard him at Mild- 
 may, at least fifteen years ago," wrote a lady, "his subject was 'His 
 servants shall serve Him.' I recollect how his face brightened up 
 as he spoke of what a joyful service it would be there. It has now 
 become a great reality to him, and he stands in His presence where 
 is fulness of joy." 
 
 A working man in Northampton, wrote in February, 1894, to 
 Colonel Morton at Mildmay, to ask for a collecting card for the Bed 
 in the Cottage Hospital which is being endowed in memory of Sir 
 Arthur. His letter continues : 
 
 "Being privileged to see and hear Sir Arthur Blackwood on the 
 first day of the Conference last year, his prayer went to my very soul.
 
 350 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Dear Sir, I shall ever think of Sir Arthur, when he came into the 
 Breakfast Tent that morning, and said, I cannot resist coming in to 
 see how you're all getting on. And the way you gentlemen received 
 him by clapping of hands, showing how he was beloved by all. I am 
 sure those attending the Mildmay Missions in Northampton would 
 like to give their mite." 
 
 Doubtless the secret of the grace which thus shone forth in face 
 and manner, lay in his own dependence upon his LORD. 
 
 " Do plead much for me about Mildmay," he wrote. " I need mo- 
 mentary, CONSTANT wisdom, and am utterly insufficient to stand where 
 dear Pennefather stood. 
 
 " But the LOKD will stand by me, I know." 
 
 Although naturally, as years went by, mere nervous apprehen- 
 sion passed away, there was ever the same child-like sense of need. 
 
 " You will remember us there," he wrote to Miss Marsh, some 
 seven or eight years later, "and me especially; I need much grace for 
 the work, in the midst of the overwhelming pressure of office duty." 
 
 Most of those who owed so much to his wise and instructed 
 guidance of these Conferences never knew that, although in the 
 earlier times he always took the three days out of his year's holiday, 
 yet when pressure of official work necessitated it, Sir Arthur would 
 go straight from the morning meeting to the General Post Office ; 
 and that it was thence that he came again, calm and happy as ever, 
 to preside at the evening meeting. The letter written, on hearing of 
 his death, by Canon Christopher of Oxford deals so much with these 
 Conferences as to be fitly placed here. 
 
 " OXFORD, January 1. 1894. 
 
 " GOD be praised for the wonderful grace given to your beloved one 
 so many years ago! How well I remember being greatly struck with 
 two Christian young men I met for the first time on my first attend- 
 ance at the Barnet Conference in 1862 your beloved one and Lord 
 Radstock. 
 
 " I felt it a great privilege to be near him at the Mildmay Confer- 
 ence. What impressed me most of all at Barnet in 1862 was the in- 
 tense reverence for GOD'S Word, and the unbounded confidence in its 
 literal truth of such Christian laymen as dear Captain Trotter, your 
 beloved husband, and Lord Radstock. There was the secret of happi- 
 ness and spiritual power, the secret of the courage of faith and zeal for 
 good works. 
 
 "How little we know of what GOD did by him! How interesting
 
 THE MILDMAY CONFERENCES 351 
 
 it will be to hear of this in heaven! Words of truth spoken, acts of 
 Christian love, of which he said nothing whilst on earth, and many of 
 which were not even retained in his memory, will then be revived by 
 the saved ones to whom they were blessed. They will bless the GOD of 
 all grace, Who made him what he was during his Christian life, and 
 used him more than he ever knew." 
 
 Sir Arthur was one of the original Trustees of the Conference 
 Hall, and of his sustained interest in all connected with this great 
 centre of spiritual service it would be impossible to speak fully. He 
 presided, not only at the great Annual Conferences, but at many 
 others called together at Mildmay for such specific objects as the 
 consideration of the Second Advent, the study of Prophecy, Prayer 
 for Ireland, or for the House of Israel. 
 
 "He had a warm heart for Israel," says the Rev. John Wilkinson, of 
 the Mildmay Mission to the Jews. " He had been for some years one 
 of the Trustees of the property belonging to the Mission. I little 
 thought, at last Conference, when he and others met me at the Garden 
 House, to confer on the matter of the Will Case, that Sir Arthur's end 
 was so near. GOD'S will we accept as the very best, but our loss is real 
 and heavy." 
 
 " He did so often wish" says his Wife, " that he could go in for work 
 for Jews and other great Societies, but he could not, except by taking 
 the chair at meetings, which meant a good deal for him. He was so 
 interested in Hermann Waszawiak's work, and in himself. During the 
 last visit to Chillingham, Waszawiak was there ; and C. was so amused 
 to see him rush across the court, fling his arms round Sir Arthur, and 
 kiss him on both cheeks." 
 
 The impulse given to Prophetic Study, and the interest aroused 
 on the subject in 1856-7, as mentioned in Mr. Blackwood's letters, 
 increased in force as years went on. In these Records it is impos- 
 sible to say more than that, with some differences, his views 
 accorded in the main with those of the Rev. E. B. Elliott, author of 
 " Hor<z Apocalyptica," and of Dr. H. Grattan Guinness in his "Ap- 
 proaching End of the Age" and other works. In spirit he lived 
 " looking for that Blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the 
 great GOD and our Saviour Jesus Christ." 
 
 Mr. Blackwood was for many years a member of the Prophecy 
 Investigation Society, whose Secretary bears testimony to the " ripe 
 spirituality, wise counsel, careful study of the Scriptures, and loving
 
 352 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 spirit which contributed so much to the increased interest in the 
 Return of the LORD." 
 
 He made a special study of the Book of the Revelation, on 
 which he gave several courses of addresses. And his latest written 
 legacy to the Church of GOD was a series of papers, which appeared 
 in the Christian under the title of Apocalyptic Scenes, but which 
 was never finished, being broken off just when, reaching the 14th 
 chapter, he had expounded the Vision of the Lamb and the hundred 
 and forty and four thousand. The last words were these : 
 
 " The company on Mount Zion . . . are the truly justified, the truly 
 sanctified, the true followers of and associates with their risen and 
 beloved LORD. They, and they only, can learn the new song, which 
 must be learned here on earth if it is to be sung above in glory. They 
 are the redeemed, the children of the Living GOD. 
 
 " ' With them numbered may we be, 
 Here and in Eternity.' " 
 
 The issue of the papers continued for many weeks after Death 
 had stilled for ever the hand which had written " often in pencil and 
 in weakness and weariness and pain, the counsels and warnings of a 
 dying man, serving his own generation according to the Will of GOD, 
 before he fell on sleep." 
 
 So spoke the Editor of The Christian at the Memorial Meeting 
 in October, 1893 ; and at the same time Dr. Grattan Guinness said : 
 
 "To him the Papacy was the anti-Christian power foretold by 
 prophets and apostles. He recognized Rome as the predicted Babylon. 
 He looked and longed for its speedy and final destruction. The last 
 words he published were on this theme. He has gone up, pointing us 
 to the prophetic page. His last utterance has been the cry, 'Come 
 out of Babylon, my people, saith thy GOD'; and that other and even 
 more thrilling cry, 'Come, LORD Jesus, come quickly I'"
 
 CAMBEIDGE, AND WOKK AMONGST YOUNG MEN. 
 
 It was also in the year 1873 that Mr. Blackwood gave the first of 
 the addresses at Cambridge, which led to so much of his work 
 amongst young men. Mrs. Babington, the wife of the late Pro- 
 fessor of Botany in the University, contributes some Recollections. 
 
 "It may be fitting to tell of the wonderful influence he had been 
 permitted to exercise in the University of Cambridge, of which he was 
 a member. Not having revisited it since Undergraduate days, he was 
 induced to accept an earnest invitation to speak to University men, and 
 on Nov. 17, 1873, he first began to be known amongst them as a power- 
 ful evangelist. At least forty prayer meetings had been held in antici- 
 pation of blessing ; and in response to the bold and earnest endeavours 
 of some bright Christian men, there were brought to the Guildhall 
 some of the wildest and most unlikely some who, as they acknow- 
 ledge, came solely to please the friends who brought them, and deliber- 
 ately determined that no Gospel address should touch them. Very 
 striking instances could be given of the ' contests for souls ' in connec- 
 tion with that gathering. It was a wonderful meeting, and perhaps one 
 of its most solemn features was its intense solemnity and reverent 
 quiet. A room not only full, but packed, and entirely by young 
 University men just four ladies specially invited, who could sit in a 
 hidden corner ; and thus it comes that the writer can give personal 
 testimony. There are now, all over our land, lives being lived in the 
 sunshine of GOD'S favour, who date their first breath of life to that 
 memorable night. Who can estimate the power of the influence 
 then exercised by one who came among these his young brethren for 
 the first time since he had, by the grace of GOD, been brought from 
 darkness to light ? One touch of special solemnity tinged his thoughts 
 when speaking to them the sorrow that, in undergraduate days, he 
 had been a stranger to this ' Present Salvation ' ; and thus, on this and 
 every subsequent visit, this 'chastened memory 'gave an intensity to 
 his earnestness in soul-winning. 
 
 " Many visits followed. Whether on Sunday nights in the Guild- 
 hall, where at least 1200 men gathered, or at the ' Cambridge Inter- 
 
 23 (353)
 
 354 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Collegiate Christian UnioH,' or in a private Drawing-room where 
 University men would ask for a Sunday afternoon or Saturday night 
 Bible-reading, those who listened felt that they could not thank GOD 
 enough for having brought them into personal touch with one who so 
 abidingly dwelt in the secret place of the Most High. Many, many are 
 the letters testifying of blessing for eternity through his teaching. 
 On the very last occasion on which he spoke in a crowded gathering 
 at Professor Babington's, Nov. 23, 1890, a native of India, a student 
 in our University and a member of the Brahmo Somaj, who was 
 present by his own request and was evidently deeply impressed, 
 assured the writer of these words, that ' he would carry back to India 
 the memory of that Bible-Reading.' 
 
 " Time would fail to tell of the blessed fragrance that remains. All 
 who knew him, know what an inspiration was his very presence, so 
 noble, so bright, so calm ; and how his unswerving fidelity to his LORD 
 was especially evidenced in these days of much compromise; unfailing 
 allegiance and loyalty to his King, ever combined with a tenderness of 
 manner and of utterance that surely was unique." 
 
 MR. BLACKWOOD TO HIS WIFE. 
 [1874, 13th Nov.] " TBINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, Friday. 
 
 "I have to tell you of a most blessed time. A quiet journey down 
 with young Kinnaird ; dinner at Coote's with half a dozen bold young 
 Christians. Meeting at nine. Great Hall nearly filled. About six 
 hundred twenty clergymen of all sorts, some men who had violently 
 opposed. Deep attention for an hour. Several stayed to speak with 
 me, Christians and one seeker, a cousin of . This morning, break- 
 fast with twelve or fourteen at Barclay's brother's, (Trin.) where I am 
 writing. The seeker came stayed alone with me, and then after 
 praying himself, was able to thank GOD for saving him ! Another who 
 had done all he could to hinder, (but really helped) by saying in fun to 
 numbers ' Blackwood's coming!' even shouting it aloud on his bed 
 and at Hall, wouldn't come, but sent for Wilson later at night in deep 
 anxiety. He was up with him till two, and this morning he found the 
 LORD also. A nice long walk this morning with Trotter; then lunch at 
 Gladstone's; then daily prayer meeting (two hymns, two prayers, two 
 readings of Scripture), attended by seventy downright men a mar- 
 vellous sight. Then down the river to see Boat Race. Great fun. 
 Saw one man who wished me to be hanged. All the rowing men there. 
 One shouted out as Wilson and I and others passed him, 'How did 
 you like Blackwood?' But the Christian element is wonderfully 
 strong. 
 
 "A few are coming here at six to pray. I then dine in Hall at
 
 CAMBRIDGE, AND WORK AMONGST YOUNG MEN 355 
 
 seven, and the meeting at nine in a smaller room, where we expect 
 much blessing. I am most thankful I stayed. Good-bye." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " G.P.O., 12 Km. [1877] 
 
 " Just returned from Cambridge. Such a glorious meeting last night 
 as to numbers, and many felt, with the LORD'S presence. I had some 
 two hundred earnest Christian undergrads to address on Saturday 
 evening ; a hundred on Sunday afternoon, and between 1000 and 1100 in 
 the Guildhall in the evening. Such a sea of faces, such attention ; 
 and when one thought of what those thousand lives must do for good 
 or evil, it was overwhelming. 
 
 " Pray to the LORD to follow with His blessing, and to bless the 
 copies of ' Eternal Life ' given. 
 
 " The Christian men are most bright and energetic and brave ; it 
 looks well for the future." 
 
 Many letters of various dates from Cambridge men tell the same 
 story of help received. " As I returned to my rooms," says one, " I 
 realized that I was indeed forgiven." " I have got incalculable 
 good," writes another, " from many passages in 'Alive from the 
 Dead.' I am thankful that ever I went to hear you. Very many 
 others, like myself, have been led into the way of peace, and have 
 good reason for thanks that they went to the Guildhall." Another 
 undergraduate tells of " one at least " of another college, whom he 
 believed to have been led to decision at the Guildhall meeting in 
 1885. Another describes the blessing which Mr. Blackwood's little 
 book, " Assurance of Salvation," had made to four men of his own 
 college. A young man, whose father had written " a severe rebuke " 
 to Mr. Black wood, whom he considered to be " going about 
 preaching without authority," describes his own happy work in the 
 parish where he was helping. " I take the school children for 
 religious instruction. To-day I gave them your first chapter on 
 ' The Precious Blood,' only shorter." Another letter from the Eev. 
 D. B. Hankin of Mildmay Park, tells of a young man who had 
 been converted three months before, through an address at Cam- 
 bridge given by Sir Arthur Blackwood, who he believed was quite 
 unaware of the fact. 
 
 But " the time would fail to tell " of many such cases. Addresses 
 to undergraduates were also given at Oxford.
 
 356 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 The following letter from the Hon. Thomas Pelham, tells of 
 another branch of work for young men in which Mr. Blackwood had 
 a share. 
 
 " It was thought that young men who would not attend the ordinary 
 religious meetings might be induced to come to an evening meeting 
 held in some Drawing-room specially for them, after the evening 
 dinner-hour. 
 
 "The result as regards the numbers fully justified the anticipa- 
 tions. In several instances from a hundred to two hundred and fifty 
 men were present, many of whom had probably never listened to a 
 religious address in their lives. The first was given by Mr. Blackwood, 
 and whenever his name appeared on the card there was sure to be a 
 good attendance. 
 
 " The meetings were continued monthly between October and July, 
 from 1874 to 1878, and in subsequent years at longer intervals. 
 
 " Writing to you recals to my memory many happy evenings at 
 Shooters' Hill, Crayford, and Shortlands. It was in 1868, I think, that 
 I went with Miss Marsh and Mrs. Chalmers, to hear him speak at 
 Blaekheath, and then we went to supper with you afterwards at 
 Shooters' Hill. His manly simple Christianity made a deep im- 
 pression on me. I was then a Cambridge undergraduate. He 
 kindly invited me to call at the Treasury, which I often did in sub- 
 sequent years. I recollect with much pleasure, and yet sadness, the 
 early walks before breakfast, skating at Shooters' Hill, Lawn Tennis, 
 and then picnics on the Queen's Birthday. 
 
 "As regards the results of the meetings, Englishmen of this class 
 are naturally reserved, but we did hear of some cases in which definite 
 blessing had been received; and many others expressed their grati- 
 tude." 
 
 "... He came to me," says one letter, " a day or two afterwards, and 
 said he never should forget you, ' all the time he was in heaven,' for 
 through what you said about the justice of GOD (particularly) he was 
 convinced that there was pardon for a 'wretch' like himself. I had 
 noticed he was quite broken down that night. I believe this is a case 
 of real turning from darkness to light. Our own souls were greatly 
 refreshed to hear such faithful testimony as to the cleansing power of 
 the Blood of Christ." 
 
 As usual, Mr. Blackwood found time to seek out this young 
 Engineer, and send him a letter and a book. 
 
 His influence with young men was great, for his sympathy with 
 them was also great, and they felt it. The expressions of gratitude 
 are many.
 
 CAMBEIDGE, AND WOEK AMONGST YOUNG MEN 357 
 
 "It is so seldom," writes an Oxford undergraduate, whom he met 
 during a few days' visit to Scotland in 1878, " that except among one's 
 near relations, matters of religion are even touched upon in conversation, 
 or what is more important, that a young man ever is offered advice or 
 guidance from those older and wiser than himself. 
 
 "Therefore, I feel your kindness and the interest you have taken in 
 my future life all the more from being such a complete stranger to me." 
 
 In writing after Sir Arthur's death, the Eev. the Hon. Talbot 
 Eice, whose ministry at Shooters' Hill was much valued during the 
 last months spent there, makes these remarks : 
 
 " 48 HIGH ST., OXPOBD, Uh Nov., 1893. 
 
 " I am sure many young men have been very greatly helped by 
 seeing the noble holy consistent life lived in a high position, for GOD, 
 for so many years. 
 
 " It is an untold strength to have seen the firm faithful devotion 
 to Evangelical truth, to GOD'S Word, and to the great Keformation 
 principles which we have all seen in Sir Arthur ; and his deep and 
 earnest spirituality has made us see the power there is in such principles. 
 One does thank GOD for his testimony in such days as these, when 
 everybody is thought to be right, and when so many would lead us 
 back to bygone superstitions, and when there is so much worldliness in 
 the church."
 
 THE PEN OF A READY WRITER. 
 
 To many who never saw his face in the flesh, Sir Arthur Black- 
 wood is well known by his published works books which have been 
 touched with the imprimatur of GOD Himself, by being made the 
 means of the salvation and spiritual advancement of hundreds. 
 
 The circumstances have already been touched upon, under which 
 the first of these " Forgiveness, Life, and Glory " was published 
 in 1864. The volumes which followed were, 
 
 " The Shadow and the Substance," addresses on the Passover, in 
 1866; 
 
 " Heavenly Places," on the Book of Joshua, in 1872 ; 
 
 " The Triumph of Faith," addresses on the same subject, originally 
 published as " The Victory of Faith," in 1873 ; and continued in 
 
 " Position and Progress," in 1880 ; 
 
 "Things which GOD hath joined together," addresses on Isaiah 
 xlv. 21-25, in 1878; 
 
 "Heavenly Arithmetic," the substance of addresses given in 
 connection with the Night School at Crayford, published in 1881 ; 
 
 " The Number Seven in Scripture," in 1883 ; 
 
 " Te Dcum Laudamus," in 1892. 
 
 In addition to these, a number of little penny book-tracts were 
 published, chiefly by Morgan and Scott, under such titles as " Living 
 Water," " Eternal Life," "Repent and be Converted" " Conversion," 
 " Christ and the Man in the Tombs" " Forgiveness of Sins," " Alive 
 from the Dead," " Assurance of Salvation," " The Merits of Jesus 
 Christ," " The Judgment Seat of Christ." Most of these had origin 
 ally been delivered as addresses, and some had formed separate 
 chapters of the larger books. " Circumstances," " Christ Formed," 
 and " IVliat mean ye by this Service ? being Thoughts on the LORD'S 
 Supper," and one or two others, are designed for Christian edification ; 
 (358)
 
 THE PEN OF A BEADY WRITER 359 
 
 and all have probably been quite as widely useful as the larger 
 volumes. 
 
 Letter after letter, from home and from abroad, tells the story of 
 some of those who have been led into light through "Forgiveness, 
 Life, and Glory," or " The Shadow and the Substance." 
 
 " It has made my Bible like A. B. C." says one. A mother, 
 writing from Leeds, tells of " two sons, both of whom spoke of 
 ' Shadow and Substance ' as having done more to simplify to them the 
 way of Salvation through the Blood of the Cross than anything they 
 had seen or heard before." One had already gone to his rest, leaving 
 a good testimony ; the other " had had every spiritual doubt removed 
 by the perusal of your book." Ministers from Cheshunt and Winslow 
 told of members of their congregations who had been blessed, 
 " especially through that portion which deals with ' the Blood 
 sheltering the sinner ' ; " and a lady tells of similar help in the case 
 of a man dying in the Cancer Hospital. A clergyman sends thanks 
 for the help he had himself received some years before from both 
 volumes, adding that he found them most useful for circulation, 
 especially amongst the upper classes ; and that he had at the time 
 eight or ten copies out in the Parish. Several other workers write 
 in the same strain. One from an Ipswich parish said that he had 
 himself been greatly blessed through " Shadow and Substance," and 
 had distributed about forty copies. " One woman told me a few 
 days ago that your book had been life to her." He added that at their 
 recent Tent -mission a copy had been given to every worker. Another 
 in Shrewsbury told of his having given a copy to each member of his 
 two Bible- classes, who had then, with the greatest profit, met and 
 systematically gone through the book together. Mr. Giles Shaw, of 
 Winterdyne, tells of his distribution of " Shadow and Substance " to 
 thousands of excursionists coming to Bewdley during the summer 
 months ; and of the case of an old woman in an almshouse, who 
 was reading it for the third time, and said that she " could not leave 
 it out of her hands." Another worker, a Local Preacher, who adds 
 to his signature the word, " Bootmaker," speaks with great gratitude 
 of both "Forgiveness, Life, and Glory," and "Shadow and Substance,'' 
 and thanks for the gift of " The Number Seven." "The LORD knows 
 how I am situated. ... I am so thankful for anything that will 
 throw light on Scripture." 
 An Episcopal worker in Canada sent in 1883, a leaflet of the
 
 360 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Young Men's Christian Association in his city, giving a remarkable 
 history of the conversion of a prisoner in the gaol, mainly through 
 reading a copy of "Forgiveness, Life, and Glory" lent him by this 
 gentleman. Upon the fly-leaves of the volume the man wrote the 
 story of GOD'S dealings with his soul, impelled " in some way or 
 other to make some one a participator of the great and good things 
 which the LOKD has done for me." He concludes the history of 
 several days of anxious prayer and search, by saying, 
 
 " What I prayed I could not say, but I know that I was not able to 
 say much more than, ' LORD Jesus, help me, a poor sinner.' All at 
 once I seemed to see Jesus hanging on the Cross before me, as if it had 
 been life; and the knowledge, the certainty burst upon me, that He 
 hung there for my sins, and I could call out, 'Yes, I believe'; but oh, 
 what a different understanding has that word 'Believe' for me now. 
 Formerly I did think that if a man did only believe that there had 
 been a Jesus, that was enough ; but now I see my great folly. I do 
 not think this now; but I believe and am fully convinced that Jesus 
 hung on that Cross for me, that I may have everlasting life. ... I 
 know that Jesus is mine, and that is all I need to know. I have found 
 a peace I never knew before, and which I would not part with for 
 money or worldly object. Now, I can and do thank GOD for bringing 
 me to this place. . . . Even in this dreary place I can almost be happy, 
 and I do not know any greater pleasure now than at night to be alone 
 with my GOD and Saviour, whereas, before, night was a terror to me, 
 and full of anxiety. Thanks be to GOD for His great mercy in showing 
 me the Blood of His dear Son which cleanseth from all sin, and 
 through that Blood to accept me, such a great sinner." 
 
 The sender of the Leaflet added that the prisoner was the son 
 of godly parents, in easy circumstances in England ; and that he 
 had since confessed that when first visited he was constantly 
 tempted to take away his life. " His further progress into the light 
 and joy of the Gospel has been wonderful and most encouraging." 
 
 One who had left the stage for conscience' sake, says how often 
 the reading of "Shadow and Substance" and "Forgiveness, Life, 
 and Glory " had " whetted her appetite for the Book itself. You 
 opened out great treasures for me in the 8th Proverbs by a sentence 
 in the latter book. I never could understand the types of the 
 sacrifices, etc., until I read it. I am alone so much that I some- 
 times need some help in reading the Bible, although my LORD has 
 opened my eyes and taught me much. ... I shall not go back to
 
 THE PEN OF A KEADY WRITER 361 
 
 the stage. You will see by enclosed notices that I had no mean 
 position on the boards. But no gold, or flattery, or fame, could 
 tempt me back. I do not think the outside public have any idea 
 how terrible is the life of the actors behind the scenes. I sometimes 
 shudder when I look back. ..." A stranger, writing from New 
 South Wales in 1888, sends grateful thanks for help received both 
 by herself and others in their Christian life in a lonely place, 
 especially mentioning "Heavenly Places," and "Heavenly Arith- 
 metic," and dwelling upon the benefit to herself through the advice 
 given in "Shadow and Substance" as to communion with GOD 
 before beginning the day's work. A once doubting Christian, speak- 
 ing of " The Victory of Faith," says, "I was determined not to 
 skim it over ; and after reading many portions over and over again, 
 both silently and aloud to my wife, my faith is so strengthened that 
 I now (blessed be the LORD for it !) have the undoubted assurance 
 of Eternal Salvation through the precious Blood of Christ." 
 
 A letter from Major Liebenrood in 1888 describes his finding amongst 
 his Mother's papers, after her death, a letter from himself, dated 
 eleven years before, and marked by his Father with the text Ps. 126. 
 2, 4, 6. It told of his conversion, and how his soul was set at liberty 
 through reading the chapter on " The Blood" in " The Shadow and 
 the Substance." He goes on to recal how often and how vainly 
 his Mother had tried in previous years to induce him to go 
 and hear Mr. Blackwood at Blackheath, no doubt feeling at the 
 time as though her prayers were unanswered. And then how the 
 very book afterwards used for his conversion was given by her, 
 thrown aside, and lay hidden in a drawer for several years, kept only 
 for the sake of the giver, until the time came when the Holy Spirit 
 wrought upon his soul, and the message was received, even before 
 he had ever seen the messenger. 
 
 During the Week of Prayer in 1896, it was mentioned at Mild- 
 may that a Colporteur had persuaded a man to buy ' The Shadow 
 and the Substance.' It became the means of his conversion ; and he 
 then bought twenty-five copies to give to his special friends. Of 
 these, thirteen had told him that they owed their salvation to the 
 book. 
 
 So far, in these comparatively few cases, mention has only been 
 made of the larger volumes ; but the small books have their own 
 story of usefulness. A letter which Mr. Blackwood received in 1873
 
 362 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 from a stranger, told how, after a childhood and girlhood spent in 
 anxious strivings after Salvation, followed by years devoted to 
 Kitualistic observances, the writer found that she " was nothing 
 bettered, but rather grew worse." One Sunday morning, after 
 finishing her preparation for her Sunday School class, she took up 
 just to pass the time the little book, "Assurance of Salvation." 
 "There," she says, "I found what I so greatly needed, a full 
 free SALVATION through the Blood of Jesus. My first feeling was 
 of great surprise. This present Salvation was so new and strange to 
 me, it did indeed seem (as I suppose the free grace of GOD in Jesus 
 always does when first realized) too good to be true. But thank 
 GOD, I know that I am saved, not because I feel it, but because 
 GOD says it. I know that I shall be one of the stars in your crown, 
 which you will cast at the feet of Jesus. ' A brand plucked from 
 the burning.' " 
 
 A letter from a young working man says : 
 
 " About two years ago, I had the desire to lead a better life, but I 
 had not the courage to enquire of others about my soul, and when I 
 turned to the Bible, the Gospel seemed too simple for me to believe it. 
 I borrowed a book, written by you, called, ' The Merits of Jesus Christ.' 
 I had hitherto thought that it was 'ALL OF WORKS'; but now I was 
 enabled to see that Christ had ' paid it all.' And therefore I saw that 
 we had no merit of our own ; so I pleaded The Merits of Jesus Christ. 
 ... I have now enjoyed nearly two years of Christian life." 
 
 A story connected with another of the small books is told in a 
 tract called " Tiie Dorking Coach," published by Partridge and Go. 
 The writer, needing a day's rest, took his place on the outside of the 
 Dorking Coach, on a summer's day in " the seventies." He wished 
 to be quiet ; but an inadvertent remark to his neighbour on the 
 topic of the day, the assassination of Lord Mayo, produced the answer 
 that he " hoped no Psalm singer would be sent out to fill his place." 
 
 On a different opinion being expressed by Mr. S , the stranger 
 
 avowed his disbelief in the Bible, and at length said angrily, " Well, 
 Sir, I didn't bargain for a sermon when I got on the Coach." 
 With these words he relapsed into offended silence ; until at the 
 
 next change of horses, he turned to Mr. S saying, " I get down 
 
 here, thank GOD." As he got down, the pocket of his coat gaped 
 open, and unperceived, his fellow-traveller quickly and quietly 
 dropped into it Mr. Blackwood's little book, " Eternal Life."
 
 THE PEN OF A READY WRITER 363 
 
 About two years passed. Mr. S had often looked about him 
 
 in hopes of meeting his friend again, but had almost given up the 
 thought. One day, passing along Cheapside on his way to the Bank 
 of England, he was suddenly confronted by some one, who stood 
 still before him, exclaiming, " Yes, you are the man ! " 
 
 Mr. S , taken by surprise, and believing there must be some 
 
 mistake, drew back a little. " Yes, you are the man ; you are the 
 man," was repeated. 
 
 And then from one of his pockets the stranger drew forth a dirty 
 little book, stuck together with postage paper, and said, " Now do 
 you recollect? " 
 
 Mr. S saw the words " ETEBNAL LIFE" upon the cover, and 
 
 the incident of the Dorking Coach flashed back into his mind. 
 
 His friend then poured forth his story. 
 
 " When I got home that night, it was late, and on emptying my 
 pocket before retiring to rest I found " (again holding it up) "this 
 little book. My rage was great. I was certain in my own mind 
 that you had done it. Tearing it up into four pieces, I threw them 
 on the carpet, to be swept away by the servant. Finding next day 
 that the pieces remained on the floor, I rang the bell violently, and 
 asked why they had not been thrown away. ' She saw the word 
 ETERNAL, and could not,' she said. 
 
 "Then, taking them up, she had got nearly to the bottom of the 
 stairs, when she heard me call out, saying, 
 
 " ' Well, better perhaps let me see those bits of paper after all.' 
 
 " Then, shutting the door, and putting the pieces together as 
 well as I could, I read the book. I did so a second time, but page 
 10 was too much for me. 
 
 " ' Because I have called, and ye refused. I have stretched out My 
 hand, and no man regarded ; 
 
 " ' But ye have set at nought all My counsel, and would none of My 
 reproof ; I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your 
 fear cometh ; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruc- 
 tion cometh as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish cometh upon 
 you. 
 
 " ' Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer ; they shall 
 seek Me early, but they shall not find Me, for that they hated know- 
 ledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD : they would none of 
 My counsel, they despised all My reproof.
 
 364 
 
 " ' Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be 
 filled with their own devices? Prov. i. 24-31. 
 
 " I fell on the floor, and prayed piteously for mercy. The light 
 dawned, and I believed." 
 
 Pointing to the dirty little book which he still held in his hand, 
 Mr. S offered to replace it with a new one from his pocket ; to 
 which he replied, " I would not change it for the best thousand 
 pounds you could give me ! " 
 
 Mr. S - turned to search in his pocket for his card-case, " to 
 tempt him to do the same." He looked up again, and the stranger 
 was gone ! 
 
 Such are some very few gleanings from the harvest sheaves of 
 this particular field of service.
 
 TOTAL ABSTINENCE, AND OTHER PHILANTHROPIC 
 AND SOCIAL WORK. 
 
 Although Mr. Blackwood had always sympathized with the 
 Temperance cause, it was not until 1878 that he saw his way to 
 take a decided line as regards Total Abstinence. In that year he 
 became much interested in Mr. George Murphy's work at the 
 Lambeth Baths, and invited him to speak at the British Workman 
 at Crayford. He then signed the pledge, and became a Total 
 Abstainer for life. His own reasons for the steps he took are given 
 fully in several little books which he published, "Look out for the 
 Safest Path," " The Present Distress," " Battlements and Blood 
 Guiltiness," and " When ye dwell in the Land." * 
 
 " Thank GOD," he says in one, " I have seen this as a glorious privi- 
 lege. It is a liberty to deny one's self for Christ. I wish I had seen it 
 twenty years ago." 
 
 And in replying to the charge of disparaging the Gospel, he 
 adds : 
 
 " Not so. The Gospel of GOD is the power of GOD to every one that 
 believeth. No other power in the world than that of the Gospel through 
 the omnipotence of the Holy Ghost can save a man's soul. The Gospel 
 only can save Christ, rather, in the Gospel is the sole and the 
 Almighty Saviour. But I believe that if we do keep Temperance in its 
 proper place, we do use it as a very great assistance to the work of the 
 Gospel. It has proved in multitudes of cases a stepping-stone to the 
 receiving of the Gospel which alone saves." 
 
 Elsewhere he speaks of it as "a physical remedy for physical 
 emergencies." 
 
 Taking up the work in this spirit, Mr. Black wood's interest was 
 sustained throughout his life ; and his efforts in connection with the 
 movement were many and various. He became a Vice-President 
 
 * All published by Morgan and Scott, Paternoster Buildings. 
 
 (365)
 
 366 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 of the National Temperance League, and of the Band of Hope 
 Union ; and was also President of the Young Abstainers' Union, 
 and of the West Kent Band of Hope Union. His interest in the 
 various Temperance Associations connected with the Postal 
 Service was constant ; and he also helped the Policemen's Temper- 
 ance Union, and many others too numerous to mention. When the 
 " Blue Ribbon Mission" work arose, he was not ashamed to wear 
 " the little bit of blue " upon his coat, and to wear it till his death. 
 
 When the question was raised as to the propriety of the Blue 
 Ribbon being worn by the servants of the Postal Department, it was 
 Mr. Blackwood who appealed for them to the Postmaster-General, 
 and promptly brought the answer, that " Mr. Fawcett said they 
 might wear all the colours of the rainbow, if it would keep them 
 from drink." 
 
 "His efforts," says his Wife, "were not confined to public ad- 
 dresses, presiding at meetings, forming Bands of Hope, etc., etc. He 
 ever sought to reach the individual. Long before he joined the Total 
 Abstinence movement, his heart had often been stirred by seeing the 
 effects of drink, and his efforts to save its victims had been many, ever 
 seeking to point them to the only One Who could really deliver. 
 Temperance without the Gospel, he would often say, avails little. He 
 would take any trouble to seek to rescue one soul. 
 
 "Once when passing along the street in London, he came upon an 
 old acquaintance of Crimean days, long lost sight of. He soon found 
 that he had become a victim to drink, and was struggling to overcome 
 the terrible snare. Sir Arthur watched over him from that time most 
 anxiously. Once when he had again yielded to temptation, and in 
 shame and despair, had hidden himself in a London slum, he never 
 rested till with great difficulty he traced him out, and brought him 
 back to home and friends." 
 
 His sympathy for even strangers who were thus led captive 
 by " the devil's chain " was very strong. At one time, on his daily 
 journey home from London, he was greatly pained by the sight of 
 an elderly gentleman, who was often a fellow-passenger, and was 
 also but too often slightly under the influence of drink. Sir Arthur 
 was grieved to the soul that, while the infirmity was sometimes the 
 subject of scoffing or amusing remark, no hand should be stretched 
 out to save. With some difficulty, he discovered the gentleman's 
 name and address; and finally, with a full sense of the extreme 
 delicacy of the task, he determined to call, and was thankful that
 
 TOTAL ABSTINENCE, ETC. 367 
 
 the warning, so likely to have been resented, was received with 
 
 gratitude. 
 
 " National Righteousness," the organ of the Christian Union for 
 the Severance of the Connection of the British Empire with the Opium 
 Trade, says, in commenting upon the loss sustained by Sir Arthur's 
 death : 
 
 " When on the first day of the Mildmay Conference of 1888, the 
 proposal to form the Christian Union was put before Sir Arthur, he at 
 once approved, and agreed to be its President. Both the object of the 
 Union, and its proposed method of action had his warm sympathy." 
 
 This article, in sketching some points of his character, well 
 
 says : 
 
 " Another marked feature was : His view of personal duty concerning 
 great moral questions. 
 
 " He knew well none knew better that there was but one grand 
 Remedy for the world's sin and sorrow ; and he saw with equal 
 clearness that certain forms of evil prevented multitudes being reached 
 by the Gospel hence his warm sympathy with movements on behalf 
 of Temperance, and against State regulation of vice, and against the 
 Opium trade, ' practices which,' as he said, ' have brought shame upon 
 the Name of Christ throughout the world, and which have constituted 
 some of the gravest hindrances to the progress of His Gospel.' " 
 
 His efforts were unceasing, in public and in private, to aid all 
 who sought to break " the conspiracy of silence," and to let in the 
 searchlight of truth on deeds of darkness. He took the deepest 
 interest in what was known as the Social Purity Movement ; and in 
 August, 1885, at the meeting of the Church of England Purity 
 Society, moved the first Eesolution, referring to the success of the 
 Criminal Law Amendment Bill. Although exposed to adverse 
 comment, amounting even to an attack in the House of Commons 
 on his character and truthfulness, he calmly continued, according to 
 his wont, in the course which he had felt it right to follow. 
 
 One brief quotation may be given from a speech of Sir Arthur's in 
 reference to these questions. 
 
 " It is our business to-night to lift up our voices, and with no bated 
 breath, and no indistinct utterance, to declare that on the ground of 
 every obligation that we owe to Him Who has redeemed us by His 
 precious blood, so far as lies in our power so far as our protests, so far
 
 368 LIFE OF SIB AETHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 as our prayers can stay these deadly evils they shall, by GOD'S help, 
 be impossible for the future." 
 
 His attitude towards such questions was shown by the words 
 which he often quoted : 
 
 " If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those 
 that are ready to be slain ; 
 
 "If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth 
 the heart consider it ? and He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it f 
 and shall not He render to every man according to his works ? " 
 
 " To some movements to which he had at first been drawn," says 
 his Wife, " he could not continue to give his adhesion. Always attracted 
 by zeal and earnestness, distrustful of his own spiritual attainments, 
 inclined to magnify unduly those of others, drawn to whatever appeared 
 to promise a lift upward, he was sometimes carried away by what 
 seemed to many to be plainly of doubtful tendency. Loyal to those 
 whom he believed to be true to GOD, it was not easy for him to see 
 whither their teachings led. 
 
 "But once he realized that what he had upheld was not according 
 to the Mind of GOD as shown in His Word, few sought more entirely or 
 more humbly to acknowledge mistake, and to undo any harm which 
 too ready |an acceptance had caused. It was a bitter sorrow to feel 
 that he had in any degree influenced others to their hurt, or caused the 
 way of truth to be evil spoken of." 
 
 On the first appearance of the Salvation Army, Sir Arthur's 
 enthusiastic zeal for the Kingdom of GOD made him hail with delight 
 the promise of some "greater things "for Christ than had ever yet 
 been seen. The progress of time, however, and the development of the 
 organization, obliged him to re-consider his position ; and in a long 
 letter addressed to the Editor of the Christian, after the opening of the 
 Clapton Congress Hall, in 1882, he protested against the " dancing, 
 shouting and jumping " indulged in on that occasion, and subsequently 
 spoken of approvingly in the War Cry. He spoke of the " amaze- 
 ment, distress and perplexity " visible on the countenances of many 
 who surrounded him, and of the effect produced on himself by what 
 went on. He alluded to his having " stood shoulder to shoulder with 
 the army at Coventry Fair," and of his having upheld it in public and 
 in private wherever he could. 
 
 But after describing details which it is unnecessary to reproduce, 
 he adds, 
 
 "I feel constrained to make this protest for three reasons:
 
 TOTAL ABSTINENCE, ETC. 369 
 
 " 1. Because I much fear the result of such extravagances among a 
 people professedly gathered from the lower ranks of society, with but 
 little Scriptural knowledge, and liable to be led away into wilder 
 practices. 
 
 "2. Because, private remonstrances having failed, I hope that the 
 leaders of the Army will be influenced by what I am sure must be the 
 general feeling of those who, like myself, wish well to their work. 
 
 " 3. Because, having been publicly identified with the Army, and 
 specially with the Congress at Clapton, I cannot allow it to be inferred 
 by my silence that I approved of what took place. 
 
 " I do not for a moment withdraw from the line I have hitherto taken 
 of full sympathy with the work of the Army. I am glad to work with 
 it for the glory of GOD and the good of souls, and against the tremendous 
 forces of irreligion, intemperance and vice that are surging around us. 
 But it is because I am in such hearty sympathy with its objects (though 
 I may not concur in all its methods) that I earnestly beseech the 
 leaders of the Army to refrain from offending the reasonable feelings of 
 Christian people, and from bringing a quite unnecessary reproach upon 
 the Gospel by tolerating and encouraging such scenes as I have 
 described. 
 
 " SHORTLANDS HOUSE, Wth May, 1882." 
 
 With much in the Salvation Army, which he believed to be 
 true work for GOD, Sir Arthur's sympathy remained unimpaired. 
 But the practices condemned in his letter, and subsequently other 
 points, not only of practice but of doctrine, which he conceived to 
 be inconsistent with the Word of GOD and the mind of the Spirit, 
 gradually widened the space between himself and the organization, 
 although he ever retained his esteem and admiration for the whole- 
 hearted and devoted service of individual members. 
 
 So far as in him lay " to his power, yea, and beyond his 
 power " he gave not only sympathy but personal help to many 
 of the great Societies. The Young Men's Christian Association 
 thus recorded its indebtedness : 
 
 " Sir Arthur, who was a member of our Council, has for long years 
 been one of our ever ready helpers. In the welfare of the Association 
 he took the deepest interest, specially in the Protestant character of 
 our work." 
 
 "The Evangelization Society," says one, "owed much to him." 
 Its Secretary speaks of the " love and honour in which Sir Arthur 
 was held. His place no other can ever fill." 
 
 24
 
 370 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 He was one of the Vice -Presidents of the Country Towns 
 Mission. The Open-Air Mission shared in his interest. One of 
 the Secretaries of the Religious Tract Society says : 
 
 " I have myself received many kindnesses from him, both in my 
 work here, and as a city clergyman. I remember gratefully the kind 
 welcome he used to give to my Sunday School at Crayford, and the 
 encouraging words he sometimes spoke to the children." 
 
 The Bible Society he also loved. Whilst at Crayford he presided 
 at a meeting in his Village Hall in May 1877, when he said that 
 ' ' he felt ashamed of himself, for he had never had the privilege of 
 taking part in a meeting of the Society before " ; and he forthwith 
 started an Auxiliary Society in the Village, with himself as 
 Secretary, and the Duchess as Treasurer. 
 
 The Christian Colportage Society was another whose work he 
 greatly appreciated and aided, as an invaluable organization for 
 " counteracting the evil effects of the flood of pernicious impure 
 and debasing literature which is spreading through our towns and 
 villages and even private houses." He superintended an Agent of 
 the Society for Crayford and the neighbourhood, and wrote a 
 leaflet on behalf of the Society, in which he referred to his own 
 indebtedness to the "good book," which, when in the Crimea, 
 aroused " the first revival of religious impressions after years of 
 worldliness and sin." With the London City Mission he had 
 special links through its missionaries labouring amongst the Post 
 Oftice employes in London. 
 
 His Wife writes : 
 
 "The interests outside of his own particular works were manifold 
 Aldershot, Miss Weston's work, Mrs. Meredith's, the C. M. S. What 
 time and thought he gave to the business connected with the Jerusalem 
 Bishopric ! Then the London City Mission, in various ways connected 
 with its agents here, [Woolwich and Plumstead] at Old Beckenham 
 Mission Room, with the Navvies at Crayford, etc. Also the Irish 
 Church Mission work and its many branches; the Church of Ireland 
 Sustontation Fund, of which he was a Vice- President ; the Scripture 
 Readers' Society for Ireland, already referred to; Mrs. Smyly's work 
 in Dublin; Thrift Societies; numerous smaller works of all sorts, 
 kinds, and denominations. It is impossible even to try and remember 
 them all, much less to gather up particulars." 
 
 With some of these organizations he was yet more closely
 
 TOTAL ABSTINENCE, ETC. 371 
 
 connected in some official capacity. He was one of the earliest 
 trustees of the work carried on at Aldershot and other Garrison 
 Towns by Mrs. and Miss Daniell, and allowed his name to remain 
 on the Trust until his death, even when compelled by failing 
 strength to withdraw from other similar positions. He loved 
 soldiers, amongst whom he had once served, and even during his later 
 years found time to preside at meetings for this particular work, or 
 to give the counsel which was so greatly valued. For over thirty 
 years, he spoke from time to time in the Mission Hall and Soldiers' 
 Home at Aldershot ; and in the last three years of his life he spoke 
 frequently, often at very great cost to himself, at the Branch Home 
 in James St., Buckingham Gate, where his Dra wing-Room meetings 
 had at last to be held in the large Hall, and where very evident 
 blessing was granted. 
 
 Miss Macpherson's testimony to him as one of the Trustees for 
 the Home of Industry has already been given. A touching letter, 
 written by her in October, 1893, may here be added : 
 
 " As I sat amongst our poor but happy band of widows this after- 
 noon, one of them brought a bit of newspaper, telling of your great 
 loss, whilst the widow's tears flowed in recollecting twenty-six years 
 ago her 'spending the happiest day of her life.' This touched chords, 
 and several other widows remembered being there, their first day ever 
 spent in the country. 
 
 " How the dear old bodies spoke of your beloved husband's kindness 
 to them. . . . 
 
 " Pardon this intrusion, and believe that sympathy and prayer from 
 these poor aged saints for you and yours at this time is very touching 
 and real. 
 
 " May the thought of his being with the LORD, and full of joy, 
 soothe your heart, is the prayer of a little band of sisters in Jesus in 
 the East of London. 
 
 " In the name of the Widows, yours sincerely, 
 
 " ANNIE MACPHERSON." 
 
 Miss Clara Lowe says : 
 
 " My first recollection dates from the beginning of the Conferences 
 at Barnet. It was after one of those early Conferences that Mr. 
 Blackwood entered the railway carriage in which I was returning to 
 town. I well remember the passage of Scripture on which he com- 
 mented. . . . After Lady Rowley's decease, I was led to make an appeal 
 for help for the work in the East-End, in The Christian. The first 
 answer I received was from him and his wife ; and the help thus
 
 372 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 given has never ceased, now for more than a quarter of a century. On 
 one occasion the letter enclosing the cheque mentioned that Her Grace 
 was very suffering. In answering this, I added that I was not sur- 
 prised to hear of the illness, as one of the poor widows had felt it 
 specially laid on her heart to plead for her relief and restoration. A 
 letter quickly came to say that Mr. Blackwood would like to visit the 
 poor widow ; and I had the joy of leading him up the narrow staircase 
 into the room occupied by this servant of the LORD and her widowed 
 mother-in-law, both alike confined to their beds. No abode could be 
 more humble, or in a more unsightly neighbourhood, but that room 
 was hallowed by many precious associations. Mr. Blackwood was not 
 satisfied with visiting that one abode, but accompanied me to another, 
 where I need not say prayer and praise followed. His visit was like a 
 ray of sunshine." 
 
 " He was," said Dr. Grattan Guinness, when speaking at the 
 Memorial Meeting at Mildmay, in October, 1893, " a Saul in stature, 
 a David in spirit, a Jonathan in gentleness and grace. 
 
 " For the last sixteen years he was the Treasurer of our Mission- 
 ary Institute in East London and Derbyshire. During the whole of 
 that period he was in constant communication with us, examining 
 the Institute accounts, and signing all the Institute cheques from 
 week to week ; no light work for a busy man such as he was, but 
 most cheerfully and gracefully and faithfully accomplished. Never 
 in all that period did one single cloud come over our friendship. 
 Never did he render the service as though it was a sacrifice ; always 
 as a privilege. And the service he rendered was a strength to the 
 work. We know not how to measure the good he thus accomplished. 
 It has reached wherever the Institute has been made a blessing in 
 the world." 
 
 And in a letter to the Duchess, he says : 
 
 " CLIFF HOUSE, CCBBAB VIA SHEFFIELD, 12th Oct., 1898. 
 
 " Dear Madam, and Sister in Christ, so rich in the husband you 
 had, so much richer now in his blessedness and beatific vision, I sorrow 
 and rejoice with you, and with your children, in our irreparable loss 
 and his immeasurable gain. 
 
 "'jNV dites pas qu'il est parti; ditet qu'il eft arrive,' yes, gone on 
 gone up gone in gone home. 
 
 " ' Father, I will that those whom Thou hast given Me be with Me' 
 
 " It is not for us to cherish any counter will to this nor will we." 
 
 The work amongst Homeless and Destitute Children in Dr.
 
 TOTAL ABSTINENCE, ETC. 373 
 
 Barnardo's hands was another of which Sir Arthur was a Trustee, as 
 well as a Vice-President. 
 
 Dr. Barnardo writes : 
 
 " 1th March, 1895. 
 
 "I knew Sir Arthur intimately for at least a quarter of a century. 
 During all that time he extended to me, as to a younger brother in 
 Christ and a worker in the Master's vineyard, a warm friendship as 
 well as continuous and kindly aid. At many times in my career, when 
 I have had to bear much obloquy, and battle with public opposition, 
 Sir Arthur has stood by me gallantly, encouraging me by wise advice 
 and words of sympathy. He undoubtedly possessed, in quite excep- 
 tional measure, that most essential quality of friendship, a sympathetic 
 and loyal nature, inviting and rewarding confidence, ' a heart at leisure 
 from itself to soothe and sympathize.' Of his wisdom I can testify 
 from experience. Often have I sought him when involved in manifold 
 difficulties and perplexities, and as often has his calm sure judgment 
 assisted in dispelling the clouds and clearing the horizon. At such 
 times his broad common sense was as remarkable, as his wise per- 
 ception was direct and unerring. I have sometimes sought him in the 
 middle of the day when he could give me only perhaps four or five 
 minutes. Even during that time he would be incessantly interrupted 
 by messengers and clerks. Yet he was never hurried. Without haste 
 and with calm and concentrated attention he would apply himself to 
 the business in hand, and under the charm of his genial and sympathetic 
 manner, intricacies and difficulties would melt away. All his labours 
 were ever ' in the great Taskmaster's eye.' I have stood by him in his 
 official room when I had brought him some point of difficulty or trial. 
 For a moment he would close his eyes, and then his low voice would be 
 heard as we both stood up, and then in one or two brief sentences he 
 would ask GOD for guidance. Then almost at once he seemed to see 
 and know what was the right thing to be done under the circumstances, 
 and he would tender me advice which I felt could always be relied 
 upon. 
 
 "He had ever a tender heart for little children, and often spoke at 
 our Annual Meetings. On one of the last of these occasions he thus 
 gave his reasons for supporting the enterprise : 
 
 " ' This work commends itself to me essentially because of its 
 Christ-like character; first of all in its rule of Reception, for it copies 
 Him Who said, "Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out." 
 Secondly, in its work of Conversion. I do not speak of spiritual con- 
 version though that is the supreme object which those engaged in it 
 ever have in view but of that human work of converting a pernicious 
 and useless object into one useful and beneficial to society. And
 
 374 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 thirdly, because of its principle of Fruitfulness. Fruitfulness is a law 
 of GOD'S creation, natural and moral, and the work of these Homes is 
 fruitful in its character, for it makes these waifs and strays who would 
 otherwise prey upon society, into sources of fruitfulness by the training, 
 the education, and the Christian influence it imparts to them.' 
 
 " Thus he helped and encouraged me, and all over the country there 
 are other servants of Christ at work to-day, who owe their first incen- 
 tive and inspiration, to the blessed ministry of this dear servant of 
 Christ. 
 
 " Of his noble courage I must say a few words. During the year 
 1880 I was called upon to pass through a severe ordeal, owing to the 
 position I took up relative to some children whom the Roman Catholic 
 priesthood were seeking to get possession of. When my case was before 
 the Courts the then Lord Chief Justice animadverted in strong language 
 upon the course I had adopted. This led to a desire among many 
 Christian people that a public meeting should be held to express 
 sympathy with and confidence in me. Sir Arthur Blackwood was 
 invited to take the Chair of the Meeting which was convened for 
 Tuesday, 10th December, 1889, in the Exeter Hall. As soon as this was 
 announced certain Members of Parliament asked questions of the then 
 Postmaster-General concerning the propriety of Sir Arthur's action. 
 When the Meeting took place however he duly took the Chair as had 
 been announced, his tall and comely form conspicuous upon the plat- 
 form. In his opening speech he referred in characteristically strong 
 and dignified terms to the object of the gathering. He closed with 
 these words which I wish to quote in full : 
 
 " ' I have felt it an imperative duty, as one of the Vice-Presidents of 
 Dr. Barnardo's Homes, to be present here this evening to show and 
 express my unabated confidence in his work and in him, even if he had 
 made a mistake here and there; and to stand by my friend at a very 
 anxious and critical time of his work. It is possible that fault may be 
 found with me for occupying this chair to-night. It has been already 
 announced by the Tablet, that attacks will be made upon your chair- 
 man immediately the House of Commons meets ; and that it is indecor- 
 ous and indecent and wrong of him on every ground to take part in a 
 public meeting of this kind, as thereby evidencing his unfitness to 
 occupy the place he holds, and to deal impartially with the Roman 
 Catholic servants of the Crown who may be serving under his orders. 
 Well, it matters little to me. You will indulgently allow me to say, in 
 anticipation of such attacks, which you look for with interest perhaps, 
 that during the ten years that I have had the honour to occupy that 
 position under the Crown, no one can ever charge me with having 
 allowed my deep, extremely deep religious convictions to interfere for
 
 TOTAL ABSTINENCE, ETC. 375 
 
 one moment with the discharge of my duties to the State, or to in- 
 fluence me in dealing impartially with any man whose religious con- 
 victions might accidentally happen to differ from my own. But I should 
 be untrue to those convictions if I absented myself to-night from a 
 post to which honour and duty alike call me.' 
 
 " I need hardly add anything to this quotation as an evidence of 
 Sir Arthur's unruffled composure under attack, when once he had 
 determined upon a path of duty, and of his staunch friendship, despite 
 all opposition, to a cause which he had made up his mind to be worthy 
 of support and confidence and Christian sympathy." 
 
 In many social questions Sir Arthur took much interest. For 
 instance, in a long letter to the Editor of The Christian in May, 1885, 
 he dealt with the mode in which questions of Co-operation and of 
 Supply and Demand had been treated by various correspondents, 
 and reduced the whole question to one, not of sentiment and ex- 
 pediency, but of principles. 
 
 " GOD'S laws for the physical welfare of the human race cannot 
 be disregarded or supplanted," was the basis of the whole of his 
 temperate and good-tempered reasoning. 
 
 "The fact is," he says, "the moment you get away from funda- 
 mental principles of political economy, and attempt to interfere with 
 them, or substitute others for them, you are involved in hopeless con- 
 fusion, and you end by doing harm instead of good. The law of 
 ' supply and demand,' however it may be stigmatized as ' hard ' and 
 'worldly' by well-meaning philanthropists, is as much one of these 
 laws" [GoD's laws for the physical welfare of the human race] "as the 
 law of gravitation. . . . 
 
 " It is no doubt true that the working out of these laws is attended 
 with hardships to many. But the hardships and suffering which 
 follow in that case are less than those which must certainly be the 
 result of attempts to regulate traffic upon principles of man's devising. 
 
 "The Scriptural principle governing all transactions of the nature 
 of commerce, is that of paying a fair price. And to the question, How 
 is that fair price to be ascertained? I reply, The operation of the laws 
 of supply and demand must settle that price. It must vary according 
 to a thousand circumstances which affect it ; but those laws can alone 
 settle it 
 
 "... It is by these processes that ' fair prices' are fixed, and that 
 when such prices get lower than will enable the producer to live 
 whether he be a builder of ships, the owner of a factory, a match box 
 maker, or a shoe-black he must seek his livelihood, at home or abroad, 
 in some other way.
 
 376 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "Do let this question be looked at from the intelligent standpoint 
 of a Christianity which takes into account the laws of nature by which 
 GOD is pleased to regulate the universe, as well as the precepts of His 
 Word, which inculcate love and kindness, and the distinguishing 
 characteristics of the followers of Christ. If we once get away from 
 such a standpoint, we are at the mercy of the wildest vagaries." 
 
 Such, stripped of the illustrations intended to solidify such ab- 
 stract principles to the minds of the untrained, was the scheme of 
 Mr. Blackwood's paper.
 
 PROTESTANTISM AND PATRIOTISM. 
 
 D'Aubigne's " History of the Reformation " was one of the first 
 books wbich Mr. Blackwood read, when the new life in Christ Jesus 
 had quickened every faculty of mind with a fresh sense of responsi- 
 bility. It stands second in his List of Books read in 1857. 
 
 His knowledge was thus enlarged as to the distinctive differences 
 and respective results of doctrinal truth and falsehood. The choice 
 of " The Reformation in England " as the subject of his first secular 
 Lecture in December, 1857, shows how the study had influenced and 
 interested his mind. Though lack of space makes it impossible to 
 reproduce them here, his journals and letters from the Continent 
 contain much detail as to what he saw in the many churches he 
 visited, and the conversations he held with men of other creeds. In 
 his Scrap Books are numerous extracts from newspapers and books, 
 bearing upon the Pretensions of the Papacy, the history of the Rise 
 of Ceremonies and Dogmas in the Romish Church, the events con- 
 nected with the (Ecumenical Council, the Fall of the Temporal 
 Power, and the connection between the Doctrines and Practices of 
 Ritualism and Romanism. In short, every fact and argument which 
 he found to throw light upon these and kindred subjects had been 
 carefully and conscientiously accumulated. So that when circum- 
 stances brought him into the more prominent places of the great and 
 inevitable controversy between the Spirit of bondage and of Rome, 
 and the Spirit of liberty and of Truth, it was with no ill-considered 
 and immature views that he entered upon the work. 
 
 In the battles which he fought in connection either with the 
 Church Association or the Protestant Alliance, it was ever with the 
 system not the individual that he contended. The war he waged 
 was purely and entirely one of principle. For many in the Roman 
 Catholic Communion he had throughout life a sincere friendship ; 
 and in dealing with men under him, the fact of a difference in creed 
 
 (377)
 
 378 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 never influenced him in the exercise either of the strict principles of 
 justice or of the most kindly feeling. Part of a letter written by an 
 old friend to one of his sons, after his death, will perhaps help to 
 illustrate his position. 
 
 " FLORENCE, 19th Oct. 1893. 
 
 "... There was only one year's difference between your Father's 
 age and my own. He was one year my senior, and it was always my 
 ambition as a boy to do whatever he did; but the consequence was 
 that I often came to grief, as he was stronger and more agile than I 
 was, a good deal. 
 
 "In after life our paths separated, and on the most serious of all 
 questions that of religion we took diametrically opposite views, as I 
 became a Roman Catholic, and he continued (doubtless) a firm and 
 conscientious Protestant to the end. But the differences of our 
 religious opinions never interfered with our friendship. Almost the 
 last I believe the very last time I met him, we travelled together 
 in the Underground Railway; and he told me how much pleased he 
 had been by the stand made in the House by the Catholic members 
 on some important point. ' They spoke out like Christian men,' were 
 his words; and to me he never spoke one harsh word against the 
 Church or her tenets." 
 
 Sir Arthur was a Vice-President of the Church Association, a 
 Society which had been formed in 1865, and whose object was "to 
 uphold the Doctrines, Principles, and Order of the United Church 
 of England and Ireland, and to counteract the efforts now being 
 made to pervert her teaching on essential points of the Christian 
 faith, or to assimilate her services to those of the Church of Rome; 
 and further to encourage concerted action for the advancement and 
 progress of Spiritual Religion." 
 
 The Secretary says : 
 
 "Sir Arthur Black wood took the keenest possible interest in the 
 work of this Association, although, owing to his strict rule never to 
 infringe upon the time required by his official position at the Post 
 Office, he was unable to become as active a Member as his in- 
 clination would have prompted. He however never refused to take 
 a part when it was possible, and whenever I had the pleasure of seeing 
 him he always received me with the greatest possible kindness. He 
 had been connected with the Association from its earliest years. He 
 sympathized with us in our action in the Law Courts for the purpose 
 of testing the legality of the innovations in the Church of England."
 
 PEOTESTANTISM AND PATRIOTISM 379 
 
 In the first of his speeches on this subject of which any record 
 remains, Mr. Blackwood, as chairman of a meeting held in January, 
 1879, said that 
 
 " It was not with any feelings akin to pleasure that he occupied 
 the position he now held. Nor did he think that anyone who loved 
 the Church of England could take part in such proceedings as they 
 were met together to support without feelings of deep sorrow. It 
 was with no light heart that they could engage in such work, which 
 formed part of a determined effort to maintain the Evangelical and 
 Reformed Church of England as by law established. Their opponents 
 had made these proceedings necessary by as determined an effort to 
 achieve exactly the contrary. While all this was to be deeply regretted, 
 he felt that it was simply at the call of duty that they took their places 
 among the ranks of the combatants on this matter. In all of this, 
 however, they had the one consolation that the Evangelical portion of the 
 Church of England was not the aggressor. Their motto was, 'Defence, 
 not Defiance.' " 
 
 It was in this spirit, and on these grounds that Sir Arthur became 
 a member of the Association. 
 
 Throughout all his speeches the tone is one of grave anxiety in 
 view of the condition of the Church of England. He feared the 
 gradual education of the country in Eomish doctrine by means of 
 the Ritualistic practices and sacramental teaching which he felt to 
 be forced upon people, especially in country districts. He feared 
 above all the spirit of compromise in many who would yet describe 
 themselves as Evangelical clergy. But, as he often said, " So long 
 as we have the Prayer-Book, the Articles, and the Liturgy on our 
 side, and above all the Scriptures, it is our duty to hold on our way.'' 
 
 Whilst at Lisbon, for the Postal Congress of 1885, Mr. Black- 
 wood's spirit was stirred by a correspondence in the Record, relative 
 to a joint-manifesto, issued by three " Evangelical" clergy, in which 
 they deprecated recourse to the protection afforded by the Law of 
 the Church. In the tone of this manifesto the Record had concurred, 
 advising those who were aggrieved to " abstain from putting the law 
 in force against law-breakers." On Mr. Blackwood's return home 
 he " felt it nothing less than a duty to join the writers of the four 
 letters inserted in the same number," who took an opposite view to 
 that of the Editor. 
 
 "It is all very well," he says, " to talk of 'serving these brethren by 
 love,' but how does this help a congregation which finds its Parish
 
 380 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Church gradually converted into a mass-house, or meet the case of 
 those who see their children, servants, and neighbours being educated 
 for Rome ? . . . 
 
 "The attempt to support the argument for quiet protest, unaccom- 
 panied by action, by the reference to the example of Him Who did 
 not strive nor cry, ignores His indignant action on two notable oc- 
 casions, when, seeing His Father's House desecrated and dishonoured, 
 He, Who never failed in ' meekness and gentleness,' with His own 
 hand expelled those who had broken the law. 
 
 " You further say that those who seek to uphold the law by means 
 of the law, will not be supported by ' public opinion.' Where, I would 
 ask, is the authority for Christians to guide themselves in the matter 
 of the protection of doctrine or ecclesiastical discipline by 'public 
 opinion'? The price at stake is the Gospel of Christ, the purity of 
 worship, the salvation of souls, the glory of GOD. What have we to do 
 with mere ' onlookers ' ? 
 
 "It is on the law-breaker, not on the law-enforcer, that the responsi- 
 bility of the consequences of his acts must rest." 
 
 But the maintenance of an attitude so firm and uncompromising 
 did not prevent Mr. Blackwood's desire for some better way of meet- 
 ing the difficulty. 
 
 Upon the declaration of the Lincoln Judgment, certain of the 
 Church urged secsssion as the instant duty of the Evangelical section 
 of the Church of England. Sir Arthur accordingly contributed to 
 The English Churchman a letter, from which some extracts are 
 given. 
 
 " Mr. S find? fault with the counsel of the Bishop of Liverpool 
 
 to 'stick to the old ship'; and, maintaining that the 'ship' has become 
 ' a piratical craft,' contends that it is the duty of her officers and crew 
 instantly to desert her. 
 
 " Mr. S - makes the serious mistake of thinking that because 
 ' pirates' have got on board, the character and ownership of the 'ship' 
 have been changed. . . . 
 
 "Writer after writer has truly pointed out that, whatever toleration 
 the Lincoln Judgment extends to Ritualistic Practices, it does not 
 alter, in one jot or tittle, the Articles or Liturgy of the Church of 
 England, the Protestant character of which has been affirmed legally 
 again and again. 
 
 "Further, the judgment neither enjoins nor enforces any change 
 of ritual on Evangelical clergymen. . . . The Church remains, in her 
 theory and constitution, as Protestant as in the days of the Reforma-
 
 PROTESTANTISM AND PATRIOTISM. 381 
 
 tion, though many within her pale have availed themselves of words of 
 ambiguous meaning to re-introduce Romish practices. 
 
 " The question has moreover to be looked at, not merely from an 
 individual point of view. The multitudes throughout the land who, 
 born and bred in, and loving the Church of their Fathers, will 
 certainly not take part in secession, have to be considered. What is 
 to become of these multitudes ? 
 
 "Should not the motto of faithful Evangelical men, in view of this 
 consideration, be that of the apostle 'Not seeking mine own profit, 
 but the profit of many, that they may be saved ' ? 
 
 " I am not contending that a time may not arrive when secession 
 will become an absolute duty ; and in that case, the interests, the 
 salvation of others, will undoubtedly be best promoted by its un- 
 flinching discharge. But I do not believe that that time has come 
 yet. The circumstances are different from those of Reformation days, 
 when compliance with Romish practices was authoritatively enjoined, 
 and there was nothing but secession left. 
 
 " It may be said, What then is to be done ? That is a question 
 which demands the gravest, the maturest, and the most prayerful 
 consideration. I am only dealing here with the one thing which, in 
 my humble judgment, ought not to be done. 
 
 "I have considered in the foregoing, only the situation of 
 Evangelical ministers. I do not allude to laymen ; and would only 
 now say, in order to preclude misapprehension, that in cases where 
 there is nothing but a Ritualistic service within reach, it is, in my 
 opinion, absolutely incumbent upon Evangelical laymen to abstain 
 from all attendance upon, and consequent participation in, idolatrous 
 worship. There, abstention appears to me to be a plain duty which 
 faithfulness to GOD, to the souls of others and to one's own conscience 
 imperatively demands. 
 
