SW_Sutcliff_Page_214

affluent circumstances are not excluded. The number of scholars in the house is generally about 200, including boys and girls. In the evening I came to Merion where I found letters from my family and friends, as late as the 27th of 12th;Month which contained the pleasing account of their being all well. 3d Month, 2d. Being the first of the week I attended meeting in the forenoon, and spent the evening at H. B.'s, where I had the company of his father and mother, and R. J.; the latter being far advanced in years, of an active lively disposi- tion and having a retentive memory, would fre- quently favour me with little anecdotes of the first settlers in the neighbourhood, which he had re- ceived from the parties themselves, in the early part of his life. Amongst the rest he related a little story which he had heard from an ancient friend at whose house he had lodged, of the name of Rebecca Wood. When a little girl she used sometimes walk from Derby, where she resided, to Haverford meeting, the distance of a few miles. One day she was walking along she was over- taken by a friend on horseback, who proved to be William Penn. On coming up with her he in- quired where she was going; and on her inform- ing him, he, with his usual good nature, desired her to get up behind him; and, bringing his horse