the manner in which the concern had been revived, saying he had
been, before he was thus aroused, like _the prophet asleep_.

He re-opened the prospect of this service before his Monthly Meeting, on
the 3rd of the Fifth Month, 1853. In a letter written the same day, he
says:--

I am just returned from our Monthly Meeting in London, where I mentioned
to my friends my concern to visit the German colonies in the South of
Russia, which, thou wilt probably recollect, was included in my
certificate for religious service on the Continent of Europe, five years
ago. I received the expression of much sympathy and unity from my
friends, and the certificate was ordered, including on my return, if
permitted, any service that may present in Constantinople, the island of
Malta, and some places in the South of France. Weak as I am, I cast myself
once more into the hand of our Lord and Blessed Protector, in holy
confidence that he will do all things well.

On receiving a passport from the Secretary of State, with the requisite
counter-signature of the Russian Ambassador, he wrote to John Kitching,
the 25th of the Fourth Month:--

I want thee to know that, through the kind and efficient aid of our
mutually dear friend Samuel Gurney, I have at length been enabled to
procure a Russian passport, and also a letter of recommendation to one of
the first houses in Petersburg. Thou knowest, my dear friend, for a long
time this matter has been heavy on my mind. It is a great comfort to have
the ground cleared in this respect.

John Yeardley left London at the end of the Sixth Month, and went to Hull
to take the steam-packet direct to Petersburg. In the narrative which
follows, we have interwoven with the Diary extracts from his letters to
his sisters; and we have been allowed the use of William Rasche's Journal,
in relating and describing many circumstances of which J.Y. himself made
no record.

_Petersburg. 7 mo._ 10.--On the 30th of the Sixth Month I left my
peaceful home at Stamford Hill for my Russian journey. At our kind friend
Isabel Casson's at Hull I met my young companion William Rasche. We were
affectionately cared for by dear I. C. and her daughter, and she and
several other friends saw us on board the steamer. It is a fine ship, well
ventilated, with good sleeping accommodation and provisions: the captain
is a kind, religious man.

On First-day evening, the captain invited us to the ship's service--an
invitation whic