 " September 5, 1892." 
 
 At the Jubilee meeting, in February 1886, of the Church Pastoral 
 Aid Society, Mr. Black wood was the selected speaker, upon a paper 
 contributed by a clergyman, and entitled, "In Church or Mission 
 Boom" He pointed out that while the " fashions " of the day were 
 ephemeral and transitory, the great and ever-existing need was a 
 remedy for the disease of sin ; and the unfailing and unchanging 
 Eemedy was Christ, His Character, Work, and Office. But it was 
 necessary to dwell upon this, because among even Evangelical 
 clergy there was a tendency to accommodate the church services 
 to the fashions of the present time. It was often urged that 
 because young people enjoyed " exquisite music " during the week,
 
 382 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 they must have it in church on the Sunday ; and on the ground 
 of preventing these young people from drifting away to churches 
 where erroneous doctrines are preached, the services were adapted 
 to the supposed needs of the day. Mr. Blackwood repeated his 
 conviction that this policy not only failed in its avowed object, but 
 distinctly trained people to receive the very doctrines which were 
 feared. In reply to the argument that what the majority wished 
 must be granted, he observed that like the Bishop of Peterborough, 
 he had no belief in the infallibility of the " odd man " ; and he could 
 not accept the principle of government by a majority in the Church 
 of Christ. 
 
 In many churches, he said, the congregations heard more about 
 the Church, less about Christ ; more about the Prayer-book, less 
 about the Bible ; more about sacraments as instruments of sanctifi- 
 cation, less about the Holy Ghost as the Agent of sanctification. 
 The Church of England was spoken of as if it were co-extensive 
 with the Church of Christ ; and congregations were indiscriminately 
 addressed as " baptized Christians." But the Church's need was 
 Power ; and Power came neither by fire borrowed from the world, 
 nor from any imitation of that holy anointing, whose symbol in Old 
 Testament days was "not to be put upon man's flesh." As then, 
 so now also, such introductions of false fire and untrue unction 
 were always followed by death. The real means of meeting "the 
 needs of the day," was by men consecrated to the service of GOD, 
 and filled with the Holy Ghost. 
 
 As years passed on, Sir Arthur saw signs of encouragement. In 
 April, 1889, in a letter drawn forth by an appeal to him by name, 
 he says : 
 
 " There arc signs, I think, of a revival of true Protestant feeling and 
 principle in many places, and a growing distrust of the line advocated 
 by - and ." [A " peace-at-any-price policy."] 
 
 "Our duty is, I believe, clear and plain. I agree with Canon 
 M'Connell Hussey that it is not our business to ' move with the times,' 
 but rallying more firmly than ever to the old truths, to resist every- 
 thing in forms and ceremonies that in the least degree approximates to 
 Ritualism and Human ism. 
 
 " Let us be more fervent in prayer, decided in principle, and 
 energetic in action, and we shall see that the LORD will yet do great 
 things for us."
 
 PROTESTANTISM AND PATRIOTISM 383 
 
 As regards Sir Arthur's part in the work of the Protestant 
 Alliance, the Secretary writes : 
 
 "9 STRAND, LONDON, Aug. 13, 1894. 
 
 " He was a member of our Committee, and though prevented by 
 business avocations from a constant attendance at our meetings, yet 
 when able to be present, our Committee had the advantage of his 
 advice and counsel, and valued deeply the wise suggestions that he 
 made. 
 
 " He was President of a number of the Branches, and did all he 
 could to extend the influence of the Alliance by the formation of 
 Auxiliaries throughout the country, the meetings of which he fre- 
 quently attended as Chairman. Some of these speeches are reported 
 in the English Churchman, as well as some of his valuable speeches at 
 the Annual Meetings of the Alliance, and a powerful address to the 
 Representatives of the Protestant Alliance and other Societies at the 
 National Protestant Congress at Portsmouth in the autumn of 1892. 
 
 " Sir Arthur Blackwood . . . strongly deprecated the formation of 
 other Societies in opposition thereto, as tending to weaken the Alliance. 
 
 " In his private capacity he aided me constantly with his counsel, 
 and his advice to me was invaluable. As a Christian friend he was 
 ever open to my calls upon him, and though so deeply occupied with 
 business, his time was freely given." 
 
 A few words from a letter which Mr. Guinness encloses, are 
 worth quoting, as indicative of Sir Arthur's mind and practice : 
 
 "Though contention is to be deprecated, discussion is both allow- 
 able and advantageous ; and no good can come from stifling it." 
 
 . His attitude always appears to be that of Luther, " Here I am. 
 I can do no other ; so help me GOD." 
 
 Thus he never feared to identify himself with persons and causes 
 very unpopular in many of the circles in which his lot was cast. In 
 July 1883 he received Father Chiniquy at Shortlands, and in 
 November of the same year took part in the Luther Commemora- 
 tions at the Mildmay Conference Hall and at Exeter Hall. In 
 December of 1888, his DIARY OF DATES records two meetings for 
 Mrs. Auffray, "the Escaped Nun," at Beckenham. Indeed, 
 throughout the whole of that year, he had thrown himself with 
 ardour into the meetings in commemoration of the Destruction of 
 the Spanish Armada in 1588, and the Protestant Eevolution in 1688. 
 He spoke at such meetings in May at Exeter Hall, in June at
 
 384 LIFE OF SIB AKTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Beckenham and Bromley, and in November at Oxford, as well as 
 in other places. 
 
 At one of the series of Beckenham meetings in connection with 
 this subject, Sir Arthur spoke, as he humorously said, " with a halter 
 round his neck," as the next night the attention of the House of 
 Commons was to be called to the fact of his having presided over a 
 similar meeting in Exeter Hall. They were met together that night, 
 he went on to say, because they had an enemy far more insidious 
 and determined than any combination of nations on earth. Their 
 desire was that the country should understand and grasp intelligently 
 the fact that it was the Hand of GOD which had delivered their land 
 from the dangers of past days. They also wanted to bring the 
 intelligence thus aroused to bear on the present dangers dangers 
 unsuspected and unknown by many, from lack of acquaintance with 
 the facts of history, and the circumstances and movements of the 
 present day. 
 
 The question was duly asked in the House on Thursday, 7th 
 June, 1888, as follows : 
 
 " <>. Mr. T. M. Healy, To ask the Postmaster-General, if his attention 
 has been called to a report in the Daily Chronicle of 31st May of a 
 speech delivered by Sir Arthur Blackwood, a post office official, as 
 follows : 
 
 " ' He believed that our dangers were no less great and imminent in 
 some senses than they were 200 years ago. They had still the same 
 arch-enemy in the background and underground, but now their dangers 
 proceeded to a great extent from this fact : that blindly, by a false 
 chanty called toleration, the nation had yielded up its liberties, and 
 allowed the rights and privileges conceded to Roman Catholics to be 
 perverted into the right to legislate for the Protestant nation, and had 
 allowed a Romish hierarchy to be established in our midst. Beyond 
 that our chief danger laid from the existence in the largest section of 
 the visible Church in this country of a traitorous clergy. Ritualists, 
 who were Romanists under another name, and were working insidiously, 
 determinedly, and persistently to raise up the Romish standard, doctrine, 
 and practice in our midst, and alas! with too widespread and fatal 
 success all over the land : ' 
 
 "Whether other employes of the Department are free to address 
 public meetings in an opposite sense, or generally may take part in 
 platform work on public topics: 
 
 "And is it the fact that the promotion of a great many Catholic
 
 PROTESTANTISM AND PATRIOTISM 385 
 
 and High Church postal servants depends on the favour of this gentle- 
 man 1 " 
 
 The answer, as reported in the Times of June 8, is the following : 
 
 " MR. RAIKES said, Officers of the Post Office are at perfect liberty 
 to take part in public meetings on any subject with the exception of 
 those involving political partisanship, and the occasion on which the 
 speech in question was delivered does not appear to me to fall within 
 that category. The promotion of Post Office officials rests not with the 
 secretary of the Post Office, but with the Postmaster-General, and no 
 consideration of religious creed ever enters into such questions. I 
 may, however, mention that Sir Arthur Blackwood has often recom- 
 mended for promotion officers who, I happen to be aware, are Roman 
 Catholics." 
 
 The last occasion on which Sir Arthur spoke on a Protestant 
 platform was at Exeter Hall, on the evening of December 7th, 1892, 
 a day appointed by the Association for Humiliation, Confession and 
 Prayer. 
 
 He was one of the principal speakers at that meeting, and his 
 address showed how entirely he approved of the new programme 
 which was rendered necessary by the view taken by the Association 
 Council of the Judgment of the Privy Council in the Lincoln Case. 
 
 A few words from a letter to Lady Tankerville of 13th Feb. 1889, 
 show how strongly and permanently he felt the national issues of the 
 conflict. 
 
 " I am so glad you are desirous of doing something to support our 
 decaying Protestantism. If we cease to be Protestants, active, loyal, 
 earnest, our country must lose her light decline and perish." 
 
 " He was a good man, 
 For he loved England " 
 
 His speeches and writings show the estimation in which he held 
 the Sovereign and the Empire whom it was his honour to serve. At 
 the General Election of 1885, he wrote a solemn and stirring letter 
 to the Christian, upon " the tremendous responsibility of Christian 
 men who were invested with the Franchise," and mentioned that for 
 his own part he had felt it to be a duty to address a letter to the 
 Parliamentary candidate for his Division, on some important points. 
 
 In this letter he says : 
 
 25
 
 386 LIFE OF SIB AETHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "As a Conservative elector for West Kent, but attaching greater 
 importance to the assertion of moral principle than to the predominance 
 of one or another political party, I take the liberty of asking you whether, 
 if returned to Parliament, you will support measures having for their 
 object : " 
 
 He then enumerates several points; and the letter thus con- 
 cludes : 
 
 "There are many who, like myself, would sooner abstain from 
 recording their votes altogether than incur the responsibility of aiding 
 in the election of a Parliamentary representative whose views would 
 not be in accordance with their own on questions affecting most vitally, 
 as they believe, the highest interests of the nation." 
 
 Sir Arthur's Irish blood was a fact which he did not forget, 
 however it might at times be merged in the sense of wider Imperial 
 interests. When a writer, under the nom de plume of Justitia, im- 
 pugned in the Times the justice of appointments in the Postal 
 Service as they affected the Irish interest, Sir Arthur replied that no 
 less than three of the officials referred to were of that nationality 
 the Secretary to the Post Office himself, one of the Assistant Secre- 
 taries, and the Controller of the Money Order Office. " ' JUSTITIA,' 
 on this occasion at least, is not in agreement with 
 
 " Your obedient servant, 
 
 " VEBITAS." 
 
 Sir Arthur looked to the spread of Gospel light and truth as the 
 greatest of all remedial measures for the sufferings of Ireland. 
 Hence his interest in the Scripture Readers' Society for Ireland, 
 and in the Irish Church Missions, as already noted ; and in 1885, 
 when a statement of emergency was put forth by the latter Society, 
 he instantly wrote, saying that no curtailment of the work could be 
 possible. 
 
 "Surely FOUR HUNDRED PERSONS might be found throughout the 
 land who could and would each contribute 10 AT ONCE. I will be one, 
 and lose no time in enclosing you my contribution." He added, " You 
 can make any use you like of this letter, if you think it would stimulate 
 others." 
 
 In May 1886, at a critical period, he presided at a large meeting 
 in the Mildmay Conference Hall for Prayer on behalf of Ireland. 
 Here, with his marked spiritual honesty and thoroughness he " urged
 
 PROTESTANTISM AND PATRIOTISM 387 
 
 all, while confessing and lamenting national sins, at the same time 
 to ask themselves, what about those same sins as representative of 
 shortcomings and failure and offences in the individual life ? " 
 
 The last letter from Sir Arthur Blackwood's pen which appeared 
 in the Times is one which many were surprised to read in the 
 columns of the leading journal. Perhaps no words could more 
 fittingly have closed his public testimony as a Patriot, a Protestant, 
 a Christian, a Believer in the efficacy of prayer. 
 
 "To THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. 
 
 " SIR, While every effort must be made by the Unionists through- 
 out the country to counteract and defeat the schemes of those who, 
 whether ignorantly or designedly, are doing their utmost to subvert 
 the British Constitution, and to destroy the liberties gained two 
 hundred years ago, it is incumbent on all who value the Protestantism 
 of the country, and who know that wherever the Romish priesthood 
 obtains power it closes and proscribes the Bible, to use a weapon 
 mightier far than all that politicians or patriots can wield, the weapon 
 of prayer to Almighty GOD. 
 
 "Our kith and kin, our fellow Protestants in Ulster, are resorting 
 to its use in their extremity, as your columns have lately testified. 
 And it is no less our duty, who in this country share their apprehen- 
 sions, and view the present situation with the gravest alarm, to join 
 our prayers with theirs, that in His infinite mercy GOD may be pleased 
 to avert the calamities we fear, and deliver both them and the Empire 
 from the national disaster which Home Rule alias Rome Rule, will 
 assuredly entail. If those who regard as priceless 'the Protestant 
 religion and the liberties of England,' and now especially of Ireland, 
 unite in prayer for deliverance to Him Who has so blessed our country 
 during past centuries, we may surely hope that a gracious answer will 
 be vouchsafed, and the schemes of our enemies be frustrated. 
 
 " He Who interposed for us in the days of the Armada and of the 
 Revolution of 1688 can surely do so again. Let us then not rely alone 
 on the efforts, however right and urgently necessary, which our 
 Unionist leaders and politicians are making, but also unite, through 
 the length and breadth of the land, in invoking the Divine aid at this 
 supremely critical moment of our history. 
 
 " It may have passed away from the memory of many on earth, but 
 doubtless it stands clear in the records of Heaven, that once only, in a 
 cycle of years, a province stood forward in the persons of 13,000 dele- 
 gates to confess the GOD in Whom they trusted before an astonished 
 world, as they said and sung with triumphant voices :
 
 388 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " ' GOD is our Refuge and our Strength, 
 
 In straits a present aid ; 
 Therefore, although the earth remove, 
 We will not be afraid.' 
 
 " Let Protestant England now echo the expression of their noble 
 faith, and come to their aid in prayer as well as by effort. 
 " And may GOD defend the right. 
 
 "Yours faithfully, 
 
 " PATRIOT. 
 
 " 28th February." 
 
 The words which seem to have burst red-hot from his heart 
 appeared in the Times of Friday, 3rd March 1893.
 
 VIII. 
 
 ST. MABTIN'S-LE-GEAND. 
 
 THE SECRETABY. 
 THE POSTAL SERVICE. 
 " FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE GOOD 
 OF THE SERVICE."
 
 THE SECKETARY. 
 
 The post which Mr. Blackwood filled when he was transferred in 
 1874 from the Treasury to the General Post Office, was one which 
 had just been created. 
 
 " In consequence," says the Times of 5th October 1874, " of the 
 increased pressure upon the financial department of the Post Office, 
 occasioned by the great growth of its business, it is intended to appoint 
 an additional officer under the title of Financial Secretary." "Mr. 
 Stevenson A. Blackwood has been selected. He is high up in the 
 Finance Branch of the Treasury, and has had the duty of preparing the 
 Estimates submitted to Parliament at the beginning of each Financial 
 Year." 
 
 On 17th April, 1880, on the retirement of Sir John Tilley, Mr. 
 Blackwood was promoted to be Secretary to the Post Office, and 
 received the honour of C.B. 
 
 In a book entitled "Forty Years in the Post Office," published 
 in January 1895, by Mr. F. C. Baines, C.B., sometime Surveyor 
 General for Telegraph Business and Inspector of Mails, the duties 
 and responsibilities of the Secretaryship are defined. 
 
 " The Post Office," says Mr. Baines, " is a Carrier, a Banker, 
 and a Telegraphist on the largest scale known. It controls more 
 than 131,000 persons." Under these three heads, he gives full and 
 most interesting details ; and also treats of the history of the Post 
 Office, from earliest times, and of its present constitution. He thus 
 describes " the Controlling Force." 
 
 " The Head, for the time being, of this vast army of 130,000 Post 
 Office Servants, established and auxiliary, scattered over the face of 
 the land," is the Postmaster-General. 
 
 But whilst the Postmaster-General goes out with the Govern- 
 ment of the day, a permanent Chief is provided in the person of the 
 Secretary. 
 
 (391)
 
 392 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "The Secretary of the Post Office, Chief Permanent Functionary 
 though he be, has no inherent power except such as he derives from his 
 Chief. He shines by reflected light, every act of his in the Post Office 
 being done in the name of the Postmaster-General. In practice he 
 has, of course, very large authority. The Postal machine otherwise 
 could not work properly. As the adviser of his political Chief, every 
 paper submitted to the latter must first receive the impress of his own 
 views ; and by tradition he has necessarily, with great responsi- 
 bility, great freedom of action. But in theory he is only the mouth- 
 piece of the Postmaster-General. . . . 
 
 " At the head of the Executive stands the Secretary, but he is of 
 course a Chief Administrator too. The 'Secretary' means one high 
 functionary, and also some score of auxiliaries and subordinates. Sir 
 Arthur Blackwood compared himself, not inaptly, to the managing 
 Director who is found next the Chairman in private corporations. 
 There are, it is true, a Financial Secretary, and a Third Secretary, who, 
 as well as the Secretary himself, advise the Postmaster-General on 
 points within their allotted sphere. And there are also Assistant 
 Secretaries, one of whom combines with his office the functions of 
 Inspector-General of Mails; another holds also the office of Controller 
 of the Packet Service. But all act for or with the Secretary-in-Chief, 
 and alike are subject to his instructions and supervision. 
 
 "Then come the Heads of Departments A Solicitor; a Controller 
 of the London Postal Service, a Receiver and Accountant-General, a 
 Chief Medical Officer, an Electrician and Engineer-in-Chief, a Nautical 
 Adviser, and the Commodore of the modest telegraph fleet of the Post 
 Office. Then follow the Surveyors. As a Postmaster in London reports 
 to the Controller, so the Postmaster of a country town and subjacent 
 area reports to the Surveyor. There is no one between the Surveyor 
 and the Secretary, nor between the Controller and the Secretary. 
 Hence, the Chief holds every thread in his hand. 
 
 " Lastly, there come the Postmasters, and with them the tale of the 
 Controlling Force is practically told. 
 
 "Then come the great battalions of the clerical staff, the superin- 
 tendents, the inspectors and overseers, the sorting clerks and tele- 
 graphists." May it not be added, the Letter carriers and Telegraph 
 messengers? " By their toil, whether by day or night, the Vestal Fire 
 of the Post is kept alive by watchfulness that never fails."
 
 THE POSTAL SEEVICE. 
 
 When, in 1874, Mr. Blackwood was transferred from the 
 Treasury to the Post Office, a good deal of uncomplimentary 
 observation was made in certain papers. Amongst the newspaper 
 cuttings in his Scrap-books the most offensive and the most 
 laudatory notices of himself stand side by side in happy juxtaposi- 
 tion. As time goes on, he is commented upon as being " not only 
 very approachable, but very reasonable." Some blame " his want 
 of enterprise, and attachment to red tape and to military methods " ; 
 whilst others dwell upon his ' ' great organizing power and indomit- 
 able will," and mourn that "his reforming hand pressed rather 
 heavily upon many of those who had been accustomed to, and 
 desired to stand in the ancient ways." 
 
 Portions of an article in the Western Press of 4th October, 1893, 
 give a general, if unofficial view of Sir Arthur's tenure of the 
 Secretaryship. 
 
 " Sir S. A. Blackwood's career as head of that complex organization 
 was one of unwearied activity. When he succeeded to the Chief 
 Secretaryship much of the work of organization had been completed. 
 But the Post Office is an institution that admits of no finality, and it 
 is the duty of the permanent official at the head of affairs to see that 
 the process of extension is not unduly distanced by public demands. 
 Some critics do not quite grasp the fact that even the smallest reform 
 must involve an enormous amount of rearrangement, touching not 
 only this country, but frequently all the others giving adhesion to the 
 Postal Union. The responsibility of counting the cost of innovations 
 falls on the shoulders of the Permanent Secretary, who stands at the" 
 back of the Postmaster-General, the political representative of the 
 department. It is thus obvious that the duties of the Chief Secretary 
 are onerous, delicate, and multifarious almost beyond calculation. 
 These i duties Sir Arthur Blackwood discharged for many years with 
 tact and ability. Many Postmasters-General came and went during 
 
 (393)
 
 394 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 his period of office. Sir Arthur Blackwood served first as Financial 
 Secretary under Lord John Manners. Then followed Professor Fawcett, 
 Mr. Shaw-Lefevre, Lord John Manners again, Lord Wolverton, Mr. 
 Cecil Raikes, Sir James Fergusson and Mr. Arnold Morley. 
 
 " Professor Fawcett was a man of energy and resource, and his 
 projects were ably seconded by Sir Arthur Blackwood. Together they 
 elaborated and carried to completion the great scheme of the Parcel 
 Post. 
 
 " Another noteworthy reform which Sir Arthur Blackwood was 
 instrumental in promoting was the introduction of the sixpenny 
 telegram. The minor reforms instituted during his thirteen years' 
 Chief Secretaryship have been very numerous. The abolition of the 
 revenue stamp for receipts was brought about in 1881; postal orders 
 were, during the period specified, introduced : the system of tele- 
 graphing money was set up ;' the letter-express delivery service was 
 organized ; new and better regulations were formulated in the Savings 
 Bank Department, and reply post-cards were made available. These 
 are the chief of many improvements brought about during Sir Arthur 
 Blackwood's term of supremacy. He held views as to the extension 
 of Postal work which perhaps might go unsuspected by some un- 
 wearied critics. 
 
 "Throughout his career as head of the Post Office, Sir Arthur 
 Blackwood endeavoured to secure for the public every reasonable 
 advantage." 
 
 But into Sir Arthur's action in Departmental questions it is not 
 the province of these Eecords to enter. 
 
 " He was honestly proud of the Post Office," says his Wife, " and 
 never slow to fight its battles. Whatever he saw to be for the good 
 of the Service he spared neither time nor strength in endeavouring to 
 accomplish. Mr. Shaw-Lefevre's remark, that 'his heart was devoted to 
 the Postal Service,' was literally true. When in the interests of justice, 
 men had to be dismissed for one cause or another, their cases weighed 
 upon him as a personal trouble. He deeply felt the temptations often 
 needlessly put in the way of the men by the public. A friend re- 
 marked that she hart never seen him ruffled but once ; and that was 
 when she had been chaffing him about some restrictions which had 
 been introduced concerning Postal Orders. 'He was, I saw, displeased ; 
 and told me I did not realize what the question involved as concerned 
 the Letter Carriers.' 
 
 "He realized strongly the responsibilities which devolved upon 
 him in recommending men for promotion. Sometimes when he saw 
 that a change was imminent, the consideration of various claims would
 
 THE POSTAL SERVICE 395 
 
 occupy his mind for weeks, and even longer. On all these occasions, 
 whether long foreseen, or suddenly occurring, he would go off for a 
 country walk alone, to revolve particulars which would affect so many 
 in the Postal Service ; weighing respective claims and fitness, always 
 jealous lest any private feeling for or against should warp his 
 judgment, always anxious that the man whose appointment would be 
 most for the interest of the public service should be chosen. Whatever 
 he had to do he did thoroughly. He enjoyed his official work, and 
 threw himself into all its details and interests with hearty zest. 
 
 " He ever made it a matter of conscience that nothing he undertook 
 should interfere with, or unfit him for the efficient discharge of his 
 official duties. Engagements must be out of office hours ; and in the 
 very few cases where this was otherwise, the work was done by going 
 to Town earlier or remaining later." 
 
 From the time when, in 1874, Mr. Blackwood entered the Post 
 Office as Financial Secretary, he took his share in a variety of 
 enterprises for the good of the Service ; and especially after he 
 became Secretary in 1880 the entries relating to such engagements 
 multiply in his DIARY OF DATES. Among these was the Annual 
 Meeting of the United Kingdom Postal and Telegraph Benevolent 
 Society, when for the first time the Secretary of the G.P.O. took the 
 chair, and afterwards presided at a Dinner to the Sixty Delegates 
 who represented local Districts in all parts of the Kingdom. Of 
 this Society, and of the Post Office Orphan Home he was a Patron. 
 
 He took a great interest in the formation of the Post Office 
 Athletic and Cricket Clubs, and in the prosperity of the Post Office 
 Rifle Volunteers (24th Middlesex), always being present at the 
 annual distribution of prizes. The Corps had been recruited chiefly 
 through the exertions of Col. du Plat Taylor. In 1882, a Detach- 
 ment of Volunteers from the Corps a hundred in number was 
 selected to accompany the Forces to Egypt, in charge of the Postal 
 arrangements. Mr. Fawcett took leave of the men, speaking a few 
 words, and shaking hands with each. Mr. Blackwood also spoke, 
 recalling his own service in the Crimea twenty-eight years before, 
 and then saying : 
 
 "A great influence was exercised on my own life by reading a little 
 book which was sent me by a friend shortly before the battle of Bala- 
 clava. It occurred to me this morning that perhaps you would accept 
 a copy of it, to take with you among the other books which no doubt
 
 396 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 will occupy your hours of leisure. I have therefore provided one for 
 each of you, and I wish you GOD speed, and a happy return." 
 
 Mr. Blackwood presided at the Dinner given to welcome the men 
 home in the following October ; and to the end of his life retained 
 his active interest in the Corps. 
 
 At the first meeting after his death, of the Post Office Library and 
 Literary Association, Mr. Buxton Forman alluded to the precedent 
 set by Sir Arthur Blackwood in encouraging the literary Civil 
 Servant. He was the first President of the Post Office Musical 
 Society, and " always took an active and encouraging interest in 
 promoting its success." One of its members, Mr. W. H. Gill, of the 
 Secretary's Office, in October, 1893, set to music and dedicated to 
 Sir Arthur's memory, Heber's Elegy, " Thou art gone to the grave" 
 desiring by " this humble effort to perpetuate in the hearts of all 
 who knew him, the memory of the best of Friends and the kindest 
 of Masters." 
 
 Sir Arthur was also President of the Post Office Total Abstinence 
 Society, which in October, 1893, numbered close upon 3000 members, 
 and claimed branches in thirty-one provincial towns, the largest 
 being at Glasgow, where there was a membership of 281. 
 
 Year after year, from 1879 onwards, Mr. Blackwood, whenever 
 possible, presided at the Annual meetings of this Society, which had 
 started in 1877 with only seventeen members. He spoke at this 
 Second Anniversary, of the hopefulness with which he saw the 
 "class of recruits" who had joined junior sorters, boy sorters, 
 and junior letter carriers, "a good number of the younger hands," 
 from whose energy and earnestness he hoped great things. 
 
 There was perhaps no class amongst those who came under his 
 official influence in which Sir Arthur felt a keener interest than in 
 the Telegraph Messengers. The summer after he became Secretary 
 three hundred of them were invited from the City to spend the day 
 at Shortlands House. He had already shown a warm interest in 
 the West Central District Institute, and took the Chair at its first 
 Annual meeting. In November, 1884, he had the satisfaction of 
 inaugurating a similar Institute for the Boy sorters and Telegraph 
 messengers of the N. W. District. 
 
 It is recorded in Mr. Baines' volumes that when 500 was
 
 THE POSTAL SERVICE 397 
 
 needed to establish the E. C. Telegraph Institute on a durable basis, 
 Sir Arthur went to Wimbledon, and told his story to Lady Wolver- 
 ton, the widow of the former Postmaster-General, who placed in 
 his hands a cheque for the full amount. When she died in January, 
 1894, a deputation of the lads who owed so much to her kindness 
 followed her to the grave. 
 
 Sir Arthur would often preside over these Telegraph Messengers' 
 Meetings. He knew the way to a boy's heart ; and one day in the 
 course of an address in which he was speaking of the joys of a 
 Christian's life, he told them a story which he himself greatly en- 
 joyed. One day when walking through the City, he had run up 
 against a small boy, who looked up, and shouted, " Look out ! Who are 
 yer a shuvin' of, yer six foot o' misery? " " Ah," added Sir Arthur, 
 "he made a mistake there! It's only a Christian who's a really 
 happy man." 
 
 " Some of my lads," says Dr. Barnardo, "who were employed in 
 the Post Office a few years ago, were in a difficulty. I advised them 
 to write a respectful letter to Sir Arthur Blackwood. The latter 
 had an interview with them, and afterwards one of the lads 
 said, ' Sir, he was such a gentleman, and spoke to me as if he was 
 my brother.' " 
 
 Sir Arthur's social powers were not the least of his natural gifts, 
 and he used them unsparingly for the good of the Service. Mr. 
 Baines says: 
 
 "Any gatherings of the employes of the Post Office had his sym- 
 pathies at once. He was good, at the shortest notice, for an evening 
 with a Telegraph Messengers' Institute in any part of London, or, if 
 business allowed, for a scamper on the trial-trip of a new parcel-coach 
 a score or two of miles out of town, or of a mail-steamer on the coast. 
 
 " If a memorial had to be planned or publicly dedicated to a 
 lamented Postmaster-General, he was to the fore, subscribing and 
 assisting. If an opening presented itself for widening the basis of a 
 great benevolent fund, there was he to encourage and suggest. He 
 had the happy faculty of making official business work smoothly, and 
 the labours of his subordinates pleasurable in the last degree." 
 
 In the festivities connected with the Post Office Jubilee in 1890 
 he took an active part. In reporting a successful Post Office 
 Conversazione the Civilian says :
 
 398 LIFE OF SIR AKTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " The guests were received by Sir Arthur Blackwood, a task which 
 kept him posted for three long hours at the entrance to the Gallery, 
 shaking hands with new arrivals, and bestowing a few courteous kindly 
 words on each. Although we have not always been able to approve of 
 his action in matters affecting the Staff, we own to a genuine admira- 
 tion for .Sir Arthur Blackwood. Only a very few know the extent to 
 which his time and strength are devoted to the furtherance of every 
 kind of effort which has for its object the welfare of the large Army 
 of Officials under his control. Nor is his attention exclusively con- 
 fined to the Post Office. His genial presence is seldom missing from 
 any social function connected with the Service, whether inside or 
 outside of his own Department; and his speech at the annual Civil 
 Service Dinner is often the speech of the evening. . . . The Post Office 
 has not lost much by the appointment of two men of the high char- 
 acter of Sir A. Blackwood and Mr. Algernon Tumor. The improvement 
 in the tone of the Service which has taken place, mainly through their 
 influence, during the last ten or fifteen years, is certainly remarkable, 
 and in every respect the condition of the employes has been much 
 ameliorated, whilst as is well known, promotions and other questions 
 affecting the fortunes of individuals are considered with the most 
 anxious care." 
 
 Many public dinners were attended by Sir Arthur both officially 
 and unofficially. He felt the importance of such intercourse with 
 men of business, for enabling him to keep in touch with and up to 
 current events as affecting the General Post Office, and for making 
 the knowledge thus gained of practical service. 
 
 Of the manner in which Sir Arthur Blackwood, whether in the 
 Treasury or the Post Office, fulfilled the official duties which 
 devolved upon him only those who were associated with him, in 
 either superior or subordinate relations, can be competent to speak. 
 
 Sir Keginald Welby, G.C.B., Secretary to the Treasury (now 
 Lord Welby), wrote to the Duchess on October 4, 1893 : 
 
 " TBEABUBY CHAMBERS, WHITEHALL, S.W. 
 
 " I venture on behalf of the Treasury, and I think I might say in 
 behalf of the Heads of the Civil Service, to express to you our sincere 
 sympathy on the death of Sir Arthur Blackwood. 
 
 "All of us who have had the privilege of serving with him honour 
 and appreciate the excellence of his service to the State, and regret the 
 loss of a colleague in whom we all had confidence. 
 
 "We, at the Treasury, have the amplest reason for entertaining
 
 THE POSTAL SERVICE 399 
 
 these feelings, for half of his career in the public service was with us, 
 and the connection between the Post Office and the Treasury is so 
 close, that our official intimacy remained unbroken during the long 
 period in which he filled the responsible and difficult posts of Financial 
 Secretary and Secretary to the Post Office. 
 
 " For myself, I feel deeply the severance from one to whom I am 
 a school-fellow, a college-fellow, and a colleague in the public service. 
 It is some satisfaction to look back on the complete friendship which has 
 so long subsisted between us ; and it may be some solace to you in your 
 sorrow to think how complete and how good has been his career from 
 the time when he became a Government officer, to the close of his 
 successful tenure of one of the highest and at the same time most 
 difficult posts in the Service." 
 
 "The Department never ceased to regard him with esteem and 
 affection," writes Sir Francis Mowatt, K.C.B., Assistant Secretary 
 and Auditor of the Civil List to the Treasury. 
 
 Another old Treasury friend says, " I don't think we thoroughly 
 realized what a position Blackwood held until now. His high 
 character seems to have made a very strong impression in the 
 Service and outside it." 
 
 The official commendation of his official life is given in the 40th 
 Eeport of the Postmaster-General, (Mr. Arnold Morley, for 1893-4.) 
 
 " I cannot conclude this Report without recording the loss sus- 
 tained by the Department and by the public owing to the decease on 
 the 2nd October 1893 of Sir Arthur Blackwood, K.C.B., who, since 1880, 
 had discharged with distinguished ability the arduous duties of 
 Secretary of the Post Office. The premature death, at the age of 
 sixty-one, of one so respected and beloved, has been deeply felt through- 
 out the Department, and is universally regretted. 
 
 " 3rd August, 1894." 
 
 And again, when speaking at the Lord Mayor's Banquet, the 
 Postmaster-General referred to the " great ability and unimpeach- 
 able integrity of character which he had brought to the performance 
 of his duties"; and to his death as "casting a gloom over the 
 whole postal service of the country. Thousands of men and youths 
 felt that in him they had lost not only a chief, but a friend." 
 
 The Duke of Rutland, under whom, when Lord John Manners, 
 Sir Arthur had twice served, spoke of him as " one of the ablest,
 
 400 LIFE OF SIB ABTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 most successful and conscientious servants of the State " ; and 
 another ex-Postinaster-General, Mr. Shaw-Lefevre, wrote : 
 
 "I had known him ever since he was a boy. We had also been 
 frequently brought into close connection officially, and as Postmaster- 
 General, I was impressed by his great ability, his loyalty, and by the 
 conscientious manner in which he performed his duty. I feel certain 
 that the whole of the Postal Service will lament and deplore the loss 
 of one whose heart was so devoted to them." 
 
 " I am much upset and distressed at the loss of our dear friend," 
 wrote the Financial Secretary to the Third Secretary, "a friend I have 
 known, admired, respected and loved since my boyhood, and who was 
 
 always the same." 
 
 And in a letter to the Duchess he says : 
 
 "I shall never forget the thirteen years, unbroken by any jar or 
 any discord, which we spent together at the Post Office. His true and 
 kind and gentle nature has left an impression on the whole staff, and 
 an example to be followed." 
 
 Years before this, the head of another Department of the Post 
 Office, in writing to bid Sir Arthur farewell on retirement had said: 
 
 " I have ever realized the great moral support I have had during 
 your Directorate, and this has enabled me to take courage while 
 carrying on the daily work." 
 
 Mr. Baines thus refers, in his book, to Sir Arthur : 
 
 " With pain and sorrow the word ' late' is written before the name 
 of this good high-minded man. 
 
 " My late chief called me into his room at St. Martin's-le-Grand for 
 the last time on Tuesday, August 1, 1893, at about half-past two in the 
 afternoon. We met in the corridor as he came up the private staircase 
 from Mr. Arnold Morley's room. Taking me by the arm, he explained 
 to me the details of a revision of the Secretary's office, which he had 
 probably just settled with the Postmaster-General. Then he gave 
 me to read a letter from the Treasury, settling the terms of my own 
 retirement, said a few kindly words of sympathy and regret at official 
 separation, and did his best to soften a Treasury decision which 
 negatived what he had recommended, and what had seemed to others 
 a not unreasonable proposal. 
 
 " As I left the room, and turned to close the door, he kissed his 
 hand in mute farewell, and that was the last that I saw of Stevenson 
 Arthur Blackwood. . . . 
 
 " Ten happy years at the Post Office were spent by me directly under
 
 THE POSTAL SEBVICB 401 
 
 his hand. As Assistant-Secretary, it was my duty to see him from 
 1882 to 1892 almost every day. We fell into a swift and comparatively 
 silent method of transacting business which suited both, such being 
 varied only by a cheery remark from him ; for his spirits, if not 
 exuberant, were always good, and rose to any humorous aspect which 
 official papers sometimes presented. 
 
 " Deep-seated as were Sir Arthur Blackwood's religious convictions, 
 and ready as he was to open his mind on the strength or weakness of 
 any form of moral teaching which came under his notice, he forced his 
 own views on none. In official matters he was absolutely uninfluenced 
 by theological tenets. 
 
 "His tastes were, as far as they were known to me, few and simple. 
 The service of the Most High, whether at the desk or on the platform, 
 was clearly his one aim. He found many ways of fighting the good 
 fight. The cause of temperance, or, rather, total abstinence from 
 intoxicants, he lost no chance of furthering; but in his own case he 
 would take hilariously any trifling jeu d'esprit which told against him 
 or his cherished principle. 
 
 "This, by the way, was one of the secrets of the charm of Sir 
 Arthur's manner. He was never offended by what was not meant to 
 offend, and was always ready to see the amusing side of things. 
 
 " Sir Arthur Blackwood will be remembered as a man of sterling 
 worth, who, like Sir Henry Lawrence in India, in all the relations of 
 life, tried to do his duty. An article in the Birmingham Daily Post 
 described him as ' the help and comforter, not only of the poor in goods 
 and circumstances, but of the poor in spirit likewise ; and it was,' so 
 the writer declared, ' to the task of raising the timid and distrustful to 
 hope and exertion that he devoted himself entirely.' What nobler 
 inscription could be traced upon his tomb? " 
 
 In a letter, written some years before upon private matters, 
 which Sir Arthur so valued as to preserve, Mr. Baines had said : 
 
 "Your kind and sympathetic letter makes me bold to write what 
 many would wish, but feel too shy to say, but which yet it seems right 
 you should know : What a pleasure it is to be associated with you, in 
 whatever capacity, in the work which this office has been given to do. 
 Kindness, confidence, consideration, forbearance, a cheery recognition 
 of efforts to do the best, all tend so far to sweeten labour, that the 
 daily task from a duty becomes a privilege, and the official superior an 
 honoured friend." 
 
 26
 
 "FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, AND THE GOOD OF THE 
 
 SERVICE." 
 
 So far back as the year 1857, an entry in Mr. Blackwood's 
 Journal says : " Read The Million-Peopled City. The Post Office and 
 omnibus men take the greatest hold on my interest." 
 
 During his residence at Streatham, about 1861, the heart of Mrs. 
 Hamilton, a lady living there, was stirred to consider the spiritual 
 needs of the Letter Carriers, and thus his attention was again directed 
 to this class. His counsel and help were freely given ; and the 
 result of Mrs. Hamilton's efforts was the appointment by the London 
 City Mission of a missionary to the Letter Carriers, a second man 
 being required in 1863. At the present time four of the Society's 
 agents are thus employed, and the need of a fifth has been strongly 
 urged by the Committee, some of whom are Post Office officials. 
 
 Thus long before Mr. Blackwood's official connection with the 
 Postal Service, his sympathies were engaged on behalf of its em- 
 ployes, some of whom he met and addressed year by year on their 
 visit to Streatham. 
 
 "For more than thirty years," writes the Missionary appointed 
 in 1863, " I enjoyed his personal friendship and help. I was always 
 welcome at his room in the Treasury, and he gave me valuable 
 suggestions, and useful papers for distribution ; and then knelt in 
 prayer, and I felt refreshed and encouraged." 
 
 On entering the Postal Service, the interest so long felt was in- 
 tensified, and ever afterwards the one great object was still upper- 
 most. His kindness towards the Missionaries never flagged, as they 
 themselves testify. The man first appointed retired from his 
 work in 1889, when Sir Arthur notes having been present at " Pur- 
 sell's Farewell Meeting, G. P. 0. " ; and when in 1893 he was asked 
 for his recollections, his wife had to reply that mind and memory 
 
 (402)
 
 "FOB THE GLORY OF GOD, ETC." 403 
 
 and body were all failing, and he had become nearly as helpless as 
 an infant. 
 
 The second Missionary, whose letter has been already quoted, 
 tells how it was Mr. Blackwood who relieved him, after seventeen 
 years' labour in the Districts south of the Thames, of part of his 
 charge by stating at a dinner that one Missionary visited one half of 
 the London Offices, when a gentleman present offered to support 
 another. The letter continues : 
 
 " Now Sir Arthur Blackwood became the Secretary of the G. P. 0., 
 and on every occasion when he came to meetings, he would openly 
 refer to me. I always sat among the employes. Sir Arthur would say, 
 ' I see my dear old friend and brother, your Missionary ; and I must 
 ask him to come on the platform, and sit by my side.' 
 
 " Every employe and official knew their Secretary was my friend and 
 supporter. 
 
 " Soon after Sir Arthur Blackwood became Secretary of the G. P. O., 
 he invited me to meet him in his office. I gladly obeyed, and he 
 assured me of his personal interest in myself and my mission. . . . 
 
 " Then he said, ' I have nailed my colours to the mast, and every 
 employe shall know that I am the LORD'S.' 
 
 " About the last occasion he came to the S. E. District P. O. to 
 preside at a meeting, he asked me to walk with him to the Elephant 
 and Castle Railway Station. He said, ' I feel unable to talk, but I shall 
 like to hear you talk. . . .' 
 
 " Never do I remember such a sense of personal loss. Often the 
 wave of loneliness comes over my spirit. 
 
 " Dear Sir Arthur was bound up with all my service, and his loving 
 spirit, and his entire consecration to Christ, his clear testimony before 
 all the employes is deeply engraven upon my soul." 
 
 Another says : 
 
 " Each time I saw him he was the same, with cheerful loving large- 
 hearted sympathy with me. When I have seen him at the Post Office, 
 he would greet me with the words, ' Well, F., and how are you getting 
 on ? ' Taking my two hands in his, he would say, ' Sit down. I have 
 just two minutes I can give you. Tell me about the work.' As I told 
 him matters of interest, he would utter the words, 'Thank GOD,' as 
 though he meant it ; till at length he would say, 'Now, F., we must part. 
 The LORD go with you and bless you.' 
 
 "On one occasion I was holding a Bible Class in the Basement 
 Kitchen for the Boys at the Cannon Street Office, when he was there, 
 and some one told him I was below. He came down, and was greatly
 
 V 
 
 404 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 pleased to see the Boys gathered together, listening to the Word of 
 GOD. He asked what passage we were studying. It was Genesis xxxvii. 
 When he heard this, he said he had been reading the same chapter 
 himself in the morning. He then said a few words to the Boys on 
 'Joseph being seventeen years old'; and spoke of the temptations 
 which boys of that age were subject to. I believe all the Telegraph 
 boys loved him ; in fact, those who knew him best, loved him most." 
 
 Another of the Missionaries says : 
 
 " Soon after being appointed, I sought and obtained an interview 
 with Sir Arthur at the G. P. O., and the impression of that interview 
 will never be effaced. Possessed as I was with many misgivings and 
 many fears, his warm and kindly Christian reception greatly reduced 
 them. 
 
 "I vividly recal his eager expression of pleasure upon hearing that 
 my reception was favourable. 
 
 "The eagerness with which his volume ' Tlie Shadow and Sub- 
 stanc*;' largely distributed after his death, was received and sought for, 
 evinced how widely he was esteemed : and his memory is still precious, 
 and fruitful of boldness in confessing the Saviour." 
 
 The fourth Missionary writes : 
 
 "Throughout the entire Post and Telegraph service he was highly 
 esteemed as an honest earnest Christian gentleman, desiring the good 
 of all. We shall never forget his manly presence, his simple earnest 
 addresses, the hearty hand-shake, with cheering words of sympathy, 
 as he moved about amongst the men and youths whom he met at the 
 meetings. 
 
 " The remembrance of his official sanction still exerts a strong 
 influence." 
 
 In the efforts of the ladies who in more recent years have begun 
 work outside official ground, Sir Arthur took the same warm interest. 
 An extract from " The Boys' Mail Bag " says : 
 
 "At the first formation of the Postal Telegraph Christian Associa- 
 tion, Miss Edmonstone and Miss Synge had personal interviews with 
 Sir Arthur Blackwood, and they will never forget the kind sympathy 
 and the interest with which he read over with them the proposed 
 plan of their Association, considering its details, and entering warmly 
 into the whole subject. His interest in the work never flagged. He 
 was always ready to take the Chair at their meetings. So bright and 
 cheerful was his manner, that no one could guess how weary he often 
 was after his long day's work, nor what self-denial it must have cost
 
 "FOB THE GLORY OF GOD, ETC." 405 
 
 him to give up the evening hours so needed for rest, and so precious 
 for family enjoyment. Until this year, he always presided at the 
 large Annual Meeting, and also at the P.T.C.A. Telegraph Messengers' 
 Annual Prize-giving. 
 
 " He not only took a deep interest in the messengers as a body, but 
 he cared for them individually, so far as he could possibly become 
 acquainted with them, knowing many of them by name." 
 
 At the inauguration of the Cambridge Branch of this Association 
 in November 1887, Sir Arthur was president, and spoke. He paid 
 many subsequent visits, sometimes taking the Telegraph Messengers' 
 Bible class in Professor Babington's dining-room, or at the Post 
 Office. His last visit was in February, 1892. During his illness, 
 the members met week by week to pray for him ; and even on the 
 day of his departure they sent a message of good news concerning 
 one for whom much prayer had been made, little knowing that it 
 would never reach him. 
 
 " Sir Arthur Blackwood's advent to the Post Office," writes Mr. 
 Orsman, so well known for his own labours amongst the Costermongers, 
 "brought out many timid Christians, and others were confirmed and 
 strengthened in the faith. Whilst always maintaining the dignity of 
 his high position as commander of an army of at least 100,000 men, 
 women, and boys, he was felt to be a friend and adviser to all." 
 
 That great confidence was felt in his kindness and consideration 
 is shown by the fact that the Secretary of a Christian Society in one 
 District Office ventured to ask for a Letter to be written " bearing 
 on the Christian Life," for the encouragement of the members. The 
 writer adds : 
 
 " May I say that your book, ' Shadow and Substance,' has been the 
 means of great blessing to the Christian Mail Drivers at this Office, 
 especially to one dear fellow, to whom it was a source of great help and 
 encouragement on his death-bed." 
 
 Early in the year 1872, Mr. Blackwood received a letter from a 
 stranger, a member of the Civil Service, proposing the formation of 
 a Civil Service Prayer Union of a similar nature to those already 
 existing as the Army and Navy Prayer Union, the Lawyers' Prayer 
 Union, the Bankers' Prayer Union, and others of a kindred charac- 
 ter. These were the result of a "desire for United Prayer; and 
 apart from the blessings promised to united intercessory prayer, it
 
 406 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 was felt to be a great encouragement to Christian men, in the 
 pressure of professional and business life to remember that they are 
 sustained by the prayers of their brethren, and that they are not 
 alone in the fight of faith." 
 
 This was taking a wide range, beyond the limits of his own 
 Department. 
 
 An interview followed ; and Mr. Blackwood proposed that the 
 two should at once commit the matter to GOD in prayer. Soon 
 after, " two meetings of Civil Servants were held at Mr. Blackwood's 
 house in town. They were representative gatherings, bringing 
 together members of the Service from the Foreign Office on the 
 West, to the Custom House on the East. Twenty-one were present. 
 It was resolved to form the Union, and the basis adopted has re- 
 mained the central portion of the basis of the Union ever since. 
 
 " Besides meeting together in spirit at the Throne of Grace every 
 Monday morning, quarterly meetings were at once commenced. They 
 were delightfully informal. Mr. Blackwood was 'chief,' without any 
 assumption of authority as such. He would read a few Scriptures, 
 make a few remarks, and encourage others to do the same. A few 
 hymns would be sung, and prayer offered. 
 
 "For the first eight years, from thirty to eighty gentlemen would 
 be present. After the first three years, special subjects were chosen, 
 such as, 'How to advance the cause of Christ in the Service,' 'The 
 need, method, and power of secret Prayer, etc. For twenty-one years, 
 unless detained by illness or official duty, Mr. Blackwood did not once 
 fail to be in his place. After three years, he was formally elected 
 President, and at his suggestion, a Committee was appointed. 
 
 "Until 1881 the Union was almost a private one, and by that time 
 numbered some three hundred members. In that year a circular was 
 issued to gentlemen in the Civil Service, calling attention to the 
 Union. In the following year, to commemorate the tenth anniversary, 
 an invitation to a special meeting was despatched to all the London 
 Offices. Earl Cairns presided, and six hundred gentlemen came to- 
 gether, and for ever dispelled the notion that Civil Servants as a class 
 were not to be approached on spiritual things. Two years afterwards 
 meetings were commenced in the provinces. And in 1886 the Union 
 was thrown open to all ranks and both sexes. All this seems easy 
 now ; but it was not easy in its origin. Prejudice had to be overcome, 
 official etiquette to be consulted, and threatening obstacles to be 
 avoided. Mr. Blackwood's calmness, impartiality, wisdom and love 
 were among the chief elements which, in dependence upon GOD, were
 
 "FOE THE GLORY OF GOD, ETC." 407 
 
 used to produce a Civil Service Prayer Union, wide in its basis as the 
 Service itself. Very soon the Union numbered a thousand members." 
 
 An extension of the Union to Foreign Countries followed Mr. 
 Black-wood's official journeys to Lisbon, Canada and Vienna. 
 He always had to tell on his return home of many answers to the 
 prayers for which he had asked. 
 
 After the Lisbon Congress, in 1885, the Eepresentative of India 
 founded a Branch for all Civil Servants, without distinction of race 
 or rank. Another Branch was established the following year at 
 Lagos, West Africa, and many native gentlemen were enrolled. 
 
 Sir Arthur's visit to Canada in 1887 resulted in the extension 
 of the Union to the Dominion, " thus," to use his own words, 
 "completing a circle of prayer which unites our brethren in the 
 East before we arise from our beds, and as we lie down to rest 
 carries the same petitions from our brethren in the far West." 
 
 "It is difficult," continues the writer already quoted, "to convey 
 an adequate idea of Sir Arthur's personality at our gatherings. To him 
 the truth, 'All ye are brethren,' was not a theory, but a fact that 
 rejoiced his heart. He loved the brotherhood. Patiently did he show 
 the simplicity of that love at the Conferences which were sometimes 
 held on the affairs of the Union. If some member jarred a little on 
 the unity by needless complaints, he would put the unpleasantness 
 aside with some merry playfulness, and make even the grumbler feel 
 happy. Every member felt him a friend. Each one who knew the 
 grace of GOD, felt that Sir Arthur knew himself to be a sinner saved by 
 grace, and that in all he was and did, he desired to magnify the grace 
 of the LORD Jesus Who had saved him." 
 
 At the time of his death the Union numbered 1570 members, 
 including those on active service and retired. The Junior Union 
 which sprang out of the original Association had, at the same time, 
 about 175 members. 
 
 Of the grief felt throughout the Union upon the removal of its 
 President it is needless to speak. The blank was very great, and 
 also the difficulty of filling the vacant place. "We have to learn," 
 it was said, " that our dependence is not on man, but on our Living 
 and Unchanging God. If the Union rests upon the true basis, it 
 will not suffer through the removal of this good man. He was not 
 our true President, and upon this fact he would ever have been the
 
 408 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 first to insist. But we thank God for the fragrant memory of all 
 that he was to us. 
 
 " ' Servant of God, well done ! 
 
 Rest from thy loved employ ; 
 The battle fought, the victory won, 
 Enter thy Master's joy. 
 
 " ' Soldier of Christ, well done ! 
 Praise be thy new employ ; 
 And while eternal ages run, 
 Rest in thy Master's joy.' "
 
 IX 
 MIDDLE LIFE. 
 
 PARIS. 
 
 SHOBTLANDS. 
 
 LETTERS, FROM 1881-1884. 
 
 LISBON AND SPAIN. 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE IN 1885-6-7. 
 
 EEMINISCENCES AND LETTERS.
 

 
 PARIS. 
 
 "As far back as 1878," says Mr. Baines, "an international exchange 
 of small parcels had been proposed. Great Britain could not assent, 
 because it had at that time no Parcel Post of its own. 
 
 " In 1880 a Special Postal Congress was held at Paris further to 
 examine the question. By that time an Inland Parcel Post was under 
 consideration. The Secretary of the Post Office himself, the late Sir 
 Arthur Blackwood, the late Mr. Benthall, and Mr. Buxton Forman, 
 now Assistant-Secretary in charge of Foreign and Colonial business, 
 attended as Delegates, and took part in drawing up an International 
 Parcel Post Convention. 
 
 " But the Convention could not even be signed, much less ratified 
 by Great Britain, because it was not till 1882 that the Bill promoted 
 in Parliament for the establishment of a Parcel Post in this country 
 became law. Even then the Postmaster-General could not sanction 
 it without the consent of the Treasury. . . . Ultimately it was decided 
 to proceed by separate agreements with each State of the Continent." 
 
 It was within six months of Mr. Blackwood's appointment as 
 Secretary, that he started for the Postal Congress in Paris. He 
 gives his own account of the visit in his letters written home, 
 extracts from which follow. 
 
 " THURSDAY, 6th Oct., 1880. 
 
 " Left Charing Cross at 9.20 with Benthall, and the Indian Official, 
 Mr. Cornwall. Delicious passage. Sat in the bow all the way. Met 
 ' a man I knew,' on board. A 1st class compartment reserved for us 
 three to Paris. Travelled in great state. 
 
 "Our Secretary, Mr. Forman, met us at the station. Went to 
 Meurice's. 
 
 "Found numbers of cards of Delegates. I send you one of mine. 
 I shall have to leave a hundred to-day. Also send you notice of 
 Reception for to-morrow. 
 
 "Friday, 7th. Left a lot of cards at different hotels. Spent an hour 
 and a half in Louvre, which painfully reminded me of the pleasant 
 company in which I last visited it. ... Drove with the other three 
 
 (411)
 
 412 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 gents to British Embassy, where I presented myself to Lord Lyons, 
 and introduced the rest. After a short and general conversation with- 
 drew. 
 
 " Drove to M. Cochery, French P.M. General, to whom I introduced 
 my three colleagues, and with whom I discoursed for a quarter of an 
 hour. It is very convenient, as I have to be the spokesman of the party, 
 having such a perfect command of the Gallic tongue! I astonish the 
 natives. Then to French P. O. to see Heads of Departments, with whom 
 I also converse to their great edification. 
 
 "A delicious five mile walk this morning to Bois de Boulogne before 
 breakfast. 
 
 ''Paid more visits, and assisted (as spectators) at three or four 
 weddings at the Church of St. Cecilia. 
 
 " Saturday, 9th. Attended the General Reception of Delegates at the 
 French Foreign Office. Seeing it was above all things important to 
 maintain the glory of England, India and Canada in the eyes of the 
 world, we determined to spare no expense in the matter of equipage, and 
 therefore acquired the use of a magnificent voiture de remise drawn by 
 two fine black (not hearse) horses, and driven by a splendacious cocker. 
 
 " Further, as the head of the Mission, I thought it well to follow 
 Nelson's example at Trafalgar, and wear all my decorations. I put 
 them on however with some misgivings, lest I should appear the reverse 
 of what Tallyrand said of Lord Castlereagh at the Congress of Vienna, 
 ' bien distingue ' by the plainness of my attire, and draw all eyes upon me 
 by the glittering medals on my breast. Trembling therefore in myself, 
 though silently envied by my undecorated British colleagues, I as- 
 cended the step? of the F. O. and was greatly relieved to find all the 
 foreign representatives wearing their orders, i.e. all who had any to wear. 
 One of them evidently had been in like uncertainty, for he only dis- 
 played a plain ribbon; but seeing the others blazing, he pulled his star 
 out of his pocket, and pinned it on. 
 
 "We made sixty bows, and shook sixty hands, and then sat down, at 
 one ennnnouK round table covered with green cloth, in a splendid salon 
 of the F. O. 
 
 " M. Cochery then rose and read his opening address of welcome, in 
 very good French (at least I thought so) and was well received. There 
 was some fear that the doyen of the Conference, i.e. the oldest member, 
 upon whom it devolved to reply, had run away in a funk ; but he turned 
 up all right, and responded for us all. 
 
 "Then business began. Cochery proposed certain rules, and asked 
 us when we should like to meet. Germany proposed twelve o'clock. 
 Another country said ten. He then asked for other proposals, and with 
 an audacity that surprised myself, I proposed the happy medium of
 
 PARIS 413 
 
 eleven. It was put to the vote, and my proposal was victorious. But 
 C. was not satisfied. The votes were altogether too few out of sixty. 
 So he called for another proposal, when one o'clock was named. This 
 met with general concurrence, and was adopted as our usual hour of 
 meeting. 
 
 " We then separated, much satisfied with so successful a first day's 
 business, and retired to hotel to disrobe. 
 
 " Had a three hours' walk with B. in the Bois de Boulogne, through 
 its woods and along its lakes, getting there first by omnibus, in which 
 I gave away some tracts. Then back to dinner at six. The Italian 
 Delegate sat near us, and we discussed postal matters after dinner to 
 our mutual edification. 
 
 " Sunday, 10th. To Rue d'Agnesseau with B. and C. Church very 
 full. Nice sermon from Phil. 4. 19. Chaplain asked me to lunch with 
 him. . . . Got a good idea of English Church matters in Paris, and 
 agreed, if able, to give a Drawing-room address. Met outside the 
 church . . . Miss A. W , who asked me to dine at Miss de Broen's at 
 Belleville, and speak to the people. I accepted the former, but declined 
 the latter. 
 
 "Set out for Belleville at five. All the world was going to the 
 Sunday Races in the Bois, for which M. Cochery sent me two tickets 
 for his private Box ! 
 
 " A walk of four miles to Belleville, along crowded streets, and up 
 very steep hills in the worst quarter of the town. Belleville is the 
 highest spot in Paris, and looks over the whole city. Dined with Miss 
 de Broen, and her seven or eight English lady workers, and was in- 
 formed that, in spite of my refusal to speak, she had announced me for 
 the evening. 
 
 " I didn't know what to do ; but as I knew that I must make a 
 speech in French on Monday in the service of my country, I thought I 
 ought at least to attempt to speak on Sunday in the service of my GOD. 
 So after prayer, and encouraged by the text of the morning sermon, I 
 agreed to try. 
 
 " The Service at 8.30 was very interesting. About a hundred work- 
 people, in blouses, of both sexes and all ages some very respectably 
 dressed and intelligent were gathered, or came in gradually. After 
 address by a French Evangelist, prayers, etc., I spoke on Lu. xv. for 
 about a quarter of an hour, with ease and comfort. The people most 
 attentive, and though I spoke very slowly, they said I made no mistake 
 of importance. One man, sitting before Miss W., was getting up to go 
 out just before I began, when his wife stopped him, saying, 'Wait. I 
 am sure that is an English gentleman. He looks very intelligent. Let 
 us hear what he has to say.'
 
 414 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "... And so ended my Sunday, very thankful for the help vouch- 
 safed, and encouraged to try again. 
 
 "Monday, Oct. 11. A delicious walk in the Champs (B. calls them 
 'shams') Elysdes from 7-8. Hair-cutter interested in account of 
 doings at Belleville, and gladly received a tract, asking for more. 
 
 " Prepared for Conference, and went to F. O. at one. General dis- 
 cussion opened, each country having to give its views in turn, alpha- 
 betically. In about half an hour, I heard the awful words of the 
 President, i .Je donne la parole a la Grande Bretagne,' and I slowly rose 
 to address the sixty Postmasters-General or Secretaries sitting round 
 the Board of Green Cloth. My address took about eight or nine 
 minutes, and was very well received, my deprecatory allusions to my 
 bad French being met with several, ' Non, Nons.' Anyhow I got 
 through to general satisfaction, though several, notably Germany and 
 Roumania, did not like the views I expressed. 
 
 'When all had spoken, about twenty at least, the general discussion 
 closed ; and a Committee was nominated of about ten leading coun- 
 tries, including Great Britain of course, to go fully into the whole 
 matter, and we adjourned to another splendid salon, where we elected 
 M. Cochery as our chairman, and proceeded to arrange order of business. 
 This was soon done, and at three we closed for the day, luncheon being 
 served in another salon, where we discussed matters in an informal 
 way for some time. 
 
 -Walked off to see Mme. de la Rochejacquelin. She seemed very 
 glad to see me. Asked much after 'chere Cecilia,'" [his Mother] 
 "whether her 'vivacitt' was as great as ever; deplored the existing 
 state of things," [The Republic] "and regretted I was in such 'mauvaiae 
 compayni? ' as that of M. Cochery ! She seemed very well and lively, 
 but eye-sight failing. 
 
 ' B. got with his deaf ear alongside of an American lady at the 
 tahlf d'hote, and the cross questions and crooked answers which he 
 and she played at made me roar with laughter. 
 
 " W'rdnvxday, YMh. Spent the morning in deliberations among our- 
 selves, and in concocting strong protest against the views enunciated 
 yesterday. Dictionary in great request. ... I asked for the 'parole' 
 early in the course of the proceedings, and made my speech, which 
 roused the ire of Germany, France, Roumania, Portugal, Suisse, and 
 others, but found favour with Russia, Sweden, Pays Bas, Italy, and 
 Egypt. We seem to be at considerable cross-purposes at present, and 
 great pressure and some blarney is used to make me give way. But 
 our policy is to be firm, and stick to our guns, and I think they may 
 give way. 
 
 " Thursday, lth. Seeing we were at tremendous loggerheads on
 
 PAEIS 415 
 
 Wednesday, the President proposed that, instead of having a Com- 
 mittee Meeting to-day, those of us who were most impracticable, should 
 meet at F. O. for an informal conversation, which some eleven or 
 twelve States therefore did ; and after going at it for a couple of hours, 
 we seemed to approximate a little, and separated. 
 
 " My companions went to the Opera Comique, to a box the President 
 had sent us tickets for, and I walked off to Miss de Broen's, where I 
 dined with her and her workers at 6. 30, and then went to the meeting. 
 After others had spoken and prayed, I .spoke for twenty-five minutes. 
 
 "Friday, 15th. Miss de Broen was very desirous that I should 
 sleep at Belleville, and address the poor people who attended the 
 Dispensary at ten in the morning. But I preferred returning to hotel 
 for the night. Kising early this morning, however, I walked off to 
 Belleville, and surprised them all at eight o'clock breakfast, by their 
 finding me seated in Miss de B.'s chair at the head of the table when 
 they came in. The little French girl, the reclaimed daughter of a 
 chiffoniers, who waits on them, fully entered into the joke, and did not 
 let them know that I was there. 
 
 "After breakfast, the orphans and others, servants and evangelists, 
 came in, and I read and expounded in French, one of the Evangelists 
 praying. 
 
 " We then went to the Iron Room, where I first saw about forty 
 little children at the school Miss de Broen manages, and then about a 
 hundred poor people waiting to be treated gratuitously. This takes 
 place four days a week. Before they see the doctor, they have a hymn, 
 prayer, and short address, the latter of which I took, speaking to them 
 of the man sick of the palsy, etc. Some seemed much touched. A few 
 had been lately converted, to whom I spoke. 
 
 " Tracts so well received everywhere. 
 
 " Dressed for presentation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. 
 Barthelemy de St. Hilaire, and to the President of the Republic, M. 
 Grevy, two very formal affairs. 
 
 " Had to wear evening dress, orders, etc., and again drove in state 
 to F. O. where we were ushered in alphabetical order into a grand 
 salon, and ranged round the wall like a lot of statues, or undertaker's 
 men. The Minister then came in, and went round the room, ac- 
 companied by the P. M. G. who introduced us all in turn. Then the 
 Minister took his stand in the centre of the room, and read a carefully- 
 prepared address, and was replied to by M. Gtinther, the German 
 Delegate. Then luncheon and chat till 2.15, when we all entered our 
 carriages, and drove off to the Elysee, where the same thing was enacted 
 with the President, in some equally grand rooms. He was attended by 
 an A.D.C. who was the only symbol of state. After he had walked
 
 416 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 round the room, he also made an address on the advantages of Postal 
 reforms, the union of nations by such peaceful means, and a few other 
 truisms. He was then replied to by the Delegate of the Pays Bas, and 
 Gun t her of Germany, and we then filed past, shook hands with the 
 President, and withdrew to F. 0. again, where in white chokers, and 
 evening clothes, etc., we had a stormy discussion for a couple of hours, 
 and are beginning to see our way clear to a solution of some of our 
 difficulties. 
 
 " Saturday, 16th. Meant to have spent the afternoon at Miss de 
 Broen's, but the Committee sat till nearly five, so it was impossible. 
 Dined with M. Andr&, Governor of the Bank of France, to whom M. 
 Waddington had given me an introduction, and who was a great friend 
 of Captain Trotter's, and many other friends of mine. We were alone, 
 and he gave me many interesting details of Christian work in France, 
 and also concerning the Siege of Paris. He was shut up all the time, 
 and had to live on the smallest fare. He was one of the bankers who 
 had to arrange with Bismarck the payment of the War Indemnity. 
 
 "Sunday, 17th. After church lunched with the Chaplain, and ar- 
 ranged with him for a Drawing-room address on Friday evening next. 
 After a quiet afternoon started for Belleville, where I dined, and then 
 spoke to the people. Madame Bobrinsky was there, and a Prince and 
 Princess Garignani. Spoke on Mark v. 1-16. 
 
 " Monday, ISth. Had to meet a Sub-Committee at ten, who were to 
 examine the claims of certain countries. The Sub-Committee was 
 composed of Germany, Holland, Switzerland and Belgium. They sat 
 upon us till 4 KM. Dinner at the P. M. G.'s, a grand affair. Mounted 
 Life Guards at the gates, and all manner of splendour. 
 
