T is the sense of what we seem to others that moulds and fashions human character. This may be rough-hewn by Nature, but it is the consciousness of the judgment of others, the praise of those we esteem, the criticism we fear, the model we admire, that will modify its form and determine its features. Hence the opinion which a friend entertains of another's virtues or abilities becomes to him often a standard to which he insensibly labors to conform; and the confidence reposed in him becomes one of the most powerful motives to deserve it. In the education of youth, therefore, encouragement and trust are needed, rather than censure or suspicion; and the "love that believeth all things" and "hopeth all things" will accomplish more than the skepticism which doubts or the austerity that chills the most generous emotions. It was upon this principle--which, indeed is the same which underlies the profound philosophy of the gospel itself--that Thomas Campbell acted both as a parent and as a teacher; and the frank confidence now reposed in Alexander, in committing to him so important a charge as the management of the academy and the family, became to him not only a flattering evidence of his father's high appreciation of his abilities and his principles, but a powerful incentive to him to show that this confidence was not unmerited. [87] He continued his labors, therefore, with that careful punctuality to which he had been accustomed, and conducted the school successfully to the close of the term.

      No other letters being as yet received from America in reference to removal, and his uncle Archibald at this time greatly desiring his assistance, he now went over to Newry and took charge of a number of private classes. Here he continued, frequently seeing the family at Rich-Hill and providing for their comfort, until the month of March, 1808, when a letter was at length received from his father, urging immediate departure, and referring, for general advices, to other letters written in the preceding November, but which, as it now appeared, had failed to reach their destination. It appeared, by the letter now received, that his father had been, at his request, assigned by the Synod at Philadelphia to the Presbytery of Chartiers, embracing Washington county, in Western Pennsylvania, where some of his former neighbors had already settled, and whither James Foster and his party were bound. After spending a short time very pleasantly with the Seceder ministers and the acquaintances he had formed in Philadelphia, he had proceeded over the mountains to Washington, Pennsylvania, from which town the letter was dated, January 1, 1808. James Foster and his friends, it appeared, had landed at Philadelphia five weeks after his arrival there, and, coming on to Washington county, had found him there already engaged in ministerial labor. The following extract from his letter will show how earnest and unceasing were the aspirations of this excellent man for entire consecration of heart and life to the service of God.

      "I have been encompassed with mercies from the day I [88] left you until this day--not the slightest accident by sea or land has befallen me.   *     *     *     *   My confidence toward God in behalf of you all, to whose gracious providence and merciful protection I have heartily resigned you, keeps my mind in perfect peace. I feel greatly comforted in pouring out my heart's desire to the God of all mercy for the preservation and salvation of my family. I do not know but that I have felt more solemn elevated pleasure in this grateful exercise since I set my foot in this land of peace, liberty and prosperity, than I could have done in the same time had I remained in the midst of you, all things considered. In those happy exercises I have enjoyed a gracious and triumphant confidence in that unlimited power, wisdom and goodness to which nothing is difficult, much less impossible. I have been enabled to cast all my care upon the Lord, so that I feel neither anxious nor afraid of anything upon earth. I perceive myself in the arms of Almighty Goodness, and am greatly comforted. I hope the receipt of this will find you all in like happy circumstances. If you knew the solid and adequate satisfaction that the clear apprehension of the great gospel of the grace of God is calculated to afford, and does actually afford to all that truly know and embrace it, you would earnestly covet this happiness and spare no pains to acquire it. Neither is it hard to acquire. Only be devoted to God; give up yourselves to the diligent study and practice of his holy word, looking to and leaning upon the promise of his Holy Spirit, which he freely and graciously gives to all them that sincerely and heartily seek it, to enable them to know and to conform to his will in all things; and you shall know the truth of his promise, 'You shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.' You shall know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent; then shall you feel yourselves impregnable as the Rock of Ages, in whom you put your trust. 'All that know thy name shall put their trust in thee, and they that put their trust in thee shall never be confounded.' Let us rejoice; the Lord reigns! and his servants need fear no evil. Be of good comfort [89] through his grace, and cautiously avoid danger. Omit no opportunity of removing, as the Lord may graciously permit. The merciful providence of the Lord be with you. Wishing you a happy new year under his gracious auspices, adieu.

"THOMAS CAMPBELL."      

      Immediately upon receipt of this letter, the family began to make the necessary arrangements for the contemplated voyage. When nearly ready, however, an unlooked-for visitation occasioned further delay. That dreaded disease, the small-pox, happened just at this time to visit Rich-Hill. Alexander, with his accustomed promptitude, at once suggested to his mother the propriety of having inoculation performed upon all the members of the household who had not yet had the disease. This was the method of protection then generally employed, as vaccination had not yet come much into use. The discovery, in fact, had been published by Jenner only in 1798, and it was several years before its efficacy was fully confirmed, the British government not taking it under its protection until 1808. It happened, however, that before the necessary preparation could be made, some of the younger children were found to have caught the infection. Fortunately, most of the cases assumed a mild form, Jane being the only one who had it very severely. She was then in her eighth year, and a beautiful child, extremely fair and blooming, with light flaxen hair; but her beauty was considerably marred and her face deeply marked by the disease.

