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25 The most celebrated Preacher in America is Mr. Henry Ward Beecher - on the subjugation of the South he was the man selected by President Lincoln from all the great speakers of the United States to pronounce at Fort Sumter, where the war had commenced, an oration which would signalize its conclusion with an eloquence worthy of the occasion. The Church, I was told, contains three thousand sittings, which are let by auction for sums which on this side of the water would appear fabulous. He returns his income at pound sign 8000 a year. Of course I went to hear him, & through the assistance of one of his congregation obtained a seat. The Church is very much in the form of a Theatre. The stage is occupied by Mr Beecher himself - over the stage however is a Gallery for the organ & choir. There was not, on the occasion upon which I was present, a vacant place in the church. As one looked down from what corresponded with the Gallery of a Theatre there appeared to be no aisles in the body of the Church, because as soon as the occupants of the Pews had taken their places, seats that had been fastened up against the outside of the Pews were opened out and instantly filled. The service commenced with the