 "We were all introduced to Madame G. Cochery, M. Cochery's 
 daughter-in-law, the only lady among forty gentlemen. Each person 
 on arrival received a paper showing his place at the table. (I enclose 
 mine.) As representative of Great Britain (Postal) I had a post of 
 honour, as will be seen, and sat next the Foreign Secretary, M. Barth^- 
 lemy de St. Hilaire, an interesting old gentleman of seventy-five. I 
 told him about the work at Belleville, which he seemed to think was 
 very good. . . . He said he himself was ' Philosophy,' and of very free 
 ideas in religion. But he often read the Psalms of David. . . . 
 
 " Tuesday, 19th. A hard day's work, beginning at ten with the Sub- 
 committee and going on at one with the regular Committee till five. 
 But got a walk for three quarters of an hour in between. Rather tired, 
 especially as things went against us. 
 
 " Wednesday, 20th. Nothing of importance, except that we sat all 
 day long. The Belgian Delegate sat so hard, that he all of a sudden sat 
 on the floor, to the great amusement of us all. A Sub-Committee has
 
 PARIS 417 
 
 now been formed, consisting of Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Pays 
 Bas, Belgium, Suisse, to decide details, and agree upon form of report. 
 
 " Germany has suddenly sprung a mine upon us, in revenge for 
 England having insisted on certain rates, and her motion that reciprocal 
 rates shall be allowed has been carried by an immense majority, only 
 my own three votes for England, India and Canada in the minority. 
 This must be fought over again in full Conference, and will I fear 
 necessitate a long SPEECH. . . . 
 
 " Thursday, 2lst. Long day at Sub-Committee again. We meet 
 every day at eleven, and at twelve or 12.30 adjourn to lunch, or rather 
 second dejeuner. We all gather at little tables, in knots of different 
 countries. The French P. O. gentlemen see that we are well looked 
 after, and all goes well. Then coffee and cognac and cigars, and 
 friendly chat, before we fall to work again, and fighting. As I breakfast 
 heartily at nine, after a four-mile walk, I can't manage second dejeuner 
 at 12.30. So I eat a sandwich, and wait for dinner at six. 
 
 "Got a telegram that English Railway Companies will not accept 
 our terms, which is annoying, and will prevent our settling matters 
 here. . . . 
 
 " Friday, 22nd. Hard at it again. The Belgian Delegate had the 
 previous day applied the term 'mesquin' to Germany's proposals, and 
 I had applauded the term, as a true description. This morning atten- 
 tion was called to the language as 'unparliamentary,' and Dubois 
 withdrew it, so far as any imputation on the good faith of Germany was 
 concerned. I also withdrew my ' applaudisements.' This being satis- 
 factorily settled, we went on harmoniously. 
 
 "In evening went to British Chaplain's and gave an address. 
 
 " Saturday, 23rd. Sub-Committee till two. Then General Committee, 
 to meet French Financial Officials on certain questions, and then Sub- 
 Committee again till five. Went to grand Official Reception at M. 
 Cochery's, at 9.30. A great many notabilities again, including Jules 
 Ferry, the Prime Minister, Lord Lyons, etc. These entertainments 
 very useful. They serve to soften the asperities, and to smoothe 
 feathers which are ruffled in debate, and put us all on good terms with 
 each other for the next day's struggle. 
 
 " I succeeded in making great friends with the Vicomte de Barros, 
 the Portuguese Delegate. Another of us had a long talk with Macredi 
 Effendi, the Turkish Delegate. 
 
 "But the best stroke of business I did was just on going away, 
 when I had a word with M. Cochery himself, and was insisting on the 
 unreasonableness of German propositions, and the necessity of my 
 opposing them formally, when up came Giinther, blazing with decora- 
 tions. Cochery immediately attacked him playfully, repeating the 
 
 27
 
 418 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 statements I had made, and urged him to abandon his position. (In 
 Committee however France had supported him.) I don't think he will 
 abandon it. but it may shake him. Cochery said that he regretted to 
 hear that his (Giinther's) character as a troubler of the Conference was 
 so bad. I then defended his character, saying his bark was worse 
 than his bite, etc. So we ended it for the evening. 
 
 " Nous verrons. 
 
 " Sunday. 24th. . . . Then to Miss Leigh's church at Neuilly, about 
 three miles off, and lunched with the Rector, Dr. Geikie. On way home 
 visited Miss Leigh's Institutions in Avenue Wagram, which appear 
 admirable and excellently managed. Dined at table d'hote, and meant 
 to have gone to one of McCall's preaching stations, but found the one 
 near enough was not open that night. Stayed at home and read. . . . 
 
 " Wednesday, 2^th. Sub-Committee all day. Walked up to call on 
 some Russians, a M. and Mme. Schoulepnikoff. Spent the evening 
 there. Several French Christians came, connected with McCall's 
 work, and we discussed plans for getting at the upper classes. 
 
 " Thursday, 2Sth. Close of Sub-Committee's work. At the end 
 Giinther of Germany, Gife of Belgium and old Hofstadt of Netherlands 
 asked me to have a conversation with them, the object of which was 
 to induce me to abandon my opposition to Giinther's reciprocity clause. 
 They tried hard to make me either agree to his clause, or reduce our 
 rates. 
 
 "Finally we agreed to meet at breakfast at the F. O. next day, so 
 as to see whether we could arrive at an agreement, so as to avoid an 
 open fight in ' Committee of the whole house.' . . . 
 
 "Was to have spoken at Miss de Broen's, but could not neglect 
 preparation of speech, so only went there to dinner and to say good-bye 
 to her. M. Armand de Lille there. 
 
 "In the afternoon, after Sub-Committee had closed, I had met 
 
 M. in the Rue de Rivoli asked him what he was going to do. He 
 
 had nothing to occupy him, so I asked him to accompany me to a 
 meeting which is held every day in the year in the Rue Royale at three 
 P.M., for preaching. He said he would, and we went there, and heard 
 two excellent addresses, which he liked very much. I then gave him 
 one of my little books in French, which he said he would read. After 
 leaving him outside, went back to the little prayer-meeting. Went 
 on with preparation for to-morrow. 
 
 "Friday, 29th. Wrote early to Giinther to say that I had ascertained 
 that some other countries shared my views, and wished me to per- 
 severe ; that in justice to them I could not withdraw now; and that 
 therefore, though I would come to breakfast, it wouldn't be to discuss 
 or concede.
 
 PARIS 419 
 
 "We went to breakfast, and agreed with Gunther to fight it out. 
 Committee met at one, and about three the clause came on. The 
 President said, ' Le delegue de la Grande Bretagne a la parole,' where- 
 upon I delivered my speech. Cochery followed by a terrific onslaught 
 upon poor Gunther. He, i.e., Cochery, is a practised advocate, very 
 clever, most impetuous in his oratory, and full of gesticulation. He 
 smote his breast, he stretched out his hands, he shrugged his shoulders, 
 he raised and lowered his voice, took up and threw down knives, pens, 
 pencils in succession, and finally knocked poor old Gunther into a 
 cocked hat, or at least so flabbergasted the good German that, able 
 and persistent as he is, he could only say a few words in reply. 
 
 "But Cochery's motion went further than mine, and I was in a 
 dilemma. If I persisted in my actual words, I should have gone 
 against Cochery, though some would have voted for mine, who would 
 not for his. It was an awkward moment. The fate of nations hung 
 in the balance ! and in reply to Cochery's violent gesticulations across 
 the table, I decided to accept his, and said so. The votes were taken : 
 eight for Giinther's, nine for Cochery's, seven not voting at all. We 
 had therefore won by one vote. The fight was over. 
 
 "The rest of the business was despatched, and we adjourned at 
 six. I was very glad to have got through it, and to have succeeded. 
 
 " Saturday, 30th. After breakfast went to call on Princess Troubetskei, 
 who had asked me to do so, and then to see M. Leon Say, lately ambas- 
 sador to England, and now President of the Senate of France. . . . 
 
 "Then to the Conference, which met to read the convention for 
 last time, and when it was open to Gunther to raise the question of 
 yesterday once more. 
 
 "Netherlands moved to rescind vote of yesterday. After short 
 debate, votes were taken, and we had eleven against ten again a 
 majority of one ! four abstaining. 
 
 "So the thing is settled in our favour definitely. 
 
 "Gunther came to thank me for my complimentary allusion to 
 him in my speech. I like him very much, and was glad to please him 
 thus, though I had to fight and beat him. 
 
 "Dined at the Palace of the Elys^e, a grand festivity. Life Guards 
 again at entrance. The President, a respectable looking old gentle- 
 man, having the appearance of a retainer who had been thirty years in 
 the family, presented us to Madame Gre"vy and the Mesdemoiselles 
 Grevy. 'Covers laid, 1 as they say, for sixty-six. Magnificent rooms, 
 blazing with light. I had again one of the posts of honour, next the 
 Minister of Agriculture, M. Tirard, on President's left. (See accom- 
 panying picture. I also enclose menu, for edification of such as care for 
 such things.) Left about ten. No reception. The Prime Minister,
 
 420 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 M. Ferry ; the Minister of Finance, M. Hague, and the Foreign 
 Minister, M. St. Hilaire, were there. It was very interesting to be 
 in the very rooms where the Prince President concocted and executed 
 the Coup d'Etat of December, 1852. 
 
 " Sunday, 31s/. . . . Then to Miss Leigh's Home, where I gave an 
 address in English. About a hundred present. 
 
 " Monday, 1st. Up early to go to Calais. A crawling cab, and should 
 have been late, but changed en route. M. Cochery, and the President 
 of the Senate, and M. Matthias, the Chairman of G. N. Railway, and 
 young M. Cochery arrived, and there was no end of bowing, etc., on the 
 platform. We started at 7.35 in a capital saloon carriage, and reached 
 Amiens about ten, where an excellent breakfast was awaiting us in a 
 private salon off the Refreshment room. Picked up M. Carnot, the 
 Minister of Public Works, at Boulogue, with sundry other Railway 
 Directors. Reached Calais at one, where a crowd were in waiting to 
 receive the Ministers. Went to Quay. Then on board, and then to the 
 ancient Mairie, the Town Hall, where matters were discussed for two 
 hours, the subject being the acceleration of the English Mails. Cochery 
 fought like a lion with the Mayor of Calais, the Manager of the G. N. R., 
 the President of the Chamber of Commerce, and everybody else to 
 attain his object. The President of the Senate, whom he had brought 
 to bless him, rather 'cursed' him, and it was a hard fight. I had 
 summoned Sir Thomas Bruce from Dover to meet us, and give informa- 
 tion ; and I explained to them that England had done all that was 
 possible on her side, and that they must do their part now. At last it 
 ended without any definite result, except that the Minister of Public 
 Works half promised to ask the Treasury if they would help to enlarge 
 the Quay and build a new Station. 
 
 "All dined amicably and excellently in the Refreshment Rooms 
 (a private salon), about twenty of us, at five, and started in special 
 train at 0.30. Paris at 11.50, rather tired. 
 
 " Cochery told me that he had much feared a defeat for us on 
 Saturday. But some were glad we had beaten them. . . ." 
 
 On November 4th, Mr. Blackwood returned to London.
 
 SHOETLANDS. 
 
 The lease of Manor House, Crayford, expired in 1880. Mr. 
 Blackwood, from family considerations, decided not to renew it, and 
 left in June of that year. Ultimately, after spending the winter of 
 1880-1 in London, at 35 Great Cumberland Place, the family moved 
 in April, 1881, to Shortlands House, which for nine years was to be 
 their home. 
 
 Shortlands House is about a mile from Beckenhani ; and thus 
 Mr. Blackwood was once more brought into the close neighbourhood 
 of a spot sacred for ever in his memory, although Beckenham was 
 no longer the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chalmers, and all the members 
 of that " household of faith " were now scattered, 
 
 " Some on earth, in glory some, 
 Severed only ' till He come.' " 
 
 Every day as the train carried him to and fro on the journey to 
 town he passed close beside the Eectory grounds. 
 
 " I always remember," writes a friend, " his pointing from the 
 window, as the train ran through Beckenham Station, and saying, 
 'There, under those trees Miss Marsh talked to me of Christ.' 
 
 "Then too, passing through the long tunnel under the Crystal 
 Palace, the recollection so often comes back of his prayer on the return 
 journey, when he thanked GOD once more for the Salvation which 
 he had been the means of making known to my soul. I also recollect 
 one evening walking with him round the garden and fields, talking 
 mostly about old times ; and that we then spoke of the ' Christian Year,' 
 which he was accustomed, like myself, to read on Sundays. Two of the 
 passages which he quoted are always now connected with him. They 
 are that for the 23rd Sunday after Trinity, 
 
 " ' Bed o'er the forest peers the setting sun,' 
 
 into whose beauty of description he entered with keen pleasure, and 
 that other which begins, 
 
 (421)
 
 422 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " ' There are in this loud stunning tide 
 
 Of human care and crime, 
 
 With whom the melodies abide 
 
 Of the everlasting chime.' 
 
 "I can almost hear him repeating still the words which were his 
 very self. How true that was which some one said of him 'That 
 " Whose I am and Whom I serve" was written upon him." " 
 
 "Few of those who came in contact with him," says his Wife, 
 " whether privately or in his official capacity or business occupations, 
 had any idea of the high pressure at which he habitually lived. His 
 official work, particularly after his removal to the Post Office, often 
 taxed his powers to the full. His time for private business was scanty 
 at the best, being usually the short interval between breakfast and the 
 hour to catch the train for London, or the evenings which he had free 
 at home. These however were often encroached upon by people who 
 sought his aid in various ways. 
 
 - He endeavoured to have only two evenings in each week definitely 
 engaged, generally taking two meetings on each of these occasions ; 
 but as these engagements were made two, three, or even six months 
 beforehand, important calls which it was impossible to refuse, would 
 come; and these considerably added to the number. Official duties 
 also would frequently and sometimes unexpectedly require his presence 
 in the House of Commons till after midnight. 
 
 'At the office there was, as a rule, but little pause throughout the 
 day. Interruptions many and various, often trifling and vexatious, 
 during the hours of work were borne with a courtesy which rarely gave 
 sign of the trial they were to him, often making pressing and important 
 business impossible, and necessitating its being finished during the 
 hours which should have been for rest at home. He happened to come 
 across some lines expressive of his feelings: 
 
 " ' Come to a man of business 
 Only in hours of business, 
 Solely on matters of business ; 
 Quickly transact your business ; 
 Then go about your business, 
 Leaving him to attend to his business.' 
 
 "These he had framed and hung up in his room at the G. P. 0. 
 
 " But whatever the stress and strain, his heart rose above it. Those 
 who watched him day by day, and who knew how severe often was 
 the pressure upon him, were constantly reminded of Keble'a words:
 
 SHORTLANDS 423 
 
 " ' There are in this loud stunning tide 
 
 Of human care and crime, 
 With whom the melodies abide 
 
 Of the everlasting chime ; 
 Who carry music in their heart 
 Through dusky lane and wrangling mart, 
 Plying their daily task with busier feet, 
 Because their secret souls a holy strain repeat." 
 
 "He was never, apparently, in a hurry, but would give his attention 
 calmly and quietly, as if there was nothing to be thought of beyond 
 the matter in hand. Counsel would be given, and the affairs of those 
 who sought his advice entered into with an interest as entire as if no 
 other concerns, private or official, were weighing on his mind. 
 
 "He had a wonderful power of casting off the weight of harassing 
 thoughts and difficulties at times neither few nor small which had 
 been pressing upon him up to the moment of taking hansom or train 
 to fulfil an engagement. 
 
 " His addresses were often given after a day in which he had not 
 had a moment's leisure, and had moreover been peculiarly tried. But 
 however tried, it was ever a refreshment to his spirit and a joy to his 
 heart, to seek to win all whom he could reach to prove for themselves 
 the joy of that Service to which he had given his life. 
 
 "Habits of order and method enabled him to get through an 
 amount of work which could not otherwise have been accomplished, 
 and always quietly. Even in early days, when memory was unfailing, 
 it was his habit to make notes of all that had to be attended to, and 
 the occasional loss of the pencil case he always carried, made him very 
 uncomfortable. 
 
 "He could not work with things in confusion about him; and as a 
 rule, could at once lay his hand on any paper or thing required. The 
 notes of his addresses were put away, labelled with the date and the 
 place where they were delivered. 
 
 "He never spoke in public without preparation more or less. In 
 early days and he continued the practice to the end two hours or 
 more were devoted on Sunday evenings to the uninterrupted study of 
 the Bible and to prayer. The habit of early rising secured to him quiet 
 times, 'alone with GOD,' every morning before going out. 'Without that,' 
 he said, ' the day, private and official, must go wrong.' 
 
 "This also enabled him to have that out-door exercise which was a 
 necessity to him, and without which his health always gave way and 
 he was unfit for work. 
 
 "In early morning walks and rides many of the subjects of his 
 addresses were thought out. In later years an hour of Lawn Tennis
 
 424 LIFE OF SIR ABTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 before breakfast, with kind friends at Shortlands winter and summer 
 alike fitted him for the mental wear and tear of the day. 
 
 "His power of organizing and carrying on work was great. He 
 would stir up others to do what he could not himself undertake, and 
 keep things going that without him would have dropped. His hearty 
 cheery encouragement to true workers made it a pleasure to be associated 
 with him. His patience with failures, and with impertinences some- 
 times, was wonderful. No genuine effort, however feeble, failed to 
 receive his commendation." 
 
 When Mr. Blackwood went to Shortlands his hands, as has been 
 said, were already more than full. But he found Navvies busy at 
 the Main Drainage Works close by his gate, and at once sought to 
 do what he could for their benefit. On the Whit-Monday a week or 
 two after his arrival, a gathering was held for them in the fields, 
 with games after dinner, and a meeting in the evening, when he had 
 secured Miss Marsh to speak to them. 
 
 For several years he held different series of weekly meetings in 
 his own house, sometimes getting other speakers, but generally 
 taking these addresses himself. When however after some years 
 he found that a similar course was to be held in Beckenham Town 
 Hall, he decided to discontinue his own, and give aid occasionally 
 at Beckenham. He also, at the invitation of the Vicar, gave a series 
 of addresses in Christ Church Schoolroom, Beckenham. A few 
 letters relating to these different addresses are here given. 
 
 " BECKENHAM, 2nd Feb. 1887. 
 
 ' Many of my friends feel that I owe you a very pleasant duty, which 
 is to tell you of the wide-spread profit all your addresses have been for 
 some time to a rather large circle, through notes taken down at the 
 time. Fir*t I did it on my own account. Being deaf, and not always 
 catching all, I put down a few notes for others to supply blanks. But 
 for the past two or three years I have tried to sit where I could hear 
 all you said. . . . The demand to see these notes was so great, that I 
 began to re-copy from them and from memory to lend. 
 
 " M*S. of your addresses have gone, I might almost say, all over 
 the world, and to many families in Beckenham. Several clergymen 
 and many Nonconformists have them. The little books are always 
 going somewhere, after having been read aloud to two or three families 
 by myself." 
 
 Two other letters are selected.
 
 SHORTLANDS 425 
 
 " CBOYDON, Uth June, 1888. 
 
 "How I valued the meetings at Shortlands House I I look back 
 upon them with the greatest pleasure. From one evening especially 
 I date the beginning of my Christian life. . . . You were speaking of 
 the taking of Jericho. You showed us how that the people had nothing 
 to do but to obey the LORD'S commands, and to trust His Word. I 
 then thought that the same LORD who could do the things that are 
 impossible with men would 'undertake for me.' " 
 
 " CAMBRIDGE, 19th February, 1892. 
 
 "Since you left us at Beckenham, I have always felt a deep 
 gratitude and thankfulness to GOD that you were the means of leading 
 me to give my heart to Christ. Your address on one of the Thursdays 
 after the Mission of 1887 in the Public Hall, Beckenham, led me de- 
 finitely to decide for Christ. 
 
 "I am looking forward to enter the ministry of the Church of 
 England, and have offered, if GOD opens the way, to go out to the 
 Mission Field." 
 
 It would only be monotonous to rehearse at any length the 
 different local efforts in which Sir Arthur took part. A glance at 
 a few of the wider interests which were represented in gatherings at 
 Shortlands House will suffice. Many will remember Mr. T. L. 
 Johnson, who for twenty-five years had himself experienced what it 
 was to be a slave, and who pleaded " for Africa" in January, 1883. 
 Then there was the meeting for the Syrian Colonization Fund, when 
 the venerable Lord Shaftesbury, two years before his death, came to 
 speak on behalf of the persecuted Jews whom that Society sought to 
 aid. Again, there were the garden-meetings at which Mrs. Sorabji 
 told the story of Zenana work and the progress of Female Educa- 
 tion in India ; or Miss Darnell's work amongst soldiers, and the need 
 of a new Home for them in London was represented ; or Mrs. Boyce 
 spoke of her labours in connection with the Asilo at Bordighera, 
 which is still the Memorial of her life's service. 
 
 Then each Christmas, gatherings were held of the members of the 
 Young Abstainers' Union and their friends, when addresses were 
 arranged, generally illustrated by the Magic Lantern. On one occasion 
 Miss Von Finkelstein gave her Lecture on Palestine and Eastern 
 Manners and Customs : on another Mr. Crowther, the Author of " TJie 
 Autobiography of an Acorn," held the interest of old and young, 
 whilst he told of his researches among the works of God in animal 
 and vegetable life. These, and many others rise to memory.
 
 426 LIFE OF SIR AKTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 In the Arthur Road Mission Mr. Blackwood took much interest ; 
 and whenever possible he would give addresses at the Old Becken- 
 ham Mission Hall. When he was taken away, Mr. B. A. Heywood, 
 in expressing the sympathy of the Committee, wrote : 
 
 " May I add some beautiful words which closed a letter from the 
 late Canon Stowell to a husband on the death of his wife? 'I have 
 known few Christians so single in purpose, sound in faith, charitable 
 in spirit, cheerful in obedience, and consistent in character. To GOD 
 the praise be given ! To shade such a sunset with inordinate sorrow 
 would be selfish and wrong.' 
 
 " ' Such a sunset ! ' How long we gaze on the sunset, when the orb 
 has already risen in glory elsewhere. How many have, with you and 
 yours, been gazing on liis sunset, gaining I trust grander views of the 
 Great Author and Finisher of the faith which was the mainspring of 
 that dear departed one's life." 
 
 The following is from the London City Missionary, working at 
 
 the Old Beckenham Mission. 
 
 " tih Dec., 1893. 
 
 "I did not take the liberty of writing to Your Grace in your deep 
 sorrow, as I felt quite unable to express what I felt. ... As for dear 
 Sir Arthur, ire thank GOD for him. What a blessed happy Christmas 
 he will have, to be sure. What a number of old friends he will have 
 with him, and what blessed memories of old times will be revived up 
 there. Dear Madam, the Reunion Day is coming by and bye. Mean- 
 time may you be kept in that sweet peace of GOD. May it please Your 
 Grace to believe me, Ever gratefully yours, 
 
 "G. GALTON."
 
 LETTERS, FROM 1881 TO 1884. 
 
 The year 1881 was marked in Mr. Blackwood's life by the loss 
 of his Mother. The last visit she ever paid was to Shortlands, in 
 July ; and although, as always, she enjoyed herself very much, and 
 delighted in his company, there were signs of feebleness which gave 
 cause for anxiety. Still, though her general condition was some- 
 what precarious, there was no anticipation of anything immediately 
 serious, and when the Duchess and the younger children left in 
 August for Saltburn, it was in the expectation that Mrs. Blackwood 
 would soon come to stay with them there. 
 
 She was now looking forward to the return of her daughter and 
 her eldest grandchild from Wiesbaden ; and was urgent that Mr. 
 Blackwood, who was kept in town by his official duties, should not 
 fail to dine with them on the 8th, at her house, 7 Devonshire 
 Terrace, on their arrival. It was during the night which followed 
 this last little family reunion, which she so greatly enjoyed, that 
 the illness came on which swiftly and comparatively painlessly 
 called her away. 
 
 Some brief extracts from Mr. Blackwood's letters tell of this time, 
 and of the anxiety from day to day in the midst of his overwhelm- 
 ing work. On 2nd August he had written in pencil to his sister, at 
 Wiesbaden. 
 
 " TBAIN. 
 
 " You will have heard that we go (D.V.) to Saltburn. S. is going to 
 Mother to-morrow, and will see how far it may be well for her to 
 come too. . . . 
 
 "We had a most successful Bank Holiday for my Telegraph Boys 
 yesterday. Altogether about 300 came. They marched up and were 
 inspected by us. Then went down to fields for sports and dinner, and 
 then marched up again for prizes, hymns, and talk. Beautiful day, 
 and everybody delighted. 
 
 "Notice in Ezekiel : 
 
 (427)
 
 428 LIFE OF SIB AKTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 " ' He brought me.' 
 
 " ' He measured,' and in xli. 7. 
 
 " 'Still upward,' ' enlarging,' and ' increasing.' " 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " 7th August. 
 
 " I went from Shortlands at 7.12 A.M. yesterday to Herne Hill, where 
 I joined the express, having a carriage all to myself. Reached Dover 
 at 9.30, and crossed in Calais-Douvres, (a delicious passage) to the 
 shores of France, having for my companions in talk Canon Wilkinson, 
 and Pastor Cook, a French Wesleyan, and very pleasant talks too with 
 both. Lunched at Calais, saw the trains off, went to the Church and 
 Market place, etc.. and on board again, at two. A roughish passage 
 home, but very jolly. It seemed at least two days instead of one. 
 So I've had a trip to the continent, if not the Grand Tour. 
 
 " Later I got a telegraph from C. to say she and Lucy were crossing 
 by next boat." 
 
 The L.C.D. Railway Company having given Mr. Blackwood a 
 free pass, he often availed himself of the complete change and rest 
 given by this voyage. He had quite overcome his early dislike to 
 
 the sea. 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [1881,9th Aug.] " Tues. 11 A.M., TRAIN. 
 
 " I am so thankful for your letter this morning, for I have passed a 
 most anxious day yesterday," [a serious alarm about drainage having 
 
 arisen at Saltburn] "which, what with complications with and , 
 
 and 800* children coming, and nowhere to go to, and masses of work 
 at G. P. O., and having to go to Shortlands after office, and then to 
 No. 7, and then to House of Commons, was a most weary and troublous 
 day, all the time feeling that all I loved on earth were inhaling poison. 
 But I did not understand that your telegram of Saturday was sent 
 after your letter, and I looked on the letter as the latest intel- 
 ligence. . . . But I trust with you that all will be better now, and that 
 you have none of you, through GOD'S mercy, been poisoned. 
 
 "11.30. Cab. I trust the 800 children are all right. has let 
 
 them in, and they are playing, and refreshments in tents in the yard. 
 
 " I read your note to my Mother this morning before leaving No. 7 
 with C. to breakfast at Shortlands. My mother is very, very poorly and 
 weak. . . . She evidently needs much care. I sent for Loo to go to her 
 at once. . . . / was prepared for my day of anxiety yesterday by my 
 deliciously quiet day on Sunday. Work thickening at G. P. 0. ... 
 
 * [A party of poor children coming for treat, and owing to a mistake, the 
 promised field failing.]
 
 LETTERS, FROM 1881 TO 1884 429 
 
 " Wed. .Ev., TRAIN. 
 " Just been to Mother's. . . . Dr. sees no immediate danger. 
 
 " Thurs., 9.40 A.M. STATION. 
 
 " Just off to No. 7, after receipt of telegram from Lucy. It doesn't 
 look well, I fear. . . . Things just now are at high pressure. I have to 
 be at H. of Commons again, and sleep in town perhaps. 
 
 "TRAIN, Friday, 11 A.M. 
 
 " I went to my Mother again at six yesterday, and found her very 
 weak indeed. They did not apprehend immediate danger. ... 3 P.M. 
 Just got enclosed telegram : am going off to her. 
 
 " Sat., TRAIN, 11 A.M. 
 
 " Found Mother not actually worse. L. feared she was becoming 
 unconscious, and therefore telegraphed to me. I stayed with her from 
 three to ten, helping to lift her, etc. . . . 
 
 "I can't engage to preach on Sunday week. It's quite uncertain 
 when I can come. I was hoping for a very quiet week to do many 
 things ; but it's ordered differently for me. I wish I could answer 
 children's nice letters, but I can't. Tell them so with my love. 
 
 [Augt. 15th.] " 7 DEVONSHIRE TERRACE, Monday, 1 P.M. 
 
 "A sad and weary day yesterday. There was very little conscious- 
 ness the greater part of the day, though enough to like me to pray and 
 speak to her. I've written down the things she said. The Doctor 
 thought she couldn't live through the day. C. will have told you what she 
 did yesterday. I'm very glad to have had her with me ; it's a great 
 comfort. 
 
 "It's very wearing to see her lingering so. We take it in turn to sit 
 by her bed, and give nourishment, etc., but there is absolutely no 
 hope." 
 
 That night she died. He telegraphed only the Text : " There 
 shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there 
 be any more pain." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [Augt. 16th, 1881] " G. P. 0. 16/8. 
 
 "I have been at G. P. 0., as I was glad to have other occupation 
 after three such painful days, into which I had rather not enter to-day. 
 I can only say that all has been tender mercy to her and to me. ' He 
 has done all things well.' . . . 
 
 "Dear Mr. Chalmers most kindly consents to come for Friday, 
 which is a great relief to L. and self. We should not have liked a 
 stranger. . . .
 
 430 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " I am very sad, but I need hardly tell you that. I am sure no one 
 was ever more fondly and self-sacrificingly loved by a mother." 
 
 A few sheets of paper, stitched together, and marked 
 
 "Mv MOTHER, 
 
 "!N MEMORIAM, 
 
 " August 15th, 188V 
 
 give some of Mr. Blackwood's recollections and thoughts during 
 these days. He records several of the last words which fell with 
 comfort on the watchers' ears, as they waited with her beside the 
 river. 
 
 I'm glad I'm going; life has been very troublesome." 
 
 ' I want to be with Jesus." 
 
 " Do let me go, do let me go. I want to go now, now, now." 
 
 ' The last words I could recognize were on Sunday evening about 
 ten, when she said two or three times, 'Take me up. Take me up.' I 
 thought she wanted me to raise her in the bed, which I did; but she 
 immediately repeated it. I then asked her if it was Jesus she wanted 
 to 'take her up,' to which she said with emphasis, 'Yes.' She never 
 spoke clearly again. . . 
 
 " Lucy and I, who were resting for a few moments in the next room, 
 were summoned. The breathing was very feeble indeed. Lucy sat by 
 the bed's head, and I knelt, holding her dear hand, and prayed to GOD 
 to receive her spirit, and exactly at 10.30 she drew her last breath, and 
 was 'with CHRIST, which is far better.' 
 
 "Thus passed away into the presence of the King of Glory, the 
 spirit of as loving, self-sacrificing, devoted a mother as children ever 
 had ; and we do rejoice to know that as her trust was in His precious 
 Blood, and in that alone, she has joined 'the spirits of just men made 
 perfect,' and has exchanged a life of much inevitable loneliness, with 
 the certainty of increasing suffering, for the life of rest and joy above, 
 and is ' for ever with the LORD.' . . . 
 
 "The tender mercies of our GOD in connection with her departure 
 are very great, and I desire not to forget them. . . . 
 
 "In fact it was all mercy from beginning to end. But these are 
 only a few of the more striking evidences of the kindness of Him Who 
 had given me such a Mother for fifty years. Thus I can indeed say, 
 on reviewing His dealings with her and with us from the day when I 
 first was conscious of her devoted love to that when I witnessed her 
 departure to be with Him for ever, 'Bless the LORD, oh my soul, and 
 all that is within me, bless His Holy Name. Bless the LORD, oh my 
 soul, and forget not all His benefits ! '"
 
 LETTERS, FROM 1881 TO 1884 431 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 " SHOBTLANDS, Tuesday evening, [16th August, 1881.] 
 
 "Your loving lines reached me to-night, and comforted my heart 
 when I came home from London with darling C. who is with me alone 
 here. 
 
 "I cannot tell the numerous mercies connected with it all. Every 
 single thing has been mercy. And though my heart aches sadly, I 
 would not have her back to her lonely life for all the world. She is 
 satisfied. She has seen the King in His beauty. She has joined the 
 husband she so fondly loved, and my darling sister, and blessed be His 
 Name, we shall soon be there too. 
 
 " Darling Lucy is worn out, and very low, but it has been unspeak- 
 ably tender of the LORD allowing us to be together by her dying bed. 
 And dearest C. has been such a sweet comfort to me so gentle and 
 thoughtful and helpful. Bless the LORD, my soul ! 
 
 " On Saturday, D. V., I go to Saltburn with C., and I hope Lucy 
 follows us. 
 
 "SALTBUBN, 22. 8. [1881.] 
 
 " How can I ever thank you enough, most beloved Marny, for that 
 wonderfully loving and consoling visit ? I will in eternity, if I can't 
 here. 
 
 "Nothing but mercy surrounds me. How this place reminds me 
 of that beloved Mother, and of you too, also a Mother. 
 
 "All well, thank GOD. An open door. A meeting last night. One 
 to-night, and two next Sunday. Pray for much blessing. 
 
 "After a rainy morning, the sun broke out fully just as we reached 
 Kensal Green on Friday, and we could rejoice through our tears at 
 knowing how she enjoys the full brightness in her Saviour's presence. 
 Lucy and her husband and boy spent the evening with us at Short- 
 lands, where dearest Mr. Chalmers was of the greatest comfort. 
 
 "Is there anybody like him ? " 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 " SHOBTLANDS HOUSE, Christmas Eve [1881] 
 
 " It is difficult amongst the many thoughts and cares that Christmas- 
 tide brings to get much quiet for talking to Him, and hearing His voice. 
 And there is still the danger that there may be 'no room for Him in 
 the inn.' 
 
 " This Christmas is sad to me, for it reminds me so much of our 
 loving Mother, who always sought to make the time cheery to us by 
 her gifts, etc. : and the first Christmas without a gift or a letter from 
 her, after forty-nine when they were never missing, is a dreary one.
 
 432 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " But we shall soon be all together a whole family in Heaven 
 through His marvellous grace and it's only a little while." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 " SHOBTLANDS HOUSE, New Year's Day [1882.] 
 
 " Thank you so much for that full glorious and all-embracing and ex- 
 pressing Card of Prayer, which I am sure the LORD and Giver of Life 
 inspired and taught you to compose. 
 
 "And He is able to do for us even 'exceedingly abundantly' above 
 it all. 
 
 "I felt my faith enlarge and grow as I prayed it last night at 
 midnight. 
 
 ' I do believe we shall have a glorious year, a year of grace indeed, 
 for ourselves all we love the country and the world. 
 
 ' But apart from GOD, what a dreary saddening despairing out- 
 look. 
 
 'I should so like to see you, though overwhelmed with work, and 
 to-day crippled with sciatica, and kept at home. 
 
 "Have you prayed for my poor blind Chief? so marvellously 
 restored. Such a noble sweet character. . . . Lift up your heart for 
 him." 
 
 Mr. Fawcett, the Postmaster-General, to whom Mr. Blackwood 
 was greatly attached, was at this time recovering from a long and 
 dangerous illness. 
 
 The next family blow was the sudden loss, early in this year, of 
 his step-son, Lord George Montagu, then in the Diplomatic Service 
 at Washington. The news of his illness ^diphtheria reached home 
 on Sunday, 12th March, only two hours before his death. After this it 
 pleased GOD that the inmost circle should be unbroken, until he him- 
 self rejoined upon the glorious shore the many whom he had loved. 
 
 FROM Miss C. WRIGHT. 
 
 " THE LODGE, LENTON, 20th May, [1882] 
 
 "Our gracious Three-One GOD, in His great love wherewith He has 
 loved thee, has brought thee through a half-century of preparation time 
 for the glorious Eternity in His own blessed blissful presence. 
 
 "The chief words of His on my mind for you in these very solemn 
 times are Luke xviii. 7, 8, and Ps. viii. 1, 2. Shall it not be in His poor 
 weak members, as well as in Himself in His weakness, that He will 
 'still the enemy and the avenger'? Satan in all his terribleness of 
 power permitted, shall be bruised under their feet shortly."
 
 LETTERS, FROM 1881 TO 1884 433 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 " SHORTLANDS, Sunday Evening [13th August 1882] 
 
 " I must write you a line for you to receive on the 1st anniversary 
 of the departure of our most loving and dearly-loved Mother from 
 among us, and of her entrance into the everlasting kingdom of her and 
 of our Saviour. 
 
 "And as I write, looking at her dear old face in her photograph, I 
 feel how much I have to thank GOD for in having let me have fifty 
 years (nearly) of such devoted self-sacrificing love as hers was to me. 
 I wish I had repaid her better. 
 
 "And what cause for praise in the knowledge that we shall see her 
 and be with her soon, and with the other loved ones gone before. 
 Hallelujah ! 
 
 " I was so near you yesterday, for I went with the Chairman and 
 Directors of the L. C. D., and some hundred others, across to Calais in 
 the trial trip of the Invicta, a splendid boat, which did the passage in 
 1 h. 12 min. each way. I looked at the roofs of Fredville and Nonington 
 as I rattled past, and wished I could have stopped there. We had a 
 delicious trip in that lovely weather a magnificent 'spread' at Calais, 
 etc. Left home at 8.30, and reached it again at 7.30. 
 
 "I have had a delicious quiet solitary Sunday at home, a very 
 good thing sometimes for a busy man, in a life thronged with family 
 and office cares and duties. Hope to go to Sherringham to-morrow." 
 
 To Miss F. GLADSTONE. 
 
 " SHERBINGHAM, 1. 9 [1882] 
 
 " I enclose cheque. . . . 
 
 " The fact is, business follows me here so much that I can't keep 
 pace with my correspondents. 
 
 " This is a charming place. My sister and nephew are with us, and 
 we enjoy it immensely. Drawing-room addresses, Bible-readings with 
 Aitken, Bishop of Norwich, Hankin, and many others. Excursions on 
 the Broads, Picnics, Lawn Tennis, Boating, and all manner of good 
 things for spirit, mind and body. 
 
 " IN TRAIN FROM CROMER TO LONDON, 25. 9. 82. 
 
 " It was cheering to me to hear again that GOD had graciously made 
 me of use to you and yours. 
 
 "We can all say that 'The things which have happened unto us 
 have fallen out to the furtherance of the Gospel,' and can praise our 
 Loving Father for the way He has led us. 
 
 " My nine years at Crayford were rendered very happy to a great 
 extent by the Christian fellowship and sympathy I always found at 
 
 28
 
 434 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Halcot ; and it is impossible to say how much I am indebted to you all 
 for, nor how much I was encouraged by, your ever ready help in the 
 LORD'S work. 
 
 " Thank GOD, we need not expect ' years of famine ' to succeed. 
 There is more to follow much more, and more abundantly. May we 
 be prepared to receive it, and use it all for Him. 
 
 "Wednesday, D. V., I go to Dunira, etc., for a fortnight before 
 commencing winter work." 
 
 To MRS. ROBERT GLADSTONE. 
 
 "G. P.O., 28. 11. [1882.] 
 
 " I am so very sorry to hear of F.'s serious illness, and your anxiety. 
 
 "We have already remembered her and you in prayer, and shall 
 continue to do so earnestly, specially at Crayford to-night. I sincerely 
 trust we may soon hear of real improvement, and that your heart may 
 be kept in the peace of GOD which passeth all understanding. 
 
 "I am awfully hard worked, but manage to keep on. But my voice 
 is in a poor way, and my doctor a throat specialist says I ought to 
 give it rest." 
 
 Towards the close of the year, another attack of sciatica laid 
 Mr. Black wood entirely aside. The entry in his DIARY OF DATES is 
 " Neuralgia and rheumatism very bad." The letter to his sister 
 
 which follows is written in pencil. 
 
 " SHOBTLANDS, 31. 1. 83. 
 
 "Your loving words were very pleasant and refreshing. 
 
 " I am no better yet a very bad day yesterday, but an improve- 
 ment to-day again. Principally on my back, though sometimes able to 
 get out and walk without much pain. I've had it nearly five weeks 
 now. But 'all the days of my appointed time will I wait till my 
 change come' ; and as 'my times are in His hand,' it will come in due 
 season. In the meantime patience must have 'her perfect work.' I 
 only trust that I may reap the peaceable fruit of righteousness by this 
 exercise, and that it may be profitable, if not pleasant. 
 
 "Job xxxiii. and Is. xxxviii. have been good reading just now. 
 
 " I have a multitude of mercies." 
 
 Early in February he was able to go for change to Bournemouth, 
 to the house of his friends, Lord and Lady Cairns. 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 [In pencil.] 
 
 " LINDIBFARNE, BOURNEMOUTH, 8th Feb. 1883. 
 
 "Here I am, through the goodness of GOD, in this hospitable and 
 kindly home, where there still breathes the sweet odour of those
 
 LETTERS, FROM 1881 TO 1884 435 
 
 alabaster boxes that you get from Mary's LORD, and break wherever 
 you go. 
 
 "I have not yet begun to 'dance' as you proposed, though if you 
 were here to 'foot it' daintily with me, I might be tempted. But I 
 trust that the improvement which had set in at home may continue 
 here, and that I may pick up wonderfully. 
 
 " I want to recognize the LORD'S tender hand in first touching so 
 gently the hollow of my thigh, and then healing the pain, so that 
 Hezekiah's song may be mine. 
 
 '"The end of the LORD' is indeed that He is 'very pitiful and of 
 tender mercy.' 
 
 " ' Therefore we will sing my songs all the days of my life in the 
 house of the LORD.' 
 
 " ' He hath both spoken to me, and Himself hath done it.' 
 
 " But I know that your loving prayers have marvellously helped, 
 and I owe you more gratitude and love than ever. 
 
 " 4 P.M. 
 
 "How little have I suffered compared with many, and how great 
 the mercies I have received. 
 
 "I have been reading my Journal of our journey to Marseilles 
 these very days twenty-six years ago. How pleasant it was ! When 
 shall we have another? Our next will probably be to the 'Eternal 
 City,' and oh ! I hope we may go together. 
 
 [23rd Feb. 1883.] 
 
 " Much, much better, and returning home to-morrow, D. V. These 
 kind friends here are kinder and more considerate than can be de- 
 scribed. The LORD reward them. 
 
 " I'm glad you took a return ticket. It is certainly needful for us 
 all that you should abide in the flesh, for the furtherance and joy of 
 our faith. So we are very much obliged to the dear LORD, that He 
 has dispensed with your attendance at Court for the present. 
 
 " Oh, will He not hear the prayers of thousands against Infidelity 
 in House of Commons ? May He stir up a strong spirit against the 
 flood." 
 
 On 24th February, Mr. Blackwood was able to go home, and 
 resumed his usual busy life. 
 
 FROM SIR JOHN BURNS. 
 
 " THE CUNAED STEAMSHIP Co. LD. 
 
 " 15th March, 1883. 
 
 " MY DEAR BLACKWOOD, Much obliged by your note. 
 "What a trouble women have been since the beginning, except in 
 our own particular cases. Mr. had no business to fall in love
 
 436 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 during the Session ; but having done so, I shall be personally obliged 
 if you can do the business with the Chancellor. . . . 
 
 "Let me tell you before leaving how much I appreciate your high 
 honour and integrity of purpose, and I can tell you that the truth and 
 sincerity of your life has a vast effect upon men dealing with you in 
 the ordinary affairs of time. 
 
 " Yours sincerely, with much respect, 
 
 "JOHN BURNS." 
 
 To Miss F. GLADSTONE. 
 
 " 1st May, 83. 
 
 "Thank you for thinking of me on 24th. . . . If you feel what you 
 say about nine years' experience of the long-suffering and forbearance 
 of GOD, what must I feel with three times nine ? 
 
 " ' It passeth knowledge.' 
 
 "May He make the future in us both better than the past has 
 been. I am just getting over my ' smash ' of a month ago, and can play 
 Lawn Tennis." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " SHOBTLANBS, May 6th, [1883.] 
 "Hallelujah! 
 
 "And again they said 'Hallelujah,' and I keep saying it again and 
 again, because of that glorious answer to prayer from our ascended 
 LORD on Ascension Day. 
 
 " I hoped against hope for it. Daily have we been praying that He 
 might not be so dishonoured by us as a nation ; and though I believed 
 that the majority would be so small for the Bill as to warrant the 
 House of Lords in rejecting it, I hardly ventured to hope that it 
 would actually be defeated in the House of Commons. 
 
 "I could hardly bear to open the Times, but when I saw that it 
 was absolutely a majority against the Bill, I quite broke down for joy 
 and thankfulness. 
 
 "My first impulse after praising GOD was to rush off to hold a 
 Praise meeting with you. What an answer to prayer it is; and what a 
 token that in spite of all our sins, national and individual, He has not 
 cast us off, nor taken away His mercy from us." 
 
 To HIS FATHER-IN-LAW, MR. CONWAY RICHARD DOBBS. 
 
 " SHORTLANDS HOUSE, 
 " Sunday night, 10th June /88. 
 
 "Mv DEAR FATHER, Not having much time, as you know, on 
 week days, I don't think I shall be Sabbath breaking if I write you a 
 line of Christian greeting before I go to bed to-night. And very 
 hearty greeting it is too, I can assure you.
 
 LETTEES, FROM 1881 TO 1884 437 
 
 "We have been thinking of you very often in prayer, both together 
 and separately, and now we rejoice to hear that you are better than 
 you were. 
 
 "What a blessed thing it is to be able to say in truth 'My times 
 are in Thy hands,' for 'He doeth all things well,' and makes no 
 mistakes. 
 
 "I learnt something this last winter of what weakness and pain 
 meant, when I was nearly two months on my back with neuralgia; 
 and I then found how good a medicine the blessed Word of GOD was. 
 I lived much in Job xxxiii., and when I got well, removed to Isaiah 
 xxxviii., Hezekiah's prayer when he had been sick. How wonderful it 
 is, the way that Divine Word suits us at all times. Is it not one 
 of the proofs that it is indeed divine, and not, as many would teach us, 
 a mere human composition, a cunningly devised fable ? 
 
 "May its promises be more and more your support and stay. 
 They can never fail. 
 
 " ' The voice that spake the promises 
 Bolls all the worlds along.' 
 
 "I am going to send you a little book I have just published. It 
 has this great advantage that it is all Scripture, and nothing of mine 
 but the preface." 
 
 To HIS SlSTEE, AT LENTON. 
 
 " SHOBTLANDS, 10. 7. 83. 
 
 "... Dearest Aunt C ! I am so glad you are with her. It will 
 
 be a comfort to her, and a sad joy to you. I had a very trembling letter 
 from her last week, which I treasure, as it will be doubtless her last to 
 me. Give her my very fondest love, and say that I can never repay her 
 all I owe for fifty-one years of prayer, and many sweet counsels and 
 helps by the way. The books she sent me were the main instruments 
 in awakening my soul. I look forward to meeting her very soon in the 
 LORD'S own presence. 
 
 " My text for her is Is. 26. 3, 4. 
 
 "Give dearest Aunt Anne too my best love. The good LORD comfort 
 her now." 
 
 After some weeks spent at Cromer in the summer, Mr. Black- 
 wood, with his eldest daughter, went to Buxton, in the hope of 
 gaining relief from the rheumatism which still hung about him. 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " BOXTON, 19th Sept. 
 
 "Here we are in a cosy little abode, rather crammed up with 
 furniture, glass and pictures, but very snug, and high up on the hills, 
 indeed the highest house in Buxton.
 
 438 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "Have had my interview with Doctor, first bath, etc. etc. C. seems 
 to keep house thus far very well, and it is very jolly. 
 
 " Laddie is well received, and is quite happy. Great difficulty in 
 getting horses, but have secured two for to-morrow. Splendid weather, 
 but very hot." 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " BUXTON 5/10 [1883.] 
 
 "As you haven't written to your only brother since you left him at 
 Cromer, he must write to you, and anyhow he does so on the 28th 
 Anniversary of the entrance of our darling Ceci into eternal joy. . . . 
 You will be having some talks about her, I doubt not. 
 
 " Soon we shall all be talking with her in the presence of the King. 
 
 " It does one good to think of the meeting again, when we shall see 
 Him, and our loved ones who have fallen asleep in Him. 
 
 " ' Thoughts of His Coming for that joyful day 
 In patient hope I wait, and watch, and pray; 
 That Day draws nigh, the midnight shadows flee : 
 Oh ! what a sunrise will that advent be ! ' 
 
 "C. and I are getting on capitally here, in some very tiny lodgings, 
 drinking and bathing. It has certainly done me good, removing some 
 rheumatism in my knee, and will I trust ward off an attack in the 
 winter, if the LORD will. 
 
 "We went out riding one day on some cab horses, at the risk of our 
 necks ; but once was enough." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " DOFFIELD HALL, DERBY. 11/10 7 P.M. 
 
 "Had a most delicious visit to the dear old Aunts, after all, who 
 were delighted to see me, and would have been greatly distressed if I had 
 not come. Saw the Brownes, and surveyed the Nottingham Post 
 Office." 
 
 To Miss F. GLADSTONE. 
 
 " 19. 12. 83. SHOBTLANDS HOUSE. 
 
 " Splendid Gospel Temperance Mission at Crayford last week. Several 
 souls blessed, and 115 Pledges taken. Hall packed every night. Night 
 School most flourishing. 
 
 "Our Thursdays are going on well and capitally attended. 
 
 " Boys came home yesterday, and we are filling up for Christmas 
 and subsequently. 
 
 "We ride a good deal. I wish you could join us, and Polly too. 
 
 "A. learns to fiddle, and A. to piano and organ."
 
 LETTERS, FROM 1881 TO 1884 439 
 
 August and September of the following year were spent at 
 Ballachulish. 
 
 To Miss ODELL. 
 
 " 5th Sept., 84. 
 
 " The Duchess wrote to say how deeply concerned we were to hear 
 of your sister's and Miss Button's accident. 
 
 " I think the great enemy causes accidents to GOD'S people ; and if 
 GOD does not see fit to prevent them, He either turns them to our good, 
 or sends some angels to prevent them from being so bad as they other- 
 wise would be. So I conclude that one of the ' Ministering spirits ' 
 which ' excel in strength ' was ' caused to fly swiftly ' to Gravel Hill 
 that day, and prevented broken bones. 
 
 " I hope to open the Night School in person, and to be over as often 
 as possible on a Tuesday. I preach (D. V.) Sunday evening at Glencoe, 
 and Sunday morning here. Pray for me." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [1884, 3rd Oct.] " CHILLINGHAM, Friday. 
 
 " A whole host of letters to answer, and post goes so early 1. P.M. 
 
 " I am very sorry to see Mr. 's letter. It will require considera- 
 tion. May GOD guide us. The thing in itself is, I feel, utterly immaterial, 
 and may have its advantages. But it is a step in the direction of in- 
 crease in outward forms, which lulls souls to sleep, and in proportion to 
 such increase, inward reality decreases. . . ." 
 
 A letter from Lord Tankerville to a friend describes a meeting 
 held during this visit. 
 
 [6th October, 1884] 
 
 " Yesterday was such a day as Chillingham never saw before the old 
 Castle, turned into an impromptu cathedral, was fairly taken by storm, 
 a vast multitude having gathered to hear the Jubilee Singers and their 
 touching hymns, which we thought might be turned to good account 
 in connection with an address from Mr. Stevenson Blackwood, who 
 was here with us. We fancied that the court-yard (a large square, on 
 the four sides of which the Castle, with its four corner towers and 
 battlements, is built) would be large enough for any numbers who were 
 within reach, but when the gate was opened, the first rush filled it, and 
 they still came pouring in like a river; so I desired them to go up the 
 tower staircases, and man the battlements, which made excellent 
 galleries but still more came, some of whom were allowed to go into 
 all the rooms looking into the court. The scene was very striking, all 
 these crowds of faces so intent, so quiet and orderly. Still there were 
 many who were disappointed, for we expected perhaps five or six 
 hundred, and there were, I am told, upwards of two thousand.
 
 440 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "... From the stone steps, in the centre of one side of the court, 
 which lead up to the Hall, there was a platform raised for the Singers, 
 and from this Mr. Blackwood spoke. After settling the crowd, who 
 marshalled themselves to order like soldiers, the Jubilee Singers began. 
 You heard only a faint note in unison, like the wind among leaves, 
 which resolved itself into a beautiful chord on an ^Eolian harp, and 
 then they swelled their voices into full song. The hymn ' My Redeemer' 
 was most impressive, and when it died away, you might have heard a 
 pin drop. 
 
 "Mr. Blackwood then began, and was splendid, fixing the whole 
 audience, although nine-tenths of them only came to hear the Jubilee 
 Singers, and would naturally be impatient to get back to them. But 
 many said afterwards, that they liked the address and the prayer at 
 the end better even than the music. 
 
 "And certainly from those earnest faces, and the dead silence, 
 even of the children, one would think so. The elements too were 
 under command, for though we are now late in the season for fine 
 weather, and subject to Equinoctial Gales, the day was as bright and 
 still as any summer's day that we have had; and though boys and 
 men were perched up on all the tower tops and rickety old battle- 
 ments, not an accident or contretemps of any kind occurred, while two 
 thousand people wandered at will through all the gardens and flower- 
 beds, and never trod upon one or gathered a single flower, though there 
 was no one to hinder them. About sixty or eighty came afterwards 
 into the Hall, before finally going away, where we had a parting prayer 
 with them. 
 
 "Mr. Blackwood's discourse was very suitable to his mixed audience, 
 and reminded me of our Saviour's, when He travelled with the two 
 disciples on the road to Emmaus: 'He began with Moses and the 
 prophets, and expounded all things concerning Christ ' and the way 
 of Salvation, blending the Old and New Testament beautifully. 
 
 " I could not help thinking when that weird music chimed in so 
 meltingly, that these songs of their captivity (as they call them) might 
 have been something of an echo of the songs of the captive children of 
 Israel, when they hung their harps on the willows, and wept by the 
 waters of Babylon ; and their songs, if they could have been handed 
 down to us, must have been most beautiful, for the Jews are the first 
 musicians and the first composers in the world. But as song, like 
 poetry, is the outcome of the passions, whether of joy or of sorrow, all 
 the world over, these wild plaintive hymns, longing to be away in the 
 Home to come, might have some resemblance to those of ages past, as 
 'like causes produce like effects.' 
 
 "Altogether our October 5th was a very memorable one, and I do
 
 LETTERS, FROM 1881 TO 1884 441 
 
 hope and believe will be a day to be remembered by many, who went 
 away with very different thoughts than those they came with : and 
 certainly, these old walls never saw such a day." 
 
 In November the Postmaster-General, Mr. Fawcett, died. Mr. 
 Blackwood greatly felt his loss, and in writing to Miss Marsh he 
 says : 
 
 " G. P. O. llth Nov. 84. 
 
 "Thank you so much for your thoughtful lines of loving sympathy. 
 
 "It is indeed a great loss to us all, as well as to the country, and 
 very severe to me. 
 
 " He had won not only my respect and esteem, but affection, and 
 was a personal friend, as well as most able chief. 
 
 " His last words to me, ten days ago, were begging me to write a 
 few kindly words of sympathy to an old servant of the Department, 
 who had been in severe trial. 
 
 "... He was intensely upright, fair, considerate, unselfish and kind, 
 and these win love. 
 
 " Many hearts are mourning him, and not least mine. 
 
 " His successor, though not yet announced, will be the one man in 
 the whole Ministry who from old Eton and Cambridge friendship, and 
 from having acted as Mr. Fawcett's deputy in his former illness, will 
 be most acceptable and helpful to me, (G. Shaw-Lefevre) and for this 
 I am very thankful." 
 
 On the evening of the day on which this lettter was written, 
 Mr. Blackwood presided at the Annual Meeting of the Post Office 
 Total Abstinence Society, and spoke with much feeling of the 
 shadow which rested upon them in the death of their chief. He 
 went on to speak of Mr. Fawcett's warm interest in every person 
 connected with the Post Office, adding that after four years of close 
 association he could testify that he often took much longer to decide 
 upon what many would call small matters such as those of pro- 
 motion, discipline, dismissal, or if necessary, prosecution for more 
 serious offences than upon the great questions which were brought 
 before him, though these sometimes involved millions of pounds. 
 
 Mr. Blackwood of course made one of the company of sincere 
 mourners who stood round the blind Postmaster-General's grave in 
 the little quiet churchyard at Trumpington, near Cambridge, when 
 the brave and triumphant struggle with misfortune and physical 
 infirmity was ended ; and almost the latest, if not the latest public
 
 442 LIFE OF SIB ABTHTJB BLACKWOOD 
 
 occasion in which Sir Arthur took part was the unveiling of the 
 statue of the chief whom he so loved and esteemed. 
 
 A few years later Mrs. Henry Fawcett wrote to the Duchess : 
 
 "Uh October, 1893. 
 
 " I cannot forbear offering you my deep and sincere sympathy on 
 the great sorrow that has befallen you. Since 1880, when my husband 
 became Postmaster-General, I have had from time to time opportunities 
 of becoming acquainted with Sir Arthur Blackwood's loyal generous 
 character; and if I may speak of my own feelings, I would say that I 
 have lost a friend who never failed to show me sympathy and kindness, 
 and on whom I constantly relied, on all matters connected with my 
 own dear husband, for continually repeated proofs of the appreciation, 
 and I may add affection, which existed between the two men who were 
 in many respects so different in character and mode of thought. 
 
 I was greatly touched by the latest evidence which Sir Arthur 
 Blackwood gave of this feeling, when he attended the unveiling of my 
 husband's statue at Lambeth in June last, and spoke on the occasion. 
 It was easy to see how great an effort it was to him, in his then state 
 of health. I greatly valued what he said, and the fact of his presence 
 at the time, and I shall value the memory of it even more now."
 
 LISBON AND SPAIN. 
 
 On January 20, 1885, Mr. Blackwood, accompanied by Mr. 
 Buxton Forman and Mr. A. C. King, left London to attend, as the 
 Representative of Great Britain, the Universal Postal Congress at 
 Lisbon. 
 
 The extracts which follow are from letters written to his own 
 family. 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " PARIS, HOTEL DBS DEUX MONDES, 
 
 " Tuesday night, Jan. 20th, 1885. 
 
 "Thus far a prosperous journey. The country all the way to Paris 
 covered with snow. The Vice-Consul on board, who had arranged 
 everything for us. 
 
 "At Paris two P. 0. men met us, got our baggage through, and 
 did everything for us very kindly. 
 
 was to have called. But ' une circonstance imperieuse et im- 
 
 prevue. ' prevents him. F. thinks that's Mrs. . But she could hardly 
 
 be called imprevue, if imperieuse. 
 
 " Jan. 21st, 1885, HOTEL DE FBANCE, BOBDEAUX. 
 
 "We reached Bordeaux punctually at six. I am now writing in a 
 very comfortable little bed-room by a wood-fire, and thinking of you all 
 in the Drawing Room at about 8.15. I can easily think of you at meals, 
 prayers, etc. I wish you would read the Bible Union Chapter at 
 prayers in the morning now, as I shall then be able to have the pleasure 
 of feeling that we are reading the very same words at the same moment. 
 Malachi, Matthew, etc., will be very nice thus. I am feeling very lonely. 
 But the bustle of travelling occupies one. 
 
 " If you see E. H. please thank her very warmly for a most beautiful 
 and ingeniously put together selection of passages she sent me for the 
 journey, and say that I constantly refer to them. 
 
 " Thursday, Jan. 22nd, S. SEBASTIAN. 
 
 "A glorious and most jolly day this has been. I only wish you had 
 all been with me to enjoy it. Started for station at 6.30. . . . 
 
 (443)
 
 444 LIFE OF SIB AETHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 "At about two o'clock we reached this, in almost summer weather. 
 . . . After lunch we went to a magnificent church, quite a cathedral, 
 towards which crowds were streaming, principally women, many in 
 mantillas. A great function was to take place, the feast of St. Vincent. 
 The grand organ was playing over our heads, and a male choir singing 
 beautifully. The whole church illuminated at high and every altar, 
 and the body of it filled with a foreground all in black, against which 
 the lighted high altar shone out. It was most picturesque. Presently 
 three priests, preceded and followed by acolytes and candles and boys 
 and other priests, came down from the organ loft or thereabouts, and 
 passed us close by, dressed in most magnificent scarlet and gold brocade. 
 The Sacristan ran about tapping everybody, hitherto kneeling, to make 
 them get up, and then the procession went up the nave. All they did 
 was to incense the altar twice, kneel about six times, and then march 
 back again. The three priests looked proud, hard-featured, and con- 
 scious of their power over the ignorant crowd around them. . . . 
 
 " We then climbed up to the Citadel, or Monte Negallo, taken by 
 Wellington after fearful slaughter. 
 
 "We hear that the line is indeed stopped, six feet of snow for some 
 miles, so in all probability we shall stay here to-morrow. 
 
 "There's much that makes one feel really in Spain here, the women's 
 dress particularly. The beauty of men and women is striking; and the 
 gentlemen all walk about in great cloaks, wrapped round their necks. 
 On entering a shop we take off our hats, and don't put them on again 
 till the shop-keeper says, ' Couvrez vous, Monsieur.' 
 
 "The foreign officials pay immense deference to 'Monsieur le Direc- 
 tfur General des Posies de FAngleterre,' and he is very affable and con- 
 descending (!) 
 
 "This place reminds me very much of Oban. 
 
 " SAN SEBASTIAN, Friday, 23rd January. 
 
 "We have still fallen on our legs. It being impossible to go for- 
 ward, excepting by Miranda, which would be like taking eighteen 
 hours to get to Cambridge by way of Exeter and Liverpool, we decided 
 to stand still, and we did well. The interruption of the line is very 
 short, and in a cutting only five feet deep; but owing to the wind, and 
 the dusty condition of the snow, as fast as the men shovel it out, it 
 blows in again. But that may be only another way of euphemistically 
 describing Spanish laziness. 
 
 "After breakfast we strolled through the town again, marking men 
 and manners. The Governor of the Province (Guipazcoa), was holding 
 a Lev^e, as it was the FP,te du Roi. All the Civil and Military authori- 
 ties arrived in succession, in resplendent uniforms, cocked hats and 
 orders. Mayor, Alcalde, deputies and every imaginable and unimagin-
 
 LISBON AND SPAIN 445 
 
 able official. The bands played capitally ; and it was most amusing to 
 see the fringe of babies all round, who were danced up and down above 
 the heads of the crowd by their nurses, the babies in white, and the 
 nurses, like most Spanish women, in black. Gentry and beggars stood 
 all round, the former wrapping themselves in folds of cloaks lined with 
 scarlet or azure plush, the latter in patched pantaloons, enveloping 
 themselves with equal dignity in bits of old carpet taken apparently 
 from before their wash-hand stands, if they have any. 
 
 "Taking our oranges, we then set out for a walk. Scaling the hills 
 behind the fields in the photo, we had a splendid view of the town, its 
 two bays and citadel, the Coast of Spain stretching S.W. that of 
 France N. to Biarritz, Bayonne, etc., and the Pyrenees encircling us S. 
 and E. with snowy peaks. . . . 
 
 "A Rev. - - Burnde recognized me in street to-day, having seen 
 me at Mildmay ! and just called. He is chaplain at Bilbao. He took 
 me round to a Dr. Smith, with whom he is staying, and there we had 
 some charming singing. Mr. Giilick, the American Missionary, was 
 there. I heard some most interesting accounts of the work among the 
 Spaniards. 
 
 " MADRID, Sunday afternoon, Jan. 25, 1885. 
 
 " Yesterday was perfectly glorious June weather. Mr. Giilick came 
 round early, to ask me to address their Spanish girls, who are being 
 educated as teachers. So I had a lovely walk with him round the 
 other harbour, and then spoke to them (about thirty) while he inter- 
 preted. Then we sang, ' Just as I am,' and he prayed, after which I 
 breakfasted with him and Mrs. Giilick. It was most interesting the 
 accounts of the work among them, and others equally so. 
 
 "We started at one o'clock by express. . . . We slept as best we 
 could, which was but badly. Reached Madrid, to find it in slush, at 
 seven. . . . Then King and I went to English Church. I have just left 
 my F. 0. despatches at Legation, and am now going out for a walk and 
 to find Senor Cabrera, the Spanish Evangelist and Pastor. The attache 
 asked me to dine, but I declined. 
 
 " MADRID, 26th Jan. 85, Monday. 
 
 "After finishing my letter to you, I took a long walk to the gardens 
 of Buen Retire. 
 
 " I sat up in my room, and read, only going down to see Mr. James, 
 the Indian Delegate, who had just arrived, and who had had to leave 
 his wagon-lit three times between Bordeaux and Madrid, and was 
 delayed six hours. So we were very fortunate. 
 
 " [At Night.] Just as I had despatched my letter Senor Cabrera called, 
 and I had a very interesting conversation with him about the work in 
 Spain. . . . Under Harding's guidance we then went to the Gallery, full
 
 446 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 of Titians and Murillos, and Velasquez. Thence we went into the Cortes, 
 or Chamber of Deputies, and heard part of a debate. The proceedings are 
 not nearly so dignified as in H. of Commons, even with the Home Rulers. 
 The President or Speaker talks from his chair, and calls to order with 
 a bell which has little effect, and messengers were crossing the House 
 incessantly with notes. Behind the President stood two hallebediers 
 in ancient crimson velvet Spanish uniforms, who were relieved every 
 hour. I went into the Diplomatic Box or gallery, and sat next the 
 Papal Nuncio's Secretary. 
 
 "Tell B in one curious old picture of the presentation of Eve 
 
 to Adam, and all the beasts emerging from the earth at Creation, 
 there was a Pussy emerging with a mouse in its mouth. There are 
 cats everywhere here, in churches, table d'hote rooms, etc. Such nice 
 ones. 
 
