TJic Scientific Lecturer. 8i 



haps of a lecturer, and his inevitable ups and downs of 

 fortune and of spirits : 



Great Western Railway, Canada, 

 Wednesday^ November jo^ j8^g. 



Dear Sister : '' The Lord reigneth, let the earth re- 

 joice." I have great satisfaction in the sentiment, and 

 return thanks. It is so agreeable to think that the devil is 

 superfluous and impotent, and has nothing to do but " loaf 

 and invite his soul," and have a good time generally down 

 below. ... I discover that I lost my ring. It may be some- 

 where in the room " knockin' round," and may turn up, un- 

 less it came off while washing and went down the pipe, or 

 slipped into the crevice when I lay down upon the sofa or 

 on the bed ; but I do not understand, for I did not sleep a 

 wink all night. I don't see how it could have got off with- 

 out my knowing it. However, it's all right. The aurifer- 

 ous particles are not abolished ; matter is never annihilated 

 — it changes place, as the ring illustrates, but the totality is 

 ever undisturbed. What vicissitudes may befall the plain 

 little annulus are beyond the reach of rational speculation ; 

 but the Lord has it in his keeping. Let the earth rejoice, 

 and the solitudes of the isle, etc. 



Editor Thomas, who professes to reign righteously in the 

 little world of Appletons' Guide, said, " Go by Erie Railroad." 

 I trusted also to Lord Thomas — with the usual result. It 

 is the worst route — miserable ; failed to make its connec- 

 tions yesterday. I am consequently behind time, and shall 

 not arrive at Detroit till ten o'clock to-night — an hour after 

 my audience have dispersed. The Lord reigneth, let the 

 people of Detroit rejoice. It was philosophical fate. If 

 I had taken another line along the planet it would have 

 altered the centre of gravity of the physical universe. If I 

 had stopped at the Hudson River Railroad depot, which I 

 scornfully passed by, I should have arrived in ample time, 

 lectured, and thus altered the centre of gravity of the Intel- 



