Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/202

186 “After a pleasant passage, I arrived in Queenstown on Wednesday, and at my own home the following day.

“My deepest feeling is one of thankfulness to the loving God who has kept me through these long voyages of six thousand miles, and of these still longer journeys of seven thousand five hundred miles, during the whole of which I have been in such a state of health as to enjoy the scenes through which I have passed, and to receive, I trust, profit from them.

“I also feel gratitude to the many, many friends, for such I reckon them, in America, who have shown me so much kindness and put themselves to so much trouble to throw open to me objects of interest in your towns and in your rural districts, in your churches and in your benevolent and educational institutions. Few travellers from our country have seen such a variety of men and manners, of industrial life and natural scenery, in your country, as I have had the privilege of doing.

“Among these friends I give the first place to you,—you and your family, and your brothers, and indeed your whole kindred and connection. I am indebted to you for being able to plan such a tour, and for making me known to many who helped me on my journey, and for the quiet though deep pleasure I always felt in the bosom of your family, first in New York, then still more in that lovely valley in Berkshire. I feel that the purposes which I had in view in my visit to your country have been fulfilled, and I thank God and my American friends that I have come home thoroughly refreshed in body and in mind; and I feel that I can enter with renewed life on my college duties and on my more general studies. I have received new and profitable sensations and impressions, and laid up many pleasant memories to be cherished in time, and I believe in eternity. I have formed acquaintances in a day or in an hour to be remembered by me as long as I have a memory.

“I found the good people in your country ready to