“JOHN WESLEY.”[71] Again. “LONDON, _December 26, 1769_. “DEAR JOSEPH,--Every man of sense, who reads the rules of the school, may easily conclude that a school so conducted by men of piety and understanding will exceed any other school or academy in Great Britain or Ireland. In this sentiment, you can never be altered. And if it was not so conducted since you were there, why was it not? You had power enough. You have all the power which I have. You may do what you please. “‘_Dirue et ædifica; muta quadrata rotundis_;’ and I will second you to the uttermost. “Trevecca is much more to ---- than Kingswood is to me. _I_ mixes with everything. It is _my_ college, _my_ masters, _my_ students. I do not speak so of this school. It is not mine, but the Lord’s. I look for no more honour than money from it. “I am glad you defer your journey; and am, dear Joseph, your affectionate brother, “JOHN WESLEY.”[72] Wesley was evidently sore about Benson leaving him; but, a few weeks afterwards, the exchange was made; and then, after nine months of faithful service at Trevecca, the young head master was unceremoniously dismissed, because of his defending the doctrines of his friend Wesley. From Trevecca, Wesley made his way to Bristol, which he reached on August 26; and, from there, set off to Cornwall, where he employed a week in visiting as many of his societies as he could in so short a period. On getting back to Bristol, he inquired into the state of Kingswood school, and writes: “The grievance now is the number of children. Instead of thirty, as I desired, we have near fifty; whereby our masters are burdened. And it is scarce possible to keep them in so exact order as we might do a smaller number. However, this still comes nearer a Christian school than any I know in the kingdom.” The next month was spent in the neighbourhood of Bristol, and was not without adventures. At Bradford, he was surrounded by a noisy rabble; “and one,” says he, “called a gentleman, had filled his pocket with rotten eggs; but a young man smashed them all at once; and, in an instant, he was perfume all over, though it was not so sweet as balsam.”