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diff --git a/44912.txt b/44912.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 11161cb..0000000 --- a/44912.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7135 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Private Papers of William Wilberforce, by -William Wilberforce, Edited by Anna Maria Wilberforce - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: Private Papers of William Wilberforce - - -Author: William Wilberforce - -Editor: Anna Maria Wilberforce - -Release Date: February 14, 2014 [eBook #44912] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRIVATE PAPERS OF WILLIAM -WILBERFORCE*** - - -E-text prepared by Charlene Taylor, Anna Granta, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images -generously made available by Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries -(https://archive.org/details/toronto) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 44912-h.htm or 44912-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/44912/44912-h/44912-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/44912/44912-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries. See - https://archive.org/details/wilberforcepaper00wilbuoft - - -Transcriber's note: - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - - - - -PRIVATE PAPERS OF WILLIAM WILBERFORCE - - -[Illustration: WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, M.P. FOR THE COUNTY OF YORK.] - - -PRIVATE PAPERS OF WILLIAM WILBERFORCE - -Collected and Edited, with a Preface, by - -A. M. WILBERFORCE - -With Portraits - - - - - - - -London -1897 - - - - - -PREFACE - - -William Wilberforce is remembered on account of his long and successful -efforts for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. In a House of Commons -that counted Pitt, Fox, Burke, and Sheridan amongst its members, he -held a front rank both as a speaker and debater. Of one of his speeches -in 1789 Burke said, "it equalled anything he had heard in modern -times, and was not, perhaps, to be surpassed in the remains of Grecian -eloquence." And Pitt said, "Of all the men I ever knew Wilberforce has -the greatest natural eloquence." But an even greater power than his -oratory was perhaps the influence that he acquired over all ranks of -society. Friendship is often the means by which influence is gained, -and Wilberforce's friendship with Pitt, beginning long before his -anti-Slave Trade days and continued till the end of Pitt's life, was -no doubt the source of a strong personal influence. - -It has been said that nothing in history is more creditable and -interesting than Pitt's long and brotherly intimacy with Wilberforce, -widely as they differed in their views of life. - -To give an idea of the terms of their friendship these letters, -possibly mislaid by the biographers of Wilberforce, from Pitt to -Wilberforce are now published.[1] - -Lord Rosebery thought the letters "among the most interesting we -possess of Pitt," and we gladly acceded to his wish to print a few -copies privately. - -The Rev. W. F. Wilberforce has kindly consented to the publication of -the matured estimate of Pitt's character mentioned in the "Life of -Wilberforce," with an intimation that "it might hereafter appear in a -separate form." - -Other letters from some of the most distinguished men of the time show -the many and varied interests of Wilberforce's life, and seem to us too -valuable to remain hidden in obscurity. - -The home letters published are from Wilberforce to his daughter -Elizabeth, and to his son Samuel, afterwards Bishop of Oxford and -Winchester. The letters to the latter are from the collection of 600 -letters written by the father to the son. - - A. M. WILBERFORCE. - - LAVINGTON, _September 1, 1897_. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - LETTERS FROM PITT 1 - - SKETCH OF PITT BY W. WILBERFORCE 43 - - LETTERS FROM FRIENDS 83 - - HOME LETTERS 163 - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - - PAGE - - 1. WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, M.P. FOR THE COUNTY - OF YORK _Frontispiece._ - (_From a picture by J. Rising._) - - 2. WILBERFORCE OAK _Facing page_ 17 - (At the foot of an old tree at Hollwood, after a conversation - with Pitt, Wilberforce resolved to give notice in - the House of Commons of his intention to bring forward - the Abolition of the Slave Trade.) - - 3. THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM PITT _Facing page_ 79 - (_From a plate taken from an original drawing by the late - Mr. Sayers._) - - 4. BIRTHPLACE OF WILLIAM WILBERFORCE AT _Facing page_ 163 - - 5. SAMUEL WILBERFORCE, AGED 29 " 245 - (_From a drawing by George Richmond._) - - - - -_LETTERS FROM PITT_ - - - - -LETTERS FROM PITT. - - -THE first of Pitt's letters to Wilberforce is "perhaps the only one -extant that is racy of those rollicking times when the 'fruits of -Pitt's earlier rising' appeared in the careful sowing of the garden -beds with the fragments of Ryder's opera hat."[2] - - "GRAFTON STREET, - "_July 31, 1782_. - -"DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I shall not have the least difficulty in applying -immediately to Lord Shelburne in behalf of your friend Mr. Thompson, -and the favour is not such as to require a great exertion of interest, -if there has been no prior engagement. I will let you know the result -as soon as I can. Pray have no delicacy in mentioning to me whatever -occurs of any kind in which I can be of any use to you. Whenever there -is anything to prevent my doing as I should wish in consequence, I -will tell you, so we shall be upon fair terms. I trust you find all -possible advantage from sea-bathing and sea-air.... I am as well as it -is possible in the midst of all this _sin and sea coal_, and, for a -Chancellor of the Exchequer who has exchanged his _happier hour_, pass -my time very tolerably. Even Goostree's is not absolutely extinct, but -has a chance of living thro' the dog days. I shall be happy to hear -from you, whether in the shape of an official despatch or a familiar -epistle. I am very glad to see you write without the assistance of a -secretary. Perhaps, however, you will not be able to read without the -assistance of a decypherer. At least in compassion to your eyesight it -is as well for me to try it no further. - - "So adieu. Yrs. ever sincerely, - "W. PITT." - - - "BRIGHTHELMSTONE, - "_Wednesday, Aug. 6, 1783_. - -"DEAR WILBERFORCE,--_Anderson's Dictionary_ I have received, and am -much obliged to you for it. I will return it safe, I hope not dirtied, -and possibly not read. I am sorry that you give so bad an account of -your eyes, especially as this very letter looks as if it would put -them to a severe trial, and might even defy the decypherer St. John, -almost without the help of an aenigma. I have only to tell you that -I have _no news_, which I consider as making it pretty certain that -there will be none now before the meeting of Parliament. The party -to Rheims hold of course, at least as far as depends upon me; which -is at least one good effect certain. I wrote yesterday to Eliot,[3] -apprising him, that I should be ready to meet him at Bankes's[4] before -the last day of August; that I conceived we must proceed from thence -to London, and that we ought to start within the three or four first -days of September. I hope you will bear all these things in mind, and -recollect that you have to do with punctual men, who would not risk -their characters by being an hour too late for any appointment. The -lounge here is excellent, principally owing to our keeping very much -to ourselves--that is Pulchritudo, Steele, Pretyman, and myself. The -Woodlys have been here in high foining, and have talked me to death. -I would not bind myself to be a listener for life for a good deal. -Your friend the Commodore treated us with his company at one or two -assemblies, but was called back to defend some prizes, which there are -those who contest with him, and which I fancy he thinks _the greatest -instance of malignity he ever knew_. Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Walpole -are left to dispute the prize here. The first is clearly the handsomer -woman, but the husband of the latter looks the quieter man, and the -better part of love as well as valor is discretion. I conclude as -you did, by desiring you to write immediately. I go from hence to -Somersetshire this day sennight, and stay till Bankes's. Direct to -Burton Pynsent, Somerset, and _if you will_, by London. - - "Ever sincerely yrs., - "W. PITT." - - -Pitt's next letter refers to the General Election of 1784, and William -Wilberforce's candidature for Yorkshire, which county he represented in -Parliament for twenty-eight years. - - "DOWNING STREET, - "_Tuesday, April 6, 1784_. - -"DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I have received your two expresses, and one this -morning from Mr. Wyvill. I could not get to town till late last night, -but sent forward the letters you desired, and have done all I can on -the several subjects you mention. - -"I have applied to our friends in town to pay in the subscriptions, and -I hope it will be done speedily. I inquired at Cambridge with regard -to the different colleges. Trinity and St. John's have, I believe, -as might be expected, the most interest, and will both exert it for -you. Christ's has some, and I left that in a good train. I have spoken -to Lord Temple, which is the only channel that has yet occurred to -me about Oxford, who thinks he can be of use there. Wesley I have -no doubt may be secured, and I will lose no time in seeing him if -necessary, which I shall not think _at all awkward_ at such a time. -Steps are taking to procure a meeting of freeholders in your and -Duncombe's interest, which I hope will answer. I have sent to Robinson -and Hamilton. Lady Downe has been applied to, but can be brought to -nothing more than perfect neutrality. Nesbitt's interest is secured, -and he is thoroughly zealous. I do not well know how to get at his -Grace of York, but will try every way I can. Lord Percy, I am afraid, -cannot be brought to subscribe, tho' I do not quite despair of it. -His objection seems now from some delicacy towards Weddell, with whom -he has been much connected. He has, however, written to exert all his -interest in your cause--particularly to Major Pallerne and Mr. Rayne, -whom Mr. Wyvill mentions in his last letter. Lord Grantham, as I wrote -you word before, must go with Weddell. I expect to hear something more -of Lord Hawke, but I know he is now in the best disposition. I shall -keep my messenger an hour or two to send the account of to-day's poll -in Westminster, yesterday and to-day having been considered as the -great push. Pray send me as quick an account as possible, and continue -it from time to time, if a poll goes on. I hope you will be ready -with a candidate at Hull on the supposition of your being seated for -Yorkshire, which I am sanguine enough hardly to doubt. We are more -successful everywhere, with only a very few exceptions, than can be -imagined. I hope you bear all the fatigue tolerably. I wish it was -over. God bless you. - - "Most truly yours, - "W. PITT. - - -"Compts. to Smith, and many thanks for his letter. I hope he is still -with you. The numbers at Westminster to-day are-- - - Hood. Wray. Fox. - 3936 3622 3413 - -Sawbridge has beat Atkinson only by seven, and there is to be a -scrutiny. The other members are Watson, Lewes, and Newnham. Sir R. -Clayton declines for Surrey. Byng will probably be beat." - - - "DOWNING STREET, - "_Sunday, December 19, 1784_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I have been so diligently _turning my thoughts_ -on all sides since we parted, that tho' they have been turned to you -as often as to any other quarter, I have never found the moment to put -them into writing till now. I have not time to thank you sufficiently -for the picturesque and poetical epistle I received from you dated, -as I remember, from your boat, from the inside and the imperial of -your postchaise, and two or three places more, and containing among a -variety of accurate descriptions one in particular, viewed from all -those different situations, of the sun setting in the middle of the -day. I hope the whole of your tour has continued to be embellished -by these happy incidents, and has kept you throughout in as mad and -rhapsodical a mood as at that moment. I have some remorse in the -immediate occasion of my writing to you just now; which, however, all -things considered, I am bound to overcome. Be it known to you, then, -that as much as I wish you to bask on, under an Italian sun, I am -perhaps likely to be the instrument of snatching you from your present -paradise, and hurrying you back to 'the rank vapours of this sin-worn -mould.' A variety of circumstances concur to make it necessary to -give notice immediately on the meeting of Parliament of the day on -which I shall move the question of the Reform. We meet on the _25th of -January_, and I think _about three weeks after_, which will allow full -time for a call of the House, will be as late as I can easily defer it. -I would not for a thousand reasons have you absent, tho' I hate that -you should come before your time, and if any particular circumstances -made a week or ten days a matter of real importance to you, I think I -could postpone it as long as that. - -"Only let me hear from you positively before the meeting of Parliament. -The chief thing necessary is that I should then be able to name _some_ -day, and the precise day is of less consequence. You will hardly -believe me if I tell you that I entertain the strongest hope of coming -very near, if not absolutely succeeding. I have seen the Oracle of -Yorkshire, Wyvill, and made him completely happy with the prospect. - -"All things are going, on the whole, exceeding well. You will have -learnt that the _Old Boy_ at last overcame his doubts, and has ventured -single into the Cabinet, which is a great point happily settled. God -bless you. - - "Ever most faithfully yours. - "W. PITT." - - - "1784. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I am sorry to find from your letter from -Nottingham that the Knight of Yorkshire is in so much dudgeon. Tho', -to say the truth the instances of neglect you mention are enough to -provoke common patience. What is worse, I know no remedy for it. My -letter, which missed you, contained no other information than that -the place of Marshall of the Admiralty had been long since filled up. -Some of the world is here at present, and will be multiplying every -day till the meeting of Parliament. I expect Eliot in a very few days. -I know nothing of Bankes very lately. Pray come to Wimbledon as soon -as possible; I want to talk with you about your navy bills, which, -tho' all your ideas now must go to landed property, you should not -entirely forget, and about ten thousand other things. By the by, Lord -Scarborough is risen from the dead, as you probably know. I have just -received an account from Whitbread that St. Andrew loses his election -by three; and would probably lose by more if he chooses a scrutiny or a -petition. Adieu. - - "Ever yrs., - "W. PITT. - - -"For the sake of this letter I am leaving a thousand others unanswered, -and a thousand projects unread. You will probably think it was hardly -worth while." - -The brotherly intimacy between Pitt and Wilberforce is clearly shown -in the next letter. Wilberforce had written to Pitt to tell him of -the change in his religious opinions, and, in consequence, of his -probable retirement from political life. He no doubt thought that -Pitt would fail to sympathise with his altered views, but the man who -was "so absorbed in politics that he had never given himself time for -due reflection on religion"[5] wished to understand the religious -difficulties of his friend, and with the greatest tenderness begs -him to open his mind to "one who does not know how to separate your -happiness from his own." - - - "DOWNING STREET, - "_December 2, 1785_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--Bob Smith[6] mentioned to me on Wednesday -the letters he had received from you, which prepared me for that I -received from you yesterday. I am indeed too deeply interested in -whatever concerns you not to be very sensibly affected by what has -the appearance of a new aera in your life, and so important in its -consequences for yourself and your friends. As to any public conduct -which your opinions may ever lead you to, I will not disguise to you -that few things could go nearer my heart than to find myself differing -from you essentially on any great principle. - -"I trust and believe that it is a circumstance which can hardly occur. -But if it ever should, and even if I should experience as much pain -in such an event, as I have found hitherto encouragement and pleasure -in the reverse, believe me it is impossible that it should shake the -sentiments of affection and friendship which I bear towards you, and -which I must be forgetful and insensible indeed if I ever could part -with. They are sentiments engraved in my heart, and will never be -effaced or weakened. If I knew how to state all I feel, and could -hope that you are open to consider it, I should say a great deal more -on the subject of the resolution you seem to have formed. You will not -suspect me of thinking lightly of any moral or religious motives which -guide you. As little will you believe that I think your understanding -or judgment easily misled. But forgive me if I cannot help expressing -my fear that you are nevertheless deluding yourself into principles -which have but too much tendency to counteract your own object, and -to render your virtues and your talents useless both to yourself and -mankind. I am not, however, without hopes that my anxiety paints this -too strongly. For you confess that the character of religion is not -a gloomy one, and that it is not that of an enthusiast. But why then -this preparation of solitude, which can hardly avoid tincturing the -mind either with melancholy or superstition? If a Christian may act -in the several relations of life, must he seclude himself from them -all to become so? Surely the principles as well as the practice of -Christianity are simple, and lead not to meditation only but to action. -I will not, however, enlarge upon these subjects now. What I would ask -of you, as a mark both of your friendship and of the candour which -belongs to your mind, is to open yourself fully and without reserve to -one, who, believe me, does not know how to separate your happiness -from his own. You do not explain either the degree or the duration of -the retirement which you have prescribed to yourself; you do not tell -me how the future course of your life is to be directed, when you think -the same privacy no longer necessary; nor, in short, what idea you -have formed of the duties which you are from this time to practise. I -am sure you will not wonder if I am inquisitive on such a subject. The -only way in which you can satisfy me is by conversation. There ought -to be no awkwardness or embarrassment to either of us, tho' there may -be some anxiety; and if you will open to me fairly the whole state -of your mind on these subjects, tho' I shall venture to state to you -fairly the points where I fear we may differ, and to desire you to -re-examine your own ideas where I think you are mistaken, I will not -importune you with fruitless discussion on any opinion which you have -deliberately formed. You will, I am sure, do justice to the motives and -feelings which induce me to urge this so strongly to you. I think you -will not refuse it; if you do not, name any hour at which I can call -upon you to-morrow. I am going into Kent, and can take Wimbledon in my -way. Reflect, I beg of you, that no principles are the worse for being -discussed, and believe me that at all events the full knowledge of the -nature and extent of your opinions and intentions will be to me a -lasting satisfaction. - - "Believe me, affectionately and unalterably yours, - "W. PITT." - -Pitt came the next morning according to his proposal in this remarkable -letter: when Wilberforce[7] "conversed with Pitt near two hours, and -opened myself completely to him.... He tried to reason me out of my -convictions, but soon found himself unable to combat their correctness -if Christianity were true." To quote Lord Rosebery's Preface[8] to -these letters: "Surely a memorable episode, this heart-searching of the -young saint and the young minister. They went their different ways, -each following their high ideal in the way that seemed best to him. And -so it went on to the end, Wilberforce ever hoping to renew the sacred -conversation." - - - "DOWNING STREET, - "_September, 23, 1786_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--At length all the obstacles of business, of -idleness, and of procrastination are so far overcome that I find myself -with my pen in my hand to answer your three letters. I have seriously -had it upon my conscience for some time; but yet I believe it is -another influence to which this present writing is to be immediately -ascribed. Having yesterday parted with the ornament on my cheek, and -two or three handkerchiefs for the present occupying the place of it, -my appearance is better suited to correspondence than conversation; and -in addition to this I happen to have an interval freer from business -than at any time since Parliament rose. Our French Treaty is probably -by this time actually signed, or will at most not require more than -one more messenger to settle everything; but the winds have been so -unfavourable that I have been, for some days longer than I expected, -in suspense as to the issue of it. Two or three more treaties are -on the anvil, and I think we shall meet with the appearance of not -having spent an idle or (as I flatter myself) a fruitless summer. The -multitude of things depending has made the Penitentiary House long in -deciding upon. But I still think a beginning will be made in it before -the season for building is over; and if its progress is as quick as -that of my room at Hollwood, bolts and bars will be useless before -another season. I am very glad you like our new Board of Trade, which -I have long felt to be one of the most necessary, and will be now one -of the most efficient departments of Government. The colony for Botany -Bay will be much indebted to you for your assistance in providing a -chaplain. The enclosed will, however, show you that its interests have -not been neglected, as well as that you have a nearer connection with -them than perhaps you were yourself aware of. Seriously speaking, if -you can find such a clergyman as you mention we shall be very glad of -it; but it must be soon. My sister was brought to bed of a daughter on -Wednesday, and was at first surprising well; but she has since had some -fever, which was to such a degree yesterday as to make us very uneasy. -She is now, however, almost entirely free from it, and going on as well -as possible. I am in hopes of getting into Somersetshire the middle -of next week for about ten days. Soon after I hope I may see you at -Hollwood. Bob Smith was in town lately, much better on the whole, but -not quite so well as I hoped to see him. Adieu. - - "Ever yours, - "W. PITT." - -[Illustration: WILBERFORCE OAK.] - - - "DOWNING STREET, - "_Tuesday, April 8, 1788_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I have just received your letter of yesterday, -and as I can easily imagine how much the subject of it interests you, I -will not lose a moment in answering it. As to the Slave Trade, I wish -on every account it should come forward in your hands rather than any -other. But that in the present year is impracticable; and I only hope -you will resolve to dismiss it as much as possible from your mind. It -is both the rightest and wisest thing you can do. If it will contribute -to setting you at ease, that _I_ should personally bring it forward -(supposing circumstances will admit of its being brought forward this -session) your wish will decide. At all events, if it is in such a state -that it can be brought on, I will take care that it shall be moved in a -respectable way, and I will take my part in it as actively as if I was -myself the mover. And if I was to consult entirely my own inclination -or opinion, I am not sure whether this may not be best for the business -itself; but on this, as I have said already, your wish shall decide me. -With regard to the possibility of its being brought on and finished -this session, I can hardly yet judge. The inquiry has been constantly -going on, and we have made a great progress. But it takes unavoidably -more time than I expected. In one word, however, be assured that I will -continue to give the business constant attention, and do everything to -forward it. Whenever it is in such a state that you could yourself have -brought it on with advantage to the cause, I will do it or undertake -for its being done, in whatever way seems most proper. I mean, -therefore, to accept it as a trust from you to the whole extent you can -wish, and to make myself responsible for it, unless it is necessarily -delayed till you are able to resume it yourself. - -"Any applications from your Society shall most certainly be attended -to. Justice Addington's grievance in particular, which I was before -acquainted with by a memorial, will be immediately removed. I do not -like to write you a longer letter than is absolutely necessary. I -trust I need not lengthen it to tell how impatiently I look to the -satisfaction of seeing you again, as stout and strong as I hope you -will return to us. Let me have from time to time a line from any hand -you can most conveniently employ, to tell me how you go on, and what -are your motions during the summer. I wish I may be able to arrange -mine, when holidays come, so as to fall in with you somewhere or other. -As soon as I can judge about Parliament meeting before Christmas or -not, you shall hear. If it sits pretty late now, it probably will not -meet till after. Adieu for the present. Every good wish attend you. - - "Ever affectionately yours, - "W. PITT." - -I have had very good accounts of you from two or three quarters. - - - "PEMBROKE HALL, - "_Saturday, June 28, 1788_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I have no small pleasure in writing to you -quietly from hence, after hearing the good account you sent me of -yourself confirmed by those who saw you then, and especially by our -friend Glynn. I am lucky enough to have a wet evening, which, besides -the good I hope it will do to the country at large, has the peculiar -advantage of preventing me from paying my personal respects to anyone -of my constituents, and so gives me the leisure to answer _seriatim_ -the several sections of your letter. The business respecting the Slave -Trade meets just now with some rub in the House of Lords, even in the -temporary regulation respecting the conveyance, which I wonder how any -human being can resist, and which I therefore believe we shall carry; -tho' it creates some trouble, and will still protract the session a -week or ten days. We hear very little yet from the West Indies, but -a few weeks must bring more, and I have no doubt the summer may be -employed in treating with foreign Powers to advantage. I shall set -about it with the utmost activity and with good hopes of success, tho' -founded as yet rather on general grounds than any positive information. -There seems not a shadow of doubt as to the conduct of the House of -Commons next year, and I think with good management the difficulties -in the other House may be got over. Your plan of a mission to Bengal I -mention only to show the punctuality of answering your letter, as you -reserve the discussion till we meet. As for Dr. Glass, I was obliged to -answer Thornton, who applied to me for some such person (I think for -this same Dr. Glass), that the state of my engagements leaves me not -at liberty at present, and if you have any occasion to say anything -about it to them, be so good to speak of it in the same style. Of the -Penitentiary Houses what can I say more? But in due time they shall not -be forgotten. - -"My plan of visiting you and your lakes is, I assure you, not at all -laid aside. I cannot speak quite certainly as to the time, but if -there happens nothing which I do not now foresee, it will be either -the beginning or middle of August; I rather think the former, but I -shall be able to judge better in about a fortnight, and then you shall -hear from me. Nothing is decided about the meeting of Parliament, but -it is clear the trial will not go on till February. I rather believe, -however, that we ought to meet and employ a month before Christmas; -as what with Slave Trade, Quebec Petition, Poor Laws, Tobacco, &c., -we shall have more on our hands than can be got through in any decent -time while we are exposed to the interruption from Westminster Hall. I -think I have now dispatched all the points to which I was called upon -to reply, and come now to open my own budget; which must be done, -however, in a _whisper_, and must not as yet be repeated even to the -most solitary echoes of Windermere. You will wonder what mystery I have -to impart. At the first part you will not be much surprised, which is -that Lord Howe and his friend Brett are to quit the Admiralty as soon -as the session closes. The cause (tho' its effects have slept so long) -is what passed last summer respecting the promotion of Sir Charles -Middleton. You will not come to the surprising part when I add that -Lord Howe's successor must be a landman, as there is no seaman who is -altogether fit for the first place at that board. But what will you -say when I tell you that the landman in question is no other than my -brother? He undertakes it very readily, and will I am sure set about -the business in earnest, to which I believe you think him as equal as -I do. Lord Hood is to be at the board; not without some risk of losing -Westminster, but by keeping our secret till the moment, I hope even -that may be saved; but it is comparatively of little consequence. I -feel the arrangement is liable to some invidious objections, but I am -satisfied they are more than counterbalanced by the solid advantage of -establishing a complete concert with so essential a department, and -removing all appearance of a separate interest. I shall be impatient, -however, to hear what you think of my scheme. There is nothing else -that occurs worth adding to this long scrawl, and I am obliged to -seal it up, as in spite of the rain which keeps me at home, I am in -expectation of an agreeable collection of dons whom Turner has convened -to smoke and sleep round his table this evening. God bless you. - - "Believe me, ever affectionately yours, - "W. PITT." - - - "DOWNING STREET, - "_Monday, September 1, 1788_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I have certainly given a considerable latitude -to my promise of writing in a fortnight, in defence of which I have -nothing to say, but that in addition to the common causes of delaying -a letter I could not easily resolve to tell you that my northern -scheme has for some time grown desperate. Powers farther north and -the unsettled state of all the Continent (tho' not at all likely to -involve us in anything disagreeable) require in our present system -too much watching to allow for a long absence. I have not yet got -even to Burton, which you will allow must be my first object. But I -assure you I am not the more in love with Continental politics for -having interfered with a prospect I had set my heart so much upon, as -spending some quiet days on the bank of your lake. Pray let me know in -your turn what your motions are likely to be, and when you think of -being in this part of the world. Parliament will not meet till after -Christmas. As to the Slave Trade, we are digesting our Report as far as -present materials go, and you shall then have it; but we are still in -expectation of the answer from the Islands. I had a long conversation -with the French Ambassador on the subject some time ago, just before -his going to France. He promised to represent it properly, and seemed -to think there would be a favourable disposition. Their confusion has -been such since that scarce anything was likely to be attended to; but -I am in hopes Necker's coming in will prove very favourable to this -object. The moment I hear anything respecting it I will write again; -and at all events in less than _my last fortnight_. I must end now in -haste to save the post and my dinner. - - "Ever affectionately yours, - "W. PITT." - - - "DOWNING STREET, - "_Monday, April 20, 1789_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--We have found it necessary to make some -corrections on looking over the proof sheets of the Report, which will -delay the presenting it till Wednesday. I shall have no difficulty -in saying then that the business must of course be postponed on the -grounds you mention, and I will move to fix it for this day fortnight -if you see no objection. I imagine the House must meet on Friday on -account of Hastings's business, but that will probably be a reason for -their adjourning as soon as they come back from Westminster Hall, and -your business may, I dare say, wait till Monday. In that case I would -certainly meet you at Hollwood on Friday, as I wish extremely to talk -over with you the whole business, and show you our project, with which, -like most projectors, we are much delighted. From what you mention of -the parts you have been studying, I do not imagine there is anything -behind more material than what you have seen, but I see no part of our -case that is not made out upon the strongest grounds. Steele has shown -me your letter to him. There certainly cannot be the least reason for -your coming up merely to attend St. Paul's. - - "Ever affectionately yours, - "W. PITT." - - - "DOWNING STREET, - "_Wednesday, February 2, 1796_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I have seen Sir W. Fawcett, &c., and settled -with them that they shall take _immediately_ the necessary measures for -having a sufficient number of officers to receive men at additional -places of rendezvous. They propose for the West Riding (in addition -to Pontefract), Bradford and Barnsley, as appearing to take in all -the most material districts, and will send the orders accordingly; -but any farther arrangement may be made afterwards which may appear -to be wanting. This and the explanatory act will, I trust, quiet the -difficulty. My cold is much better, and I have hardly any doubt of -being in condition for service on Friday, to which day, you probably -know, the business is put off. - - "Yours ever, - "W. P." - - - "DOWNING STREET, - "_August 4, 1796_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I am anxious not to let the post go without -telling you that I cannot have a moment's hesitation in assuring you -that in case of the Deanery of York becoming vacant, I shall with the -utmost pleasure recommend Mr. Clarke to succeed to it. On the important -points in your other letter, I have not time just now to write at -large; but I think the idea you suggest very desirable to be carried -into execution, and I will turn in my mind the means of putting it into -train. I certainly am not inclined even now to think gloomily of public -affairs; but I must at the same time own that I feel the crisis to be a -most serious one, and to require the utmost exertion and management. - - "Ever yours sincerely, - "W. PITT." - - - "DOWNING STREET, - "_September 7, 1796_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I think it nearly certain that Parliament will -meet on the 27th, and I wish much it may suit you to come this way some -time before. - -"Our application is gone for a passport for a person to go directly to -Paris. The message of the Directory confessing in such strong terms -their distress (and the Archduke's recent victory on the 22nd, the -account of which is in last night's _Gazette_, may be relied on), give -some chance that our overtures may be successful. In the meantime it -will be indispensable to take very strong measures indeed, both of -finance and military defence; and if the spirit of the country is equal -to the exigency, I am confident all will yet end well. An immediate -Spanish war is, I think, nearly certain. The only motive to it is the -fear of France preponderating over their fear of us; and the pretexts -as futile as could be wished. The alarm respecting the effect on our -trade is greatly overrated, as the whole proportion of our exports -thither compared with the rest of the world is inconsiderable. You -will see that an Order of Council is published giving liberty for the -export of manufactures and the payment of bills, which will, I hope, -be satisfactory in your part of the world. I delayed writing to Mr. -Cookson till I could tell him the measure was taken; and when it was -taken, being in the hurry of a journey to Weymouth and back, I deferred -it again, so that it was already announced in the _Gazette_, and it -became too late to write. Perhaps you can make my excuses. - - "Ever yours, - "W. P." - - - "DOWNING STREET, - "_September 20, 1797_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I know what your feelings will be on receiving -the melancholy account which I have to send you, and which reached me -from Cornwall this morning, that a renewal of Eliot's complaint has -ended fatally and deprived us of him. - -"After the attacks he has had, it is impossible to say that the blow -could ever be wholly unexpected, but I had derived great hopes from the -accounts for some time, and was not at this moment at all prepared for -what has happened. You will not wonder that I cannot write to you on -any other subject, but I will as soon as I can. - - "Ever sincerely yours, - "W. PITT." - - - "_Friday, 4_ P.M. