once a Sunday, which I choose to do in the afternoon when there
is no sermon at the minster. And I'm getting acquainted with my
brother jail-birds as fast as I can; and shall write to London
next post, to the Society for propagating Christian Knowledge,
who, I hope, will send me some books to distribute among
them. . . .

The next letter, dated from prison on September 12th, proves that he
had reasons only too good to be fearful.

The other matter is concerning the stabbing of my cows in the
night since I came hither, but a few weeks ago; and endeavouring
thereby to starve my forlorn family in my absence; my cows being
all dried by it, which was their chief subsistence; though I
hope they had not the power to kill any of them outright. . . .

The same night the iron latch of my door was twined off, and the
wood hacked in order to shoot back the lock, which nobody will
think was with an intention to rob my family. My housedog, who
made a huge noise within doors, was sufficiently punished for
his want of politics and _moderation_, for the next day but one
his leg was almost chopped off by an unknown hand. 'Tis not
every one could bear these things; but, I bless God, my wife is
less concerned with suffering them that I am in the writing, or
than I believe your Grace will be in reading them. . . . Oh, my
lord! I once more repeat it, that I shall some time have a more
equal Judge than any in this world.

Most of my friends advise me to leave Epworth, if e'er I should
get from hence. I confess I am not of that mind, because I may