 "Just heard of the Dynamite explosion at the Tower and West- 
 minster on Saturday last. 
 
 " MADBID, 27th Jan., 1885. 
 
 "We have had a most interesting day to-day. 
 
 "We started a party of eighty for Toledo at eight. After a three 
 hours' journey across desolate plains, we reached the place, a city set 
 on a hill, visible for many miles, with its great square Alcazar palace 
 in the centre, and almost surrounded by the Tagus. We drove up in 
 an omnibus, with four mules, Forman, James, and I on the roof over 
 a lofty bridge, under Moorish gateways, up steep ascents zig-zag, 
 and through the narrowest street you can imagine. How the driver, 
 a beautiful Spanish lad, managed his four-in-hand through alleys and 
 sharp turns, I can't understand. It was a wonderful performance. 
 Some lamps projected occasionally from the corners round which we 
 had to turn, and it was with difficulty we on the roof avoided them. 
 Once Mr. James had to lean so far back that he lost his balance, and 
 up went his heels in the air, when it took all Forman's and my power 
 to set him up again ! At last we drove zig-zag into the courtyard of 
 the old inn. . . . 
 
 " For some centuries after the Fall of Jerusalem Toledo was a place 
 of refuge for the Jews. Then came the Goths, then the Moors, and 
 finally the Spaniards of Castile and Aragon; and the profusion of 
 mosques, synagogues and churches of all kinds is marvellous. The 
 Cathedral would take days to see properly. Its wealth was enormous 
 till the French stripped it. There we saw Archiepiscopal garments of 
 many centuries old, stiff with gold ; gates of silver, carvings of wonder- 
 ful antiquity, and great missals, tombs, etc., etc. At 2.30 Vespers was 
 sung by about forty men and boys, consisting of the Chapter of the
 
 LISBON AND SPAIN 447 
 
 Cathedral and the Choir, accompanied by one of the three great 
 organs. . . . 
 
 "We then saw a number of other Mosques and Churches, and 
 finally the Alcazar, which is at present a kind of Woolwich Academy. 
 We hadn't time to see the manufactory of Toledo blades, and left again 
 at 4.30, reaching Madrid at eight. 
 
 "Toledo in its days of grandeur under Charles V., the great Cardinal 
 Mendoza and others had 200,000 inhabitants, now about 20,000. It is 
 a city of ruins. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. 
 
 " LISBON, BOtk Jan. [1885.] 
 
 "A lovely day, rather Aprilian in its character. We have had a 
 couple of hours' work together in our salon, and M. de Barros has just 
 called to return our visit of yesterday, and to ask me to preside over 
 the principal Committee. This will be good for England and its views, 
 but not an easy task for such an one as me. But in for a penny in for 
 a pound. So of course I assented with bows and protestations, etc., etc., 
 and I trust I shall get through all right. The Congress opens Tuesday." 
 
 To A DAUGHTER. 
 
 " 1st Feb. 1885. 
 
 " Lisbon is full of cats, and they all send their dutiful respects to 
 their white Sovereign. They are on the roofs, and in the streets, and 
 they are very nice and pretty, but I have a photo of the prettiest of all, 
 which she gave me herself, in the arms of a very nice little person, for 
 whom I have a great regard, and to whom I send a big kiss. . . . 
 
 "The waiters are Portugese, and don't quite understand French. 
 Par exemple, the one on my floor was asked for hot water. He smiled 
 and rubbed his hands and said ' Oui, Monsieur,' most affably, and appeared 
 in ten minutes with a cup of bouillon and some lumps of sugar ! 
 
 " To-day, Sunday, has been much finer and very warm. J., K., and 
 I went off to church about two miles off. A very good congregation, and a 
 nice sermon on Heb. iii. 1. After the Communion, James and I were 
 invited to lunch by the clergyman's wife, Mrs. Pope. They were very 
 kind. We hear that in consequence of Portugese delays, the opening 
 is delayed to 5th. This is a great bore." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " 2nd Feb. 1885. 
 
 "At 11 o'clock I joined eight or nine principal Delegates in break- 
 fasting at M. de Barros, Portugese P. M. G. A very select and ceremoni- 
 ous affair. Mme. de Barros was present, and I was placed at her right. 
 She talked English well. We had about ten courses and five or six sorts 
 of wine, and several toasts were proposed in an informal way, all
 
 448 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 sitting, which they quite understood my drinking in Adam's wine. 
 After some conversation which lasted till two, all the other Delegates 
 who have arrived joined us, about forty, and we held a stance to 
 arrange and get to be of one mind as to the proposals and announce- 
 ments to be made at the grand ceremony of to-morrow. All went fairly 
 well. 
 
 " Then I had to arrange for invitations to be sent to the Represen- 
 tatives of Queensland, who had been left out, and to see what terms we 
 were likely to get for the Australian Colonies and others. Germany 
 and France said to me that they must oppose me to the death ; that if 
 I claimed votes for all, they would do so for all their Colonies, and that 
 there would be no end of a row. ... So perhaps we may arrive at a 
 compromise. 
 
 "All this however is informal talk, and it remains to be seen how 
 things will go, when the Parliament really begins. 
 
 "I am Chairman of Principal Committee, Germany of the second, 
 France of the third. We are to meet alternate days (though I shall 
 have to be on each Committee, and therefore every day) at ten, lunch 
 at twelve, and sit till four. So we shall have a sharp time of it. 
 
 " Uh Feb. 
 
 "A short letter to-day. Having found a gravel Lawn-tennis ground 
 at English clergyman's, we all went off to play this morning for a 
 couple of hours, and it has done me a world of good, for what with 
 incessant damp, and foreign cooking, my rheumatism was beginning 
 to show symptoms. 
 
 "At two to-day the grand ceremony took place at the Grand Hall 
 of Justice, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs received us, and 
 opened the Congress. About a hundred present. I went in uniform, 
 as De Barros and all the Portugese were thus arrayed, the Minister of 
 Foreign Affairs, and a few others. But most were in evening dress, 
 with stars and orders. It lasted about an hour, and we are to begin 
 regular work to-morrow at ten. You may like to see the list of 
 Delegates, which includes Secretaries of State, a Prince, Ambassadors, 
 etc. They will all be in the Committee of which I am Chairman to- 
 morrow, so that I shall have quite a Parliament to administer. Last 
 night we had a reception in our salon! 
 
 " 6th Feb. 
 
 " I am glad you found one more 'vision' than I had in John i. May 
 we all 'see greater things than these.' 
 
 " Yesterday was the first day of my Committee, which is practically 
 a Committee of the whole Congress, all being permitted to be present, 
 and to talk, though only the twenty-two on the Committee itself can vote. 
 I was seated in a great presidential chair at a raised horse-shoe table
 
 LISBON AND SPAIN 449 
 
 at the head of the Great Hall of Justice, in which we meet. Before me 
 ten rows of tables, covered with red velvet, and blue silk blotting- 
 books or porte feuilles ; the rows divided by an aisle. At these the 
 Delegates sit. At my side I had Forman, Gife (Belgium) the Rap- 
 porteur, and Borel, the Director of Bureau International. 
 
 " I am always, ' Monsieur le President,' in fact, Mr. Speaker of the 
 Assembly, have to keep order, decide questions of procedure, order, 
 voting, etc., and here my experience of the House of Commons and 
 public meetings at home, comes in very useful. Still it is very 
 difficult ; and one's eyes and ears must be everywhere at once, besides 
 watching the import of discussions on the English P. O. and having 
 frequently to speak in my character of Delegate and as representing 
 Canada also. Still I am thankful to say, I got on very well, and we 
 did a good day's work. I send you a copy of my two opening short 
 speeches. 
 
 "We left at four; and then we rushed up to Mr. Pope's for an hour 
 and a half's Lawn Tennis, which did us a world of good. 
 
 "We then dined at Mr. Petre's, the English Minister, a men's 
 dinner, Mrs. Petre being still in England. There we heard the bad 
 news about Khartoum, which we are hoping is not true. . . . 
 
 " 10th Feb., Tuesday. 
 
 "In the midst of Presidential duties, I can only write a line to-day 
 to say 'All's well.' I've much to tell you about Dinner at the King's 
 last night and more interesting things, but time fails to-day, if I am to 
 get any exercise. 
 
 "I am on the full stretch, eyes and ears and tongue, and can hardly 
 get through. Still, I am helped. A door is opened in the Hotel, of 
 which more anon." 
 
 " A door is opened 
 
 Perhaps amongst all the visible leadings of Sir Arthur's life into 
 the "good works which GOD had prepared for" him "to walk in," 
 there is no more striking instance than that which follows, of a 
 Divine adaptation of means working to an " expected end." 
 
 As the details which immediately follow are given from memory, 
 it is possible that they may not be quite correct in some minor 
 points. 
 
 Twenty-three years before this visit to Lisbon, the simple ad- 
 dresses given at Wood Lodge, Streatham, had been gathered into 
 the first volume Sir Arthur ever published, "Forgiveness, Life and 
 Glory." 
 
 29
 
 450 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 It was several years after this that a stranger called at the 
 Treasury, and told how, on returning to England, he had found that 
 a great friend an officer in the 78th Highlanders had been ordered 
 to Tangier, in a dying condition from consumption. He at once 
 followed, resolving to stay with him to the end. Although, as he 
 said, he had not been himself concerned about such things, he was 
 yet anxious about his friend, knowing well enough that he was not 
 prepared for death. He was the more concerned on hearing from a 
 relative that Captain Meiklam would allow no word to be spoken to 
 him upon religious subjects. Amongst his books however his 
 sister, when packing his things, had put in a copy of " Forgiveness, 
 Life and Glory" which she had followed with earnest persistent 
 prayer. Captain Meiklam left the book unheeded. One day how- 
 ever his friend took it up to read when watching by him ; and 
 being called away, purposely left it by the bedside. On his return 
 some time after, he opened the door very gently, fearing to disturb 
 him ; and saw that Captain Meiklam had taken up the book, and 
 was reading so intently that he neither heard nor noticed his 
 coming. He closed the door, and returned after a time to find the 
 sick man still completely absorbed. 
 
 For two or three days he was reading continually, and kept the 
 book under his pillow. He was too ill to speak save with difficulty ; 
 but at length when several who were nursing him happened to be in 
 the room together, he signed to them to come near him. 
 
 Upon the front of the cover of the earlier edition the words 
 
 were printed in gilt letters. Holding the book, he traced with his 
 finger the word " FORGIVENESS," and laid his hand on his heart ; 
 then " LIFE," and laid his hand again on his heart ; and then, with a 
 radiant upward lock he three times underlined the word " GLORY," 
 and pointed heavenwards. 
 
 Not long before he "fell asleep," he was able to "tell his 
 wondrous story " to those who were with him, in some such words 
 as these : 
 
 " I didn't know that I was a sinner. This book proved to me 
 that I was one, and that being a sinner, I needed ' Forgiveness.' I
 
 LISBON AND SPAIN 451 
 
 went to Jesus, and He gave it me, and everlasting ' Life ' ; and now 
 I am waiting to be taken to ' Glory. 1 " 
 
 He signified his desire that copies of the book should be widely 
 distributed, and that the three words, 
 
 " FORGIVENESS, 
 
 LIFE, 
 GLORY," 
 
 should be engraved on his tomb, together with some texts. 
 Soon afterwards he departed to be with Christ. 
 
 Photographs of the stone were sent to Mr. Blackwood, and were 
 framed and hung in his room. It had been designed and executed 
 under the sister's directions. 
 
 Upon an altar tomb lies a flat cross Forgiveness. Upon it is a 
 dove spreading its wings for flight Life ; and on the marble below 
 the junction of the arms of the cross are carved rays as from a star 
 Glory. On the slab, below the foot of the cross, are the words, 
 
 " FORGIVENESS, LIFE, GLORY. 
 Blessed are the dead which die in the LORD." 
 
 On the side panels are the texts, 
 
 " GOD so loved the World, that He gave His only begotten Son, that 
 WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting 
 life. 
 
 "Johniii. 16." 
 
 " / am the Good Shepherd, and knoiv My sheep, and am known of Mine ; 
 as the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father; and I lay down My 
 life for the sheep. 
 
 " John x. Ver. 14th, 15th." 
 
 On the front panel is the inscription, 
 
 " John Kobert Meiklam, 78th Highlanders 
 Bj^j Born at Rome, February 3rd, 1840 
 
 Died at Tangier, April 18th, 1867," 
 
 Mr. Blackwood always understood that it was at Gibraltar that 
 the tomb was placed ; and he so endorsed the photographs at the 
 back of the frames. How this mistake arose is not known. 
 
 The Cemetery at Lisbon is described by Eev. E. C. Unmack as 
 " a beautiful burial ground, on the heights of the Estrella." He
 
 452 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 mentions the names of men of note who rest there, and amongst 
 them that of Dr. Phillip Doddridge, the author of the "Rise and 
 Progress of Religion in the Soul," who died 26th Oct. 1751, aged 50. 
 
 This book has been several times mentioned in connection with 
 Mr. Blackwood's own spiritual awakening. He does not record 
 having noticed that grave ; but when visiting the cemetery in 
 company with another Delegate, a few days after his arrival in 
 Lisbon, he came suddenly upon the tombstone which was already 
 so familiar to him. Astonished to see before him what he had 
 always believed to be at Gibraltar, he told the story thus vividly 
 recalled to memory, to his companion ; but had no idea that any 
 impression was produced by the incident. 
 
 However in a letter to his Wife he says on February llth : 
 
 - I am writing to B. about general things ; and in this deal only with 
 private matters. I said 'A door was opened,' and a most remarkable 
 one too, which I cannot but regard as an answer to prayers at home. 
 On Sunday I had been asking that I might be of use to some. With 
 - I had had some small talks on certain points, and had told him 
 some stories. . . . Monday, as we were dressing for the Palace Dinner, 
 he came to my room with a telegram just received telling of the death 
 that day of a near relative. . . . He of course did not go to the Palace; 
 and when I got back at 11.30 I found a note on my table, saying that it 
 would be a kindness if I would see him before I went to bed. ... I 
 was with him till nearly one, ending by prayer, and left him my Bible. 
 Next morning I went out early to buy a Bible for him . . . and break- 
 fasted quietly with him and had reading and prayer. ... It is a great 
 mercy to be of use to him." 
 
 In a letter, written October 4, 1893, this friend says: 
 
 " I feel I must send you one word expressive of my deep grief, and 
 my most heartfelt sympathy. What I owe to him I can never tell. . . . 
 Believe me, that of the hundreds, nay, thousands, who are mourning 
 him and grieving with you, none can appreciate more keenly than 
 myself his perfect nobility of character, whether as a man, a friend, 
 or a Christian. When I was in bitter grief he comforted me. 
 
 " 19th Oct., 1893. 
 
 " I hope you will permit me to thank you very much for your kind 
 letter and I do greatly appreciate your kindness in writing at such 
 a time, and telling me the account of the last sad days as well as for 
 the card, which is so excellent, and just what he would have liked 
 himself. I shall put it in the Bible which he gave me when I was in
 
 LISBON AND SPAIN 453 
 
 great distress, and when he rendered to me the greatest service that 
 man can do to man ; and there it shall remain so long as my own life 
 lasts. How thoroughly one can now realize the beauty of the text, 
 His works do follow him. . . . 
 
 "For myself, I feel now, even more than at first, the great blank 
 which he has left. There is no one whom I looked forward to seeing 
 so much, or to whom I can now go, as I should have done, for advice 
 and help." 
 
 MR. BLACKWOOD TO A DAUGHTER. 
 
 " LISBON, llth February, 1885. 
 
 "I send you the account of the Royal Dinner, which was most 
 splendid. The Palace is very grand, though approached, like most 
 handsome buildings here, through clusters of cabins, ruined walls, and 
 bye-roads atrociously bad. Once inside however the profusion of 
 marbles and painting, camelias, and scarlet-coated guards, and thou- 
 sands of candles is royal. We assembled there at seven, and at eight 
 o'clock the King and Queen came in, the latter conducted by the 
 King's father, who was Prince Consort to the late Queen. In the 
 Banquet Hall, there were two long tables, one presided over by the 
 King, the other by the Queen. I sat at the latter, the eighth from the 
 Queen. There were roast peacocks with their tails, etc. After the 
 dinner the King made a capital little speech, to which the French 
 Ambassador, as highest in rank at our Congress, responded. After we 
 went to the next room, the King and Queen came round and talked to 
 some of us, as well as the King's Father. I had some conversation 
 with the latter, and also with the King, who addressed me in excellent 
 English. I was also introduced to the Pope's Nuncio, a very grand 
 Episcopal gentleman. 
 
 "It is splendid for me to have had only two months of winter, but 
 I want to see the trees getting green, and should like to see the crocuses 
 and hyacinths and snowdrops of my native land. 
 
 " Friday we are going to have a holiday, as we can't work every day, 
 and besides the Congress work, I have to write long despatches home." 
 
 To ANOTHER DAUGHTER. 
 
 " 12th February. 
 
 "You will like to hear about our reception by the King and Queen, 
 which preceded the dinner at the Palace. We were all marshalled in 
 alphabetical order of countries round a great hall, and then their 
 Majesties came in with four or five grandees of the Household, and 
 the Prime Minister.
 
 454 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "The King is a small blonde man, and was quietly dressed in a 
 Naval uniform. The Queen tall and queenly, a daughter of the late 
 King of Italy, Victor Emannuel. De Barros conducted the King 
 round the room, and the Prime Minister the Queen. They each ad- 
 dressed a few words to the Head of each Delegation, in a very low 
 and confidential tone, as if they were playing at cross questions and 
 crooked answers, but I suppose to prevent it being known that they 
 were saying the same thing over and over again. He addressed me 
 in excellent English, and the Queen in French, and I was very gracious 
 and affable in my reply (!) It took about three-quarters of an hour 
 to get round, and then they made us a low bow and curtsey and 
 retired ; we of course all bowed low also. 
 
 ' Yesterday was a most delicious summer's day. We left the 
 Congress after lunch, and took a boat to cross the river to Casillias on 
 the other side, where we mounted through quite the dirtiest and most 
 offensive streets I ever saw to the Citadel, commanding a lovely view 
 of Lisbon and the river. But the country immediately around not 
 being attractive, we embarked again, and rowed another mile, landing 
 then at a seaside Palace of the King's, where we took the liberty 
 of wandering about for the afternoon in some lovely rock-pine woods 
 on cliffs very like Bournemouth, and picking flowers. We then sailed 
 and rowed back. I seemed quite transported back again to Lochaber, 
 and as if the winter had only been a short dream. 
 
 "In the evening we had to go to a Reception at the French 
 Minister's. The rooms were very full and terribly hot. There was 
 one very pretty little boudoir, with a conical ceiling, every side of 
 which, ceiling and all, was covered with pieces of china, a net being 
 spread to prevent those above from injuring any one. Rather awkward 
 to be there in an earthquake ! 
 
 "About eleven the band struck up the National Air, and the 
 Royalties came in. I got into a cool side room with some ladies I 
 knew, and having got some tea, looked out for my colleagues to get 
 away. I saw their heads in the distance, and making a dive into the 
 crowd to get at them, found myself almost tumbling over, and into 
 His Majesty. 
 
 "I brought myself up with a sudden start, and made him a pro- 
 found bow, upon which he shook hands with me, conversing for ten 
 minutes most learnedly upon P.O. matters, and I told him the 
 Congress had been much flattered by his speech at the Banquet. I 
 also told him we had been larking about his woods all the after- 
 noon. 
 
 "We see in Telegrams this morning that Gordon is reported 
 to have been killed on the 4th. Alas ! alas ! Yet better for him than to
 
 LISBON AND SPAIN 455 
 
 be a prisoner, for he was ready to die at any moment, and better for 
 the country than to be hindered in its operations by his being a 
 hostage in the Mahdi's hands." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " Sunday, 15th February. 
 
 "Just returned from service at Presbyterian Church. A fair con- 
 gregation, amongst them J. and C. and the U. S. Delegates. Also some 
 people saved from recent wreck of ' El Dorado.' 
 
 " 19th Feb., 1886. 
 
 "At eight gave an address in Sailors' Beading Room, at Chaplain's 
 request. Storm prevented many from coming. . . . Would that all so- 
 called conversions bore such marks of genuineness. Madame also 
 
 came, and some others. I hope good was done. 
 
 "I have had several opportunities of conversation. . . . is 
 
 looking forward with great delight to the Communion the Sunday 
 following with me. We are reading 1st Peter together, and enjoying it 
 much. . . . 
 
 "The enclosed cutting gives a true and correct penny-a-liner ac- 
 count of our dinner at the Prime Minister's last night. You will like 
 to know that I partook of 'the little fly to wind to the Salpicon,' and of 
 'the supreme of chickens to the scarlet.' 
 
 " Monday, 23 Feb. 
 
 "I had a good congregation at Presbyterian Church yesterday, 
 Russians, Swedes, Americans, and Indian Delegates all there. In 
 afternoon addressed Mrs. Pope's Class, and then to Church. . . . Yes, I 
 really am enjoying myself. 
 
 "Feb. 24th. 
 
 " To-morrow I have Drawing-room meeting at Mr. Pope's. 
 
 " There are no flowers to send B., or I would with pleasure. Flowers 
 are few and far between. There is moreover no Parcel Post yet be- 
 tween us and foreign countries. That is one thing I am trying to 
 negociate now. Tell B. that the other day, passing a grand mansion, 
 I saw the front door open, and on crimson carpet, covering marble 
 steps, sat a snow-white Pussie, with red collar, etc. It touched my 
 heart. 
 
 " 2,1th February. 
 
 "We are making good progress, and I have every reason to be 
 satisfied with the result, so far as Great Britain is concerned. There 
 have been proposals very adverse to us, financially and otherwise ; but 
 favourable results have been secured. I cannot be too thankful for the 
 help given to me in the difficult post I fill. If any one had told me 
 that I should have to preside over such an assembly of foreigners, I
 
 456 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 never should have believed it. But GOD has certainly given me favour 
 in their eyes. This too has told well on other work ; for it has given 
 me a prominence I should not have otherwise had, and awakened a 
 desire to hear the preaching. So I can truly say, 'All things are work- 
 ing together for good.' 
 
 "To-day full Congress meets, for first time since opening, and then 
 J. and I are going out to Cintra for the night and whole of to-morrow, 
 if it keeps fine. 
 
 " Sunday, March 1. 
 
 "Mr. - just started. . . . He came to thank me for all he had 
 heard, and I gave him 'Shadow and Substance.' Just back from Church, 
 where - for first time went to Communion as a real Christian." 
 
 To HIS DAUGHTERS. 
 
 " 3rd March, Monday. 
 
 "March at last. Spring is here. Hurrah! I am longing to get 
 home again to my well-beloved ones, and to the delicious garden, and 
 lanes of Kent, and the cleanliness of old England. The Congress is 
 gettting rather wearisome, and we shall do our best to complete as 
 quickly as possible. . . . Good-bye, darling children. Embrassez votre 
 mere chtrie pour moi, aussi Boosah, et croyez a mes sentiments de la plus 
 haute consideration. 
 
 "Your loving Father." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " CONGRESS HALL, 4th March. 
 
 "Thank you for your description of house, which is very clear, and 
 I like much to have it, so as to think of you. This morning on reach- 
 ing Congress Hall, we found that the Japanese Delegates had presented 
 us each with a fan, having representations of Postal work upon it. 
 Very kind of them. 
 
 " 5th March. 
 
 "A good full meeting last night. Several colleagues present. It 
 certainly is a great opportunity for presenting the Gospel to the Re- 
 presentatives of so many nations. ... It may be that one has 'come 
 to the Kingdom for such a time as this.' GOD grant it. 
 
 "We have been most successful in our Postal matters. I have 
 every reason to be thankful for the acceptance our views have met. 
 
 "My daily Bible-Readings with are most interesting. . . . 
 
 And it is very good of GOD to have given me this encouragement. 
 
 "Gth March. Tell that impertinent B I do not smoke with 
 
 the others, though on two occasions, to avoid offence, I did accept a 
 cigar. 
 
 "7th March. Our actual labours are over, and little remains but
 
 LISBON AND SPAIN 457 
 
 formal acts; but these will need ten days to complete. But the 
 Portugese are so dilatory and unbusiness-like, that one can ascertain 
 nothing definitely. Fortunately nous Anglais have an excellent and 
 healthy resource in Lawn Tennis, and the grounds are capital. We 
 excite immense interest as we pass through the streets in Lawn Tennis 
 
 costume, with racquets and shoes in hand, and F with a red Tarn 
 
 o' Shanter. I fully echo a sentiment of Kingsley's, 'I can't work hard, 
 when I don't play hard, and unless I get frantic exercise of body, my 
 mind won't work.' This is exactly my condition. I begin the day's 
 work at home quite differently after hard play, and a four mile walk 
 is not the same thing by a long way. . . . Home letters are my one 
 bright event in the day. Good-bye. 
 
 " Sunday, 8th March. 
 
 "I am just back from service at Presbyterian Church, where I 
 preached at twelve. A good many Delegates and others there. At 
 two, was present at the Portugese service, where first an old lady of 
 seventy-four was baptized, and we then had the LORD'S Supper, after 
 which I spoke a little to them through an Interpreter. 
 
 " 10th March, Tuesday. 
 
 "Received your letter of Friday with all its interesting details, 
 which though not of greatest national importance are yet of the deepest 
 interest to me. 
 
 "H. Drummond's last essay has made me more distrustful of his 
 first work, and things come to my mind which did not quite commend 
 themselves to me, but which I regarded rather as slips of the pen, than 
 actual error. I must read it again more carefully. 
 
 "There is to be a representation of ' Othello ' to-night, given by the 
 Officers of Portugese P. 0. to the Delegates. They regret very much 
 that I cannot be present, but say that they entirely respect my motives 
 and reasons. 
 
 " Tuesday, 12th March. 
 
 " A great hitch has arisen, and strife is impending. Diplomats and 
 P. M. G. are fighting. . . . Afternoon tea at Petres yesterday, and 
 grand final Dinner at Foreign Office last night as per enclosed. Just 
 off to Committee more to-morrow. 
 
 " Sunday, 15th March. 
 
 "Congress meets to-morrow, and we shall see what the upshot of 
 this deplorable and in itself insignificant difficulty will be. 
 
 " 16^ March. 
 
 "After much anxiety all yesterday as to the course of affairs, it was 
 a great relief, on reaching the Hall, to find that Portugal would not
 
 458 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 raise the burning question in public. A general feeling of satisfaction 
 reigns, and I trust things will go smoothly. The French Ambassador 
 has further just assured me that he will raise no objection to the course 
 adopted in Committee at suggestion of England, of giving a vote to our 
 Colonies. This is also good, as I feared opposition in full Congress, and 
 obstruction, if not reversal of our decision. We are all anxious to get 
 through principal Convention to-day, and I have been urging Delegates 
 to sit even till dark, and get it finished. They are willing, but anything 
 may crop up. 
 
 " Borel just tells me it will be impossible to get documents printed 
 for signature before Saturday. If so, we can't leave till Monday. This 
 may give me time to go to Oporto. I have again had most urgent 
 appeals to do so, saying that, in anticipation of a visit, and 'at least a 
 week of meetings,' they had been distributing my books widely, and 
 that there was a very great desire for me to come. I would gladly give 
 up Seville and Alhambra, if it be necessary, fhough I hardly feel it to 
 be right to take the leave the P. M. G. has given me, to be absent from 
 duty a week in order to visit those places, for a series of Evangelistic 
 meetings at Oporto, particularly when my prolonged absence is very 
 inconvenient. If however I can manage a visit this week, it will be all 
 right. 
 
 "We sang yesterday in church the hymn, 'Ashamed of Jesus,' to 
 the tune of old days ; and it reminded me vividly of a little drawing- 
 room, in a house in Hertfordshire, where a lady sang it at my request 
 very often. . . . 
 
 " Proposal just made, and carried by acclamation, that next Congress 
 be held at Vienna ! France then proposed ten years after present, 
 instead of five. I made a speech (eloquent of course), strongly against 
 this, and in favour of five, on purely political grounds, and my views 
 prevailed. Hurrah ! 
 
 " OPORTO, 18th March. 
 
 " I was considerably disconcerted yesterday, when after finding my 
 way hither made so marvellously plain by the termination of Congress 
 work and interval of four days, I woke yesterday morning at 6.30, 
 having to start at seven, with cold gone as usual to throat, and much 
 rheumatism. . . . Having telegraphed hither to arrange two meetings 
 for to-day (my only chance) this was very serious. I got remedies, and 
 then met with - - to pray (as we had prayed to have the way opened 
 to come), that strength and utterance might be vouchsafed. 
 
 "Started at seven, in an open carriage and East wind! and very 
 thankful for your advice to take my sheepskin coat. The train only 
 went about fifteen miles an hour. . . . My cold and rheumatism 
 improved not. But I was encouraged by reading in the chapter for the
 
 LISBON AND SPAIN 459 
 
 day, Luke iv., ' I must preach the Kingdom of GOD to other cities also ; 
 for therefore am I sent;' and I felt it was an occasion to exercise faith 
 in GOD, and to 'glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ might 
 rest upon me.' Added to the infirmities already mentioned, I suffered 
 much all day. ... A weary journey. At last at nine P.M. having 
 travelled two hundred miles in thirteen hours, about as far as to York 
 (five hours) reached outskirts of Oporto, and Mr. Noble's by ten o'clock 
 thoroughly weary, and in much pain and discomfort of all kinds. 
 
 "A nice large English kind of country house, and Mr. Noble most 
 hospitable, a dear old gentleman of eighty. 
 
 " OPORTO, Thursday, 19th March. 
 
 "All is well, and all went well, thank GOD. Cold gradually improved, 
 and though I was in much pain with rheumatism all forenoon, it went 
 off almost entirely directly after lunch, and I was able to take the 
 service with complete ease and comfort. It was really wonderful, and 
 I trust showed the hand of GOD. About sixty or seventy present. . . . 
 
 "Drawing Room meeting in the house at 3.30 to-day, after which 
 start by night train at 6.30 for Lisbon, to reach it to-morrow at 6 A.M. 
 
 " 21st March. 
 
 " Just completed the 10,834th signature, and must soon make one 
 of the closing speeches, so can only write disjointedly. 
 
 " 22nd. Well, all is finished at last ! It was rather sad. We have 
 been thrown so incessantly with our colleagues for six weeks, and have 
 learnt to know and respect each other so much, that everybody felt 
 rather triste at separation, especially when we knew that some were 
 there whom we could never see at another Congress. The final speeches 
 were very good, and the Congress of Lisbon ended at 3.30 with farewells, 
 and ' au revoirs ' of a most hearty kind. For my part, I look upon these 
 six weeks with wonder and deep thankfulness. The help that has been 
 given me in the official business, the kindness and regard shown by all, 
 the opportunities to preach the Gospel to many, and to give little books 
 to nearly all, the evident gladness with which the various congregations 
 
 heard the word, and the pleasant intercourse day by day with Mr. 
 
 and others, all make me feel that the Hand of GOD has been upon me 
 for good in a very remarkable way, and I shall ever look on my stay 
 here as a very memorable time. I am sure I owe much to the prayers 
 at home. 
 
 " I preached for the last time this morning. Scotch Church nearly 
 
 full, and deep attention. . . . Just going to tea with and try and 
 
 get an earnest word with . Then to evening church. 
 
 "Off to-morrow at 7.30. Weather perfectly glorious. A lovely 
 summer's day. Trees beginning to burst forth. Good-bye. May we 
 all meet in peace."
 
 460 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 At the conclusion of the Congress, Mr. Blackwood and two of his 
 friends amongst the Delegates carried out the projected tour in 
 Andalusia, which he greatly enjoyed, especially his visit to the 
 Alhambra. 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " IN TRAIN TO COEDOVA, 2&A March, 1885. 
 
 "A red-letter day for ever will be the twenty-four hours just spent 
 at Granada. Never have I seen anything that so equalled or exceeded 
 my expectation?. If wishes could have brought you all there, you 
 would often have been by my side. 
 
 \Vhen for the first time I stood in the Court of the Lions, with 
 its hundred slender pillars of marble, its lovely arches, lit by the 
 brightest sunshine, and under the bluest sky conceivable, a choking 
 sensation came up in my throat. It was something too exquisite to 
 he imagined, and words cannot describe it. The whole scene is un- 
 equalled, so far as anything I have ever seen. 
 
 The Alhambra is a great Moorish Fortress, with vast towers and 
 ruined walls, standing above the City of Granada, 2800 feet above the 
 level of the sea, on a spur of the Sierra Nevada, which lies about 
 fifteen miles to the south of it, and in consequence of the severe winter 
 this year, had a vast quantity of snow on it. 
 
 " You approached the Castle through the steep narrow streets of 
 the City, and entering by an old Moorish Gateway, came into some- 
 thing like the slopes beneath Windsor Castle some twenty-five acres 
 of thick woodland of elms and poplars, just starting into leaf, and a 
 thick undergrowth of periwinkles and wild flowers. At the end of one 
 of the zig-zags, and in the midst of the wood, is the Washington Irving 
 Hotel. Just five minutes' walk up more zig-zags in the wood to the 
 great Gate of Justice, on which is marked the Key, and above it the 
 outstretched Hand, about which the legend ran, that the Moorish rule 
 would not pass away till the Hand came down to take the Key. Then 
 you are in the inner precincts, full of bowers and gardens, ancient gate- 
 ways, and Charles the Fifth's Palace, incongruously built in the midst of 
 the Alhambra, but never finished. Another gate admits you into the real 
 series of Courts, which it is vain for me to attempt to describe. But 
 imagine dark recesses, and brilliant open spaces under the dark blue 
 sky, which coming through various openings, looked like a succession 
 of medallions of lapis lazuli the dazzling whiteness of the alabaster 
 pillars the delicate filigree work; and then through this and that 
 lattice magnificent views of the white city beneath, or the glorious 
 Sierra Nevada behind the sound of the rushing Douro, or the murmur- 
 ing brooklets that run through the grounds. And then all its associa-
 
 LISBON AND SPAIN 461 
 
 tions, and you can fancy No, you can't ; you must be there to know 
 what the Alhambra is. 
 
 "We were wonderfully favoured in the weather. The cold north 
 wind, which had blown bitterly as we approached Granada the night 
 before, had ceased ; the spring was just bursting off, the birds were sing- 
 ing, the crispness of the air was delicious, and we had too an almost full 
 moon. Altogether it was quite perfect. The first evening after supper, 
 (where we met the Japanese and Belgians) the Rooses and my party 
 went up to the Great Torre del Vela, overhanging the city, where a bell 
 is struck every ten minutes through the night. And here we looked 
 over the Vega, the great plain beyond, the scene of many battles be- 
 tween Moor and Christian, bounded by lofty mountains the snowy 
 peaks of the Sierra casting their bright white over the woods at our 
 feet, and the chimes of cathedrals and churches ever now and again 
 falling on our ears, while the sad wailing note of a kind of cuckoo, 
 seemed like the 'Ultimo Sospiro' of the Moor as he quitted his lovely 
 home for ever. 
 
 "Yesterday morning we spent in the Cathedral, and quaint streets 
 of Granada. . . . We saw the tombs and coffins of Ferdinand and 
 Isabella, the victorious banner of Castile, and the sword of Boabdil ; 
 and I enjoyed immensely dreamily sauntering about, inhaling incense, 
 listening to organ, and taking in as much as I could of the wonderfully 
 picturesque scene. 
 
 "Thence to Alhambra, to spend the day in its courts. ... I enjoyed 
 watching alone the sun setting over the Vega, and lighting up the 
 Sierra snows, while the copses below echoed the songs of numbers of 
 birds. It was most lovely, and I was glad to be alone ; the only sad 
 thought, and it was a very sad one, was that the masses of people in 
 the beautiful city beneath, were lying, with but few exceptions, in 
 darkness, bound hand and foot by Romish Priestcraft. A hurried 
 dinner, and back to see the courts by moonlight, by special permis- 
 sion. 
 
 "We were almost alone, and I sat in the dark recesses of the Hall 
 of the Ambassadors, looking at the city and the mountains ; or leaning 
 against the pillars in Court of the Lions, drank in the sight of beauty 
 around me, till it was necessary to tear myself away, glad, intensely 
 glad to have beheld such a scene, but really mournful and sad at the 
 thought that I should never see it again. If the ruins of an earthly 
 palace are so wonderfully entrancing, what will the first sight of the 
 City be whose gates are pearl, whose streets are gold, and from which 
 the inhabitants 'shall no more go out.'"
 
 462 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 The Telegram received at St. Martin's-le-Grand, at the time of 
 Sir Arthur's death, from the Director-General of Posts at Lisbon, 
 which speaks in the language of personal acquaintance, may here be 
 given. 
 
 [TRANSLATION.] 
 
 "LISBON, 4th Oct., 1893. 
 
 "The telegram which I have just received from your Excellency's 
 Administration announcing the death of Sir Arthur Blackwood causes 
 me a real and profound grief. . . . 
 
 " It is the entire Postal Union which deplores the death of an 
 official who contributed so much by his comprehensive knowledge and 
 refined zeal, towards the greatness of which it is to-day so proud. 
 
 At the Postal Congress of Lisbon in 1885 I had the opportunity 
 of appreciating personally the distinguished traits of character which 
 adorned the Chief of the British Delegation, and the excellent manner 
 in which he discharged the honourable duties which had been confided 
 to him. 
 
 Therefore my grief at this sad occurrence is, as I have already 
 said to your Excellency, both deeply felt and great. . . . 
 
 "[Signed] ERNESTO MADEIRA PINTO, 
 
 " Director General." 
 
 In a short sketch of the spiritual condition of Lisbon which 
 appeared in the Quiver of January, 1895, the following paragraph 
 occurs : 
 
 "The visit to Lisbon of Sir Arthur Blackwood, who was present as 
 Chief Secretary at the Postal Congress in the City in 1885, seems to 
 have quite marked an epoch in the spiritual life of the colony. Sir 
 Arthur's personal charm, his athletic prowess, and the fervour of his 
 Bible readings, won the hearts of his countrymen in no ordinary 
 degree, and his efforts left lasting spiritual good." 
 
 At the first Quarterly Meeting of the Civil Service Prayer Union 
 after his return to England, Mr. Blackwood recalled with thankful- 
 ness the help which had been given by the prayers of the other 
 members, and added : 
 
 "Though I went there on the business of the Government, there 
 was 'another King' Who went with me, and kept me while there. 
 And the way in which places were opened for testimony for Christ, 
 and in which the Representatives of different countries came to hear 
 the Gospel, was remarkable. I can only say, I have never had my faith 
 in the over-ruling guiding providence of GOD so strengthened as in 
 those two months at Lisbon in answer to your prayers."
 
 CORRESPONDENCE IN 1885-6-7. 
 
 The summer holiday of 1885 was passed at Braemar, whence a 
 visit, which was the last, was paid to the Duchess' father at Castle 
 Dobbs. On the return journey home Mr. Blackwood, accompanied 
 by two of his daughters, visited his elder son at Cambridge. 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " CASTLE DOBBS, 3rd Oct. [1885] 
 
 "This may reach you on 5th, but whether on 5th or 6th is imma- 
 terial, for a thousand years are as one day where she is, who thirty 
 years ago passed from time into Eternity. . . . 
 
 "And I daresay, as you and I too feel that our bodies certainly 
 humble us more and more, we are not thinking with sorrow of the days 
 when we shall have some new and incorruptible ones. And it will be 
 a good exchange too. 
 
 "We have just crossed in rough, but fine weather. Thursday, 1st, 
 we left Braemar, and crossed the Spital of Glenshee, a thirty-five miles' 
 drive, to Blairgowrie. On 2nd in rain and storm all day by rail to 
 Stranraer, and this morning over here, reaching this at 12.30. Mr. 
 Dobbs very fairly well at ninety. (More than you or I expect to be at 
 that age, unless we mend considerably.) Girls all well, and Pussie too ; 
 S. tolerable. 
 
 " We had a very nice time at Braemar indeed ; but last days were 
 saddened by the very serious illness of our friend, Mr. Fordham, who 
 had been so kind to us, and was doing so much in Christian work there. 
 He seemed dying when we left. They had only just bought a place at 
 Braemar, and he was the centre of much Christian life there." 
 
 Mrs. Fordham contributes the following " MEMORIES," written 
 in October, 1895. 
 
 "Our acquaintance with Sir Arthur increased very rapidly during 
 the last few months of my dear Husband's life. 
 
 "For many years we had known and honoured him, but in the 
 summer of 1885 during our stay at Braemar, we had the much valued 
 
 (463)
 
 464 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 opportunity of meeting him more frequently; and as he and my 
 Husband were greatly drawn to each other by many interests in 
 common, a warm affection ripened between them. 
 
 " During the bright days of that summer, they had much enjoyment 
 of the lovely neighbourhood of Braemar, often walking together, and 
 talking on subjects dear to them both. 
 
 The Sunday afternoon Bible-Readings held in the dining-room at 
 Corrie Ferrigie were very happy social gatherings, enjoyed by those who 
 came to them. Sir Arthur generally conducted these Readings; and 
 many who were there must still remember his earnest words in con- 
 nection with the chosen subject, ' The Service of God What is it ? ' On 
 each Sunday different aspects of this Service were taken into considera- 
 tionsuch as 'The Service of God in Home life: in Social life: and in 
 Public life.' 
 
 - Then came one deeply solemn afternoon when 'The Service of GOD 
 in the Heavenly World,' was the subject; and after some most striking 
 thoughts had been exchanged as to the glorious possibilities of nobler 
 sen-ice, which might open before GOD'S children in a future state, Sir 
 Arthur closed the conference by repeating the verse: 
 
 " ' My knowledge of that life is small, 
 
 The eye of faith is dim ; 
 But 'tis enough that Christ knows all, 
 And I shall be with Him.' 
 
 "Within a month of that time, my Husband had entered into that 
 Heavenly World of which they had been speaking together; and Sir 
 Arthur's kindness during those weeks can never be forgotten. Now 
 we can think of the two who conducted these little meetings, as being 
 together u-ith Him Whom they so faithfully loved and served on earth." 
 
 MR. BLACKWOOD TO HIS FATHER-IN-LAW. 
 [1886.] "G. P. 0.22nd Jan. 
 
 " DEAREST FATHER, I must send you one line, though you know 
 how often you are in our thoughts and prayers. 
 
 "Underneath are the everlasting arms' is a word of wonderful 
 comfort, for however low we may sink, they are still lower, always 
 'underneath,' and however weak we may be, they are everlastingly 
 strong, and can never fail. 
 
 " Stretched out once on Calvary for our sins, they now uphold the 
 universe, and plead for us in glory. 
 
 "May you have much peace in the consciousness of His loving 
 presence."
 
 CORRESPONDENCE IN 1885-6-7 465 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 ' ' 9 QUEEN'S GATE TERRACE, 2. 3. 86. 
 
 " Laid up with sudden and severe cold, at once attacking the throat, 
 and unable to go to Mildmay to-day. It is disappointing, but the LORD 
 had doubtless fitter lips to speak through, and of this I am very 
 conscious. . . . 
 
 " S.'s dear old Father entered into rest Sunday morning, at three 
 A.M. His last word 'JESUS.' He would have been ninety next month. 
 " He had been rapidly failing. We saw him in October." 
 
 To MRS. DOBBS. 
 
 " 2nd March, 1886. 
 
 "... But to you I much wish to write, to assure you of my true 
 Christian sympathy at this sad time. 
 
 " You have felt the LORD was with you. . . . May His presence now 
 comfort and sustain you, and continue to be your Guide and Counsellor 
 in the way He would have you go. 
 
 "Let us try to enter into his joy, as he now rests in his long-loved 
 and well-served Master's presence. 
 
 " GOD . . . will not fail you now." 
 
 To Miss ANNE WRIGHT, on the death of his godmother Miss CHARLOTTE 
 
 WRIGHT. 
 
 " SHORTHANDS HOUSE [May, 1886] 
 
 " So our most beloved one has been called up to see the King in His 
 beauty, and to behold the land that is very far off. 
 
 " Oh ! how all her sorrows are turned into everlasting joy now. 
 
 " Into that joy we cannot but enter, and rejoice with her. 
 
 "How much I owe her for all her loving prayers and help none can 
 tell. 
 
 " Dearest, dearest Aunt Charlotte ! She was indeed ' a succourer of 
 many.' 
 
 "And now you, my dearest Aunt Annie, are left alone, 'till the 
 breaking of the day ' ; and the life-long tie of love and companionship 
 and sweet communion is severed for a while. But it is only a little 
 while,' and He Who has never left you yet will be with you during the 
 remaining hours of separation, and comfort your heart. 
 
 " Soon we shall all meet in the presence of the King." 
 
 To Miss ODELL. 
 
 " 10th May, 1886, SHORTHANDS HOUSE. 
 
 " My very dear old Aunt and Godmother, Miss C. Wright, died on 
 Friday, aged ninety, and is to be buried on Tuesday. 
 
 30
 
 466 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " My sister has gone to Nottingham, and I go down to-morrow. 
 They wish me to address the people at the grave a trying task, as I 
 owe her who is gone more than any one else in the world as regards my 
 spiritual life, and they expect a 'throng' of those who loved and valued 
 her most blessed and saintly life. 
 
 "I shall be able however to leave Nottingham at three, and hope to 
 get to Cray ford for the meeting. But I shall get some food en route, 
 and must go straight to Hall." 
 
 The Autumn of 1886 was spent at Tobermory ; and in the course 
 of it a very enjoyable visit was paid to his old friend, the MacLeod, 
 
 in Skye. 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " TOBEBMOBY, 13th Sept. [1886] 
 
 " We, (C. B. and I) had a most glorious week in Skye, perfect weather, 
 spending three nights with my old friend, the MacLeod of Dunvegan 
 Castle, with his Austrian Baroness wife, and his sister. . . . 
 
 "We sailed over to Loch Maddy, six hours! Saw a Highland 
 Cattle Fair. Then sailed another day to Uig, and went up that extra- 
 ordinary Quiraing. Spent a Sunday in Portree, and so home, Monday 
 Gth. Girls enjoyed it immensely. 
 
 " Last week was bad weather, but great fun. Wednesday we all 
 went in to Oban Games, and came back in evening. In again Thursday 
 for Regatta, of which however there was none, owing to storm. But 
 we cruised about in various steam-launches, lent to us by friends ; 
 lunched and tea'd on board the Capercailzie, Burns' yacht, and dined 
 on Cornelia, Mackinnon's, and then slept on shore. Next morning I 
 breakfasted on Cornelia. 
 
 "Poor weather still, and S. very very so-so indeed. . . . 
 
 " My very fond love to dearest Aunt Anne. Ask her to pray that 
 the Lord may send a message through me next Sunday evening to the 
 people here. Hitherto have been silent, to rest throat. But hope to 
 preach then. 
 
 "Good-bye, darling sister. May every blessing be thine in enjoy- 
 ment, as well as possession. 
 
 "The longer I live, the more I find it true, 'My expectation' 
 must be 'on/i/ from God.' There alone is no disappointment." 
 
 To Miss DUTTON. 
 
 " TOBEBMOBY, 16th Sept., 1886. 
 
 "You may imagine the deep distress with which we heard of the 
 affliction which it has seemed good to our Heavenly Father to permit 
 to come upon you. . . .
 
 CORRESPONDENCE IN 1885-6-7 467 
 
 "How comforting it is to remember that the Husbandman ('My 
 Father is the Husbandman ') is never so near, nor so much occupied 
 with the vine, as when He is pruning it ; or the Sculptor so near the 
 marble, as when shaping it into the image He designs it to bear. 
 
 '"When thou passest through the waters, J will be with thee; and 
 through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee ; when thou walkest 
 through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; for I am thy Saviour 
 thou wast precious in My sight I have loved thee. Fear not, for 
 I am with thee.' 'And the form of the fourth was like the Son of 
 God.' " 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " DUNIRA, 6th Oct., 1886. 
 
 "Another soaking day of rain and mist ; neither sun nor stars have 
 appeared for now four days, and we are depressed and rheumatic. 
 Yesterday we went to Lawers to tea, where we were just twenty-one 
 years ago. . . . 
 
 " 7th October, 86. 
 
 " Thunder yesterday relieved the air, and at 9 A.M. to-day clouds 
 lifted at last. Now glorious and gorgeous in autumn tints and 
 delicious in warmth. 
 
 [9th Oct. 1886.] " CHILLINGHAM, Saturday. 
 
 "Got your letter at Stirling all right. . . . 
 
 "We left Dunira in fog and mist, the fine morning of Thursday 
 having turned to rain, and prevented our tea at the Monument. But 
 it cleared soon, and Edinburgh and rest of journey fine. 
 
 "Reached here at six. Found them all at tea, after which Lord 
 Bennet sang, to Miss V. Paget's playing. Princess Mary hid a thimble, 
 and also sang a little. The Duke and Princess May are also here. . . . 
 Pleasant evening. I sat next Princess Mary at dinner, and she was 
 very conversational. B. slipped off to bed at ten, and we all retired at 
 eleven, H.R.H. being tired. 
 
 "They breakfast in their rooms, and appear about twelve, or 
 perhaps to Bible Reading at 11.30. . . . 
 
 "As to Crayford, I shall see about the work there when I get back, 
 but have no guidance at present." 
 
 To Miss BUTTON. 
 
 " CHILLINGHAM CASTLE, 9th Oct. 86. 
 
 "How mysterious the ways of GOD are! But we shall know the 
 reason of them all some day: and in the meantime, to say 'Thy 
 will be done,' and to trust Him in the dark is our duty, privilege, and 
 also happiness. But this is contrary to nature, and only the Holy 
 Ghost can produce supernatural conduct.
 
 468 LIFE OF SIR ABTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 "You are under His special teaching, I am sure, just now; and if 
 'the chastening be not joyous, but grievous,' there is a 'nevertheless 
 AFTERWARD,' which will be very blessed, and which it is a great comfort 
 to anticipate. 
 
 "I often think of you. But HE never ceases to do so. You are on 
 His breastplate and shoulders, and 'cannot be loosed from the 
 ephod.'" 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 "llth Oct. "C.C.Monday. 
 
 " It's uncertain whether I shall get back the end of this week or on 
 Monday ; somewhat depends on movements of P. M. G. 
 
 "Lovely weather now. Had a crowded meeting in barn yesterday, 
 to which H.R.H. the mother, and daughter, came. Evening spent in 
 hymns. . . . 
 
 "A sorry business, that speech of the Dean's, and the prevailing 
 spirit seemed to be in favour of the Stage and Dancing. I am getting 
 nice long walks, which give me time for thought, as well as exercise." 
 
 On 1st October 1886, Lord Shaftesbury died. The affection- 
 ate admiration felt for him by Mr. Blackwood was great, and he thus 
 wrote to Miss Marsh : 
 
 "What a most beautiful and stirring description is that of yours, in 
 this Record, of our noble and glorious friend now in heaven. 
 
 "And what a life it was ! Even the world cannot repress its admira- 
 tion of the Christ-like life he led. 
 
 "What a wonder that in carping at what they call his 'narrow' 
 theology, they are unable to see that this narrow creed was the motive 
 power of what they are compelled to acknowledge was the widest charity 
 and the broadt^st sympathy that have ever illuminated the history of 
 our country. 
 
 "Strange fruit to come from a narrow creed! Truly paradoxical 
 that so expansive a philanthropy should spring from so straitened a 
 theology ! " 
 
 A letter to the Editor of The Literary World from one of the 
 publishers of " The Life of Lord Shaftesbury" shows the share 
 afterwards taken by Mr. Blackwood in that work. Mr. -Fetter 
 says : 
 
 "In obtaining Lord Shaftesbury's consent, I was greatly helped by 
 a gentleman who had stood in a most intimate relation to his lordship, 
 and whose name does not appear in the work I refer to Mr. Stevenson 
 A. Blackwood, to whom I was indebted for much valuable assistance, 
 he having entered most fully into the desire that present and future
 
 CORRESPONDENCE IN 1885-6-7 469 
 
 generations might possess a faithful record of the inner life of this 
 distinguished nobleman, and of his efforts in the cause of suffering 
 humanity." 
 
 The letter which follows was received by Mr. Blackwood during 
 the year 1886. 
 
 "DEAR SIR, I am quite unknown to you, and yet I feel constrained 
 to write you this letter. My Father is Chaplain to this Church for the 
 Deaf and Dumb. Last Tuesday I was to hold my Bible-Reading as 
 usual for Deaf and Dumb Ladies, but I had no subject prepared. In 
 looking over notes on addresses given by you at the Mission Room at 
 Streatham on April 9th, 1874, I caught sight of some on Song ii. 8-13. 
 I don't think we ever spent a happier hour than we did over those 
 notes, and ' the Voice of the Beloved ' seemed indeed reaching the hearts 
 of my dear class. It seems strange that words spoken by you so many 
 years ago, should pass through my fingers, and be the means of re- 
 freshing and delighting the souls of people who can neither hear nor 
 speak. 
 
 " Then there is another thing that date of 1874 reminds me of. A 
 dear brother of mine, then about twenty, used regularly to attend those 
 Thursday Evening meetings at Streatham. I quite believe you were 
 partly, at any rate, instrumental in his conversion: 
 
 " He went to Canada. In a letter sent to my mother from Niagara 
 he wrote something like this, 'Although I have not dear Mr. Black- 
 wood here, yet the Fountain-head is near.' In 1876 he fell asleep in 
 Jesus, dying out there. You will pardon me writing this to you. I 
 thought it might show seed sown and fruit gathered, and cheer you." 
 
 \ 
 
 MR. BLACKWOOD TO COUNTESS CAIRNS. 
 
 " All rights reserved. Registered for transmission abroad. 
 
 " ' My plans ! ' my Lady, you most kindly ask ; 
 To answer you howe'er's no easy task. 
 First, my position I must fully state, 
 Ere I can on my plans expatiate ; 
 At ' Mary's Well ' until September end 
 I bide, and wife and children five must tend. 
 Then we must separate, since claims diverse 
 Our pleasant family gathering will disperse. 
 To halls of study one, by banks of Cam 
 Must fain repair, and one her head to cram 
 With needful knowledge, Belstead's halls will seek ; 
 While yet another, Jura's far-famed peak 
 Behind him leaves, yet Jura's fir-clad height 
 Visits to study French with all his might.
 
 470 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 The gentle Wife, with ducal coronet crowned, 
 
 To Shortlands" slopes declares that she is bound, 
 
 And bids me lonely, though with daughters twain, 
 
 Cast myself, wifeless, on the world again. 
 
 What shall I do then ? Whither shall we go ? 
 
 Here there or everywhere ? How shall I know ? 
 
 In grave uncertainty a friendly voice 
 
 Inclines me willingly to make a choice, 
 
 For from Dunira's castellated walls, 
 
 On grateful ear an invitation falls. 
 
 Past memories now combine with pleasures new 
 
 To lead my steps to friends so tried and true. 
 
 October, then, ere yet its crescent moon 
 
 Has reached its fourteenth night, would suit me best 
 
 Within Dunira's walls calmly to rest. 
 
 Say, gracious Countess, how the plan will suit, 
 
 Whether the bud so fair shall turn to fruit, 
 
 Or whether yet another year must lapse 
 
 Ere I Dunira see. Tell me. Perhaps 
 
 Three are too many for you, if 't be so 
 
 To other quarters then we three must go. 
 
 " S. A. B. 
 " TOBERMORY, Aug. 23, 1886." 
 
 To HIS SISTER. . 
 
 " SHORTLANDS HOUSE, 
 " 16 Dec. 1886, or 28th Anniversary of Wedding. 
 
 " Here is something to cheer you. You have taken so much prayer- 
 ful interest in young - - that you will be indeed thankful to know 
 what the LORD has done for him. 
 
 " He told me that he couldn't understand about the Millenium. 
 This enabled me to set before him the truth of the Gospel, that there 
 was no judgment or possible condemnation for the believer in Jesus, 
 (except for his service) for that he was already everlastingly saved. 
 
 "It came to him as an entirely new revelation! 'Nobody ever 
 preached this,' he said. 'I never heard it before. 1 And he seemed to 
 apprehend the whole truth. It was most interesting to see the effect. 
 All in ten minutes. 
 
 " I then wrote to him, and this is his reply. Glory be to God ! " 
 
 To Miss ANNE WRIGHT. 
 
 " 17. 2. 87, SHORT-LANDS HOUSB. 
 
 " BELOVED AUNTIE, Dearest Lucy, who is with us, says that you 
 are no less than Ixxxviii. to-morrow: and has asked me for some
 
 CORRESPONDENCE IN 1885-6-7 471 
 
 camellias to send you. Gladly do I send them, and wish I could go 
 with them, and give you a good kiss. 
 
 "Eighty-eight! what a long journey 1 What a crowd of mercies! 
 Yet how many more are to follow ! And all through the atoning death 
 on the tree of the blessed Son of GOD ! 
 
 "The High Priest of some sect in India prayed that our Queen 
 might live to celebrate another Jubilee. I don't hope that you will do 
 so here. But our High Priest, JESUS, the Son of GOD, has prayed that 
 you may spend Jubilees without end in His presence." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " SHORTLANDS HOUSE, 4. 5. 87. 
 
 "Thank you, most beloved old Marny, and most respected and 
 gratefully regarded Mrs. Henry O'Korke, for the beautiful joint pro- 
 duction which reached me a couple of days ago. May it stir up much 
 loyalty, and lead many to look higher still than our beloved Sovereign 
 Lady. 
 
 " I send the Mildmay letter and subject. 
 
 " You will see that I have also endeavoured to connect the thought 
 of Jubilee with the King Himself. 
 
 "It is nice the Conference coming just at the Jubilee week. Is it 
 not? 
 
 [In Pencil] " 18. 6. [1887.] 
 
 " It is most sad that I can't see you. But you have chosen, alas ! 
 my hardest week in the whole year. The strain of being in the Chair 
 at Mildmay for twelve or fourteen meetings in succession is very severe, 
 added to P. O. work, heavier than usual this year, as it is the closing 
 week of Parliament. It is therefore a physical impossibility for me to 
 get to Onslow Gardens, great as the spiritual refreshment would be. 
 
 "Yes, Ulster is glorious! How I, as an Ulster man, a Protestant 
 and a Christian Patriot, and the husband of an Ulster woman, should 
 like to have been there ! It stirs every fibre in one's soul and body, 
 grand solemn splendid. 'Goo defend the right and our priceless 
 liberties.' " 
 
 Amongst the Jubilee Honours of June 20th, 1887, Mr. Black wood 
 received that of a Knight Commander of the Bath. The congratula- 
 tions of his many friends and connections were very hearty, and 
 were representative of the varied interests in which he so warmly 
 shared. One or two touch points of special interest. Lord Lingen 
 says : 
 
 " 22nd June, 1887, 13 WETHERBY GARDENS, S.W. 
 
 " My observation, from the watch-tower of the Treasury, leads me
 
 472 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 to think that the Post Office is the most efficient for its purposes (and 
 they are not confined to the delivery of letters) of all the public depart- 
 ments; and I think the cause of this is, that, being constrained to work 
 within relentless limits of time, it works under constant compulsion to 
 do the right thing at the right moment. Delay for an instant, and the 
 country rings with the consequences. . . . But for this very reason, it 
 is an extremely wearing service. . . . 
 
 "Your own well-merited recognition, and 's, reminds me that 
 
 the Treasury, itself and in its personal character (if that may be said of 
 a ' Department 1 ) may not only congratulate you both, but be proud. 
 
 "The Treasury is a wonderful school: the years during which you 
 managed the Civil Service Estimates must have given you a firm grip 
 of the whole permanent Service. In all the great Departments of State, 
 there comes, from time to time, something out of the way, to try the 
 Permanent Heads of them. You have had the Parcel Post, and come 
 out well. . . . 
 
 "... You and - - are in the first line of battle ; and if it has 
 to be fought, there are no men whom I would sooner see there. I am 
 old, and pessimist, but I should trust you two to fight even a losing 
 game in the public interest against the public." 
 
 Another Treasury friend wrote : 
 
 " You seem by no means crushed by the Pall Mall Gazette stating 
 that we are a job lot. Anyhow, old fellow, I am particularly glad about 
 you. When - joins us, which I hope will not be long hence, all the 
 Eton and old Treasury band will be dubbed Knights not such a bad 
 turn out for lazy Eton boys, and men who never went in for competi- 
 tive exams." 
 
 After the expression of her own hearty congratulations, Mrs. 
 Fawcett says : 
 
 " I think there can be no breach of confidence in telling you now, 
 that my dear husband wished for this public recognition of your 
 sen-ices, and thought it had been too long delayed. This fact will at 
 any rate explain to you how special an interest I have taken in the 
 announcement." 
 
 SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD TO HIS WIFE. 
 [To DALMALLY. 1887, 2nd Augt.] " 12 GBOSVENOB SQUARE, 8 A.M. Tuesday. 
 
 "Just a word, before starting for Osborne. 
 
 " Capital journey yesterday, the hills and valleys lovely in early 
 morning. Over the Pass toCallander. People in Canada have heard
 
 CORRESPONDENCE IN 1885-6-7 473 
 
 by cable that we are coming, and I am receiving invitations to stay 
 here and to speak there. 
 
 " I can't realize that I have left you all. . . . 
 
 " 12 GKOSVENOB SQUABE, Thursday, 8.30 A.M. 
 
 "After all, I don't know that I've much to tell about the investi- 
 tures. Special train to Portsmouth with about forty-five G. and K.C.B.'s. 
 Steamer to take us over, and a lot of Queen's carriages at Osborne on 
 landing. Drove us up a couple of miles to the House, where we dis- 
 ported ourselves in various rooms and corridors, writing our names in 
 H.M.'s Book, etc., till lunch was ready in a tent. Very good, but stand- 
 up, which was uncomfortable. Guard of honour and band. Then 
 assembled in ante-room, and the Queen came in at three, the Prince 
 of Wales bustling downstairs rather late. Two very pretty Princesses 
 of Hesse behind Her Majesty. Then we all advanced in turn, very 
 solitary and very stately, Garter escorting each on Her Majesty's left, 
 and Spencer Ponsonby on her right. Garter carrying the baubles on 
 cushion. Three bows in advancing kneel two touches with a. sword, 
 one on each shoulder kiss hand Collar placed round neck by H.M.'s 
 hands, who then handed one the Star kiss hand again rise, bow, 
 retreat backward, bowing. H.M. seemed greatly amused when any 
 old Admiral flopped down on two knees instead of one, forgot to kiss 
 hand second time, backed out wrong way, or tumbled over his sword. . . . 
 
 "Then we all decamped in our new glories, of which we speedily 
 divested ourselves, and returned as we came. So that's all." 
 
 In the autumn of this year Sir Arthur Blackwood was called by 
 private business to America and Canada. The authorities, finding 
 that he was going, commissioned him to make certain investigations 
 connected with the Canadian Pacific Eailway and the conveyance of 
 the mails. This cast over his tour somewhat of an official character. 
 
 On 27th July he had accompanied his wife and family to Dal- 
 mally, Argyleshire, returned south on 1st August for the Investiture 
 at Osborne, and on 6th sailed from Liverpool, with his younger son, 
 in the Etruria. 
 
 They visited Niagara ; were induced to spend a day at the 
 gathering of the Chatauqua Summer Session, and thence went 
 straight through to Victoria, British Columbia. Here Sir Arthur 
 attended to the official business which he had in hand, and gave an 
 address in the Theatre on the Sunday afternoon, meeting here, as in 
 many other places, the grateful hearers of other times and scenes. 
 The return journey was more leisurely, pauses being made at Glacier,
 
 474 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec. In several of 
 these places Sir Arthur addressed large meetings. Nova Scotia and 
 New Brunswick were then visited ; and two or three days were 
 spent at Northfield, Mr. Moody's home in Connecticut, and one 
 night at Washington, to see the grave of his step-son. On the return 
 voyage he was allowed to address the crew more than once, and also 
 with other evangelists held short services for the steerage passengers. 
 He reached Liverpool again on 17th October.
 
 EEMINISCENCES AND LETTEES. 
 
 REMINISCENCES. 
 
 " Few things were more characteristic of Sir Arthur than his intense 
 enjoyment of country life. The approach of Spring was always hailed 
 with delight. Winter he only endured ; but when, after a long spell of 
 East or North winds, gloom and cold, the wind would veer, even for a 
 day, to South or West, he would return home from London, shouting, 
 ' Hurrah ! Wind gone to South. Spring is coming ! ' 
 
 "The colour spreading over the hedges and woods was eagerly 
 watched from day to day. The first branch of palm or the first primrose 
 found in his morning walk would be laid on the breakfast-table with 
 the joyful words 'Spring is coming! ' And when the soft green began 
 to appear, and the cuckoo's note was heard, and the blossoming of 
 almond and cherry showed that 'Spring had come,' then the longing 
 became irrepressible to get away where he could wander over moors 
 and hills for miles and miles, or on the Surrey Hills, or through the 
 fields and green lanes in Kent, or by the sea-shore in Devon and 
 Cornwall when Easter or Whitsuntide holidays made it possible. He 
 would secure a companion whose walking powers equalled his own 
 Mr. Thomas Pelham, Mr. George Savage, or some other friend, or later, 
 his second son and start as happy as a school-boy. 
 
 " From these rambles he would return refreshed and invigorated, 
 ready for any amount of work recounting in detail for the benefit of 
 those at home the adventures he had had, telling of friendly chats or 
 more serious talks by the way, of kind hospitality from strangers whose 
 acquaintance he had made, of this person and that whom he had met 
 in the pleasant little inns where the nights were spent. 
 
 "In many of these expeditions of later days, and in all his morning 
 walks, his faithful collie dog Laddie accompanied him. Laddie always 
 came to his master's room while he was dressing, and having greeted 
 him, knew that he was to keep quiet till hat and stick were taken. 
 Then his joyful barking was not to be restrained. Tennis was endured, 
 but ride or walk was what he liked, though he quite understood when 
 the bat was taken that he must be content. He never attempted to 
 
 (475)
 
 476 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 follow or to bark when his master took hat and bag for London, and was 
 surprised when specially called. Always when returning from abroad? 
 Sir Arthur would give orders that Laddie should be shut up, so that 
 when brought in after his arrival, he might have the pleasure of seeing 
 his riotous demonstrations of joy on finding his master, to his surprise, 
 in the accustomed place. 
 
