On Elder Budge's arrival, he was reported as a gentleman from England, having come to complete his education in the German language, which was, of course, one part of his mission. He was instructed to confine his labors principally to the professor and his family, and to baptize none until he had further instructions. President Richards now decided to visit Italy, where there were a few Saints in the Waldensian valleys under the presidency of Elder Samuel Francis. These Saints were very poor, and the most of them lived very hard. Some of them having to subsist five months in the year on roasted chestnuts, and, perhaps, a little sheep's or goat's milk, without any other food, having to winter in stables in order to receive warmth from the animals in the absence of fuel. Brother Richards was accompanied by Elders Wm. H. Kimball, John L. Smith, John Chislett, and myself. About the time of our arrival one of the native brethren had by mistake eaten poison mushrooms, taking them for the variety often used as food in that country. He reeled as he walked to a chair, or stool, to receive the ordinance of laying on of hands. President Richards rebuked the poison, and he recovered. Shortly afterwards an outsider collected some of the same variety, which were cooked, and the man with his wife and children, died through eating them. Shortly after our return from Italy, President Richards and Elder Kimball repaired to Dresden, the capital of Saxony, where they were heartily greeted by Elder Budge and Professor Karl G. Maeser. They remained a few days, during which time President Richards baptized the professor and eight others, and organized a branch of the Church, with Brother Maeser as presiding Elder. When the authorities learned to their satisfaction that he had joined the Church of the Saints they not only dropped him from his position, but banished him from the kingdom. Of his standing and usefulness among the Saints but little need be said. His charge of the Brigham Young Academy at Provo, and the blessings accruing to the youth of Zion, are too well known and appreciated to require any eulogy from me. Suffice it to say, that I had felt that I was doing but little good beyond filling a plain duty in responding to the call to go on a mission from England to Switzerland. I refer to this incident to encourage the young Elders who read this little book to not feel discouraged because they do not baptize as many as some others. I hope they will not feel that they are not being useful on that account. I baptized none personally while on that mission of about three and a half years, and yet, although I suffered much affliction and persecution, I look back upon it as one of the happiest times of my life. NEWEL KNIGHT'S JOURNAL. CHAPTER I.