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I am only anxious to avoid embarrassment to your -question as well as to the general course of business; and will call -on you in a few minutes on my way to the House. - - "Ever aff. yours, - "W. P." - - - "DOWNING STREET, - "_Thursday, August 14, 1800_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I have no thoughts of going to Walmer till the -very end of the month, and it is doubtful whether I can accomplish it -then. In the interval the Castle is quite disengaged, and it will give -me great pleasure if it can afford you any accommodation. If you should -not find any situation before the 1st of September perfectly to your -mind, I beg you to believe that your prolonging your stay will be no -inconvenience and a great pleasure to me, supposing I am able to come. -The improvements made since you were there, with the help of a cottage -with some tolerable bedrooms, are quite sufficient for your family, and -for myself and the only two or three persons who would be likely to -come with me, such as perhaps Carrington, the Master of the Rolls, and -Long. Be so good, therefore, to consult entirely your own convenience. - - "Ever yours, - "W. P. - -"Let me know what day next week you fix for being there, and everything -shall be ready for you. You may as well send your servant to my -manager Bullock, who will arrange everything about cellar and other -household concerns." - - - "PARK PLACE, - - "_October 1, 1801_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I cannot refrain from congratulating you most -sincerely on the happy event of the Signature of Preliminaries, which -you will, I believe, hear from Addington. The terms are such as I am -persuaded you will be well satisfied with, and tho' they are not in -every point (particularly one material one) exactly all that I should -have wished, I have no hesitation in saying that I think them on the -whole highly honourable to the country and very advantageous. The event -is most fortunate both for Government and the public, and for the sake -of both, gives me infinite satisfaction. I am but just in time for the -post. - - "Ever sincerely yours, - "W. PITT." - - - "DOWNING STREET, _Saturday_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I shall be very glad if you can call here any -time after nine this evening, as I wish to show you a paper from the -other side of the water, of a very interesting nature, tho' not such as -was most to be wished or at all to be expected. - - "Yours, - "W. P." - - - "WALMER CASTLE, - - "_May 31, 1802_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I found your letter on my arrival here -yesterday, having escaped to Hollwood on Friday only as a preparation -for pursuing my journey hither with less interruption than I should -have been exposed to, starting from town. An absence of ten days or -a fortnight has been so much recommended, and indeed I began myself -to feel so much in want of it, that I am afraid I must not think of -returning for your motion. Indeed, tho' I should most eagerly support -it (supposing you can provide, as I trust you can, means of making the -execution in the detail practicable and effectual). I see no chance in -the present state of the session of your carrying it, unless Addington -can be brought really to see the propriety of it, and to concur in it -at once without debate. This last I should hope might be managed, and -whatever impression parts of his speech may have made on your mind, I -am sure I need not suggest to you that the best chance of doing this -will be to endeavour coolly to lay before him the case as it really is, -unmixed as far as possible with any topics of soreness, which evidently -were not absent from his mind on Canning's motion. I certainly, on the -whole, judge much more favourably of his general intentions on the -whole subject (or, I should rather say, of his probable conduct) than -you do. But I admit that one part of his speech was as unsatisfactory -as possible. This I really believe proceeded in a great measure from -the evident embarrassment and distress under which he was speaking, -and which I am persuaded prevented him from doing any justice to his -own ideas. I may deceive and flatter myself, but tho' I know we shall -be far from obtaining all that you and I wish, I really think there is -much chance of great real and substantial ground being gained towards -the ultimate and not remote object of total abolition next session. -This is far from a reason for not endeavouring, if possible, to prevent -the aggravation of the evil in the meantime, and I heartily wish you -may be successful in the attempt. - - "Ever affy. yrs., - - "W. P." - - - "WALMER CASTLE, - - "_September 22, 1802_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE, I am much obliged to you for your kind letter of -inquiry. My complaint has entirely left me, I am recovering my strength -every day, and I have no doubt of being in a very short time as well -as I was before the attack. Farquhar, however, seems strongly disposed -to recommend Bath before the winter, and if you make your usual visit -thither, I hope it is not impossible we may meet. Perhaps you will let -me know whether you propose going before Parliament meets, and at what -time. I hardly imagine that the session before Christmas can produce -much business that will require attendance. I ought long since to have -written to you on the subject of our friend Morritt. It would give me -great pleasure to see him come back to Parliament, tho' I hardly think -the occasion was one on which I - -[Rest of letter torn off.] - - - "BATH, - - "_October 31, 1802_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--As you are among the persons to whom the author -of the enclosed high-flown compliments refers for his character for -a very important purpose, I shall be much obliged to you if you will -tell me what you know of him. A man's qualifications to give a dinner -certainly depend more on the excellence of his cook and his wine, than -on himself but I have still some curiosity to know what sort of company -he and his guests are likely to prove; and should therefore be glad -to know a little more about them than I collect from his list of the -_dramatis personae_, which for instruction might as well have been taken -from any old play-bill. In the meantime I have been obliged out of -common civility, _provisoirement_ to accept his invitation. I was very -sorry that I had too little time to spare in passing thro' town to try -to see you. I should have much wished to have talked over with you the -events which have been passing and the consequences to which they seem -to lead. You know how much under all the circumstances I wished for -peace, and my wishes remain the same, if Bonaparte can be made to feel -that he is not to trample in succession on every nation in Europe. But -of this I fear there is little chance, and without it I see no prospect -but war. - -"I have not yet been here long enough to judge much of the effect of -these waters, but as far as I can in a few days, I think I am likely -to find them of material use to me. I mean to be in town by the 18th -of next month. Paley's work, which you mentioned in your last letter, -I had already read on the recommendation of my friend Sir W. Farquhar, -who had met with it by accident, and was struck with its containing the -most compendious and correct view of anatomy which he had ever seen. -I do not mean that he thought this its only merit. It certainly has a -great deal, but I think he carries some of his details and refinements -further than is at all necessary for his purpose, and perhaps than will -quite stand the test of examination. - - "Ever affy. yrs., - - "W. P." - - - "WALMER CASTLE, - - "_August 8, 1803_ (?). - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--Not having returned from a visit to some of my -corps on the Isle of Thanet till Friday evening, I could not answer -your letter by that day's post, and I was interrupted when I was going -to write to you yesterday. It was scarce possible for me, consistent -with very material business in this district, to have reached town -to-day; and besides, I confess, I do not think any great good could -have been done by anything I could say in the House on any of the -points you mention. I feel most of them, however, and some others of -the same sort, as of most essential importance; and I have thoughts of -coming to town for a couple of days (which is as much as I can spare -from my duties here) towards the end of the week, to try whether I -cannot find some channel by which a remedy may be suggested on some -of the points which are now most defective. I think I shall probably -reach town on Saturday morning, and I should wish much if you could -contrive to meet me in Palace Yard or anywhere else, to have an -hour's conversation with you. I will write to you again as soon as I -can precisely fix any day. We are going on here most rapidly, and in -proportion to our population, most extensively, in every species of -local defence, both naval and military, and I trust shall both add -very much to the security of essential points on this coast, and set -not a bad example to other maritime districts. - - "Ever affy. yours, - - "W. P." - - - "WALMER CASTLE, - - "_January 5, 1804_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE--Your letter reached me very safe this morning, -and I thank you very much for its contents. I hope it will not be long -before I have an opportunity of talking over with you fully the subject -to which it relates. From what I have heard since I saw you, it will be -necessary for me pretty soon to make up my mind on the line to pursue -under the new state of things which is approaching. In the meantime, -I shall not commit myself to anything without looking to _all_ the -consequences as cautiously as you can wish; and before I form any final -decision, I shall much wish to consult yourself and a few others whose -opinions I most value. If no new circumstance arises to revive the -expectation of the enemy, I mean to be in town the beginning of next -week, and will immediately let you know. Perhaps I may be able to go on -to Bath for a fortnight. - - "Ever affy. yours, - - "W. P." - - -Two examples are here given of Wilberforce's letters to Pitt. The -first is written in the character of a country member and political -friend. The second is one in reference to his work on Practical -Religion.[9] They are both, as is generally the case with his letters -to Pitt, undated, but the post-mark of the second bears "1797." - - -_Mr. Wilberforce to Right Hon. William Pitt._ - -"MY DEAR PITT,--My head and heart have been long full of some thoughts -which I wished to state to you when a little less under extreme -pressure than when Parliament is sitting. But my eyes have been very -poorly. I am now extremely hurried, but I will mention two or three -things as briefly as possible that I may not waste your time. First, -perhaps even yet you may not have happened to see an Order in Council -allowing, notwithstanding the War, an intercourse to subsist between -our West Indian Colonies and those of Spain, in which negro slaves are -the chief articles we are to supply. I know these commercial matters -are not within your department, and that therefore your assent is -asked, if at all, when your mind is full of other subjects. But let me -only remind you, for it would be foolish to write what will suggest -itself to your own mind, that the House of Commons did actually pass -the Bill for abolishing the foreign slave trade; and that if contracts -are made again for supplying Spain for a term of years, it may throw -obstacles in the way of a foreign slave-trade abolition. It would give -me more pleasure than I can express to find any further measures, or -even thoughts, on this to me painful subject, for many reasons, by -hearing the order was revoked. Second, I promised by compulsion (I -mean because I dislike to bore you) to state to you on the part of the -Deputy Receiver General for the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire -and Hull that it would tend materially both to facilitate and cheapen -the collection of the new assessed taxes to let them be collected at -the same time as the old ones. This will make the rounds four times -per annum instead of ten, and he says the expense of collecting, if -incurred six times per annum, will amount to full one-half of all the -present salaries of the Receivers General in the Kingdom. As he is a -most respectable man, I ought to say that he gives it as his opinion -that the Receivers General are not overpaid, all things considered. -But for my own opinion let me add that his principal really has none -of the labours of the office, and the deputy even finds his securities -for him. Third, surely there ought at the Bank to be a distinction -between what is paid for assessed taxes and what as free donation, when -the subscription includes both: your own and those of many others are -under that head. Fourth, I suppose you are now thinking of your taxes. -Do, I beseech you, let one of them be a tax on all public diversions -of every kind, including card-playing. I can't tell you how much their -not being taxed has been mentioned with censure, and I promised to -send you the enclosed letter from a very respectable man. I am sorry I -did, but now have no option. But my first great object in writing to -you is most earnestly to press on your attention a manuscript, which I -have been desired to lay before you, relative to Naval Discipline. You -must allow the writer to express himself with some perhaps unpleasant -idea of self-importance. But he clearly foresaw the late Mutiny, and -most strongly urged the adoption of preventive measures, which, had -they been taken, I verily believe the greatest misfortune this country -ever suffered would not have happened. That nothing was done is in my -mind--But I need not run on upon this to me most painful topic, because -it often suggests doubts whether I have not been myself to blame, who -perused the scheme two years ago. Let me earnestly entreat you, my dear -Pitt, to peruse it most seriously and impartially, and then let Dundas -read it. If you judge it proper, then either send it Lord Spencer or -to the writer, who is a good deal nettled at his former communications -to Lord Spencer not being attended to. I will send the manuscript by -to-morrow's mail. - - "Yours ever sincerely, - - "W. W. - -"Every one is calling out for you to summon the nation to arm itself -in the common defence. You hear how nobly my Yorkshire men are acting. -I must have more discussion on that head, for they still wish you to -impose an equal rate on all property." - - - "BATH, _Easter Sunday_. - -"MY DEAR PITT,--I am not unreasonable enough to ask you to read my -book: but as it is more likely that when you are extremely busy than at -any other time you may take it up for ten minutes, let me recommend it -to you in that case to open on the last section of the fourth chapter, -wherein you will see wherein the religion which I espouse differs -practically from the common orthodox system. Also the sixth chapter -has almost a right to a perusal, being the basis of all politics, and -particularly addressed to such as you. At the same time I know you will -scold me for introducing your name. May God bless you. This is the -frequent prayer of your affectionate and faithful. - - "W. W." - - [Postmarked 1797.] - - -Here ends the hitherto unpublished correspondence between Pitt and -Wilberforce. On the occasion of Pitt's death, his brother, Lord -Chatham, writes with regard to his funeral: - - -_Lord Chatham to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "DOVER STREET, - "_February 15, 1806_. - -"I have many thanks to offer you for your very kind letter which I -received this morning. Knowing, as I do, how truly the sentiments of -friendship and affection you express, were returned on the part of my -poor brother towards you, I can only assure you that it will afford me -a most sensible gratification that you should have, as an old, intimate -friend, some particular situation allotted to you in the last sad -tribute to be paid to his memory. Believe me, with sincere regard, my -dear sir, - - "Yours very faithfully, - "CHATHAM." - - -Pitt was one of the few men whose lives have affected the destiny -of nations. The actions of such men are so far-reaching, and the -possibilities of the might-have-been so great, that history hardly -ever passes a final verdict upon them. Wilberforce had unexampled -opportunities of gauging the character and motives of Pitt, and -certainly had no strong partisan bias to warp his judgment. His matured -estimate of Pitt cannot fail therefore to be of peculiar interest. It -was written in 1821, sixteen years after Pitt's death, and is printed -exactly as Wilberforce left it. It will no doubt recall to the mind of -the reader Scott's well-known lines: - - "With Palinure's undaunted mood, - Firm at his dangerous post he stood; - Each call for needful rest repelled - With dying hand the rudder held - Till, in his fall, with fateful sway - The steerage of the realm gave way!"[10] - - - - -_SKETCH OF PITT BY W. WILBERFORCE_ - - - - -SKETCH OF PITT BY W. WILBERFORCE. - - -Considering the effect of party spirit in producing a distrust of all -that is said in favour of a public man by those who have supported -him, and the equal measure of incredulity as to all that is stated of -him by his opponents, it may not be without its use for the character -of Mr. Pitt to be delineated by one who, though personally attached -to him, was by no means one of his partisans; who even opposed him on -some most important occasions, but who, always preserving an intimacy -with him, had an opportunity of seeing him in all circumstances and -situations, and of judging as much as any one could of his principles, -dispositions, habits, and manners. - -It seems indeed no more than the payment of a debt justly due to -that great man that the friend who occasionally differed from him -should prevent any mistake as to the grounds of those differences; -and that as he can do it consistently with truth, he should aver, -as in consistency with truth he can aver, that in every instance -(with perhaps one exception only) in which his conscience prompted -him to dissent from Mr. Pitt's _measures_, he nevertheless respected -Mr. Pitt's _principles_; the differences arose commonly from a -different view of facts, or a different estimate of contingencies and -probabilities. Where there was a difference of political principles, it -scarcely ever was such as arose from moral considerations; still less -such as was produced by any distrust of Mr. Pitt's main intention being -to promote the well-being and prosperity of his country. - -Mr. Pitt from his early childhood had but an indifferent constitution; -the gouty habit of body which harassed him throughout his life, was -manifested by an actual fit of that disorder when he was still a boy. -As early as fourteen years of age he was placed at Pembroke Hall, -Cambridge; he had even then excited sanguine expectations of future -eminence. His father had manifested a peculiar regard for him; he had -never, I believe, been under any other than the paternal roof, where -his studies had been superintended by a private tutor; and besides -a considerable proficiency in the Greek and Latin languages, he had -written a play in English, which was spoken of in high terms by those -who had perused it. I am sorry to hear that this early fruit of genius -is not anywhere to be found. - -While he was at the University his studies, I understand, were carried -on with steady diligence both in classics and mathematics, and though -as a nobleman he could not establish his superiority over the other -young men of his time by his place upon the tripos, I have been assured -that his proficiency in every branch of study was such as would have -placed him above almost all competitors. He continued at the University -till he was near one-and-twenty, and it was during the latter part of -that period that I became acquainted with him. I knew him, however, -very little till the winter of 1779-80, when he occupied chambers in -Lincoln's Inn, and I myself was a good deal in London. During that -winter we became more acquainted with each other; we used often to meet -in the Gallery of the House of Commons, and occasionally at Lady St. -John's and at other places, and it was impossible not to be sensible of -his extraordinary powers. - -On the calling of a new Parliament in the beginning of September, -1780, I was elected one of the Members for Hull. Mr. Pitt, if I -mistake not, was an unsuccessful candidate for the University of -Cambridge; but about Christmas 1780-81, through the intervention of -some common friends (more than one have claimed the honour of the -first suggestion, Governor Johnston, the Duke of Rutland, &c.), he -received and accepted an offer of a seat in Parliament made to him in -the most handsome terms by Sir James Lowther. From the time of his -taking his seat he became a constant attendant, and a club was formed -of a considerable number of young men who had about the same time left -the University and most of them entered into public life. The chief -members were Mr. Pitt, Lord Euston, now Duke of Grafton, Lord Chatham, -the Marquis of Graham, now Duke of Montrose, the Hon. Mr. Pratt, now -Marquis of Camden, the Hon. St. Andrew St. John, Henry Bankes, Esq., -the Hon. Maurice Robinson, now Lord Rokeby, Lord Duncannon, now Lord -Besborough, Lord Herbert, postea Earl of Pembroke, Lord Althorp, now -Lord Spencer, Robert Smith, Esq., now Lord Carrington, Mr. Bridgeman, -Mr. Steele, several others, and myself. To these were soon afterwards -added Lord Apsley, Mr. Grenville, now Lord Grenville, Pepper Arden, -afterwards Lord Alvanley, Charles Long, afterwards Lord Farnborough, -Sir William Molesworth, &c. &c. Of the whole number Mr. Pitt was -perhaps the most constant attendant, and as we frequently dined, -and still more frequently supped together, and as our Parliamentary -attendance gave us so many occasions for mutual conference and -discussion, our acquaintance grew into great intimacy. Mr. Bankes -and I (Lord Westmoreland only excepted, with whom, on account of his -politics, Mr. Pitt had little connection) were the only members of -the society who had houses of their own, Mr. Bankes in London, and I -at Wimbolton[11] in Surrey. Mr. Bankes often received his friends to -dinner at his own house, and they frequently visited me in the country, -but more in the following Parliamentary session or two. In the spring -of one of these years Mr. Pitt, who was remarkably fond of sleeping in -the country, and would often go out of town for that purpose as late as -eleven or twelve o'clock at night, slept at Wimbolton for two or three -months together. It was, I believe, rather at a later period that he -often used to sleep also at Mr. Robert Smith's house at Hamstead.[12] - -Mr. Pitt was not long in the House of Commons before he took a part -in the debates: I was present the first time he spoke, and I well -recollect the effect produced on the whole House; his friends had -expected much from him, but he surpassed all their expectations, -and Mr. Hatsell, the chief clerk and a few of the older members who -recollected his father, declared that Mr. Pitt gave indications of -being his superior. I remember to this day the great pain I suffered -from finding myself compelled by my judgment to vote against him on -the _second_ occasion of his coming forward, when the question was -whether some Commissioners of public accounts should, or should not, -be members of Parliament: indeed I never can forget the mixed emotions -I experienced when my feelings had all the warmth and freshness of -early youth, between my admiration of his powers, my sympathy with his -rising reputation, and hopes of his anticipated greatness, while I -nevertheless deemed it my duty in this instance to deny him my support. - -Mr. Pitt was a decided and warm opponent of Lord North's -administration; so indeed were most of our society, though I -occasionally supported him. From the first, however, I concurred with -Mr. Pitt in opposing the American War, and we rejoiced together in -putting an end to it in about March, 1782, when Lord North's ministry -terminated; and after a painful, and I think considerable, interval, -during which it was said the King had even talked of going over to -Hanover, and was supposed at last to yield to the counsels of the -Earl of Mansfield, a new administration was formed consisting of the -Rockingham and Shelburne parties, the Marquis of Rockingham being -First Lord of the Treasury, and Lord Shelburne and Mr. Fox the two -Secretaries of State. But though the parties had combined together -against their common enemy, no sooner had he been removed than mutual -jealousies immediately began to show themselves between the Rockingham -and Shelburne parties. I well remember attending by invitation at Mr. -Thomas Townshend's, since Lord Sydney, with Mr. Pitt and most of the -young members who had voted with the Opposition, when Mr. Fox with -apparent reluctance stated that Lord Rockingham had not then been -admitted into the King's presence, but had only received communications -through Lord Shelburne; and little circumstances soon afterwards arose -which plainly indicated the mutual distrust of the two parties. Lord -Rockingham's constitution was much shaken, and after a short illness -his death took place before the end of the session of Parliament, about -the middle of June, 1782.[13] Mr. Pitt had taken occasion to declare -in the House of Commons that he would accept no subordinate situation, -otherwise there is no doubt he would have been offered a seat at the -Treasury Board, or indeed any office out of the Cabinet; but on Lord -Rockingham's death, notwithstanding Mr. Fox's endeavour to prevent a -rupture by declaring that _no disunion existed_,[14] the disagreement -between the parties, of which so many symptoms had before manifested -themselves, became complete and notorious. Lord Shelburne being invited -by the King to supply Lord Rockingham's place, Mr. Fox with most of the -Rockingham's party retired from office, and Mr. Pitt accepted the offer -made him by Lord Shelburne of becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer: he -had completed his twenty-third year the 28th of May preceding. - -There was more than one day of debate even during that session, in -which Mr. Pitt indicated that gravity and dignity which became the high -station which he had assumed at so early an age. He continued in office -till the ensuing winter, when, after peace had been made both with -America and her continental allies France and Spain, Lord Shelburne's -administration was removed through the unprincipled coalition between -Lord North and Mr. Fox and their respective parties. It was supposed to -have been brought about in a great degree through the influence of Lord -North's eldest son, who had maintained a friendly acquaintance with -Mr. Fox, a man the fascination of whose manners and temper was such as -to render it impossible for any one to maintain a personal intercourse -with him without conceiving for him sincere and even affectionate -attachment. I seconded the motion for the address on the peace, and I -well remember a little before the business began writing a note in my -place with a pencil to Bankes, who was, I saw, at a little distance, -inquiring of him whether a union between North and Fox was really -formed, and whether I might publicly notice it; "Yes," he replied, "the -more strongly the better." Mr. Pitt on that night was very unwell; he -was obliged to retire from the House into Solomon's Porch by a violent -sickness at the very moment when Mr. Fox was speaking. He himself -afterwards replied in a speech of some hours' length, but he certainly -on that night fell short of our expectations; a second discussion, -however, took place a few days after, and his speech on that occasion -was one of the finest that was ever made in Parliament, both in point -of argument and power of oratory. I never shall forget the impression -produced by that part of it in which he spoke of his own retirement, -closing with that passage out of Horace, "Laudo manentem," &c., though -I must add that I retain no recollection whatever of the circumstance -mentioned by Sir N. Wraxall; indeed I cannot but be strongly persuaded -that he must have been misinformed. Well also do I remember our all -going to Mr. Pitt's from the House of Commons after our defeat about -eight in the morning, where a dinner had been waiting for us from -eleven or twelve the preceding night, and where we all laughed heartily -at some characteristic traits exhibited by Lord Stanhope,[15] then -Lord Mahon. An administration was then formed of which the Duke of -Portland was at the head, and Lord North and Mr. Fox joint Secretaries -of State. It was in the autumn of this year, 1783, during the recess of -Parliament, that I accompanied Mr. Pitt and Mr. Eliot, who afterwards -became his brother-in-law, to France: our plan was to spend a few weeks -in a provincial town, there to acquire something of the language, -and afterwards to make a short stay at Paris. Accordingly we went to -Rheims, where we continued for about six weeks. It was not until we -were on the point of going abroad (when Mr. Eliot came out of Cornwall, -Mr. Pitt from seeing his mother in Somersetshire, and I met them -both at Sittingbourne) that we recollected that we were unprovided -with letters of recommendation, which each of the party had perhaps -trusted to the other for obtaining. Accordingly we requested Mr. Smith -to obtain them for us of Mr. Thellusson, afterwards Lord Rendlesham, -who, we knew, had correspondencies all over France. Thellusson replied -that he would gladly do his best for us, but that he rather conceived -from circumstances that his correspondent at Rheims was not a person -of any commercial distinction. We, however, abided by our decision -in favour of Rheims. The day after we arrived there, having sent our -letter of recommendation the preceding evening to the person to whom -it was addressed, we were waited upon by a very well-behaved man with -a velvet coat, a bag, and sword, who conversed with us for a short -time. The next day we repaid his visit, and were a good deal surprised -to find that he was a very little grocer, his very small shop being -separated by a partition from his very small room. But he was an -unaffected, well-behaved man, and he offered to render us every service -in his power, but stated distinctly that he was not acquainted with -the higher people of the place and neighbourhood. For a few days we -lived very comfortably together, but no French was learned except from -the grammar, we not having a single French acquaintance. At length we -desired our friend the _epicier_ to mention us to the Lieutenant of -Police, who, I think we had made out, had been employed to collect -evidence in the great Douglas cause, and was therefore likely to -know something of our country and its inhabitants. This expedient -answered its intended purpose, though somewhat slowly and by degrees. -The Lieutenant of Police, Du Chatel, an intelligent and apparently -a respectable family man, came to visit us, and he having stated to -the Archbishop of Rheims, the present Cardinal de Perigord, whose -palace was about a mile from the city, that three English Members of -Parliament were then residing in it, one of whom was Mr. Pitt, who had -recently been Chancellor of the Exchequer, his Grace sent his Grand -Vicaire, the Abbe de la Garde, to ascertain the truth or falsehood of -this statement. The Abbe executed his commission with great address, -and reporting in our favour, we soon received an invitation to the -Archbishop's table, followed by the expression of a wish that during -the remainder of our stay at Rheims we would take up our residence in -his palace. This we declined, but we occasionally dined with him, and -from the time of our having been noticed by the Lieutenant we received -continual invitations, chiefly to supper, from the gentry in and about -the place. They were chiefly persons whose land produced the wine of -the country, which, without scruple, they sold on their own account. -And I remember the widow of the former Marshal Detree intimating a wish -that Mr. Pitt would become her customer. - -Thence we went to Paris, having an opportunity during that time of -spending four or five days at Fontainebleau, where the whole Court -was assembled. There we were every evening at the parties of one or -other of the French Ministers, in whose apartments we also dined--the -Queen being always among the company present in the evening, and -mixing in conversation with the greatest affability; there were also -Madame la Princesse de Lamballe, M. Segur, M. de Castres, &c. Mr. -George Ellis, who spoke French admirably, was in high favour for the -elegance of his manners and the ease and brilliancy of his wit; and -Mr. Pitt, though his imperfect knowledge of French prevented his doing -justice to his sentiments, was yet able to give some impression of -his superior powers--his language, so far as it did extend, being -remarkable, I was assured, for its propriety and purity. There M. le -Marquis de la Fayette appeared with a somewhat affected simplicity of -manner, and I remember the fine ladies on one occasion dragging him -to the card-table, while he shrugged up his shoulders and apparently -resisted their importunities that he would join their party: very few, -however, played at cards, the Queen, I think, never. During our stay -at Paris we dined one day with M. le Marquis de la Fayette with a very -small party, one of whom was Dr. Franklin; and it is due to M. le -Marquis de la Fayette to declare that the opinion which we all formed -of his principles and sentiments, so far as such a slight acquaintance -could enable us to form a judgment, was certainly favourable, and his -family appeared to be conducted more in the style of an English house -than any other French family which we visited. We commonly supped in -different parties, and I recollect one night when we English manifested -our too common indisposition to conform ourselves to foreign customs, -or rather to put ourselves out of our own way, by all going together -to one table, to the number of twelve or fourteen of us, and admitting -only one Frenchman, the Marquis de Noailles, M. de la Fayette's -brother-in-law, who spoke our own language like an Englishman, and -appeared more than any of the other French to be one of ourselves. -We, however, who were all young men, were more excusable than our -Ambassador at the Court of France, who, I remember, joined our party. - -It was at Paris, in October, that Mr. Pitt first became acquainted -with Mr. Rose, who was introduced to him by Lord Thurlow, whose -fellow-traveller he was on the Continent; and it was then, or -immediately afterwards, that it was suggested to the late Lord Camden -by Mr. Walpole, a particular friend of M. Necker's, that if Mr. Pitt -should be disposed to offer his hand to Mademoiselle N., afterwards -Madame de Stael, such was the respect entertained for him by M. and -Madame Necker, that he had no doubt the proposal would be accepted. - -We returned from France about November. Circumstances then soon -commenced which issued in the turning out of the Fox administration, -the King resenting grievously, as was said, the treatment he -experienced from them, especially in what regarded the settlement -of the Prince of Wales. I need only allude to the long course of -political contention which took place in the winter of 1783-84, when -at length Mr. Pitt became First Lord of the Treasury; and after a -violent struggle, the King dissolved the Parliament about March, and -in the new House of Commons a decisive majority attested the truth of -Mr. Pitt's assertion that he possessed the confidence of his country. -In many counties and cities the friends of Mr. Fox were turned out, -thence denominated Fox's Martyrs.