A QUAKER SAINT OF CORNWALL. By L. V. Hodgkin. (Longmans.
10s. 6d.)-The " Quaker Saint " was one Loveday Hambly, " an ancient widdo " well over fifty, of grave and substantial aspect." She was con- verted to Quakerism about the time that George Fox was imprisoned in Launceston. A well-off woman, owning a large farm in the centre of Cornwall, she was able to shelter and entertain at one time or another nearly all the early Cornish Quakers, as they travelled about the country on their spiritual or worldly occasions. " Her heart was free and her house open," we are told. A nephew who lived with her was also a convert to the new faith and willing as she to accept its consequences. " They went through great sufferings and the spoiling of their goods, both he and his aunt." Imprisonment, even though the confinement was not very close, must have been a terrible trial to this active housewife and lover of company, but she never complained. " The Lord kept her etude," we read, and the alone Teacher " was near her in the filthy and comfortless gaol. Once free she did exactly as she had been doing before, holding meetings and entertaining " FriendS " according to her conSeience. She was a woman who enjoyed life, loving her neighbours and relations, not above taking part in a family quarrel, but always generous. and ready to give with both hands. " I'll never live miserable to die rich," she used to say, and. " she never wanted meat, drink nor clothing to accommodate " not only her friends but " her persecutors and their children." At-seventy-eight she died at home, in great peace-arhostess to the end, entertaining till she took to her bed. " Poor old Loveday," writes a contemporary, " was even overcome and gladdened in her heart to see her house (which she !lath lately enlarged) so filled. She hath a zeal for God, and rejoices in the prosperity of the truth." What a good woman I yet somehow the word Saint does not seem well applied. There can, however, be no doubt as to the aggressive sinfulness of those who found it in their hearts to persecute so sweet and serviceable a person.
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