On one occasion, while passing the school-house of his boyhood days, he was found by an old friend, wistfully gazing at the building, who said, "What are you looking at?" And upon entering into conversation, he discovered that he and the gentleman who addressed him had been former schoolmates together. We find recorded in his diary the following: "I now commence filling this book, which I brought with me from New York, in the steamship Italia. I am now in Fenagh, Ireland." From the record of this journey, we notice that he was very careful in watching the signs of the times, and the changing moods of the weather. For example, he writes thus: _Sabbath, January 4, 1874._--When I rose this morning, I found the ground covered with snow; the first fall of the season, and like the little captive Syrian maid, though far from home and friends and among comparative strangers, I do not forget God or the sanctuary. _Monday, January 5th._--A fine day, but cold, and snow on the ground. _Tuesday, January 6th._--A fine day, and a fine thaw, which resulted in the removal of the snow which had fallen a short time previously. _Wednesday, January 7th_ (morning).--A fine day. Afternoon, clouds gathering; lightning and thunder; came on to rain. _Thursday, January 8th._--A fine day of the season. _Friday, January 9th._--A fair day. _Saturday, January 10th._--A fine day. I went into Ballymena myself, and called at several places, and upon Mr. White, the printer, who did not know me, or remember anything about me. I called also on Mrs. McQuitty, who treated me in a very kindly manner. I also called on Mr. Kilpatrick's, but I only saw two of his daughters, and a little child. On the same day I bought McComb's almanac in Ballymena; paid two pence for it. I also bought the _Ballymena Observer_ from Mr. White. I walked into Ballymena, and also returned in like manner, only that in returning I took a circuitous route, that I might see a portion of the country that I had not seen for a length of time before my departure for America, in June, 1832. _Sabbath, January 11th_ (forenoon).--I heard Mr. Moody lecture from the 16th chapter of John, and 16th verse. _Afternoon._--Nehemiah, 9th chapter and 19th verse: "Yet Thou in Thy manifold mercy, forsookest them not in the wilderness; the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way wherein they should go." _Monday, January 12th._--A cold day. I received a letter from my son, William Knowles, in New York City.