(seq. 93)

She was supported by two of her companions from the
Sisterhood, Miss Irving and Miss Codman, sister to
John. In the room adjoining the parlour, into which
we could look through the opening of the folding
doors, were about 20 of the blind, lame, [halt?], and
maimed, some, I suppose, of Eliza's protegees, who
came to take the last lingering look. We arrived
home at Brookline, about 11 o'clock.
You have seen, or will see so particular
an account of the celebration of the downfal of Bona-
parte in the Stone Chapel, that I can add nothing
new. I can only say, that it was to me a most
interesting occasion. Lucy did not go. Mr Channing's
discourse produced a wonderful effect. If the great
Wilberforce could say* of {brother} C's sermon on Bona-
parte, published some years since, that "it contained
his own sentiments much better expressed, than he
could express them," what will he say of this? A
person has gone directly to France, as Mr. {Samuel} G.
Perkins informs me, who is intimately acquainted with
Louis XVIII, and will hand him this discourse,
within a few weeks.
Have I mentioned to you the conversation of
my neighbour, Thomas Walley? If not, it may sur-
prise you to hear, that he has renounced Protestant-
ism and become a Roman Catholick. Of this he
informed me, on 1 June. I can truly say, that it did
not suprise me. His mind has been leaning that way,

*in a note to {Brother} Harris, who sent him the discourse.

ever since I knew ^him. He has kept company with few,
except the catholick ministers. They have been much
at his house, have lent him books; and, when he has
met with difficulties, they have resolved his doubts.
I have been taking pains with him, without his
being conscious of it, for some time. But what
could I do with a man, who has long taken it
for granted, that every thing said against the
Catholicks is slanderous, and every thing alleged
by them in their own favour is just and impartial?
In many respects, this change is matter of grief to
me. But it is a relief to me to have him take
even this decided stand, rather than to witness his
unstable and inconsistent conduct with respect to
publick worship and the management of his [christianity?]
Nor can I help adding, that I consider him, as to
the step, which he has last taken, more consistent,
than many among us, who while they call them-
selves protestants, in effect make pretensions
to Catholick infallibility by condemning and ex-
posing to the hatred of their fellow christians those,
who, after the strictest inquiry, cannot conscien-
tiously adopt their system of faith.
With affectionate remembrance to your
family and our other friends I remain, as ever,
your dutiful son,
John Pierce.