My dear father's birth-day! also, by the by, a grand occasion here--the anniversary of the evacuation of the island by the British troops, which circumstance the worthy burghers have celebrated ever since with due devotion and thankfulness. Went to church: Dr. ---- did not preach, which was a disappointment to me. The music was exquisite; and there was a beautiful graceful willow branch, with its long delicate fibres and golden leaves, waving against the blue sky and the church window, that seemed to me like a magical branch in a fairy tale. It struck me as strange to-day, as I looked from the crowded gloomy church to the bright unbounded sky, to think that we call the one the house of God; to be sure, we have other authority for calling the blue heavens his throne; and oh, how glorious they did look! The day was bright, but bitter cold. Coming out of church, saw all our last night's party. On my return home found a perfect levee; Dr. ----, Mr. ----, Mr. ----, Mr. ----, Mr. ----, a whole regiment. When they were all gone, wrote journal: having finished that and my lunch, set out with my father to _fetch a walk_; which we did to the tune of near six miles, through all the outskirts of the town, an exceedingly low-life ramble indeed--during which we came across a man who was preaching in the street. He had not a very large assembly round him, and we stood in the crowd to hear him. By his own account, he had been imprisoned before for a similar proceeding; and he was denouncing, most vehemently, signal judgments on the blind and wicked corporation who had so stopped the work of righteousness. The man's face was a very fine one, remarkably intelligent and handsome: he was cleanly and well dressed, and had altogether a respectable appearance. When we came home, it was past four. Dressed for dinner. My father dined with Mr. ----; so D---- and I had a _tête-à-tête_ dinner. After which, played on the piano for some time; after which, began letter to H----; after which, wrote journal. * * * * * * * * * * _Monday, 26th._