[16] I myself became member for -Yorkshire in the place of Mr. Foljambe, Sir George Savile's nephew, who -had succeeded that excellent public man in the representation of the -county not many weeks before. I may be allowed to take this occasion of -mentioning a circumstance honourable to myself, since it is much more -honourable to him, that some years after he came to York on purpose to -support me in my contest for the county. It is remarkable that Lord -Stanhope first foresaw the necessity there would be for Mr. Pitt's -continuing in office notwithstanding his being out-voted in the House -of Commons, maintaining that the Opposition would not venture to refuse -the supplies, and that at the proper moment he should dissolve the -Parliament.[17] - -And now having traced Mr. Pitt's course from childhood to the period -when he commenced his administration of sixteen or seventeen years -during times the most stormy and dangerous almost ever experienced -by this country, it may be no improper occasion for describing his -character, and specifying the leading talents, dispositions, and -qualifications by which he was distinguished. But before I proceed to -this delineation it may be right to mention that seldom has any man had -a better opportunity of knowing another than I have possessed of being -thoroughly acquainted with Mr. Pitt. For weeks and months together I -have spent hours with him every morning while he was transacting his -common business with his secretaries. Hundreds of times, probably, -I have called him out of bed, and have, in short, seen him in every -situation and in his most unreserved moments. As he knew I should not -ask anything of him, and as he reposed so much confidence in me as to -be persuaded that I should never use any information I might obtain -from him for any unfair purpose, he talked freely before me of men and -things, of actual, meditated, or questionable appointments and plans, -projects, speculations, &c., &c. No man, it has been said, is a hero to -his _valet de chambre_, and if, with all the opportunities I enjoyed -of seeing Mr. Pitt in his most inartificial and unguarded moments, he -nevertheless appeared to me to be a man of extraordinary intellectual -and moral powers, it is due to him that it should be known that this -opinion was formed by one in whose instance Mr. Pitt's character was -subjected to its most severe test, which Rochefoucault appeared to -think could be stood by no human hero. - -Mr. Pitt's intellectual powers were of the highest order, and in -private no less than in public, when he was explaining his sentiments -in any complicated question and stating the arguments on both sides, -it was impossible not to admire the clearness of his conceptions, the -precision with which he contemplated every particular object, and a -variety of objects, without confusion. They who have had occasion -to discuss political questions with him in private will acknowledge -that there never was a fairer reasoner, never anyone more promptly -recognising, and allowing its full weight to every consideration and -argument which was urged against the opinion he had embraced. You -always saw _where_ you differed from him and _why_. The difference -arose commonly from his sanguine temper leading him to give credit to -information which others might distrust, and to expect that doubtful -contingencies would have a more favourable issue than others might -venture to anticipate. I never met with any man who combined in an -equal degree this extraordinary precision of understanding with the -same intuitive apprehension of every shade of opinion, or of feeling, -which might be indicated by those with whom he was conversant. In -taking an estimate of Mr. Pitt's intellectual powers, his extraordinary -memory ought to be specially noticed. It was indeed remarkable for -two excellencies which are seldom found united in the same person--a -facility of receiving impressions, and a firmness and precision in -retaining them. His great rival, Mr. Fox, was also endowed with a -memory which to myself used to appear perfectly wonderful. Often in -the earlier part of my Parliamentary life I have heard him (Fox) at a -very late hour speak, without having taken any notes, for two or three -hours, noticing every material argument that had been urged by every -speaker of the opposite party: this he commonly did in the order in -which those arguments had been delivered, whereas it was rather Mr. -Pitt's habit to form the plan of a speech in his mind while the debate -was going forward, and to distribute his comments on the various -statements and remarks of his opponents according to the arrangement -which he had made. Such was his (Pitt's) recollection of the great -classical authors of antiquity that scarcely a passage could be -quoted of their works, whether in verse or prose, with which he was -not so familiar as to be able to take up the clue and go on with what -immediately followed. This was particularly the case in the works of -Virgil, Horace, and Cicero, and I am assured that he was also scarcely -less familiar with Homer and Thucydides. - -He had considerable powers of imagination and much ready wit, but this -quality appeared more to arise from every idea, and every expression -that belonged to it, being at once present to his mind, so as to enable -him at will to make such combinations as suited the purpose of the -moment, than as if his mind was only conscious at the time of that -particular coruscation which the collision of objects caused to flash -before the mental eye. It arose out of this distinctive peculiarity -that he was not carried away by his own wit, though he could at any -time command its exercise, and no man, perhaps, at proper seasons -ever indulged more freely or happily in that playful facetiousness -which gratifies all without wounding any. He had great natural courage -and fortitude, and though always of a disordered stomach and gouty -tendencies (on account of which port wine had been recommended to him -in his earliest youth, and drinking French wine for a day or two would -at any time produce gouty pains in the extremities), yet his bodily -temperament never produced the smallest appearance of mental weakness -or sinking. I think it was from this source, combined with that of his -naturally sanguine temper, that though manifestly showing how deeply he -felt on public affairs, he never was harassed or distressed by them, -and till his last illness, when his bodily powers were almost utterly -exhausted, his inward emotions never appeared to cloud his spirits, or -affect his temper. Always he was ready in the little intervals of a -busy man to indulge in those sallies of wit and good humour which were -naturally called forth. - -Excepting only the cases of those who have had reason to apprehend the -loss of life or liberty, never was a public man in circumstances more -harassing than those of Mr. Pitt in 1784: for several weeks the fate -of his administration and that of his opponents were trembling on the -beam, sometimes one scale preponderating, sometimes the other; almost -daily it appeared doubtful whether he was to continue Prime Minister -or retire into private life. Yet though then not five-and-twenty I do -not believe that the anxiety of his situation ever kept him awake for -a single minute, or ever appeared to sadden or cast a gloom over his -hours of relaxation. - -It cannot perhaps be affirmed that he was altogether free from -pride, but great natural shyness,[18] and even awkwardness (French -_gaucherie_), often produced effects for which pride was falsely -charged on him; and really that confidence which might be justly -placed in his own powers by a man who could not but be conscious of -their superiority might sometimes appear like pride, though not fairly -deserving that appellation; and this should be the rather conceded, -because from most of the acknowledged effects of pride upon the -character he was eminently free. No man, as I have already remarked, -ever listened more attentively to what was stated against his own -opinions; no man appeared to feel more for others when in distress; no -man was ever more kind and indulgent to his inferiors and dependents -of every class, and never were there any of those little acts of -superciliousness, or indifference to the feelings and comforts of -others, by which secret pride is sometimes betrayed. But if Mr. Pitt -was not wholly free from pride, it may truly be affirmed that no man -was perhaps ever more devoid of vanity in all its forms. One particular -more in Mr. Pitt's character, scarcely ever found in a proud man, was -the extraordinary good humour and candour with which he explained and -discussed any plan or measure, of which he had formed the outline -in his mind, with those professional men who were necessarily to be -employed in giving it a Parliamentary form and language. I do not -believe that there is a single professional man or the head of any -board who ever did business with him, who would not acknowledge that -he was on such occasions the most easy and accommodable man with whom -they ever carried on official intercourse. One instance of this kind -shall be mentioned as a specimen of the others. He had formed a plan of -importance (I think in some Revenue matter) on which it was necessary -for him to consult with the Attorney-General of the day, I believe -Chief Baron Macdonald; Mr. Pitt had been for some time ruminating -on the measure, his mind had been occupied for perhaps a month in -moulding it into form and in devising expedients for its more complete -execution. It may here be not out of place to mention as a peculiarity -of his character that he was habitually apt to have almost his whole -thoughts and attention and time occupied with the particular object -or plan which he was then devising and wishing to introduce into -practice. He was as usual full of his scheme, and detailed it to his -professional friend with the warmth and ability natural to him on such -occasions. But the Attorney-General soon became convinced that there -were legal objections to the measure, which must be decisive against -its adoption. These therefore he explained to Mr. Pitt, who immediately -gave up his plan with the most unruffled good-humour, without -attempting to hang by it, or to devise methods of propping it up, but, -casting it at once aside, he pursued his other business as cheerfully -and pleasantly as usual. - -But there are many who with undisturbed composure and with a good grace -can on _important_ occasions thus change their line of conduct and -assume a course contrary to that which they would have preferred. It -is, however, far more rare to find men who on little occasions, which -are not of sufficient moment to call a man's dignity into action, and -which are not under the public eye, can bear to have their opinions -opposed and their plans set aside, without manifesting some irritation -or momentary fretfulness. But on the lesser scale as well as on the -greater Mr. Pitt's good-humour was preserved. This same disposition of -mind was attended with the most important advantages, and in truth was -one which eminently qualified him to be the Minister of a free country. - -If towards the latter end of his life his temper was not so entirely -free from those occasional approaches to fretfulness which continued -disease and the necessity of struggling against it too often produce, -it ought to be taken into account that another powerful cause -besides human infirmity might have tended to lessen that kindness -and good-humour for which he was for the greater part of his life -so remarkable. The deference that was paid to him was justly great, -but though no man less than himself exacted anything like servility -from his companions, it is impossible to deny that there were those -who attempted to cultivate his favour by this species of adulation. -Another particular in Mr. Pitt, seldom connected with pride, was the -kind interest he took in the rising talents of every young public man -of any promise whose politics were congenial with his own; as well as -the justice which he did to the powers of his opponents--a quality -which it is but fair to say was no less apparent in Mr. Fox also. If he -sometimes appeared to be desirous of letting a debate come to a close -without hearing some friends who wished to take a part in it, this -arose in some degree in his wishing to get away, from his being tired -out with Parliamentary speaking and hearing, or from thinking that the -debate would close more advantageously at the point at which he stopped. - -In society he was remarkably cheerful and pleasant, full of wit and -playfulness, neither, like Mr. Fox, fond of arguing a question, nor yet -holding forth, like some others.[19] He was always ready to hear others -as well as to talk himself. In very early life he now and then engaged -in games of chance, and the vehemence with which he was animated was -certainly very great; but finding that he was too much interested by -them, all at once he entirely and for life desisted from gambling. - -His regard for truth was greater than I ever saw in any man who was -not strongly under the influence of a powerful principle of religion: -he appeared to adhere to it out of respect to himself, from a certain -moral purity which appeared to be a part of his nature. A little -incident may afford an example of his delicacy in this respect. A -common friend of ours, a member of the House of Lords, was reflected -upon with considerable acrimony in the House of Commons by one of Mr. -Pitt's political opponents. Being with him, as often happened, the next -morning, while he was at breakfast, I told him that the animadversions -which had been made on our friend the night before were stated in -the newspaper, and I expressed some surprise that he himself had not -contradicted the fact which was the ground of the reprehension. "This," -said he, "I might have done, but you will remember that it was a -circumstance in which, if I deviated from strict truth, no other man -could know of it, and in such a case it is peculiarly requisite to keep -within the strictest limits of veracity." - -The remark I am about to make may deserve the more attention on account -of its general application, and because it may probably tend to -illustrate other characters. It may, I believe, be truly affirmed that -the imputations which were sometimes thrown out against Mr. Pitt, that -he was wanting in simplicity and frankness, and the answers he made to -questions put to him concerning his future conduct, or the principles -which were regulating the course of measures he pursued, were in truth -a direct consequence of that very strictness and veracity for which -he was so remarkable. When men are not very scrupulous as to truth, -they naturally deal in broad assertions, especially in cases in which -their feelings are at all warmly engaged; but it seldom happens that -a political man can thus assume a principle and apply it to all the -cases, which, in the use he is about to make of it, it may be supposed -to comprehend, without some qualifications and distinctions; and a man -of strict veracity therefore makes a conditional declaration or gives -a qualified assurance. The same remark applies to the judgments we -may express of the character and conduct of public men. In order to -be strictly correct we cannot always use broad and strong colouring, -but there must be shades and gradations in our draught. Yet such is -the natural and even commendable love which men generally have of -truth and honesty, that we feel an instinctive preference of simple -and strong affirmations or negations as indicating more blunt and -straightforward principles and dispositions, than where men express -themselves in measured and qualified and conditional propositions. No -man, I believe, ever loved his country with a warmer or more sincere -affection; it was highly gratifying to converse familiarly with him -on the plans he was forming for the public good; or to witness the -pleasure he experienced from indulging speculations of the benefits -which his country might derive from the realising of such or such a -hope. - -But notwithstanding all my admiration of Mr. Pitt's extraordinary -powers, and still more, with the deepest and most assured conviction -of his public spirit and patriotism, I cannot but think that even his -uncommon excellencies were not without some alloy of human infirmity. -In particular he appeared to me to be defective in his knowledge of -human nature, or that from some cause or other he was less sagacious -than might have been expected from his superior talents, in his -estimate of future events, and sometimes in his judgment of character. -This might probably arise in part from his naturally sanguine temper, -which in estimating future contingencies might lead him to assign -too little weight to those probabilities which were opposed to his -ultimate conclusion. But if I must be honest in delineating Mr. Pitt's -character and qualities, I must also confess that in considering their -practical influence on the fortunes of his country, I have sometimes -been almost ready to believe that powers far inferior to his, under -the direction of a mind equally sincere and equally warm in its zeal -for the public good, might have been the instrument of conferring far -greater benefits on his country. His great qualities, under the impulse -and guidance of true religion, would probably have been the means of -obtaining for his country much greater temporal blessings, together -with others of a far higher order, and more durable effects. The -circumstances of the period at which he first came into the situation -of Prime Minister were such as almost to invest him with absolute -power. All his faculties then possessed the bloom of youthful beauty -as well as the full vigour of maturer age: his mind was ardent, his -principles were pure, his patriotism warm, his mind as yet altogether -unsullied by habitually associating with men of worldly ways of -thinking and acting, in short, with a class which may be not unfitly -termed trading politicians; this is a class with which perhaps no -one, however originally pure, can habitually associate, especially in -the hours of friendly intercourse and of social recreation, without -contracting insensibly more or less defilement. No one who had not -been an eye-witness could conceive the ascendency which Mr. Pitt then -possessed over the House of Commons, and if he had then generously -adopted the resolution to govern his country by _principle_ rather -than by _influence_, it was a resolution which he could then have -carried into execution with success, and the full effects of which, -both on the national character, interests, and happiness, it is -scarcely possible perhaps to estimate; but it would be a curious -and no unprofitable speculation to trace the probable effects which -would have resulted from the assumption of this high moral tone, in -the actual circumstances of this country, in reference both to our -internal interests and our foreign relations. This is a task I cannot -now undertake, but I may remind the reader that the principles were -then beginning to propagate themselves with the greatest success which -not long after exhibited their true nature and ruinous effects in the -French Revolution. Such a spirit of patriotism would have been kindled, -such a generous confidence in the King's government would have been -diffused throughout all classes, that the very idea of the danger of -our being infected with the principles of French licentiousness, which -might have produced among our people a general taint of disloyalty, -would have been an apprehension not to be admitted into the bosom of -the most timid politician; while the various reforms which would have -taken place, and the manifest independence of Parliament would have -generated and ensured in the minds of all reasonable men a continually -increasing gratitude and affection for the constitution and laws of our -country. On the other hand, the French, infatuated as they were, and -wicked as were the men who then possessed the chief influence in the -counsels of that country, could never have been so blind to their own -manifest interest, as to have engaged their people in a war with Great -Britain from any idea of our confederating with the Crowned Heads of -Europe to crush the rising spirit of liberty in France. Hence we should -have escaped that long and bloody war, which, however, in its ultimate -issue justly deserving the epithet of glorious, is nevertheless the -cause of all our present dangers and sufferings, from the insupportable -burdens with which it has loaded us. Nor is it only _Financial_ evils -of which our long protracted warfare has been the cause; to this -source also we must probably trace much of that _Moral_ evil, which -in so many different forms has been of late beginning to manifest -itself, especially among the lower orders of our people. The gracious -Providence of God has indeed abundantly answered the prayers of many -among us, who I trust have all along been looking up to the Giver of -all Good for their country's safety and prosperity; and while those -causes were in operation which were hereafter to manifest themselves -in various forms of social and domestic evil, it pleased God to -diffuse a spirit of an opposite kind, which began to display its love -of God and love of man by the formation of societies of a religious -and moral nature, which have already contributed in no small degree -to bless almost all nations, while they have invested our own country -with a moral glory never before enjoyed by any nation upon earth. The -diffusion of the Sacred Scriptures, the establishment of societies for -spreading throughout the world the blessings of religious light and -of moral improvement, the growing attention to the education of our -people, with societies and institutions for relieving every species -of suffering which vice and misery can ever produce among the human -race,--what would have been the effects of all this, if not obstructed -and counteracted in all the various ways by which war, that greatest -scourge of the human race, carries on its baleful and wide wasting -operations.[20] - -Is it not a melancholy consideration that this very country, the -constitution and laws of which have been the objects of the highest -possible admiration of the wisest men, should be in such a state -that but too large a part of the great body of our people, instead of -looking up to Heaven with gratitude for being favoured with blessings -never before enjoyed by any nation, should be led by their sufferings -to regard that very constitution and those very laws with disgust and -aversion? Of this unhappy state of things the war, as having been -the cause of our financial distresses and difficulties, is in fact -the source. But there is nothing in which we are so apt to deceive -ourselves as in conceiving that we are capable of estimating the -full amount of moral good or evil; short-sighted as we are, there is -nothing in which our views are more manifestly narrow and contracted; -an important, nay, an awful consideration, which, while it may well -encourage to activity in all good, should make us tremble to admit -(the slightest speck) the smallest seed of moral evil to pollute our -country's soil. But I have been led to expatiate more than I intended -on this topic, though merely glancing at some of the most important -of the considerations which it presents to the view even of the most -superficial observer. - -Returning to the consideration of the effect of true religion on the -character and conduct of the great man who has been the subject of this -inquiry, I am naturally led to remark that there can be no possible -occasion on which the application of the principle on which I have been -lately speaking would suggest wider scope for our reflection. But if -we consider the effect which true religion would have produced either -in himself or in others around him, how immense would appear the mass -of benefits, in the employment of his time, in the application of his -faculties, in the selection of his companions, perhaps, above all, in -his giving their just weight to religious and moral principles and -character in the exercise of his unlimited patronage, both in Church -and State; and considering that every religious and good man, who by -him should have been invested with power and influence, would _himself_ -have selected others of similar principles and character, throughout -the descending series of official appointments, and through all the -variety of social occupations, who can say what would have been the -effect of these religious and moral secretions, if they may be so -termed, which throughout the whole political body would have been -gradually producing their blessed effects in augmenting its fulness, -symmetry, and strength?[21] And these effects, remember, would have -been of a merely public, still less of a merely political character. -They would have been, to say the least, full as manifest, and even more -fertile in the production of happiness in all the walks of private -life and all the varieties of social combination. - -In considering the estimates which were formed of Mr. Pitt's and Mr. -Fox's characters respectively, more especially in point of what may be -called popularity; and also as to their reputation for genius, wit, -and classical taste, it should be remembered that Mr. Fox happened to -have become connected, both at school and at Oxford, with a circle of -men eminent for talents and classical proficiency, men also who were -not shut up in cloisters, but who lived in the world, and gave the -tone in the highest and most polished societies of the metropolis. -Among these were Mr. Hare, General Fitzpatrick, Lord John Townshend; -and to these must be added Mr. Windham, Mr. Erskine, and, above all, -Mr. Sheridan. Mr. Pitt had also several college friends who came into -Parliament about the same period with himself, men of no inferior -consideration---Mr. Bankes, Mr. Eliot, Lord Abercorn, Lord Spencer, and -several others. But these, it must be confessed, were by no means men -of the same degree of brilliancy as the former set; nor did they in -the same degree live in the circle of fashion and there diffuse their -own opinions. Again Mr. Fox's political connections were numerous, and -such as naturally tended to stamp a high value on his character. Burke, -Barre---for there were those also who though not of Fox's party, -often associated with him in private, and tended to sustain the general -estimate of his superiority; of these were Gibbon, Lord Thurlow, -Dunning, Jeykell. - -[Illustration: THE RIGHT HONBLE. WILLIAM PITT.] - -Again, the necessity under which Mr. Pitt often lay of opening and -speaking upon subjects of a low and vulgarising quality, such as -the excise on tobacco, wine, &c., &c., topics almost incapable with -propriety, of an association with wit or grace, especially in one -who was so utterly devoid of all disposition to seek occasions for -shining, tended to produce a real mediocrity of sentiment and a lack -of ornament, as well as to increase the impression that such was -the nature of his oratory. Also the speeches of a minister were of -necessity more guarded, and his subjects, except where he was opening -some new proposition or plan, were rather prescribed to him by others, -than selected by himself.[22] - - * * * * * - -The MS. of Canning's lines on Pitt is amongst the Wilberforce Papers; -they are so little known that no apology is needed for inserting them -here. Canning wrote them for the feast in honour of Pitt's birthday, -May 28, 1802. It will be remembered that Pitt had resigned in 1801, -because the King would not accept his Irish policy. A vote of censure -had been moved, and was not merely rejected, but, by an overwhelming -majority, it was carried "that the Right Hon. William Pitt has rendered -great and important services to his country, and especially deserved -the gratitude of this House."[23] - - - THE PILOT THAT WEATHER'D THE STORM. - - (_A Song written in 1802._) - - If hush'd the loud whirlwind that ruffled the deep, - The sky, if no longer dark tempests deform; - When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep? - No! Here's to the Pilot that weather'd the storm! - - At the footstool of Power let flattery fawn, - Let faction her idols extol to the skies; - To Virtue, in humble retirement withdrawn, - Unblam'd may the merits of gratitude rise. - - And shall not his memory to Britain be dear, - Whose example with envy all nations behold; - A Statesman unbias'd by int'rest or fear, - By pow'r uncorrupted, untainted by gold? - - Who, when terror and doubt through the universe reigned, - While rapine and treason their standards unfurl'd, - The heart and the hopes of his country maintained, - And one kingdom preserv'd midst the wreck of the world. - - Unheeding, unthankful, we bask in the blaze, - While the beams of the sun in full majesty shine; - When he sinks into twilight, with fondness we gaze, - And mark the mild lustre that gilds his decline. - - Lo! Pitt, when the course of thy greatness is o'er, - Thy talents, thy virtues, we fondly recall! - Now justly we prize thee, when lost we deplore; - Admir'd in thy zenith, but lov'd in thy fall. - - Oh! take, then--for dangers by wisdom repelled, - For evils, by courage and constancy brav'd-- - Oh take! for a throne by thy counsels upheld - The thanks of a people thy firmness has sav'd. - - And oh! if again the rude whirlwind should rise! - The dawning of peace should fresh darkness deform, - The regrets of the good, and the fears of the wise, - Shall turn to the Pilot that weather'd the storm. - - - - -_LETTERS FROM FRIENDS_ - - -_The letters which follow are from friends of Wilberforce between the -years 1786-1832: they touch on a variety of subjects. George Rose[24] -writes in 1790 in the full flush of excitement on the news of "peace -certain and unequivocal on the very terms prescribed from hence."