Gentiles, to clear the streets, repair the works, and erect such temporary defences as the nature of the place would admit of; but, notwithstanding the lower class of inhabitants as well as the troops were constantly employed, it was some months before the streets were cleared, and the damages repaired.

The first ship (I think) which arrived from England, brought with it the major of our regiment, which revived my spirits. I soon waited upon the gentlemen who had undertaken my cause, and renewed my solicitations for their assistance. These gentlemen both waited upon the major, who gave them the fullest assurance that I should be discharged immediately after the general review which was about to take place. Some little time after it was over, I was sent for by one of the gentlemen, to whose house I soon repaired; the servant informed me that his master was gone to the paymaster of our regiment, and desired me to follow him, which I accordingly did; when I entered the room, he put a paper into my hand, saying, "There is your discharge, I have paid a sum of money for it, and you may go about your business; they have no more to do with you."

Being set at liberty, my next concern was how

I should get to England, having but little money of my own. There was a ship then lying in the bay bound for London; I made application for a passage, but the captain refused to take me because he was so deeply laden; but afterwards hearing that two of our own officers had taken a passage in the same vessel, I applied to them to make interest with the captain on my behalf, which they kindly agreed to do, as they wished me to be with them. After much entreaty, the captain agreed to take me, provided I would come all the way upon the deck, as hè had no room below. I was to pay two guineas for my passage, and take with me six weeks provision. The money I could raise, but how to procure so much provision, I knew not. At last I took courage and went to the major, informed him of my circumstances, and begged his assistance; he very politely attended to my request, sent for the quarter-master serjeant, and ordered him to draw me six weeks provision from the stores. This afforded me great relief. After returning him thanks, I went on board as soon as possible; but the wind was contrary for three weeks, the greatest part of which time I remained on board. I was afraid at last that my provision would run short, I therefore went on shore and

visited my comrades, who would willingly have supplied me the whole time we were detained. I went with some of the men for a walk into the Spanish lines, and not observing the state of the wind so strictly as I ought to have done, it became fair, and the ship was under weigh before I perceived it. I was very near losing my passage, provision, and all. At last I found a boat waiting for something belonging to the officers, into which I got, and was put on board, though the ship was under sail. Thus I bid farewell to that part of the world, and my connexion with the army.

In the ship I was much better accommodated than I expected, being great part of my time in the cabin with the officers, who permitted me to share in their provision. In thirty-two days, by the good providence of God, we arrived safe at the desired haven in July 1766, after having been absent near six years and an half.

Arise, my soul, lift up thy voice,

Declare the works thy God has done,
Tell to the saints his wondrous love,

And tune his praise in every song.

CHAP. VI.

Various Situations in London-He is first brought to hear the Gospel in Eagle Street.

BEING once more safely landed in my native country, in the enjoyment of liberty, I was concerned to recompense my friends for the trouble and expense at which they had been on my behalf, particularly my brother-in-law, who was a tradesman in London. It was proposed that I should live with him, which I did for some time; but not being altogether happy as to opportunities of hearing the Gospel, a change was judged advisable. I was at a loss how to get recommended to any respectable situation, so as not to make it known that I had been in the army, lest that should be an objection. against me.

This difficulty was soon removed by a young man, who knew me before I left England. He saw me standing at my brother's door, made himself known to me, informed me where he lived, and undertook to recommend me to a family in Queen's Square, Bloomsbury. He

fulfilled his promise, and in a few days I was sent for and accepted. This was an agreeable change, as I found it to be a regular family, where some attention was paid to the externals of religion, as the family were called together in the evening, and some time spent in reading and prayer. Though it is much to be feared the true spirit of devotion was wanting, yet I was glad of the form, as I found it much more agreeable than that profane and heathenish manner in which those lived, to whose company I had long been confined.

Here I had also an opportunity of perusing the Bible, or any other books I could get. As soon as I could spare money, I purchased Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns; but these I thought it prudent to keep as much as I could from the family, as they were of a different persuasion, lest I should give offence, or perhaps lest I should be counted a Dissenter. Thus my pride, ignorance, and ingratitude appeared, in not having boldness to confess that way of salvation I so much desired. I used to read them in my room when the family were in bed, as I found the psalms and hymns particularly adapted to my state, and the frame of my mind.

During my stay here, 1 was desired to go to

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