proposed by your last Conference. Several of your preachers wish
it; Bro. Green, the presiding Elder, is in favour of it.

_January 10th, 1833._--It being necessary to collect funds to defray Dr.
Ryerson's expenses to England, his brother, William, wrote to him from
Brockville at this date, giving an account of his success there as a
collector. He said:--

After the holidays I commenced operations, and having besieged the
doors of several of our gentry, most of whom contributed without
much resistance, on most honourable terms, of course, such as
paying from $3 to $6, with a great many wishes, and hearty ones
too, for your success. More than two-thirds of the sum collected
are given by the gentlemen of the village, most of whom expressed
and appeared to feel a pleasure in giving, and who have never been
known to give anything to the Methodists before on any occasion
whatever. Our congregation has greatly increased, so that we now
have about five hundred, some say more, in the evening. A majority
of the first families in the village attend our chapel. Among many
others, Mr. Jonas Jones, and several of the families in the same
connection; Mr. Sherwood, the High Sheriff, and several others,
most of whom have never been known to attend a Methodist meeting
before. You will be surprised to hear that Mrs. James Sherwood has
become my warm friend, treating me with the greatest attention and
kindness; and also on various occasions speaking most kindly and
respectfully of me and all our family, especially yourself.

* * * * *

_January 31st, 1833._--Under this date, Dr. Ryerson has recorded in his
diary the following tribute to his first wife:--

A year ago this morning, at half-past five o'clock, the wife of my
youth fell asleep in Jesus, leaving a son and daughter (John and
Lucilla Hannah), the former two years and a half old, and the
latter fourteen days. Hannah Aikman (her maiden name) was the
daughter of John and Hannah Aikman, and was the youngest of eleven
children. Hannah was born in Barton, Gore District, on the 4th of
August, 1804. Her natural disposition was most amiable, and her
education was better than is usually afforded to farmer's daughters
in this country. At the age of sixteen she was awakened, converted,
and joined the Methodi