_ - - - - -LETTERS FROM FRIENDS - - -_Right Hon. George Rose to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "OLD PALACE YARD, - - "_November 4, 1790_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I was shocked this morning in putting my papers -in order on my table to find a letter I wrote to you before I went into -the country; you must have thought me shamefully inattentive to you, -which I trust I never shall be while I retain my senses, for anxious -as I am to avoid such an imputation in general I do assure you I am -particularly so to stand clear of that in your opinion. I will now, -however, make you ample amends for the seeming neglect by telling you -that the expected messenger is arrived and brings us an account of -peace _certain_ and _unequivocal_, on the very terms (I may say to you) -_prescribed_ from hence; they secure to us great and essential points -important to the interests of the country, and must prevent future -occasions of quarrel with Spain; war with all its certain and possible -consequences are (_sic_) avoided. So much for public benefits; what -it must produce to the individual[25] to whom the merit is justly and -fairly to be ascribed it is impossible at once to foresee--I mean with -respect to character of everything that can be valuable to a man in his -situation. - -"I have actually been drunk ever since ten o'clock this morning, and -have not yet quite the use of my reason, but I am - - "Yours most faithfully and cordially, - - "GEORGE ROSE." - - -Pitt's views as to a bounty on corn in the scarcity then[26] prevailing -are given by Rose in the next letter. - -_Right Hon. G. Rose to Mr. Wilberforce._ - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--It would be very odd if your writing to me on -the subject of your last, or indeed on any other, could require an -apology; I regret only that I cannot give you the light upon it you -wish. - -"With respect to measures within the reach of Government to relieve the -scarcity I fear none can be effectual. Mr. Pitt cannot, as you know, -after his declaration in Parliament, import at the expense or risk -of the public, but he is inclined to give a bounty on corn imported -when it shall be _below_ a certain price within a limited time. This -is a new principle, but I really believe it would produce much good. -The idea occurred to him on reading Mr. Richardson's letter to you, -who stated the great discouragement of individuals importing to be the -risk of prices being low on the arrival of cargoes in the spring; I was -so much struck with Mr. Richardson's observations that I wrote to beg -him to call on me last Monday, but he had unfortunately set off that -morning for Liverpool. I am more than half disposed to take the chance -of prevailing with him to come up again. - -"During our late sitting the Scotch distilleries were stopped, but -the prices of barley in England were not _then_ such as to induce any -man to hint even at the English; and of course there is now no power -to prevent them going on. We did prohibit the distillation of wheat; -and allowed the importation of starch at the Home Duty, which will -stop that manufactory; but I deplore most sincerely and earnestly any -agreement against the use of hair powder, not merely for the sake of a -large revenue, but to avoid other mischief which I am very sure is not -enough attended to, the distinction of dress and external appearance. -The inattention to that has been a great support of Jacobinism. - -"The resolutions which were taken in the last scarcity for restraining -the use of flour, &c., were so little attended, and were on the whole -productive of so little good that Mr. Pitt has not thought it yet -advisable to recur to them. I believe _much_ may be done, especially in -towns, by soup shops, respecting which I should think Mr. Bernard can -inform you as fully as any one, from the share he took in the conduct -of them in London last winter. Perhaps the article may be made somewhat -cheaper here than anywhere else from there being a larger quantity of -coarse parts of the meat than in any country place, but the soup was -made admirably good, palatable and nutritive for twopence a quart, -and retailed at half that price; one pint an ample allowance for each -person, taking adults and children together, so that for one halfpenny -a day a comfortable mess was provided for a poor person. I am making -the experiment both at Christ Church and Lyndhurst and I shall soon -see how it will answer. I am not sure but that some general plan of -that sort will be as likely as any other to be useful now. I think also -of importing a cargo of corn now, as I did pork on the last occasion, -and it may be a good thing to encourage others to do the same for the -supply of their respective neighbourhoods, which people will be more -disposed to do if Mr. Pitt should propose the bounty I have alluded to. - -"The dry weather during the last twelve days I hope will be productive -of infinite good; nothing could be more fortunate, as the seed I hope -will now be all well got in, which may have an immediate effect in -lowering the prices." - -A letter of a later date from Rose follows as to the payment of Pitt's -debts by subscription amongst his friends. Wilberforce was sanguine as -to the success of this plan "considering the number of affluent men -connected with Pitt, some of whom have got great and lucrative places -from him." Wilberforce drew up a list of sixty-three persons who "might -be expected to contribute." But the plan of a private subscription fell -to the ground. - - -_Right Hon. G. Rose to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "OLD PALACE YARD, - - "_January 25, 1806, Saturday_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I told you, immediately after the receipt of -your former letters, that all thought of applying to Parliament for -payment of Mr. Pitt's debts was abandoned; and measures are taking for -the attainment of that object, which will be very greatly assisted by -your endeavours I am sure. Mr. Samuel Thornton and Mr. Angerstein are -to meet several gentlemen in the city on Tuesday morning to promote a -private subscription, and whatever may be necessary to be done at this -end of the town I trust will be effected. I hope I expressed myself -intelligibly respecting your motives--you cannot be more certain of -them than I am--and I felt deeply obliged by the plainness with which -you expressed your sentiments; they decided my conduct instantly, as I -told you before. - -"As to the wish expressed by our late inestimable friend relative to -the Stanhopes, I suggested to you that as provision had been made -for the husbands of the two elder ones, equal to L1,000 a year, I -believe, for each, I thought a further one by Parliament could hardly -be acquiesced in. For Lady Hester I hoped no difficulty would be made -in providing an annuity to that amount. The two young men are in the -army--_they_ are not of Mr. Pitt's blood and small sinecure employments -are given to them which will aid their income. - -"Three gentlemen are to meet in the city on Monday to concert the best -measures for promoting the subscription, and you shall know the result. -You will, I am persuaded, come in to attend the House on that day. - - "The Bishop of Lincoln is at the Deanery. - "I am, my dear Wilberforce, - "Most truly yours, - "GEORGE ROSE." - - -The next two letters are from Dundas, afterwards Lord Melville,[27] -"the only minister to whose judgment Pitt greatly deferred." -Wilberforce writes of him as "an excellent man of business and a fine, -warm-hearted fellow," but later on he says, "his connection with Dundas -was Pitt's great misfortune."[28] The first letter is on the subject of -free exports of our manufactures to Holland. - - -_Right Hon. Henry Dundas to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "WIMBLEDON, _August 15, 1796_. - -"MY DEAR W.,--I have spoke both with Mr. Pitt and Lord Grenville -on the subject of a free exportation of our manufactures from this -country to Holland. I think they agree with me in thinking that if the -restraint was ever a politick one the time is passed. Lord Liverpool, I -believe, is of a different opinion, but it will immediately come under -discussion, and I would hope he will act wisely upon it. For my own -part, I am of opinion that it is a degree of infatuation at the present -moment to prevent the trade and manufactures of the country finding an -exit and a vent in any mode and by any channel the enterprise of the -merchants can devise. I am as well as can be under all the anxieties -which the state of the country naturally suggests, and the pain -arising from that anxiety is not diminished by feeling oneself free -from the blame of all the mischief which is going on. Who would have -thought not many years ago that in the year 1796 Great Britain should -be the only nation to be found true to its own interests, or in a -situation to maintain them. But I find my pen running away with me, and -must conclude with congratulating you on the fine weather and luxuriant -crops, and with being, my dear Wil, - - "Yours sincerely, - "HENRY DUNDAS." - -Dundas's remarks on the defence of the country and the raising of -volunteer and yeomanry corps in 1798 are not without interest in 1897. - - - "WIMBLEDON, _January 29, 1798_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--There can not be a doubt of the wishes of -Government to bring forward the zeal and exertions of the country in -every practicable shape; at present I am not aware that any thing -cheaper (if really efficient) can be resorted to than the system of -volunteer corps and yeomanry corps to which every encouragement is -given. At the same time if any proposal through the regular channel -can be laid before Government having the same tendency, there can -not be a doubt of its being duly attended to. The only satisfactory -answer therefore which I can make to your letter is to suggest to you -the propriety of mentioning to your friends who have applied to you, -that it would be best for them to put in writing the specified plan -they would severally wish to adopt, and if that is sent to the Duke -of Portland by the Lord Lieutenant, I have no reason to doubt that it -will be duly attended to. If a copy of the proposal is at the same time -extra officially laid before me, it might be the means of expediting -the consideration of it, as I have frequent opportunities of conversing -with the Dukes of York and Portland, and likewise with Mr. Pitt on all -subjects of that nature. Indeed the proper defence of the country by -every possible means it can be done with effect and economy occupies my -unremitting attention, and if I observe it neglected in any department, -it vexes and distresses me more than I can describe, and perhaps more -than is convenient consistently with keeping one's mind in a constant -tenor of steady and unruffled attention. I was sorry to learn within -these two days that Mrs. Wilberforce is ailing, and - - "I remain, my dear Wilberforce, - "Yours very sincerely, - "HENRY DUNDAS." - - - In his later days when he had withdrawn to - a great extent from the society which he had - charmed in his youth Wilberforce's chief female - friends were Hannah More, of whose letters hundreds - remain, Martha More, Mrs. Fry, Maria - Edgeworth. In strong contrast stand out the - friendships of the youthful days, when Wilberforce's - Wimbledon villa was the resort of witty - and fashionable, rather than of learned and charitable - ladies, when he was "sitting up all night - singing" and when the society he frequented - included Mrs. Siddons, Mrs. Crewe, Mrs. Sheridan, - the Duchess of Portland, and last but not - least, the beautiful and bewitching Jane Duchess - of Gordon, she who raised the regiment of Gordon - Highlanders by giving, as was said, the - shilling from her mouth to the recruits. - - The Duchess of Gordon writes to William - Wilberforce in July, 1788, of "the many happy - hours I have spent at Wimbledon," and from - Keswick this versatile woman tells him of the - "sweet church" she had passed by and how she - "found myself repeating the lines, 'Remote from - man with God he passed his days, Prayer all - his business, all his pleasure praise': it is thus - I should like to live, the world forgetting, by - the world forgot." She tries to tempt him to - Gordon Castle in these words: "I know that - 'silent glens have charms for thee,' and this is the - country in which you will find those silent and - peaceful abodes. Nature bestowed every wild, - uncultivated beauty, with a purer air and brighter - horizon. Here Hygeia is to be found; we lead - the lives of hermits. Dr. Beattie shall be our - companion. We go to bed at eleven, and sometimes - visit the majestic ocean before breakfast. - I am certain the air of this country would perfectly - re-establish your health, which would give - joy to thousands, and no one more than, &c., - - "J. GORDON." - - -In this letter the Duchess encloses her correspondence with Dundas, who -was one of the circle at that Liberty Hall of Wimbledon. - -The Duchess had had a misunderstanding with Dundas which she wished -Wilberforce to heal through his influence with Pitt. She had "dropped -some words" respecting Dundas to Pitt which had "got round" to the -former. Dundas writes to her: - - "INDIA OFFICE, - - "_July 4, 1788_. - -"DEAR DUCHESS,--I received your affectionate note previous to your -departure for Scotland. A great part of its contents are more fit for -discussion in free conversation than by letter. I have only to beg of -you always to keep in remembrance the long letter I wrote to you in -consequence of some words you dropped to Mr. Pitt respecting me last -winter. - -"It is scarcely possible for you to put me out of humour, because -however much you may at times forget yourself, and get into sallies -of unguarded expression, you would be almost the worst of beings if -you was seriously to entertain for me any other sentiments than those -of perfect regard and affection. I therefore never suspect you of any -serious alteration of your regard. But let me for your own sake entreat -you to reflect that everybody does not make the same allowance that -I do. You judge truly when you think that you have many enemies, and -be assured that there is no such good receipt for having enemies than -to talk rashly or disrespectfully behind their backs; and be sure of -it these things in some way or other get round, and no after-civility -is received as an expiation. On the contrary, it brings upon you the -imputation of duplicity which of all other ingredients in a character -ought (even the suspicion of it) to be avoided. - -"After so long a lecture, I think it right to console you with -enclosing Sir George Young's note just received. I leave you to say -anything you please about me to Mrs. Gordon, only let her not imagine -that I made professions even in the middle of a country dance without a -perfect determination to realise them. Remember me affectionately to -everybody, and - - "I remain, - "Yours sincerely, - "HENRY DUNDAS." - -The Duchess's answer to Dundas is so full of piquancy that it helps one -to realise the personality of this remarkable woman. - - -_Duchess of Gordon to Right Hon. Henry Dundas._ - - "GORDON CASTLE, - "_July 13, 1788_. - -"I have this morning yours, and though not a little confused with the -bustle of joy that surrounds me, cannot delay answering it. There is -something in the strain of your letters so unlike the ideas that you -convey in our conversation that I cannot think they are wrote by the -same person. - -"Why mention duplicity to me? You know there is not a human being -further from it; and I know you don't in your heart believe one word -upon the subject. If you do, you have not the penetration the world -gives you; for I can assure you with the firmest confidence you are -most egregiously mistaken. It would be better for me if I had a -little more of that detestable vice, or even the policy to conceal my -sentiments, for I am convinced my enemies are the offspring of too much -openness; far, very far, from that detested duplicity, or any of its -hateful train. I never expressed an idea of you or your conduct that -I did not express to yourself. It was the impulse of the moment; and -I feel too independent of any man's power, however much I may choose -to depend upon their good opinion and friendship, to suppress my -sentiments when justly founded. For many years of my life my confidence -in you was unbounded. You said you loved me with all the extravagance -of passion; at the same time that respect, esteem, and veneration made -you express sentiments that did you honour to feel and me to follow. -You certainly did not act to my brother as I would have done to yours -or to anyone you protected. What Mr. Pitt told you I could not tell -him as a secret. You have often told me he has none from you. I do -not doubt--I could not doubt--that the Duke and I were the persons -on earth you wished most to serve, and yet my brother has met with -the most cruel disappointments. In this, my good friend, there is no -duplicity. Not even to your enemies did I express an idea that could -lead them to think that I ever doubted your honour, your sincerity, or -your talents as a statesman. No dark hints and half-sentences; but an -open declaration of my friendship and a dependence upon yours. That -your friends and that society was where we spent the happiest hours. -However impolitic, I always openly declared my decided preference to -those parties, and I don't doubt it but it made enemies of those that -had felt and expressed very different sentiments--I know it did. But -to gain one friend such as I could name, more than repaid a legion of -such insipid triflers and ignorant puppies. When I wrote you my note -from London I had resolved to obliterate all causes of complaint, and -only remember with gratitude the pleasant parties we had enjoyed at -your house; but your letter makes it necessary that I bring to your -view from how many different sources any dissatisfaction on my part -arose. The last cause--your conduct relative to our politics--I thought -both impolitic as a statesman and unkind as a friend. You say you -thought otherwise, and your kind proposal of the Duke's succeeding to -Lord Marchmont's office will more than cancel his disappointment. This -is a true picture of my mind. After eighteen years' acquaintance, you -would have drawn a much more flattering one; indeed, till the last few -months of my life, you certainly thought me all perfection--so no more -duplicity, or I must attribute eighteen years of that most horrid vice -to you, and only a few months' sincerity. So I know, whatever you may -amuse yourself with writing, that it is still, and must be, your firm -belief. I would not have said so much upon the subject, but I tremble -for I don't know what. I had hints in London. I had forgot them, till -your letter brings them with redoubled force to my remembrance. I -could not believe them; for you had convinced me Mr. Pitt had some -unfavourable impressions of me, and that you had removed them. For no -one favour did I feel more grateful. But I shall never have done. I -was happy to see all your family in Edinburgh well and happy; I found -my little boy the most lovely creature I ever saw. My Duke is most -sincerely yours; he cannot doubt your friendship, as that office had -long been the object of his wishes and expectations. No one is better -entitled and no one more worthy of it. Once more adieu. May the races -afford you much amusement, and may the paths of Melville and Duneira -be strewed with roses, without one care from public or private life to -cause a gloom. - - &c., &c., - "J. GORDON." - - -The Duchess, in enclosing this correspondence, begs Wilberforce to -be her defender if he hears her character attacked on the ground of -"duplicity" or "inaccuracy;" his influence with Pitt was one reason for -her troubling him with the subject. - -Later on she writes to Wilberforce, who was gradually withdrawing -himself from fashionable society, a note docketed "before 1800," to -say:-- - -"Am I never to see you more? The Duchess of Leeds and her sister sing -here Monday evening. Pray come; I shall be delighted to see you, and -much mortified if you don't come. - - - "Ever yours most truly, &c., - "J. GORDON." - -After 1800 Wilberforce seems in great measure to have cut himself -loose from society that he considered frivolous; and to have used -the extraordinary influence he possessed over his friends to -endeavour to induce them also to forsake the world of fashion. The -long letter which follows is from Lord Calthorpe (a relation of -Barbara,[29] Wilberforce's wife), who had been strongly advised by -Wilberforce not to spend a Sunday with the Duchess of Gordon in -Scotland. Lord Calthorpe writes in great chagrin at having neglected -the good advice of his mentor, had found the warnings against her -fascinations very necessary, and had had the mortification of seeing -her go to sleep while he read Leighton's "Commentary" to her. It would -be of interest to know what were the "full and useful directions for -public speaking" for which Lord Calthorpe is grateful to Wilberforce. - - -_Lord Calthorpe to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "KINRARA, - "_September 2, 1801, Saturday_. - -"MY DEAR SIR,--I have just evinced a proof of want of vigilance and -self-discipline which vexes me so much that I am endeavouring to find -relief from my vexation by telling it to you, as it is a satisfaction -to me to think that you will pity me, in spite of the neglect of your -advice, which I have betrayed. After having had the carriage at the -door to leave this place (the Duchess of Gordon's) in order that we -might spend to-morrow quietly, about twenty miles off, I have suffered -myself to be persuaded to stay here till Monday. O how subtle are the -devices of the enemy of our peace, and how weak our natural means of -defence; the real cause of my falling into this temptation is now plain -enough, but the shadow of delusion that for a moment imposed upon me -was the idea of having some serious conversation with the Duchess, when -we were likely to be almost alone, and which company has hitherto given -me but little opportunity for; and this I was weak enough to indulge in -spite of more sober convictions and the advice of Mr. Gorham and other -objections, and I am just awakened to see the extent of my folly, -conceit, and wilful depravity, by finding that we are to have no chance -of having my imagination gratified, as Sir Wm. Scott has written word -that he is coming to-morrow, and the delight with which the Duchess -welcomed the intelligence has opened my eyes to my sottishness in -thinking her sincere in her wish that I might pass a Sunday with her. I -cannot conceive a scene more calculated to excite feelings of devotion -and to expose worldly vanities than this spot, which is quite lovely, -yet here I have found how strongly the world may engage the affections; -there is something in the Duchess that pleases, although against the -judgment (perhaps a little in the way of Falstaff), and makes her -entertaining even when she is the subject of melancholy reflections; -indeed, I feel how necessary your warnings against her fascinations -were; she talked a great deal about her friend Wilberforce, and -threatens you with a letter about me, and told me all my faults which -she intended to report to you; I have not spent a Sunday (for it is -now over) with so much self-reproach since I came into Scotland. She -seems to be on the same kind of terms with religion as she is with -her Duke, that is, on terms of great nominal familiarity without ever -meeting each other except in an hotel or in the streets of Edinburgh. -She fell asleep on Sunday while I was reading to her part of Leighton's -Commentary and awoke with lively expressions of admiration at what -she had not heard; she talks of setting off for Ireland in a few weeks -and of going to London afterwards, so I hope that she will do no harm -at Edinburgh next winter. I left Kinrara on Monday and got to Blair at -night; I found there more of ancient stateliness than I have yet seen, -and I think the Duke of Athol is fond of keeping it up; he has some -very fine scenery about him there, and his other place Dunkeld, which -is twenty miles off, is perhaps more beautiful although less wild and -magnificent. Sir W. Scott (whom I never see without thinking of you) is -on a visiting tour, and went from Blair with Lord Frederick Campbell -to Lord Melville's and from thence goes to the Duke of Argyle's and -Montrose's back to Edinburgh; he was very tortuous and amusing. I have -written this by scraps, and am ashamed to have been so long about it. -Many thanks for your last letter, and especially for your kindness in -giving me such full and useful directions for acquiring a talent for -public speaking; I will endeavour, as far as I am able, to do justice -to them, and I expect to find your technical lines of great service to -me. I believe that the plan of religious reading which you mention is -the best, and surely I have no small encouragement to pursue it, and -when I am so great a gainer by its beneficial effects in your case. -I spent yesterday at Lord Mansfield's, at Scoone, where the Kings of -Scotland used to be crowned; the old palace has been pulled down, and -a very large Gothic house built upon its site. I hope you are enjoying -health and quiet where you are, and every other blessing. Give my -kindest remembrance to Mrs. W. - - "Believe me, my dear sir, - "Affectly yours, - "CALTHORPE. - -"You shall hear from me again." - -Wilberforce's influence with Pitt was also known to Maria, Duchess of -Gloucester.[30] It will be remembered that Henry William, third son of -George II. (created Duke of Gloucester in 1764), married Maria, Dowager -Countess of Waldegrave, in 1766. This lady writes to Wilberforce, -hoping that through his "mediation with Pitt" a regiment of dragoons -may be given to her son Lord Waldegrave. - - -_The Duchess of Gloucester to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "GENOA, _February 4, 1786_. - -"SIR,--Although you did not succeed in one of my requests to Mr. -Pitt, you were more successful in the other; and for that I return -you my thanks. I did not very much flatter myself that Mr. Pitt would -add a place to what Lord Waldegrave at present possesses, indeed a -regiment is almost the only addition he is likely to gain; and as Mr. -Pitt has expressed his satisfaction in the marks of favour already -received from the King, may I hope, through your mediation, that Mr. -Pitt will be so good as to remind His Majesty how very acceptable a -regiment of dragoons will be to Lord Waldegrave. If Lord Waldegrave -was distressed from his own extravagance I would not trouble Mr. Pitt, -but my daughter's father left his brother a clear estate which is now -encumbered as much as if the late Lord Waldegrave had come to the -title and estate, at twenty-four, instead of forty-four. The Duke of -Grafton's reconciliation with his son is now so old a story that I only -mention it as a fact that I am sensible gives you pleasure? Mr. Pitt -is so much attached to Lord Euston, that I must take part in an event -that I know gives him so much pleasure. I hope Lord Lucan will suffer -the match to take place, but till it is over I shall have my doubts. If -Mrs. Wilberforce and your sister are in town will you give them my best -compliments. Sophia and William are both as tall as yourself. - - "Sir, - "I remain yours, &c., &c., - "MARIA." - -The next letter is from the same lady, thanking Wilberforce for having -written "so full an explanation of what so few people understand" in -his work on "Practical Christianity." - - - "GLOUCESTER HOUSE, - "_April 14, 1797_. - -"I received your inimitable book the day before I got your letter, and -had read a good way in it. I have continued to read in it with the -greatest satisfaction, and beg of you to accept of my thanks for having -written so full an explanation of what so few people understand. I hope -and trust it will be universally read, and that with attention, as then -the good it will do will be infinite. Mrs. H. More was with me last -night; she is so exalted by your book that she almost forgets humility -is one of the Christian requisites. - - "I remain, dear sir, - "Your _very_ much obliged, &c., - "MARIA." - - -Let us turn to the more serious friendships of Wilberforce's middle -age. So much of his correspondence with Hannah More has been published -that it is only lightly touched on here. - -In 1809 Hannah More wrote to Mr. Wilberforce: "Oh, if I could have had -the benefit of your assistance in Coelebs![31] but I could not be such -an unfeeling brute as to ask it. 'Tis not to _make a speech_ when I say -that _you_ are the _only being_ whose counsels would _in all points_ -have exactly fallen in with my own ideas from your uniting a critical -knowledge of the world in its higher classes with such deep religious -feelings--either of these I might have found in a very few, but not -both in any." - -Hannah More and her friends had apparently unfortunate experiences with -regard to the spiritual help to be obtained from the higher ranks of -the clergy at that time, as she writes: "I have had many interviews -with Ladies Waldegrave and Euston. They told me that, though acquainted -with several bishops, they never could get a word of seriousness or -profit from any of them." Whether it was the "critical knowledge of -the world in its higher classes" joined to "deep religious feeling" -mentioned by Hannah More, or the "indulgent benevolent temper, with -no pretension to superior sanctity or strictness," of which Maria -Edgeworth writes,[32] certain it is that Wilberforce became a guide -of the religious life of many of his friends. For instance, Mr. Eliot, -the brother-in-law of Pitt, writes from Burton Pynsent a letter, marked -"very pleasing and serious" by Wilberforce, in which he says in answer -to Wilberforce, who "hoped he had been going on in a regular, steady -way," that he had been "endeavouring to work a good will into a good -habit, that so the habit may come in turn to the assistance of the -will, which, as you very truly say, I am sure (except under the special -favour of God's grace), will flag and waver in its best pursuits and -firmest intention. My chief reading for the month has been Warburton." - -Mrs. Elizabeth Fry writes to Wilberforce to say:-- - -"When thou hast leisure, advise with me as with a child if thou hast -any hint to give me in my new circumstances. I look before long once -more to entering the prisons. The cause is near my heart, and I do not -see that my husband, having lost his property, should, when he and my -family do not want me, prevent my yet attending to these duties; in -this I should like to have thy advice." - -In 1801 the question of Irish Union divided educated opinion. Dr. -Burgh,[33] a well-known man at this time and friend of Wilberforce, -takes one side, and Lord Hardwicke, Viceroy of Ireland, the other. - - - _Dr. Burgh to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "YORK, _February 9, 1801_. - -"MY DEAR WILBER.,--I sincerely thank you for the communication you -have made to me, and assure you that you may rely upon my profoundest -silence. The cruel and corrupt means that were adequately resorted to, -in order to effect the revolutionary Union which has subverted the -prescriptive constitution of both these kingdoms, have so entirely -infected the sweetness of affiance in my bosom, that whatever systems -or changes are adopted my eye sets instantly to search among all -possible motives in order to find the worst of issues. Can I see -Addington climb upon the stooping neck of Mr. Pitt, and not believe -that it is done in hostility, or in a masked confederacy? If the -former, how am I to estimate the man who comes in? If the latter, -what judgment can I form of the man who goes out? Is a retiring -administration to be allowed, in a temporary agreement with opposition, -to support the claims of Irish Popery, and by carrying their point in -their new character, to exonerate the Cabinet of the charge; and are -they to re-occupy their posts when there are no farther measures to be -carried by them in their unresponsible situations? All this I foresaw, -though not perhaps in the detail; and, indeed, it required no prophet's -eye to foresee it, when hints which bind not were conscientiously -substituted for promises in order to purchase a momentary calm. The -downfall of the Church of England is still involved, and however the -Papists of Ireland, on merging the two kingdoms into each other, may -be considered as outnumbered by the Protestants, it is not by the -Protestants of the Establishment, who will, on the whole, be outweighed -by the incorporated force of the Protestant Dissenters with those of -the same description in Ireland, who will derive the most unqualified -assistance from the Romish body. Show favour to Popery, and the -Dissenters' claims will be abetted by millions who will only infer a -kind of right against all anticipation of consequences; or, on the -other hand, deny the demands of Popery, and you instantly and directly -unite the two denominations against the Church of England. I know but -one mode to prevent all these, and ten thousand other unconsidered -evils; at once declare the impracticability of carrying conditions into -execution, and dissolve this ill-starred Union, from which no benefit -will ever flow, but every evil that imagination can picture. - -"I will trouble you no farther now except to desire that you will not -charge me with defective candour; the things that are already done will -surely too clearly justify whatever inference I have drawn from them. - -"May every happiness attend you and yours--in opposition to prospects I -say it; but if a few good men may not save a nation, they yet may save -and purchase favour to themselves. - - "I am ever, my dear Wilber., - "Most fervently yours, - "W. B." - - - _Lord Hardwicke to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "_September 30, 1801._ - -"I think the alterations made by the Union are in some respects -likely to facilitate the conduct of public business in this country -with a view to the public benefit. I have hitherto had great reason -to be satisfied with my reception. The city of Dublin, I mean the -leading part of it, is extremely loyal and attached to Government, -but they still consider the Union as having affected in some degree -their local interests, and it will be some time before this feeling -is entirely removed. There can however be little doubt that when they -see the United Parliament as attentive to Irish as they have been to -British interests, and disposed to promote them by the same liberal -encouragement, that whatever partial dissatisfaction may remain -will gradually wear off. If the French do not succeed in landing a -considerable body of troops in this country we shall certainly continue -to enjoy tranquillity, but if the enemy effect a landing in force, we -must expect rebellion to revive." - -The state of Ireland at a later date after the Union is alluded to -in the next letter from Lord Redesdale,[34] who was apparently much -aggrieved at the treatment which he had experienced in giving up -the Lord Chancellorship of that country. The letter is marked by -Wilberforce "Lord Redesdale shamefully used on being turned out of -Chancellorship." - - -_Lord Redesdale to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "ELY PLACE, DUBLIN, - "_March 5, 1806_. - -"MY DEAR SIR,--I rely upon your letter, desiring to know whether -there was any establishment in this country by contribution to which -you could forward its civilisation, for excusing my sending you -'observations on the necessity of publishing the Scriptures in the -Irish language,' by Dr. Stokes, of the College, who is engaged in -such a work, without any view of emolument, but merely to promote -the civilisation of the country, and the propagation, as much as -possible, of the Christian religion in its purity. He is supported by -contribution of the college, and some private contributions; but such -is the temper of the Irish that even their charities, liberal as they -frequently are, are more the result of pride and vanity than of any of -the true feelings of the charitable mind. I think Dr. Stokes's work -will be very useful; and that in spite of all the arts of the priests, -the circulation of the Scriptures will prevail amongst the lower -orders, and must reform even the Irish Catholic Church, which I take to -be the most corrupt now remaining of all the members of the Church of -Rome. It will also have the effect of enabling the Protestant clergy -of the Establishment to perform their duty; namely, to endeavour to -instruct those who do not understand the English language; and I think -it will also enable the gentlemen of the country to gain so much of -the Irish language as will give them some intercourse with their poor -neighbours, where the English language is not spoken; and I think it -will also contribute to diffuse the English language, which I think -is a most important advantage. I have thought it my duty to subscribe -ten guineas for the encouragement of Dr. Stokes, and I believe a -few subscriptions with what the College proposes to give him, will -encourage him to proceed with activity; as I have strong assurances -that he seeks for nothing but indemnity and desires no compensation -for his time or his labour. I yesterday gave up the Great Seal, in -consequence of Lord Spencer's having thought fit to advise His Majesty, -after he had signed a warrant for Mr. Ponsonby's appointment, to sign -another for putting the Great Seal in commission, and then to send -it _by express_, directing the Lord Lieutenant to _lose no time_ in -procuring the Commission to pass the Seal. This has been done in so -much hurry that I have great doubts of its regularity; and if it had -been the case of any man but myself, I should have refused to put the -Great Seal to the patent, without further consideration; and I find the -Lords Commissioners are very much puzzled how to act. But this I feel -principally as a marked and gross personal affront to me, and through -me to the Lord Lieutenant. - -"I could do nothing (without the Lord Lieutenant's warrant) but -despatch the business of the Court of Chancery; and yet I am not to be -trusted with the Great Seal _for a few days_ till the arrival of Mr. -Ponsonby for that purpose; and the suitors of the Court of Chancery -were to be equally injured; for the Commissioners being the Chief -Justice and Chief Baron, who have too much business in their own -courts to sit in the Court of Chancery, and the Master of the Rolls who -cannot (from the state of his health) do more business than he does -as Master of the Rolls, very little of the business which would have -been dispatched by me can be done till the arrival of Mr. Ponsonby; and -by that time all the counsel will be gone the circuit. I must confess -I resent this wanton and childish insult (for I have no