PRESENCE AT A DISTANCE. [To THE EDITOR OF THE "
BPROTATOR."] Sat,—Mrs. Gilbert told me the story which Mr. Josiah Gilbert has contributed to your columns under the above title (p. 1,138). in 1848 or 1849. As his account agrees closely with my re- • membrance, except that I should have substituted the general name " America " for the particular one "Canada," I should not ask the favour of a line from you, but that I understand a subsequent correspondent has considered the whole story dis- posed of by the difference of time. Perhaps, then, I may just add that to myself she distinctly took account of this. Even at that time, there were a few persons aware that a clock at the same moment in England and America, does not record the same hour.
If Mr. Gilbert is right in his belief that the place of worship was a country meeting-house, afternoon service was the rule, rather than the exception, in such gatherings in 1820-30. "What were you doing at such an hour, your time and ours ?" was the inquiry ; and all the circle saw the letter, to assure them- selves that no clue was given. If the family were in their chapel in the afternoon in England, and the son, oppressed with his headache, threw himself on his bed in the morning in America, where is the difficulty ?
But the chief value of the story is for those who knew Mrs. Gilbert. If there are clearer, more intelligent, and more vera- cious persons than she was, I have never met them.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Bregner, Bournemouth, September 21st., HENRI' CECIL.
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