 " Sir Arthur never could bear to give pain to any creature, and 
 cruelty of any sort or kind would rouse his indignation." 
 
 Portions of some Notes by Mr. Savage give a few recollections of 
 two of these expeditions. 
 
 "It was my pleasant lot, as the minister for seven years of the 
 Church which Mr. Blackwood attended at Crayford, to enjoy a special 
 intimacy with him. 
 
 "Whilst he was ever the best of listeners when I preached, I was 
 ever a charmed hearer when he lectured at his Village Hall. 
 
 " When he had a clear few days off at Easter, he planned for us de- 
 lightful excursions together, he acting as 'Mine Host' all the way. 
 
 "The first of these walking tours was through the lovely scenery of 
 North Devon in 1870 ; the next, in 1878, from Hartland Point down to 
 New Quay and Perran Porth, on the Northern Coast of Cornwall. 
 
 "On these occasions he was like a bird for freedom and merriment, 
 and showed points of his character that elsewhere came out less 
 plainly. Here one might trace the effect of his training in the Com- 
 missariat service in the days of the Crimean War; and it was with some 
 surprise and amusement that I saw our every day's plan unfold itself 
 without doubt or difficulty. He did all the arranging when to send 
 on our kit by carrier where to make our resting place for the night 
 what provision to make for the way, etc. 
 
 "It was the same when choice of route had to be made. His 
 practised eye always struck the right direction, and with his light 
 Inverness cloak hanging over one shoulder, he would stride along. 
 
 "Ilfracombe Bideford Clovelly are names of places which the 
 remembrance of our first holiday walk recals. We must have spent 
 Thursday before Easter at the last-named place, sleeping at the quaint 
 'New Inn, 'and taking our evening refreshment in the parlour of that 
 queer house, which has its premises on either side of the stairlike 
 street. Bo steep is the street of Clovelly that though we went up a 
 flight of stairs to the bedrooms, in the morning we walked out of the 
 bedrooms by a door level with the street. 
 
 "The spring was late that year, and the trees as we walked by ' the 
 Hobby' were of a russet brown, with the buds yet unburst. 
 
 "On Good Friday morning we turned our steps northward; and
 
 REMINISCENCES AND LETTERS 477 
 
 about ten o'clock found ourselves at the Post Office of a hamlet, just as 
 the Clergyman came for his letters. A courteous greeting led to our ac- 
 companying Mr. to his Church for the morning service, and to an 
 
 invitation to share his hospitality afterwards ; and finding in him and 
 his wife earnest Christian people, we were very much at home. 
 
 "In the course of conversation a then prominent question was 
 raised, and our hostess expressing her fears as to the soundness of 
 the doctrines advanced, said, 'And even that good man, Mr. Black- 
 wood, has been led away by them ! ' Smiling, he bowed, and said, 
 < Pardon me, I must tell you that I am Mr. Blackwood.' A momentary 
 confusion was soon dispelled, and the joke was vastly enjoyed by him. 
 Out of this incident sprang a friendship and correspondence. 
 
 " In arranging the things ' wanted on the journey,' no one who knew 
 this Evangelist will be surprised that he included a large supply of little 
 books and tracts, to sow as seed by the way. The giving away of these 
 often led to interesting conversations. One incident was of more 
 peculiar interest. It happened that just as we reached the top of the 
 hill above Combe Martin, north of Ilfracombe, we both lay down by a 
 gate, back from the road, to rest. Presently, I saw in the distance 
 coming towards us, a gentleman and a young lady. As he drew near, 
 I rose and met him, and saluting him offered a doubled card, ' The way 
 to Heaven,' which looked like a little Local Guide. He thanked me, but 
 said he thought he knew the route without a guide book. I pointed to 
 the title, ' The way to HEAVEN.' 'Ah,' he replied, 'I wish that were 
 as easy to find ! ' After a few words more, I bade him good-day, and 
 returned to Mr. Blackwood, who was still lying on the grass. He said 
 to me, ' Do you know who that man was to whom you gave the tract ? 
 W. E. Forster! ' (Rt. Hon.) 
 
 "At Lynton we made our rest for Easter Day ; and many a sacred 
 song have the rocks and scenes around heard from his Christ-loving 
 heart and lips. 
 
 "He was fond of quoting the phrase in Greek, and its equivalent in 
 English, ' The many twinkling smile of ocean,' as we walked on the high 
 ground which gave a view of the sea glittering in the sunshine. 
 
 "One night, as we finished our supper at the little Inn at Porlock 
 a fishing village to the North of Devon, news came that the moor was 
 on fire, and we went out again to see one of the grandest scenes 
 imaginable several acres of furze, blazing with lurid glare, and lighting 
 up the whole neighbourhood. 
 
 "A late Easter week in 1878 saw us again at Clovelly. This time 
 we took the southward direction by Hartland Point, walking to Bude, 
 for once, in driving rain ; but this did not prevent our thorough enjoy- 
 ment of the walk. From Bude we made our way to Boscastle, where 
 we spent Easter.
 
 478 LIFE OF SIR ABTHCB BLACKWOOD 
 
 "One thing was always characteristic of my dear companion. He 
 rose early ; and many a sweet morning portion generally from the 
 Bible and Prayer Union chapter for the day would he bring forth 
 from his treasures of ' things new and old.' 
 
 "Those who knew him cannot forget the bright gladness with 
 which he made these discoveries in his Bible. He would actually 
 laugh for joy over them, 'as one that findeth great spoil '; and his art 
 in arranging rapidly what he saw into groups, greatly accounted for his 
 readiness and fulness as a speaker. 
 
 "Or again a text on the bedroom wall would come out into its 
 suggested connections, and a skeleton Bible lesson was ready on the spot. 
 One day at our family prayer he took in this way, ' SURELY, He hath 
 borne our grief and carried our sorrows,' and several other texts -with 
 'Surely' in them, and made lovely comments upon them; welcome to 
 us, but specially apposite to the case of a servant who was there. 
 
 "Boscastle, he said, reminded him forcibly of Balaclava, only in 
 miniature, and seemed to recal to him his life in the Crimea. The 
 name of a boat that lay in the harbour at Boscastle suggested to us the 
 possibilities open to faith 'WHY NOT?' 
 
 ' From Boscastle as our base, we made an excursion to the classic 
 Tintagel ; and then our next stopping place was Rock Ferry, Padstow, 
 whence we sent by post a tin of cowslips the first we had seen for the 
 year to Miss Annie Macpherson for her Flower Mission. 
 
 "Somewhere on this coast we came upon a little village, where we 
 found an Inn, but could get no provision, or attendance. A drunken 
 old woman seemed the only person in the house. Fortunately on going 
 out to forage I secured some eggs, and our repast was forthcoming. 
 Here again, my companion's versatility came out. He asked for a 
 frying pan, some butter and condiments, and himself set to work and 
 made a most splendid omelette 1 
 
 "The writing of these fragmentary reminiscences seems to bring 
 the living man again before my mind, and all his kindnesses to me, his 
 favoured ' compagnon de voyage.' 
 
 "After all, what gave the charm to his ever-delightful company was 
 that he was always on the look-out for what spoke of Christ, Who was 
 truly his Lord and Master. 
 
 " But he is gone. Blessed be GOD ! Not lost ; but as Wade Robin- 
 son writes : 
 
 " ' On that wonderful day, 
 
 When I am still on the bed, 
 Smile through your weeping to say, 
 " Gone by the Upland way," 
 Do not say I am dead !
 
 in (fOSgl/ff John . 
 It-trie, ,7/; 4- 'Five 
 
 d yi 
 
 / , 
 , f mar, 
 
 eren crt'fts .g/ */_./* 
 ' 
 
 3. 
 
 Th c GOSPEL according to St. JOHN. 
 
 - **"*IIAPTEB I.""'/** 
 
 _LN the beginning was the Word,* and 
 the Word was with' God, and the Word 
 was' God. 
 
 2 The same was in the beginning with 
 God. 
 
 i.(a-v, l> 3 All/ things were made by him; and 
 At./), without lu'm was, not any thing made 
 
 that was made. 
 
 Pro tb f 4 In him 1 wa.s life; aud the life was 
 H. Co */0.thelkht* of men. 
 
 o And the Ught_shinetji in' darkness; 
 WvJo/"and tKrdaj^kfiessToTTipnliended'" if not. 
 
 6 ThSFe was a'^malf" sent t'rom God, 
 whose nahje wa.t John. 
 
 **r,<7.r. ' 7 Jhe sn>no eaino fur a" witness! to'bear 
 
 fcw'-V witnes8*of th& Light,' that all wfrt'through" 
 
 /i- Jf^n him might believe, fn ra <*^ /*^** ttr^/n <il- 
 
 S*5 He" was not tliat Liiiht, but K'<7,s t>tnt 
 
 ^V/to'hear wit ness'of that Light. 
 
 -*./9 That was the trtte Light,? which light- 
 A'tm^.is i'tli every. man that comet h into the world. 
 Mile was in the world, and the world 
 was made by him, and* (he world knew 
 him not. 
 
 Jf 1.5. mic' came unto his own, and his 
 own received him not. 
 
 1- But a- many* as received him, to 
 
 y/V/'Ae them gave he V power to become the sons 
 
 "* of (loo, ei-rn to fEem r that believe on 
 
 his name : it ii.na.'ttrj.' sttttnl- 
 
 *oAr? ' 13 Which were born,"' not of ''blood,' 
 >:t-f*agv- nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the 
 ' *,* will ofinan but of (jf^^ f 'f^ f ' f >t!S ~ 
 
 * 14 Iliad" the Word* was made flcsli and 
 "ikwjU/r" dwelt* among us, (and* we bekel'L-4iis 
 jr.- t 55- -j. glory, the glory as of the ofily begotten of 
 V }i./S?.lhc Father.) full' of grace a/nl truthV 
 
 15 Johii" bare witness tn him, anil cried, 
 fmrngf This was he of' whom I spake, 
 *He tht cometh after me is preferred be- 
 *fore ute: for he was befVire me.V 
 >i/^u>li! And of his fYd/iess* have nil we 
 H received, and graee*f6ffgrace.' t * rT ".' K "" ? " 1 # *' 
 . * />'* 17 For the law WR given by Moses, but 
 .^.gra< l e r "jncl truth c.ny'e by Jesus Christ. 
 ;}) TS~?fu>nTtTrTiath ccn God 1 * at any time ; 
 thiiX-fJTTTv Ixvotteii >.iii,"\vhich is in the bo- 
 som of tnc Father, he hath declared him. 
 
 I'.l And this/ is the record of John, when 
 tho Jews sent priots and Levites from 
 Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou ? 
 
 20 And he confessed, and denied not; 
 but confessed, I am not the Christ. 
 
 SI And they asked him, What then? 
 Art thou Klia.s? Anil he saith, 1 am not. 
 Art thou "that prophet? And he an- 
 Bwcred. No. 
 
 22 Then said they unto him, Who art 
 thoa ? that we niay give an nu.swer to theiu 
 that sent us. What sa>e-t thou of thyself;' , 
 2H He' said, I am the voice of one crying 
 in the wiM'-rncss, Make straight the w;v 
 tn of the Lf>rd, us said the prophet* K>aus./ 
 
 f,+,n 
 
 <:!** 
 
 24 Arid they which wer 
 the. Pharisees. 
 
 2."i And they nked him. 
 him, Why baptj/e-t tl 
 
 nt wer^ of 
 
 id MI.!. 
 if I ho, 
 lieilhei 
 
 him, \\liv t.apti/est tliou I lie 
 bo not that Christ, nor Kli.i 
 tlvat prophet ? 
 
 2ti John answered them, ..t\iu/. I l>ap- 
 ti/o with wutT : but then. 1 staudeth one" 
 among you, whom ye know not; 
 
 27 lie it fs, who "coming after me is 
 
 A. D. 26. 
 
 preferred before me, 'whose shoe's latchct 
 I am not worthy to unloose. 
 
 23 These things were done in Betha- 
 bara beyond Jordan, where John was 
 baptizing. 
 
 29 The next day John secth Jesus 
 coming unto him, and saith>JJehold the 
 Lamb* of God, which ft takfcfET'away 
 the sin of the world. \ 
 
 30 This is ho of whom I said, After mo 
 comet h a man which is preferred^ before 
 me : for he was before me. \ 
 
 31 And LJ knew him not: but that ho 
 should b<T made maniiesno Israel, there- 
 fore ma I come baptizing with water. \ 
 
 32/And John bate record, saying, I safc 
 the Spirit desceiKung from heaven Me a 
 flove, and it ahrfUe upon him. ^^ 
 
 33 And j^Kncw him not : but he t^at 
 sent me to baptize wfhXVater, the sanie 
 said unto me, Upon whom tb.ou shal t sq? 
 the Spirit desccn di ng/a lyki-einaTnTiig on 
 him, the same is iiexwliich baptizeth 1 " 
 with the Holy Ghoatr 
 
 34 And Isaw<-^and bare record that 
 this is the S^nofyGod. 
 
 35 Again tke riext day after John stood, 
 and two of hisNmciples ; J 'wards. / Car. t> . 
 
 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walk- ^^ 
 ed, he saith.aehdkLMBrLamb of God IS-J^/ 
 
 37 And-'flie twd^shsciples heard hmuj 
 spealrlind they folldwe'cL Jesus. ca.3/,20 . 
 
 Then/ Jesus txirnedx and saw tnem-^ 
 
 following/ and saith uritV tly?m7~\\liat 
 seek jer They saia unto\Kim, Rabbi, 
 (which As to say beirte intep^8.ted, Mas- 
 ter,) where * dwellest tj 
 
 39 ^le saith unto the 
 
 They/ came and saw W ,- . . 
 
 aboao with him That /^ay : for 
 about f the tenth hour. 
 
 40 One of the two/whifch heard John 
 speak, and followed/ himA was Andrew, 
 aimon Peter's brother. \ 
 
 41 He first findeth his own brother 
 Simon, and saitjj unto hini, We have 
 found the Mcssias, which u, being in- 
 ten)rcted, i the ^linst. 
 
 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And 
 when Jesus beheld him, ho saidAThou art 
 Simon the son ct Jona: thouAshalt l>e 
 called Cephas, which is by interpretation, 
 e A stone. / y 
 
 43 The day /ollowing, Jesus wAuld p"> 
 forth into Galilee, and jlrideth I'hitjp, and 
 ait}\ voto him, Folio w/ffic*. ^ - 
 
 44 Now Vhdip >r&s of Bethsaid^ the 
 city of Andifew an _ 
 
 45 Philiii find<<th Natha'nncJ^nd s^ith 
 unto him/Wxhavo found him, of 
 
 reth 
 
 Moses * 
 write, Ji 
 
 46 
 
 then; i/nv good thing come out of Nazn\ 
 'iiilip saith unto him, Come and i 
 
 r tn<j Jaw, and the prophets, i 
 sus of Nazareth, the son of JoscpV*'^ 
 Nathanacl said unto him,' Cafa 
 
 , _ jme and secj 
 
 i J .^-- .. ?aw_Nathanacl coming to him, 
 and 'sjiilu ofynim, Behold* an Israelite 
 indeed, in whom is no guile ! 
 
 48 Nathanacl saith unto him, Whcneo 
 knowest tfiou me ? Jesus answered and 
 said unt/i him, Before that Philip calle<l 
 thcc, \vueu thou wast under the fig tree. 
 
 answered and saith unto 
 
 FACSIMILE 01- TH'O P.IGES FKOM
 
 t . . . . ^ 
 
 .N upxFl iji/ o Ao-yot; Kai 6 Ao 
 Ton con, Kai "Grfot 1 " ^n 6 Aofo? 
 pot 
 
 _ 28 TaCTa t 
 'lop&dvov, o 
 
 3 FlavTa oV ayTOu f-yeneTO 1 iiai X U P I? a *> 
 
 4 'Ev _ ,_., 
 
 'v -rfi OKoria ftanci, H 
 
 'EyentTo avfjpamtK an-ejTaX/in'or vapu 
 fou' dvo/Aa. auTu 'laxivvr)?. 
 7 OI>TOV rjXpev ic ^lapTupiun, 
 . V'na Weil/res 7Trr< 
 
 32 Kai t^apTt.'p'lO'Cf 
 e0ca/uai TO lli/eiijua Ka 
 
 ' "On 
 
 " ttiac-i' irept- 
 ' ai/r 
 uXX' o n 
 etirc 
 
 Kcnafidivov Kai /uc'vov 
 ni>- 
 
 upaKoI, Kai Zpeivcv *TT ai/rov. 
 ' ' 
 
 Ka KuffjUlH 01/TOl/ OI/K 
 
 Et? Trt 3(tz t'j\uc t Kai ot io 
 
 i Wpaxa, Kai 
 o Kior TOW eou. 
 
 f 'O<ro( ie \a/3ov auroi/, 
 
 0ou fvefftfai, ToTf 
 
 36 Kai 
 
 3? Kai rJKPt/aan auTOu : ot ouo ^la 
 ^ouVrof, Kai jjKoXou^nffav TW 'Inaou 
 
 irow uxoXouSoi/VTar, Xt'^f 
 39 T 
 
 . 
 $hQ/f- OC 6S f'V tUfX 
 
 13 "Oil OUK tf aiMOTwn, oWe ^K 0eXi)|UaTO 
 
 14 Ka< o Ao-yoy <rapf t-ytveTo' 
 
 16 "Kai 1 eic TOU rXipttiMo.TOf ainm r. 
 
 37 'Ori 6 v6)uot- o<a Mtixrew? &otfrj' rj X"P ( ^ 
 
 18 Ocov ou5tiv twpaKe irttfifOTC' o LLOvoyfvrj? 
 *viov', o oov eir Ton KoXTrov TOU TraTpof, exei- 
 noc ef r,-)>'|<7aTO. _ , . 
 
 19 Kui OUTH soriv ri ^apTupia TB ladvua, ore 
 
 21 Kai np<iTn<rav OI'/TOI/' Ti ovn ; 'HXi'af i 
 o-t's Kai Xe-yer OUK eiju. 'O 
 
 "4 Eiwon ot.v ai/T^i' Tic el ', 
 '' jucv Toiy ir^,.^a<nv nua?' T' 
 
 23 " 
 tiffw 
 'Hffa 
 
 S4 Kai 'oi' uTr 
 
 ./(i 0a)i'^ " /3o5iror tn T^ tp>;u<f)' 
 r;v odov Kupiov" KaOuit fiirfi 
 
 25 Kai >'ip<iTt]<rav aurov, icai ioi/ auTv' 
 
 26 'ATreipitfn auroic 6 'laxinvrjf . Xeya>v' 'E-yw 
 (3airTi'fu) FV uAaTi' /nt'oof 6t uM'n eorrjKen, on 
 
 VTOI UtTpOf. 
 
 44 Tp eiraupion tiSfXtiaren ^ 6 'Ins 
 ir TIJV TaXiXatan' Kai eupiVxei 
 
 . 'Avopeoy Kai IltTpoi". 
 46 Ei'pi'<TKi 4><Xi7r)roT TO NaflanaJjX, i 
 
 _ - ^x, Ton uiro ' NafaptT 1 . 
 
 47 Kai 6*V6n auT^i Na^ava^X* 'Ex ' Na^aper' 
 rai Ti ufadbv etvai ', Af)u UUT^I 4>i'Xifr- 
 "Epxou Kai *^c. 
 
 48 Eioen o 'liiaouc TOW NaSanaJjX epxc/otenof 
 poc auTov, Kai Xe76i irepi auTOu' "lo aX^ 
 wy 'f(rpajXiTf]C, ev ai 46Xoc ouk CCTT*. 
 
 49 Aeye< aur^i Na^ana^X* rit)(?cv juc tivwrKfis* 
 Kpjtfri *6' 'Inaouc, Kai fiVev aurlo' flpa 
 
 Tin, cioon ae. 
 
 Jj. 
 
 We 
 X 
 
 thte under 
 
 Mi g/ 
 6a*> 
 ifAe ZasfrJ oS- 
 
 &* ^*n6 
 
 a^t/ Came * See. 
 
 Jetus 
 
 35 Jesus Sat* Men, 
 
 t- ' r 
 
 kJc'lu) a. -Th 
 
 fr* greater- tfcn 
 
 SIR S. ARTHUR BLACKll'CO&S BIBLE,
 
 EEMINISCENCES AND LETTERS 479 
 
 " ' Speak of that life in the Vast, 
 
 Fresh from its Fountain Head, 
 Say, " 'Tis the dying is past ! " 
 
 Say, " He is living at last ! " 
 Do not say I am dead ! ' 
 
 " Surely to all who knew him as I did, it must ever be true that, by 
 his faith, HE ' being dead yet SPEAKETH.' " 
 
 At Whitsuntide, 1888, the companion of another walking-tour in 
 North Devon was his second son. An intense enjoyment breathes 
 in his letters to his Wife. To his sister he wrote : 
 
 " ILFBACOMBE HOTEL, 22nd May. 
 
 " I must write you a line, my darling old Loo, for I have been 
 thinking much of you at Biddesham, where I spent Thursday night, 
 and at Lynton, where I spent Sunday, and remembered the days in 
 August in 1857, when we were there together, and where yesterday, 
 lying out in the Valley of Kocks, I read over a most beautiful letter of 
 darling Ceci's to Marianne F. written just after Uncle Francis had died, 
 and I had sailed for Malta. It brought back so much, and made me 
 look forward also so much. 
 
 " Do you remember Lynton ? There I broke a knife of my Father's, 
 cutting a stick ; and there, dear old man, though not old then, he was 
 annoyed with me for giving tracts. Thank GOD he lived to change his 
 mind, and often ask me to give them. 
 
 " I must tell you all about our walk when we meet. Never in my 
 life have I had such a combination of perfect weather, lovely scenery, 
 and enjoyment of earth and sea and sky. It has been simply perfect. 
 And A. such a pleasant thoughtful and agreeable companion. 
 
 "To-day, the last day of my 56th year has been one never to be 
 forgotten for all the beautiful gifts of GOD that can make this life 
 enjoyable ; and what a retrospect of mercies, temporal and spiritual, 
 does it afford. It has been a little ' lull in life.' ... I return, D.V., 
 Wednesday, after going to Clovelly to-morrow. 
 
 "Goo be praised for fifty-six years of your love and sweetness." 
 
 His own briefest notes on a half-sheet of paper of one of these 
 walks, in 1881, end with the words : 
 
 "Three days of much enjoyment. Several hundreds of tracts 
 distributed, and several interesting conversations with wayfarers. 
 Hallelujah!!" 
 
 REMINISCENCES RESUMED. 
 
 "Full of energy, and ever buoyant and bright, his children's amuse- 
 ments were entered into with zest. Games of hide-and-seek, etc. etc.,
 
 480 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 were never quite so good as when he could join, and sometimes 'grave 
 and reverend ' evangelists, staying in the house, would take part too, 
 refreshing body and spirit, while becoming boys again for the time. 
 
 "Conjuring, in which in early life he had obtained no inconsider 
 able skill, was often put in requisition at Christmas and other times for 
 the benefit of the children he disguising himself in attires brought 
 from the Crimea or Constantinople. 
 
 'Some surprise or pleasure was being constantly planned for those 
 at home. If in his various wanderings something struck him as likely 
 to afford amusement or benefit to his children, he was sure to try and 
 reproduce it. In this way a swing of peculiar construction, seen at 
 Constantinople, was put up from his notes and description, in the 
 garden at Crayford. Many other contrivances also. 
 
 "Tennis, Smash, and other games took the place of these things 
 later. He was always very particular about the Court, and saw to all 
 the details and measurements. Looking after everything about garden 
 and grounds, arranging of flower-beds and various improvements 
 about the place he always found to be a great relaxation. 
 
 " He took much pleasure in organizing picnics, in celebration of 
 birthday anniversaries, to Chevening Park, where leave was kindly 
 granted ; to Portobello Downs near Farningham, to Downe or Eynsford, 
 and other places. These days live in the bright and happy remem- 
 brance of many. He was ever the cheeriest of the party always up 
 to some bit of fun. 
 
 'He delighted in boatings on the Thames or Medway. Sometimes 
 when Whitsuntide holidays permitted, expeditions were planned, rowing 
 from Medmenham to Windsor with children and friends, lunching on 
 the banks and spending a night or two on the way; then revisiting old 
 haunts at Eton, or arranging for a few days at Streatley, where in the 
 pleasant ' Coombe Farm ' his name is not forgotten ; spending happy 
 hours on the River, rejoicing in the songs of birds and the scents and 
 sounds of Spring, pausing constantly to watch the movements of water- 
 rats or of rabbits in the fields; then choosing some place to land and 
 make a fire, enjoying the tea-making and the mishaps attending it, to 
 the full. Then returning to take a meeting in a barn in the evening, 
 to speak to the village folk the words of life, and on the Sunday 
 afternoon in the wood on the hill, where many would assemble. 
 
 " It was always Sir Arthur's custom to spend the time of leave from 
 official work in August and September in some locality where complete 
 freedom and relaxation could be obtained. In earlier years places 
 were chosen near home, such as Aldborough or Hunstanton, or others 
 already mentioned ; but afterwards Scotland was always preferred. At 
 Cluny Cottage, Pitlochrie, the holidays of 1879 were passed ; and pleasant
 
 EEMINISCENCES AND LETTERS 481 
 
 friendships were formed, and many happy days spent at lovely Bonskied, 
 and round about the neighbourhood. In after years Ballachulish, 
 Braemar, Tobermory, Killin, and Aberfeldy were thus visited. 
 
 " From the place where for the time the abode was fixed, he would 
 walk off to spend a night or two at Dunira, or Garth, or the houses of 
 other friends, either alone or with his daughters. Or he would enjoy 
 cruises in his friend Sir William Mackinnon's yacht Cornelia, to Skye, 
 and amongst the lovely Western Isles. With those to whom yachting 
 was not agreeable, excursions which were always delightful were made 
 on McBrayne's steamers. Sometimes Sir Arthur would go on trial 
 trips, such as that of the Dunnottar Castle round the coast of Scotland, 
 enjoying Sir Donald Currie's princely hospitality, with as many of his 
 family as liked the sea. 
 
 " But wherever he went, he did what lay in his power for the 
 spiritual benefit of those amongst whom for a while he sojourned ; and 
 though for the most part no record remains save some entries of 
 addresses given here and there, yet often, as he went from place to 
 place, he would be accosted by those who had heard him speak, and 
 who would remind him of words which had been made to them the 
 beginning of a new life. Although entire rest and cessation from 
 speaking was not only desirable, but very often essential, if health was 
 to be preserved, yet he could not be happy unless he had done something 
 to bring to others the knowledge of that Saviour Who was ever to him 
 ' a living bright Reality.' He would often return home from his rambles, 
 and tell of conversations with those whom he had met by the way- 
 side, or in some lonely cottage, or ruined castle. In some cases he 
 would afterwards have the joy of hearing of lives changed and hearts 
 made glad through the words thus spoken. But. of the extent of this 
 work it is difficult to give any idea. 
 
 " As the years went on his letters became fewer and shorter ; and 
 even those written home were usually only to tell of his doings from 
 day to day, and are of no interest save to those for whom they were 
 intended. When longer, they are of too private a nature for publica- 
 tion. At times the pressure of work made post-cards more frequent 
 than letters." 
 
 Some few extracts follow from the letters of the years 1888 and 
 1889. 
 
 To A FRIEND. 
 
 " 1. 2. 88. 
 
 " Excuse delay. But I wanted to send you some nice ones. May 
 you find them suitable and helpful. 
 
 31
 
 482 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " ' Be ready in the morning. Come up and present thyself unto 
 Me.' 
 
 " ' I am ready.' 
 
 " ' Ready, looking for a promise.' 
 
 " ' Expecting to receive something.' 
 
 " ' According to thy faith, be it unto thee ! ' " 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 [1888, September 8th. Written to Killin.] 
 
 " R. Y. S. Cornelia, Saturday, 9 P.M., OBAN. 
 
 "A most glorious day. At ten Lord Lome, Sir Lewis and Lady 
 Pelly, and Signor Catalani came on board, and we steamed up to Salen, 
 whence in three machines we drove over by Loch-na-Keal twelve miles 
 to a cave opposite Staffa, belonging to the Argylls. Beautiful scenery ; 
 and then on way back stopped to tea at a lodge of the Duke's at Loch 
 Barr. 
 
 "A lovely evening. Just dined, and sending off to post, and to fetch 
 Sir Donald Stewart. 
 
 [Sept. 13.] " Thursday, 11 A.M. Cornelia. 
 
 " To-morrow we purpose leaving here (Oban) 12.50, the girls stopping 
 at Innischonain at 1.49. I shall probably come on, reaching Killin at 
 2.30. Went to games yesterday. Saw a few people, amongst others 
 Professor Simpson. Dinner party here afterwards. Prince H. of 
 Battenberg, Baron Pawel Rammingen, Lord Lome, and a lot of others, 
 eighteen altogether. To-day we probably cruise up to Ballachulish, 
 while Regatta goes on, returning for teas, dinners, illuminations, etc." 
 
 The letter which follows was written in pencil to his sister, 
 whom he had just seen off on a journey to California with her son. 
 
 " NORTH WESTERN HOTEL, LIVEBPOOL, 3 Oct., 1888. 
 
 "Just one more parting word, my VERY VERY DARLING sister Loo, 
 to cheer you up at Queenstown. 
 
 "You know how I shall daily, almost hourly follow you and your 
 dearest boy with earnest prayer for your safety, prosperity and happi- 
 ness. 
 
 "God grant that we may soon meet again. Thanks be to Him that 
 we shall ere long meet with the loved ones gone before and with each 
 other on the Eternal Shore. 
 
 " In the words we so early learned to sing together 
 
 " ' Oh I that will be joyful 
 
 When we meet to part No MOBE.'
 
 EEMINISCENCES AND LETTERS 483 
 
 "How much I owe you for all the tender love and sympathy you 
 have ever shown me. God abundantly bless you." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [1888.] j" BELVOIB CASTLE, 25. 10. 
 
 "Enjoyable day yesterday. The morning most lovely. I inspected 
 the stud, some sixty horses, where my dear old Father was had in vivid 
 remembrance. Then walked with the Duchess (in donkey carriage) 
 and girls to some lovely spots in woods. . . . 
 
 " My suite of rooms is that which the Queen occupied, and the 
 Duchess insists upon my occupying them all. So I am in great state." 
 
 " 26. 10. 
 
 " To-day began with rain. 
 
 "Duke, Mrs. H. and I rode; girls and others drove. We had a 
 lovely ride, and a capital gallop and jumping; and I've now come in to 
 answer twenty-three letters and a P. O. pouch. They wouldn't hear of 
 our leaving before Monday." 
 
 At this time the delicate health of his elder son was the cause 
 of much anxiety, and it was deemed advisable for him to go to the 
 Cape, in the hope of regaining strength and tone. Sir Arthur and a 
 sister saw him off from Southampton, in the Athenian, on February 
 8th, 1889. 
 
 The DIAEY OF DATES from January to December is full of entries 
 of addresses here and there, of meetings of all kinds, of work re- 
 ligious, secular, official and domestic, of records of illness at home 
 bare statements of facts, but showing how much lay behind, and 
 making very plain how great was the strain upon him, and also how 
 necessary were such breaks as "March 23. Eynsford, Chevening, 
 Downe," or such a rest as " April 20. Calais with Laddie." 
 
 The long graphic letters to his Wife during a four days' cruise in 
 the Ormuz, at the time of the Review of the Fleets at Spithead by 
 the German Emperor in August, 1889, show how keen was his 
 enjoyment of the much needed relaxation. 
 
 "Altogether," he says, "it has been a most enjoyable trip to me. As 
 much or as little company as I chose, and a rub up against a number 
 of old acquaintances of all sorts. I don't think I ever had a more 
 enjoyable four days. I felt quite as if on an Atlantic voyage." 
 
 Soon after his return Sir Arthur was able to go with his family 
 to Killin, and on a cruise in the Cornelia to Skye. He returned to 
 full work in October.
 
 484 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Among the many entries in his DIAKY OF DATES is one on 
 December 10th of the meeting in Exeter Hall which Dr. Barnardo 
 has already recorded. It was on this very day that Sir Arthur 
 received the news of the dangerous illness of the son then in Africa. 
 Whilst travelling up the country to Natal he was laid up far from 
 friends and medical aid. Little could be done ; and it was with no 
 small relief and thankfulness that better news was received by next 
 mail. 
 
 But his own work went on as usual ; and few, if any, of those 
 who came in contact with him in the meetings whose record follows 
 that entry knew how heavy was the weight that lay upon his 
 heart. The next extract gives some idea of the sense of pressure 
 under which he was at this time carrying on his work pressure 
 arising not so much from the service which he loved, or from official 
 duty, as from the exceptional strain of complicated private business. 
 
 " SHORTHANDS HOUSE. 
 
 " I was so hurried on Tuesday, there was no time for a word. Oh 1 
 when will this pressure cease? I seem almost bewildered with the 
 drive drive drive of work of all kinds. 
 
 " ' Oh ! for the rest of lying 
 For ever at His Feet ! '"
 
 X. 
 
 LAST YBAES. 
 
 JANUABY 1890 MAY 1891. 
 
 VIENNA. 
 
 PROSEKEN AGAIN. 
 
 GREAT AMWELL AND SHOOTERS' HILL.
 
 JANUAKY 1890 MAY 1891. 
 
 The later years of Sir Arthur's life, from 1888 to 1893, were 
 marked by more or less trial of various kinds, which severely tested 
 both strength and faith. His Wife's continued and increased illness, 
 and his elder son's delicate health pressed heavily upon him. 
 
 Finding that changed plans now made a home near London 
 unnecessary for his sons, Sir Arthur had for some time been 
 anxious to sell the house at Shortlands which he had taken with 
 this view, and to choose a smaller and less burdensome place. In 
 December 1889 an offer came rather suddenly, which he decided 
 to accept ; and in January 1890, he left Shortlands House, after 
 nearly nine years' residence. The family moved for a short time 
 to Plaistow Lodge, Bromley, the house of his friend Lord Kinnairdi 
 and in May to a place at Great Amwell, Herts, which he hoped 
 would meet these requirements. 
 
 But it was not so to be ; and he would often say that in all that 
 followed he could see GOD'S method of teaching him, and of pre- 
 paring him for a Home, whence " he should go no more out." 
 
 Necessary alterations had to be made at Amwell ; and then a 
 series of peculiar circumstances amongst them the bankruptcy of 
 a tenant, which threw the house back on his hands made it im- 
 perative that he should return to Shooters' Hill until the term of 
 his responsibility for that place should end. He sought to avoid 
 this necessity, which in many ways tried him much ; but after his 
 return from Vienna the decision had to be made, and it was carried 
 out in October 1892. 
 
 To those who watched him from day to day, it was now clear 
 that his strength was not what it had been, and that more rest and 
 a cessation from the pressure of much that he had in hand was a 
 necessity. But it was with difficulty that he was induced to begin 
 
 (487)
 
 488 LIFE OF SIR ABTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 to give up some of the work connected with the many interests in 
 which he was engaged. 
 
 After his elder son's serious illness in South Africa, it was thought 
 well that one of his daughters should join her brother at the Cape 
 and for the voyage home. Sir Arthur therefore went with hia 
 second daughter, in the Mexican, as far as it was possible for him to 
 accompany her in the time at his disposal, parting from her at 
 Madeira, to return by the next homeward bound steamer. During 
 the single week of his brief stay in the Island, he was, as ever, 
 "about his Father's business." He at once sought out the most 
 decided Christian workers in the place, and by their arrangement, 
 three addresses were given both to English and Portuguese, in the 
 Scotch Church. 
 
 On 10th March home was again reached, and the usual busy life 
 resumed. It was on the 18th April that he saw his younger son off 
 from Euston on his way to Canada, little anticipating then that they 
 would never meet again in this world. 
 
 A few extracts follow from the letters of this year. 
 
 To A FRIEND. 
 
 " 28. 1. 90. 
 
 " MY DEAR OLD FRIEND, What can I suggest better than Ps. xxv. 14? 
 
 " The old designation of a God-fearing man or woman is somewhat 
 obsolete. We should do well to seek to revive its reality at least in 
 ourselves. And then we shall be in a position to enter into ' the secret 
 of the LORD,' and to delight ourselves in the further understanding of 
 that wonderful covenant which He will show us. and which is ordered 
 in all things and sure, as well as everlasting. 
 
 " May such be your portion and mine. 
 
 "Yes ! It is a wondrous mercy that we have been kept in the old 
 paths. They are safe and happy ' mercy and truth.' 
 
 "The LORD guide you." 
 
 To Miss F. GLADSTONE. 
 
 " 8/5 [1890.] 
 
 "I shall do my level best to join in the prayers and blessings that 
 will surround you on Thursday," [her wedding day] "even if G. P. 0. 
 and the rest of creation go to smash." 
 
 To MRS. ROBERT GLADSTONE. 
 
 " G. P. 0. 10/5. 
 
 "Oh ! wasn't I sorry to miss it. I tore what few remaining locks ,-I 
 had in despair. But just as the fatal (I mean 'happy') moment arrived,
 
 JANUABY 1890 MAY 1891 489 
 
 I had to attend a conference of Heads of Departments. So it was 
 utterly impossible. 
 
 "But it was a disappointment. 
 
 "Where are they gone to? Are you able to trace them? Will the 
 post find them out ? 
 
 " Have they secured H. B. as curate ? 
 
 "How did it go off? 
 
 "In agonies of moving. ... A. and B. returned from Cape on 
 Monday. C. is at Venice or somewhere. A. in, Canada. I'm in my 
 sponge-bag, I believe. Servants tumbling us into Great Amwell." 
 
 To MRS. F. LATROBE FOSTER. 
 
 " ASCENSION DAY, [1890] 
 
 "The P. 0. never confesses itself baffled. Though you have buried 
 yourself in the Devonshire wilds, the P. 0. tracks you out, and having 
 been absent at your wedding, invades your honeymoon presumptuously, 
 and hopes you are enjoying yourself. 
 
 " The P. 0. knows Chagford, and congratulates that charming spot on 
 its visitors, who have well chosen such a scene in the lovely month of 
 May for their sojourn. 
 
 "I see that I was at the wedding, according to local newspaper. 
 So it's all right. I suppose I dreamed that I wasn't. 
 
 "... We move to Amwell Saturday. 
 
 " I can't do better than send you the Collect for to-day." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [1890] " G. P. O. 5. P.M., 8/5. 
 
 "A troublous and weary day and I must get a little repose to my 
 spirit by a quiet letter to you before going off to get more refreshment 
 by speaking to the Guardsmen at Miss Daniell's new Home. 
 
 " How well it is to pray each morning to be prepared for all GOD 
 has prepared for us. Out of the shoal of letters awaiting me here, 
 three were certainly not pleasant. 1 ... 2 ... 3, your communica- 
 tion, concerning which I can say nothing till we meet. . . . 
 
 "These are some of the 'prepared things' (Jonah), 'worm,' 'vehe- 
 ment east wind,' and they must be accepted. . . . May GOD guide and 
 strengthen. 
 
 "A crush of rather anxious work here. . . ." 
 
 [1890] " G. P. O. 22nd May. 
 
 "Thank you . . . for sweet letter just received with its encouraging 
 words. You are CHIEF among the many blessings I have to be thankful 
 for chiefest of all.
 
 490 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "Am so disappointed not to be home early; but the Protestant 
 Alliance was fixed months ago, and then the F. 0. came in suddenly. 
 
 " Your . . . 
 
 "S. A. B. 
 " in his 59th year." 
 
 By accident most of the letters of this and the following year 
 were destroyed. 
 
 In June, whilst workmen were in possession of the house at 
 Amwell, the Duchess and some of the party went to Aberfeldy, 
 Sir Arthur remaining in or near London until he could follow at 
 the usual time of leave. 
 
 Many of the entries of this year in the DIARY OF DATES relate to 
 the Penny Post Jubilee Celebrations ; and on 9th July comes the 
 record of the strike. 
 
 The year 1890, it will be remembered, was a period of great 
 discontent and disaffection, which manifested itself in several 
 branches of the Public Service. This spirit, which had been 
 smouldering in the Postal Service, now broke into flame ; and 
 during the night of the 9th July, Sir Arthur, who was at Lord 
 Wynford's house in Grosvenor Square, was roused from sleep by 
 the news of a Strike at Mount Pleasant, the head quarters of the 
 Parcel Post. The steps which he took, and the approval which 
 they received are best told in some extracts from the Official 
 Minutes. 
 
 "COPY OF PARTS OF MINUTE re PROCEEDINGS AT MOUNT PLEASANT ON 
 JULY 9TH AND 10TH, 1890. 
 
 "THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL. 
 
 "The accompanying report was placed in my hands at midnight, 
 the 9th inst., by the Financial Secretary, who, having seen in the 
 evening papers, when at Wimbledon, the report of what was alleged to 
 have taken place at Mount Pleasant, at once came up to St. Martin's- 
 le-Grand, and procured this paper from Mr. Tombs. . . . Mr. Tumor 
 was accompanied by Mr. Lewin Hill, who was of the greatest assistance 
 to me during the whole of last night. Being convinced that it was 
 absolutely essential to the maintenance of the Service, and indeed in 
 the interests of the men themselves, to deal promptly with the matter, 
 I decided in exercise of the discretion which you had been pleased to 
 entrust me with, upon at once taking the strongest measures to prevent 
 further disturbances, and with that view I judged it necessary to dis-
 
 JANUARY 1890 MAT 1891 491 
 
 miss summarily all the unestablished men who had taken part in 
 insubordinate proceedings, the number of whom at Mount Pleasant I 
 believed to be somewhere about 100. In order moreover to reassure the 
 Public by an intimation that prompt and energetic action had been 
 taken by the Department, I despatched Mr. Hill to the offices of the 
 Times and other principal London morning papers, with an announce- 
 ment to the effect that a certain number of dismissals for insubordina- 
 tion were being carried out at Mount Pleasant. I also sent accompany- 
 ing notice to be affixed in conspicuous places throughout the Circulation 
 office, and at all the London District offices. I then proceeded to 
 Mount Pleasant, and at 4 o'clock, when a certain portion of the Staff 
 had come on duty, I assembled the men, and announced the dismissal 
 of the eleven refractory officers who were then present, and who were 
 thereupon required to leave the premises. At 6.30 A.M. when the 
 remainder of the force, about 60, had arrived, I again assembled them, 
 and announced the dismissal of the 80 men. Forty of them, having 
 probably heard what had taken place with regard to their comrades at 
 an earlier hour, refused to enter the gates, but this refusal of course 
 made no change in their situation, since whether inside or outside the 
 buildings, they were equally discharged. When it was all over, about 
 a dozen of them rushed in, but they were stopped by the officers and 
 police and turned back. On visiting the Circulation office during an 
 interval about 5 o'clock, I saw the postmen coming on duty for the 
 first sortation and delivery. They all read the notices on the boards. 
 . . . About 20 extra hands were introduced about 6 o'clock. . . . The 
 postmen . . . went on with their duties, and proceeded with the first 
 delivery in the usual orderly manner. At 7.45 A.M. I received intelli- 
 gence that 35 unestablished parcel-postmen employed at the Leicester 
 Square Depot had struck work, and I gave instructions that they should 
 be immediately dismissed. . . . They apparently acted under direct 
 compulsion from the executive of the Postmen's Union, as on being 
 remonstrated with by the clerk in charge, they told him they had no 
 option but to obey the orders they had received. The place of these 
 men is being well supplied, and the same is the case at Mount Pleasant. 
 I have been informed this morning that 81 first-class postmen in the 
 Eastern District, 39 at Holloway, and 25 at Upper Holloway, have 
 refused to work, and they have accordingly been suspended. At the 
 Northern District office, the men at one time showed considerable 
 reluctance to discharge their duties, but eventually settled down 
 quietly to their work. I am in hopes that . . . the work of the Depart- 
 ment will be carried on without any very serious public inconvenience. 
 I was extremely glad to receive during the night the expression of your 
 approval of the measures which I felt it necessary to take, and which I
 
 492 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 had briefly reported to you by telegram. I desire to add that through 
 the whole of the night Mr. Tombs and Mr. Pamphilon were at their 
 posts, and rendered most invaluable assistance at this most critical 
 juncture. 
 
 " (Signed) S. A. BLACKWOOD. 
 " 10th July, 1890." 
 
 "THE SECRETARY. 
 
 " In returning this Minute, the Postmaster-General desires to record 
 his high sense of the signal service rendered to the Department, and 
 indeed to the State, by the Secretary of the Post Office, on this occasion. 
 To his promptness and spirit in dealing with the outbreak at Mount 
 Pleasant, the subsequent collapse of the mutiny in the London Postal 
 Service is mainly if not entirely due. 
 
 "Sir Arthur Blackwood has rendered so many and such great 
 services to the Department on other occasions that his conduct in this 
 instance has been indeed only in accordance with previous experience. 
 None the less does the Postmaster-General think it right expressly to 
 thank him for the fearless readiness with which he encountered a most 
 serious and embarrassing combination of circumstances, the memory of 
 which will ever serve to encourage the officers of the Department to the 
 performance of public duty even in the face of difficulty and danger. 
 
 " (Signed) H. C. RAIKES. 
 "16th July, 1890." 
 
 A strike which broke out a few months later in another depart- 
 ment was of but very brief continuance. But the firmness which 
 gave so much to the State also cost him much. 
 
 "I remember his telling meat the time," writes a friend, "how 
 dreadful it was to him to have to dismiss the men. 
 
 " ' They are Christian men lots of them,' he said. ' They've just been 
 led wrong.' He went on to tell me how really agonizing it was to him to 
 get appeal after appeal for re-instatement made to himself individually, 
 not from the men alone, but even from their wives and families. 'They 
 don't understand it. They think it can be done ; and that because I 
 am a Christian I shall recommend it.' And this was said with a look 
 and voice of pain which I don't think I can forget." 
 
 If was pleasant to Sir Arthur to receive, just after the close of 
 the second strike, the following letter. 
 
 " 21. l. 91. 
 "To SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD. 
 
 " I have again such a strong impelling sense of duty to tell you how 
 the LORD used you to be such a blessing to me, so opportune, so rich, 
 so good in my dire necessity !
 
 JANUARY 1890 MAT 1891 493 
 
 " You may remember you attending a meeting of P. O. employes 
 in the Ward School Rooms, Aldersgate St. in the Autumn of 1889. . . . 
 Then you said you had that day been and seen two ' Postmen's Rests,' 
 and expressed thankfulness to GOD, and gladness that He had inclined 
 the hearts of persons to be so kind to Postmen, and give them such 
 nice pleasant ' Rests.' . . . Then you said there are other Rests needed, 
 and you spoke of Him, our Saviour, as a ' Rest ' for all. It so happened 
 that I was there, a quiet listener, but no mortal being knew the extent 
 of the unrest of my inner self. I had been a Christian many years. 
 But I had a new experience for me. My elder son had done what was 
 wrong, and had brought discredit on himself, and I as his father was 
 thoroughly broken down. In fact, I hardly thought I was capable of 
 being so much so ... and my dear wife much the same. 
 
 "A poor forlorn one, I went to the meeting, for my faith was not 
 wholly gone from my GOD, led no doubt of the Holy Spirit. And as 
 you opened up about Jesus as the Rest for all sorrows and weariness, 
 and of His willingness to hear them, the Holy Spirit re-anointed my 
 eyes to see beauty in Him, and His ability and readiness to give me 
 rest in my new fresh trouble ; and He enabled me to rest on Him. I 
 came away with peace as my portion, so different to what I was when I 
 went in. 
 
 "... I have thought you would like to know what a blessing 
 the LORD made you to me, and I would thank you with all my heart 
 for your kindness and good-will to myself, and all of us ; for I love to 
 hear you speak as you did at the City Temple of the 'Dear Boys.' It 
 does me good to know you love them, and are not ashamed to own it. 
 You have many Friends, as well as enemies, in the ranks. 
 
 "As our positions are so different, and the giving of my name 
 might be misinterpreted, I hope you will excuse me in not giving it. 
 
 "Again would I thank you very very much, and to GOD be all 
 the glory." 
 
 A somewhat similar letter, also unsigned, was sent in September 
 1893 by another postal servant, expressing his gratitude for a 
 pamphlet which had been issued by Sir Arthur in 1890, called " Far 
 tJie good of the Service." "From an extensive knowledge of my 
 brother officers," said the writer, " I am convinced that there are 
 many who heartily appreciate the kindness and the efforts put forth 
 for their moral and social welfare by those in authority." 
 
 Early in August Sir Arthur rejoined his family at Aberfeldy, 
 going as far as Edinburgh by sea. Later in the month, he was on 
 board the Dunnottar Castle, as the guest of Sir Donald Currie, on her
 
 494 LIFE OF SIB ABTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 trial trip from Greenock to Leith. Amongst others on board was the 
 Rev. James Cameron, formerly Classical Professor in the South 
 African College, and more recently Registrar of the University of 
 the Cape of Good Hope. In writing to one of Sir Arthur's daughters 
 he says : 
 
 "Sir Arthur had spent a Sunday on board before I embarked at 
 Oban. I am unable therefore to speak from personal knowledge of 
 his sermon on that Sunday evening ; but I heard from one and 
 another of the impression produced by his fervent spirit and devout 
 eloquence. 
 
 "During the week which followed I had frequent opportunity of 
 conversing with him. He mingled freely, yet without anything like 
 effusive familiarity, with his fellow-guests showing interest in their 
 amusements, and taking part with keen appreciation in discussions on 
 literary and polemical questions. But it was evident to all that his 
 deepest sympathy was with spiritual things, and it was only when the 
 Word or the Kingdom of his Master was the theme, that the full rich- 
 ness of his nature was seen. 
 
 I remember well an excursion one bright morning to the Forth 
 Bridge, in the lolanthe, Sir Donald Currie's own yacht. Sir Arthur 
 and I spent almost the whole morning together. Very soon our 
 conversation took a religious turn, and we spoke together with a 
 freedom which the brief acquaintance might hardly seem to warrant, 
 of the things concerning the Kingdom of GOD. Among other things 
 I told him of the thrilling effect produced on me by the singing in the 
 East Church, Aberdeen, of that fine hymn in the Scottish Church 
 Hymnal beginning, 
 
 " ' O Love, that will not let me go.' 
 
 "Sir Arthur was unacquainted with the hymn, and at his request 
 I repeated it to him. He listened with deepest attention: and when 
 it was finished he simply said, as he grasped my hand, 'Thank you'; 
 and then in deep reverential, almost exulting tone repeated the first 
 line of the last stanza twice over, 
 
 " ' O Cross, that liftest up my head.' 
 
 "If among the wreaths of affection which lie on his grave, this poor 
 flower from South Africa may find place, I shall be glad indeed to pay 
 my tribute to the memory of one whom a very slight acquaintance 
 compelled me to venerate and honour, and whom longer intercourse 
 would doubtless have taught me to love. 
 
 " SEA POINT, CAPE TOWN, 2nd November, 1896."
 
 JANUAEY 1890 MAY 1891 495 
 
 A letter from Mr. Thomas Pelham says : 
 
 "How much I have regretted that I did not see more of him in 
 later years. The last time was in 1890, when I walked over to Dunira 
 from Lawers, and heard him for the last time. 'Mount Moriah' was 
 the subject. 
 
 " (1) Abraham offering up Isaac. 
 
 "(2) David's Sacrifice on the threshing floor of Araunah. 
 
 "(3) Christ's Death. 
 
 "All on the same spot. It struck me as a most beautiful address, 
 showing how ' the shedding of Blood ' ran through the whole Bible. 
 The illustrations were very telling, and the language perfect. 
 
 " I really think we are only beginning to realize what we have lost. 
 Alas ! there seems no one to take his place. His manly presence, his 
 dignity and gentle courtesy combined to make his speaking and all his 
 conversation so very attractive, and recommended his Christanity to 
 many who would otherwise have scoffed." 
 
 In October Sir Arthur returned, again by sea, to his work in 
 London. 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " G. P. O. 26. 1. [1891] 
 
 "Yes, I did rejoice at Lord Salisbury's utterances about Priestcraft. 
 May many more eyes be opened to see the real origin of Home Rule 
 is Rome Rule. 
 
 " I did not write ' The Suicide of Liberty.' It was very good. Peti- 
 tions are being got up everywhere against Gladstone's Bill. 
 
 "Great meetings to be held at Croydon, Brighton, and all sorts of 
 places. Am constantly receiving telegrams asking me to go and speak 
 at them. Joseph Parker to preach against it next Thursday at twelve. 
 
 "Did you see his admirable letter in Times last week ? 
 
 " Got an anonymous letter last week with Death's head and cross 
 bones, telling me I was to die that Monday at six, by the knife. Was 
 ' shadowed ' to station by some of our detectives. 
 
 " I have no doubt the LORD had some Angels ' shadowing ' too, and 
 was not far off Himself. 
 
 " May have been a hoax. But I've had to dismiss so many, some 
 poor man may have gone off his head. 
 
 " Pray for Cambridge and me next Saturday and Sunday. I go to 
 the Bartons. 
 
 "G. P. 0. 22/2 [1891] 
 
 " Prayers heard and answered, Glory be to GOD. A good meeting 
 with the Postmen on Saturday, 6.15. A crammed room at the Bartons 
 at 8.30. Subject, Glorying in the Cross. Why ? It is
 
 496 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " 1. The Measure of Man's Guilt. 
 
 " 2. The Manifestation of GOD'S Holiness. 
 
 " 3. The Magnitude of GOD'S Love. 
 
 " 4. The Means of Salvation. 
 
 " 5. The Mark of Separation. 
 
 " 6. The Motive to Service. 
 
 " 7. The Melody of Heaven, A Crucified and Risen Saviour. 
 
 "Hallelujah to the Lamb! 
 
 'Bible-reading at Corpus Sunday morning. Fifty men, at least; 
 all in earnest. 
 
 ''Alexandra Hall packed at 8.30. Never had deeper attention. One 
 man. I trust, came definitely to the LORD, and rejoiced His heart, and 
 mine. So we will thank GOD." 
 
 To A FRIEND. 
 
 " G. P. O. 29/1 [1891] 
 
 ' MY DEAR OLD FRIEND, Forgive the disrespect : but you are an old 
 friend, and a good one too. The only afternoons I could give before 
 Easter are Thursdays, 19th February and 19th March. 
 
 "I cannot now make any engagement for April. 
 
 "I suggest as subjects: 
 
 " 19//i Feb. ' Thou art the King of glory, O Christ ! ' 
 
 " ISth March. ' When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, 
 Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers!' 
 
 'May I send you, 
 
 "'GOD, 
 
 Whose I am, 
 
 and 
 Whom I serve.' " 
 
 ^ In the Spring of 1891, in the months of February and March, a 
 series of addresses was given in friends' houses in the neighbourhood 
 of Amwell. A letter written in 1895 says : 
 
 " EASNEYE, WARE. 
 
 " It has been very nice to go over in my mind all that I remember 
 of those meetings that Sir Arthur took here. How the people did 
 crowd to them ! and many who do not often go to such meetings. I 
 specially remember how intensely solemn they were. There was such 
 a stillness, and such earnest listening. 
 
 "I think we had four meetings here, two at High Leigh, and one 
 (or two?) at Broxbourne Bury. Those here and at High Leigh were on 
 the Te Deum."
 
 JANUABY 1890 MAY 1891 497 
 
 Another series was given in the following November and Decem- 
 ber at Mr. Robert Barclay's, at High Leigh. 
 
 In response to many requests, the substance of some of these 
 addresses was afterwards published, and is contained in the last 
 book he wrote, " Te Deum Laudamus." One at least of their 
 number was also given in a course of Drawing-room meetings 
 which Sir Arthur was holding at this time in the London Soldiers' 
 Home. 
 
 This address is thus described by a lady who was present, drawn 
 there by a promise made a year before to her dying mother, that " if 
 ever able, she would go and hear Stevenson Blackwood." A card 
 of invitation from Miss Daniell was given her by a lady to whom it 
 had been sent. 
 
 "I went," she says, "to fulfil my promise, to take and bring me 
 back. What I expected I hardly know, certainly no good. 
 
 " When he came into the room he went up to a little chair by the 
 piano, and knelt down. When he stood up and gave out a hymn " [" O 
 Christ, what burdens bowed Thy Head I "] "I saw his face and heard 
 his voice, and all the silly prejudices that had gathered round his name 
 for years were gone, and the only impression I had was the expression 
 of the whole man, 'Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's 
 business ? ' and I never again saw him without that being the pervading 
 thought. 
 
 "After repeating the words of the Te Deum, ' When Thou hadst over- 
 come the sharpness of death, Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all 
 believers,' he read the end of the 27th of Matthew, which of course I 
 knew well ; but each sentence sounded like a new fact, real, actual, 
 and as though we were present. It seemed awful and wonderful and 
 glorious. I don't think however that it was his reading, for I quite 
 forgot him, but the Presence of GOD, in him, and perhaps in the room 
 also. He began by giving us some idea of what the sharpness of that 
 Death was. How, when hanging on the Cross, Heaven and Earth had 
 turned against Him. The wood of the cross the iron of the nails that 
 pierced Him the earth that quaked the sun that grew dark were 
 made by Him; but the sharpness that we can never know, was when 
 GOD forsook Him, and said, 'Awake, Stvord, against the Man that is My 
 Fellow ' ; and the sword of His Justice, that had kept the gates of Para- 
 dise, and shut us out from the Tree of Life, struck Him instead of us. 
 And then came the 'loud' cry of triumph, '!T is FINISHED ' not the cry 
 of agony I used to think it, but of victory the suffering past, the 
 battle fought and won, GOD'S justice satisfied, and Paradise regained. 
 
 32
 
 498 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 A few hours before, He had sung in the Passover Hymn the words, 
 ' Open to me the, gates of righteousness ' ; and at the moment that GOD'S 
 Hand rent the veil of the temple from top to bottom, to show to men 
 that there was a 'new and living way ' made for them right up to His 
 Presence in 'the Holiest of all,' the shout came from the watching hosts 
 of Heaven, 'Lift up your heads, ye gates, even lift them up, ye ever- 
 lasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in.' And ' the LORD of 
 Hosts, the LORD strong and mighty in battle,' Who had overcome all His 
 enemies on the Cross and made a show of them openly, went in, but 
 not alone, as they swung open. For He had made &full atonement, so 
 that He could 'save to the uttermost,' and ALL believers had henceforth 
 the right to enter. And a man, judged by his fellows to be too wicked 
 to live, suffering death, even by his own account as a 'just punishment ' 
 for his offences, had as he hung dying with curses on his lips, at the 
 last moment looked at the One beside him, and had seen the glory of 
 GOD in the Face of Jesus Christ, and with his last breath prayed 
 Him to remember him when He came into His kingdom. And he was 
 ' taken straight from the cross to the Paradise of GOD.' "
 
 VIENNA. 
 
 At the end of April, 1891, Sir Arthur was laid up with a severe 
 attack of illness, which obliged him to delay his departure for 
 Vienna, where he was to attend another Universal Postal Congress. 
 
 To Miss ODELL. 
 [Dictated.] 
 
 " GREAT AMWELL, 1st May 1891. 
 
 " I have been in bed for the past two days, and am improving, but 
 very slowly indeed. 
 
 "I shall have to postpone my departure for Vienna, and give up my 
 much-wished-for visit to Mecklenburg, which is a great disappointment 
 to me. 
 
 " It strikes me that GOD has three great schoolmasters the Weather 
 for mankind, the Law for sinners, and Sickness for His children. You 
 will be able to expand this, and if I live, I may try and expound it to 
 you some day. It is a very suggestive thought." 
 
 Eventually the " much-wished-for visit " to Proseken was fitted 
 in at the close of the Congress. 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " IN CAB TO HOUSE OP COMMONS, 
 
 " Monday, llth May, 7. P.M. 
 " Train 25 minutes late, which threw me back much in time for 
 
 work, which was again reduced by entrance of who came to see 
 
 me. . . . Then solicitor about , and cleared up some mistakes of 
 
 theirs ! Dr. B. quite satisfied with my progress. 
 
 [POSTCARD.] 
 
 " Tuesday, 12th May, ON BOARD. Noon. 
 
 " Ta lettre aimable et bien venue reached me at 8. A.M. Je te remercie 
 du verset applicable. A satisfactory hour with P. M. G. at H. of 
 Commons. Dinner at G. P. O., Hotel at 9. F.s came at 9.30. Nous avions 
 de la priere ensemble. A good night, and much better all round. Up at 
 
 (499)
 
 500 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 six. Met C. coming along Holborn, 7.15. An intense pleasure to me to 
 have her to see me off. Breakfast together, when yours arrived. Lovely 
 day. Orchards and woods of Kent enchanting. Deck cabin reserved, 
 and compartment in train. . . . Delicious sea, sitting on deck, survey- 
 ing 'the many-twinkling smile of ocean.' Found Ezra 8. 31. suitable, 
 ' Then we departed on the twelfth day, and the hand of our GOD was 
 upon us.' 
 
 " NUREMBERG, Friday, 15th May. 
 
 "Left at 8.45 in steamer a most delicious three hours on river. 
 On by train. After dinner-tea walked about ' Nuremberg the Ancient,' 
 by moonlight. 
 
 "A funny thing happened at Darmstadt. As usual, a man accosted 
 me (not a Mildmay acquaintance). Forgot his name, but he told it 
 me, and we went in to lunch together. A Naval officer, going over to 
 Germany for his daughter's confirmation. sat t'other side of him, 
 to whom he (the stranger) passed potatoes, compote, etc., and they 
 interchanged a few words. Presently guard shouted out departure of 
 train. 'Oh,' said the stranger, 'we've got five minutes more. At any 
 
 rate, they won't go without me.' 'Then,' said , 'we'll hang on to 
 
 you ; but what guarantee is there that they won't go without you * ' 
 ' I'm travelling in a Saloon carriage,' was the reply. I then thought 
 I'd better intervene, as things might go too far, so I said, 'Perhaps I 
 
 may be allowed to present Mr. to your Royal Highness. Mr. , 
 
 the Duke of Edinburgh.' It was as good as a play. ... I see the 
 Prince of Wales has got influenza. I trust you are all preserved 
 hitherto. 
 
 " 16th May, Vienna, 6 P.M. Rain all day on the Danube. 
 
 " Sunday afternoon. Went to Presbyterian Church. A very nice 
 and helpful sermon on Gideon; much I hope that may be suitable for 
 me in this place. 
 
 "Monday morning. Bright and cold. Found delicious garden to 
 walk and read in close by. Went to Baroness Langenau last evening. 
 A most earnest Christian. ... Is arranging for me to meet Postmen 
 on Thursday, and Drawing Room address at her house Friday at seven. 
 Large number of English governesses at Vienna. Remember these in 
 prayer. Much encouraged to-day. C. S. P. Union portion, Acts iv. 
 31, 32. Private Psalms, Ps. cxxvi. 6, 'Precious seed.' Bible Union, 
 Daniel ii. special verse 17. A remarkable combination. Delegates 
 are beginning to call. 
 
 " VIENNA, Tuesday, 19th May, 10 A.M. 
 
 "Spent four hours yesterday perambulating from Hotel to Hotel, 
 leaving cards, interviewing Austrian officials, who are remarkably
 
 VIENNA 501 
 
 attentive. The Director-General was trying to arrange a tennis court 
 in garden which surrounds Congress Hall ! 
 
 " Delicious bright day, very fresh. After four hours K. was fagged, 
 so we stopped, having called at Embassy. All gone to Races, which 
 begin to-day, and last on and off for three weeks ! I went on walking, 
 and found some lovely gardens and glades (the Schwarzenberg) ten 
 minutes from Hotel, where I sat and read for an hour. After dinner, 
 to tea at Baroness v. L. Mr. Hediler, Embassy Chaplain, called. He 
 is coming to the meeting at Baroness' on Friday. Our instructions 
 have arrived quite according to my mind. 
 
 " VIENNA, 20th May. 
 
 " Preliminary private Conference at eleven yesterday. We met at 
 the Congress Hall, a series of beautifully arranged and adorned salons. 
 Principal Hall of amphitheatre shape, like the Chambers of Assembly 
 in Continental Parliaments, provided with beautiful desks, drawers, 
 portfolios ; tribune ornamental with flags and emblems of all nations, 
 and all in excellent taste. Business was soon despatched, and then 
 lunch, but it being only mid-day, too early for me. All over about 
 one. 
 
 " I then rested and read ' Universalism,' so strongly recommended 
 by Edna Lyall and Wilberforce. ... It professes to rest on Reason, the 
 Fathers, and Scripture. Reason is man's ideas and feelings of justice, 
 etc. The Fathers, it is allowed, preached the contrary. But that was 
 because (a) they practised the doctrine of ' Reserve,' and really thought 
 differently, and (6) because the vices of men required other doctrines. 
 Scripture is wrested and half left out. Human corruption denied, 
 Heaven asserted to be consequent on man's goodness, etc. . . . But 
 supported by Poets, Philosophers, etc., etc., and will deceive many. 
 
 " I walked to the Prater, enormous in extent, beautifully wild 
 shady glades, delicious, intersected by a two-mile horse-chesnut 
 avenue in full bloom the resort of Viennese fashion, and a Rotten 
 Row by its side. At one spot was a collection of Beer and Coffee 
 gardens, crowded with aristocracy and peasantry, where three splendid 
 Regimental bands, and one of Female Violinists played. The 'gets up ' 
 were curious. Dress, equipage, fashion reign. The clank of sabres, 
 the etiquette of spurs, the saluting, bowing, magnificence of uniforms, 
 ' captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon 
 horses, all of them desirable young men,' 'great lords and renowned 
 princes to look to, clothed with blue,' (the Austrian prevailing Military 
 colour.) Yet odd contrasts. Carriages with grand officers and ladies, 
 driven by coachmen in shooting coat and billycock ! 
 
