contrived that murder, in order to charge it upon her;
May 1768
ELIZABETH AS NERO
3. That Murray, Morton, and Lethington, themselves contrived that murder, in order to charge it upon her; as well as forged those vile letters and sonnets which they palmed upon the world for hers.
But how then can we account for the quite contrary story, which has been almost universally received?"
Most easily.
It was penned and published in French, English, and Latin (by Queen Elizabeth's order), by George Buchanan, who was secretary to Lord Murray, and in Queen Elizabeth's pay; so he was sure to throw dirt enough.
Nor was she at liberty to answer for herself.
' But what then was Queen Elizabeth?"
As just and merciful as Nero, and as good a Christian as Mahomet.
Sun. May 1.—I preached at seven in the new room ; in the afternoon at the College kirk, in Old Aberdeen.
At six, knowing our house could not contain the congregation, I preached in the castle gate, on the paved stones.
A large number of people were all attention; but there were many rude, stupid creatures round about them, who knew as little of reason as of religion: I never saw such brutes in Scotland before.
One of them threw a potato, which fell on my arm: I turned to them; and some were ashamed.
Wesley at Scoon and Holyrood Mon. 2.—I set out early from Aberdeen, and about noon preached in Brechin.
After sermon, the provost desired to see me, and said, " Sir, my son had epileptic fits from his infancy: Dr. Ogylvie prescribed for him many times, and at length told me he could do no more.
I desired Mr. Blair last Monday to speak to you.
On Tuesday morning my son said to his mother, he had just been dreaming that his fits were gone, and he was
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
May 1768 perfectly well.
Soon after I gave him the drops you advised : he is perfectly well, and has not had one fit since."
Thur. 5.—We rode through the pleasant and fruitful Carse of Gowry, a plain, fifteen or sixteen miles long, between the river Tay and the mountains, very thick inhabited, to Perth.
In the afternoon we walked over to the royal palace at Scoon.
It is a large old house, delightfully situated, but swiftly running to ruin.
Yet there are a few good pictures, and some fine tapestry left, in what they call the Queen's and the King's chambers.
And what is far more curious, there is a bed and a set of hangings in the (once) royal apartment, which was wrought by poor Queen Mary, while she was imprisoned in the Castle of Lochlevin.
It is some of the finest needlework I ever saw, and plainly shows both her exquisite skill and unwearied industry.
Sat.
14.—I walked once more through Holyrood House, a noble pile of building; but the greatest part of it left to itself, and so (like the palace at Scone) swiftly running to ruin.
The tapestry is dirty, and quite faded; the fine ceilings dropping down; and many of the pictures in the gallery torn or cut through.
This was the work of good General Hawley's soldiers (like General, like men !), who, after running away from the Scots at Falkirk, revenged themselves on the harmless canvas !
Sun. 15.—At eight I preached in the High School yard ; and I believe not a few of the hearers were cut to the heart.
Between twelve and one a far larger congregation assembled on the Castle Hill; and I believe my voice commanded them all, while I opened and enforced those awful words, ' I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God."
In the evening our house
June 1768
CURED BY THE SUN
was sufficiently crowded, even with the rich and honourable.
' Who hath warned" these "to flee from the wrath to come?"
O may they at length awake and 'arise from the dead |"
Wesley's Old Schoolfellow Wed. June 1.—Many of the militia were present at Barnard Castle in the evening, and behaved with decency.
I was well pleased to lodge at a gentleman's, an old schoolfellow, half a mile from the town.
Whata dream are the fifty or sixty years that have slipped away since we were at the Charterhouse !
Thur. 2.—I preached, at noon, at a farmer's house, near Brough, in Westmoreland.
The sun was hot enough, but some shady trees covered both me and most of the congregation. A little bird perched on one of them, and sung, without intermission, from the beginning of the service unto the end.
Many of the people came from far; but I believe none of them regretted their labour.
Fri. 3.—In running down one of the mountains yesterday, I had got a sprain in my thigh: it was rather worse to-day ; but asI rode to Barnard Castle, the sun shone so hot upon it, that, before I came to the town, it was quite well.
In the evening the commanding officer gave orders there should be no exercise, that all the Durham militia (what a contrast!) might be at liberty to attend the preaching.
Accordingly, we had a little army of officers as well as soldiers; and all behaved well.
A large number of them were present at five in the morning.
Tues. 7.—I went down by water to South Shields, and preached at noon, to far more than could hear.
We went, after dinner, to Tynemouth Castle, a magnificent
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
Serr. 1768 heap of ruins.
Within the walls are the remains of a very large church, which seems to have been of exquisite workmanship ; and the stones are joined by so strong a cement, that, but for Cromwell's cannon, they might have stood a thousand years.
Wesley's Wife Ill Sun. Aug. 14.—Hearing my wife was dangerously ill, I took chaise immediately and reached the Foundery before one in the morning.
Finding the fever was turned, and the danger over, about two I set out again, and in the afternoon came (not at all tired) to Bristol.
Wed. Sept. 7 (Penzance).—After the early preaching, the select society met; such a company of lively believers, full of faith and love, as I never found in this county before.
This, and the three following days, I preached at as many places as I could, though I was at first in doubt, whether I could preach eight days together, mostly in the open air, three or four times a day.
But my strength was as my work:
I hardly felt any weariness, first or last.
Sun. 11.—About nine I preached at St. Agnes, and again between one and two.
At first I took my old stand at Gwennap, in the natural amphitheatre.
I suppose no human voice could have commanded such an audience on plain ground; but the ground rising all round gave me such an advantage, that I believe all could hear distinctly.
Mon. 12.—I preached about noon at Callistick, and in the evening at Kerley.
It rained all the time; but that did not divert the attention of a large congregation.
At noon, Tuesday, 13, I preached in Truro, and in the evening at Mevagissey.
It was a season of solemn joy; I have not often found the like.
Surely God's thoughts
Dec. 1768 WESLEY AND THE TALKER
are not as our thoughts!
Can any good be done at Mevagissey P Fri. 16.—I rode, through heavy rain, to Polperro.
Here the room over which we were to lodge being filled with pilchards and conger-eels, the perfume was too potent for me; so that I was not sorry when one of our friends invited me to lodge at her house.
Soon after I began to preach, heavy rain began; yet none went away till the whole service was ended.
Sat. 17.—When we came to Crimble Passage, we were at a full stop.
The boatmen told us the storm was so high, that it was not possible to pass: however, at length we persuaded them to venture out; and we did not ship one sea till we got over.
Sun. 18.—Our room at the Dock contained the morning congregation tolerably well.
Between one and two I began preaching on the quay in Plymouth.
Notwithstanding the rain, abundance of people stood to hear.
But one silly man talked without ceasing, till I desired the people to open to the right and left, and let me look him in the face.
They didso.
MHe pulled off his hat, and quietly went away.
Wesley and Seaport Towns Wed. Nov. 30.—I rode to Dover, and came in just before a violent storm began.
It did not hinder the people.
Many were obliged to go away after the house was filled.
What a desire to hear runs through all the seaport towns wherever we come!
Surely God is besieging this nation, and attacking it at all the entrances !
Wed. Dec. 14.—I saw the Westminster scholars act the "¢ Adelphi" of Terence; an entertainment not unworthy of a Christian.
O how do these Heathens shame us!