His Beginnings 



17 



land. That when there, after a time, he would 

 see the dawn of ease, comfort and prosperity/' 



In August, 1854, the prophecy began to be 

 fulfilled to the letter, for he writes : " Having 

 the money in hand and being free from all 

 hindrances and engagements I packed up my 

 box and made arrangements to go to the United 

 States of America. But friends advised me not 

 to leave England. They did their utmost to 

 persuade me not to go, and promised to get me 

 a situation, which promises they failed to keep. 

 Work became scarce. I lived on my means till 

 all my money was gone. The lesson taught me 

 how foolish I was to trust in friends. For two 

 years after this I was in great difficulties and living 

 under many evils of this life. In 1858 through 

 unforeseen circumstances I received an offer of 

 a situation at the Cape of Good Hope. At this 

 time I owed fifty pounds, and had not a single 

 penny to call my own, but through a gentleman 

 named R. J. Brown, no relation of mine, all came 

 right. There were also others who helped R. J. B. 

 in this matter, viz. Thomas Brewin, Thomas 

 Brown, and Robert Brewin, who all belonged to 

 the Society of Friends in my native town." 



Clear as this account may appear to be regarding 

 the motive which prompted Brown to come to 

 Africa, it does not seem to me to give the whole 