      As soon as all were convalescent, preparations for departure were resumed, but it was August before they were completed. On the 20th of this month Alexander set out on horseback for Londonderry, to make arrangements for their embarkation. The distance being [90] sixty miles, he was occupied two days in making the trip, greatly admiring, as he passed along, the beauty of the scenery, now enhanced by the contrast of the golden grain-fields with the green meadows and pasture lands. Upon reaching the city, he stopped at an inn belonging to a Mr. William Wilson, merchant, and proceeded to make inquiry in regard to vessels for America. He took this opportunity to visit also those parts of the city and its vicinity which had been rendered interesting by the memorable siege. The place was shown where Lundy, the treacherous governor, who was disposed to surrender the city, let himself down from the wall by the assistance of a pear tree, and made his escape to the enemy, to avoid being torn to pieces by the citizens. Upon his departure, Baker and Walker were elected governors, and the most vigorous measures adopted for defence. For many weeks all the efforts to take the town by storm were gallantly repulsed; upon which the siege was changed into a blockade, and all the avenues of assistance carefully secured. The supplies in the city were short, yet the people manfully held out, even when they had to assuage their hunger by gnawing salted hides, when rats became dainty fare, and dogs, fattened on the blood or the slain, were luxuries that few could purchase--the price of a whelp's paw being, as Macaulay informs us, five shillings and sixpence. At length, at the end of one hundred and five days, the boom stretched across the Foyle, a mile and a half below, was broken by ships bearing provisions, and the city, which by no art could have held out two days longer, was happily saved. Alexander found the walls very high, especially next the sea, and so broad at top that a coach and four could be driven upon them, though, [91] at the time of the siege, the defences were in a very poor condition. He was pleased with the wide streets, the old-fashioned houses, and particularly with the fine public square, upon which fronted some of the best houses in the city. He visited the place where the great boom had been stretched across the Foyle, and saw the rugged mass of rock to which it had been attached upon the left bank by a cable a foot thick. Near by was also the well from which the besiegers drank, and the burial-ground where they laid their slain, and where the spade of the gardener occasionally still turns up some of their mouldering bones. Having completed his examinations, and visited the vessel in which he expected to sail, he made a conditional engagement with the captain, and returned home after what was to him a very pleasant excursion.

      As the vessel was not likely to sail for some time, and some of his acquaintances were about to visit Dublin, he concluded to accompany them, in order to have a better idea of his own country before leaving it, and to be enabled to compare it with other lands. He set off, accordingly, for the metropolis by stage on the 2d of September, and arrived safely at half-past six in the evening. Dublin is a very old city, having been spoken of by Ptolemy, who flourished in the reign of Antoninus Pius, about A. D. 140, and who then called it a city--Eblana Civitas.¹ From the elegance of its architecture, the number of its public buildings, the magnificence of its quays, docks, and many of its streets, Dublin is regarded by tourists of discrimination as one of the finest capitals in Europe. There are few points, [92] in the approaches by land, which afford a good view of the city; that from Phœnix Park being perhaps the best. The scenery, however, on entering the bay between Howth and Dalkey Island, is extremely fine. Bold promontories, green sloping pastures, neat villas are seen, and especially among the latter, the elegant seat of Lord Charlemont. Several beautiful islands present a picturesque appearance, while, behind them, appear the Rochetown hills, and, still further back a varied prospect of villas, woods and pastures, terminated grandly by the distant Wicklow Mountains. Within the city itself there are some charming prospects, especially that from Carlisle Bridge. On the right is Sackville street, one of the most splendid in the world, terminated by the Rotunda and Rutland Square. On the left, Westmoreland street, with elegant buildings, terminated on one side by Trinity College and on the other by the Bank of Ireland. In front is the river Anna Liffey, which passes through the midst of the city, with its eight beautiful bridges and spacious quays, parapetted with granite, and extending for two miles and a quarter along the wide open space which passes quite through the city, and in the centre of which the river flows with a lively current. In the distance, the Four Courts are seen on Inns-Quay; the Phœnix Park also; while, toward the east, the magnificent Custom-House appears, and the fine harbor, crowded, as far as the eye can reach, with vessels of all descriptions.

      The morning after his arrival he sallied forth to view the city. As he kept a journal of his visit, his impressions may perhaps be best learned from his own words:

      "The principal things that drew my attention this day were the Linen-Hall, the infirmaries, hospitals and other eleemosynary superstructures. The Linen-Hall is a very [93] extensive and elegant building, built in long squares, with doors opening into a very wide common hall. In the rooms there are offices and other accommodations for the merchants.   *     *     *     *   The poor-houses, infirmaries and hospitals are numerous and elegantly conducted. In one of the foundling hospitals I saw about a thousand male and female children dine together in one apartment. Their repast consisted of white bread, with a portion of bursted barley, which is not their usual repast. One of the children, about twelve years old, gave thanks in a small pulpit before and after dinner; and before they dispersed the female part sang a part of a hymn.   *     *     *     *     *   From the whole I observed the good and happy effects of economy, regularity and good discipline. The next thing that engaged my attention was the cradle, where I admired the care that was taken of the infants of a hundred parents--poor children whose hearts shall never glow with filial affection, who shall never feel the benign effects of parental love, and whose souls shall never be knit together by the ties of brotherly affection or tender regard. Yet even these are not forgotten by the Almighty Father. They have been snatched from the hand of cruel parents, whose awful wickedness might have led them (were not this means appointed for them preservation) to imbrue their hands in their innocent blood.