doubt the -affront was intended by Lord Spencer) much more than my removal from -my office, and nothing could be more insulting than the terms of the -letters written by my old friend C. W. Wynne, by order of Lord Spencer, -with the directions to have the patent to the Commissioners sealed -forthwith. From Lord Spencer and from Wynne I had certainly a claim at -least to personal civility. But it is the miserable effect of party -violence to blind all those who suffer themselves to be led by it. I -have the satisfaction of knowing that all those persons here whose -good opinion is of any value regret my removal, and have given me most -affectionate testimonies of their regard. I am sorry to add that the -conduct of His Majesty's ministers, in various instances, has raised -in the Protestant inhabitants of this country great and serious alarm. -The expressions of Mr. Fox on the subject of the Union have sunk deep -into their minds; and though it has been contrived to quiet those -adverse to the Union for the moment, with a view to prevent alarm, the -poison is working in their minds, and you will probably soon perceive -its effects. Mr. Fox's answer to Lord Shrewsbury and Mr. Scully, as -stated in the papers, has also had a very unfortunate effect. It is -a libel on the Government of the country in all its parts; imputing -to it gross partiality even in the administration of justice, and it -promises the Roman Catholics a different order of things; not by the -interposition of the legislature, but _by the influence and favour -of the executive_ government; and it applies itself directly and -particularly to the _army_, as if it were intended to frighten the -Protestants into acquiescence. It should be recollected that Lord -Shrewsbury is not connected in any way with Ireland, except by a claim -of peerage; and that Mr. Scully is the author of a pamphlet in which -he writes of James the Second as _the lawful King of Ireland_ at the -battle of the Boyne, and King William as a _Dutch invader_. You can -have no conception of the gloom which prevails in the minds of thinking -people in this country. Our Chief Justice and Chief Baron, both very -sound men and highly esteemed, are very strongly affected. The Chief -Justice forebodes every species of mischief. Lord Norbury, who is -Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, is of a lighter turn of mind, and -irritated by a gross and ridiculous affront in omitting his name in the -Commission for custody of the Great Seal--evidently a mere piece of -party malice. But he also is full of gloomy apprehensions of the result -of the measures likely to be adopted. - -"But my apprehensions are greatly increased by observing that Lord -Grenville and Lord Spencer are mere dupes to the other party in the -Cabinet with respect to Ireland, if not generally so. Lord Grenville -and Lord Spencer perhaps imagine that they may have some influence in -Ireland through Mr. Elliott and Sir J. Newport. Most certainly they -will have none. The Ponsonby family will govern Ireland through the -Lord Lieutenant, who is completely in their hands. Lord Grenville and -Lord Spencer seem also to have put Scotland and India out of their -control; and with the influence of all the great appendages of the -Empire against them, and a majority in the Cabinet to contend with at -home, what can they hope for? As the least of two evils, I shall yet -feel it my duty to support them against their rivals in the Cabinet, -though the personal insults I have received have come through them, -and their rivals have been comparatively civil. I shall get rid of -my property here as soon as I can, and with the miserable remains -transport myself to England for the rest of my days. - -"I have had enough of office, and especially in my last change, which -has had the effect of making me pay a fine of at least twenty thousand -pounds for the honour of serving four years in a laborious office, -separated from my family and all my old friends, I shall return to -England, however, with pleasure; for though I shall be reduced to -practise an economy to which for thirty years I have been a stranger, -I shall return to my old friends, and to a country where my life will -probably be in no greater danger than that of any other person, and -where Lady Redesdale will be relieved from the fear and anxieties -which have long agitated her mind, and made her ardently wish that I -had never taken the office of Chancellor of Ireland; a wish in which I -most heartily concur. The remainder of my life I trust will be passed -more quietly than the last three years. Lady Redesdale begs to join in -respects to Mrs. Wilberforce, and I am - - "Truly, my dear sir, - "Your faithful, humble servant, - "REDESDALE." - - -Sydney Smith writes in 1807 with regard to the Yorkshire election, -and the state of Ireland: his letter is marked "characteristic" by -Wilberforce. - -"DEAR SIR,--If Mrs. S. remains in her present state of health I hardly -know how I can go down to Yorkshire at all. It is eight weeks since -her lying-in, and she cannot yet stand upon her feet. If I do come I -will certainly vote for Lord Milton and for you. I hope now you have -done with Africa you will do something for Ireland, which is surely -the greatest question and interest connected with this Empire. There -is no man in England who from activity, understanding, character, and -neutrality could do it so effectually as Mr. Wilberforce--and when this -country conceded a century ago an establishment to the Presbyterian -Church, it is horrible to see four millions of Christians of another -persuasion instructed by ragged priests, and praising their Creator -in wet ditches. I hope to God you will stir in this great business, -and then we will vote you the consulship for life, and you shall be -perpetual member for Yorkshire. - -"In the meantime I remain, with great respect, - - "Your obedient servant, - "SYDNEY SMITH." - - -Wilberforce had evidently written to Lord Eldon begging him not to -take up the great question of abolition of slavery on party grounds; -and Lord Eldon wrote that he wished that the House of Lords might -not disgrace itself by its mode of proceeding, as he saw a strong -inclination to do justice, "if abolition be justice, in a most unjust -mode." This letter is undated; it was probably written in 1802. - -_Lord Eldon to Mr. Wilberforce._ - -"DEAR SIR,--I thank you for your book, and I add my thanks for your -letter. You may be assured that I am incapable of 'taking up this -great question on party grounds.' As a proof of that, I may mention -that after listening more than once, with the partiality which my love -of his virtues created, to Mr. Pitt himself in the House of Commons, -and discussing the subject with him in private, again and again, the -difficulties which I had upon immediate abolition, and abolition -without compensation previously pledged (not compensation for British -debts out of African blood, but out of British treasure) never were so -far surmounted, as to induce me to think I had clear grounds for voting -_with him_. After such a statement, I need not say that, although -my political life has, at least so I fancy, for near twenty-four -years been so far really regulated by a sincere belief that I am -acting according to the dictates of duty in an uniform uninterrupted -opposition to some persons now in power that I feel it very difficult -to class among my honourable friends gentlemen who have never, that I -know of, disavowed the principles against which I have been waging war, -and who, I presume, have never disavowed them because they entertained -them, as sincerely as I detest them; yet, in a case of this sort, I -know that I must either stand or fall by taking diligent heed that in -what I do or forbear to do I am governed by the best lights, which my -own reason, aided by information, can afford me; and I should think -myself a worse man, if I was influenced by party considerations in -such a business, than indiscreet zeal has yet represented a West India -planter to be. - -"What I shall finally do I know not. I wish the House of Lords may -not disgrace itself by its mode of proceeding. I see or think I see a -strong inclination, if abolition be justice, to do justice in a most -unjust mode. Perhaps the dilatory conduct of that House formerly, it -is now thought, can be atoned for by hurry and precipitation. And that -its character will be best maintained by its being doubly disgraced. -I wish my mind had been so framed as to feel no doubts on this awful -and fearful business, but as that is not the case, I must endeavour to -do as rightly as, with my infirmities of mind I may be able to act. -I shall see to-day what course the matters take, and if my view of -the subject leads me to determine to vote and I feel it likely to be -beneficial to converse upon facts, as well as to read all I can find, -I shall seek the benefit you kindly offer me. - - "Yours sincerely, - "ELDON." - - -Wilberforce had met Lord Ellenborough on the Continent in 1785, and -had maintained a friendly intercourse with him. The following letter -from Lord Ellenborough shows his attitude towards abolition. Though he -acknowledged the viciousness of the system he was extremely alarmed at -the consequences of disturbing it (especially in the then convulsed -state of the world). At the same time he said that he should not be -governed by any supposed policy of man, if he were clear as to the -will of God on the point. His letter is marked "truly pleasing" by -Wilberforce. - -_Lord Ellenborough to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "BLOOMSBURY SQUARE, - "_June 27, 1802_. - -"MY DEAR SIR,--I recollect perfectly the conversation between us -in the House of Commons to which you allude, and should be extreme -happy to appoint a time when I might have the benefit, which I should -certainly derive from a communication with you upon the important -subject mentioned in your letter,--if I could do so with convenience -to you, and without breaking in upon my necessary attendance during -the sittings at Westminster and Guildhall--and which occupy me from -half-past eight to four or later every day--and on some days I am -afterwards obliged to attend the House of Lords till between five and -six. If there be any morning this week during which my sittings will -continue at Westminster, when it might be convenient to you to be at my -chamber at Westminster, called the King's Bench Treasury Chamber, by -half-past eight, I would be down there by that time, which would allow -me the satisfaction of seeing you for half hour before my sittings, -which commence at nine, begin. I feel the infinite importance of the -question of abolition, and will give no vote upon it at all, unless I -can do so with a much more satisfied judgment and conscience on the -subject than I have attained at present. I have always felt a great -abhorrence of the mode by which these unfortunate creatures are torn -from their families and country, and have doubted whether any sound -policy could grow out of a system which seemed to be so vicious in -its foundation; but I am extremely alarmed at the consequences of -disturbing it, particularly in the present convulsed state of the -world. In short, my dear sir, I am almost ashamed to say that I tremble -at giving their full effect to the impressions which the subject -naturally makes on my mind, in the first view of it, as a man and a -Christian. I am frightened at the consequences of any innovation upon -a long-established practice, at a period so full of danger as the -present. At the same time I cannot well reconcile it with the will of -God,--and if I was quite clear on that head, I should be decided by it, -and should not be governed by any supposed policy of man which might be -set up in opposition to it. I write this in confidence to yourself. I -remain, my dear sir, with very sincere respect, - - "Your obedient servant, - "ELLENBOROUGH." - - -Wilberforce had written to Lord Ellenborough on the evils of his having -a seat in the Cabinet, Lord Ellenborough being at that time Lord -Chief Justice of the King's Bench, and the next letter contains Lord -Ellenborough's defence of his conduct, which does not err on the side -of brevity and which Wilberforce describes as "a very handsome answer." - -_Lord Ellenborough to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "BLOOMSBURY SQUARE, - "_February 4, 1806_. - -"MY DEAR SIR,--I sit down to thank you for the favour of your letter -in the very instant in which I have received it. I regret very much -that I have no opportunity of personal communication with you on the -subject of it: if I had I could explain more perfectly and unreservedly -than I can do by letter all the motives which have induced my reluctant -acquiescence in a nomination of myself to a place in the Cabinet. -The situation has not only not been sought by me, but I appeal to -every member of the Government about to be formed who is acquainted -with the transaction, whether it was not accepted by me with extreme -reluctance, and after objections raised by myself which nothing but a -superior sense of the present duty and a prospect of present usefulness -to the public would have surmounted. If I had felt that a situation -in the Cabinet would have placed me under circumstances inconsistent -with the due and impartial discharge of my judicial functions, no -consideration on earth would have induced me to accept it. A member -of the Cabinet is only a member of a Select Committee of the Privy -Council, of which Privy Council at large every justice of the K.B. is -of course a member. In that larger Privy Council his Majesty may and -frequently does take the opinion of its members on matters which may -come in question judicially before some of them. But I think that no -man can correctly act in both capacities, and therefore when a question -of a high criminal nature was about a year ago under discussion at a -Privy Council at which I was particularly desired by the Chancellor to -attend, I stipulated expressly with my Lord Chancellor that I should -not be included in a Special Commission to try the offence then under -consideration. I think both my Lord C. J. Holt, and very lately my -Lord C. J. Eyre would have done better to have forborne being present -at the preliminary inquiries before the Privy Council, the subjects -of which in the result might be, and afterwards in fact were, tried -before them; but the objection is not so much in my opinion that I -might be led to participate in the counsels of the Executive Government -upon questions connected with the criminal jurisdiction which I am to -exercise elsewhere (because from these I should of course invariably -withdraw myself) but because it might give a political cast and bias -to a judicial mind, might generate views of ambition, and destroy -that indifference and impartiality on all questions which is the -proper characteristic of a British judge, and even if it had not that -effect, it might be supposed by the world at large to produce it, which -very opinion of others would detract much from the public credit and -consequent usefulness of the person so circumstanced. - -"The consideration of this objection at first gave my mind no small -degree of anxiety. I was conscious to myself that I had no views of -ambition to gratify. Those views, if I had entertained any such, would -have been better consulted by accepting the Great Seal, and with it a -highly efficient place in the public Councils--but which I had already -refused--indeed every view of that kind has been long since more than -satisfied. I lent myself at the earnest solicitation of others to the -great public object of forming a strong and united administration, -which, perhaps, without my consent to accept this situation could -not, from particular circumstances and difficulties which I am not at -liberty to state, have been formed. - -"In accepting it I have stipulated that I should not be expected -to attend except on particularly important occasions, and on such -occasions some of my predecessors and particularly Lord Mansfield has, -I understand, been called upon for his advice, and indeed, in virtue -of my oath as Privy Councillor I am bound to give that advice when -required. - -"Will you acquit me of vanity?--I hope you will, when I give one reason -more for my consenting to become for a time (I hope it will be a short -one) an ostensible member of his Majesty's select and confidential -Council. As I had, so I hoped I should be understood to have, no motive -of ambition or interest inducing me to take this place in his Majesty's -Councils. I had in general been supposed on most subjects to think -for myself. I had, I believe, been considered in general as a zealous -friend to the just prerogatives of the Crown. I had no particular stain -upon my private character: in the miscellaneous composition of every -administration, and of this, amongst others, I thought a person such -as I might be esteemed to be, and on the ground of that estimation -particularly, would be an ingredient not wholly without its use. - -"So it appeared to some of my friends. So it did (I speak it in -confidence) particularly to Lord Sidmouth, as to the purity of whose -views and conduct in the formation of the present arrangement I can -bear the fullest testimony, and whose earnest request (I speak it still -in the same confidence) overcame my reluctance, and induced me to make -this sacrifice of private convenience and to incur the hazard which -your kind and honourable letter represents to me as greater than I had -thought it, of suffering in the good opinion of others. If, after this -explanation, unavoidably less perfect than I could have wished to make -it, you shall still retain your unfavourable opinion of the step I have -taken, I shall learn it from you (and I am sure in that case you will -have the frankness to tell me so) with inexpressible pain. As long as -I shall continue a member of his Majesty's Councils (and I hope the -necessity which induced my acceptance of the situation will not be of -long continuance) I will give a faithful, honest, and fearless opinion -upon the subjects under consideration, and, although it is possible -that good men may doubt of the prudence or propriety of my conduct in -accepting it, I am confident that no good man who shall have the means -of knowing the actual course I shall pursue in that situation will -have reason to blame it. The explanation I have given you is entirely -confidential. With an anxious wish consistently to perform all the -various duties which press upon me at this moment and to preserve the -good opinion of good men, and especially of one whom on many accounts I -have so long and so highly esteemed as yourself, - - "I remain, my dear sir, - "Most sincerely and faithfully yours, - "ELLENBOROUGH." - - -In 1802, on the supposition that Lord Wellesley's resignation as -Governor-General of India was imminent, an idea had been entertained -that Lord Castlereagh should be offered the Governor-Generalship, and -Wilberforce had been asked to approach him on the subject. From Lord -Camden's letter to Wilberforce, given below, it will be seen that Pitt -had objected to an appointment that would take Lord Castlereagh from -the House of Commons, which he thought should be the theatre of his -future fame. - -_Lord Camden to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "_January 7, 1802._ - -"DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I lament extremely that Lady Camden and I have been -deprived of the pleasure we should have had in receiving you and Mrs. -Wilberforce here, and still more that you should have been confined -to London by the very anxious attendance you have undergone. I thank -you for communicating with me on the subject of Lord Castlereagh, and -I will explain to you all I know of his objects as connected with the -situation you have mentioned. - -"Amongst the many unpleasant circumstances attending our secession -from office I have considered Lord Castlereagh's actual situation as -one peculiarly awkward to himself, and I have also thought that in the -present dearth of men of spirit and sense who _can_ take office it was -unfortunate for the country that he should be excluded. With a view of -relieving him, if possible, from such exclusion, I contrived that he -should meet Pitt here about a month ago, and have a full and explicit -conversation with him and me relative to the future views of the one -and the future prospects of the other. (I confess I was not indifferent -at the same time to the consideration of the line I may myself -hereafter think it right to adopt.) In a previous conversation I had -with Pitt respecting Lord Castlereagh, he expressed his anxiety that -he should take office, and he is desirous of contriving it if possible -with credit to him; and amongst the objects to which Lord Castlereagh -might look, he took notice to me of an idea which he knew had been -entertained of sending him to the East Indies as Governor-General. He -(Pitt), however, expressed an objection to this appointment, as it -would take him from the House of Commons, which _he_ thought should be -the theatre of his future fame, and where, whenever Lord Hawkesbury -is removed, he will be much wanted. In preparing Lord Castlereagh for -his conversation with Pitt I mentioned to him the idea which had been -entertained of his going to India, but I took notice of it as a mere -floating idea that had not been matured, and in the short conversation -upon that part of the subject which ensued, his impression appeared to -be an unwillingness to banish himself from his country and to withdraw -for ever (as he should conceive he did, by now abandoning it) from -the situation he had a right to look for in the House of Commons. In -the subsequent conversation with Pitt at which I was present, not a -word passed on this subject, and I should therefore conceive that Lord -Castlereagh has never had the subject fairly before him. I am convinced -he would have communicated with me if he had; and although I should -conceive it very doubtful if the event might turn out as you wish, if -the proposition were made to him, I yet think if the directors of the -East India Company have really thought of him, he ought to have the -opportunity of weighing a subject of this great importance in his mind -before he has been understood to decline the offer. By way of apprising -Lord Castlereagh upon the subject I will enclose him your letter (if -you have no objection), which I think will give him the opinion of -a person indifferent to everything concerning him except his public -character, and open the business in as advantageous a manner as it can -be done. - - "Believe me, - - "Ever most sincerely yours, - - "CAMDEN." - - -In 1803 the tardiness of our military preparations had been accentuated -in a debate on the second reading of the Army Reserve Bill. Windham, -of whom Wilberforce says that "he had many of the true characteristics -of a hero, but he had one great fault as a statesman, he hated the -popular side of any question," gives as his opinion in the next letter, -that he saw no impossibility in two armies of from twenty to thirty -thousand men being landed in different places, and being opposed only -by yeomanry and volunteers they might advance to London or wherever -else they pleased. "Government acknowledge that there is an utter want -of firearms."[35] Windham's hope was that Buonaparte might, for some -reason or other, not come; though he confesses that he did not know of -any foundation for such hope. - - - _Right Hon. William Windham to Mr. Wilberforce._ - "BEACONSFIELD, - "_August 18, 1803_. - -"DEAR WILBERFORCE,--The breaking up of Parliament, advanced as the -season is, I can hardly help regretting on another account. One wants -a means of publishing the abominable backwardness in which things are -with respect to defence: so as literally to put us in the situation, -described by some writer in the _Moniteur_, namely that if fifty -thousand men can anyhow get on shore, they must conquer the island. -What shall we say to the fact, that at the end of now more than five -months since the King's message not a single ball cartridge (I suppose) -has been fired from one end of the country to the other, unless -perhaps a few that I have desired to be fired just by me in Norfolk, -and some that I hear Grey has been using upon the same principle in -Northumberland?--that the corps, which have been raising, such as they -are, remain to this moment for the greater part without arms?--that -excepting, I am afraid, a very few thousand men to the army of reserve, -not the smallest addition has been or can be made to a force truly -regular, such as can alone be opposed upon equal terms to the troops -by which we shall be invaded?--and that the whole assistance, that -would be to be received from works, of whatever sort, is all yet to -be begun, and even settled? When men talk of the difficulties and -impracticability of invasion, of the impossibility of conquering a -country such as this, they say what may be true, but which is certainly -not so for any reasons which they can, or at least which they do, -give. It is all a kind of loose, general vague notion founded on what -they have been accustomed to see and to conceive, to which the answer -is that so was everything which we have seen successively happen for -these last fourteen years. Considering things not in much detail, but -upon principles somewhat less general than those which I have been -alluding to, I can see no impossibility in the supposition of two -armies landing in different places of from twenty to thirty thousand -men each, of their beating, severally, the troops immediately opposed -to them, and that having nothing then to encounter but volunteers and -yeomanry, and other troops of this description, in the midst of all the -confusion and panick which would then prevail, that they might advance -to London or wherever else they pleased. What the further consequences -might be, one has no pleasure in attempting to trace; but I should be -obliged to anyone who would show me some distinct limits to them. The -persons to do this are, I am sure, not those who talk so glibly of -crushing and overwhelming, and smothering, and I know not what all; -without the least idea how any of these things are to be done, while -the persons attacking us know how these things are, sometimes at least, -not done, by the example of the numerous countries which they have -overrun in spite of all such threatened opposition. I shall go from -here, that is from London, as soon as I have settled some necessary -business, and see whether I can be of any use in Norfolk, though I do -not perceive how with the aid of only a single regiment of militia (all -our present force) we are to stop a body of even one thousand men, or -how for the present, anything at all can be done, when there is not -as yet a provision for even the delivery of arms. All the firelocks -which they have as yet got immediately about here have been sent down -at my own expense. My chief hopes are I confess that Buonaparte may, -for some reason or another, not come, or at least for some time; but -what foundation there is for any such hope I confess I do not know. -Forgive my running on at this rate. The importance of the subject would -certainly warrant me if I had anything new to say. - - "Yours very truly, - - "W. WINDHAM." - - -Lord Chatham[36] at that time Master-General of the Ordnance, writes on -the same subject: at any rate there were "one hundred thousand pikes -ready for the defence of the country, but there was an indisposition to -take them." - - - _Lord Chatham to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "ST. JAMES' SQUARE, - - "_September 2, 1803._ - -"I had certainly felt it my duty (as only following up the plan -proposed before I came to the Ordnance) to endeavour to restore at -the Peace, and with such improvements as could be suggested, the -manufacture of the old Tower musquet, which our troops used to have, -but which the necessities of the late war, and the naked state of -our arsenals at its commencement, had obliged us to depart from, and -to have recourse to an inferior arm. I found of course considerable -opposition to any improvement, not only from the manufacturers, but -from all the inferior servants of the Ordnance. This was, however, -nearly surmounted, and the manufacture of the better sort of arm on the -point of taking place, when this sudden and unprecedented demand for -arms took place. I ought here to state that had it not been with a view -to improvement, and intending gradually to dispose of those of inferior -quality through the medium of the India Company, we should not have -been, previous to the war breaking out, carrying on any manufacture -of arms, our arsenals being overflowing, calculating on the most -extended scale the Department had ever been called upon to furnish. I -have, however, in consequence of the extraordinary calls of the present -crisis, determined to use every effort to meet it, and directions have -been given to the Board of Ordnance to revert to the same arm as was -made last war, and to manufacture to the utmost possible extent the -musquet of the India pattern. You will easily believe I must have felt -some reluctance in being obliged to take this step after all the pains -I have bestowed, but I hope I have judged for the best. I have great -satisfaction in thinking that the stock of arms we possess will enable -us in the first instance, to arm to a considerable extent perhaps all -that is really useful, and as arms come in, which with the exertions -of the manufacturers they will do quickly, and with the aid of what we -expect from abroad the remainder will be provided before long. We have -already one hundred thousand pikes, and can increase them rapidly, but -in general there is an indisposition to take them. I should like much -to talk over with you, not only the subject of arms, but the whole -question of volunteering which I contemplate as a most serious one. -Excuse great haste with which I have written, and with Lady Chatham's -very best remembrances to you, - - "Believe me, yours very sincerely, - "CHATHAM." - -Henry Bankes, the old friend of both Pitt and Wilberforce, writes on -the political situation in 1807 as follows:-- - - - _Mr. Bankes to Mr. Wilberforce._ - "KINGSTON HALL, - "_January 1, 1807_. - -"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--Upon perusing the French papers I am well -satisfied with the conduct of our Government. The tone is firm and -uniform, and the demands such that we might have felt extremely happy -to have made peace if we could have obtained them. There is somewhat of -a blundering about the basis, which you will recollect Lord Malmesbury -wrote so much ingenious nonsense about upon a former occasion, and it -is to be lamented that Mr. Fox (whose letters upon the whole do him -great honour) laid down an indistinct and indefinite basis in general -terms of loose construction instead of binding that Proteus, his friend -Talleyrand, to whom in his first address he professes the most perfect -_attachment_ (what a word from a Minister not born in the days of -Charles II.!) to the sense in which he meant to interpret, fairly as I -think, his words, and the words of his master. - -"Nothing can equal the shabbiness, chicanery, and double dealing of the -French negotiators, and their proceedings do in fact but little credit -to their understandings, if they have any opinion of ours. - - "Believe me, my dear Wilberforce, - "Most sincerely yours, - "HENRY BANKES." - - -Lord Harrowby, who twice refused the Premiership, writes of the state -of parties in 1809. - - _Lord Harrowby to Mr. Wilberforce._ - _Friday, September 22, 1809._ - -"DEAR WILBERFORCE,--You must have thought me a great bear not to have -thanked you sooner for your kind recollection of my wish to see a -sketch of Mrs. H. More's rustic building. It is much more finished than -I wished, and shall be sent to Kensington as soon as Mrs. Ryder has -taken a slight sketch of it. - -"I have, since I received it, taken two journies into Devonshire, upon -Maynooth business, and have not had, when in town, a spare moment -from Indian and domestic torments. The history of the latter could -not be put upon paper, and if it could, would be as voluminous as an -Indian despatch. You know enough of the parties not to suspend your -opinion till you know as much as is necessary to form it. The Duke -of Portland's resignation has only accelerated the crisis, and you -know enough of Perceval to be sure that we are not broken up, because -_he_ insists upon having the whole power in his own hands, and will -not serve under any third person. Under these circumstances, and a -thousand others, there seemed no resource left, but to attempt an -overture to Lord Grey and Grenville jointly, which is made with the -King's consent and authority. If it is met in the spirit in which it -is made, I trust it will be successful. Whatever we may be _driven_ -to do, if they shut their ears to the proposal of an extended and -combined administration, we shall not, in my opinion, have been -justified in our own eyes or in those of the country, if any party -feelings prevented us from _endeavouring bona fide_ to form such a -Government as may both protect the King, and be fit for these times. -They are, I believe, as little able to form a separate Government as -ourselves, unless they mean to re-unite themselves with those at whose -proceedings they were so evidently alarmed last year. If they come in -alone by force, they will have the Catholic question as a millstone -round their necks. The very fact of an union with us who are known to -entertain a decidedly opposite opinion upon that question (some of us -for ever, and all during the King's life) would enable them to get rid -of it for the present, as, without any pledge, which, after all that -has passed, could neither be asked nor given, that question could never -be made a Government question without the immediate dissolution of the -administration. - -"You express a very flattering satisfaction at my return to public -life. It will probably be a very short excursion, and certainly a most -painful one. I look for no comfort but in planting turnips in my Sabine -farm. - - "Yours ever most sincerely, - - "HARROWBY." - - -Lord Erskine writes in 1813, to Wilberforce:-- - -"I cannot sufficiently discharge a duty I owe to the public without -telling you what I think of the speech you sent me on the Christian -question in India. The subject, though great and important, was local -and temporary; but the manner in which you treated it made your speech -of the greatest value in the shield of Christianity that eloquence and -faith could possibly have manufactured. - -"I read it with the highest admiration, and as I am now a private man -for the remaining years of my life, I may say, without the presumption -of station to give weight to my opinion, that it deserves a place in -the library of every man of letters, even if he were an atheist, for -its merit in everything that characterises an appeal to a Christian -assembly on the subject of Christianity. With the greatest regard I -ever am, - - "My dear sir, - - "Your most faithful servant, - - "ERSKINE." - - -Rowland Hill, the celebrated preacher, the disciple of Whitefield, and -the founder of the Surrey Chapel, writes to bring before Wilberforce's -notice the question of "untaxed worship," with regard to his chapel. - -_Rev. Rowland Hill to Mr. Wilberforce._ - -"SURREY CHURCH, - -"_April 16, 1814_. - -"MY DEAR SIR,--Another prosecution for poor rates on our chapel has -commenced. Though the appellant, Mr. Farquarson, a man of no character -and involved in debt, is the ostensible person, yet all the evil arises -from a Mr. Whitlock, who has a place in the lottery office under -Government, who probably might have been quiet had he received a hint -from the Government that his designs were not correspondent with their -wishes. As matters are, the most vexatious and perplexing consequences -must be the result. Different persons are subpoena'd down as far as -Rygate, while these large expenses _a third time over_ is the least -of the evil that must result. If they gain a verdict, for the sake of -thousands of religious people that must be ruined by such a taxation, -we must and shall resist. Surely the present mild Government will not -suffer us to be deprived of the privilege of untaxed worship that we -have uninterruptedly so long enjoyed. - -"If, dear sir, you could but hint to Mr. Vansittart what must be the -result of his neglecting to answer our respectful petitions so as to -obtain some redress on our behalves, thousands would have to bless you, -and none more so than - - "Yours most respectfully, - - "ROWLAND HILL. - - -"It should appear according to the new French constitution that our -religious liberties in England are soon likely to be much inferior to -those in France. - -"We humbly conceive we have some little claim on the attention of -the Government against these vexatious disputes, having made the -largest collection of any place of worship in the kingdom on different -patriotic calls." - -It will be remembered that when the Duke of Wellington was ambassador -to Paris in 1814 he took up very warmly the question of the Slave -Trade, himself circulating in Paris Wilberforce's letter to his -Yorkshire constituents on the subject, which Madam de Stael had -translated at the Duke's suggestion, and also undertaking to disperse -Wilberforce's pamphlet to Talleyrand. The Duke writes from Paris, -December 14, 1814. - - -_The Duke of Wellington to Mr. Wilberforce._ - -"It is impossible to describe the prejudice of all classes here -upon the subject, particularly those of our determined enemies, the -principal officers and _employes_ in the public departments. I was -in hopes that the King's measures had changed the public opinion in -some degree, of which the silence of the public journals appeared an -evidence. But I found yesterday that I was much mistaken and that the -desire to obtain the gain expected in the trade is surpassed only by -that of misrepresenting our views and measures, and depreciating the -merit we have in the abolition. I was yesterday told gravely by the -Directeur de la Marine that one of our objects in abolishing the Slave -Trade was to get recruits to fight our battles in America! and it was -hinted that a man might as well be a slave for agricultural labour as a -soldier for life, and that the difference was not worth the trouble of -discussing it." - -The Duke goes on to complain that what was taking place in Paris as to -the Slavery question had got into the English newspapers. - -_The Duke of Wellington to Mr. Wilberforce._ - -"I am quite convinced that the only mode in which the public opinion -upon it here can be brought to the state in which we wish to see it, -is to keep the question out of discussion in England by public bodies -and by the newspapers, and I must say that it is but fair towards the -King of France not to make public in England that which he has not -published to his subjects. We shall do good in this question in France -only in proportion as we shall anticipate and carry the public opinion -with us; and in recommending to avoid discussion at present in order -to make some progress in the opinion of France, I may lay claim to the -merit of sacrificing the popularity which I should have acquired by -having been the instrument to prevail upon the French Government to -prevent the renewal of the trade on that part of the coast on which we -had effectually abolished it during the war. I see that Mr. Whitbread -mentioned the subject at a public meeting in the city, which I hope -will be avoided at least till the French Government will have carried -into execution all it proposes to do at present. - - "Ever, my dear sir, yours most faithfully, - - "WELLINGTON." - - -The Duke of Wellington's letter to General Macaulay is on the same -subject: he says that in the case of the Slave Trade he could only be -successful in France by being secret. He evidently disapproves of the -people "who will have news and newspapers at their breakfasts," and -thinks that the great cause had suffered from prematurely published -reports. - - - _The Duke of Wellington to General Macaulay._ - - "PARIS, _December 22, 1814_. - -"MY DEAR MACAULAY,--I received only yesterday your letter of the 9th, -and I had already received one from Mr. Wilberforce on the same -subject, to which I have written an answer. I am quite certain that he -has nothing to say to the publication in question. - -"It is, I believe, very true that secrecy in such a matter cannot -be expected, but the people of England ought to advert to this -circumstance when they are pushing their objects, and if they will -have news and newspapers at their breakfasts they should show a little -forbearance towards their Governments, if Foreign Courts are a little -close towards their agents. In the case of the Slave Trade I could be -successful in this country only by being secret, and in proportion as -we should be secret. And in point of fact I have found the agents of -this Government much more disposed lately to oppose our views than they -were six weeks ago, and I have been reproached with having allowed what -has been done to be published in our newspapers. - -"I must observe also that though Mr. Wilberforce could not prevent what -was published from appearing in the newspapers, Mr. Whitbread might -have avoided to mention the subject at a public meeting held in London -upon some other subject; but the truth is that we mix up our party -politics with our philanthropy and everything else, and I suspect we -don't much care what object succeeds or fails provided it affects the -Ministers of the day. - -"Matters here are apparently in the same state as when you went -away, but I believe are really in a better state; the appointments -of Monsieur Didule to the Police and of Marshal Soult to the War -Department have done some good. - - "Ever yours, - "WELLINGTON." - - -Wilberforce was a member of a committee for the relief of the "poor -German sufferers," the wounded Prussians in 1814-15. The translation of -Marshal Blucher's letter to the Managing Committee after Waterloo is as -follows.[37] - - - "CHATILLON SUR SAMBRE, - "_June 24, 1815_. - -"Are you now satisfied? In eight days I have fought two bloody battles, -besides five considerable engagements. I have taken one fortress, and -keep three more surrounded. Yesterday the worthy Wellington was with -me: we are agreed, we go hand in hand: the blockaded fortresses will -not stop our operations, and if the Austrians and Russians do not -speedily push forward, we shall finish the game ourselves. Farewell, -and remember me to all England. - - "BLUCHER. - - -"It is all very well, but I have twenty-two thousand killed and -wounded. It is one consolation that they fell in the cause of humanity. -I hope in England care will be taken of our suffering brethren; put it -to the feelings of Mr. Wilberforce and other friends." - -In a later letter to Wilberforce, Marshal Blucher disclaims the idea -that personal affection for himself had had anything to do with -the unexampled liberality of the English to his suffering fellow -countrymen. For this liberality he begs to be allowed to offer other -motives. 1. The flattering description by the Duke of Wellington of -the conduct of the Prussians at the Battle of Waterloo; 2. The command -of the Prince Regent to make collections for them in all the churches -of Great Britain; and 3. Wilberforce's "own noble exertions in their -behalf." He entreats Wilberforce to be the organ of his gratitude to -the whole English nation. - - - _Marshal Blucher to Mr. Wilberforce._ - "BONN, _December 7, 1815_. - -"SIR,--Your letter dated the 31st of October, reached me in safety, and -with it the cheering intelligence that the English nation, and all the -subscribers for the relief of the Prussians who have suffered in the -present war, and for the survivors of those who have fallen, have borne -an honourable testimony to their lively interest in the cause, by the -greatest and most unexampled liberality. - -"In your letter, sir, you are so good as to say, that it is in some -measure owing to the personal affection felt for me by your countrymen, -that this liberality has exceeded any which in similar circumstances -has ever been exhibited; and you appeal to my own experience in the -support of this assertion. It is true that during my residence in -England I met everywhere with the most flattering reception; and I hope -I shall always remember it with gratitude. But this very recollection -confirms my belief, that the imagination of my services was magnified -by that affectionate goodwill which is always the result of personal -intercourse. I cannot otherwise account for the attentions which I -received. - -"But, sir, allow me to say that other motives than those of personal -goodwill to me have quickened the exertions of the British nation for -the relief of the suffering Prussians. I allude to the flattering -description of their conduct at the battle of Waterloo, by the most -noble the Duke of Wellington, and to the command of His Royal Highness -the Prince Regent, to make collections for them in all the churches -of Great Britain; neither let me forget to mention as a most powerful -cause your own noble exertions in their behalf. - -"Allow me, sir, to present you my most cordial thanks for this fresh -service which you have rendered to suffering humanity. Let me also -entreat you, my truly noble friend, you, who so richly deserve the -blessings of the whole human race, for having so courageously defended -their rights, to be the organ of my gratitude, and to present my -acknowledgments to the whole English nation for their very generous -assistance to my brave companions in arms, and to the survivors of -those who have fallen. May this liberality, which we cannot but -receive as an undoubted proof of the truest friendship and esteem, -prove a fresh bond of union between us. We fought for the highest -blessings which human nature is capable of enjoying--for Liberality -and Peace. May our high-spirited people be firmly united in so noble a -confederacy, and may that union never be interrupted. - -"Much as, at my advanced age, I cannot but feel the necessity of -repose, still should it please Providence to prolong my life, I shall -yet hope once more to revisit England, and to repeat my thanks for the -sympathy of that generous nation. - -"I entreat you to accept the assurances of my sincere esteem and high -consideration; and I have the honour to remain, sir, your most devoted -servant, - - "BLUCHER." - - -Lord Holland,[38] described as "truly fascinating, having something of -his uncle's good humour," by Wilberforce, writes of Abolition to him -in 1815, and thinks "the cause had been very coldly supported, if not -actually betrayed, at Paris, at Madrid, and at Rio Janeiro; and that we -ought to have imposed conditions on this subject when Ferdinand VII. -wanted money, instead of giving him the money first." - - - _Lord Holland to Mr. Wilberforce_. - - "HOLLAND HOUSE, - "_November 13, 1815_. - -"DEAR SIR,--I heard that you were anxious to get some paper on the -Slave Trade translated into Italian. An Italian gentleman who is upon -a visit to me will, I am sure, very willingly undertake it, and is -well qualified for the task, as he writes his language with great -elegance and understands ours. I am afraid you will not find his -Holiness as much disposed to anathematise rapine and murder committed -under the sanction of the powerful Crown of Spain, as to disdain the -extravagances of the Catholicks in Ireland. There was no difficulty -in abolishing the French Slave Trade last year but in the breasts of -the Bourbons and their adherents. Bonaparte by doing it at once lost -no adherents either in France or in the colonies, and the repugnance -felt in 1814 to the measure _at Court_ originated from their persuasion -that the principles of all Abolitionists, as well as of all toleration -in religion, are more or less connected with notions of political -liberty which they know to be incompatible with their system of -Government. True French Royalists, and many English Royalists too, make -no difference between you and me or between me and Tom Paine. We are -all equally heretics in Religion and Jacobins in Politics. There is -therefore nothing to be done with that class of men in the great cause -of Abolition, but by fear. We have already lost many opportunities, and -if we do not now insist on Portugal and Spain abandoning the trade, and -on France and the other powers treating it as piracy if they do not, we -shall have shifted the ignominy from ourselves, but we shall not have -rescued the world from the evil. May I ask if you understand why the -complete abolition in France (if that measure of Bonaparte be really -and in proper form confirmed) does not make part of the treaty? It -seems to me that at Paris, at Madrid, and at Rio Janeiro the cause has -been very coldly, or at least very inefficiently, supported, if it has -not been actually betrayed. When Ferdinand VII. wanted money we might -have imposed conditions on this and on other subjects, but we gave the -money first, and he now sets us at defiance. With many apologies for -the length of my letter, - - "I am, sir, yours truly, - - "VASSALL HOLLAND." - - -Early in 1825, William Wilberforce's brilliant Parliamentary career -came to an end by his own voluntary retirement. The Speaker's[39] -letter is the expression of a very general feeling both in the House -and outside it. - - - _The Right Hon. Speaker of the House of - Commons to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "PALACE YARD, - - "_February 19, 1825_ - -"MY DEAR SIR,--With respect to your quitting us for more private -retirement, permit me to say with the truest sincerity, and in -accordance I am persuaded with the unanimous sentiment of the whole -House, that we shall feel we have lost one of our brightest ornaments, -and whatever may be the honest variance of opinion on political -questions, I know we must all be of one mind in regretting the absence -of one as distinguished for every moral virtue as for the brilliancy of -his talents. - -"That retirement into more private life may contribute largely to your -personal ease, and to the entire restoration of your health, is, my -dear sir, the sincere wish of your most faithful and respectful - - "Friend and servant, - - "C. MANNERS SUTTON." - - -Lord John Russell's answer to Wilberforce's anti-bribery suggestions at -the time of the first Reform Bill is given below. It is marked "kind -and pleasing" by Wilberforce. - - - _Lord John Russell to Mr. Wilberforce._ - - "SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, - - "_June 3_. - -"MY DEAR SIR,--I was very much gratified at receiving your letter, not -only for the kind sentiments personally expressed towards me, but still -more for the high testimony of your authority in favour of the course -I have been pursuing. The resolutions I lately moved were directed -against the very practice of which you complain in your letter; only -instead of an election committee I propose a separate public committee -for the purpose. The expenses of an election committee are such as to -deter any from seeking that remedy but a candidate who has hopes of -acquiring the seat himself, and the public is wronged for want of some -one bound over to prosecute these offences. - -"After all, we must trust more to the frequent canvassing of the -question, and the improvement of moral feeling, which may be expected -from education, than to the letter of any law that we can frame. - -"I showed your letter to Mr. Pitt and Mr. Wynne, and should have -been glad to have read it to the House, but I did not like to do so -without your permission. Wishing you many years of happiness in your -retirement, enhanced by reflecting on the usefulness of your past life, - - "I remain, yours faithfully, - "J. RUSSELL." - - -Wilberforce writes on the same subject in October, 1831, to an old -friend:-- - - -"I cannot but think the Lords managed it very ill not to attempt the -discovery of some compromise, giving up the rotten boroughs, granting -members to great towns, accepting the new county members, and yet -somewhat raising the qualification (surely no pauper should have the -right of voting); this must at least have prevented the common fraud -now practised on the people, that of imputing to those who voted at -all against the Bill that they wished to retain all the worst abuses, -which, in fact, they were as willing as the reformers to abolish. But -I must break off. You, and I hope I, are prompted to say with old -Hooker, I have lived long enough to see that the world is made up of -perturbations. But, blessed be God, there remaineth a rest for the -people of God. May I be permitted to meet you there, my dear sir." - -On the different effects of the Oxford and Cambridge system on the -minds of young men, Wilberforce writes to a friend:-- - - - _Mr. Wilberforce to Mr. William Gray._ - "_December 31_, 1830. - -"It is curious to observe the effects of the Oxford system in producing -on the minds of young men a strong propensity to what may be termed -Tory principles. From myself and the general tenour of our family and -social circle, it might have been supposed that my children, though -averse to party, would be inclined to adopt Liberal or, so far as would -be consistent with party, Whig principles, but all my three Oxonians -are strong friends to High Church and King doctrines. The effects I -myself have witnessed would certainly induce me, had I to decide on -the University to which any young protege of mine should go, were he -by natural temper or any other causes too prone to excess on the Tory -side, I should decidedly send him to Cambridge, Trinity; were the -opposite the case he should be fixed at Oriel, Oxford. - -"As for the gentleman you mention,[40] his character is not to be -expressed in a few words. Of his extraordinary powers no one ever -entertained a doubt. There are also very pleasing traits of private -character: I have been assured of his incessant and kind attentions to -his old mother. On his brother's failing, I believe, in business, he -paid his debts to a large amount and took on himself, I am assured, -before being in office, the charge of his eight or nine children. Of -his own little girl he was excessively fond, and he was always kind in -what concerned friends or acquaintances. I cannot also but hope that he -has seen so much of religious men as almost to have superior confidence -in them. But you suppose me to be more personally acquainted with him -than I am." - -The next letter, to Mr. Manning, contains an allusion to his son Henry, -afterwards Cardinal Manning, of whom it will be noted that Wilberforce -"forms sanguine hopes that he will be a blessing to his fellow -creatures." - -At the time the letter was written, Wilberforce's large fortune had -been seriously diminished, though he was far from being, as his letter -would lead one to suppose, in the same unfortunate position as Mr. -Manning.[41] The effect of his own loss was as he says, "greatly to -augment his happiness." Enough was left for his comfort. It is true he -gave up his home, and was no longer able to practise indiscriminate -hospitality; also his subscriptions had to be curtailed, such as those -to the York charities, as to which he "had been reminded in 1831 that -they were larger than those of any other subscriber." - - - _Mr. Wilberforce to Mr. Manning. - "June 11, 1832._ - -"I am truly rejoiced, my dear friend, to hear that you are so -comfortably circumstanced. I also have abundant cause for thankfulness. -The loss of fortune was graciously delayed in my instance until all -my children having been educated, and two of them supplied with -comfortable residences (Robert, my second son, recently by the -perfectly spontaneous kindness of Lord Brougham), so that the effect -of my loss of fortune has been greatly to augment Mrs. W.'s and my own -happiness. What can be more delightful than to be the daily witness of -our children having a large measure of conjugal happiness, the best -of this world's goods, while at the same time they are discharging -conscientiously and zealously the important duties of the pastoral -office. It gave me real pleasure that your son had given up the -situation at the Treasury for the Church. I have heard such an account -of him from my sons, as gives me reason to form sanguine hopes that he -will be a blessing to his fellow creatures." - -The next extract refers to the painting of the well-known picture of -Wilberforce now in the National Portrait Gallery. - - - _Sir Thomas Lawrence to Mr. Wilberforce._ - -"You make a too flattering apology for sending me but your name in your -own handwriting. I hardly know what other word in our language could -boast of equal interest, and you may be assured, my dear sir, that by -those the nearest to me it will be equally prized when the person to -whom it is written can no longer produce it as evidence of his too -fortunate career." - -The date of the following lines of Cowper and also of Hayley is not -given. They are marked "Verses sent to me by Cowper and Hayley." - - - _To William Wilberforce, Esqre._ - -SONNET. - - Thy country, Wilberforce, with just disdain, - Hears thee by cruel men and impious called - Fanatic, for thy zeal to loose th' enthralled - From exile, public sale, and slav'ry's chain. - Friend of the poor, the wronged, the fetter gall'd, - Fear not lest labour such as thine be vain. - Thou hast achieved a part--hast gained the ear - Of Britain's senate to thy glorious cause; - Hope smiles, joy springs, and though cold caution pause - And weave delay, the better hour is near - That shall remunerate thy toils severe - By peace for Afric fenced with British laws. - Enjoy what thou hast won, esteem and love - From all the good on earth, and all the Blest above! - - WILLIAM COWPER. - - -_To William Wilberforce, Esqre, on the preceding Sonnet._ - - When Virtue saw with brave disdain - Lucre's infuriate sons profane - Her Wilberforce's worth; - As she beheld with generous ire, - His image fashioned for the fire - Of diabolic mirth: - - "Firm friend of suffering slaves!" she cried, - "These frantic outrages deride, - While I protect thy name! - Soon shall one dear selected hand - Richly o'erpay at my command, - Indignity with Fame: - - "Since thou hast won, in Nature's cause, - My fondest love, my prime applause, - Thy Honour is my care; - Now shall my favourite Bard be thine: - My Cowper, guard of glory's shine! - Shall grave thy merits there." - - WILLIAM HAYLEY. - - -[Illustration: BIRTHPLACE OF WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, AT HULL.] - - - - -_HOME LETTERS_ - - - - -HOME LETTERS. - - -The family letters which follow are some of a religious character, -while others turn on more general topics. - -Four letters written by Wilberforce to his daughter Elizabeth, aged -fifteen at the date the correspondence begins, show the care with which -he instilled into her mind all that he considered of most moment; also -how he exercised "the privilege of a friend," for such he considered -himself to his daughter, and "told her frankly all her faults." - - - _Mr. Wilberforce to his daughter Elizabeth. - "November 30, 1816._ - -"This is but a short letter to my dear Elizabeth. When I do address my -dear girl, I ought to consider how I can best testify my friendship: -for friendship let there be between us; never can you have a friend -more warmly attached to you or more interested in your welldoing and -happiness than myself. But if we are to be friends, you must allow -me the privilege of a friend, a privilege by far the most valuable of -all its excellencies. So thought your dear Uncle Stephen,[42] when -in the very extreme bitterness of his grief, which was as great as -that of any one I ever witnessed, though he is now able to control -his feelings before company, he said to me while enlarging on the -various particulars of my dear sister's extraordinary character, 'O, -she was a friend to my soul! She told me frankly all my faults,' an -office in which, I am obliged to confess, he charged me with having -been deficient. This has arisen, however, solely from my scarcely -ever having seen him alone, when only I could converse with him -confidentially. But if I am to exercise this best prerogative, this -most sacred and indispensable duty of friendship, it will be necessary -for my dear Elizabeth to prepare her mind and temper for receiving it -properly, and for deriving from it all the benefits it is capable of -imparting. Shall I be honest, and I must be so or be silent; were I -otherwise, the very sheet which I am writing would rise up in judgment -against me at the last day; if then, I am frank and honest, I must -declare to you, that it is on this quarter that it will be necessary -for my dear girl to guard herself with the utmost watchfulness, and, -still more, to _prepare herself_ with conscientious care. This is what -St. Paul terms "exercising herself to maintain a conscience void of -offence towards God and towards man": what the Book of Proverbs styles, -"keeping the heart _with all diligence_:" for unless we have accustomed -ourselves to _self-suspicion_, if I may use such a phrase, we never -benefit as we might from the friendly reproofs of a real friend. We may -receive his remarks with civility, and even give him credit for his -kind intentions, but we shall be almost sure to let it appear to any -acute observer at least, that we rather tolerate his frankness out of -principle, or put up with it in consideration of the friendly motives -by which it has been prompted, than that we listen to it with a sincere -desire of profiting from it, still less that we welcome it as one of -the most valuable services in design, even when not in fact, that could -be rendered to us. The grand preparation that is needed is, Humility: -that sense of our own infirmities and our own weakness, which is felt -by every true, at least by every flourishing Christian. We read in the -Scripture that 'our hearts are deceitful above all things:' by which -is meant, that we are all prone to flatter ourselves, to form too high -an estimate of our own good qualities, and too low an idea of our bad -ones. Now it is the first office of the Holy Spirit to teach us to -know ourselves, and immediately to _suspect_ ourselves as the first -effect of that knowledge. Now be honest with yourself, my very dear -child. Have you been accustomed to distrust the judgment you have been -in the habit of forming of your own character, as you would have done -if it had been formed and stated to you by any one whom you knew to be -a notorious liar? Yet this is really the way in which we ought to feel; -I know how difficult it is in practice from my own experience; and -because it is so difficult, it is here that we need the special aid of -the Holy Spirit, and should earnestly pray for His blessed influence to -teach us to know ourselves. Be earnest, then, in prayer, my very dear -Elizabeth, and frequent in self-examination on this very point. I have -often detected my own self-partiality and self-deceit by observing how -differently the same fault, be it small or great, appears to me when -committed by myself, and when committed by others, how much more ready -I am with apologies for it, or with extenuations for its guilt. If a -servant has done anything wrong, or omitted some act of duty, I observe -_how_ it appears to me, and if I have done much the same fault, or been -guilty of the same omission, how much less does it impress itself on -me, how much sooner do I forget it. I assure you, I speak sincerely -when I tell you I find this the case with myself: now observe -whether you do; and if so, then it will be a subject for humiliation -before God, and a motive for earnest prayer. Let my dearest Lizzie be -particularly watchful to improve the present season; for as you have -heard me say, Christ--as is stated in Rev. iii.--'stands at the door -and knocks,' that is, He uses particular events and circumstances of -our lives, for impressing us with the importance of spiritual things, -and if the event and the circumstances pass over without producing -their proper effect, there is always a positive bad consequence. So -much grace is, as it were expended on us in vain. The heart becomes -harder and less favourably disposed on another occasion. And though -we must not limit the grace and power of God, yet it is a great point -to know what the Scripture (2 Cor. vi.) terms "our appointed time, -our day of salvation." I am sure you find your heart softened and -affected more than usual just now. O try, my beloved girl, to render -this permanently, let me say eternally, useful to you. I understand -you are reading Doddridge's 'Rise and Progress.' You cannot read a -better book. I hope it was one of the means of turning my heart to God. -Certainly, there are few books which have been so extensively useful. -Pray over some of the prayers at the conclusion of the chapters; as, -for instance, if I remember right, that at the end of the chapter, -'After a state of spiritual decay.' But I have not the book at hand, -and cannot quote it from memory. Don't read this till you have half an -hour's leisure." - -Of the privilege of friendship alluded to in this letter, Wilberforce -also writes later to his daughter Elizabeth: "You will never find -telling Robert" (afterwards Archdeacon Wilberforce), "of any fault -offend him, if you do it when you are _tete a tete_, and when he sees -from your manner and from the circumstances that you can only have his -happiness at heart, I mean that this friendly regard can alone prompt -you to such a proof of real attachment." - - - _Mr. Wilberforce to his daughter Elizabeth._ - "HASTINGS, - "_January 17, 1817._ - -"MY DEAREST LIZZY,--Your letter to-day gives me pleasure. We heard -from Marianne (Thornton) of her having paid you a visit. Her friendly -attachment to Barbara[43] and you, I account as one of the special -blessings of Providence; and there are many particulars, though not -all, in which I should be very glad to have her the object of your -imitation. I am half asleep from not having had a good night, and find -myself occasionally writing one word instead of another--a slip which -I sometimes witness in my dear Lizzy's case; I know not whether it -be from the same cause, I hope not. For my last night's wakefulness -arose in part from my thinking on some subjects of deep interest from -which, though I made several efforts, I could not altogether withdraw -my thoughts. My mind obeyed me indeed while I continued wide awake, -but when dropping half asleep, it started aside from the serious and -composing train of ideas to which I had forced it up, and like a -swerving horse, it chose to go its own way rather than mine. It is a -delightful consideration, my dearest child, that there is a gracious -and tender Saviour who, in our sleeping as well as waking hours, is -watching over us for good, if we are of the number of those who look to -Him habitually for consolation and peace, and such I trust will be more -and more the case of my dear Elizabeth." - -The next letter is in a more lively strain and explains to Elizabeth -the system of Bishop Berkeley. - - - _Mr. Wilberforce to his daughter Elizabeth._ - "HIGHWOOD HILL, - "_July 13, 1830_. - -"MY DEAR LIZZY,--If many intentions to write could be admitted as -making up one letter, you would have to thank me for being so good a -correspondent. But I fear that this is a mode of calculation that -will only come into use, when the system of good Bishop Berkeley has -become established. I cannot explain what this is so well as Robert -could, but its distinctive principle is that there are no such things -as substances. You may suppose that you have had the pleasure of -re-visiting a very dear friend, called Miss Palmer, and you probably -would assure me, if I asked you whether they still continued at the -Hall any such vulgar practice as that of eating, that the turkies and -fowls were as good and as freely bestowed as when I used to partake of -them in earlier years. All mere delusion. All imagination. All ideal. -There is no Elizabeth (she only _appeared_ to occupy an ideal place -in an ideal carriage, when she travelled down to Mosely and Elmdon), -there is no Miss Palmer, nor are the fowls and turkies a whit more -substantial than the supposed eaters of them, I really am serious--such -is the system of one of the ablest and best of men (he was spoken -of by Pope as 'Having every virtue under heaven'); he held that the -Almighty formed us so as to have impressions produced on us as if these -were realities, but that this was all. I little intended when I took -up my pen to give you such a Lecture in Metaphysics. I am sure I have -had a Lecture, a practical one, on the duty of bearing interruptions -with good humour. This morning (it is now 4 p.m. and dinner taking on -the table) I took up my pen at 10 o'clock, and my first thoughts were -naturally drawn to you. Scarcely had I finished my first sentence when -in came Knowles (as queer he is as ever) and announced Lord Teignmouth. -Up I went to him in the drawing-room, and as cordial a shake of the -hand he received from me as one friend can give to another. But I -own I began to wish I could be in two places at once. I had secured -as I thought, several hours of quiet, and my eyes happened to be -better than for sometime past, and I was therefore hoping to pay away -a great part of my epistolary arrears, when in comes my friend, and -remains with me between three and four hours, refusing to stay dinner, -but not departing till after the post had gone out. However, such -incidents are salutary, they accustom us to bear with cheerfulness -the little vexatious interruptions which people sometimes bear with -less equanimity than more serious grievances. Here enter Uncle -Stephen----But with some pressing I have got him to agree to stay till -to-morrow morning, so I may finish my letter. I must first tell you -what I think a remarkably well-expressed description of Lady Raffles, -contained in a letter from the Duchesse de Broglie, to whom I gave Lady -R. a letter of introduction--'C'est une personne qui inspire un profond -interet. Elle a tant de dignite et de douceur.' The epithets appear -to me very happy. And now, my dear Lizzy, I must conclude my very -disjointed letter, written _a plusiers reprises_ as the French phrase -it." - -Elizabeth would seem to have written to her father as to her -solitariness of spirit in so confidential a strain that his sympathy -had been thoroughly awakened. In his answer he excuses himself for -not having been more of a companion to her on the ground that he had -been so long engaged in public business, and also that as he had been -almost an old bachelor before he married, he had got out of the habit -of tender attention to young women of education and delicacy; but -he assures her she will always find in him unfeigned tenderness of -spirit for all her feelings, and all her infirmities. His remedies for -"solitariness of spirit" are most practical. - - - _Mr. Wilberforce to his daughter Elizabeth._ - "HIGHWOOD HILL, - "_July 26, 1830_. - -"MY VERY DEAR LIZZY,--Though, owing to my having been betrayed into -forgetfulness of the flight of time while sitting under the shade of -the lime tree it is now so late that I shall not be able to write to -you so fully as I wished and intended, I must not be so unjust to -myself or so unkind to you as I certainly should be if I were not -to reply to your last interesting letter as soon as possible. And -yet, my dear girl, it could be only from nervous sensibility that you -could doubt of my putting the right construction on your opening your -heart to me without disguise. I wish you could have seen the whole -interior of mine when I had read through it: I am not ashamed to say -that I melted into tears of affectionate sympathy. Your letter really -contained nothing but what tended to call forth feelings of esteem -and regard for you. My dear Lizzy, I will return your openness by a -similar display of it. I will confess to you that I have not seldom -blamed myself for not endeavouring more to cheer your solitary hours, -when you have had no friend of your own sex to whom you could open your -heart, and I will try to amend of this fault. My not walking with you -more frequently has, however, been often caused by the circumstance you -mention, that at the very hour at which I can get out, just when the -post has departed, you are yourself employed in a way of which I always -think with pleasure, and which I doubt not will bring down a blessing -on your head. But there is another cause which may have some effect -in rendering me less tenderly attentive than young women of education -and delicacy like persons to be, and must in some measure find them, -before they can open their hearts to them with unreserved freedom. I -allude to my having been so long and so constantly engaged in public -business and having been almost an old bachelor before I married. Let -my dear child, however, be assured that she will always experience from -me an unfeigned tenderness of spirit and a kind consideration for all -her feelings and even, shall I say it, all her infirmities. Meanwhile -let me advise you, my dear child, whenever you do feel anything of that -solitariness of spirit of which you speak, to endeavour to find an -antidote for it in prayer. There is often much of bodily nervousness -in it. I am ashamed to acknowledge that I am sometimes conscious of -it myself. Another method which I would recommend to you for getting -the better of it, is to engage in some active exertion, teaching -some child, instructing some servant, comforting some poor sufferer -from poverty and sickness. I deeply feel the Bishop and Mrs. Ryder's -kindness to you, but it is of a piece with all their conduct towards me -and mine. God bless them, I say from the heart." - -In 1814, Mr. Wilberforce at the age of fifty-five, begins his -correspondence with his son Samuel, aged nine. The father is already -seeking for a proof of the grand change of conversion in his child. - - - _Mr. Wilberforce to his son Samuel. - "September 13, 1814._ - -"I was shocked to hear that you are nine years old; I thought it was -eight. You must take great pains to prove to me that you are nine not -in years only, but in head and heart and mind. Above all, my dearest -Samuel, I am anxious to see decisive marks of your having begun to -undergo the _great change_. I come again and again to look to see if it -really be begun, just as a gardener walks up again and again to examine -his fruit trees and see if his peaches are set; if they are swelling -and becoming larger, finally if they are becoming ripe and rosy. I -would willingly walk barefoot from this place to Sandgate to see a -clear proof of the _grand change_ being begun in my dear Samuel at the -end of my journey."