crecy all demonstration except from some 200 who seemed to
gather on the instant. Travelled all night, and had time to
ruminate on the great hand of God, so evidently displayed.

_April 7, Wed._--After three hours of successful sleep amid
frightful unearthly noises at Warrington, we went off to Chester
and Hawarden, saluted enthusiastically, but escaping all
crowds.... Set to work at once on a mass of letters and papers....
The day occupied with papers, letters, and telegrams, and reading
my Vatican tracts.... The triumph grows and grows; to God be the
praise.

_April 9._--Letters passed 100. _April 10, Sat._--Church, 8-1/2 A.M.
Wrote to ... Postal arrivals, 140; terrible! Wolverton arrived to
dinner, and I spent the evening in full conversation with him. He
threatens a request from Granville and Hartington. Again, I am
stunned, but God will provide.

_April 11, Sun._--Church, 8-1/2 A.M., Holy Communion; 11 A.M. Wrote
etc. Read _Gospel for the 19th Century_. Examined liturgical
books. Further conversation with Wolverton on the London
reception, on Leeds, and on the great matter of all. _April
12._--Wolverton went off in the morning, and is to see Granville
and Hartington to-day. Read Brugsch's _Hist. Egypt_. _Guy
Mannering._ Wrote some memoranda of names applicable to this
occasion. Hard day. But all are pretty hard in this my
"retirement." _April 13._--Began tentatively an anonymous letter on
the Conservative Collapse,(366) really drawn forth by the letter
of Lord Bath.... Read _Guy Mannering_ and that most heavenly man
George Herbert.... _April 16._--Mr. Bright came over from
Llandudno, and we spent nearly all the time in conversing on the
situation. He is most kind and satisfactory. _April 17._--Finished
my letter and revision of it. Cut down a sycamore with W. H. G.
_April 18, Sun._--Holy Communion 8 A.M.; morning service and
evening. Wrote to [17 letters]. _Read Divine Veracity or Divine
Justice_, Caird on the _Philosophy of Religion_. _April 19._--A
reluctant goodbye before 1. London at 6.30. A secret journey, but
people gathered at Chester station and Euston. I vaguely feel that
this journey is a plunge out of an atmosphere of peace into an
element of disturbance. May He who has of late so wonderfully
guided, guide me still in the critical days about to come. _Apri