LETTERS FROM THE OLD WORLD.

NUMBER LIV.

EDINBURGH, Feb. 18th, 1858.

MY DEAR FRIEND.—All pleasant things come to an end, sooner or later. My trunks are packed. I have said farewell to most of my dear Edinburgh friends, and to-morrow, my long and happy visit to delightful Edinburgh and its many kind, warm hearted people, closes.—Good-bye is always an ugly word to say; in some cases, more so than in others.

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HUDDERSFIELD, March 11th, 1858.

Three weeks have passed since I was interrupted while commencing, what I desired to be, a brief letter to you, and I have never found time to resume it; so occupied have I been, in various ways of late.

Just previous to quitting Edinburgh, I paid a visit to the little town of Dalkieth and through the efficient co-operation of the Rev. Dr. JOSEPH BROWN, I was successful in forming an anti-slavery association among the ladies there—which will, I trust, do good service to our good cause in time to come.

I spent a few days very pleasantly, as I came south, in the celebrated old town of Berwick on Tweed. I esteemed it no small privilege to be, while there, the guest of one of the most learned and distinguished ministers in Scotland, viz: Rev. JOHN CAIRNS. I made the acquaintance of some very pleasant ladies, through the kindness of Mr. Cairns, and organized a society, which will, I doubt not, do its part bye and bye. I felt much interested in being introduced to a daughter of the late excellent Dr. Waugh, whose name I have been acquainted with from my childhood; and whose "praise is in all the churches." I fully join with the doctor Livingston, when he says,: "One of the discoveries I have made is, that there are vast numbers of good people in the world." Without the aid and coo-operation of some of these "good people," how little could any one of us effect, towards aiding any cause, how important soever it might be: sure I am, that no one has more reason to be grateful than I have, to the many kind, christian, warm hearted people, who come forth, wherever they are sought, with hands full of home work, yet who manage to find assistance for the poor fugitive, and sympathy and aid for those who are struggling in behalf of their

"brethren in bonds," Need I add that some of these "good people" may be found in Berwick? I parted with them with regret, yet, in the hope of sometime seeing them again.

A strong, east wind prevailed during my stay, and prevented me form visiting the pier, which extends, I believe, a mile in length, and is a conspicuous object in the distance. I walked several times on the Quay Walls; some of the old walls are yet standing, and a few remains of the old castle, the scene of many memorable events in the days of BRUCE. It is said that it was there king Edward caused Countess Buchan to be imprisoned in a cage, for placing the crown on the brown of the noble Bruce, at the Palace of Scone, as it was her right todo. according to the ancient usage of the kinds of Scotland; but we, English people, would feign indulge a hope that this is tradition, and not fact. There is no doubt, however, that many dark deeds were done in those days, and the Berwick was the locality where some of them took place.

Until my visit to this curious old town, I had thought that the Tweed, on which it stands, formed the boundary line between England and Scotland; but just as I was becoming sentimental about crossing the Tweed, (which I expected to do the next morning,) and bidding adieu to poetic Caledonia, I was told, to my dismay, that I had, already, been three days out of Scotland: that, at Berwick, the Episcopal Church was the national church, and that the inhabitants of this town were under English laws! So there was not help for it! The Rubicon was passed! I had re-entered my own dear country without so much as knowing it, and had, for three days, been looking our upon Scott's much loved Tweed, without being aware that its banks, were here, or, both sides, composed of English soil. So long, however, as our language lasts, and that river empties itself, into old ocean, will the Tweed, Sir Walter Scott, and Scotland, be indissolubly associated together.

Those of your readers who take an interest in the Evangelical alliance, will remember that Rev. John Cairns, of Berwick, was requested, by the members of the alliance to deliver an address, in German, at the great Berlin Conference, last year. I feel somewhat curious to know more that I do about the American branch of the alliance, of what ministers it is composed?—What their views are on Slavery? As the general alliance receives "all nations of men," it would be well, at the next large assembly, Rev. Alexander Crummel, Rev. Samuel Crowther, or some other excellent minister, from Africa, be invited to attend the Conference. Those devoted friends of the negro race, who are, also, members of the Evangelical alliance, will, I

trust, make some such suggestion, at the fitting time and place. If, "in Christ Jesus" "there be no more Barbarian, Scythian, bond, or free," but "all are one," let practical proof be given of this, to the world, by those who delight in the christian love, and beautiful harmony that prevade these union meetings, where

"Nations and sects, and parties fall,
And Jesus Christ is all in all."

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If any friend say "but what would the Americans do?" "why should an apple of discord be thrown into our peaceful assembly?" With respectful deference I reply that if these American brethren "love not their brother they have seen, how shall they love God whom they have not seen?

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From Berwick, I came to Newcastle, and regret extremely that Yorkshire engagements, it was quite impracticable to postpone, prevented my remaining longer with some of the most excellent people it was ever my privilege to meet. I refer especially to the family of that venerable man of God, REV. JAMES PRINGLE, who for more than 54 years, has preached the gospel in an united Presbyterian Church in Newcastle. But I can tell you nothing new of this, (must I call it.?) smoky, dingy town, nor of its kind and hospitable people, who have long been zealous in the cause of the slave. To some extent, you, my friend, may be said to "belong" to Newcastle. I regret that, from untoward circumstances, I did not see the gentle Christian lady, Miss Ellen Richardson, who first conceived the idea of purchasing the freedom of "friend Douglass"—but, I look forward to the pleasure of seeing her when I re-visit Newcastle, and this, all being well, I have promised to do. That zealous and indefatigable lady, Mrs. Henry Richardson, is as actively engaged as ever, in various benevolent matters. Newcastle is at the present time, in an exceedingly depressed state, as regards financial matters, and through the failure of one of the banks there, many

worthy people are ruined entirely, and others materially affected.

During my stay, however, arrangements were promptly made, for the re-organization and union of the Ladies' and Gentlemen's anti-slavery societies, and the matter was warmly entered into. Snow and sleet and hail, met me the first day, in Newcastle; and a greater contrast to beautiful Edinburgh I thought I had never seen than appeared in Newcastle on that and the following day. But, when the sun shown again "all things a brighter aspect were." I never had warmer shakes of the hand than those given me by the kind friends assembled to see me off at the Newcastle railway station, and have rarely parted from dear, good people, with a more firm determination (D. V.) to see them again.

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I had been promised "a Scotch welcome," in Huddersfield, and I had it in full perfection from the beloved friend, (an Aberdonian lady,) under whose roof I am. The blasts may blow, and the snow fall without, but we have perpetual sunshine and warm hearts within, and I am telling of the banks of the Don, and the banks of the Dee, and we are discussing the beauties and wonders of Scotland, and the true nobility and rugged independence of her people, while time rapidly passes, and the more we say the more yet remains to be said, for the subject of Scotland is inexhaustible.

Blessings on the brave old country, and he true-hearted people! Both will ever be dear to me, go where I may, and a gladsome day will it be if I am again permitted to look upon the palaces and towers of "Edina! Scotia's darling seat!" or the fine buildings of her more northern sister "city of Granite" on the banks of the Dee.

Pardon extreme haste, and believe me, ever,

Yours, most truly,

JULIA GRIFFITHS.