 "Dined with Baroness L. at eight a pleasant quiet evening, ended 
 with prayer. She has asked about a hundred for Friday. Mr. Grant,
 
 502 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 son of late President, says he will like to hear the 'English Divine* 
 whom she is expecting shortly. It will be a difficult audience. Pleasure 
 is the object of life here. Everybody goes to Opera one night, and to 
 Burg Theatre the next. Races and visits, and no idea beyond it. . . 
 ' Our sufficiency is of GOD.' ' The Gospel is the Power.' 
 
 " Congres Postal Univer'sel de Vienne. 
 
 "Met at eleven. Congress opened by Marquis de Baquehein, 
 Minister of Commerce. Uniforms, stars, bowings, hand-shakings, 
 introductions, and speechifyings. Von Stephan, the Founder of the 
 Union, replied to address of welcome. Also Hofstadt, the doyen d'&ge. 
 
 " Committees named. Full Congress adjourned. Lunch. Then 
 Committees met at four, to choose chairmen and presidents, and 
 consider course of proceedings. Germany proposed me as President of 
 Principal Commission, which was very favourably received with much 
 applause, with a V. P. and Secretary and 'Rapporteur.' Fixed ten 
 to-morrow to begin work. I then proposed Sachse (Germany) as 
 President of another committee, who replied in similar terms. All 
 was arranged, and we broke up at 1.30 with congratulations. 
 
 "22nd May. 
 
 " Yours of 10th with beautiful Birthday texts just arrived. . . . My 
 chapter to-day, Dan. vi., is appropriate in this Babylon, and curiously 
 so as President of an assembly of a hundred and twenty-one Princes ! 
 
 "... I'm sorry you are so unsettled in feeling. But we are 'pilgrims,' 
 and if a move is necessary according to Num. ix. so be it, at the right 
 time, whether a year, or a month or a day. I write a separate bit you 
 can send to Lucy, Marny, etc." 
 
 ENCLOSURE. 
 
 " 4 Hitherto hath the LORD helped me.' 
 
 " Three years ago Baroness Langenau, widow of Austrian Ambassador 
 at St. Petersburg, came to an address at Mrs. Edward Trotter's, and from 
 that day never ceased to pray daily that I might come to Vienna. Last 
 year she came to an address at Miss DanielPs, and after it was over said 
 to me, ' I suppose there is no chance of your ever coming to Vienna.' 
 ' I am coming next May,' I replied, to her extreme surprise, 'the Govern- 
 ment is sending me there to the Postal Congress.' . . . She is working 
 with great zeal, courage, and judgment. Well, yesterday she asked 
 Postmen in all the Districts to come to meet me. On arrival in an 
 upper room at 7.30, to her and my great surprise, we found from fifty 
 to sixty assembled ! Such respectable respectful men, all decorated for 
 military or civil service. We sang a hymn to Haydn's 'Austrian 
 Hymn,' and I spoke to them in German for about thirty-five minutes,
 
 VIENNA 503 
 
 being wonderfully helped in thought and utterance, so that I only once 
 lacked a word. I told them all about our P. 0. Christian Union, the 
 sympathy of English P. O. people for them, and then preached the 
 Gospel and gave them books. Their attention and gratitude were 
 surprising and very touching. We prayed, and sang one of Sankey's, 
 ' I am coming, LORD.' Then went to Coffee. They crowded round me 
 with such expressions of thanks, the wives and children also, and the 
 men beseeching me to get them their Sunday rest, at the Congress. 
 (This is beyond my province, but I may do something, with GOD'S help.) 
 Altogether it was a wonderful meeting, and they wish me to come 
 again as soon as possible. I told the Austrian P. M. G. about it this 
 morning, and he was much interested." 
 
 "23rd May. 
 
 "In my 60th year! Hurrah! Another decade fulfilled. Will 
 another be completed here ? ' LORD, it belongs not to my care.' 
 
 " Fifty-nine years of unspeakable mercies and infinite grace. And 
 ' more to follow,' even ' length of days for ever and ever,' and ' pleasures 
 for evermore.' I liked your texts much . . . they are very applicable 
 and useful. 
 
 "Yours of 20th received this morning. . . . We can only pray, and 
 trust and hope. The LORD may open a door of relief in His time. 
 
 " For whom do you want another fur coat mine will last me my 
 life. You might send me a tea-cosy as birthday present. So glad to 
 hear about High Leigh." [Four hundred Telegraph boys, entertained] 
 " So grateful to Barclays. 
 
 "A successful day yesterday. Regular business adjourned, and 
 Sub-Committee formed to consider ' Admission of Australian Colonies.' 
 I proposed Von Stephan as President, and France as ' Rapporteur.' As 
 neither Sir Graham Berry nor Sir Saul Samuel spoke French, it fell to 
 me to explain their views, aided by Forman. I claimed two votes for 
 the Seven Colonies. Storm of objections from whole Sub-Committee, 
 France, Russia, Austria, Germany, Italy, etc. A regular fight. I did 
 my best contended inch by inch, gradually and diplomatically gave 
 way, till they authorized me in their name to accept one Vote for 
 Australia, under condition of approval by their Governments. I delayed 
 till very last, and finally announced their reluctant assent. General 
 congratulations. They thanked me much for fighting so hard for them. 
 Everybody delighted. Half-holiday at once. Broke up at 2.30. (They 
 didn't know it was my birthday !) Took a long solitary walk in Prater, 
 where I dined in a garden, and got time for thought. 
 
 "I am just going to lunch at Prince Reuss', German Ambassador; 
 and to-night we all dine at Banquet of Minister of Commerce. Weather 
 still splendid.
 
 504 LIFE OF SIK ARTHUE BLACKWOOD 
 
 "Yours of Saturday received. ... I feel half angry with myself for 
 being in such ease, comfort, and enjoyment of health, rest, weather, 
 relaxation, while you are so troubled. ... I send you some odds and 
 ends to amuse you. 
 
 " Friday, 22nd was the day for the Drawing Room meeting concerning 
 which I had been told such interest had been awakened. I went at 
 7.15, and found two people, one the Grand Duke of Saxe Weimar, the 
 other the Dutch Ambassador! Presently a few others came. By 7.30 
 there were about forty or fifty. We sang a hymn. I then prayed, and 
 spoke for about thirty-five minutes, on 'Eternal Life the Gift of GOD.' 
 There was certainly profound attention, and at times, I thought great 
 solemnity. I gave each a copy of ' Eternal Life ' in either English, 
 French or German, as they went away ; and many thanked me most 
 earnestly for what they had heard. 
 
 " Sunday, 2th. Gave the address at the 11 A.M. service of the Scotch 
 Church, on Jesus the Receiver, the Friend, and the Guest of Sinners- 
 Luke vii. xv. xix. About a hundred present, among them Princess 
 Reuss, the German Ambassadress, and some of her friends. So far as I 
 could myself perceive, from the deep attention, and from my own 
 feelings, I could not but believe that GOD was in our midst, confirming 
 the Word. At any rate, the countenances of the listeners, and the 
 thanks of some as they separated, betokened great interest. 
 
 'At three o'clock I spoke to a hundred German School-children at 
 the Baroness', on Ishmael's Prayer for water in Gen. xxi. She holds 
 this in her own house, assisted by her two deaconesses, and one or two 
 others. At four o'clock I addressed a small English company in the 
 English Chaplain's room, where he read the Litany. Spoke on Leviticus 
 xvi. the completed Atonement, and the removal of sin by the scape- 
 goat. At five, went into the next house, and said a few words, after Mr. 
 Rosen's sermon to his German Wesleyan congregation, on 2 Cor. iv. . . . 
 I again ask earnest prayer. 
 
 "ODDS AND ENDS. 
 
 " The proceedings of the House are interesting. We meet nominally 
 at ten. I take the chair at 10.15, and as members file in they salute 
 the Speaker in true Parliamentary fashion by a bow most formal and 
 profound. Presently I rise and say, ' Messieurs, la seance est ouverle,' 
 and we go to business. Borel at my right as Clerk of the Table, Forman 
 at my left to look after English interests while I govern proceedings. 
 Wohn (Suisse) as Rapporteur, to do the reading, and take votes. The 
 principal speakers are generally Von Stephan, (Germany) de Selves, 
 (France) Saba Pacha, (Egypt) Hofstede, (Holland), Chiaradia (Italy), 
 and Brazil, who will speak on everything, and ends by asking considera-
 
 VIENNA 505 
 
 tion for Brazil. We have many divisions, and fight like fun for a 
 farthing! The questions of order are difficult, but I generally manage 
 to carry the House with me. 
 
 "At twelve I say, 'La seance est suspendue,' and we adjourn to the 
 luncheon room. Greetings, bows, handshakes, and all manner of small 
 talk, pourparlers, etc. At one we resume work till four. This two or 
 three days a week. T'other days, when my Committee does not sit, I 
 put in an appearance, and then put it out. Urgent private affairs often 
 call me elsewhere, and yesterday I adjourned myself to the Prater at 
 twelve, where I spent the day under the trees, reading. . . . 
 
 " It is not a little difficult as Speaker to name the member who is 
 to address the House, either by name personal or geographical. I have 
 a plan of the seats before me, which is useful, and if I don't know or 
 recollect the name of the M.P. who catches my eye, I name his country 
 and say, l La Belgiqiie,' or ' La delegation Beige a la parole.' 
 
 " 26th May. 
 
 "I enclose cards which may interest you, also account of Banquet, 
 in Vienna paper. You will see that we represented 915 millions of 
 people. It was curious, as we stood up to drink the Emperor's health, 
 to hear the Band strike up the Austrian National Hymn, the tune to 
 which we sing, 
 
 " ' Glorious things of thee are spoken, 
 Zion, City of our GOD.' 
 
 " I was able to get away at 9.30. 
 
 " To-day the Congress ratified the work of our Committee by admis- 
 sion of Australian Colonies, amid general jubilations and congratula- 
 tions, after which the afternoon was very properly devoted to tennis. 
 
 " 28th May. 
 
 "Nothing to say, except a pleasant dinner of twenty at Embassy 
 last night. ... I hear that two people who were at Baroness' last week, 
 confessed to each other, that they felt it very wrong to be at the Races 
 on Sunday, after what they had heard. I hadn't said a word on the 
 subject. 
 
 " Have reported twelve pages to P. M. G." 
 
 ENCLOSURE. 
 
 " Thursday, 28th May. 
 
 " I went by wish of Princess Reuss to address a gathering of 
 Ladies at an Institution for Governesses in which she was interested. 
 I understood the address was to be in English. On her calling for me 
 at my Hotel, however, she told me that it must be in German, and
 
 506 LIFE OF SIB ABTHUE BLACKWOOD 
 
 further that she had asked everybody to come she could get hold of 
 men as well as women. This was rather embarrassing, as my thoughts 
 and preparation had been in English, and for a Women's meeting. 
 
 "On arrival I found all sorts, as she had said Prince Reuss and 
 most of the Staff of the German Embassy, the American Minister and 
 his wife, Grand Duke of Saxe Weimar, Governesses, Deaconesses, and 
 others altogether about forty people. It was difficult to find my way 
 in the German Bible, where often the point one wishes to enforce from 
 the English version is differently rendered ; and not easy to pray in 
 Hoch Dfutsch. But I felt much helped, and the attention was certainly 
 very deep. Some responsive faces I plainly noticed ; some looked sur- 
 prised, as if the thing spoken were perfectly new. But above all, what 
 I feel is that the prime necessity is the power of the Holy Spirit to 
 convince of sin and need. The truth may be put clearly, and I believe 
 that this ability has been given, but still no truth can possibly enter 
 till He creates the consciousness of guilt. I feel quite at a loss, and 
 helpless to select subjects, and realize that it must be His work from 
 beginning to end. For this therefore I earnestly ask prayer, that GOD the 
 Holy Ghost may Himself move on the hearts of the people. Without 
 this all the meetings and preachings will be utterly useless. 
 
 "I paid a visit also yesterday to an Austrian lady, whom I had 
 known years ago. She seemed much interested at hearing what I had 
 to say, which was no doubt utterly new to her, and promised to read 
 attentively 'Eternal Life.' Pray that this little seed sown may be 
 blessed of GOD. 
 
 " Much encouraged, just before going to the Drawing Room meeting, 
 by getting a note from Princess Reuss, saying that she had just 
 received a letter from a governess, who had much opposed her, but who 
 had heard me yesterday. The Princess says, ' She wished me to thank 
 you, you and the Bible having given her all she felt she needed.' 
 
 "Those who are praying for blessing with the Word spoken will be 
 encouraged with me, and will I know join in praise. If the heart of 
 one Lydia is opened, or one Damaris in this novelty-loving Athens 
 'cleaves to the LORD,' what may it not be the beginning of? It greatly 
 cheered me. 
 
 "At the Baroness' about twenty-five. Spoke on 'What shall I do 
 with Jesus? ' Many again thanked, and all seemed greatly solemnized. 
 
 "Never did I see such a frivolous pleasure-loving people. 'The 
 lust of the eye ' seems supreme. Paris is nothing to it. Dress, fashion, 
 splendour, swagger, frivolity reign supreme. It is appalling, and very 
 saddening. But I do believe I have not been sent here in vain. The 
 open doors, and the prayers that have preceded and now follow me 
 forbid doubt."
 
 VIENNA 507 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " 29th May, Friday. 
 
 " .... A much more important affair was the arrival, during the 
 sitting of the Second Committee, of a magnificent tea-cosy. It did not 
 excite any very deep feeling. The assembly was neither ' lm ni profonde- 
 ment touctie,' for the simple reason that I didn't submit it for considera- 
 tion. It will materially assist the President of the First Committee in his 
 personal arrangements, and he is therefore profoundly touched and 
 very grateful. 
 
 "A day of quiet yesterday, except the afternoon address. ... At 
 seven, small dinner at Prince Reuss' ; a very interesting evening to me, 
 
 as has been lately converted, and he is the man Princess Reuss 
 
 spoke of in her note to me. He was full of enquiry concerning 
 Christian life, etc. It is wonderful to see how similarly the Spirit 
 teaches the children of GOD often without outward or human agency, 
 and how analogous their experiences are, though in such widely differ- 
 ent circumstances. 
 
 " June 1. 
 
 " Further particulars which may interest or amuse you. Were it 
 not for private work here, I should now begetting weary. But 'the 
 King's business' affords the deepest interest, and constant occupa- 
 tion. . . . 
 
 "As to Congress matters. As England is only concerned with the 
 affairs of Postal ' haute politique,' which the First Committee (mine) 
 deals with, my work on other days is very light. I attend, as a matter 
 of courtesy, and having put in an appearance, then withdraw, and in 
 another room write or read. One great business is that of Handshak- 
 ing. It is done all round about four times a day in the Congress, and 
 additionally if we meet one another in the street or at dinner, or 
 elsewhere. 
 
 " Saturday, 30th, was of course interesting. We all assembled in full 
 uniform (waiters) only with stars, ribbons, medals, in the Ambassador's 
 Court at the Palace : were then taken in by High Court Functionaries, 
 such as the 'Chief Kitchen-master,' (Lord Steward) Lord Chamberlain, 
 etc. to see our exact places, and then re-assembling awaited the arrival 
 of His Majesty. At four, he appeared at the folding-doors, made a low 
 bow to the company, addressed a few words to Herr Von Stephan, the 
 Imperial German P. M. G. and then led the way to the great Ritter 
 Saal, or Hall of Knights, where the Banquet was spread, and where 
 fifty gold and scarlet footmen, Chasseurs, etc. stood ready to serve. As 
 Representative of Great Britain a place of special honour, the third 
 from the Emperor, was allotted me. The dinner was conducted in 
 great state, the Austrian Court being unequalled for its grandeur and
 
 508 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 ceremoniousness and punctiliousness. . . . And at five the Emperor 
 rose, and re-entered the Hall of Assembly. There we were in turn 
 presented to His Majesty, who conversed good-naturedly with us. I 
 told him that I had had the honour to conduct his daughter, Arch- 
 duchess Valerie, round the P. 0. in London, which appeared to interest 
 him. ... I then presented the three officers of my staff. 
 
 "General conversation with the Prime Minister, (Count Taaffe, an 
 Irish Peer!), and other notabilities. And at six we took refuge in 
 our pair-horse shay, and departed to private life once again, amid the 
 admiring gaze of certain butcher boys and washerwomen who appeared 
 to have the entree to the Palace on such occasions. My companions 
 went to the Opera and Ballet, in our honour again and I spent the 
 evening in the deep delicious shady glades of the Prater, only three 
 hundred yards from the surging crowds of Viennese, who thronged the 
 alleys. It was most refreshing to withdraw from the most vivid Vanity 
 Fair imaginable, and listen to the nightingales and cicalas in the 
 green of the woods. 
 
 " Srd June, Wednesday. 
 
 " A day to be remembered for mercy. . . . Last verse of Ps. 102. . . . 
 
 'I'm reading Spurgeon's, ' The Greatest Fight in the World.' I will 
 send it you. It is splendid. 
 
 "Such a pleasant afternoon on Monday. Baroness took me out 
 thirty minutes by train to a village in the hills, where she has her 
 two Deaconesses and six or seven poor children in a little house she 
 has taken for the summer. After tea in the garden we all had a 
 ramble. We then returned to the cottage, to which some of the 
 neighbours had been invited, and where I read and spoke on Rev. vii. 
 for about twenty minutes. 
 
 " How I wish you could have the mental rest which is mine here. 
 It is a real holiday. Such absolute freedom from care and rush of 
 work is a novelty to me. Something of 'a lull in life.' " 
 
 " Wednesday last, (3rd.) I had another very interesting meeting at 
 Governess' Home. Only seven altogether, one a R.C., but they seemed to 
 drink in the Word. The governess was there to whom I have previously 
 referred as having apparently received help. Certainly her countenance 
 was very bright, and she looked as if she responded in her soul to what 
 was taught concerning the commencement, continuation and con- 
 clusion of God's work in the heart, as brought out in Phil. i. 6. 
 ii. 13. and iii. 21. 
 
 " Thumday, (4M) was again the Postmen's Meeting, smaller than 
 the first time, but much more (apparently) earnest. The men seemed 
 to hang on the word spoken the subject being 'Jesus, the Sinner's 
 Friend.'
 
 VIENNA 509 
 
 "Friday, (5th) at Baroness Langenau's, a sudden and almost tropical 
 down-pour of rain greatly reduced the numbers, nine in all. I 
 accordingly turned it into a little Bible-reading, and dwelt on the 
 ' Things which God hath prepared.' 1. Cor. ii. 
 
 " Sunday, (7th) was a capital congregation at Scotch Church, about 
 seventy. Subject, The Resurrection of Lazarus, an illustration from 
 life of John 5. 24; and the Resurrection Life one of Liberty, stripped 
 of grave-clothes ; of Satisfaction, ' at meat with Him,' and of Testimony, 
 ' many believed by reason of him.' 
 
 "In the afternoon an address to the English Chaplain's Sunday 
 School ; then to his adult meeting." 
 
 " Wth June. 
 
 "My Viennese friends say that in Vienna high society, or such of 
 it as occupies itself with my character and conduct, I am distinguished, 
 1st, as the preaching English Delegate; 2nd, The Delegate who does 
 not go to the Theatre ; 3rd, The Delegate who has beaten the Champion 
 Viennese Lawn-Tennis player. 
 
 " Hth June, Sunday. 
 
 "Just returned from second service to-day. It is not worth while 
 to record these separately, as they are all much alike. But who can 
 tell what the ground is on which the seed falls ? 
 
 " Yesterday we had our excursion to Semmering, of which I send 
 you the pretty book they gave us all. Two hours and three-quarters by 
 rail, winding up through the Styrian Alps, lunch and then walks. I 
 slipped away, and took a twelve mile walk. It was cold. The moun- 
 tains were covered with fresh snow, looking beautiful. Dinner at five. 
 I felt I ought as one of the principal and most prominent members of 
 Congress, to do something at festivities, so I proposed the health of the 
 Ladies, which won great applause, and many compliments ! Of course 
 I proposed it in water, which excited great amusement. Reached 
 Vienna at eleven, and found yours of 10th on getting to Hotel. I 
 open each letter with trepidation, fearing lest it may tell me that the' 
 Influenza has touched you, and read it with thankfulness as I find it 
 has not. ... It is very curious that this fresh burden should come on 
 you, when so little able to bear it, but there are mercies connected with 
 it too. . . . 
 
 "June IQth. Nothing to say to-day, except that First Committee 
 just closed, and my hardest work over. 
 
 "... As you have so much in the way of 'tarrying by the stuff,' you 
 may like enclosed of C. H. Spurgeon. . . . My main Postal work being 
 done, the details and idleness are becoming wearisome."
 
 510 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 To HIS DAUGHTERS. 
 
 " June 23. 
 
 " I feel that I must give my daughters three a description of this 
 charming expedition [to Gastein] on which I much longed for the com- 
 pany of one or more of them. 
 
 "Well, we all met, about a hundred and fifty of all nations in the 
 world, including ladies, from United States, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Ger- 
 many, Denmark, Greece, Brazil, Austria, Russia, Columbia, and a 
 variety of others, at the station at 6.25 A.M. A train of twelve Saloon 
 carriages, through the whole of which you could walk, was in readi- 
 ness. We chose our companions, and started. The route was lovely. 
 
 "At three we reached Lend Gastein, where thirty Austrian yellow 
 Post waggons, with gorgeously attired drivers, were drawn up. Off we 
 went, horns blowing, whips cracking, up into the mountains, all the 
 villagers turning out to see the procession. Beautiful defiles, broad 
 valleys, then Hof Gastein, when eight or nine of us walked the six or 
 seven miles up the mountain road to Bad Gastein. 
 
 "Grand dinner at 8.30, (Hotel Straubringer) with speeches and 
 interminable glass-clinking till eleven, when mountains all gleamed 
 with beacon fires, even on some snowy peaks, and great waterfall was 
 illuminated with electric light. Next morning delicious early walk 
 up through meadows to village at end of valley, where I had wandered 
 with Aunt Lucy forty years ago. 
 
 "... We had a splendid seventeen miles' walk, and reached 
 Lend Gastein at four o'clock. Half an hour's rail brought us all to 
 Zell am See, of which you see the picture. A lovely lake, 1500 feet 
 above sea. Snowy mountains all round. Dinner as usual, and then, 
 while some walked in the gardens, others went on the water. Band of 
 music and Male Choir moved on the water, and numbers of boats with 
 Chinese lanterns flitted about, and the hills all round again flamed 
 with bonfires. It was a fairy scene indeed! And then as the moon 
 rose over it all, we turned in. 
 
 "... Reached Salzburg at twelve, Linz at three, a large town on 
 Danube of 100,000 people. There we created immense excitement. 
 Governor of Province, Burgomaster, and population received us en ftte. 
 Bands of postmen on deck struck up; and amid cheers of Linz's popu- 
 lation, we swung off, and steamed down blue Danube, inhabitants of 
 beautiful cMteaux and villages all turning out, firing cannons, waving 
 flags, etc. The party was a merry one. They never seemed to tire of 
 handshaking and bowing and congratulating. . . . The vignette on 
 back of card is Diirrenstein, where Richard Coeur de Lion was im- 
 prisoned, and Blondel discovered him. At last sunset came, and we
 
 VIENNA 511 
 
 reached Vienna at 10.30. Three most enjoyable days. Nothing could 
 be more perfect than arrangements. Oh ! often did I wish you to be 
 there." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " <2,ith Jiwe. 
 
 "It is strange to me to be here, just at the hour when for last 
 eighteen years I have ascended the Mildmay platform. I am much 
 with them in thought at early prayer meetings, and at other times. 
 They have done well, I think, in getting Polwarth to preside all through. 
 Couldn't do better. 
 
 " Last night I dined again at the U. S. Legation, where they are very 
 friendly. We have now resumed Congress sittings, and are, at this 
 moment, in full and solemn session. ... If, as you say, your place is 
 < among the pots,' you have a most glorious promise of ' silver wings,' 
 tipped with 'yellow gold' ; and this must come true, though the process 
 is indeed not instantaneous, and must be a very trying one. 
 
 "26th June. Yesterday the Postmen's Union Band and Male Choir 
 gave us a grand entertainment in magnificent Hall at Prater, hung with 
 flags of all nations, and Tableaux Vivants of Postmen of the World : a 
 most successful affair. Stephan made them a speech. It was strange 
 to me to be sitting in the middle of such a scene (innocent enough 
 though it might be) while evening meeting was going on at Mildmay! 
 To-day, I have made a personal tour of all their principal offices, a three 
 or four hours' job in the heat, attended by high officials with medals 
 and swords. 
 
 "27th June. A very earnest and solemn meeting at Baroness' 
 yesterday, if one can judge by faces and attention. About thirty-three 
 present, including two Delegates. Tuesday, German, French, Italian, 
 Americans and selves go a private excursion to Pesth, and back Wed- 
 nesday. I've written to to meet me there. He received a blessing 
 
 at Lisbon, I believe. 
 
 "28th June, Sunday. I shall have preached some thirty times here 
 by to-night. I wish I had seen thirty souls awakened. But it is a hard 
 soil. I hope all was well at Mildmay. Polwarth was, I am sure, the 
 right man. 
 
 "29th June, Monday. A good day yesterday at Scotch Church, 
 English Chaplain's Room, and German Y. M. C. A. (Five persons at 
 latter.) Just got such a beautiful letter of thanks from a Postman, which 
 has brought tears of thankfulness to my eyes. It does not speak of 
 conversion, but of such heart-felt gratitude, it has done me good. 
 
 "2nd July [Thursday]. You will have been two days without letters. 
 Tuesday was the steamboat to Pesth. Dear old - - met us, and we 
 dined together. Heat at Pesth overwhelming, people sleeping in streets,
 
 512 LIFE OF SIB AETHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 and whole town out of doors. Wednesday morning F. and Americans 
 
 went off sight-seeing, while and I spent our morning quietly under 
 
 trees by river side in conversation. A dear old man a R. C. but loving 
 his Bible and Thomas & Kempis, and delighting to hear of Christian work 
 and conversions. ... It was a great joy to us both to meet, and he was 
 so grateful to me for coming. 
 
 " Left Pesth at 2.30, a sweltering mopping journey for four hours 
 and a half to Vienna, through Hungary's broad plains. Grand Recep- 
 tion at new Guildhall at eight. Quite an Arabian Nights' Entertainment 
 for beauty. . . . Another such entertainment to-night at Minister of 
 Commerce the final one and more than enough for me. 
 
 "What a good thing you haven't this ' colossal' heat. It reminds 
 me of Bulgarian and Crimean heat. 
 
 " 3rd July [Friday]. Your letter of 30th is indeed one to make me 
 feel increasingly how full of trouble, disappointment and sorrow the 
 world is. 
 
 " I suppose this is meant to make us more earnestly desire our 
 home in the heavens. And if so, it must be well. And it won't be 
 
 long. Poor , and s, and so many others ! And all feel their 
 
 own sorrows most, and think others comparatively happy. 
 
 "I hardly like to tell you, in the midst of such burdens and cares, 
 of the can-less life (so far as one can mentally escape the recollection of 
 these things) which is mine for a little. . . . Final reception last night, 
 but I won't weary you with it. And final Congress meeting to-morrow 
 uniforms, solemn speeches, farewells. Break up till Washington in 
 1897, for such as may be alive then. 
 
 " 4.th July, CONGRESS HALL. Final morning, 11 A.M. 
 
 " Presentation of magnificent Album just made to Austrian P. M. G., 
 le Chevalier d'Obentrant, with all our photos. Plenty of 'vivemeni 
 emu,' and 'profondement toucM,' etc., etc., and handshakings. . . , 
 Obentrant has thanked. Then public session for ten minutes, when 
 I claimed right of entry for Cape in next six years. And now we have 
 begun signing the documents, a lengthy and weary business. Then 
 final official speeches of solemnity and importance. Alas for me 1 
 After our doyen d'age, has spoken, it devolves on me, as President of 
 Premiere Commission, to follow him a task of difficulty, where no one 
 and nothing should be left out, and clearness of expression as regards 
 both subjects and feelings is of importance. 
 
 "Closing meeting at Baroness' yesterday, small, but I hope good. 
 . . To not a few I have given books, and I trust they may be blessed. 
 Many avow themselves Agnostics, Comtists, etc., but listen respect- 
 fully.
 
 VIENNA 513 
 
 "Have just presented small Album in name of English, American 
 and Indian Delegations to Chevalier Adalbert de Stibraal a most 
 assiduous and attentive Austrian official, who has rendered us all very 
 great services. 
 
 "... Have got through my speech. (1. P.M.) with ' vifs applaudisse- 
 ments.' Speechifying still going on, but soon over. Then much glass- 
 clinking, handshaking, and ' Adieu.' 1 
 
 "5th July, Sunday. Have just preached for last time in Scotch 
 Church. ... I felt it was a solemn thing. 
 
 "Sunday night. Just off (i.e., 8 A.M. to-morrow morning). Last 
 words spoken to German Congregation. Then LORD'S Supper with 
 them. Truly GOD has given me favour in their sight, ' because of the 
 Word.' Such gratitude and kindness ! And in the Congress too, it 
 has been quite wonderful the respect and consideration and regard all 
 have shown . . . and I cannot but be very thankful for it. For such a 
 duffer as I am, and so contrary to many of their ways, to have won 
 their regard is a marvel. And I can only say that GOD has given me 
 favour in their sight. The seven weeks have been filled with mercies. 
 There is another side to one's life, however, and sorrows and disappoint- 
 ments; these are the appointed weights, 'lest I should be exalted 
 above measure' by the abundance of blessing in Christian work and 
 public life. So it is good." 
 
 In his address at the first meeting of the Civil Service Prayer 
 Union which Sir Arthur attended on his return home, he thus re- 
 viewed the spiritual work which had been intrusted to him in Vienna. 
 
 " GOD in His great goodness, opened doors of service there far, far 
 beyond my utmost imagination. We prayed that He would open some 
 doors, but certainly I never expected that in a foreign country, in an 
 intensely Roman Catholic city, where I knew at the time only one 
 person, such a variety of avenues of service would be presented to me 
 in the city or in the neighbouring villages. 
 
 "There was hardly a day in the week on which some opportunity 
 was not granted. Never have I had such wonderful openings." 
 
 A letter, written to Sir Arthur the following year by the lady 
 who was the " one person " whom he knew when he went to Vienna, 
 traces the guiding hand of GOD in the events which led to this 
 friendship. 
 
 " VIENNA, 19th May, 1892. 
 
 " There are so many things for which I ought to thank you, that I 
 hardly know how to begin. In a chronological order however your 
 
 33
 
 514 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 kind lines from Haarlem ought to come first. They were very welcome, 
 though they made me feel sorry too, for they put me in mind of what I 
 once thought and said of the Van Dooms. Yes, it is true. I don't 
 think there ever was a more worldly-minded person than I was, when 
 I came to the Hague, thirty years ago, as a young bride ; but thank 
 GOD, He opened my eyes at last, though it must always be a source of 
 sorrow to me, that it happened so late. How different life would have 
 been had I met you earlier ! . . . 
 
 " Lastly, I thank you for having remembered to invite Mr. A. and his 
 wife to the Soldiers' Home. I enclose part of his letter, to show you 
 how much he valued the address. He sent me your programme, and 
 I confess that my eyes filled with tears, when I thought that I should 
 not hoar any of them. Surely one of the greatest joys of heaven will 
 be the uninterrupted intercourse between the redeemed souls ; no more 
 partings, no more unsatisfied longings after spiritual nourishment, 
 nothing but perfect rest and fulfilment." 
 
 When in 1893 Sir Arthur was taken to his rest, Baroness 
 Langenau " laid her wreath upon his coffin " in a touching letter to 
 The Christian. 
 
 " I owe to him," she says, "all that makes Eternity bright." 
 
 And after speaking of the circumstances already given, she adds : 
 
 " How unselfishly did Sir Arthur labour here during the seven weeks 
 of the Postal Conference in the spring of 1891! and that in spite of all 
 his official work. But the place where he was the most eagerly 
 welcomed was certainly at the Postmen's Gatherings. They crowded 
 round him. How they listened as he impressed upon them the 
 necessity of deciding for Christ. . . . When I had to tell them of the 
 heavy loss we had sustained, the men sobbed like children." 
 
 The love which he inspired in many grateful hearts overflows in 
 the words written by her to Sir Arthur's daughter, on hearing of his 
 departure. 
 
 " I can only say that after my husband and son no one will be 
 greeted by me so joyfully on the other shore as your father." 
 
 The Princess Keuss wrote : 
 
 " VIENNA, GERMAN EMBASSY, 21st October, 1893. 
 
 " Dear Sir Arthur was our frequent guest here at the Embassy when 
 he had to stay at Vienna for the Postal Congress. I was happy to meet 
 a Christian. I was happy to be able to follow and to attend the addresses 
 he gave. His presence here is associated with the most blessed episodes
 
 VIENNA 515 
 
 of my life. . . . And I reckon it one of the most exquisite privileges of 
 my life, since conversion, to have known intimately Sir Arthur, and to 
 have known him as a dear friend. I owe so very much to him ! 
 
 "Ah! and let us praise the LORD and thank Him for all that dear 
 Sir Arthur has been allowed to do for the LORD here ! And let us take 
 courage 'Fear not; let your hands be strong' and follow up the 
 example he gave us. May the Spirit of the LORD be your Comforter." 
 
 The impress of his character was felt by many during the 
 Congress. One young Austrian official says, in writing to a 
 member of the British Delegation : 
 
 "We have lost him, who was certainly one of the purest and noblest 
 men of our time. I have never received from any man a deeper 
 personal impression."
 
 PROSEKEN AGAIN. 
 
 On leaving Vienna, Sir Arthur revisited in Mecklenburg the 
 friends and scenes of his youth which were so dear to his heart and 
 memory. At Neu Strelitz he was the guest of one daughter of the 
 von Biel family, Madame von Billow, and at Pinnow of another, 
 Baroness von Maltzahn. Thence he wrote to his Wife : 
 
 |" llth July, [1891] 
 
 " The affection, kindness and interest in me and mine, for old days 
 and present times, are amazing. And so pleasant to find such true real 
 and deep Christian life. It is quite beautiful. The primitive German 
 life in the country, as well as in the Grand Ducal town, is wonderfully 
 interesting and attractive. 
 
 " Years seem crowded into my short days here. Soon things will 
 be gone, but the memory will live, and lasting interests have been 
 either renewed or formed." 
 
 At Giistrow he spent two days with his old friend, Frau Brock- 
 mann, the widow of the former pastor at Proseken, in whose house 
 such happy days had been spent forty years before. 
 
 " Oh ! how pleased we were to see each other," he says in his 
 Journal, "after forty-three years of friendship, and twenty-four years' 
 absence! But she was much altered; so that, but for the voice and 
 bright eye and movements which I remembered so well, I should not 
 have recognized her. She was as affectionate and hearty as ever ; and 
 as we sat down in her little ten-feet-square drawing-room and drank 
 tea together, I felt as if the old days had come back." 
 
 On 13th he reached Wismar, and with great delight traced out 
 the familiar features of the old city. 
 
 'And then I tramped on along the old well-known chausfe, bordered 
 by accaeias, limes or poplars, but all much bigger . . . than they were 
 forty-two years ago. Passed Vendorf Farm, where I spent so many 
 evenings with the Schwabes, and Madame 8. painted my picture till I 
 left the high-road at the turnpike, and branched off a quarter of a mile 
 (516)
 
 PBOSEKEN AGAIN 517 
 
 to Proseken, with its massive tall Church-tower, the old cottages, the 
 path by the pond, along by the Rectory garden railings, to the gate into 
 the garden itself. There stood the dear old house, unchanged itself, the 
 only change being in the taller growth of trees all round, the window 
 of the drawing-room in which I used to sit, the back-door where I ran 
 in and out all exactly the same. Presently as I stood and looked 
 through the railings and shrubs, some one came to the window, and 
 pulled the blind up and down, and went away ; and the servant maids 
 and farm yokels about the back door, congregated and looked at me, 
 probably wondering why I thus stood and gazed. 
 
 "After a good long look, full of recollections of all sorts, some 
 bright, some the reverse, and thankful thoughts for all the mercies that 
 forty-two years had seen, I strolled into the church-yard, where the 
 dear old Pastor and his sister lay, his tombstone bearing the words, 
 ' To our true soul-carer, from his grateful parish,' and where I saw the 
 names of others whom I had known. 
 
 " Then I marched off along the pretty valley through the deep woods 
 to Zierow, about a mile and a half. . . . 
 
 " The door was opened by Johann, footman of more than fifty years' 
 service, who had lately received the Grand Ducal medal for continuance 
 in one place for a Jubilee, and then the Baroness, the other daughter, 
 and the son at home, came out to greet me. They had only just 
 received my card from Giistrow, saying I should come earlier in the 
 day, and wished to walk out from Proseken, alone with my thoughts. 
 
 "After lunch the Baroness and I drove off to find Charlie at 
 Weitendorf. There all was unchanged just as it used to be, when 
 I so often ran up and breakfasted with Fischer, and there still stood 
 the tree under which I smoked my first cigar, and was very sick. 
 While the Baroness drove about to look for her husband, I sat in the 
 porch, and at last up came C. Our greetings were most hearty, and 
 taking my seat beside him, and the ladies behind, we had a charming 
 drive all over his farms, a lovely hot evening, to see the hay being 
 carried, the cattle pasturing, etc. ; and then along the sea-shore, where 
 in summer I used to bathe, and in winter to skate back to Zierow. On 
 the road we passed an old man whom I recognized as the Pastor's 
 former farm-servant, Jochem, who had married the housemaid Anna. 
 At first he hardly knew me, but presently he exclaimed, ' Why, Mister ! 
 where are the black curls ? ' and then was quite moved to tears at 
 seeing me again. His wife, Anna, still with quite brown hair, came 
 up to the house to see me. She was most affectionate, full of recollec- 
 tions of my works and ways, of the Pastor, and of the old Baron, whom 
 she had nursed in his last illness. . . . Finally she went off weeping, 
 to think she would never see me again here.
 
 518 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "After dinner we sat out on the steps leading to the garden, in the 
 sunset, till past nine, a delicious evening. A long talk, mostly on 
 Christian subjects, finished a very happy day. 
 
 " Tuesday, 14cth. After a morning stroll to beach to see Jochem 
 again, and have a short crack with him, prayers at 8.15, when C. read 
 a short exposition, breakfast, and then he and I went off on foot in the 
 rain to Proseken, to see the Pastor, who received me with great cordi- 
 ality, and showed me all the rooms in the dear old home I cared to 
 see all just the same as in other days. Then we went into the church, 
 and saw the tablets to the old Baron and Baroness, and Wilhelm von 
 Biel. 
 
 "Then back to Zierow, lunched, gave books to all, and then off, 
 driven by C. in blinding rain and wind." 
 
 A night at Baron Thompson von Biel's, at Kalkhorst, made 
 " the fifth visit in the seven days." 
 
 "Thus ends my week's North German tour, full of many reminis- 
 cences, recalling a multitude of mercies, and crowded with kindnesses 
 from all." 
 
 When, in little more than two years, Sir Arthur had passed 
 away, Baroness von Biilow wrote : 
 
 "Yes, we can think of him standing 'radiant' near the throne of 
 his LORD Whom he served and loved so truly. Radiant he almost 
 looked when talking and explaining the word on earth. 
 
 " 12th Nov., 1893. 
 
 "Words cannot express with what deep interest I read those lines, 
 every word of which were new proofs of Sir Arthur's true Christian 
 love and grand character. 
 
 "I sent the paper and elegy to H.R.H. the Grand Duchess, and 
 she told me just now that she had been so touched in reading it last 
 night, and said, 'He was one in a thousand.' 
 
 "I see him still when here the last evening, when he had read and 
 explained the Bible, which he did with such clearness; one felt as 
 though all was light, and he stood up erect, and said looking at me, 
 'How splendid it will be when we see our LORD, and are with Him,' 
 his beautiful face almost radiant. 
 
 " 6th January, 1894. 
 
 " I never knew any one who had the light of GOD so imprinted in his 
 face, and whom one could trust so completely in all he said and did. 
 Heaven was brought so near one by his words, such a reality the ever 
 nearness of our Saviour."
 
 PROSEKEN AGAIN 519 
 
 FROM BARONESS VON MALTZAHN. 
 
 " Pnraow, 15. 1. 94. 
 
 " I shall never forget the happy peaceful days we had the pleasure 
 of having him here ; the serious and the merry talks we had together, 
 our rambles near the river-side in our pretty wood, the hymn-singing 
 in the evening. When he talked of things eternal, it was 'as if an 
 angel shook his wings.' " 
 
 FROM BARON C. VON BIEL. 
 
 " It is now two years ago, after the Conference in Vienna, that we 
 had the pleasure of a visit from my good old friend, and enjoying the 
 recollections of days past more than forty years, since when I have had 
 occasion to be thankful to him as a means by which I was drawn to 
 my Saviour, and hope through the grace of GOD, that I shall keep the 
 work He begun in my soul until my end."
 
 GREAT AMWELL AND SHOOTERS' HILL. 
 
 Shortly after Sir Arthur's return from Vienna, Mr. Cecil Raikea 
 died the second Postmaster-General who had passed away during 
 his term of office. Sir Arthur attended the funeral of his Chief 
 at Mold on the 27th August, afterwards joining the Duchess at 
 Whitby. He then accompanied his daughters to Scotland, and after 
 a short time spent in Ireland, returned to Whitby. 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 " R. Y. S. Cornelia, SOUND OF MULL, 18th Sept. [1891.] 
 
 " I have had such a happy week with my darling three girls in their 
 little cottage on Loch Slapen (six miles from Broadford in Skye) which 
 Sir William Mackinnon has lent them, and where they are picnicking 
 all by themselves, sketching and sailing and bathing and fishing, and 
 enjoying themselves intensely. 
 
 "I ran over to Ireland for a few days to see Dufferin and Bangor, 
 and had a glimpse of Roden at lovely Tullymore, and am now en route 
 to rejoin S. at Whitby, who has Arthur with her. She is much the same, 
 certainly no better. . . ." 
 
 To REV. EVAN HOPKINS. 
 
 " ADDRESS G. P. 0. LONDON 
 
 " R. Y. S. Cornelia, SOUND OF MULL, 18th Sept. /91. 
 
 " He who recommends a really good book to one who can appreciate 
 it does one of the best possible deeds. 
 
 " Dear Brother, it has been on my mind all the time I have been 
 reading it to bring to your notice, ' The Presence of Christ in the Gospel 
 History,' by Martin, of Edinburgh. For several years it has been on 
 my shelves, and part of it I read some time ago; but having almost 
 promiscuously packed it up to read in train or yacht, I have been so 
 charmed, and I trust helped, by its second part on ' Christ in His people? 
 that I felt I must mention it to you. 1st, because I was sure you 
 would deeply appreciate it; and 2ndly, because I thought you could 
 use some extracts from it to excellent purpose in ' The Life of Faith.' 
 (520)
 
 GREAT AMWELL AND SHOOTERS* HILL 521 
 
 "I hardly know whether most to admire its rich and Scriptural 
 teaching, its remarkable perspicacity of thought, or its admirable 
 exactitude of expression. The latter is most striking, and this has a 
 special charm for me. 
 
 "The writer, now dead, I think was a profound mathematician, 
 and hence perhaps his severe exactitude of terms. 
 
 "Another book of his, on the Atonement, bringing out the High 
 Priestly work of Christ in the Sacrifice of Himself, taught me very 
 much a good many years ago. Perhaps you know them both. If not, 
 let me recommend them. 
 
 " I hope you are well, and that 3 John 2 is applicable in your case. 
 I wish we met oftener. A little communion now and again sharpeneth 
 my countenance. On my road now from Skye to rejoin the Duchess 
 at Whitby. 
 
 "Haven't written so long a letter to friend for ever so long. Pp. 
 265-271 in ' Christ's Presence' is a wonderfully beautiful passage." 
 
 It was about this time that, after long and anxious deliberation, 
 Sir Arthur finally decided on placing the British Workman and Hall 
 at Crayford in the hands of the Wesley ans, who had been working 
 in the place, and were willing to relieve him of a charge which, 
 " with increasing public responsibilities, greater distance from 
 Crayford, growing domestic anxieties," and advancing years, he 
 felt himself unable to retain. The transfer was made in the follow- 
 ing April. 
 
 In writing from Whitby on 6th October to the Misses Odell, Sir 
 Arthur says : 
 
 "I have now, as you know, carried it on for about eighteen years; 
 and you also know, or have a very good idea, of the labour, expense and 
 anxiety it has cost me. And I can truly say, that without your con- 
 stant, self-denying and earnest co-operation, I should have had to re- 
 linquish the work long ago. I thank GOD Who '.has enabled us to work 
 together for so many years in such happy fellowship, and has permitted 
 us to see some of the fruit of our labours in His Service. We shall 
 have joyful memories of it through eternity, shall we not? 
 
 "I can't help a pang in writing you this. But 'necessity' (as I 
 deem) ' is laid upon me.' " 
 
 On the same date, Sir Arthur notes in his DIARY OF DATES, 
 " W. H. Smith died." 
 
 Now that the upright Godfearing statesman whom all men 
 honoured has passed away, a letter written by him several years 
 before will be read with interest.
 
 522 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " 3 GROSVENOB PIPAGE, 13 Jan. 1887. 
 
 "Mv DEAR BLACKWOOD, Many thanks. I do not myself consider 
 that my appointment is matter for personal congratulations. I take it 
 with fear and trembling. The responsibility is very great, and I am 
 not strong enough unless GOD helps me, and gives me the wisdom to 
 lead and guide this 'so great a people.' 
 
 " Yours very sincerely, 
 
 "W. H. SMITH." 
 
 SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD TO HIS SISTER. 
 
 " Dec. 15. Ceci's Birthday [1891.] 
 
 "I have been thinking much of you, occupied, I fancy, much in 
 going over dearest Sophie's papers and affairs." [Miss Plumptre.] 
 
 " I should so much have liked to have been with you that Saturday 
 afternoon, if not at the grave, yet afterwards for a little. But, as you 
 saw, the train-service did not make it practicable. 
 " This is dreary weather, but 
 
 " ' The leaf may fade and perish, 
 Not less the Spring will come. 
 Like wind and rain of winter 
 Our earthly sighs and tears, 
 Till the golden Summer dawneth 
 Of the endless YEAB OP YEABB ! ' 
 
 " Then what a blessed reunion ! 
 
 " I was able to read and pray with poor F., and he liked it." 
 
 In the last days of 1891, Sir Arthur was taken ill with Influenza. 
 The attack was a slight one, and apparently he quickly got over it 
 But he returned to work too soon, and could not be persuaded to 
 cancel engagements. He went for a few days to Norton Court, to 
 see a dying cousin ; but be complained of weariness in the limbs, 
 and was surprised to find himself " so down." At last he settled to 
 go to Eastbourne, where he improved considerably ; but the stay 
 was too short, and the benefit was only temporary. Now, on look- 
 ing back, this attack is seen to have been one of the first messengers 
 sent to call him home to his Father's House on high. 
 
 Of these few days at Eastbourne, a friend gives some reminis- 
 cences, as told by himself. Mrs. Travers writes : 
 
 "One day in February 1892 our hearts were rejoiced by hearing 
 from dear Sir Arthur that he would breakfast with us on his way from 
 Bexley to London. So on the 17th he walked round by the Wood,
 
 GEEAT AMWELL AND SHOOTERS' HILL 523 
 
 delighting in the early singing of the birds, and all the sweet loneliness 
 of the Wood paths, up to his old home, the Wood Lodge, on Shooters' 
 Hill, intending perhaps, even then, to return to it, but waiting to see 
 the LORD'S leading. I asked him if he did not find it a good opportun- 
 ity for repeating Scripture. He showed me his little Testament he 
 carried in his pocket, and said how it talked with him by the way. 
 And I saw, when he arrived, how it had made his face to shine, and he 
 seemed so intensely happy in the LORD. 
 
 "One of the subjects of conversation which interested us so much 
 was his little run to Eastbourne. He thought to rest himself a little 
 from his heavy work, but the LORD had other work awaiting him there 
 that was to give him sweet rest to his spirit, like his dear Master, when 
 He sat weary by the well-side, needing bodily comforts, and acknow- 
 ledging to His disciples He had meat to eat that they knew not of. 
 
 " I think it was a postman from London, told one of the waiters in 
 the Hotel who he was, and what he could do, if he was asked. So a 
 deputation soon came to his room from the servants of the Hotel, 
 with the owner's leave, asking him to give them an address in the 
 Servants' Hall, which he joyfully agreed to do. They entreated him 
 to give them another, which he did ; and he said he never had a more 
 attentive congregation. He had many interesting talks with one and 
 another afterwards, certainly thinking the LORD had opened some 
 hearts to attend to the things that were spoken. On leaving, the 
 owner of the Hotel thanked him for his kind interest in his servants ; 
 and their own warm hearty thanks gave him great joy. 
 
 " Oh ! how sorry were we that morning when his blessed visit 
 to us came to an end, and we watched his noble face and sweet smile 
 to the last, but comforted by the promise that he would come again. 
 And so he did, both times uniting with us in prayer before hastening 
 away. 
 
 "Dear Sir Arthur used to say, when entering our home, 'Well! 
 how is the Church in the House ? ' One Sabbath day in 1893, he was 
 very weary, and I shall never forget the answer he gave to my enquiry 
 about his health, '"He hath weakened my strength by the way, He 
 hath shortened my days."' But oh! how soon was it to be 'length 
 of days for ever and ever.' Alleluia ! " 
 
 The weeks which followed Sir Arthur's return from Eastbourne 
 were as usual crowded with engagements. For instance, on the 
 10th February he spoke at the Memorial Service for Mr. Spurgeon 
 in the Metropolitan Tabernacle ; on the 12th took part in the meet- 
 ings at St. James' Hall of a Day of Humiliation and Prayer. On 
 the 20th and 21st he had meetings at Cambridge his last for the
 
 524 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Postal Christian Association and for University men. On 29th 
 March he gave his last Address at Crayford, on " The Glory of the 
 Cross of Christ," and on the 31st closed the 15th Session of the Night 
 School. When Easter came, he used the few days' leave for a trip 
 to Holland, to rest and recruit, his friend Count Aldenburgh Ben- 
 tinck accompanying him part of the way. But the expedition was 
 not a success. The weather proved most unfavourable, and he 
 gained but little, if any, benefit. 
 
 To a friend, dying in great suffering, he wrote on 16th February 
 1892: 
 
 "If He says, ' I have created the waster to destroy,' He also says, 'O 
 Death, I will be thy destruction.' And His tender heart and hand that 
 sent the suffering will assuredly apply the sweet balm of His support 
 and love." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 [Is PENCIL.] " GREAT AMWELL HOUSE, 22nd May, 1892. 
 
 "Sitting in the garden, I write to thank you from the bottom of my 
 bad heart (for it's a bad one still) for the loving words and wishes 
 which reached me so thoughtfully yesterday; for the prayers which 
 reached me, in their results, round by the way of the Throne, even 
 before; and for all the love and prayer, sympathy and interest, which 
 have been towards and for me for now (within a month) thirty-six 
 years. How much do I. O. U. GOD be praised for such a true and 
 constant and loving friend. How often has the thought what you 
 would say (and more, how you would say it, inspired my feeble utterances 
 to poor aching empty hearts, you can never know here ! 
 
 " If therefore there is anything in Te Deum, of which you speak so 
 partially, which strikes a chord in your heart (though not quite 
 Miltonian in its rhythm) you know how much it is owing to your 
 blessed influence, specially in those early days when my young soul 
 was capable of being moulded. 
 
 " For this I praise GOD, and shall through all Eternity! 
 
 "Getting on for seventy now am I. Hurrah! Oh, that I may 
 bring forth fruit in old age, that now when I am 'old and grey-headed, 
 I may show forth His strength to this generation,' and thus, though at 
 a great distance, tread in the steps of my loved and honoured old 
 Marny. 
 
 " Pray for me at the Conference, and for the Conference itself. 
 Also for meetings at Miss Daniell's, of which I shall send you a card to 
 remind. . . . Best love to all the dear ones from a Sexagenarian, 
 
 "8. A.B."
 
 GREAT AMWELL AND SHOOTERS* HILL 525 
 
 The entry in the DIABY OF DATES for this day stands thus 
 " May 22. Ixth Birthday ! Psalm 107. 1, 2 and 71. 18." 
 
 To Miss ODELL. 
 
 " GREAT AMWELL HOUSE, 5. 7. 92. 
 
 "Forgive delay. But I have been 'that drove' since Mildmay that 
 I couldn't write before. 
 
 " Hoping to come to Crayford on 19th ! ! Duchess very bad and 
 prolonged cough. My throat not right yet. 
 
 " How terrible is this time ! May GOD save our country and Ireland 
 in His own way. Ps. 46, and Ecc. 5. 8 are a comfort. But I am greatly 
 troubled, and very apprehensive. 
 
 " ' The LORD reigneth.' 
 
 "Will send you subject as soon as one is given to me. 
 
 " 7th Aug. 1892. GBEAT AMWELL HOUSE. 
 
 " 1. ... 2. As to Lincoln Judgment, I hardly know what to say. 
 It is most saddening. One thing is clear, that it will lead to an advance 
 along the whole line of Romanizers. 
 
 " England will soon be covered with Mass-houses. 
 
 " What is not so clear yet to me is the path of Evangelicals To 
 stay or to come out ? 
 
 "Our position remains the same. Nothing is imposed upon us. I 
 feel like staying protesting fighting for GOD'S truth. But are we 
 made participators in false doctrine by remaining in membership with 
 a Church which 'suffers' (tolerates) the teaching and practices of 'that 
 woman Jezebel ' ? 
 
 " This is a question for individual consciences. 
 
 "We must pray for light grace wisdom courage." 
 
 When the time came for the Autumn holidays Sir Arthur 
 acknowledged that he felt "very tired." The Duchess being no 
 longer able as in previous years to bear the journey to Scotland, he 
 accompanied her to Ore, purposing to spend the time with her there. 
 But this was felt to be very undesirable for him ; and it was hoped 
 and believed that yachting and the free life in Scotland, which had 
 always done him so much good, would re-establish his health, and 
 that he would return invigorated for the winter's work. He yielded 
 to his Wife's wishes, and on the 8th September left for the North. 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " TOBERMORY, I. OF MULL, Sept., 20/92. 
 
 "Well ! if this isn't the biggest disappointment I've had for many 
 and many a day. Here have I been cruising about the Sound of Sleat
 
 526 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 with my three girls in a splendid yacht," [the lolanthe, kindly lent by 
 Sir Donald Currie] "lent to me to do what I liked with for several 
 days, when I could have taken you all about with me, and entertained 
 you, and gone up and down lochs and everywhere else ! 
 
 "Oh ! you blessed Marny, if you had only written one day sooner! 
 
 "What I would have given to have seen you and yours ! 
 
 " I passed and repassed Loch Alsh ; preached three times on two 
 yachts on Sunday within a few miles of you. 
 
 "How delicious it would have been. 
 
 "But I believed you were in Banffshire. Only to-day I parted 
 from my darling three daughters, whom I deposited in their charming 
 little hut, and came south hither, en route for Oban then Dunira, 
 Kinnairds', Tunkervilles', and back to London ! 
 
 "Well, there it is, and it can't be cured. . . . 
 
 "Gon preserve your blessed old life, and make your declining years 
 the most fruitful of any. I was prayed for t'other day as 'our aged 
 friend' ! So you and I are advancing together. 
 
 " Best love to all the household of faith with you." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " GLAMIS, Oct., 6/92. 
 
 'I am glad that so far all seems to have gone well." [The move to 
 Shooters' Hill] "Your saying it was fine at twelve yesterday, makes 
 me hope you had fairish weather for the long drive. Here it poured 
 without ceasing from morning till night, a regular deluge. Lady K. C. 
 and I left Rossie at three, she for Edinburgh, and we were going by a 
 slow train to Glamis. But Lord Strathmore was in Perth, met us 
 there, and had quick train stopped at Glamis, so we got here by five. 
 
 "I have King Malcolm's room, where he died. C. a bright sunny 
 room, high up. . . . We had no nocturnal experiences. We leave to- 
 morrow at eleven o'clock, and hope to reach Chillingham about six. 
 
 "Anniversary of Ceci's death." 
 
 The return of Sir Arthur and the Duchess to Shooters' Hill 
 in October, the change from Great Amwell having been made 
 in his absence, was welcomed with joy by such as remained of 
 those who had known them in the years from 1868 to 1871. A 
 letter from a warm-hearted City Missionary unites many recollec- 
 tions of both periods. 
 
 " PLUMSTEAD, March, 1895. 
 
 "About thirty years ago Sir Arthur and Her Grace had some two 
 or three hundred from Miss Macpherson's at Whitechapel, to spend a 
 day at Wood Lodge. My wife and myself were invited to meet them,
 
 GREAT AMWELL AND SHOOTERS' HILL 527 
 
 and rendered a little assistance to the helpless ones, and so became 
 'eyes to the blind' and 'feet to the lame' as I led them about the 
 gardens and grounds. Some well up in years said to me, ' I have never 
 seen a gooseberry bush in my life.' I had much pleasure in showing 
 them a real gooseberry bush. 
 
 "About that time much distress prevailed in Plumstead. Thousands 
 were discharged from Government works, and the people were in great 
 straits. One morning, after family prayers, I was requested to wait 
 behind for a little consultation, and Sir Arthur asked me, 'What is 
 the best to be done for the people ? ' My reply was prompt and de- 
 cisive, ' Emigration.' I gave as my reason, the urgent request of many 
 of my people. This plan was accepted, and some hundreds of pounds 
 were raised. Many told me, ' Mr. Phipps, if it had not been for Her 
 Grace and Mr. Blackwood, both me and my family would have starved ; 
 but they saved us. GOD bless them for it.' 
 
 "These emigrants were sent out in batches of from fifty to sixty, 
 and I had the pleasure of seeing them rigged out, and made to look so 
 smart that I used to say, ' Why, you are so improved in your looks that 
 I hardly know you.' Before each batch was sent out, they assembled 
 at Wood Lodge, had a good tea on the lawn or in the Servants' Hall, 
 and a kind loving word for Christ given and prayer offered by Sir 
 Arthur. A few were helped to other countries, as Australia and 
 America. One Irish woman said, 'If you only gave me a letter to that 
 lady and gentleman, I know it would send me over to America spinning 
 like a top.' We were glad to hear of their doing well in their adopted 
 country. 
 
 "Another feature was the outdoor and indoor services. . . . What 
 numbers used to flock to hear him 1 These labours bear fruit to this 
 day. 
 
 "When the family removed to Crayford, we felt we had sustained a 
 great loss. But now Crayford became attractive to us, as always in the 
 early spring we received an invitation to the Crayford Conference, 
 where we had royal dainties in the Presence of the King. And so 
 thoughtful, kind and considerate was Sir Arthur, remembering we had 
 bodies as well as souls, and charging the manager of the 'British Work- 
 man ' to look well after us, and so making the day complete. 
 
 " Then in the summer I was favoured to take my people in brakes 
 and vans to the Manor House, and afterwards to Shortlands, year after 
 year. We were always made to feel 'at home.' We always looked 
 upon the crowning of the day's visit to be a word of address from dear 
 Sir Arthur, in his own happy style, and his subject matter most 
 refreshing to our spirits. Very many of my people who have, like 
 himself, gone home, mentioned to me on their dying bed ' the good they
 
 528 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 got from that dear gentleman.' Many look upon this as 'the only 
 holiday they have in the year.' Some when coming for the first time 
 said, 'I haven't been out for a day's holiday for twenty-eight years.' 
 And another said, ' I have not been for forty-seven years.' These were 
 filled with delight, and said 'I have never had such a day's enjoy- 
 ment.' 
 
 "And now when the family returned one attack of illness after 
 another 'brought down his strength in his journey,' and laid him low 
 in death. Being on my way to the house to make enquiries, I was told 
 ' He is dead.' This sudden surprise overwhelmed me with grief. I 
 found relief in tears, for we loved him. These acts towards myself ' for 
 the Master's sake' were then precious. But now they sparkle as 
 diamonds. They ' remain.' " 
 
 Another recollection of those earlier days is thus given : 
 
 "One Sunday evening, as Sir Arthur was preaching in the open air 
 as usual, we heard him say how the LORD can bring every sin to 
 remembrance in a moment. He illustrated this by the case of a man 
 who was saved from drowning, and acknowledged that the guilt of his 
 whole past life had come in review before him in a few seconds. Sir 
 Arthur applied it most strikingly, asking how it would be with us, if 
 unforgiven. It needed but that touch, 'Son, remember,' and all our 
 sins would rise up and condemn us. 
 
 "A young man, in full health and vigour, was standing by, listening 
 most attentively, who the next afternoon was drowned by the upsetting 
 of his boat in the Thames. Perhaps he may have learned by that 
 faithful discourse, how to look and live." 
 
 Colonel Travers says : 
 
 " Some years ago I told Sir Arthur of a circumstance which took 
 place during the time he first resided at Wood Lodge. A lad belong- 
 ing to the Sunday School of which I was superintendent was anxious 
 about his soul ; his great difficulty was the fear that if he came out as 
 a Christian, after a while he might fall away. One evening he attended 
 the open air service, when Sir Arthur was enabled to speak on this 
 very point: saying that such fear arose from not understanding the 
 Gospel, viz. that our life is not in our own keeping, but is hid with 
 Christ in GOD; Colossians iii. 3. This address set my young friend at 
 liberty ; and he has continued to walk as a believer ever since; a period 
 of very many years. 
 
 "When I told this to Sir Arthur, he expressed much thankfulness, 
 and added the remark that the same text was the means of his own 
 conversion.
 
 GEEAT AMWELL AND SHOOTERS' HILL 529 
 
 "One evening, after the service, Sir Arthur gave a paper to a 
 soldier, who putting his hand in his pocket asked, ' How much is to 
 pay ? ' I could not be but interested at the ready reply of Sir Arthur, 
 somewhat in these words, ' My dear fellow, it is like the mercy of GOD, 
 without money and without price.' 
 
 "Sir Arthur manifested much Christian sympathy with the Sunday 
 School Bible Class of which I am superintendent. He allowed us the 
 use of his fields annually for our School treat. As on leaving we were 
 lighted up with Damascus lanterns and carried many flags, it was a 
 pretty sight when the young people gathered round Sir Arthur, to hear 
 him say a few words. In 1893, he took for his text, 'Thou hast given a 
 Banner to them that fear Thee.' After he had spoken, the School 
 marched on, little thinking how soon their kind friend would pass 
 away. 
 
 " The three last addresses in this place were to the Cadets, to the 
 Sunday School and to the Postmen. I was present at each. These 
 addresses were appreciated greatly, and were most interesting. In the 
 Sunday School we have much difference in the ages of the young people, 
 yet all of them were rejoiced to hear him ; he spoke so suitably to all." 
 
 Captain Orde Brown, late R.A. gives yet another testimony to the 
 influence exerted at Woolwich. 
 
 " BLACKHEATH, 3. 10. 93. 
 
 " I should like to say how much more Sir Arthur was to me than 
 he could ever know. Years ago, when a very young officer, I thought 
 so much of the help he was to many of us as to pray for him constantly. 
 For many years I have only seen him at rare intervals ; but whether 
 it was an effort for early closing, for the Repeal of C. D. Act, or for 
 more entirely spiritual work, he was unfailing in the help he gave. 
 
 "In public work his loss will be terribly felt, but I had known him 
 long enough, and been fond enough of him to feel his loss in a way 
 that this does not express." 
 
 When Sir Arthur returned home in October, 1892, and began to 
 take up again the threads of his usual work, it became evident that 
 the hope of permanent benefit from his holiday had not been re- 
 alized, and that his strength was small. He spoke at the National 
 Protestant Congress at Portsmouth on 17th October, and returned 
 from it exhausted. The arrangements for the Uganda Retention 
 meeting held at Woolwich on 18th November, wearied and tired 
 him, and the daily journey to town became a great burden. The 
 news of his younger son's serious illness was also a cause of much 
 distress and anxiety. 
 
 34
 
 530 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 To COUNTESS CAIRNS. 
 
 "G. P. O. 30/11. [1892] 
 
 " We are much grieved at seeing in to-day's Times the tidings of the 
 further heavy grief that dear Nevile, and you, and all his and yours 
 have had to bear in the ending of that sweet little earthly life. 
 
 " How very, very sad for him and all who loved the lad, and de- 
 lighted in his presence here. But if the LORD Jesus has made him a 
 Page of honour in the Palace of glory, you will rejoice at his promotion, 
 and think of his bright face and heart as 
 
 " ' All rapture through and through, 
 In GOD'S most holy sight.' 
 
 "May this knowledge comfort all your hearts. 
 
 " Tell my dear Brother how deeply I feel for him in this re-opening 
 of wounds. 
 
 " Yet ' HE is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.' . . . 
 " My heart aches for you all." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 " Written at P. 0. " 18. 11. 92. 
 
 " Your kind words of enquiry, beloved Marny, were very cheering. 
 I am perhaps mending a little. A liver attack, which is depressing and 
 weakening. That is all. But I hope to preside at a Uganda Retention 
 meeting to-night at Woolwich. May GOD defend the right, incline our 
 Government to retain the country, and thus abolish the slave-trade 
 and preserve the native Christians and our noble missionaries. 
 
 "Oh! when shall I ever see you? It is YEARS almost centuries 
 since we met ! 
 
 " Telegram from New York about A ' Much better. No need for 
 anxiety.' We thank GOD. 
 
 " When will you brighten our doors and hearts? " 
 
 Miss Marsh's last visit to him was paid, to Wood Lodge, in 
 December. 
 