      "Next day, being the sabbath, we went to Back-lane and heard the Rev. Samuel Craig deliver a very elegant discourse from these words: 'Fear not, little flock; it is my Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.' Monday I spent walking up and down for amusement, viewing the canals, bridges, etc., and going out of the city a few miles to where I might have a good prospect. I also visited the Royal Exchange, and saw the most respectable part of the merchants of Dublin assembled to do business.

      "Tuesday I went with a party to the Botanic Gardens, where we saw the vegetable world in miniature. The Gardens contain about sixteen acres. Here are the productions of the torrid zone, reared by the most assiduous care under [94] glass--the herbs of sandy Africa and all the plants of the Indies. Here are themes sufficient for the naturalist, the horticulturist and the botanist. Wednesday, I paid a visit to the Museum, where I was greatly delighted with the elegance of the appearance, the vast variety of curiosities that presented themselves to my view. Birds of every species, preserved in full form, drew my attention on one hand; on the other, the beasts of the forest and the tenants of the main. Add to these, the great variety of terrene and marine productions; the works of nature and of art; the whole tribe of insects; the medals and coins of other years, and specimens from the mines and minerals of many nations.   *     *     *     *   Same day, I took a walk round the College and the College Green, and conversed with one of the students. The College is one superb square, and the Green delightful. The public buildings in Dublin are elegantly magnificent: the most superb street is Sackville street, where there was a monument erecting in memory of Lord Nelson. Dublin is a little world in itself. The inhabitants are numerous, and in general hospitable and generous. During my stay, I stopped at the house of Mr. Lukey, a respectable and worthy gentleman."

      On Thursday he returned home and continued his preparations for the voyage, which being completed by the 20th of September, the whole family set out that day for Londonderry, where they arrived safely in four days. Their ship, the Hibernia, was, however, not yet ready to sail, and they were detained here eight days waiting upon it. At length, on the 28th of September, the vessel weighed anchor in Lough Foyle, with the design of putting out to sea, but, the wind soon proving adverse, cast anchor again. On the 1st of October (1808), wind and tide being favorable, she hoisted sail and took her departure, firing off, by way of adieu, the ten pieces of cannon with which she was armed. Toward evening, when near the mouth of the Lough, [95] the wind failed and the anchor was cast for the night. Next morning, which was the Lord's day, the wind again favoring, they passed out into the Atlantic, hut came to anchor again not far from Innishowen, from which place some of the passengers desired to obtain their supply of whisky. It began now to appear that the ship, though strongly built and a good sailer, was very poorly manned and managed. The captain, Jacob Jumer, was self-willed and given withal to drink. The sailors were mostly young and inexperienced. The mate, Mr. Ryan, was evidently the only good seaman on board, and he and a Dutchman, who was a good hand, seemed to be equal to the half of the crew, which consisted of twelve, including the cook's mate and cabin-boy. A large number of passengers had been taken on board, many of whom were Catholics, having a priest along with them. Comfortable quarters had been obtained, somewhat apart, for Mrs. Campbell and her family, where they read books, conversed with each other, attended to their usual family duties, and where Alexander conducted their worship regularly morning and evening. He had now just entered upon his twenty-first year. He was tall, athletic and well-proportioned, with much of that bloom and freshness in his complexion so common in the youth of Ireland. He had an air of frankness about him, blended with decision and self-reliance, which at once inspired respect; yet he was affable and fond of conversing with others and eliciting information. The next in age, his sister Dorothy, now in her sixteenth year, was somewhat tall and slender, but erect in carriage, with regular features, having an intelligent and thoughtful expression. She was well versed in the Scriptures, having a fine memory and a strong, masculine understanding, [96] resembling in this respect her brother Alexander more than any of the family. Next to her was her sister Nancy, about thirteen, more like her father in figure, and of a very quiet and retiring disposition. Jane was the next in age, and now in her ninth year, had just recovered from her tedious confinement with the small-pox, which, though it had destroyed the beauty of her complexion, left still a very engaging face, with handsome features and bright, expressive eyes. Thomas, a boy of over six years, of an extremely active and restless temperament, with the two younger, Archibald and Alicia, of four and two years respectively, as yet mere children, were their mother's especial care to guard them from the unaccustomed dangers of the ship. All of them, in the novel circumstances in which they were now placed, realized more fully than ever the family and social ties that bound them to each other, and endeavored to make each other as happy as possible, in the expectation of soon reaching Philadelphia, to which port the ship was bound. But a very different destination awaited her. [97]

[MAC1 87-97]