[44] - - - _"March 25, 1817._ - -"I do hope, my dear Samuel, like his great namesake at a still earlier -period of life, is beginning to turn in earnest to his God. Oh, -remember prayer is the great means of spiritual improvement, and guard -as you would against a wild beast which was lying in a bush by which -you were to pass, ready to spring upon you--guard in like manner, -I say, against wandering thoughts when you are at prayer either by -yourself or in the family.[45] Nothing grieves the Spirit more than -our willingly suffering our thoughts to wander and fix themselves on -any object which happens at the time to interest us." - - - "_June 5, 1817._ - -"MY DEAR SAMUEL,--Loving you as dearly as I do, it might seem strange -to some thoughtless people that I am glad to hear you are unhappy. But -as it is about your soul, and as I know that a short unhappiness of -this kind often leads to lasting happiness and peace and joy, I cannot -but rejoice. I trust, my dear boy, it is the Spirit of God knocking at -the door of your heart, as the Scripture expresses it, and making you -feel uneasy, that you may be driven to find pardon and the sanctifying -influences of the Holy Spirit, and so be made one of Christ's flock and -be taken care of in this world and be delivered from hell, and be taken -when you die, whether sooner or later, to everlasting happiness in -heaven. My dearest boy, whenever you feel in this way, I beseech you, -get alone and fall on your knees, and pray as earnestly as you can to -God for Christ's sake to forgive you and to sanctify you, and in short -to make you to be born again, as our Saviour expressed it to Nicodemus." - - - "_July 19th._ - -"I will procure and send you Goldsmith's 'Grecian History,' if you will -read it attentively, though it is by no means so good a history as -Mitford's; it is little better than an epitome. Let me tell you I was -pleased with your skeleton of Mr. Langston's sermon, and I should be -glad of such another bag of bones. My dear boy, whenever you feel any -meltings of mind, any sorrow for sin, or any concern about your soul, -do not, I beg of you, stifle it or turn away your thoughts to another -subject, but get alone and pray to God to hear and bless you, to take -away the stony heart and substitute a heart of flesh in its place." - - - "_August 15th, 1817._ - -"The great rule practically for pleasing our Saviour in all the little -events of the day is to be thinking of Him occasionally and trying to -please Him, by not merely not doing evil, but by doing good; not merely -negatively trying not to be unkind, not to be disobedient, not to give -pain, but trying positively, to _be kind_, to be obedient, to give -pleasure." - - - "_November 1, 1817._ - -"MY VERY DEAR SAMUEL,--Though some company who are to dine with me are -already in the drawing-room, I must leave them to themselves for two -minutes while I express the very great pleasure I have received from -Mr. Marsh's account of both my dear boys. Being a political economist, -I cannot but admit the beneficial effects which always flow from the -division of labour, and must therefore rather commend than blame the -instance of it which is afforded by your writing the letter while Bob -is building the house. It is quite a drop of balm into my heart when I -hear of my dear boys going on well." - - - "_May 2, 1818._ - -"Could you both but look into my heart and there see the tender and -warm love I feel for you! How my heart bleeds at the idea of your being -drawn into the paths of sin and bringing the grey hairs of your poor -old father with sorrow to the grave--a most unlikely issue I do really -hope; and, on the other hand, could you witness the glow of affection -which is kindled by the prospect of your becoming the consolation of my -declining years, you would want no more powerful motives to Christian -obedience." - - - "_April 25, 1818._ - -"Our West Indian warfare is begun, and our opponents are commencing -in the way of some (I won't add an epithet) classes of enemies by the -poisoned arrows of calumny and falsehood. But how thankful should we be -to live in a country in which the law protects us from personal injury!" - - - "_June 26, 1818._ - -"My dear children little think how often we parents are ruminating -about them when we are absent from them, perhaps in very bustling -scenes like that from which I come. Mr. Babington is a candidate -for the county of Leicester, and I really trust he will succeed; the -two other candidates are Lord Robert Manners, the Duke of Rutland's -brother, and Mr. Phillips, a country gentleman of large property. My -dear Samuel, keep going on well. Prayer and self-denial, as you used to -be taught when a very little boy, are the grand things." - - - "_February 13, 1819._ - -"I am very glad that you like your new situation. One of the grand -secrets to be remembered, in order to enable us to pass through life -with comfort, is not to expect too much from any new place or plan, or -from the accomplishment of any new purpose." - - - "_March 12, 1819._ - -"On the whole, Mr. Hodson's report of you is a gratifying one. But -there is one ground for doubts and fears, and I hope my beloved child -will endeavour to brighten that quarter of my prospect. I fear you -do not apply to your business with energy. This, remember, was your -fault at Mr. Marsh's, and you alleged, not without plausibility, that -this arose in a great degree from your wanting spirits, in consequence -of your having no play-fellows for your hours of recreation, no -schoolmates for your season of business. A horse never goes so -cheerfully alone as when animated by the presence of a companion, and a -boy profits from the same quickening principle. But my dearest Samuel -has not now this danger to plead at Mr. Hodson's, and I hope he will -now bear in mind that this indisposition to work strenuously[46] is one -of his besetting sins."[47] - - - "_May 22, 1819._ - -"I hear with pleasure of your goings on, and I may add that we all -thought our dear boy greatly improved when he was last with us. How -delightful will it be to me in my declining years to hear that my -dearest Samuel is doing credit to his name and family!" - - - "_May 25, 1819._ - -"I do not like to write merely on the _outside_ of this cover, though I -have time to insert very little within, yet as when you were a little -boy I used to delight in taking a passing kiss of you, so now it is -quite gratifying to exchange a salutation with you on paper, though but -for a minute or two. The sight of my handwriting will call forth in the -mind of my dear, affectionate Samuel all those images of parental and -family tenderness with which the Almighty permits us to be refreshed -when children or parents are separated from each other far asunder. You -have a Heavenly Father, too, my dearest boy, who loves you dearly, and -who has promised He will never leave you nor forsake you if you will -but devote yourself to His service in His appointed way. And so I trust -you are resolved to do. I hope you got your parcel safe, and that the -lavender-water had not oozed out of the bottle; the cork did not seem -tight. Farewell, my very dear Samuel." - - - "_September 17, 1819._ - -"MY DEAR BOY,--It is a great pleasure to me that you wish to know your -faults. Even if we are a little nettled when we first hear of them, -especially when they are such as we thought we were free from, or such -as we are ashamed that others should discover, yet if we soon recover -our good-humour, and treat with kindness the person who has told us -of them, it is a very good sign. It may help us to do this to reflect -that such persons are rendering us, even when they themselves may not -mean it, but may even only be gratifying their own dislike of us, the -greatest almost of all services, perhaps may be helping us to obtain an -eternal increase of our happiness and glory. For we never should forget -that though we are reconciled to God through the atoning blood of -Christ, altogether freely and of mere undeserved mercy, yet when once -reconciled, and become the children of God, the degrees of happiness -and glory which He will grant to us will be proportioned to the degree -of holiness we have obtained, the degree (in other words) in which we -have improved the talents committed to our stewardship." - - - "WEYMOUTH, _September, 1820_. - -"I have this day learned for the first time that there were to be -oratorios at Gloucester, and that some of the boys were to go to them. -I will be very honest with you. When I heard that the cost was to be -half a guinea, I greatly doubted whether it would be warrantable to -pay such a sum for such a performance for such _youth_. This last -consideration has considerable weight with me, both as it renders -the pleasure of the entertainment less, and as at your early age the -sources of pleasure are so numerous. But my difficulties were all -removed by finding that the money would not merely be applied to the -use of tweedledum and tweedledee (though I write this, no one is fonder -than myself of music), but was to go to the relief of the clergy widows -and children. I say therefore yes. Q.E.D." - - - "_September 4, 1820._ - -"I am persuaded that my dear Samuel will endeavour to keep his -mind in such a right frame as to enable him to enjoy the pleasures -of the scenes through which he is passing, and to be cheered by the -consciousness that he is now carrying forward all the necessary -agricultural processes in order to his hereafter reaping a rich and -abundant harvest. Use yourself, dear boy, to take time occasionally for -reflection. Let this be done especially before you engage in prayer, -a duty which I hope you always endeavour to perform with all possible -seriousness. As I have often told you, it is the grand test by which -the state of a Christian may always be best estimated." - - - "BATH, _September 23, 1820_. - -"Did you ever cross a river with a horse in a ferry boat? If so, you -must have observed, if you are an observing creature, which if you are -not I beg you will become with all possible celerity, that the said -horse is perfectly quiet after he is once fairly in the boat--a line -of conduct in which it would be well if this four-footed navigator -were imitated by some young bipeds I have known in their aquatic -exercitations. And so said animal continues--the quadruped I mean, -mind--perfectly quiet until he begins to approach the opposite shore. -Then he begins to show manifest signs of impatience by dancing and -frisking sometimes to such a degree as to overset the boat, to the -no small injury of others (for whom he very little cares) as well as -himself. This is what may be well called making more haste than good -speed. None the less, though I am fully aware that the same frisking -quadruped is a very improper subject of imitation, not only to an -old biped but to an experienced M.P. of forty years' standing, yet I -find myself in a state of mind exactly like that of the horse above -mentioned, though it has not the same effects on my animal powers, and -though, being on dry land and in a parlour, not a boat, I might frisk -away if I chose with perfect impunity to myself and others. But to -quit metaphor which I have fairly worn out, or, rather, rode to death, -when I was a hundred miles from my dear Samuel, though my affection -for him was as strong and my sentiments and feelings as much employed -in him as now, yet these are now accompanied with an impatient longing -to extinguish the comparatively little distance that is between us, -and to have my dearest boy not only in my heart but in my arms, and -yet on reflection this very feeling is beneficial. I recollect that -our separation is an act of self-denial, and I offer it up to my -Saviour with a humble sense of His goodness, in subjecting me to such -few and those comparatively such easy crosses. My dearest Samuel will -remember to have our blessed Lord continually in remembrance, and by -associating Him thus with all the little circumstances of life, it is -that we are to live in His love and fear continually." - - - "_November 20, 1820._ - -"We quite enjoyed your pleasure in Robert's visit. In truth the -gratification we parents derive from our children's innocent, much more -their commendable, enjoyments is one of the greatest of our pleasures." - - - "BATH, _November 18, 1820_. - -"MY DEAR SAMUEL.--I am sorry to hear that your examination is, or -part of it at least, disadvantageous to you. Does not this arise in -part from your having stayed with us when your school-fellows were at -Maisemore? If so, the lesson is one which, if my dear boy duly digests -it and bottles it up for future use, may be a most valuable one for -the rest of his life. It illustrates a remark which I well remember -in Bishop Butler's 'Analogy,' that our faults often bring on some bad -consequence long after they have been committed, and when they perhaps -have been entirely banished from our memory. Some self-indulgence -perhaps may have lost us an advantage, the benefit of which might have -extended through life. But it is due to my dear Samuel to remark that, -though his stay was protracted a very little out of self-indulgence (as -much ours as his), yet it was chiefly occasioned by the necessity of -his going up to London on account of his ancle. (By the way, tell me in -two words--ancle better or worse or _idem._) But my Samuel must not vex -himself with the idea of falling below the boy who has commonly been -his competitor, owing to his stay having prevented his reading what -is to be in part the subject of the examination. It would really be -quite wrong to feel much on this account, and that for several reasons. -First, everybody about you will know the disadvantages under which you -start, and will make allowances accordingly. Next, if you do as well -or better in the parts you _have_ read, you will show the probability -of your having done well in the other also, if you had possessed with -it the same advantage. And what I wish my dearest boy seriously to -consider is, that any uneasiness he might feel on account of this -circumstance would deserve no better a name than emulation, which the -apostle enumerates as one of the lusts of the flesh. You should do your -business and try to excel in it, to please your Saviour, as a small -return for all He has done for you, but a return which He will by no -means despise. It is this which constitutes the character of a real -Christian: that, considering himself as bought with a price--viz., that -of the blood of Jesus Christ--he regards it as his duty to try and -please his Saviour in everything. And to be honest with you, my very -dear boy, let me tell you that it appears to me very probable that -the Heavenly Shepherd, whose tender care of His people is, you must -remember, described to us as like that of a shepherd towards the tender -lambs of his flock, may have designed by this very incident to discover -to you that you were too much under the influence of emulation, and -to impress you with a sense of the duty of rooting it out. Emulation -has a great tendency to lessen love. It is scarcely possible to have -a fellow-feeling (that is, duly to sympathise) with anyone if we are -thinking much about, and setting our hearts on, getting before him, or -his not getting before us. This disposition of mind, which includes -in it an over-estimation of the praise of our fellow-creatures, is -perhaps the most subtle and powerful of all our corruptions, and that -which costs a real Christian the most trouble and pain; for he will -never be satisfied in his mind unless the chief motive in his mind and -feelings is the way to please his Saviour. The best way to promote -the right temper of mind will be after earnest prayer to God to bless -your endeavours, to try to keep the idea of Jesus Christ and of His -sufferings, and of the love which prompted Him willingly to undergo -them, in your mind continually, and especially when you are going to -do, occasionally when you are doing, your business. And then recollect -that He has declared He will kindly accept as a tribute of gratitude -whatever we do to please Him, and call to mind all His kindness, all -His sacrifices; what glory and happiness He left, what humiliation and -shame and agony He endured; and then reflect that the only return He, -who is then, remember, at that very moment actually looking upon you, -expects from you, is that you should remember His Heavenly Father who -sent Him, and Him Himself, and (as I said before) endeavour to please -Him. This He tells us is to be done by keeping God's commandments. -And my dear Samuel knows that this obedience must be universal--all -God's commandments. Not that we shall be able actually to do this; -but then we must wish and desire to do it. And when, from our natural -corruption, infirmities do break out we must sincerely lament them, and -try to guard against them in future. Thus a true Christian endeavours -to have the idea of his Saviour continually present with him. To do his -business as the Scripture phrases it, unto the Lord and not unto men. -To enjoy his gratifications as allowed to him by his merciful and kind -Saviour, who knows that we need recreations, and when they are neither -wrong in kind nor excessive in degree they may and should be enjoyed -with a grateful recollection of Him who intends for us still nobler and -higher pleasures hereafter. This is the very perfection of religion; -'Whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, do all to the glory of God.' - -"All I am now contending for is that my dearest Samuel may at least -endeavour to do his school business with a recollection of his Saviour, -and a wish to please Him, and when he finds the feeling of emulation -taking the place of this right principle look up and beg God's pardon -for it, and implore the Holy Spirit's help to enable you to feel as you -ought and wish to feel. But let me also ask my dear Samuel to reflect -if he did not stay too long at home in the last holidays. Too much -prosperity and self-indulgence (and staying at home may be said to be a -young person's indulgence and prosperity) are good neither for man nor -boy, neither for you nor for myself."[48] - - - "DOWNING STREET, _December 11, 1820_. - -"Three words, or, rather, five lines, just to assure you that in the -midst of all our Parliamentary business I do not forget my very dear -Samuel; on the contrary, he is endeared to me by all the turbulence of -the element in which I commonly breathe, as I thereby am led still more -highly to prize and, I hope, to be thankful to God for domestic peace -and love. Pray God bless you, my dearest boy, and enable you to devote -to Him your various faculties and powers." - -The mutual affection of father and son is touchingly shown in many -passages scattered through their letters. Two may serve as specimens:-- - - - "_February 24, 1821._ - -"Perhaps at the very time of your being occupied in reading my -sentiments, I may be engaged in calling you up before my mind's eye and -recommending you to the throne of grace." - - - "_September 5._ - -"Probably at the very same time you will be thinking of me and holding -a conversation with me." - - - "LONDON, _June 30, 1821_. - -"MY VERY DEAR BOY,--I congratulate you cordially on your success, and I -rejoice to hear of your literary progress. But I should have been still -more gratified, indeed beyond all comparison more, had Mr. Hodson's -certificate of your scholarship been accompanied, as it formerly was, -with an assurance that you were advancing in the still more important -particulars of self-control, of humility, of love--in short, in all -the various forms and phases, if I may so term them, which St. Paul -ascribes to it in his beautiful eulogium (1 Cor. xiii.). Oh, my dear -boy, I should be even an unnatural father instead of what I trust I -am, an affectionate one, if, believing as I do, and bearing in mind -that you are an immortal being who must be happy or miserable for -ever, I were not, above all things, anxious to see you manifest those -buds and shoots which alone are true indications of a celestial plant, -the fruits of which are the produce of the Garden of God. My dear -Samuel, be honest with yourself; you have enjoyed and still enjoy many -advantages for which you are responsible. Use them _honestly_; that is, -according to their just intention and fair employment and improvement. -Above all things, my dearest boy, cultivate a spirit of prayer. Never -hurry over your devotions, still less omit them. Farewell, my dearest -boy." - - - "_1821._ - -"In speaking of the pros and cons of Maisemore, you spoke of one -great boy with whom you disagreed. I always meant to ask you about -the nature, causes, and extent of your difference. And the very idea -of a standing feud is so opposite to the Christian character that I -can scarcely understand it. I can, however, conceive a youth of such -crabbed and wayward temper that the only way of going on with him -is that of avoiding all intercourse with him as much as possible. -But, nine times out of ten, if one of two parties be really intent -on healing the breach and preventing the renewal of it, the thing -may be done. Now, my dear Samuel, may not you be partly in fault? If -so, I beg of you to strive to get the better of it. I have recently -had occasion to observe how much a frank and kind demeanour, when we -conceive we have really just cause for complaint, disarms resentment -and conciliates regard. Remember, my dearest boy, that you have -enjoyed advantages which probably R. has not, and that therefore more -Christian kindness and patience may be expected from you than from him. -Again, you would be glad, I am sure, to produce in his mind an opinion -favourable to true religion, and not that he should say, 'I don't see -what effect Christianity has produced in Samuel Wilberforce.' Oh, my -dear Samuel, I love you most affectionately, and I wish you could see -how earnestly I long hereafter (perhaps from the world of spirits) to -witness my dearest boy's progress into professional life that of a -growing Christian, 'shining more and more into the perfect day.' My -Samuel's conduct as it respects his studies, and, what I value much -more, his disposition and behaviour, has been such for some time as -to draw on him Mr. Hodson's eulogium, and so I trust he will continue -doing." - - - "_October 12, 1821._ - -"It is quite delightful to me to receive such an account of you as is -contained in the letter Mama has this day had from Mr. Hodson. Oh that -I may continue to have such reports of my dear Samuel wherever he may -be. They quite warm his old father's heart, and melt his mother's." - - - "_February 20, 1822._ - -"You never can have a friend, your dear affectionate mother alone -excepted, whose interests and sympathies are so identically the -same. Yet I have known instances in which, though children have been -convinced in their understandings of this being the case between them -and their parents, yet from not having begun at an early period of life -to make a father a confidant, they could not bring themselves to do it -when they grew older, but felt a strange shrinking back from opening -their minds to the parent they cordially loved, and of whose love to -them they were fully satisfied. I hope you will continue, my dear -Samuel, to speak to me without constraint or concealment. - -"The two chief questions you ask relate to Repentance and to -Predestination. As to the former--sorrow for sin is certainly a part -of it, but the degree of the feelings of different people will be as -different as their various tempers and dispositions. If the same person -whose feelings were very tender and susceptible on other topics and -occasions were very cold in religion, that doubtless of itself is no -good sign. But remember, repentance in the Greek means a change of -heart, and the test of its sincerity is more its rendering us serious -and watchful in our endeavours to abstain from sin and to practise -known duty, than its causing many tears to flow, which effect may be -produced in a susceptible nature with very little solid impression -on the heart and character. The grand mark, I repeat it, of true -repentance, is its providing a dread of sin and a watchfulness against -it. As for Predestination, the subject is one the depths of which no -human intellect can fathom. But even the most decided Predestinarians I -have ever known have acknowledged that the invitations of God were made -to all without exception, and that it was men's own fault that they -did not accept these invitations. Again, does it not appear undeniably -from one end of Scripture to the other that men's perishing, where they -do perish, is always represented as their own bringing on? Indeed the -passage in Ezekiel, 'As I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in -the death of a sinner, but that he should repent and live.' Again, do -compare the ninth of Romans, in which that awful passage is contained: -'Hath not the potter power over the clay to make one vessel to honour, -and another to dishonour? What if God,' &c., &c.; and compare this with -Jeremiah, I think xviiith, to which passage St. Paul manifestly refers, -and you will see there that the executing or remitting a threatening -of vengeance is made to depend on the object of the threats turning -from his evil way or continuing in it. This is very remarkable. Only -pray, my dearest boy, and all will be well; and strive not to grieve -the Holy Spirit. Before you actually engage in prayer always pause -a minute or two and recollect yourself, and especially practise my -rule of endeavouring to imagine myself in the presence of God, and to -remember that to God all the bad actions, bad tempers, bad words of my -whole life are all open in their entire freshness of circumstances and -colouring; and when I recollect how I felt on the first committing of -a wrong action, and then call to mind that to God sin must appear in -itself far more hateful than to me, this reflection I often find to -produce in me a deep humiliation; and then the promise is sure--the -Lord is nigh to them that are of a contrite heart, and will save such -as be of a humble spirit. I rejoice that it has pleased God to touch -your heart. May I live, if it please God, to see you an honour to your -family and a blessing to your fellow-creatures." - - - "_March 30, 1822._ - -"It is scarcely possible for children to have an adequate conception of -the delight it gives to a parent's heart to receive a favourable report -of a dear child. And of late God has been very gracious to me in this -particular. I trust I shall continue to enjoy such gratification, and -that the day will come when my dear Samuel will in his turn become a -parent and be solaced and cheered with such accounts as he himself will -now furnish. And then, when I am dead and gone, he will remember his -old father, and the letter he had from him on Sunday, 31st March, 1822." - - - "_April, 1822._ - -"Though honestly my purse is in such a state that I cannot buy books -except very sparingly, I beg you will buy Hume and Smollett, 13 vols. -large 8vo, for L5 10s., and Gibbon's 'Rome' you may also purchase, if -you wish it, for L4 10s., 12 vols. But you must take these two birthday -presents for Scotch pints--each double. Had I as much money as I have -good will you should wish for no book that I would not get you." - - - "_October 22, 1822._ - -"The train of your idea and feelings is precisely that which I believe -is commonly experienced at the outset of a religious course. It was -my own, I am sure; I mean specially that painful apprehension of -which you speak, lest your sorrow for sin should be less on account -of its guilt than its danger, less on account of its hatefulness in -the sight of God, and its ingratitude towards your Redeemer, than on -that of its subjecting you to the wrath and punishment of God. But, my -dear Samuel, blessed be God, we serve a gracious Master, a merciful -Sovereign, who has denounced those threatenings for the very purpose -of exciting our fears; and thereby being driven to flee from the wrath -to come and lay hold on eternal life. By degrees the humble hope of -your having obtained the pardon of your sins and the possession of the -Divine favour will enable you to look up to God with feelings of filial -confidence and love, and to Christ as to an advocate and a friend. The -more you do this the better. Use yourself, my dearest Samuel, to take -now and then a solitary walk, and in it to indulge in these spiritual -meditations. The disposition to do this will gradually become a habit, -and a habit of unspeakable value. I have long considered it as a great -misfortune, or rather, I should say, as having been very injurious to -your brother William, that he never courted solitude in his walks, or -indeed at any time. Some people are too much inclined to it, I grant; -they often thereby lose the inestimable benefit which results from -having a friend to whom we open our hearts, one of the most valuable -of all possessions both for this world and the next. When I was led -into speaking of occasional intervals of solitude ('when Isaac, like -the solitary saint, Walks forth to meditate at eventide,' you remember -the passage, I doubt not), I was mentioning that holy, peaceful, -childlike trust in the fatherly love of our God and Saviour which -gradually diffuses itself through the soul and takes possession of it, -when we are habitually striving to walk by faith under the influence -of the Holy Spirit. When we allow ourselves to slacken or be indolent -in our religious exercises, much more when we fall into actual sin, -or have not watched over our tempers so as to be ashamed of looking -our Heavenly Father in the face (if I may so express myself, I am sure -with no irreverent meaning), then this holy confidence lessens and -its diminution is a warning to us that we are going on ill. We must -then renew our repentance and supplications, and endeavour to obtain -a renewed supply of the blessed influences of the divine Spirit; and -then we shall again enjoy the light of God's countenance. There are -two or three beautiful sections in Doddridge's 'Rise and Progress' -on these heads, and I earnestly recommend especially to you that, -the subject of which is, I think, the Christian under the hiding of -God's presence. I have been looking, and I find the section, or rather -chapter I allude to, is that entitled, 'Case of spiritual decay and -languor in religion.' There is a following one on 'Case of a relapse -into known sin,' and I trust you have a pretty good edition of this -super-excellent book. - -"I have a word to say on another topic--that, I mean, of purity--the -necessity of most scrupulous guarding against the very first -commencement or even against the appearance of evil is in no instance -so just and so important as in the case of all sins of this class. -Many a man who would have been restrained from the commission of sins -of this class by motives of worldly prudence or considerations of -humanity, has been hurried into sin by not attending to this warning. -I myself remember an instance of this kind in two people, both of whom -I knew. And as Paley truly remarks that there is no class of vices -which so depraves the character as illicit intercourse with the female -sex, so he likewise mentions it as a striking proof of the superior -excellence of Christ's moral precepts, that in the case of chastity and -purity it lays the restraint on the _heart_ and on the _thoughts_ as -the only way of providing against the grossest acts of disobedience. -Oh, my dear Samuel, guard here with especial care, and may God protect -and keep you. Indeed, I trust He will, and it is with exceeding -pleasure that I think of you, and humbly and hopefully look forward on -your advancing course in life. I did not intend saying half so much, -but when I enter into conversation with my Samuel I know not how to -stop. 