 It was difficult to induce Sir Arthur to have medical advice ; and 
 it was not until his powers began to fail very decidedly that he 
 realized the necessity for such aid. The advice was to give up all 
 work and go to Cannes. This was determined upon, and his kind 
 friends Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Barclay were waiting to receive him at 
 their lovely home, Villa Urie. 
 
 It was under these circumstances that the following letters were 
 written.
 
 GREAT AMWELL AND SHOOTERS* HILL 531 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " 29th December, 1892. 
 
 "As I may be unable to write to-morrow, I send you my best New 
 Year's wishes to-day, my darling Sister. Whatever way the LORD leads 
 will be the right one. May we have grace to discern and follow it. 
 How well it is that we don't know the future. 
 
 "I have not improved. All is in a loving Saviour's hands. 
 
 " I trust, if it be His will, to be better soon. 
 
 " So no more, my darling Loo, with every good wish for thee and 
 thine from thy loving Brother." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " SHOOTERS' HILL, 31st Dec., 1892. 
 
 " May all the blessings invoked for 1893 come to pass for thee and 
 thine, and me and mine. We will trust for them in Him Who is so 
 worthy to be trusted. 
 
 "Your sweet little booklet is indeed welcome, and shall be given to 
 each to-morrow morning. I have none with that title. There is one 
 called ' Steps,' in which ' Still upward ' is much dwelt upon. So I shall 
 not 'proceed against you for piracy" or 'infringement of copyright, 1 this 
 time I 
 
 "I saw my M.D. yesterday, who prescribes entire rest at once, and 
 to go to Cannes in about a week. So D.V. I shall go ; and probably C. 
 will go with me. 
 
 " I trust things may mend soon, if it be the LORD'S good pleasure. 
 
 " Meanwhile I am very deficient of breath and strength. 
 
 "I have a most careful and wise home M.D. in S., who thinks of 
 everything. 
 
 "Best love to all the dear ones at Feltwell. I am deeply grateful 
 for their loving prayers." 
 
 To MR. ROWLAND SMITH. 
 " THE WOOD LODGE, SHOOTERS' HILL, NEW YEAR'S DAT, 1893. 
 
 " I am so grieved to hear that Mrs. Rowland Smith is very unwell. 
 
 "Your New Year opens with anxiety, I fear. May our gracious 
 LORD relieve them and heal her. 
 
 "I am very far from well, an attack of heart having brought me low. 
 I am ordered absolute rest, and if possible to go to the South. 
 
 " But ' By these things men live, and in these things is the life of 
 my spirit.' Is. 38. 
 
 "'These things worketh GOD oftentimes with man.' We can look 
 back on many years of mercy, can we not, my dear Friend ? Ps. 23. 6
 
 532 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 still holds good, and Jesus never changes. May He be with your dear 
 wife in the time of weakness, and comfort both your hearts." 
 
 With these words ended a correspondence of thirty-seven years. 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " 1st January, 1893, NEW YEAB'S DAY. 
 
 "So distressed to hear of your suffering. May you speedily be 
 restored, and I too, if it be the LORD'S will for us. 
 
 "It has been a year of no little trial to me, in many ways, and to 
 you also, yet what mercies have been mingled all the way ! 
 
 "What will '93 bring? Who can tell? But we can go forward 
 trusting, knowing that Ps. 23. 6 holds good, and that our blessed loving 
 GOD Saviour, Father and Friend, never changes. 
 
 "Thy loving old Brother."
 
 XI. 
 
 "TOWAKDS EVENING." 
 
 SPRING AND SUMMER, 1893. 
 CAMPFER AND EMS. 
 HOME.
 
 SPEING AND SUMMEE, 1893. 
 
 Thus the New Year opened. But Sir Arthur seemed so unfit 
 for the journey to Cannes, that on 2nd January further advice was 
 sought, with the result that the departure was postponed, and he 
 was ordered to remain at his own house. A week later permission 
 was given to go to Bournemouth ; and his old friend Lady Cairns 
 offering to receive him he went there on llth January, believing 
 that a few days' change would enable him to start for the Eiviera. 
 But this was not to be the case. 
 
 It soon became evident that as the result of taking insufficient 
 rest after Influenza, Sir Arthur's condition was much more 
 serious than he had believed. He was ordered absolute rest, even 
 from writing and thinking ; and on the 17th the doctor insisted on his 
 remaining entirely in bed. A time of great exhaustion and weariness 
 followed ; but after a week he began to rally. By the end of 
 February he was able to return home ; and the improvement was 
 so decided that hope grew strong that years of renewed power were 
 before him. 
 
 His letters home, written or dictated, naturally contain but 
 little beyond the record of the daily fluctuations of illness. " I feel 
 very depressed," he said a few days after reaching Bournemouth, 
 " not being conscious of one lift upwards for past two months, only 
 steady down hill comparing week by week." 
 
 " 20th Jan. Friday noon. 
 
 " Dear Radstock was very nice. . . . Stayed about half an hour. 
 Clearly the LORD has a message for me. ' I was brought low, and He 
 helped me ! ' In His own time He will give the first upward lift. 
 
 " Little I thought, when I read Ps. xxxi. at Prayers on 1st January, 
 what ' my times ' were going to be. 
 
 " Tues., *2&th January. 
 
 " A gorgeous A.M. Light pine trees sunbeams birds. The view 
 from my window, as I lie, reminds me so of the lovely days in February 
 
 (535)
 
 536 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 eight years ago, when James and I walked and lay in the Pine woods 
 at Cazcaes, the other side of the Tagus, and spoke of the new life. 
 
 " What mercies I have ! This is being ill in luxury indeed. Such 
 kindness and attention from Lady Cairns and K. and Humphries. 
 
 "Certainly stronger. Can cross room quite alone with ease. 
 
 " ' When all Thy mercies, O my GOD, 
 
 My rising soul surveys, 
 Transported with the view I'm lost 
 In wonder, love, and praise.' 
 
 [26th January.] " Thursday noon, 
 
 "Much worried this morning by two letters about matters, and 
 
 couldn't get them off my mind till after a refreshing talk with good 
 Lady Cairns, and then Dr. N.'s visit, which changed current. But I am 
 concocting letters to lawyers half the night, and the mind swings back 
 to it like a pendulum. It is very trying. But I won't write about it 
 to-day. 
 
 " I can't stand talk yet a very little and very tame exhausts. 
 
 [30th Jan.] " Monday, 4 P.M. 
 
 " A Red Letter Day. 
 "If you have ever come across those lines,* 
 
 " ' See the man that long has tossed 
 On the thorny bed of pain,' 
 
 you will understand my feelings. Only there has been no 'long' about 
 it, and no 'thorns,' not even a crumpled rose leaf, and no 'pain.' 
 
 "Another fairly good night. The quiet watching hours, generally 
 from 102 or 3, are not bad times. 
 
 [3rd Feb.] Friday. 
 
 "Not a single symptom anything but favourable. This is GOD'S 
 goodness. And an additional enjoyment is to feel that it is in the 
 lovely lengthening days of Spring, instead of in November's deepening 
 gloom, that vigour is returning. 
 
 "I write to no one but you and girls. 
 
 " I hear of prayer on all sides. I ought to be grateful indeed. 
 
 " Sat. 9.30. P.M. Just to add that the Secretary to P. 0., having as a 
 necessary preliminary been skilfully drawn into a pair of pantaloons, 
 sat up to dinner at 7.45, and succeeded in completely interring a slice 
 of roast Turkey ! Going to rest after the operation. 
 
 * This was a family joke.
 
 SPRING AND SUMMER, 1893 537 
 
 [About 5th February.] 
 
 " I am so enjoying the ' Winter Walk at Noon.' Never read it fully 
 before, certainly never in such absolute quietude. I like to think that 
 you like it. But you will not agree with him or me in the first few 
 lines : 
 
 " ' How sweet the music of the village bells, 
 
 Falling at intervals upon the ear 
 
 In cadence sweet. Now dying 
 
 All away Now pealing loud 
 
 Again, and louder still.' 
 
 "You will be interested in The Triplets in my paper in Christian 
 this week. It is the only one that, so far as I know, is strictly original. 
 Whether my suggestion be true or not, anyhow the fact exists. 
 
 " Such a beautiful account of Mrs. Pennefather's last days, in 
 ' Service.' " 
 
 The Paper to which Sir Arthur refers is No, III. of his "Apocalyp- 
 tic Scenes," which appeared in The Christian of 2nd February, 1893. 
 Its subject is "The Twelve Triplets," and its opening words are 
 
 these : 
 
 " A very curious phenomenon arrests us in the opening chapter of 
 the Apocalypse. . . . The fact is clear that the statements contained in 
 that section of the Book . . . are arranged in a series of Triplets, twelve 
 in number. 
 
 I. 
 
 " ' The Revelation which GOD gave and He sent and signified it.' 
 (ver. 1) 
 
 " Divinely Given Divinely Sent Divinely Signified. 
 
 II. 
 
 " ' John bare record of the Word of GOD, and of the testimony of 
 Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.' (ver. 2) 
 
 " The Word The Witness The Wonders. 
 
 III. 
 
 "'Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this 
 prophecy, and keep these things.' (ver. 3) 
 
 " The Reader The Hearer The Keeper. 
 
 IV. 
 
 " ' Grace and peace from Him which is, and which was, and which is to 
 come; and from the seven spirits which are before His throne; and from 
 Jesus Christ.' (ver. 4) 
 
 " The FATHER the SPIRIT the SON.
 
 538 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 V. 
 
 "'From Him which is, and which was, and which t* to come.' (ver. 
 4.) 
 
 "JEHOVAH eternally existent in 
 
 " Past Present Future. 
 
 VI. 
 
 " ' The Faithful Witness, the First begotten from the dead, the Prince 
 of the Kings of the earth.' (ver. 5.) 
 
 " Prophet Priest Prince. 
 
 VII. 
 
 " ' Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own 
 Blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto GOD and His Father.' 
 (ver. 5, 6.) 
 
 " Loved Cleansed Consecrated. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 " ' Behold, He cometh with clouds ; and every eye shall see Him, 
 and they also which pierced Him : and all kindreds of the Earth shall 
 wail because of Him.' (ver. 7.) 
 
 " The Advent the Vision the Wailing. 
 
 IX. 
 
 " ' The LORD which is, and which was, and which is to come.' (ver. 8.) 
 "CHRIST eternally existent in 
 
 " Past Present Future. 
 
 X. 
 
 "' I, John, who am your brother and companion in tribulation, and 
 in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.' (ver. 9.) 
 " Tribulation Triumph Testing. 
 
 XI. 
 
 " ' I am the First and the Last ; I am He that liveth and was dead, 
 and behold, I am alive for evermore I Amen: and have the keys of hell 
 and of death.' (ver. 18.) 
 
 " The All-comprehensive One 
 
 " The Dead and Risen One 
 
 "The Omnipotent One.
 
 SPEING AND SUMMER, 1893 539 
 
 XII. 
 
 '"Write the things ivhich thou hast seen, and the things which are, 
 and the things which shall be hereafter.' (ver. 19) 
 " The glorious Vision 
 
 "The then existing Condition of the Churches 
 " The Prophetic History of the Future." 
 
 The extracts from letters are now resumed : 
 
 " Feb. 8, Wednesday. 
 
 "The ways of GOD are wonderful. One can recognize and acknow- 
 ledge this when they fall in with one's desires. What a lesson to trust 
 Him when we can't trace them clearly, and when they go contrary. 
 
 "4 P.M. Scrumptious ! Started at 2.30. Nurse Theobald and I. 
 The sight of sea, Isle of Wight, Swanage cliffs, delicious, 'opening Para- 
 dise.' Balmy air, but fresh. Drove for an hour. No breathlessness 
 on mounting stairs. 
 
 "Heartily do I thank GOD for all His mercies. 
 
 " [10th Feb.] Friday. 
 
 "Not an unanswered letter in the world. Even matters no 
 
 longer worry me, as they did when I was weak and morbid. At every 
 step I seem consciously to gain strength. It is worth while to have 
 been ill to have the delicious experience of returning vigour. 
 
 " Monday, Feb. 20. 
 
 " Nurse Theobald just gone amid sorrow from all, and much grief 
 on her part. She has been invaluable." 
 
 He afterwards delighted to tell how one of the little grand- 
 children of the house, leaning her arms on his knee, looked up into 
 his face, saying, " Oo Nana is don away ! Is oo sorry oo Nana is 
 don away ? " 
 [Feb. 22.] " Wednesday. 
 
 "Thankful to say I believe a subject for Mildmay has been given 
 to me in my long sleepless nights, and I've just worked it out and sent 
 it off. It is such an intense pleasure feeling strength and power 
 returning. I only wish you knew it too. Looking forward eagerly to 
 a speedy return. 
 [Feb. 24th] " Friday. 
 
 " Stayed up for prayers last night for first time for many weeks, 
 and led in prayer. A great mercy and joy to be again permitted. De- 
 parture drawing very near now. Sorry yet glad. 
 
 " Sunday. Glorious day, after night of rain. Hurrah ! coming 
 home, but for so short a time ! "
 
 540 LIFE OF SIB ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 On 2nd March Sir Arthur and his eldest daughter started on 
 the long-deferred journey to Cannes. Here they joined his second 
 daughter, who had been spending the winter on the Riviera, and 
 remained for a fortnight at the Chalet Criquette with an old friend, 
 Baroness Helga Von Cramm. They then became the guests of 
 Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Barclay at Villa Urie. Unfortunately the 
 daily letters written home to his Wife have been mislaid ; but the 
 remembrance is of a cheery report of ever upward progress, and 
 hearty enjoyment of the glorious sunshine, of mountain and sea, of 
 flowers and olive groves, and of the invigorating atmosphere, which 
 at first acted like a charm. He chronicled with delight a ten mile 
 walk, taken without any real fatigue, and an expedition alone to 
 the Isle Ste. Marguerite, where he spent most of the day. His 
 DIARY OF DATES duly records many other expeditions and walks 
 with friends, one " to the Observatoire with H. Tritton." 
 
 Of this walk Mr. Tritton says : 
 
 "I well remember the walk to the top of the Observatory Hill at 
 Cannes. It was a lovely spring morning, and as we mounted we 
 stopped occasionally and looked back over the wealth of colour in the 
 flowering trees, the mimosas and lilacs through which we were climb- 
 ing, down to the deep blue of the Mediterranean beyond. We were 
 talking of heaven, and being with Christ, 'which is very far better.' 
 He reminded me, I think, of the change in the R. V. in this verse, 
 and of the immensely increased powers of observation we should 
 enjoy, when our delight will be to learn ever more and more of the 
 glory and of the love of Christ in His creative as well as in His re- 
 demptive work ; when suddenly he turned and asked me if I remembered 
 the meaning of the word 'manifold' in that text in the Epistle to the 
 Ephesians, 'The manifold wisdom of GOD.' (iii. 10) 
 
 "He quoted the Greek, which literally is 'the extremely variegated 
 wisdom of GOD.' The scene was so full of colour, so full of light, so full 
 of warmth, so full of perfume, that the aptness and beauty of the 
 quotation made a great impression upon me. It was as if we were on 
 the Delectable mountains, and essayed to look through the perspective 
 glass at the Celestial City afar off, as old John Bunyan quaintly puts it, 
 adding, 'They thought they saw something like the gate, and also some 
 of the glory of the place.' 
 
 "I shall never forget that walk; it all seemed so real, and he 
 seemed so near to the gate of the City." 
 
 In an earlier letter, written to a friend on 15th October, 1893, 
 Mr. Tritton refers to the same incident.
 
 SPRING AND SUMMER, 1893 541 
 
 "The last I saw of him quietly was at Cannes, when we had long 
 walks and talks together in the spring of this year; and I well re- 
 member his turning round in a steep ascent, when I had mentioned 
 'the manifold wisdom of GOD,' and with a wave of his hand towards 
 the mountains and the sea, the clouds above and the flowers below, he 
 exclaimed with his little hesitation of speech, 'Yes! the variegated 
 goodness of GOD I ' " 
 
 Mr. C. Arthur Barclay writes : 
 
 " We all look back upon the time which Sir Arthur Blackwood spent 
 with us at Cannes as a specially happy and bright experience. 
 
 "What stands out most vividly on recalling the past was his extra- 
 ordinary power of meeting all persons with whom he came in contact ; 
 and though bold in the extreme in the Master's Service, he offended no 
 one. His courteous manner and exquisite tact were unequalled, at 
 any rate unsurpassed in my experience; and coupled with the deep 
 ripened spirituality of his life, bore a constant testimony to the 
 practical power of vital religion. 
 
 " He had a remarkable way of throwing himself into the interests 
 of others, enjoying all that was beautiful and bright, not only in nature, 
 but in everything around him. The glorious sunshine and scenery he 
 revelled in. 
 
 "He had a true appreciation of all that was lovely, with the true 
 perception of an artistic mind, and a capacity of apprehending it in a 
 high degree ; but often when we were mutually enjoying some scene of 
 unusual beauty, he would break out into a glowing ascription of praise 
 to Him Who created it all, and express his deep thankfulness in being 
 endued with a love for the beautiful. 
 
 " He spoke twice in our drawing-room. I can never forget the deep 
 solemnity of the time, and the manifest Presence of GOD with us. I 
 am convinced it was used to His glory. Sir Arthur's face was a tribute 
 to the reality of the peace on which he dwelt with such eloquence and 
 power. 
 
 "We often think of him as we occupy a favourite seat in a woody 
 part of the garden, where he often went with his Bible in the morning. 
 We always call it 'Sir Arthur's Seat,' and think of the times we used to 
 sit there together, and speak of Him Who was present, unseen, but not 
 unfelt. 
 
 "Of course I can never forget that it was from his lips that I first 
 heard the Gospel in its glorious reality ; and more than any one else was 
 he used of GOD in leading me to the Saviour." 
 
 A passage in Mrs. A. E. Simpson's little book, "Dried Rose- 
 Leaves," gives one or two recollections of this time.
 
 542 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 " During summer days in Switzerland and bright days near Pitlochry, 
 at Perth Conferences and in our Northern capital, Sir Arthur Black- 
 wood's friendship has brightened life; the last sight of him especially 
 remains. Longfellow's lines were true of that visit at Cannes. 
 
 " ' The tidal wave of deeper souls 
 Into our inmost being rolls, 
 And lifts us unawares 
 Out of all meaner cares.' 
 
 ' We little thought that spring day, when our kind friend climbed the 
 long hill to our hotel, that it was to be our last talk with him. It was 
 a wonderful spring in that sunny land, and all the vegetation was far 
 forward. The flowers were very fragrant, and the landscape lovely; 
 but as we look back and recal each incident, we see how his soul was 
 ripening for heaven, and had caught even then, the glory of the early 
 eternal summer. He had a little impromptu tea, read and prayed, and 
 talked of heaven. After he had written in our Bible, he said, 'Will you 
 look at it again?' It now has a strange meaning, and the page is no 
 longer one of the common interleaved ones. The words he wrote were 
 these 
 
 '"Still upward. 
 'Still upward. 
 
 'Still upward.' 
 "S. A. BLACKWOOD. (Ezek. xli. 7) " 
 
 and opposite Rev. xii., the book where he has been lately gathering 
 so many rose-leaves for us, he wrote 
 
 "Rev. xii. 11. The three-fold secret of Victory! 
 
 1. ' The Blood of the Lamb. 
 
 2. ' The Word of God. 
 
 3. 'Self-surrender.' " 
 
 In a letter to his sister, Sir Arthur wrote : 
 
 " 22rf March, 93. MENTONE. 
 
 " BELOVED OLD SISTER, I am here for two days, and return this P.M. 
 to Cannes, which I infinitely prefer to this place. There I am staying 
 with your connection, Arthur Barclay, and my son in the faith. A 
 lovely spot and most enjoyable. 
 
 "The delicious Mediterranean, with its gentle ripple, and sweet air 
 and sunshine, reminds me so of our days at Sorrento, Capri, Amalfi, etc. 
 thirty-six years ago. Oh ! how happy they were ! " 
 
 "He went to Mentone," says his Wife, "for a couple of days about 
 March 20th, and on the 26th the news of his elder son's serious illness
 
 SPUING AND SUMMER, 1893 543 
 
 reached him, and was a great anxiety. The daily reports became less 
 bright. Early in April symptoms reappeared which made Dr. G. feel 
 that he had better return to England at once, lest he should become 
 worse so far from home, knowing that for me to go out to him was 
 impossible. It was with great difficulty that a wagon-lit was secured, 
 as the trains were so full at that season. But Louisa, Lady Ashburton, 
 hearing of his renewed illness and of the failure to procure the bed, 
 most kindly gave up what she had secured for herself. He reached 
 home much exhausted on 15th April, Beatrice accompanying him, and 
 a lady-nurse who was coming home." 
 
 This his last earthly Home-coming was thus entered in his 
 DIABY OF DATES : 
 
 " April 15th. Shooters' Hill, 9.45, P.M. Very tired. Home! Thank 
 GOD ! " 
 
 "But after a few days at home," continues the Duchess, "and a 
 short visit to Bournemouth to see his doctor, he began to gain ground 
 rapidly ; and so much did he recover his usual habits, that one began 
 to lose the sense of anxiety. He returned to G. P. O. on May llth, 
 and not till July did he begin to show signs of failing." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " SHOOTERS' HILL, 2nd May, [1893] 
 
 "Getting along nicely. ... I returned from Bournemouth last 
 Wednesday. Doctor is satisfied with progress ; prescribes extreme care, 
 mental and physical Engadine in July or August and what is a most 
 severe trial silence for twelve months ! ! ! 
 
 " I can only say, ' The Will of the LORD be done,' and be deeply 
 thankful for the privilege of nearly thirty-seven years of testimony to 
 His Grace. GOD be praised for this. . . ." 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 " IQih May, 1893. 
 
 " No worse, beloved Sister, for a week's easy work. Indeed, rather 
 better, I think. . . . 
 
 " What a bore having to move. But ' Because they have no 
 changes, therefore they fear not GOD.' 
 
 " So the changes you and I have had so many of, are good for us, 
 and we can say, 
 
 " ' The changes that are sure to come, 
 I do not fear to see.' 
 
 " 22nd May, 1893. 
 "Thank you, my darling Loo, for your loving and pleasant words.
 
 544 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 You know the feeling of having entered one's 62nd year, so I will not 
 expatiate thereon. But I can truly say that Ps. 103. 1-3. is more than 
 ever my song. 
 
 " ' Soon my journey will be ended, 
 
 Life is drawing to a close ; 
 
 I shall then be well attended, 
 
 This my Father knows.' " 
 
 "How this quotation," says his Wife, "carries one back to the early 
 years, when this hymn was such a favourite with Sir Arthur, and when 
 he was constantly whistling or singing it. The recollection is vivid of 
 a tour in the English Lakes in 1864, and his singing the words as we 
 drove along, and continuing when he had got out of the carriage to 
 walk up the Pass by Honister Crag. The driver kept watching him ; 
 and presently said to my maid, ' Well, that is a good man ' an impres- 
 sion which was deepened by a talk, and still further confirmed by 
 finding, when we reached Keswick on the Saturday evening, that an 
 arrangement was made by which, instead of having to start on the 
 return journey next day, he was able to spend a quiet Sunday with his 
 wife and children, who, as Sir Arthur ascertained, were living at 
 Keswick." 
 
 [Letter Resumed.] 
 
 " I really don't want anything." [Alluding to an enquiry as to 
 what he would like for a birthday gift] "Indeed I have much more 
 than I need, and am daily striving to relieve myself of superfluous 
 articles, for 'a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of things 
 which he possesseth.' 
 
 "I'm 'inching along,' slow but I hope sure. But I feel the need 
 of extreme care and caution. So no more to-day from your ever loving 
 Brother, who is thankful that you have been a Miriam to such an 
 unworthy Moses for no less than sixty-one years." 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " 23/5, [1898.] 
 
 "... What innumerable mercies have been mine for sixty-one 
 years ; and not the least that of having had such a sympathizing and 
 affectionate Friend and Counsellor. Truly I am grateful for such a 
 gift, the value of which I have experienced for nearly thirty-seven years 
 and then there's an Eternity to come! 
 
 " I am getting along resting every day after lunch on a sofa for an 
 hour, and taking the utmost care of which indeed I feel the need. 
 
 "A. is recovering very slowly at Eastbourne."
 
 SPRING AND SUMMER, 1893 545 
 
 To HIS SISTER. 
 
 "5th June, 1893. 
 
 "What matters our earthly age, when we have Eternal Life, and 
 shall soon have everlasting youth and vigour, and constantly growing 
 powers, increasing in the knowledge of GOD, and delighting more and 
 more in His blessed service ? 
 
 "I do hope He will give you and darling Ceci and me some little 
 odd jobs to do together in some corner of His Dominions ; when we 
 can fly together from star to star, and then with our dearest Father and 
 Mother hold sweet communion, and recollect all the way the LORD our 
 GOD hath led us. 
 
 " ' Oh ! that will be joyful, 
 Joyful, joyful, joyful ! 
 Oh, that will be joyful, 
 
 When we meet to part no more.' " 
 
 [This was the favourite hymn of his old nurse, Kempster.] 
 
 "And the dear Aunts, and Sophie, and a multitude of other loved 
 ones. Oh ! the delight and the glory ! 
 
 " So every day brings us nearer to that blissful consummation 
 when above all, we shall see Him, and be like Him, and sin no 
 more. 
 
 "So I can wish you many, even never-ceasing happy returns of 
 the day. And so I do." 
 
 In the meantime Sir Arthur had been enabled to meet the most 
 necessary ordinary claims upon his time and strength, and evidently 
 had no forebodings as to the reality and permanence of his recovery. 
 He spoke at the unveiling of Mr. Fawcett's statue at Lambeth, and 
 besides other official engagements, was able to go about a good 
 deal with his daughters. 
 
 On 27th, 28th, and 29th June, he presided for the last time at the 
 Mildmay Conference. The subject which had been " given to him " 
 during his long sleepless nights at Bournemouth, was 
 
 " The Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our Gathering to- 
 gether unto Him" 
 
 Thus the last meeting at which Sir Arthur was allowed to 
 speak was on Thursday morning, 29th June, 1893 just thirty-seven 
 years, to the day, from that hour at Barnet in which the light from 
 on high had shone upon him. 
 
 He had been forbidden by his doctor to attend more than the 
 
 35
 
 546 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 one large meeting in the day, or to speak for more than five 
 minutes. The words which he spoke were these : 
 
 " Let me for the briefest moment ask you to turn to the Word of 
 the LORD in the Epistle to the Ephesians. 
 
 " Ch. I. ver. 5 ' The good pleasure of His trill.' 
 
 9 ' The mystery of His will, according to Hi* good pleasure 
 
 which He hath purposed in Himself.' 
 ,, 11 ' The purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the 
 
 counsel of His own will.' 
 
 '"/'or who hath been His counsellor ? ' The Almighty needs no 
 adviser. He works all things 'after the counsel of His own will'; and 
 He is going to do it, for He says, ' My purpose shall stand, and I will do 
 all 3/i/ pleasure.' 
 
 "Now turn to Romans. 8. 28. 'And we know that all things work 
 together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called accord- 
 ing to His purpose. 
 
 " ' For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be con- 
 formed to the image of His Son, that He might be the First-born among 
 many brethren. 
 
 " ' Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them He also called : and 
 whom He called, them He also justified; and whom He justified, them He 
 aluo glorified.' 
 
 "And the purpose of it all is this 
 
 " ' That in all things He might have the pre-eminence.' 
 
 "Our lately departed poet sings : 
 
 " ' I doubt not through the ages one increasing purpose runs, 
 
 And the thoughts of men are widened with the process of the suns.' 
 
 "The thoughts of men may be widened, but 'the thoughts of the 
 LORD ' are not widened by the process of the suns. He has from the 
 beginning of the world hid all things in Christ. His will is in Himself, 
 that wonderful will of GOD, that blessed will of GOD, His own purpose 
 which shall stand. And it is this that Christ may have the pre-emi- 
 nence. 
 
 "That is our subject to-day. 
 
 "Just one reflection upon the passage I have read. How the 
 purpose of GOD comes out there ! 'For we know that all things work 
 together for good to them that love, OOD, to them who are the called accord- 
 ing to His purpose.' Yes, we know many of us, looking back at past 
 days, how things that seemed to be against us have all been for us. 
 
 "We have been lately reading in the Bible Readers' Union how
 
 SPUING AND SUMMER, 1893 547 
 
 GOD turned a curse into a blessing. He was behind the scenes, though 
 His Name is never mentioned in the book of Esther. He was working 
 all things after the counsel of His own will. And so we find, in our 
 own little sphere, that GOD turns the curse into a blessing. 
 
 " But that does not exhaust the passage. ' All things work together 
 for good to them that love GOD ' ; but do not we often restrict the mean- 
 ing to something like this, ' I know that all things shall work together 
 for my good ' ? Yes, but that is a very little bit of it. ' My good ' may 
 be in the purposes, but it is not the purpose of GOD. We sing of, and 
 we enjoy sweet peace, and sweet rest, and glad joy, and that is all very 
 good, and very gracious of GOD ; but that is only a little bit of His 
 purposes. Look at it here, ' For whom He did foreknow, He also did 
 predestinate TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF His SON.' 
 
 " That is the good, not your temporal welfare ; it is not just getting 
 your money back here or there, or your reputation back, or your com- 
 fort, or your family prosperity. All that is good, it may be ; but that 
 is not the good. The good to which all things are working for the glory 
 of GOD is, that we may be ' conformed to the image of His Son.' That 
 is the purpose. 
 
 "What then is the purpose for which all things are working for 
 good to them that love GOD ? ' That He,' not we, 'might be the First-born 
 among many brethren.' It is working for His glory ! Mine may be 
 wrapped up in it, thank GOD, and yours ; but the great end of the 
 dealings of Jehovah, the purpose of the Eternal, is the exaltation and 
 the manifestation of the glory of His dear Son. 
 
 "To that end the glorification of His people will marvellously con- 
 duce. As we watch on a summer's morning the dew sparkling on the 
 grass, and we admire the many ; colours that are reflected there, we do not 
 stop at that, but we think how wonderful is the sun whose full orb is 
 reflected in every sparkle of dew. As we look at the colours on the 
 flowers, so variegated, so lovely, what do they tell us ? Not the glory of 
 the flower, but the glory of the sun that gilds them and imparts his 
 virtue, his life, his colour to them. We look at the rainbow ; but we 
 think beyond that of the sun that makes the rainbow. And so dew 
 and flower and bow all reflect the glory of the orb that GOD has made 
 the centre of our system. 
 
 "And so, beloved friends, as to the purpose of GOD. The great 
 purpose to which everything shall be subservient and conduce is ' That 
 He might have the pre-eminence, that Christ may be the First-born among 
 many brethren.' It is the glory of the Divine character manifested in 
 Christ, reflected in His people, and then traced back to the great 
 Source. Oh, that we may be more lost in that contemplation ! Do we 
 not get weary and sick as we find how we are seeking our own glory ?
 
 548 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 We speak of ' My work for GOD.' 'My work 'indeed! It is poor work 
 if it is 'My work.' Christ never spoke of His work; He spoke of the 
 Father's work. Paul never spoke of ' My work ' ; he spoke of ' The work 
 of Christ.' Let us get away from all that. Let us contemplate GOD'S 
 work. Let our little purposes and plans be all lost sight of, merged and 
 brought into captivity and to obedience to Him ' Who worketh all things 
 after the counsel of His own will, according to the eternal purpose which He 
 purposed in Christ Jesus our LORD.' " 
 
 Miss Cooke says : 
 
 " MILDMAT, 25th December, 1894. 
 
 " You asked me to write something about my last interview with 
 dear Sir Arthur. I recollect clearly that he seemed peculiarly solem- 
 nized, and asked so much about dearest Mrs. Pennefather, and liked to 
 hear all the details I could give him. He referred to his first knowing 
 them ; and to all the subsequent meetings, and the great love that grew 
 up between them ; and then her asking him to preside at the Conference 
 in 1873, and how she had helped him with advice. He said that the 
 brightest bits of the Conferences afterwards, to him, were the times he 
 had with her in the library before the meetings, when they seemed to 
 take hold of Heaven. She had such a deep love and reverence for dear 
 Sir Arthur. 
 
 "Then he prayed most beautifully for me, and for the work, and 
 everything and everybody. When he rose from his knees, he grasped 
 my hand, and said, 'Good-bye, dear Friend. I hope GOD will raise you 
 up again for future service ' ; and then he went out of the room. But 
 before he quite closed the door, he put his head in again, and with that 
 smile we all know so well, he kissed his hand, and pointing up said, 
 ' Au revoir' and so he went! I thought at the time that he meant 
 generally that 'up there' was the sure l Au revoir'; but I thought after- 
 wards, could he have had a presentiment that there would be our next 
 meeting? 
 
 "Goo is calling home His choicest servants. May it be that the 
 Master is soon returning, and must have His body-guard of the holiest 
 and the best to come with Him?" 
 
 Another recollection of those last Conference days is supplied by 
 Miss Deane : 
 
 "We were much touched after our late Conference by a visit from 
 Sir Arthur Blackwood, who, although evidently weak, came to ask GOD'S 
 blessing upon our household and family, and to express his kind 
 appreciation of Nurse Theobald's services. We then little thought 
 those services would be so soon again required. It will always afford 
 the Mildmay Nursing House much sorrowful satisfaction that one of
 
 SPRING AND SUMMER, 1893 549 
 
 its members was so privileged as to attend upon Sir Arthur Black- 
 wood." 
 
 The following letter from Captain Chapman, written when the 
 bright course was ended, refers not only to these latter days, but 
 
 also to its beginning. 
 
 " LIPWOOD, WINDEBMEBE, 27<A Oct. 1893. 
 
 "As I look upon the card which lies before me, so simple and so 
 beautifully appropriate, for which allow me to thank Your Grace, my 
 mind goes back to the first and to the last occasions upon which I had 
 the happiness of meeting my beloved friend and brother. Many a time 
 between the first and the last occasions have we met, and whenever it 
 has been my privilege to be in his company, it has been a time of re- 
 freshing from the presence of the LORD ; but the first and the last 
 occasions stand out with peculiar prominence. 
 
 " Some thirty-five years ago I was at home on furlough, and meet- 
 ing one day a friend in the neighbourhood of Trafalgar Square, he 
 asked me if I should like to accompany him to a Bible Reading which 
 was held in an officer's rooms in rear of the Square. I went, and there 
 I met a party of young men, the most marked among them being 
 your beloved husband, with their Hebrew Bibles, Greek Testaments 
 and English versions, deep in the critical and spiritual study of the 
 passage before them. It was a sight I shall not forget. My friend 
 told me that the object of the meeting was first their own personal 
 edification, and secondly they agreed to take the portion thus carefully 
 and prayerfully studied, and make it their subject for ministry among 
 others until they met again the following week to discuss another 
 subject. Who can tell the amount of blessing which has resulted from 
 the early efforts of these young soldiers of the Cross ? 
 
 " The last occasion of our meeting was on Sunday, 2nd July of this 
 year. My young clergyman-son was to preach his farewell sermon at 
 All Saints', Shooters' Hill, and Sir Arthur was present. ... In the 
 afternoon I found him resting on the sofa. We were quite alone. He 
 spoke with deep thankfulness of the Mildmay Conference, and said 
 that he felt the tone to have been high and deeply spiritual. He re- 
 ferred to the LORD'S goodness in having spared him to be present ; and 
 I gathered, although we did not dwell at any length upon his state of 
 health, that he anticipated restoration in the LORD'S good time. 
 
 "We then turned to the subject of the morning sermon. . . . My 
 son was resigning his curacy with a view of going out to India as a 
 Military Chaplain. I will not repeat all the kind things he said about 
 the young soldier of the Cross. . . . 
 
 "Oh! that I had known then that it would be my last talk with 
 my friend on earth how much more tender and loving I would have
 
 550 LIFE OF SIB ABTHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 been and how I would have treasured up every loving and faithful 
 word ! 
 
 "After perhaps an hour spent in such converse and sweet com- 
 munion we joined you at tea on the lawn. When it was time for me 
 to go, I rose to bid farewell. 'Let me go with you to the gate,' said he. 
 He then pointed out a grass-plot with trees on it, and said, 'I cannot 
 do any open-air work now, but these illuminated texts' (pointing to 
 two) 'are hung on Sunday afternoons on these two trees, and they 
 testify for Jesus, though I cannot.' 
 
 "Again I held out my hand to say Adieu. 'No, no, 1 said he, 'let 
 me go with you up the lane,' and together we strolled slowly along, 
 the felt presence of Him Who joined the two on their way to Emmaus 
 being with us. When we reached the Dover Road, I rather insisted 
 upon his return, and with a fervent and solemn mutual committal 
 of each other to the LORD'S keeping, we parted ' until the day break, 
 and the shadows flee away.' " 
 
 Perhaps one of the most engaging features of Sir Arthur's 
 character was the permanence of his friendships ; and many are 
 the letters which, like the foregoing, speak of him in this particular 
 relationship. 
 
 General Noble, another friend of early days, says : 
 
 " KEIQATE, 5th Oct. 1893. 
 
 'It is a great gratification to look back to a friendship dating from 
 1857, when we first met at Chatham, when he was revelling in his 
 newly found joy ; and from that time I had an affection lor him which 
 has been shared by few other of my friends. 
 
 " Separation came through foreign service, but our friendship was 
 never affected ; and when in course of time, Gravesend and Woolwich 
 became my stations, there I felt what a help he was tome; and in 
 that happy home at Cray ford, how many days of blessing, of en- 
 couragement and of sympathy under terrible trial I enjoyed with Your 
 Grace and him." 
 
 Captain the Hon. Reynolds Moreton, who superintended the 
 Conference Hall for some years after Mr. Pennefather's death, 
 writes : 
 
 "I know no man whose public and private life have been so grand 
 and noble, and so exemplary. My own fellowship with him for 
 seven years can never be forgotten. I loved him dearly." 
 
 "The dearest, tenderest, best of men," are the words in which 
 another man spoke of his friendship.
 
 SPRING AND SUMMER, 1893 551 
 
 " To me," says another, " he seemed to have caught more of his 
 Saviour's spirit than almost any one I knew." 
 
 " Colonel Legge had known him for forty years," writes Mrs. 
 Edward Legge, " and loved him very much. I think I have known 
 him for nearly twenty years. He was a true friend. Colonel Legge 
 said to me, on hearing of his death, ' No one knows what he has 
 done for me.' " 
 
 On the Saturday before his departure for the Engadine, Sir 
 Arthur and the Duchess drove over to Crayford, to see his old 
 friends and fellow-workers, the Misses Odell. 
 
 One living in the village, to whom he had shown unfailing kind- 
 ness " for over twenty years," writes : 
 
 "When he called to see me before he went away, I thought he 
 looked very ill, but he hoped it would do him good. He could not 
 spare me many minutes, as he had been detained on the way by people 
 stopping him, and he had promised to meet you. When he left me, he 
 went into the Workman ; he did not stay many minutes. I stood at 
 the door and watched him. He stood in the middle of the street, and 
 looked up and down. I shall never forget his look. He just turned 
 and waved his hand, and I watched him round by the Bear." 
 
 The week of the Duke of York's wedding was one of many 
 engagements, official and private. He was present with his 
 daughters at the Garden party at Marlborough House on July 5th, 
 and on the 6th went with them to witness the wedding processions 
 from the roof of St. James' Palace. But he felt his strength was 
 overtaxed. 
 
 The following characteristic letter was the close to a correspond- 
 ence which had lasted for seven and thirty years. 
 
 To Miss MARSH. 
 
 " [9th July, 1893] Sunday evening. 
 
 THE WOOD LODGE, SHOOTERS' HILL. 
 
 " I must write you a line, most beloved Marny, for I am sure it will 
 please you, to tell you what a refreshing and profitable afternoon I have 
 been spending in the company of two greatly valued and beloved 
 friends, with frequent glimpses of others some still with us, and some 
 gone before 'through the gates into the City.' 
 
 "The two friends in particular who have been so sweetly conversing 
 with me, evoking many blessed memories, and stirring up my sluggish
 
 552 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 spirit, are none other than that blessed and honoured saint and servant 
 of the LORD, the Rev. Dr. Marsh, (I will not say 'the late,' for is he not 
 living among 'the spirits of just men made perfect'?) and his gifted 
 and greatly-loved daughter and biographer. 
 
 " I need not discant upon their beauties, virtues and excellencies, to 
 you ; I will only say what a pleasure it was to hear them discoursing to 
 me of the things touching the King and the Kingdom. 
 
 " But how pleasant will it be to meet soon face to face, not under 
 the horse chesnut at dear old Beckenham, or on the lawn at Bedding- 
 ton, but under the shadow of the Tree of Life in the midst of the 
 Paradise of GOD ! WHAT a talk we will have then 1 Hallelujah ! ! 
 
 " A. and I start in three weeks, Deo volente, for the Engadine. 
 
 " I had such a nice chat with the Archbishop of Canterbury at 
 Marl borough House last week. I commended to him Archdeacon 
 Farrar's most glorious paper in this month's Contemporary on ' Undoing 
 the work of the Reformation.' Also Paton's massive and splendid histori- 
 cal work, 2 vols. just out, ' British History, and Papal claims.' 
 
 " He spoke hopefully of what he believed to be ' The sound Protestant 
 heart of England, which had spoken out at the Reformation, and was 
 still the same in its hatred of the Papacy.' I ventured to tell him that 
 I believed Ritualism was giving the people all the doctrines of Roman- 
 ism, and doing deadly harm. . . . 
 
 "... A thought from Mildmay. 
 
 " ' HE must be lifted up 'The Past. 
 'HE must increase' the Present. 
 'HE must reign' the Future. 
 
 " Ever thine in the kingdom of grace and glory, 
 
 " Most affectionately, 
 
 "S. A.B."
 
 CAMPFEE AND EMS. 
 
 After the middle of July a change for the worse took place in 
 Sir Arthur's condition, and it became clear that immediate rest was 
 imperative. But arrangements at the Post Office pressed much upon 
 his mind, and he could not be persuaded to give up and go abroad, 
 until he had got matters settled. 
 
 "Less and less," says his Wife, "did one feel that the journey to the 
 distant Engadine was desirable for him, particularly as it was impos- 
 sible for me to accompany him, and in the recollection too that previous 
 experience of high latitudes in Switzerland had been unsatisfactory. 
 But his conviction was strong that high mountain air was the thing 
 that would restore him, and medical opinion upheld him in this view. 
 It had been arranged before the last fortnight's failure, that as the 
 others had been with him at Cannes in the spring, A. should go this 
 time, accompanied by her friend, Miss Kichardson; and he thought 
 there was no necessity for more experienced care. It was with many 
 forebodings, and yet with hope also, that I saw him start. The expecta- 
 tion of benefit was perhaps even stronger than the fear." 
 
 Shortly after Sir Arthur's departure, the Duchess moved to the 
 seaside at Weybourne, in Norfolk an easy journey. 
 
 Extracts from the daily letters written to her during the succeed- 
 ing sad and anxious weeks, will give, better than any other words, 
 their own painful story of the gradual decline, the hopes so often 
 raised only to be disappointed, the long conflict with the weakness 
 to which actual suffering was now to be added, the extraordinary 
 vitality and hopefulness which to the very end were so deceptive, 
 the " hope in Him, so bright and clear," which made even a death- 
 warrant to be but the call to a Father's Home, and at last the brave 
 but hopeless struggle to reach home only to die on his native soil. 
 
 To the trial of separation under such circumstances was added 
 all that was involved in the length of time which elapsed before 
 
 (553)
 
 554 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 letters could receive a reply. The prompt action which might have 
 prevented much that was distressing was thus rendered impossible ; 
 and Sir Arthur's confirmed belief in the restoring power of the air 
 made him cling on day by day to the hope of the benefit it would 
 produce, until at length it became only too sadly evident that the 
 one object must be his removal before the cold weather should set 
 in. Most of the letters were of necessity dictated, and this made it 
 difficult to ascertain the exact condition of things. How much he 
 would have written while still able, had he realized that he was as 
 ill as others knew him to be how much those who watched and 
 waited at home would fain have heard, is known only to the merciful 
 Heart of GOD, Who permitted all in wisdom and love. 
 
 " What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." 
 
 It was on Tuesday, 1st August, 1893, that Sir Arthur left home. 
 He spent the afternoon in settling up affairs at the G. P. 0., slept in 
 town at a friend's house, to be ready for the early start, and on 2nd 
 left Victoria at 8.20, travelling by Queensborough and Flushing. 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 " [August 4.] MAYENCE, Friday, 9 A.M. 
 
 " Your texts received in London before starting were very welcome. 
 I trust all things will be ordered for us, scattered as we are: F.'s gave 
 me a sweet button-hole. We had the splendid big ship almost to our- 
 selves only five at dinner. Charming voyage. I lay down all the 
 
 way. 
 
 "[August 6th.] RAQATZ, Sunday. 
 
 "The first verse I read this A.M. was, 'He remembered us in our low 
 estate, for His mercy endureth for ever.' 'He brought down their 
 heart with labour,' and 'They are minished and brought low through 
 oppression, affliction, and sorrow.' Ps. 103. 14. Ps. 145. 14. Ps. 146. 8, are 
 very good indeed. Love to the beloved 'damosels.' 
 
 " KAMPFEB, August 8, Tuesday. 
 
 "I was certainly out and out done up yesterday could hardly get 
 upstairs, but have picked up a great deal." 
 
 FROM HIS DAUGHTER. 
 
 " August 9, Wednesday, CAMPFER. 
 
 "Here we are at last, and very glad to have done with all the 
 travelling. I am afraid it has been too tiring for Father. . . . He is 
 going to see Dr. G. (from Cannes) who is at Pontresina. I suppose it's
 
 CAMPFEB AND EMS 555 
 
 chiefly the fatigue of so many days of travelling. To-day he seems less 
 bright. 
 
 " The drive from Ragatz was most lovely. We had a lovely day for 
 it, almost too brilliant a great glare, and the dust was choking. We 
 had an accident with the carriage coming up from Coire, had to turn 
 out and sit by the road side, while the driver tried to mend it, but it 
 wouldn't be mended, and we were getting very nervous when happily 
 an empty carriage passed. But we had to stop at Tiefencasten. I'm 
 afraid it rather upset Father, as of course for a time it seemed like 
 being stuck there." 
 
 On llth August the dictated letters began ; but as it was Sir 
 Arthur's habit to dictate his letters whenever possible, this fact at 
 first caused no anxiety. 
 
 " [12th August,] Saturday, 3 P.M. 
 
 " It will clearly take time, and perhaps not a little, to regain lost 
 ground. When I compare what I was the week of the wedding when 
 I went gaily about without sense of fatigue, and enjoyed my work 
 with what I am now, I see what a fall there has been. 
 
 "This A.M. I drove over the three miles to St. Moritz, to see Dr. 
 Holland. . . . 'How old are you?' said Dr. Holland. 'Can you re- 
 tire?' said Dr. G. From the way these questions were put they 
 sounded rather ominously to me. And certainly the fact of a second 
 relapse and complete break-down after so short a spell of work, and 
 that so easy, tells something. I have little doubt that I shall soon pick 
 up here, and get back a good deal ; but the question is whether the 
 regained strength will stand the strain of autumn and winter work, 
 with November fogs. Dieu sait and that for the present is enough. 
 But there is no doubt that my post requires a man in possession of full 
 vigour and energy, and increasingly so every day, and it would not be 
 fair either to the State, or oneself to hang on when unfit to do the 
 work. 
 
 " August 15. 
 
 "How I wish you could enjoy the deliciously refreshing breeze that 
 comes to me from the snow on the opposite mountain, as I lie on my 
 sofa in a pine wood 150 feet above the Hotel, looking down upon a fore- 
 ground of green meadow, and then upon the azure blue Silva Plana 
 Lake! 
 
 "This morning your youngest daughter, with that acuteness which 
 distinguishes her, suggested that the little Hotel garden, which lies in 
 a hole, and which though shady has but little air, was not the best place 
 for me. She accordingly sallied forth with Mrs. Bothamley, to see if 
 there was any place above in the woods, to which I could be trans-
 
 556 LIFE OF SIR ABTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 ported. They found a lovely one, and having devised with Mr. Botham- 
 ley's assistance a chaise a porteur, I was brought up hither, by a ' pair of 
 boots : (not my own), to the delight of all my friends, and the amuse- 
 ment of the travellers in a passing diligence. I felt better the moment 
 I got up here, and though still utterly feeble, have enjoyed the morning 
 immensely, enlivened by a visitor or two, and have just walked 400 
 yards with occasional rests. 
 
 " It has been a depressing seven days to start with ; but I trust the 
 worst may have now passed, and that with GOD'S blessing I may pick 
 up, even though slowly. 
 
 " PINE CAMP, 19th August. 
 
 "... I had begun to think that in this very prostrate condition I 
 had better get some medical help, Dr. G. having gone, when the card of 
 Dr. Wolston of Edinburgh was brought up to me. He is staying at 
 Pontresina for three weeks. I regard this like everything else, as quite 
 providential. . . . 
 
 " Strange to say, I was able to dictate a couple of pages on Rev. xiv. 
 I think I have got some fresh thoughts on the Everlasting Gospel there 
 mentioned which will interest you. The week has gone wearily, as you 
 can imagine, but very rapidly. I have the kindest helpers, and lack 
 for nothing but breath and blood. 
 
 " 2/Oth August. 
 
 " Dr. Wolston called. . . . He would have been inclined to recom- 
 mend me to go to Ems before coming here, but middle of September 
 will not be too late. 
 
 [DICTATED] " 9Srd August. 
 
 "How I wish you were here for my sake; though you could not 
 help me by hand or foot, yet your presence would be an unspeakable 
 cheer. But that can't be ! I have a number of mercies. First, that I 
 am in this air instead of in the unending heat elsewhere. Second, Dr. 
 Wolston's opportune arrival. He is so kind and cheery. . . . Third, I 
 lack for nothing. Every convenience which I can possibly want is mine ; 
 and Fourth, in A. an admirable, most attentive and loving Nurse. 
 
 [DICTATED] "24th August. 
 
 " I hope I am not murmuring; it would indeed be disgraceful to do 
 so with such a trifling trial of patience, and surrounded by such 
 numerous and unspeakable mercies. But of course I can't help feeling 
 weary . . . but all must be well, and all is well. After a life of such 
 unbroken health, prosperity, happiness and success of every kind, it is 
 a small thing to be ill for three weeks. Nevertheless, ' No affliction for 
 the present seemeth to be joyous.' I only trust I may hear the voice, 
 and understand the lessons taught with such gentleness and love.
 
 CAMPFEB AND EMS 557 
 
 'Goc speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.' He has 
 spoken three times pray that I may be taught of Him. 
 
 "After all this, you will be pleased to hear that I do believe there 
 has been a slight, very slight betterment to-day. I hardly dare speak 
 of it, lest I disappoint you and myself. . . . 
 
 " I was greatly cheered by the enclosure you sent me about the 
 'Apocalyptic Scenes.' Curiously it was only yesterday that a kind friend, 
 Mr. Gosset Tanner, had been praying with me that I might be com- 
 forted by hearing tidings of GOD'S blessing upon the work He has 
 given me to do, of different kinds. So here is another cause for praise." 
 
 A letter from Mr. Tanner, written in the following October, 
 speaks of Sir Arthur's " happy frame of mind, and his entire sub- 
 mission to the will of GOD. We had," he says, "some profitable 
 converse together on the things of the Kingdom." Mr. Nevile 
 Sherbrooke, who also saw him at Campfer, recals the same happy 
 cheerful spirit. "He never said anything about death, but spoke 
 rather of life. I am so glad I had the privilege of seeing him then." 
 
 " DICTATED. " ' PINE CAMP,' 25th August. 
 
 '"Heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morn- 
 ing.' I am sure the angels and heavenly hosts, with whom I am 
 permitted to converse every morning of my life, in the language of Ps. 
 ciii., must have been surprised when they heard my little penny 
 trumpet chiming in with their great diapason at seven o'clock this 
 morning, when A. came into my room. The fact was I had had a very 
 bad night. . . . 
 
 "We are anticipating your letter of to-morrow, which will tell of 
 your delight at hearing of Dr. Wolston being providentially here. But 
 whether I ought, or even wished to move, it is utterly out of the 
 question. If I travelled at all it would be to that City for which no 
 return tickets are issued." [Referring to urgent requests from home 
 that he should get away from the Engadine.] 
 
 " 26th August. 
 
 " Can't understand your not getting letters. Swiss P. 0. immaculate. 
 British P. 0. effective. Lucy says J. B - is dead. I'm so glad for 
 him. What a good thing for him. Should like to be where he is. 
 
 " PINE CAMP, August 28. 
 
 "At last distinct improvement, thank GOD at least, I hope so. I 
 hesitate to write or even believe it. 
 
 "I wired Nurse really not wanted. . . . There is absolutely no 
 necessity. Kind E. R. too is an invaluable companion, rubs my hands, 
 which are cold. ... So that except yourself, there is no one in the 
 world I want."
 
 558 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Through all these fluctuations the Duchess had been pressing 
 Sir Arthur to have a Nurse, but this, with his accustomed buoyancy 
 and independence, he strenuously resisted. However, though unable 
 actually to send one against his wishes, she had arranged with the 
 Mildmay Nursing Home to secure if possible the services of the 
 Nurse who had attended him at Bournemouth. 
 
 And then was made one of the most touching sacrifices which 
 could be offered. Nurse Theobald was in attendance on a gentleman 
 who was dying of cancer ; but when he heard that it was Sir Arthur 
 who was suffering and in a foreign land, he at once gave her up, 
 in order that he might have the comfort of the services of one to 
 whom he had been accustomed. He then got out of bed, and 
 prayed for Sir Arthur, knowing that he himself could probably live 
 but a month longer. Of the two sufferers, Sir Arthur was the first 
 to reach the happy land ; but it was only a little longer until, in 
 the month of December, his brother and companion in tribulation 
 followed him surely to receive the King's commendation, " In- 
 asmuch as ye have done it unto one of these My brethren, ye have 
 done it unto ME." 
 
 Thus the only thing wanting was Sir Arthur's consent. 
 
 A chill, probably taken in the " cold " and " rain " of which he 
 spoke in one of his letters, now brought on very serious symptoms, 
 together with severe and continued pain, and the necessity for a 
 Nurse's care became urgent. By the Doctor's orders, a telegram 
 was despatched to the Duchess ; and Nurse Theobald, being ready, 
 was able to start without delay. 
 
 In the dictated letter of 29th August Sir Arthur, after referring 
 to the increased illness, says : 
 
 " It is of course again a disappointment, but 'By these things men 
 live.' If it be 'a messenger of Satan to buffet me,' I have the comfort 
 of knowing that it will be worked into the cure which is, I believe, on 
 the road; and so the Devil's poisons became the great Physician's 
 potion." 
 
 Then in his own handwriting. 
 
 " I may say to you, for it relieves me a bit, and you know exactly 
 what all this implies and must entail, that I never felt more abjectly 
 miserable in my life. ... I know perfectly well that this is a natural 
 result of the condition . . . and though momentarily wretched beyond 
 description, that it will speedily pass away. 'When men shall say,
 
 CAMPFEB AND EMS 559 
 
 There is casting down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up.' ... I 
 know you pray for me." 
 
 "Friday, 1st Sept. Dr. Wolston told me what he had done. Of 
 course I know that a Nurse was not a necessity, but as he says I must, 
 it's a different thing. . . . Above all you will be relieved. ... So I am 
 content and happy. 
 
 " Two other cheers he gave me : 1st, That I was to prepare to leave 
 by Monday week, llth. 2nd, That he would go with me to Ems or 
 wherever best." 
 
 His daughter writes : 
 
 "Dr. Wolston told Father, who when he heard it was Theobald 
 who was coming, was quite overcome. ... So I am very glad. He says 
 he will pay me out when he's well again, which won't matter." 
 
 [7?i his own handwriting.} " Sept. 3. 
 
 " I don't know what you may have to learn, but it seems to me that 
 mine is a new lesson in the way of patience and acquiescence in the 
 will of GOD. I'm sure I've an immense lot to be thankful for. . . . 
 
 " I am much cheered by the thought of leaving on llth. But ' My 
 times are in Thy hands.' How I long for a wee bit of strength, and 
 to be away. 
 
 " 3rd Sept. Sunday. 
 
 '"My heart in joy upleapeth ;' and I rejoice thinking of the answer 
 of relief and thanksgiving this will evoke in your mind on Wednesday 
 morning. The encouragement I feel is immense. Dr. W. hints at a 
 possibly earlier day. He undertakes everything, carriage, mattress, 
 rooms, going all the way with me. Is it possible for things to be more 
 wonderfully ordered? . . . The goodness and tender mercy of GOD are 
 amazing. I know how relieved you will feel, and trust you will have 
 no more cause for anxiety on my account. Still I recognize James iv. 
 is the precept, and the past has shewn how a day may alter every- 
 thing. 
 
 [DICTATED] " 7th Sept. 
 
 "'Yes, it comes at last.' Another twelve hours or thereabouts, and 
 D.V. we shall be gone. It seems most strange to be lying here utterly 
 helpless, and then to think of seeing the Italian lakes in two days, 
 crossing the St. Gothard, and travelling a thousand miles. But I 
 haven't a care. . . . You suggest returning by water. We shall go 
 down the Rhine to Rotterdam, a two or three days' voyage, which I 
 last took forty-four years ago. ... I earnestly hope that you may be 
 at Weybourne then, as I should immensely enjoy a week or fortnight 
 there with you, and it would probably do me good before going back
 
 560 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 to Shooters' Hill. Give C. my love. So glad to get her letter. She and B. 
 will be anxious about their poor old Father. But you have of course 
 all known that humanly speaking there was no danger. ... I can 
 only conclude by saying 
 
 " ' For mercies countless as the sands which daily I receive, 
 
 From Jesus my Redeemer's hands, my soul, what canst thou give ? ' 
 
 " Good-bye. I haven't felt so cheery for five weeks. I hope this 
 will cheer you." 
 
 Thus ended in thanksgiving and hope the long dreary weeks 
 at Campfer. 
 
 Amongst those whom Sir Arthur had found on arriving at the 
 Julier Hof was a lady whom he had known since her girlhood. 
 Some of her Kecollections follow. 
 
 " 23rd October, 1893. 
 
 ' I had four long quiet talks with him, which I shall always 
 remember. I had seen him very seldom of late years, and it was so 
 true a pleasure to meet again on exactly the old footing, and with the 
 added sympathy that the further experiences of life had brought. As 
 he said one day, 'You and I have both learnt a great deal since those 
 days at Streatham.' 
 
 "I was so struck by his extraordinary sympathy in the affairs 
 great or small of others. About ourselves, it was no ordinary 'kind 
 inquiries,' but asking, and really liking to know every particular. The 
 first evening, he left the table d'hote early, and when we came into the 
 salon, he was resting on the sofa, and called me to him, and began a 
 long talk, which he would not allow to be interrupted, asking about 
 my sisters, remembering each by name, and wanting to know fullest 
 details about the circumstances of each. 
 
 "Early on the Monday morning after he came, I met him, walking 
 very feebly with a stick, between the Dependance and the Hotel. He 
 took my arm, and we went slowly into the little garden, and he let me 
 get him his chair, and make him comfortable. . . . When we were 
 alone, he began to talk about old friendships, saying how close they 
 were to him ; and that pleasant as new ones were, none had that hold 
 on him that old ones possessed. He couldn't quite understand the 
 cause, but the fact remained. I suggested there might be something 
 in the keenness and freshness of one's own feelings in early life. 'Un- 
 doubtedly,' he replied; and went on to talk of Wood Lodge, specially 
 mentioning the Garden meetings. 'I can see it all now, and your dear 
 Mother sitting there. ALL was new then;' and his manner seemed to 
 say that he was thinking of his own new spiritual life, and new married
 
 CAMPFEB AND EMS 561 
 
 life, as well as of the novelty, then, of such gatherings. 'Well,' I said, 
 ' there are the new friends that come to us in our children, and that place 
 must always be apart from all others new or old.' He seemed quite 
 pleased with the thought. 
 
 "During this talk I happened to say how terrible the results of a 
 mistake often were in this life. 'Ah,' he said, 'you will generally find 
 that mistakes which bring apparently excessive punishment are only 
 another step in a long continuance of self-will.' From that I said, how 
 one must hold to the belief in the absolute justice of GOD through all, 
 or one would be lost. This seemed to touch him almost painfully. He 
 responded to it most emphatically, repeating two or three times 'That 
 Thou mightest be justified in Thy sayings, and be clear CLEAR 
 when Thou art judged.' That this must and would come out one day, 
 above all the mystery of life. Then with great emotion he said more 
 than once, 'Oh, the mistakes of my life ! Oh, the mistakes that I have 
 made 1 ' and then spoke of those whom he might have led wrong in 
 former time. From that, we got to a good deal of talk upon the awful 
 gift and responsibility of free-will. 'But,' he added with eagerness, : you 
 and I would never have come, if we had not been drawn.' 
 
 "The next day, when he was first carried up into the wood, I was 
 watching in the Hotel verandah to see him pass from the Dependance, 
 and he waved his hat over his head, shouting Hurrah ! again and 
 again. Afterwards, when we went up to see how it was answering, he 
 was like a boy in his delightful admiration and enjoyment. The 
 following day he said, 'But with all its beauty and softness, it hasn't the 
 spring of a Scotch moor ; and I've just been writing to the Duchess 
 that I think that would have done more for me." One day he gave a 
 long account of a trip he had taken in an American Liner round the 
 Scotch coasts. 
 
 "The little grassy plateau where his couch was set also held a 
 green-painted bench, marked on the back, 'Lily's Ruhe.' My husband 
 said one day to him, 'We shall call it now "Sir Arthur's Ruhe."' 
 ' Why not "Arthur's Seat " at once ? ' he said, with a merry laugh. 
 
 " Once he was comparing the Revised Version with the Authorized ; 
 and whilst fully allowing the scholarship and critical value of the 
 former, said that his whole heart and sympathies were with the old 
 one, mentioning particularly the rhythm of the language. 
 
 "One lovely morning, when he was very low, he talked a little about 
 the exquisite beauty of all, and then said, 'I have been lying here, 
 trying to drink it all in ; and do you know the words that have been 
 in my mind all the time? " To know the love of Christ which passeth 
 knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of GOD." ' 
 
 "Another time he repeated four or five texts about mountains. 
 
 36
 
 562 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 The great snowy Corvatch was just opposite to him, across the green 
 lake, with a foreground of pines. 'This illness is very good discipline,' 
 he said once. 
 
 "Another day we were talking about the Will of GOD, and I quoted 
 what had just been written to me about serious trouble . . . that our 
 aim must be to accept that Will, not with submission merely, but with 
 one's whole heart, lovingly, and as the best, believing that GOD saw 
 perhaps that only as the body was broken, the spirit could be saved. 
 This seemed to touch him very closely. 
 
 " He had asked so particularly about our children, that one day I 
 brought up their photographs for him to see. He would not be hurried 
 over them, but commented most closely on each. We had a long talk 
 about religious life in children. He spoke of himself at four years old 
 as loving his Bible and hymns. 'Then it was all overlaid, and at 
 twenty-four came my real conversion.' . . . He talked about the con- 
 version of children . . . and quoted the verse, ' The children of Thy 
 sen-ants SHALL continue, and their seed SHALL be established before Me.' 
 Jt would be impossible to exaggerate the solemnity with which he 
 said this. 
 
 "The day before we left, I went by arrangement to sit with him in 
 his room. I did not stay long, being afraid of tiring him ; and he said 
 Good-bye most warmly, adding, 'Now you will go home with your 
 heart getting lighter every day, as you get nearer to your children.' 
 
 " He kissed his hand so brightly, as I turned at the door, and really 
 did seem so much better, that one could only hope that it was sub- 
 stantial improvement. 
 
 "For myself I can only add how thankful I shall always feel to 
 have had that time." 
 
 " It seemed," she said elsewhere, "as though he were solemnly 
 reviewing his whole life" ; and that, it would appear, with deepest 
 abasement and self -abhorrence before God. 
 
 The journey to Ems was thus hopefully begun on 8th 
 September. 
 
 Again Sir Arthur's own bright happy letters give the best history 
 of these last weeks on earth. However greatly his strength had 
 been reduced, the exuberant hopefulness remained ; and it seems 
 almost impossible to believe that these are the letters of a man in 
 so critical a condition. 
 
 " He was always happy and joyous in the LORD," says Dr. 
 Wolston, " and I shall always retain the pleasantest memories of 
 my week's travel with him."
 
 CAMPFEB AND EMS 563 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 
 [DICTATED] " GRAND HOTEL, MENAGGIO, 10th Kept. 1893, Sunday. 
 
 "Lying out in the garden, on the parapet, looking across the lake, 
 a delicious cool breezy day under the shade of trees and acacias. 
 Everything most enchanting. 
 
 "But I will go back. 
 
 "Thursday night [7th] last at Campfer, was one of the worst in 
 one way. . . . 
 
 "Dr. Wolston came punctually at ten on Friday. In half an hour 
 I was carried down. Rainy day, the first for six weeks quite pro- 
 vidential, like everything else, for no dust and no glare At 4.30 
 
 reached Promontogno not a little weary, as you may imagine. Best 
 night's rest I have had. 
 
 " Saturday morning started at nine. Crossed the frontier, and 
 then down very pretty valley, which perhaps you may remember. 
 The first hour fearfully jolty, which exhausted me a good deal. How- 
 ever I must tell you that Dr. W. had had constructed a most excellent 
 stretcher on two poles, which were fastened up by the side of the carriage, 
 and had had made a mattress, on which, with the aid of your boards, I 
 lay most comfortably, and am travelling thus the whole way. 
 
 "After Chiavenna, where I saw the inn where we stayed and the 
 little white-washed convent opposite, it became very sultry. In about 
 an hour's time we got some wind, which was reviving. . . . Reached 
 Colico at two. Little did I think, when we disembarked there in that 
 storm thirty years ago almost to a day, that the next time I should 
 embark would be carried on a stretcher and 'borne of four.' The next 
 half-hour was excruciating, for there was no movement of air. I felt 
 that time worse than all. At last the boat started, and then the breeze 
 was delicious. Reached this at four. Dr. Wolston's forethought and 
 kindness not to be exceeded. ... Oh ! the mental relief of the change ! 
 and now each day is full of hope, and will be full of change. 
 
 [DICTATED] " CENTRAL HOF, MAINZ, Wed. IBth Sept. 
 
 "Ps. xxxiv. is indeed applicable to me to-day, if ever, for 'I will 
 bless the LORD at all times, His praise shall be continually in my mouth. 
 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and delivered him out 
 of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about 
 them that fear Him, and delivereth them.' . . . 
 
 "I have no more strength than the rags I ordinarily wear. You 
 will moreover be gratified to hear that my long sojourn in the sheets 
 has prevented my wearing out my light brown shooting-jacket, which 
 will therefore have to do duty another summer."
 
 564 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 [This was in reference to a joke upon the old clothes he loved to 
 wear.] 
 
 " But to go back. 
 
 'I was carried from the Hotel," [Menaggio] "to an airy open 
 carriage standing in a siding at the station, on Monday morning at 
 0.30. The train was to leave at ten. Twenty minutes of the half-hour 
 that had to elapse were spent in a furious altercation between the 
 station-master (who had been very disobliging) and the head waiter. 
 They jabbered and they gesticulated, the subject of the whole matter 
 being that I ought to pay for five seats, because the ends of the poles 
 Dii which my stretcher lay just projected over the back of the seat. 
 !>r. \Volston remained splendidly calm not understanding a word. 
 At last I obviated all further difficulty by suggesting a change in my 
 position. At length the little mountain train from Como arrived, on 
 to which we were hooked, and which took us over the delicious breezy 
 mountain pass to Porlezza, on the Lake of Lugano. There embarking, 
 we hail an hour and a half of shady breezy steam, reaching Lugano at 
 twelve. I was then carried another stage into the tram-car of the 
 Funicular Railway. . . . Then we started, like up the side of a house 
 I with my head considerably downward. Nurse delighted with looking 
 at the rope, which Dr. W. explained to her. In three minutes we were 
 at the station of the main line from Milan. . . . But the change from 
 the quiet journeyings of the previous days to the rush of an express 
 was certainly pretty severe, as you may imagine. ... I did not at all 
 recover till about three o'clock when we entered the Tunnel. Then the 
 descent again to Fluelen, far finer than the Italian side, though I of 
 course did not trouble my head about it, but A. and Nurse were highly 
 pleased. We had meant to sleep at Fluelen, but found it better for me 
 to be carried on board the steamer at once, and had a refreshing after- 
 noon's steam, stopping at Seelisberg, etc., and finally at Brunnen, just 
 opposite, where you remember the Stepneys brought that sweet Babe to- 
 meet us, on our return from the Engadine. It was getting dusk, and I 
 could not get a glimpse of the Seelisberg Hotel. What a contrast to 
 the last time! 
 
 "Next day we didn't start till two; and of all the beautiful scenes 
 I have witnessed nothing surpassed that morning's view, as I lay under 
 the shady trees in the garden, looking across the rippling lake to 
 Seelisberg, the. mountains enveloped in silvery clouds, and above Seelis- 
 berg those fine glaciers. A delicious cruise of two hours to Lucerne, 
 though I was in a good deal of pain. . . . Carried to train. Reached 
 Basle at 7.30. 
 
 "To-day at four sharp we reached Mayence. It has been a wonder- 
 ful improvement in strength upon every previous day. . . .
 
 CAMPFEE AND EMS 565 
 
 "When Dr. W. was telling me to-day the very minute and ap- 
 parently accidental circumstances by which he was led to ask for me 
 at Campfer, I could only again wonder at the exceeding mercies of GOD 
 towards me. . . . 
 
 "I cannot say what an intense comfort it is to me to be able to 
 write to one who understands and knows what weakness and suffering 
 are. To me it has been of course something entirely new after a life 
 of freedom (with the exception of sciatica twenty years ago) from any- 
 thing worthy to be called pain. . . . 
 
 "To feel therefore that one must be so more than understood 
 sympathized with has been a source of unutterable relief. What a 
 lesson it teaches of the far greater sympathy of Another. Good-night. 
 
 " EMS, Friday, Sept 15. 
 
 "Through the good hand of GOD upon me, here I am at last. 
 
 "Dr. Geisse came at eleven, and they both pummelled me . . . and 
 he is to prescribe to-night the course he thinks fit. . . . 
 
 " Dr. W. quite agrees that nothing will be more desirable for me 
 than a few weeks of Norfolk sea air, and he says that on no account 
 must I return to work this winter. 
 
 [DICTATED] " VIER THURME, Sep. 18th. 
 
 " Through the goodness of GOD, and Dr. G.'s gentle soporifics, seven 
 hours' sleep, only waking at two. I think I should have gone off my 
 head with such another night." [Alluding to the pain.] 
 
 "I greatly enjoy the change to this Hotel." 
 
 A letter written some months latex* by a friend who was at Ems 
 at this time says : 
 
 "... The latter told me she loved to pass by when he was lying 
 on his stretcher, so as to gaze on his lovely calm peaceful countenance, 
 so unlike what others would look in pain and suffering. When she 
 saw him carried across the road, and noticed this expression, and then 
 heard his name, it immediately struck her that this must be that very 
 good heavenly-minded man whose books she had so often read." 
 
 Up till Saturday, 23rd, the favourable condition was maintained. 
 When on the 16th, Dr. Wolston had been obliged to return to 
 Edinburgh, the parting was a very cheerful one. The doctors 
 however had felt it right to speak more gravely to his daughtei*. 
 She says on the 17th : 
 
 "The Doctor told me this morning, that although he would not say 
 he believed he would not, in due time, recover, yet he could not say 
 that he felt sure he would. He says he hopes of course that the waters
 
 566 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 will do him an immense amount of good, but he cannot of course assurr 
 it. But he believes on the other hand that he will never be quite the 
 same man again ; in fact he is sure he won't." 
 
 From that time however there was continued improvement in 
 all the most important symptoms, and Sir Arthur's own letters- 
 had many plans for the future. 
 
 " I do hope," he dictated on 20th, " that it will be possible for 
 us to be together a little at Weybourne. Anyhow I long to be 
 there myself, and I feel sure as Dr. W. said, that such air will be 
 the best thing for me after Ems, which is relaxing, and before going 
 home.'' 
 
 " I am really on the mend," he dictated next day, and on the 
 same date his daughter wrote : 
 
 Father looks better this morning. He also shows symptoms in 
 conversation of returning vigour. I really think the waters are doing 
 him good. ... I was very 'down' when I wrote last; but still I only 
 repeated what Dr. Wolston told me, and in his very words; but I am 
 afraid it may have sounded more than was meant." 
 
 Mrs. Wolston also wrote to her husband : 
 
 The doetor came in to see me this morning, and told me that Sir 
 Arthur was getting on so well, he was quite in spirits about him. 
 /urn/ symptom was better; . . . strength returning, everything better." 
 
 Thus were those at home somewhat comforted and encouraged, 
 and the strain of the two past sad months appeared to be lessened. 
 
 The discipline of uncertainty the heaviest perhaps of all the 
 LORD'S wise and ever-good and merciful dealings, had been long 
 meted out to the parted husband and wife. 
 
 " For Thou wouldst have us linger still 
 Upon the verge of good or ill, 
 That 011 Thy guiding Hand unseen 
 Our undivided hearts may lean." 
 
 And it was upon One long tried and trusted that in the darkness 
 both had learned to lean.
 
 HOME. 
 
 "Father, I will, that they also whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me 
 where I am ; that they may behold My Glory " 
 
 And the messenger that was to bid His servant prepare to go in 
 to see the King, was sent on Saturday, 23rd September. 
 
 During the night of Friday, Sir Arthur was attacked by severe 
 pain and cough, and Dr. Geisse was summoned. 
 
 His daughter wrote : 
 
 " 23rrf Sept. 
 
 "... Dr. Geisse has just left. I must tell you what he says, and 
 may GOD help me. I feel I must prepare you. . . . He fears that pleuro- 
 pneumonia has developed. . . . You will know what this means in his 
 present weak state, for he is feebler this morning than he has been, 
 though better in every other way. 
 
 " Dr. G. has very grave fears, but he says Father may get over it ... 
 it is only in its beginning. He will be better able to tell in twenty- 
 four hours . . . but he has thought it right to tell me. . . . The com- 
 plication is entirely unforeseen. Dr. Geisse was very satisfied the last 
 time he saw him, and everything had progressed favourably. This is 
 sudden and acute. . . . Don't lose hope . . . this letter is only to let 
 you know what is feared. ... I earnestly pray that I may not have to 
 send worse news to-morrow. 
 
 "I am not telling Father that I am writing to you. Dr. G. said he 
 had better not know . . . but he told me to write to you at once." 
 
 By the same post she wrote to her brother : 
 
 " I am sending you a telegram . . . but I don't know what to do, or 
 how to write. . . . The doctor says if Father is not better in twenty- 
 four hours, it will he fears only be a question of days. . . . He says the 
 suddenness of the thing makes it worse, and that it's short sharp work. 
 ... As far as I can repeat his words, he says it's 'embolism' a clot 
 thrown off, which has caused the inflammation ; and that if it remains 
 where it is, and does not disperse, there is great danger. . . . 
 
 "All who can, must be prepared to come out at a moment's notice. 
 
 (567)
 
 568 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Some one of course must stay with Mother. But don't come unless I 
 wi re." 
 
 On the next day, 24th, after sending a more favourable telegram, 
 she writes : 
 
 "The doctor said this morning he was a little more hopeful. . . . 
 Father does not know how dangerously ill he is, but he has begun to 
 wonder at his extreme weakness. When I am with him, I can hardly 
 believe he is so bad ... he is so cheerful about himself. Oh 1 if only 
 Mother could be here 1 
 
 "The pain and cough are better. . . . The doctor says if the pain 
 had gone on, as it was yesterday morning, the heart could not have 
 borne the strain, and he could not have lasted two days." 
 
 "I asked if I should wire for you," she adds to her sister, "but he 
 said, ; I think not as yet.'" 
 
 The following day Dr. Geisse thought it right that Sir Arthur 
 should be told of his dangerous condition. 
 
 His daughter wrote : 
 
 " 2&A Sept. 
 
 When I had to tell him this morning what danger he was in, he 
 bore it most wonderfully; but I knew he would. ... It has soothed 
 him rather than otherwise. The only thing he said when I told him, 
 was expressive of the deepest sorrow for you. He is feeling so dread- 
 fully for you that's the only pain that he has. ... I am so thankful 
 that he has (now) no pain. That is such a mercy." 
 
 On the Nurse's return to his room, the first words he said were, 
 " Nurse, I have had glorious news to-day." 
 
 "When lie asked me," says Dr. Geisse, "'Is there any hope of my re- 
 covery after this severe attack?' and he looked at me in such a penetrat- 
 ing way, I read in his face that to such a man nothing but the naked 
 truth could be spoken, and that it was of no use to try and get round a 
 straightforward answer. I said, 'No, there is not.' His face was as 
 unmoved by my answer, as if I had told him something very simple. 
 He said simply, 'I thank you,' and gave me his hand with a warm 
 pressure. The tale of the Nurse that Sir Arthur said after our conver- 
 sation, 'Nurse, I have just had some pleasant news,' is perfectly true." 
 
 To HIS WIFE. 
 [DICTATED] " Moiuhnj afternoon. 25th S> i>t. 
 
 " . . . . Ada and the Doctor have told me all this morning, and of 
 what she has wired to Arthur and written to you and to him. After a
 
 HOME 569 
 
 long consultation with Dr. Geisse we both agreed it would be well, and 
 for your comfort, if Dr. Nankivell were to be summoned. I therefore 
 did so. I need not say that I am doing all I can to keep up strength 
 for all your sakes. . . . 
 
 " . . . . This is all I need say about my physical condition. I am 
 of course unpleasantly prostrate and somewhat thirsty, but I have no 
 pain. 
 
 "And what shall I more say? The announcement made to me to- 
 day, did not in the least surprise me, for I was beginning to feel that it 
 was impossible that strength could long be kept up by such means. 
 Nor need I say anything to you concerning my spiritual condition. I 
 cannot say that the possibility of departure awakens any very deep 
 emotion, such as I had always thought it would. I do not feel at 
 present much power to realize, or to praise or pray ; and it is an un- 
 speakable comfort to know that this is not necessary that ' It is finished ' 
 includes everything, right to the end of the chapter. All must be 
 well. . . . 
 
 "The doctor says that you already know that all depends upon the 
 strength being maintained, and that it is perfectly possible for me to 
 pull through. . . . 
 
 " But after all the LOUD may see fit to 'lift me up from the gates of 
 death, that I may shew forth all His praise in the gates of the daughter 
 of Zion,' even here below. So do not give up hope till you hear that 
 such must be the case. . . ." 
 
 On the 26th his daughter wrote : 
 
 "8. A.M. Tuesday. 
 
 " I wish you could see his face it is beautiful. He is perfectly 
 restful and peaceful. The only thing that pains him is thought for 
 you. . . . 
 
 "3.30. P.M. 
 
 "The report is decidedly satisfactory and encouraging. As our 
 telegrams will have told you, there are no urgent symptoms." 
 
 And again on 27th September : 
 
 " Wednesday. 
 
 "A. arrived last night at 5.30. It was a great relief to see him. Dr. 
 Nankivell has not yet come, but we are now going to meet the train. 
 Dr. Geisse called this morning at 7.45. Said he was distinctly in a more 
 satisfactory condition. . . . The clot has dispersed, the inflammation 
 subsided, cough much better. . . . Isn't this an unspeakable relief? 
 
 "Concerning C.'s coming out, Father said of course he would be 
 enormously pleased to see her; but he thinks it unnecessary, as he 
 thinks he is coming home next week.
 
 570 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 "He got your letter this morning, (yours in mine) and says it gave 
 him unspeakable pleasure. He will not write by dictation at all to- 
 day. It seems most wonderful how he has rallied. He has marvel- 
 lous recuperative powers. At his low ebb of strength ... it seems 
 miraculous." 
 
 "He was very pleased to see Dr. Nankivell this morning," she 
 writes later, " and his report has cheered him." 
 
 With the first sense of improvement had come Sir Arthur's 
 earnest desire to be taken home, and he was most urgent in his 
 entreaties to the doctors to give their consent. 
 
 " 28/A Scj)L 
 
 'The doctors had a very long consultation this morning, and 
 finally decided on bringing Father homewards, at his urgent desire. 
 They can neither of them feel justified in advixinyit; but as it seems 
 that it will be Father's best chance, they have consented to allow it. 
 He hax enough strength, they think, and on the other hand, they would 
 never think of his attempting it, if there were not equal risk in staying 
 here. . . . They are sure that the tension being so great, if he is not 
 got away, he must give way very soon. 
 
 " So we hope to leave to-morrow morning from Oberlandstein. . . . 
 This is such an immense relief to all of us, and to him most of all. 
 As to where \\e are to go when reaching England, I don't know. . . . 
 Father is very anxious to go to Weybourne." 
 
 Thus the decision to start was made. The intelligence, con- 
 veyed by telegraph, came as a shock to those at home. 
 In speaking of these last days at Ems, Dr. Geisse says : 
 
 " Later on. Sir Arthur asked me, 'Can I reach home alive?' and I 
 answered, 'There is a chance.' He said at once, 'Then we will try it." 
 
 "On leaving he thanked me very warmly, tears in his eyes, for all 
 I had done for him, (little as it was) and said, ' Au revoir yonder,' point- 
 ing to heaven." 
 
 The start from Ems was made on Friday, September 29th, to 
 catch the Harwich steamer at Rotterdam on Saturday evening. At 
 first on leaving, it was feared that the journey must be given up ; 
 but Sir Arthur rallied. At Oberlandstein the Rhine steamer was 
 an hour and a half late, and many and trying delays followed. 
 Rotterdam was at length safely reached, but not until about five 
 o'clock on Sunday afternoon. Here it was found that, owing to the 
 changes which took effect on October 1st, that day's steamer had
 
 HOME 571 
 
 already left her moorings at two o'clock, and gone down the river 
 to the Hook of Holland. The tug which had been ordered, to take 
 them from the Ehine boat to the Harwich steamer, did not arrive 
 for an hour or more ; and it became necessary to consult Sir Arthur 
 as to remaining at Eotterdam until the next day. 
 
 By this time the vigour which he had gained in the first pleasure 
 of feeling that he was " going home " had ebbed away ; and the 
 doctor was already convinced that he was only kept up by the 
 longing to reach England, and that, this desire accomplished, he 
 could not hold out long. The shadows of unconsciousness had 
 closed with sad frequency about him. But when asked his wishes, 
 he understood the situation, and said again and again, " Get on 
 get on." 
 
 The run down the river to the Hook of Holland, the tug going 
 full speed, took till half -past eight. The night was clear and fine, 
 but cold ; and when the Harwich boat was reached, and the longed- 
 for shelter was within a stone's throw, a fresh difficulty arose. 
 Cholera had been prevalent on the continent; and although Dr. 
 Nankivell had provided himself with a certificate from Dr. Geisse, 
 sworn before the Mayor and officially stamped at Ems, the Dutch 
 agent refused to allow Sir Arthur to be taken on board without a 
 certificate from a doctor at some place five miles away ; and he 
 was thus kept waiting, exposed to the cold night-air. 
 
 At length, in response to earnest appeals from his son, the 
 Captain of the Harwich boat took the responsibility upon himself, 
 and Sir Arthur was received on board, where every kindness and 
 attention was shown him. The long delay, exposure, and agitation, 
 however, had been all but immediately fatal. 
 
 At half-past ten the boat left. The passage was both calm and 
 rapid ; but throughout the hours of that last night there was ap- 
 parently no interval of consciousness to the things of earth. 
 
 In the early morning, about four o'clock, as daylight dawned and 
 England was sighted, his Nurse said, 
 
 " We are getting very near home now, Sir Arthur." 
 
 He looked up and answered, 
 
 " Yes getting Home." 
 
 At about eight o'clock in the morning of October 2nd he was carried 
 on shore at Harwich, to the Parkeston Quay Hotel. GOD had given
 
 572 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 him his heart's desire, and had not withholden the request of his 
 lips. 
 
 After many and most trying. delays, caused by confusion in tele- 
 grams, letters received too late, and finally by the changes in the 
 trains on the 1st of October, those who had been anxiously watching 
 and waiting in uncertainty at Weybourne, reached Parkeston Quay. 
 All the family, excepting his son in Canada, were then gathered 
 round him ; but he remained unconscious. Once, for a moment, he 
 understood that his Wife was there ; and he turned to her and 
 spoke her name. 
 
 ' ' But though to earthly things his senses seemed to be sealed, I 
 knew that there was One with him in the valley of the shadow of 
 death, and that 'the Voice of His Words' would reach him, when 
 earthly voices failed. And I repeated slowly at intervals some of 
 those Words of life which had long been his comfort and stay ; and 
 the slight restlessness subsided, returning when the voice ceased. 
 
 "At last, at twenty minutes before eleven, P.M., just after I had 
 repeated the words, ' Thanks be to GOD, which giveth us the victory, 
 through onr LORD Jesus Christ' there came a change. The 
 breathing which had been rather laboured, ceased a look of such 
 quiet rest and peace settled down over his face a gentle breath or 
 two and then all was still ; and we knew that the Home so long 
 desired was reached at last, and that, beholding ' face to face ' the 
 LORD ' Whom having not seen, he had loved ' so long, he was made 
 'most blessed for ever' 'exceeding glad with the light of His 
 Countenance.' ' 
 
 " Now just as the gates were opened ... I looked in, and 
 behold, the city shone like the sun ; the streets also were paved with 
 gold, and in them walked many men with crowns on their heads, 
 palms in their hands, and golden harps to sing praises withal. And 
 they answered one another saying, ' Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD.' 
 
 "And after that they shut up the gates; which, when I had 
 seen, I wished myself among them."
 
 44 (JJnfif tf$t Z>ag fireaft, anfc flje Bljatoroa ffee aroag." 
 
 info reef >cfo8er 2, 1893, 
 61. 
 
 Bf maJ>e 0tm most" 6feBBeJ> for euer : f$ou 0aBf ma?e ?im etceel-ing 
 TO'f0 f^B countenance. 44 ft. xxi. 0. 
 
 at fie roiee 60aff e9ine as flje firig?fneB6 of f^e ffrmamenf : an^ 
 furn manj fo rt's^feouanefiB a fi}e sfara for eoer on^ eoer. 44 Dan. xii. :s. 
 
 Servant of God, well done ! Soldier of Christ, well done ! 
 
 Rest from thy loved employ ! Praise be thy new employ ! 
 
 The battle fought, the victory won, And while eternal ages run 
 
 Enter thy Master's joy. Rest in thy Master's joy. 
 
 fie to o 
 
 /. Cor. XT. 57. 
 
 We " asked life of Thee, Thou gavest it him, 
 Even length of days for ever and ever." 
 
 Ps. xxi. 4. 
 
 ** (Jtof Sere/ 4 But ^on^er. * * * * 
 Qt QI'B ^ooiour'6 B^e, 
 9tm now, in gforjj gforiffeb ! 
 IB fieljtnJ* ! an& on t^e sSintng s^ore. 
 neoer 9earB f0e njtfb njatea 4 ^'sfanf roar f 
 
 roe rooufo not. %zt> roe e 4 en f$e poroer^ 
 prect'ouB souf for one B^orf Pour 
 
 to fireoBf t^e fitffonjs. and fo feef f6e fas6 
 df angrg wafers * * * * 
 HJ?e roou^ rafter efnce in Beart to me 
 
 roif^ 6im fieneaf$ unc{oube& efties. 
 
 im et'ng f6e fifeBBeb song of fieaoen. 
 
 gforifeb. anb man fotgtwen. 
 
 (573)
 
 IN SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE."
 
 "AND DEVOUT MEN CARRIED STEPHEN TO HIS BURIAL AND MADE 
 GREAT LAMENTATION OVER HIM." 
 
 In the Memorial Hospital at Mildmay the shelter for which the 
 difficult and trying circumstances called all that was mortal rested 
 until the day of burial ; and on Monday, 9th October, Sir Arthur 
 was laid to rest beside his Father and Mother, close to the grave 
 where his beloved sister lies, in the Cemetery at Kensal Green. 
 
 Besides those who were connected with him officially, and who 
 represented the Postal Service in all its Departments, members of 
 multitudes of religious and philanthropic societies were there. But it 
 was the vast crowd of unknown mourners which was most impres- 
 sive. " What has he done to have all this ? " said a woman standing 
 by. And the answer, " Ah, it's because he cared for our souls," gives 
 the key-note of this spontaneous burst of grief. 
 
 One, describing the numbers, says : 
 
 " Many, many a great crowd of sorrowing men and women. I wish 
 you could have seen how many loved him, and how his work was 
 following him." 
 
 But those who stood by his grave were only a fraction of the 
 great company of mourners, all the world over, who have wept for 
 him. 
 
 Another writes, in October, 1895 : 
 
 " It was one of the members of my Y.W.C.A. Bible Class who told 
 me that while in an omnibus, going to, or returning from the funeral, 
 she heard one gentleman tell another that 'Sir Arthur Blackwood had 
 been the means of his conversion.' A second, sitting opposite, leaned 
 forward, saying, 'And of mine also'; and then a third added, 'And of 
 mine too.' 
 
 "When she got out at the station for Kensal Green, she met a 
 number of postmen on their way there, and offered to show them a 
 
 37 (577)
 
 578 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 short cut. The man who walked with her was in tears all the way, 
 speaking of the good he had received, and how he mourned his loss. 
 is constantly hearing during his work of his influence upon 
 one and another amongst them ; and was told of one who was entirely 
 reclaimed from drunkenness through his instrumentality, and subse- 
 quently helped into a good position." 
 
 As soon as Sir Arthur's death was known, telegrams of sympathy 
 and sorrow came pouring in from Post Offices throughout the 
 country. Alike from some obscure country postmistress, or from 
 the head of some great office came such words as those in which 
 the G. P. 0. deplored the death " not only of a most considerate and 
 just Chief, but of a kind and true friend." All were appreciated 
 and most deeply felt. Many of the letters which followed were 
 signed by every member of the staff of the offices which sent them ; 
 and no one could read these letters without feeling them to be the ex- 
 pression, not merely of a respectful sympathy, but of an affectionate 
 sorrow for the loss of a personal friend. " There is a death," said 
 one postmaster to a casual visitor, " in every office in the Kingdom 
 to-day." " We all feel," said one in a London office, " as if we had 
 lost a friend in Sir Arthur Black wood." 
 
 Many other letters were sent by the various Societies connected 
 with the Postal Service. " We fully realize," was said by one Branch, 
 " that \ve have lost the Father of our Society ; " and one of the many 
 Resolutions of sympathy closes with words whicb express the tone of 
 all, "They feel that they have not only lost their Chief, but one who was 
 a real friend to every Telegraph Boy in the Service, who never spared 
 himself to aid in what he believed to be for the good of the Service, 
 and who always kept before them a noble example of a Christian 
 Gentleman." 
 
 Such manifestations of regret and sympathy can never be for- 
 gotten. 
 
 From the mass of Official Telegrams and Letters from abroad, a 
 single illustration is selected. 
 
 FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE POSTAL CONGRESS OF VIENNA TO THE 
 POSTMASTER-GENERAL OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 " In the discharge of my official duties as President of the Postal 
 Congress of Vienna, I have received the most valuable assistance 
 at the hands of the deceased, and may consider myself entitled to bear
 
 " IN SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE " 579 
 
 testimony to the important and valuable part which fell to the share 
 of the deceased in the work of the Congress, and especially in its most 
 important success, the entrance of the Australasian Colonies into the 
 Postal Union. The high and universal esteem, which the upright- 
 ness and high loyalty of the late Sir Arthur Blackwood were sure to 
 win from all who saw him in the discharge of his official functions, the 
 feeling of true attachment, which the great and kind qualities of his 
 character could not fail to produce in all those who approached him 
 personally, will assure him a lasting memory in the Postal Union ; and 
 in its future meetings there will for a long time to come rise again in 
 the members of the former Congress the mournful feeling of the loss 
 of the President of the first Commission who has so prematurely been 
 cut off from his work. 
 
 "It is in this sentiment of an universal loss and of a personal 
 bereavement that I present once more to you the expression of my 
 deep-felt condolence, and beg that you will also convey to the Family 
 of the Deceased the respectful sympathy in their great and just 
 sorrow. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, Sir, 
 
 " Your obedient Servant, 
 
 " (Signed) OBENTRANT. 
 " Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs." 
 
 The estimate of Sir Arthur's character shown in the many 
 official letters and telegrams might be summed up in the expres- 
 sions employed by the Chief of the Bureau International at Berne, 
 when he speaks of him as, 
 
 " Cet homme si distingue a tons les points de vue, qui a jou& un role 
 si eminent dans les divers Congres de V Union Postal Universal, et dont 
 I'amenite de caractere etait si appreciee par tous ceux qui ont eu le bon- 
 heur d'etre appelles a collaborer avec lui." 
 
 In the succeeding January Number of "St. Martin' s-le- Grand ; 
 the Post Office Magazine," MB. H. BUXTON FOBMAN, Assistant 
 Secretary and Controller of Packet Services, paid to the memory 
 of his Chief the tribute which he has kindly allowed to appear in 
 these pages. 
 
 "SiR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD. 
 
 "THE loss sustained by the Post Office in the death of Sir Arthur 
 Blackwood is one which it is more than ordinarily futile to attempt 
 to gauge by the number and importance of the purely departmental 
 matters associated with his name. Comparatively few of us fully
 
 580 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 realize that, whenever our turn comes to fall out of the ranks, the great 
 machinery in which it is our pride, pleasure, and profit to bear a hand 
 will go on practically as well without us. So vast and far-reaching is 
 the work of the Post Office that disaster would be the necessary conse- 
 quence of a defect of organization whereby the part taken by any one 
 man could not be done worse than he does it without serious and 
 noticeable detriment to the commonweal. There must be no indis- 
 pensable unit in the Post Office. A succession even of Rowland Hills 
 is unnecessary ; and the apes of that great reformer and organizer 
 (generally outside the service) are mischievous rather than useless. 
 It is partly on this ground the ground that no man is indispensable to 
 the continuity of our composite undertaking that the Secretary of the 
 Post Office is necessarily to the majority in the official army rather a 
 mythical than a personal identity. In the very centre of our existence, 
 in the brain and heart of the Post Office, so to speak, in St. Martin's-le- 
 Grand. on both sides of the street, there are men and women who came 
 and went for nearly twenty years while Sir Arthur was among us, 
 and yet never so much as saw that splendid specimen of manhood. 
 Scattered throughout the land there were thousands of his subordinates 
 who, without any reproach on either side, knew little of him but his 
 name, and hundreds who, perfectly aware of many important functions 
 which it was his to fulfil, identified him rather with certain accidents 
 of his life. To such he was not merely or even mainly an official theory, 
 but also, and chiefly, a religious and social theory. On that side it was 
 an accident of his life that the views with which he became identified 
 are associated in the popular mind with extreme austerity ; and hence 
 it came about that, while his personality was less widely realized in the 
 service than might be expected on a superficial view, the conception of 
 him prevalent among those who had no good means of judging was in 
 many essentials a false conception. It is the feeling that in the ranks 
 of my hundred and forty thousands of colleagues this false conception 
 is at large, though probably not actively prevalent, that has induced me 
 to set down for the readers of St. Martin 1 s-le-Grand the facts of Sir 
 Arthur Blackwood's life as far as they are accessible to me ; and pro- 
 minent among those facts are, and must of necessity be, the leading 
 features of his personal character. For those who knew him there is 
 no need for one of their number to address himself to such a task. It 
 is undertaken for those who did not know him ; and many indeed who 
 think they knew him did not. 
 
 " Born on the 22nd of May 1832, Stevenson Arthur Blackwood was the 
 son of Arthur Johnstone Blackwood, and grandson of Vice-Admiral the 
 Honourable Sir Henry Blackwood, Bart., K.C.B., G.C.H. The Admiral 
 had served under Nelson with high distinction; and Mr. Arthur Black-
 
 " IN SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE " 581 
 
 wood senior had been a greatly respected civil servant first in the 
 Colonial Office, and then as Groom of the Privy Chamber. Stevenson 
 Blackwood, as he was generally called, was educated at Eton and 
 Cambridge, and was appointed to a clerkship in the Treasury on the 
 12th of March 1852. In March 1854, he was detached as a volunteer to 
 serve in the Crimean Commissariat Staff. His position was that of 
 Acting Deputy Assistant Commissary General attached to the brigade 
 of the Guards ; and, notwithstanding all that has been said about the 
 bad arrangements of the Commissariat in the Crimea, it is recorded on 
 indisputable evidence that Stevenson Blackwood, at all events, was not 
 only irreproachable, but devoted and energetic in a high degree. He 
 returned to his duties at the Treasury with the Crimean medal and the 
 clasps for Alma, Inkerman, and Sebastopol, and also the Turkish medal 
 for service in the Crimean campaign. 'Fortitude' and 'kindness to 
 the men ' are among the qualities recorded on a testimonial spontane- 
 ously presented to him by the non-commissioned officers and rank and 
 file of the brigade whose hardships and perils he shared. In 1858 a 
 dangerous illness overtook him probably traceable to those hardships. 
 It was ' acute rheumatic fever,' and may have had something to do with 
 his sudden and comparatively early collapse ; for even thirty-five years 
 will not necessarily eliminate from the system the legacies of that 
 insidious malady. At the close of the year 1858 he married Harriet 
 Sydney, Duchess of Manchester, widow of the sixth Duke. The issue of 
 this marriage, two sons and three daughters, all, together with her 
 Grace, survive him. In 1870, a year before the birth of the youngest 
 child, he rendered good service on a Government Committee of Enquiry 
 into the subject of consular fees ; and during the whole of this time he 
 had been carrying on that earnest work by which he is, perhaps, best 
 known the work of a lay preacher and evangelical pamphleteer, and of 
 a determined soldier in the cause of temperance and other forms of 
 self-restraint. 
 
 " In 1874 the Lords of the Treasury saw cause to create a new ap- 
 pointment in the Post Office that of a Financial Secretary, to be ap- 
 pointed by the Postmaster-General, with the concurrence of their 
 Lordships, to watch the Finance of the department from a Treasury 
 point of view, and to be responsible for it to the Treasury Board and the 
 Committee of Public Accounts. When we heard that a gentleman 
 known about town as ' Beauty Blackwood,' a notable figure in London 
 society, and especially associated with certain well-known workers in 
 evangelical and temperance propaganda, was to come among us and fill 
 the new post, we were not surprised, for the new official had been 
 Estimate Clerk at the Treasury, and was a person of distinction. But 
 that we were pleased, who can suppose ? No body of men likes to be
 
 582 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 told, especially on account of the misdoings of one headstrong man of 
 genius among its number, that it wants looking after as to its money 
 matters ; and there was no very keen desire to be helpful to the new 
 Financial Secretary. On the contrary, the natural resentment was 
 current for a while. One bitter-tongued wag went so far as to let off 
 through a Civil Service newspaper the ribald jest that the Lords Com- 
 missioners, having tried everything at the Post Office and found it in- 
 corrigible, had determined to test the efficacy of prayer. As far as I 
 ever heard. Blackwood took the joke as good-humouredly as he took 
 most jokes : for the rest of us, the humanizing work we are daily en- 
 gaged on has more or less humanized most of us ; and we were shortly won 
 over by the manly and genial qualities of the new Financial Secretary, 
 by his evident sincerity and habitual self-sacrifice, and his clear deter- 
 mination to foster and institute movements calculated to improve the 
 tone and condition of the service. Hence, when he succeeded to the 
 Secretaryship 'with a Companionship of the Bath) in 1880, he had al- 
 ready a good following of hearty admirers and staunch adherents ready 
 to navigate for him the great ship of which he was sometimes called 
 the magnificent figure-head.' More than that much more he cer- 
 tainly became; but, as the present occasion is not one for attempting 
 to settle his place in the history of the Post Office, and I desire not 
 wholly to shun a home question sometimes asked, I would record 
 briefly the conviction that, as compared with other Secretaries of the 
 Post Office, he had less gift for watching and drawing together and 
 dominating the many movements of a vast and complex machinery, 
 less disinclination to trust sectional chiefs with enormous issues, less 
 apprehension of evil from possible conflicts of policy within the Depart- 
 ment, and per contra a higher sense of the need which such a depart- 
 ment has for dignity, popularity, and unbounded presentableness in its 
 Chief, and more infinitely more of the desire to influence for good 
 the great army of workers entrusted to his charge. 
 
 "From the opening of his term of office as permanent head of the 
 Department the late Secretary took a particular interest in its foreign 
 and colonial work ; and he had here an early opportunity of striking a 
 true note. In 1880 the Postal Union was alive with the determination 
 to set up an International Parcel Post; and a Conference was sum- 
 moned to meet in Paris and discuss ways and means. The British 
 Post Office was of course invited to send delegates to the Conference ; 
 and, notwithstanding the absence of Inland Parcel Post arrangements, 
 and the slenderness of the chance that we should be in a position to 
 adhere to any Convention which might be framed, the new Secretary 
 unhesitatingly recommended that we should be represented at the 
 Conference. He urged that, whether we could or could not set up an
 
 " IN SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE " 583 
 
 Inland Parcel Post and then join in the International one, it was well 
 that we should not seem indifferent to what was being so warmly dis- 
 cussed by other powers, that our counsels should count for something 
 in the affairs of the Postal Union of whatever kind, and that there was 
 at all events something for us to learn as well as teach at the Conference. 
 The Postmaster-General of the day, adopting this view, delegated the 
 Secretary and the late Mr. Arthur Benthall, who, as Assistant 
 Secretary and Inspector-General of Mails, was dealing with the ques- 
 tion of setting up a Parcel Post in this country. It was in the capacity 
 of attache to the British Delegates, at the Parcel Post Conference of 1880, 
 that I first came into intimate relations with the late Chief. 
 
 " It is when you travel with a man, especially if you pass weeks in 
 the same rooms with him in a foreign country, that you learn infallibly 
 what he is made of ; and, before I had been many days at Meurice's 
 Hotel with that man, I knew that he was a man indeed, and reckoned 
 him as a friend. There were reasons best forgotten why I was disposed 
 to resist any inclination to come into other than strictly official re- 
 lations with the Chief ; but within a week I was a helpless captive to 
 the charm of his companionship, the broad sunshine of his beautiful, 
 cheerful disposition, and the genuine unselfishness of his character. 
 To the best of my belief there were few men old or young at the Con- 
 ference who were not similarly captured ; and, while I found myself 
 devoting my whole energies to mastering the technical and diplomatic 
 work we had in hand with the added zest of the feeling that I was 
 doing all I could to help a Chief whom I liked and respected, I con- 
 templated with the pride of a common nationality the easy and princely 
 manner in which he made the work go smoothly by the personal re- 
 gard which he inspired. He did not at that time speak or write French 
 really well ; and all our proceedings were of course conducted in French. 
 His speeches and conversations in that brilliant medium were perfectly 
 easy and fluent, but with a pervading sense of translation and a 
 frequency of English idioms which indicated that he did not really 
 think in French. There were many foreigners there who spoke worse, 
 and many who spoke better ; but there was this distinction which the 
 Chief enjoyed, whatever he said the Conference wanted to hear ; and 
 to the best of my belief they always understood him, even when his 
 idiom was most English. The idiomatic mistakes of other speakers 
 were sometimes laughed at Blackwood's never; none ever laughed 
 at anything he said unless he meant them to laugh. 
 
 "The introduction of Postal Orders into our internal system in 1880, 
 the institution of an Inland Parcel Post in 1883, its extension to our 
 colonies and to foreign countries, and the reduction of the charge for 
 inland telegrams to 6d. in 1885, though matters of which he had
 
 584 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 necessarily to leave the execution in other hands, all drew upon his 
 energies as permanent and responsible head of the Department ; but up 
 to that time he certainly retained extraordinary vigour. During the 
 first four months of 1885 I saw more of him, almost, than in any other 
 equal period ; and it was then that I first had an opportunity to be 
 struck with the notable eloquence and tact which marked his ex- 
 temporary praying. 'Tact' will be thought a curious word to employ 
 in this connexion ; but it is the right word for what I mean. Not only 
 were his pleadings earnest and eloquent ; but, with a delicacy difficult 
 to over-praise, he would use the opportunity of family prayer to deal 
 with the case of any one present who might be in trouble, even if that 
 one were a 'hardened unbeliever' with whom he could not find, 
 tdte-ft-tPtt', a common platform for discussion of religious questions. 
 It was in this early part of 1885 that he revived with great zest and 
 enjoyment his experience of Postal Congress work. The third Congress 
 of the Universal Postal Union was held that year at Lisbon. As 
 senior British Delegate the Chief renewed many of the friendships 
 he had established at the Conference of 1880, and at once made many 
 more. On this occasion he was voted into the important trust of 
 presiding over the First Committee, a task fulfilled with that unassail- 
 able impartiality which distinguished his administration at home. 
 It is on the First Committee of Congress that the important work 
 relating to the world's mail services is done, the settlement of almost 
 everything in the international code relating to postal work proper; 
 and it is reckoned no small merit in a President to leave a colleague 
 to argue and vote for the country he represents and submit to exactly 
 the same chances as other delegates. That was Sir Arthur's method ; 
 and, if that colleague wanted a hearing, he had to wait his chance with 
 the rest ; whether he had to deal with financial problems of grave 
 import, or to support principles involving large issues, the ruling from 
 the chair was delivered with the same inexorable indifference as to 
 what country gained and what lost. But, once out of the presidential 
 chair and moving among the congressists or sitting as a simple delegate 
 in the full Congress, and the inexorable indifference was merged in 
 strenuous support of his colleague or in quick, vivacious initiative, as 
 the case might be. During the many weeks that this went on he kept 
 himself in health by plenty of exercise, mainly lawn tennis and long 
 walks, and yet found time to hold services and deliver religious 
 addresses, to be at all the public functions held in honour of the 
 delegates, and even to seek out specially those who were in trouble, and 
 bring home to them the comforts of that religion of the genuine pro- 
 fession of which he furnished so rare an example. In after years the 
 Chief wore on many occasions, not without relish, the handsome star
 
 " IN SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE " 585 
 
 of a Commander of the order of Conception, conferred upon him by 
 Dom Luis in 1885 ; but it was of course to the friendships which he 
 made at Lisbon that his mind turned; and he always contemplated 
 with pleasure the probability of attending other such Congresses. 
 
 "On the 2nd of August, 1887, Her Majesty invested him with the 
 Order of a Knight Commander of the Bath, a distinction to which he 
 was by no means indifferent ; and four years later, when he again came 
 among his Postal Union friends from all parts of the world, his 
 personal influence carried, I think, more weight than ever by reason of 
 this open appreciation of his services shown by his own sovereign. 
 
 "In the meantime, in 1890, Sir Arthur had an unusual opportunity 
 of giving the Post Office and the public the benefit of his rare gifts 
 in rising to a difficult occasion. Professional agitation had brought 
 about a state of disaffection in the minor establishment, or wage- 
 earning classes, which threatened most serious consequences. A strike 
 among the London letter carriers and the men engaged in the Parcel 
 Post was in an advanced state of organization. At midnight on the 
 9th of July, the very night when a strike among the policemen of 
 London was imminent, word was brought to the Chief, in bed, that a 
 large body of disaffected men of the Mount Pleasant Parcel Depot 
 had molested some temporary substitutes whom they were instructed 
 by their wire-pullers to call 'blacklegs,' and that a grave state of affairs 
 prevailed. Without a moment's hesitation he rose and dressed, and 
 proceeded with Mr. Lewin Hill to the scene of the disorders. As 
 soon as the refractory men put in an appearance at Mount Pleasant, 
 the Chief, in the exercise of his own discretion, summarily dismissed 
 some sixty of them. Mounting on a table, to obtain a hearing, he spoke 
 to the assembled staff in the most earnest, severe, and appropriate 
 manner, and in the name of the Postmaster-General expelled them from 
 the premises as well as from the Service. The dismissal of these men 
 he caused to be immediately announced among the St. Martin's post- 
 men ; and he followed up his notices by personally superintending 
 at the central office the necessary introduction of some extra hands 
 ('blacklegs') there. While watching the progress of events he was 
 apprised of another incident of importance : thirty-five parcel postmen 
 at the Leicester Square Depot had struck ; and of these he unhesitatingly 
 ordered the instant dismissal. At St. Martin's-le-Grand the result was 
 that the men went out to their deliveries ; and, although the agitators 
 kept up a smouldering fire for a day or two, 'the plague was stayed.' 
 Mr. Raikes, who certainly cannot be accused of overrating Sir Arthur, 
 confirmed all he had done, and put upon record his high sense of the 
 signal service rendered to the State by the Secretary on this occasion. 
 ' To his promptness and spirit in dealing with the outbreak at Mount
 
 586 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 Pleasant,' wrote Mr. Raikes, 'the subsequent collapse of the mutiny in 
 the London Postal Service is mainly, if not entirely due.' And, in ap- 
 propriate words, which none knew better how to choose, the Postmaster- 
 General thanked the Secretary for the 'fearless readiness with which he 
 encountered a most serious and embarrassing combination of circum- 
 stances, the memory of which will ever serve to encourage the officers 
 of the Department to the performance of public duty even in the face 
 of difficulty and danger.' 
 
 " I was not an eye-witness of any of the strike incidents, and cannot 
 say how the Chief showed, physically, to a close observer. But by 
 1891 his forces were, I think, perceptibly on the wane. Again at the 
 Vienna Congress of that year he was voted by acclamation to the 
 presidency of the First Committee; again he brought to that task the 
 old inexorable impartiality; again he played most admirably the 
 social part of senior British representative on all public occasions, 
 won the hearts of old and young by those manly and noble qualities 
 already dwelt upon, and followed up old and new advantages in his 
 beloved mission work; and again he was ready, no matter how long 
 before breakfast, to take his place in the tennis courts, or to perform 
 stiff journeys on foot when others were riding in carriages. Still he 
 had that fine buoyancy and hilarity that were so striking. Still he had 
 the humour, the raciness, and the aplomb to stand with a glass of 
 Apollinaris water in his hand for ten or fifteen minutes at one of the 
 banquets, and, in proposing the health of the ladies, deliver an admirably 
 appropriate and amusing speech in that bright, fluent French of his, 
 picturesque with British idiom, and, while perfectly intelligible, full of 
 his own nationality. Still, when occasion offered, he could enjoy a 
 practical joke better than any boy there on one occasion going so far 
 as to get first out of our rooms at the Imperial Hotel on his way to dine 
 at the Embassy, switch the electric light off from the outside, and go off 
 up the corridor with a hearty guffaw while his colleague was left to 
 grope helplessly after him in the dark. And still, when occasion 
 required his serious intervention at the Congress, he could tower up in 
 the might of his six feet three and sixteen stone, in all the dignity and 
 command of his personality, and indignantly beat down factious opposi- 
 tion and injustice to the interests which he represented. But as a rule 
 the timbre of his laugh and speech were not so ringing as of yore. He 
 had minor ailments that indicated decreased vitality; and the strength 
 of his 'drive' and 'smash' at tennis had sensibly decreased. He 
 had a great physique for a man of near sixty ; but it was not the 
 gigantic strength that we had seen in 1885 on Pyrenean slopes outside 
 St. Sebastian, when, stopped by snow on our way to Lisbon, we amused 
 ourselves by a little mild mountaineering.
 
 " IN SUKE AND CEETAIN HOPE " 587 
 
 "After the Vienna Congress the British Post Office was enabled to 
 realize at length the long-cherished policy of a uniform postal tariff 
 in this country for all parts of the world ; and in regard to that policy 
 as opposed to the 'Imperial penny postage' heresy the Chief held the 
 strongest convictions, and did not spare to support them through thick 
 and thin. 
 
 "An attack of influenza in the winter of 1891-2 left Sir Arthur con- 
 siderably weakened ; and after that he astonished some of us by 
 avowing, though with great cheerfulness, that he had to pause halfway 
 upstairs for breath. His autumn outing in Scotland did not set him 
 up as usual ; and in the early part of 1893 he went to Bournemouth 
 to recruit his strength. In May he returned to duty, but only for a 
 few weeks ; and even so he overstayed the time named in his doctor's 
 mandate, in order that he might settle the reorganization of the 
 Secretary's Department. On the first of August, the day before he left 
 us for the Engadine, he had been through a series of harassing inter- 
 views, much of the time reclining on a sofa, and evidently very ill. 
 In the evening, when all was done that he could do, I saw him for the 
 last time. He was to start early in the morning; and, hearing that I 
 was in the building, he sent for me to his room at about 7.30. There 
 was a complete transformation. The pressure of grappling with a 
 difficult subject in a shattered state of health being removed, he had 
 sprung into an almost boisterous hilarity ; and, though his face was 
 flushed and thin, I little thought the farewell was the last. Reaching 
 the Engadine while August was still young, he felt himself to be de- 
 clining instead of gaining strength, and soon had to be carried about. 
 A medical friend, who found him out casually, saw the gravity of the 
 situation, telegraphed for a nurse, and undertook to remove the patient 
 to Ems. On a stretcher and mattress he was literally carried right 
 through Europe from the Engadine, by carriage and boat to the Italian 
 Lakes, and then by the St. Gothard Railway, and vifl, Lucerne, Basle, 
 and Mayence to Ems. On the 20th of September, in a dictated letter, 
 he detailed this strange experience, spoke of having had a week of the 
 waters, and mentioned tokens of improvement ; but whatever hope 
 may have been entertained was soon dispelled ; and, serious complica- 
 tions arising, he desired to be brought home. He got no further than 
 Harwich, where he died on the 2nd of October, at a hotel, but sur- 
 rounded by his family. 
 
 "Such are the main facts of a life remarkable for its unity, integrity, 
 and unselfishness. As hinted at the opening of these remarks, and 
 as evidenced throughout their course, there is really more to be said 
 about the characteristics of his personality than about the external 
 circumstances which were its medium ; and the analysis of a man's
 
 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 character is always a difficult and delicate task, especially when he 
 has been so recently among us. 
 
 "The emotional side of Blackwood's character was the source of his 
 real strength. He was a man of impressions and awakenings. He 
 did not trouble himself about subtleties. Fully competent as he was 
 on the intellectual side, he was a living example of the true and whole- 
 some subordination of mere reason to moral conviction and righteous 
 impulse; and I never met a man who had a gigantic physique and keen 
 tastes under more absolute control. It is easy to preach temperance 
 and practise it too if you do not like alcohol. It is easy for those who 
 have feeble passions and are unimpressionable to lead moral lives. If 
 you cannot sit a horse or handle a gun it is no privation to refrain from 
 sport. It is not difficult to do without good cigars if the very smell of 
 tobacco offends you. To be economical in your expenditure on dress 
 is no privation if you do not know the difference between a good tailor 
 and a bad one. To get up early is a relief rather than a sacrifice for 
 those who, like the hungry Cassius, cannot 'sleep o' nights.' To go 
 through life treating every one you meet frankly as an equal, entitled 
 to your consideration and help, is simple enough if you are so stupid 
 as not to really know where or what help is wanted, are not afflicted 
 with a harassing sense of distinctions between man and man or be- 
 tween woman and woman, and do not know the difference between 
 good manners and bad; and to keep your temper among all the frets 
 and provocations of life is no hard task if your temper is that of an 
 average cauliflower. 
 
 ' Now how was it with Sir Arthur Blackwood in regard to these every- 
 day matters ? I doubt whether there was ever a total abstainer of a 
 quarter of a century's standing who knew better the difference between 
 good wine and bad; he abstained because convinced that thousands 
 were not strong enough of will to take no more than was good for them. 
 The ills of drunkenness pressed upon him like a nightmare ; and so 
 far as he was concerned, once convinced that his example might help 
 others to resist, there was an end of the pleasures of drink for him. 
 As to his relish for good wine, those who have travelled with him can 
 bear testimony. Voyaging up the Rhine from Coblenz to St. Goar on 
 the way to Vienna, the Chief was sitting apart at the stern of the 
 steamer; the rest of us, having ordered luncheon forward, invited him 
 to join us. 'Presently,' he said, 'but just now the people at that table 
 to windward are having some wine of which the aroma, blown across 
 my face, is most delicious.' And at the Vienna restaurants he would 
 say 'If you take my advice, you will drink Apollinaris or Giesshiibler; 
 but if you must have wine, give me the card and I will tell you which.' 
 
 "The allurements of fast life in London were not unknown to
 
 "IN SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE" 589 
 
 Blackwood ; but I was never able to discover that the suspicion of a 
 taint had passed into his character. From his most intimate conversa- 
 tion you might have thought that all 'fleshly lusts that war against the 
 soul ' had been expelled from his being in some former state of 
 existence. I never heard so much as an unseemly expression 
 drop from him. In his youth he had been a sportsman, but he 
 abandoned the pursuit upon conviction. I recal the account he gave 
 me of that awakening. In 1885, when we were studying together at Short- 
 lands House the programme of the Lisbon Congress to which we were 
 about to go as joint delegates, we had walked out into the picturesque 
 grounds for a little fresh air, and were noticing the birds, especially, 
 I recollect, the rare incident of a hawfinch perched at the top of an 
 elm-tree. I asked him whether he ever carried a gun about the 
 grounds. 'No,' he said; 'once I was very fond of shooting; but as I 
 grew more thoughtful I gave it up. It came about in this way I had 
 shot a rabbit but not killed it ; and, as I came to pick it up, the poor 
 maimed creature turned the gaze of its beautiful eyes up at me and 
 drew up one foot as if to protect itself. From that moment I deter- 
 mined that I would never again wittingly hurt one of God's creatures.' 
 Those who have seen him with the devoted collie 'Laddie,' or the old 
 white cat that ranges the house and grounds at Shooters' Hill, can 
 guess how well he kept the vow of that 'awakening.' 
 
 "As to smoking, the story was virtually the same as that of the 
 drink. He enjoyed a good cigar I have seen him do so, certainly 
 once, I think twice. But he gave up the habit, long before I knew 
 him, as a superfluity and an indulgence, the abuse of which 'might 
 make his brother to offend.' He was too proud ;and self-respecting 
 to do in secret what he would not do before others, and there are but 
 few people in this country who could witness that he ever indulged 
 in the use of the weed which he habitually discountenanced. 
 
 "Although he was always a well-dressed man, I am certain that he 
 was not extravagant ; that, in fact, he was economical of set purpose to 
 transfer sums from his personal expenditure to the benefit of others. 
 At the same time I could never discover that he fully realized how 
 absolutely independent he was of personal adornment. This point is 
 not wholly trivial as a note of character. He was not naturally with- 
 out what is termed vanity; while his sense of humour was unusually 
 strong: and it is just such a combination that makes a man particular 
 about his clothes. No one knew better when those about him were well 
 or ill dressed. 
 
 "As to his habitual early rising for purposes of study and work, I 
 recal a conversation of many years ago which comes home to me across his 
 grave with a sad significance. We were comparing notes on the subject
 
 590 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 of early rising, and he turned round, in his bright convincing manner, 
 and said, ' Do you know, Forman, I once calculated how many years I 
 had added to my working life by getting up at six o'clock in the 
 morning ' : he stated the number of years ; but it has escaped me. ' Do 
 you like getting up early? ' I asked. ' Well, I can't say I particularly 
 like it.' he said. Pushed as to whether it was an effort to him, he 
 admitted that it was not done altogether without effort. ' Then,' said I, 
 somewhat grimly, 'have you calculated how many years you have cut 
 off at the other end ? ' The answer was very characteristic. 'Ah I that 
 is in other hands than mine. No, I have not. 1 
 
 -The last two of the criteria of self-restraint suggested above were 
 the ones which it was the most difficult to apply to Sir Arthur. So 
 perfect was his social tolerance, so entire and unflawed his imparti- 
 ality in the ordinary matters of life, that it was almost impossible to 
 track his appreciation of comparative merits in the men and women 
 he was thrown with, apart, of course, from open and flagrant misdoings 
 of any of them. It was only in long walks or rambles tSte-d-tdte that 
 the discussion of social or official incidents occasionally brought 
 out the admission that some really objectionable person, whom he 
 would be habitually treating with the same easy friendliness as the 
 best, was really as essentially objectionable to the Chief as to others. 
 Sometimes a twinkle of the eye, in company, would reveal his mind, or 
 a gesture recalling some joke which we might have had when alone, and 
 which no one else understood. But I never heard him apply a hard name 
 or epithet except on account of gross moral delinquency or crime. 
 Once, a long time ago, bitten with curiosity to know what he thought 
 of the manners and conversation of a worthy foreign lady with whom 
 we were much thrown for a time, and on terms of cordiality and 
 esteem, I put the question home to him a little unfairly. He said, 
 Well, if you insist on knowing, the impression left on my inmost 
 mind is that of the most intense vulgarity; but I would not have her 
 or her brother suspect that I had such a feeling for the world!" 
 And most certainly the existence of the feeling never could have been 
 suspected ; for the object of it could not have been treated with more 
 perfect courtesy and respect if she had been a princess. As to what 
 is usually known as a man's temper, those who had the best means 
 of knowing are aware that Sir Arthur Blackwood's disposition was 
 naturally fiery. But during all the years I knew him it seemed to me 
 that he had himself under marvellous control in that respect; and 
 other intimates give the same assurance. Indignant, I have seen him 
 many times, but always with self-restraint and dignity; but anger in 
 its less exalted forms it was rare indeed to witness in him. It was 
 there. I know ; and latterly I learned how to discern it ; a look came
 
 "IN SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE" 591 
 
 into his eyes a hard, contracted look, at variance with the expression 
 of the well-controlled facial muscles. The expression was comparable 
 with that of a high-mettled horse with its ears back. With that look 
 he would say words that were well within measure, and if you depre- 
 cated his wrath, he was so disconcerted at its discovery that it passed 
 off at once, annulled by the effort of redoubled self-watchfulness. 
 One or two cases in which men have told me the Chief has been angry 
 with them, I have seen reason (perhaps from ulterior knowledge) to 
 discount. There were instances in which, as head of our service, he 
 conceived it his duty to be angry ; but he did not do it well ; and my 
 own belief is that those who have received reprimands from him are 
 not the men who have seen Sir Arthur in his wrath. Once I saw him 
 petulant, and that in public, with a well-meaning friend who was 
 trying to save him from a mistake in the detail of some business. 
 There was nothing worthy of an apology ; and I am assured that the 
 object of his irritation would have been as well satisfied without one. 
 But the Chief's nature was too affluent to slur over a trespass against 
 his own high conception of good manners and good fellowship. Flushed 
 with a generous shame, where no shame need have been, he instantly 
 apologized, and that with 'a manner beyond courtesy,' which more 
 than ever endeared him to those who witnessed or participated in the 
 incident. 
 
 "These reminiscences, trifling in themselves, are chosen simply for 
 their illustrative significance, as helping us to shape justly our concep- 
 tion of his character the dominant notes of which were intensity of 
 conviction and power of self-restraint. 
 
 "The one great awakening which dominated all else in his career 
 cannot be made too prominent. The accession of an ardent and active 
 faith in the dogmas of Christianity dated from the time of his service 
 in the Crimea. There he saw men daily dying around him, either 
 killed in battle or brought down by disease ; and the conviction that a 
 man's life should be such as to render death at any moment an in- 
 essential change became overpoweringly strong. In the Christian 
 religion he saw the means of reaching such a state of preparation. I 
 am particular to record the connexion of this awakening with the 
 Crimean War, because what we heard from the pulpit at St. Jude's, on 
 the 9th of October, might seem to be at variance with it. There we 
 were told of a certain ball-room, and the vicinity of a certain chandelier, 
 as the scene of his giving himself up to the Christian faith, heart and 
 soul ; but there is no real inconsistency between the two statements. 
 When Sir Arthur told me of the Crimean awakening, he did not say 
 how long he ' halted between two opinions ' ; and it must be that the 
 quick, irrevocable resolve of Willis's Rooms was the seal put upon what
 
 592 LIFE OF SIB AETHUB BLACKWOOD 
 
 began in the Crimea. As far as I am any judge of such distinctions, it 
 was a somewhat narrow Calvinism that had commended itself to him ; 
 but this point has scarcely more than a negative significance. It 
 occasionally seemed strange to find a man of his understanding, a 
 man of the world, accustomed to move in all classes of society, the 
 very opposite of insular, full of the knowledge of men and their 
 thoughts gained in foreign travel it seemed strange, I say, at times 
 to hear such an one speak of the Bible as if he were not merely a 
 believer in the plenary inspiration of the book, but conceived of the 
 Authorized Version as having come direct from a Supreme Being. 
 But it was only on the intellectual side that there was any strange- 
 ness at all. The essential point was his strong unfaltering con- 
 viction that he had found a faith by which he could go through life, 
 and through the gates of death, without fear, and that, having found 
 it, it was his duty, as it was his supreme pleasure, to persuade others 
 to share with him that which was large enough for all. Let no 
 one suppose that this strong sense of the propagandist's duty led 
 Sir Arthur Blackwood to unseasonable preachments that he gave 
 offence by forcing his views on those who thought differently. No- 
 thing could be further from the truth. I have heard it meanly 
 alleged that no one could hope to get on in the service unless he 
 were 'a good Christian.' This is the utterance of men who did 
 not know the Chief, and created him in their own image. There is 
 no foundation for it. He was, as has already been said, absolutely 
 impartial in his administration ; and even if he failed to appreciate 
 the guiding principle in the lives of those who were not of his sect, 
 he still trusted them and preferred them, in so far as he found them 
 trustworthy and deserving of preferment. It is true that he used his 
 official position as a means of endeavouring to 'turn many to righteous- 
 ness.' He presided over temperance associations and Christian as- 
 sociations, and never wearied of devoting his gifts of eloquence to the 
 service of his staff. Had he acted differently his profession would have 
 been but the shadow of a shade. It was impossible for him to know 
 that not to one man in ten thousand is it given to gain from the 
 Christian faith the precise complement of his unity of character. 
 When I have heard him ' reason of righteousness, temperance, and 
 judgment to come,' when I have listened to his asseverations that he 
 looked forward with joy to the hour of his dissolution, and the meeting 
 which he hoped to have face to face with the great Founder of his 
 faith, I have been tempted to say, ' But meanwhile, Chief, I know few 
 men who enjoy better this present life and this beautiful world.' If 
 there was a point on which I ever doubted his sincerity and I do not 
 say there was it was this matter of the joy of dissolution. I knew,
 
 " IN SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE " 593 
 
 of course, that death had no terrors for him ; he was a man on whom 
 the shadow of fear did not seem to have fallen. But it was necessarily 
 reserved for the manner of his end to put the seal of confirmation upon 
 this uncommon attitude of his mind, and round and complete a life 
 most noteworthy for its unity. 
 
 "And the manner of his end was this: He maintained to the last 
 his cheerful kindliness to all about him and his perfect equanimity in 
 suffering. He spoke unreservedly with his medical adviser about 
 the great question of life or death ; and when he was told that his 
 symptoms were such that only one way out of his malady was open, 
 and that way death, the announcement brought him nothing but 
 what his steadfast faith had always averred. Calling his nurse to him 
 as soon as the doctor was gone, he said, with a radiant smile, ' Nurse, 
 I have just heard such glorious news! I am to die.' And in that 
 frame of mind he passed 
 
 ' To where beyond these voices there is peace.' 
 
 " When his death was announced throughout the postal world, many 
 and various were the condolences which we received both officially 
 and privately; and the note of sincerity was prevalent, as if it had 
 been an echo from his own identity. Some wrote of family circles who 
 had once received him, and retained permanently the impression of his 
 virtues ; some co-religionists tempered the poignancy of regret with 
 hopes of reunion in another world through that ' mercy ' of which he was 
 so earnest an exponent. One of the youngest of our colleagues abroad 
 exclaims: 'To think that I shall never more see the beautiful face 
 with the bright eyes and kindly smile, which I recollect so well 1 ' 
 and again, 'I have never received from any man a deeper personal 
 impression, and quite apart from the gratitude which I cannot but 
 feel for a degree of kindness which a man of his age and station will 
 rarely bestow upon a young man like me, his memory will always be 
 present to me as that of a man who made you really believe in a higher 
 side of human nature.' That is the testimony of a man deep in the 
 mysteries of transubstantiation and immaculate conception of whose 
 religious views the Chief was perfectly aware throughout the weeks 
 during which the 'kindness' was shown. So much for the intolerance 
 of Roman Catholicism of which Blackwood has been accused ! It ex- 
 isted, no doubt ; but it was a skin-deep, intellectual intolerance, and did 
 not touch his human sympathies. Those sympathies were as strong 
 for one fellow-creature as another. They made no unworthy discrimin- 
 ation between protestant and catholic, conformist and non-conformist. 
 His heart was large enough for all, even for those who did not share his 
 hopes of meeting in another world, and who, standing at his grave-side 
 
 38
 
 594 LIFE OF SIR ARTHUR BLACKWOOD 
 
 with no better comfort than the recollection of his frendship and the 
 bright nobility of his nature, could but sum up the joy and sorrow of 
 the past and present with a silent Ave atque vale!" 
 
 The Voluntary Memorial of the whole British Postal Service to 
 their Permanent Chief was singularly appropriate and well-chosen. 
 
 MR. ARNOLD MORLEY, POSTMASTER-GENERAL, TO SYDNEY, DUCHESS OF 
 
 MANCHESTER. 
 
 " January, 1894. 
 
 " MADAM, Your Grace is, I believe, aware, that as the best means 
 in their power of showing the respect and affectionate regard they enter- 
 tained for their late Permanent Chief, the Post Office Servants resolved 
 some few months ago to raise a Fund for the purchase and mainten- 
 ance of a Lifeboat to be named after him 'Sir Arthur Blackwood.' 
 This, it was thought, would be a not inappropriate memorial of one, 
 with whom the good of others was always the first consideration. 
 
 " I have now to inform you that the Fund which has been raised 
 towards the object in question amounts to 1115; and as showing how 
 wide-spread has been the desire to do honour to the memory of the 
 late Sir Arthur Blackwood, I may state that this sum is made up, not 
 of any large contributions, but of Shillings, Sixpences, and Pence, and 
 that these have been received from all parts of the United Kingdom, 
 even the most remote. 
 
 " The Boat when purchased it is proposed to station at Greenore, 
 County Dundalk, where there is no Boat at present, and where one is 
 much required. It is to be 37 feet long by 9 feet broad, a size which 
 is understood to be best suited to that part of the Coast ; and the cost 
 of it is estimated at 800, so that about 300 will be left for mainten- 
 ance. 
 
 "With Your Grace's concurrence, I propose now to hand over the 
 sum collected to the Secretary of the Lifeboat Institution, to be 
 applied in the manner indicated. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, Madam, 
 
 " Your Grace's obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) "ARNOLD MORLEY." 
 
 Besides this Memorial of his Official Life, it was felt that no 
 better tribute could be raised to Sir Arthur's memory than the 
 ENDOWMENT OF A HOSPITAL BED, in connection with the place to 
 which he had been bound by so many sacred ties. The Mildmay 
 Medical Mission Hospital at Bethnal Green was chosen, as that in
 
 "IN SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE" 595 
 
 which both himself and the Duchess had been interested for many 
 years. A Fund for this purpose is being raised. 
 
 In the Memorial Hospital at Mildmay Park, where in the 
 Children's Ward he lay during the few days between his death and 
 burial, is also placed his portrait, given by one who owes to his 
 instrumentality the knowledge of a Saviour, in the hope that many 
 may learn through his story to follow him, as he followed Christ. 
 
 Another grateful friend has also named for him one of the Cots 
 in Miss Weston's Sailors' Eest at Devonport. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY PRESS.