'With thee conversing I forget all course of seasons and their -change.'" - - - "_October 26, 1822._ - -"I cannot to-day send you the account of _time_, but I will transmit -it to you. It was a very simple business, and the chief object was to -take precautions against the disposition to waste time at breakfast and -other _rendezvous_, which I have found in myself when with agreeable -companions, and to prove to myself by the decisive test of figures that -I was not working so hard as I should have supposed from a general -survey of my day. The grand point is to maintain an habitual sense of -responsibility and to practise self-examination daily as to the past -and the future day." - - - "_March 17, 1822._ - -"No man has perhaps more cause for gratitude to God than myself. But -of all the various instances of His goodness, the greatest of all, -excepting only His Heavenly Grace, is the many kind friends with whom -a Gracious Providence has blessed me. Oh remember, my dearest boy, to -form friendships with those only who love and serve God, and when once -you have formed them, then preserve them as the most valuable of all -possessions. - -"One of my chief motives now for paying visits is to cultivate the -friendship of worthy people who, I trust, will be kind to my dearest -children when I am no more. I hope you and the rest will never act so -as to be unworthy of the connections I have formed." - - - "_November 22, 1822._ - -"Robert Grant's[49] election has cost my eyes more than they could well -expend on such a business. But both his hereditary, and his personal, -claim to all I could do was irresistible. Your mother, Elizabeth, and -I have of late been moving from place to place, staying a few days -with the Whitmores, with the Gisbornes and Evans's, and from them with -a Mr. Smith Wright and his wife, Lady Sitwell. She is a sensible, -interesting woman. They live in a residence, Okeover, which is in the -most beautiful part of Derbyshire, very near Dovedale, close to Ilam, -&c. My dear Samuel will one day, I trust, delight himself in these -beautiful and romantic vallies. My chief object in these visits was -to provide future intimacies and I hope friendships for you and your -brothers. And how thankful ought we to be, to be enabled thus to select -for our associates the best families in so many different counties; -best, I mean, in the true sense of the word,--men of real worth, who, -I am sure, will always receive you with kindness for my sake. I often -look up with gratitude to the Giver of all good, for the favour with -men--which it would be affectation not to confess where it is not -improper to mention such things, that He has graciously given me, -chiefly in the view of its ensuring for my children the friendly regard -and personal kindnesses of many good people after I shall be laid low -in the grave. - -"I could have made them acquainted with great people, but I have always -avoided it, from a conviction that such connections would tend neither -to their temporal comfort in the long run, nor to the advancement of -their eternal interests. But it is most gratifying to me to reflect -that they will be known to some of the very best people in the kingdom, -and to good people of other countries also. Oh, my dear Samuel, how -thankful should we be to our Heavenly Father who has made our cup to -overflow with mercies. How rich will our portion appear when compared -with that of so many of our fellow-creatures. It used, when I was a -bachelor especially, when I often spent my Sundays alone, to be my -frequent Sunday habit to number up my blessings, and I assure you it is -a most useful practice; _e.g._, that I had been born in Great Britain, -in such a century, such a part of it, such a rank in life, such a class -and character of parents, then my personal privileges. But I have no -time to-day for long conversation." - -The next letter touches on topics of the day, and then refers to the -son's question, Why had not his father a settled home? Evidently Samuel -felt it a desolate arrangement, but Wilberforce, as was his wont, finds -certain advantages in the very discomforts of the plan. - - - "_December 5, 1822._ - -"I believe I never answered your question who it was that advised me to -retire from Parliament. I entirely forget. Your question, Will there -be war? I answer, I know no more than you do, but I am inclined to -believe the French will attack Spain, very unadvisedly in my opinion, -and I shall be surprised if the French Government itself, however -priding itself on its policy, will not ultimately have reason to form -the same judgment.... Never was there before a country on earth, the -public affairs of which (for many years past at least I may affirm it,) -were administered with such a simple and strong desire to promote the -public welfare as those of Great Britain. And it is very remarkable -that some of those very measures which were brought forward and carried -through with the most general concurrence have subsequently appeared -most doubtful. The present extreme distress of the agricultural class -throughout the whole kingdom, is admitted by all to have been in some -degree, by many to have been entirely, caused by our ill-managed if -not ill-advised return to cash payments, in which nearly the whole of -both Houses concurred. Surely this should teach us to be diffident in -our judgments of others, and to hold our own opinions with moderation. -In short, my dear Samuel, the best preparation for being a good -politician, as well as a superior man in every other line, is to be a -truly religious man. For this includes in it all those qualities which -fit men to pass through life with benefit to others and with reputation -to ourselves. Whatever is to be the effect produced by the subordinate -machinery, the main-spring must be the desire to please God, which, -in a Christian, implies faith in Christ and a grateful sense of the -mercies of God through a Redeemer, and an aspiration after increasing -holiness of heart and life. And I am reminded (you will soon see the -connection of my ideas) of a passage in a former letter of yours -about a home, and I do not deny that your remarks were very natural. -Yet every human situation has its advantages as well as its evils. -And if the want of a home deprive us of the many and great pleasures -which arise out of the relations and associations, especially in the -case of a large family, with which it is connected, yet there is an -advantage, and of a very high order, in our not having this well-known -anchoring ground, if I may so term it. We are less likely to lose the -consciousness of our true condition in this life; less likely to forget -that while sailing in the ocean of life we are always exposed to the -buffeting of the billows, nay, more, to the rock and the quicksand. -The very feeling of desolateness of which you speak--for I do not deny -having formerly experienced some sensations of this kind, chiefly when -I used to be long an inmate of the houses of friends who had wives and -families to welcome them home again after a temporary absence--this -very feeling led me, and taught me in some measure habitually to look -upwards to my permanent and never failing inheritance, and to feel that -I was to consider myself here as a pilgrim and a stranger who had no -continuing city but who sought one to come. Yet this very conviction is -by no means incompatible with the attachment and enjoyment of home-born -pleasures, which doubtless are natural and virtuous pleasures, such as -it gratifies me and fills me with hope to see that my very dear Sam -relishes with such vivid delight and that he looks forward to them with -such grateful anticipations. - -"I have not time now to explain to you, as otherwise I would, how it -happened that I do not possess a country house. But I may state to -you in general, that it arose from my not having a large fortune, -compared, I mean, with my situation, and from the peculiar duties and -circumstances of my life." - - - "_March 23, 1823._ - -"Above all remember _the one thing needful_. I had far rather that -you should be a true Christian than a learned man, but I wish you to -become the latter through the influence of the former. I had far rather -see you unlearned than learned from the impulse of the love of human -estimation as your main principle." - -On the 15th of May Mr. F. Buxton moved this resolution in the House of -Commons: "That the state of slavery is repugnant to the principles of -the British Constitution and of the Christian Religion, and that it -ought to be abolished gradually throughout the British Colonies with -as much expedition as may be found consistent with a due regard to the -well-being of the parties concerned." The main point was that all negro -children born after a certain day were to be free. - - - "_May 17, 1823._ - -"The debate was by no means so interesting as we expected. Buxton's -opening speech was not so good as his openings have before been. His -reply however, though short, was, not sweet indeed, but excellent. I -was myself placed in very embarrassing circumstances from having at -once to decide, without consulting my friends, on Mr. Canning's offers, -if I may so term them. However, I thank God, I judged rightly, that -it would not be wise to press for more on that night, as subsequent -conversation with our friends rendered indubitably clear; and on the -whole we have done good service, I trust, by getting Mr. Canning -pledged to certain important reforms. I should speak of our gain in -still stronger terms but for his (Canning's) chief friend being a West -Indian, Mr. Charles Ellis, a very gentlemanly, humane man, but by no -means free from the prejudices of his caste. - -"Dear Robert has just been prevailed on by William's kind importunity -to try to study for a while at Brompton Grove. I am glad of it on all -accounts. It would add substantially to the pleasures of my life, if -my dear boys could acquire firmness enough to study at home. I would -do my best to promote the success of the experiment; but, believe me, -it is a sad habit that of being able to study only when you have 'all -appliances and means to boot.' - -"I just recollect this letter will reach you on the Sunday. Allow me, -therefore, to repeat my emphatic valediction _Remember_. You will be -in my heart and in my prayers, and probably we shall be celebrating -about the same time the memorial of our blessed Lord's suffering and -the bond of the mutual affection of His disciples towards each other. -The anniversaries which have passed remind me forcibly of the rapid -flight of time. My course must be nearly run, though perhaps it may -please that God who has hitherto caused goodness and mercy to follow me -all my days, to allow me to see my dear boys entered into the exercise -of their several professions, if they are several. But how glad shall I -be if they all can conscientiously enter into the ministry, that most -useful and most honourable of all human employments."[50] - - - "_June 14._ - -"All may be done through prayer--almighty prayer, I am ready to say; -and why not? for that it is almighty is only through the gracious -ordination of the God of love and truth. Oh then, pray, pray, -pray, my dearest boy. But then remember to estimate your state on -self-examination not by your prayers, but by what you find to be the -effects of them on your character, tempers, and life." - - - "_July 12, 1823._ - -"It has often been a matter of grief to me that both Henry and Robert -have a sad habit of appearing, if not of being, inattentive at church. -The former I have known turn half or even quite round and stare (I use -the word designedly) into the opposite pew. I am not aware whether you -have the same disposition (real or apparent) to inattention at public -worship. I trust I need not endeavour to enforce on you that it is a -practice to be watched against with the utmost care. It is not only a -crime in ourselves, but it is a great stumbling-block of offence to -others. The late Mr. Scott, though an excellent man, had contracted a -habit of staring in general while reading the prayers of our excellent -liturgy; and he once told me himself he actually did it most, when -his mind was most intent on the solemn service he was performing. But -to others he appeared looking at the congregation, especially at any -persons entering the chapel, and many I fear were encouraged to a -degree of distraction and inattention in prayer by the unseemly habit -he had contracted. Now let me entreat you, my dearest boy, to watch -against every approach to inattention in yourself, and to help dear -Henry, in whom I have remarked the practice, to get the better of it. I -have always found it a great aid in keeping my thoughts from wandering -at church to repeat the prayers to myself, either in a whisper or -mentally, as the minister has being going along, and I highly approve -of making responses, and always when you were children tried to have -you make them; but I used to think your mother did not join me in this -when you were next to her, partly probably from her own mind being -more closely engaged in the service--prayer being the grand means of -maintaining our communication with heaven, and the life of religion in -the soul claiming all possible attention." - -In the next letter Wilberforce mentions that he had limited his -personal expenditure so as to have larger sums to give away. He -says that he had left off giving claret, then a costly wine, and -some other expensive articles still exhibited by those of his rank. -He speaks strongly against gratifying all the cravings of fashion, -thoughtlessness, or caprice. - - - "BARMOUTH, _October 14, 1823._ - -"MY VERY DEAR SAMUEL,--I again take up my pen to give you my sentiments -on the important subject on which I promised to write to you, and on -which you have kindly asked my advice. But before I proceed to fulfil -this engagement let me mention what I had intended to state in my last, -but omitted, that I have reason to believe dear Robert has suffered -in the estimation of some of my friends, whether rightly or wrongly I -really know not, from the idea that his associates were not religious -men (irreligious in its common acceptation would convey more than -I mean), and therefore that he preferred that class of companions. -Now when people have once conceived anything of a prejudice against -another, on whatever grounds, they are disposed to view all he says and -does with different eyes, and to draw from it different conclusions -from those which would otherwise have been produced, and I suspect dear -Robert has suffered unjustly in this way. However, he will, I doubt -not, live through it, and so long as all is really right, I care less -for such temporary misconceptions, though, by the way, they may be -very injurious to the temporal interests, and to the acceptance of the -subject of them. - -"But now let me state to you my sentiments concerning your principles -and conduct as to society, and first I must say that if I were in your -case I should be very slow in forming new acquaintances. Having already -such good companions in Robert, Sir G. Prevost, and I hope Ryder, it -would surely be wise to be satisfied with them at the first, unless -there were any in whose instance I was sure I was on safe and good -ground. But now to your question itself. There are two points of view -in which this subject of good associates must naturally be regarded. -The one in that which is the ordinary object of social intercourse, -that I mean of recreation: for it certainly is one of the very best -recreations, and may be rendered indeed not merely such, but conducive -to higher and better ends. On this first head, however, I trust I -need say nothing in your case, I will therefore pass it by for the -present. It would, I am persuaded, be no recreation to you to be in a -party which should be disgraced by obscenity or profaneness. But the -second view is that which most belongs to our present inquiry--that, -I mean, of the society in which it may appear necessary to take a -share on grounds of conformity (where there is nothing wrong) to the -ordinary customs of life, and even on the principle of 'providing -things honest in the sight of all men' (honest in the Greek is [Greek: -dikaios]) and not suffering your good to be evil spoken of. Now in -considering this question, I am persuaded I need not begin in my dear -Samuel's instance with arguing for, but may assume the principle that -there are no indifferent actions properly speaking, I should rather -say none with which religion has nothing to do. This however is the -commonly received doctrine of those who consider themselves as very -good Christians. Just as in Law it is an axiom, 'De minimis non curat -lex.' On the contrary, a true Christian holds, in obedience to the -injunction, 'Whatever you do in word or deed' that the desire to please -his God and Saviour must be universal. It is thus that the habit of -living in Christ, and to Christ is to be formed. And the difference -between real and nominal Christians is more manifest on small occasions -than on greater. In the latter all who do not disclaim the authority -of Christ's commands must obey them, but in the former only they will -apply them who do make religion their grand business, and pleasing -their God and Saviour, and pleasing, instead of grieving the Spirit, -their continual and habitual aim. We are therefore to decide the -question of the company you should keep on Scriptural principles, and -the principle I lately quoted 'Provide things honest,' &c. (There -are several others of a like import, and I think they are not always -sufficiently borne in mind by really good people, this of course -forbids all needless singularities, &c.) That principle must doubtless -be kept in view. But again, _you_ will not require me to prove that -it can only have any jurisdiction where there is nothing wrong to be -participated in or encouraged. And therefore I am sure you will not -deny that you ought not to make a part of any society in which you -will be hearing what is indecent or profane. I hope that there are -not many of the Oriel undergraduates from whom you would be likely to -hear obscenity or profaneness, and I trust that you will not knowingly -visit any such. As to the wine parties, if I have a correct idea of -them they are the young men going after dinner to each other's rooms -to drink their wine, eat their fruit, &c.; and with the qualification -above specified, I see no reason for your absenting yourself from them, -if your so doing would fairly subject you to the charge of moroseness -or any other evil imputation. I understand there is no excess, and that -you separate after a short time. Its being more _agreeable_ to you to -stay away I should not deem a legitimate motive if alone. But in all -these questions the _practical_ question often is, how the expenditure -of any given amount of time and money (for the former I estimate full -as highly as the latter) can be made productive of the best effect. -There is one particular member of your college with whom I hope you -will form no acquaintance. Would it make it more easy for you to avoid -this, if you were able to allege that I had exacted from you a promise -to that effect? It was not from Robert, but from another person, that I -heard of him a particular instance of misconduct, which I believe even -in the more relaxed discipline of Cambridge would have drawn on the -offender exemplary punishment. Such a man must, I am sure, be a very -dangerous companion. If it be necessary for you to know him, of course -you will treat him like a gentleman; but further than this I hope you -will not go. From what Robert said to me I have a notion that there is -a very foolish practice, to call it by the softest name, of spending -considerable sums in the fruit and wine of these wine drinkings, where -I understood that there was no excess, every man also being allowed -to please himself as to the wine he drinks. But for a young man, the -son perhaps of a clergyman who is straining to the utmost to maintain -him at college, stinting himself, his wife and daughters in comforts -necessary to their health, for such a young man to be giving claret -and buying expensive fruit for his young companions is absolutely -criminal. And what is more, I will say that young men are much altered -if any youth of spirit who should frankly declare, 'My father cannot -afford such expensive indulgences, and I will not deprive him or my -brothers and sisters for my own gratification,' would not be respected -for his manliness and right feeling. Your situation is different, -though, by the way, your father has left off giving claret except -in some very special cases, and has entirely left off several other -expensive articles, which are still exhibited by others of his rank. -But then I know this will not commonly be imputed to improper parsimony -in me. And if you or any other Oxonian could lighten the pressure on -young men going to college, you would be rendering a highly valuable -service to the community, besides the too little considered obligation -of limiting our own expenditure for our own indulgence as much as we -can, consistently with 'good report,' and with not suffering our good -to be evil spoken of. I say this deliberately, that it is a duty not -sufficiently borne in mind even by real Christians, when we read the -_strong_ passage in the 15th of Deuteronomy, and still more when we -remember our Saviour's language in the 25th of St. Matthew, we shall -see reason to be astonished that the _generality_ of those who do -fear God, and mean in the main to please Him, can give away so small -a proportion of their fortunes, and so little appear sensible of the -obligation under which they lie to economise as much as they can for -the purpose of having the funds for giving away within their power. We -serve a kind Master, who will even accept the will for the deed when -the deed was not in our power. But this will not be held to be the case -when we can gratify all the cravings of fashion and self-indulgence, -or even thoughtlessness or caprice. What pleasure will a true Christian -sometimes feel in sparing himself some article which he would be glad -to possess, and putting the price instead into his charity purse, -looking up to his Saviour and in heart offering it up to His use. Oh, -my very dear Samuel, be not satisfied with the name of Christian. -But strive to be a Christian 'in life and in power and in the Holy -Ghost.' I think a solitary walk or ride now and then would afford an -excellent opportunity for cultivating _spirituality of mind_, the grand -characteristic of the thriving Christian. - -"But my feelings draw me off from the proper subject I was writing -upon--expense. And really, when I consider it merely in the view of the -misery that may be alleviated, and the tears that may be wiped away -by a very little money judiciously employed, I grow ashamed of myself -for not practising more self-denial that I may apply my savings to -such a purpose. Then think of the benefits to be rendered to mankind -by missionary societies. Besides all this, I really believe there is -commonly a special blessing on the liberal, even in this life, and on -their children; and I hesitate not to say to you that, as you will, -I hope, possess from me what, with the ordinary emoluments of a -profession, may afford you a comfortable competence, I am persuaded I -shall leave you far more likely to be happy than if you were to have -inherited from me L10,000 more (and I say the same for your brothers -also), the fruits of my bachelor savings. In truth, it would be so -if the Word of God be true, for it is full of declarations to that -effect. Now all this is general doctrine. I am aware of it. I can only -give you principles here. It must be for you to apply them, and if you -apply them with simplicity of intention, all, I doubt not, will be -well. But again I cannot help intimating my persuasion that you would -do well to confine yourself at first to the few friends you already -have and on whom you can depend. And also let me suggest that it would -be truly wise to be looking around you, and if you should see anyone -whose principles, and character, and manners are such as suggest the -hope that he might be desirable even for a friend, then to cultivate -his acquaintance. May our Heavenly Father direct and prosper you, carry -you safely through the ordeal into which you are just about to enter, -and at length receive you into that blessed world where danger will be -over, and all will be love and peace and joy for evermore. - - "I am ever affectionately yours, - - "W. WILBERFORCE." - - - "_November 5, 1823._ - -"I trust I scarcely need assure you that I must always wish to make you -comfortable _quoad_ money matters, and on the other hand that the less -the cost of rendering you so, the more convenient to me. My income is -much diminished within the last few years, while the expenses of my -family have greatly increased.... - -"What a comfort it is to know that our Heavenly Father is ever -ready to receive all who call upon Him. He delighteth in mercy, -and ever remember that as you have heard me say, mercy is kindness -to the guilty, to those who deserve punishment. What a delightful -consideration it is that our Saviour loves His people better than we -love each other, than an earthly parent loves his child." - - - "_November 7, 1823._ - -"There is a vile and base sentiment current among men of the world -that, if you want to preserve a friend you must guard against having -any pecuniary transactions with him. But it is a caution altogether -unworthy of a Christian bosom. It is bottomed in the mistakenly -supposed superior value of money to every other object, and in a very -low estimate of human friendship. I hope I do not undervalue my money, -but I prize my time at a still higher rate, and have no fear that any -money transaction can ever lessen the mutual confidence and affection -which subsists between us and which I trust will never be diminished. -And let me take this opportunity also of stating that you would give me -real pleasure by making me your friend and opening your heart to me as -much in every other particular. I trust you would never find me abusing -your confidence. Even any indiscretions or faults, if there should be -any, if I can help to prevent your being involved in difficulties by -them. But I hate to put such a case. It is no more than what is due to -my dear Samuel, to say that my anticipations are of a very different -sort. And I can truly declare that the good conduct and kindness of my -children towards me is a source of the purest and greatest pleasure I -do or can enjoy."[51] - - - "_August 6, 1824._ - -"I can bear silence no longer, and I beg you will in future send me -or your dear mother a something, be it ever so short, in the way of a -letter once a week, if it be merely a certificate of your existence. -I have been for some days thinking of writing to you, in consequence -of my having heard that your friend Ryder and Sir George Prevost were -reading classics with Mr. Keble. Could you not have been allowed to -make it a triumvirate? Much as I value classical scholarship, I prize -still more highly the superior benefit to be derived from associating -with such good young men as I trust the two gentlemen are whose names -I have mentioned, and I have the satisfaction of knowing that you have -the privilege of calling them your friends. Is it yet too late?" - - - "_September 10, 1824._ - -"As I was talking to your mother this morning on money matters it shot -across my mind that you had desired me to send you a supply, which I -had neglected to do. I am truly sorry for my inadvertency, and will -send you the half of a L20 bank note which I happen to possess, the -other half following of course to-morrow. Ask for what you want, and -we will settle when you are here. It gives me real pleasure to believe -that you are economical on principle, and it is only by being so that -one can be duly liberal. Without self-denial every man, be his fortune -what it may, will find himself unable to act as he ought in this -particular, not that _giving_ is always the best charity, far from it; -employing people is often a far preferable mode of serving them. To -you I may say that if I have been able to be liberal not less before -my marriage than after it, it was from denying myself many articles -which persons in my own rank of life and pecuniary circumstances -almost universally indulged in. Now when I find my income considerably -decreased on the one hand, and my expenses (from my four sons) greatly -increased on the other, economy must even be made parsimony, which, -justly construed, does not in my meaning at all exclude generosity." - -This letter is here interrupted, he says, by "two young widows--both of -whom had recently lost their husbands in India--with their four little -children, all in deep mourning. Yet the two widows have the best of -all supports in the assured persuasion that their husbands were truly -pious, and in the hope that they themselves are so." - -It is easy to imagine the reception given to the "two young widows" -by Wilberforce. He had not yet learned the lesson of "economy or even -parsimony" as regarded his charities--even when he had to reduce his -expenses he spent L3,000[52] in one year on charity. - - - "_December 10, 1824._ - -"I have deemed it quite a duty on this delicious day to prolong my -country walk in a _tete-a-tete_ with your dear mother, a _tete-a-tete_, -however, from which our dear children's images are not excluded. I -own that those who are termed Methodists by the world do give more -liberally to the distressed than others, yet that I think they do -not in this duty come up to the full demands of Scripture. The great -mistake that prevails as I conceive is, it's being thought right that -all persons who are received on the footing of gentlemen are to live -alike. And without economy there cannot be sufficient liberality. I can -sincerely declare that my wish that my sons should be economical, which -is quite consistent with being generous, nay, as I said before, is even -necessary to it, arises far more from my conviction of the effects of -economical habits on their minds and happiness in future life, than on -account of the money that will be thereby saved. You have heard me, I -doubt not, praise Paley's excellent remark on the degree in which a -right constitution of the habits tends to produce happiness, and you -may proceed with the train of ideas I have called up in your mind." - - - "_October 26, 1825._ - -"You ask me about your Uncle Stephen's having been a newspaper -reporter. He was. The case was this. At the age of, I believe, -eighteen, he came up to town to study the law, when the sudden death of -his father not only stopped his supplies, but threw on his hands the -junior branches of the family, more especially three or four sisters. -Seeing no other resource, he embraced an offer, made to him I believe -through or by Mr. Richardson, the friend of poor Sheridan. Richardson -afterwards came into Parliament, and the fact respecting Stephen came -out thus, a few years ago. A regulation was proposed by some of the -benchers of Lincoln's Inn that no one should be permitted to be called -to the Bar who ever had practised the reporting art. Sheridan brought -the question forward in the House of Commons. Stephen, who was then in -Parliament, spoke to the question, and in arguing against the illiberal -and even cruel severity of the regulation, put a supposed case, that -the son of a gentleman, by a father's sudden death was at once deprived -of the means of pursuing the legal profession on which he was just -entering, being also harassed in his mind by the distressed state of -some affectionate sisters. Thus embarrassed, he received an offer of -employment as a reporter, and gladly accepted it and discharged its -duties, thereby being enabled to prosecute his professional studies -as well as to assist his relatives. 'But,' added Stephen, 'the case -I have just stated is no imaginary one. It is the story of a living -individual. It is that, sir, of the individual who has now the honour -to address you.' There is in all bodies of Englishmen a generous -feeling which is always called forth powerfully when a man confesses, -or rather boldly avows any circumstance respecting himself which, -according to the false estimate of the world, might be supposed to -disparage him; as when Peel at the meeting for a monument to James Watt -declared that, 'owing all his prosperity to the successful industry -of a person originally in the humble walks of life,' the applause was -overpowering. And I never remember a more general or louder acclamation -than immediately broke out when Stephen had (indeed before he had -completely) closed his declaration." - - - "_December 16, 1825._ - -"It is Henry Thornton[53] that was connected with the house of Pole -& Co. He became a partner about five months ago. The storm through -which he has been passing has been indeed violent; but the call -for self-possession, temper, judgment, and above all scrupulous, -punctilious integrity has been abundantly answered. He has behaved so -as to draw on him the universal applause of all who have witnessed -his conduct. Mr. Jno. Smith especially speaks of it in the highest -terms, and has been acting towards him with corresponding generosity -and kindness. It has been very strikingly evidenced that commercial -transactions on a great scale enlarge the mind, and the obedience -which, with men of real principle, is paid to the point of mercantile -honour, produces a habit of prompt, decisive integrity in circumstances -of embarrassment and distress. I am happy to be able to tell you that -there is reason to believe that while Henry will gain great credit -he will lose no money. He has borne the trial with the calmness of a -veteran." - - - "_Sunday, January 22, 1826._ - -"You may have heard me mention, that when in my solitary bachelor state -I was alone all day on the Sunday, I used after dinner to call up -before me the images of my friends and acquaintances, and to consider -how I could benefit or gratify them. And when the mind is scarcely -awake, or, at least, active enough for any superior purpose, this is -no bad employment for a part of the day, especially if practised with -religious associations and purposes. The day is so raw here that I have -yielded to your mother's kind entreaties that I would not go to church, -where the greater part of the family now is at afternoon service. So I -am glad to spend a part of my day with my dearest Samuel. - -"I will remind you of an idea which I threw out on the day preceding -your departure--that I feared I had scarcely enough endeavoured to -impress on my children the idea that they must as Christians be a -peculiar people. I am persuaded that you cannot misunderstand me to -mean that I wish you to affect singularity in indifferent matters. -The very contrary is our duty. But from that very circumstance of its -being right that we should be like the rest of the world in exterior, -manners, &c., &c., results an augmentation of the danger of our not -maintaining that diversity, nay, that contrast, which the Eye of God -ought to see in us to the worldly way of thinking and feeling on -all the various occasions of life, and in relation to its various -interests. The man of the world considers religion as having nothing to -do with 99-100ths of the affairs of life, considering it as a medicine -and not as his food, least of all as his refreshment and cordial. He -naturally takes no more of it than his health requires. How opposite -this to the apostle's admonition, 'Whatever ye do in word or deed, do -all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father -through Him.' This is being spiritually-minded, and being so is truly -declared to be life and peace. By the way, if you do not possess that -duodecimo volume, 'Owen on Spiritual Mindedness,' let me beg you to -get and read it carefully. There are some obscure and mystic passages, -but much that I think is likely to be eminently useful; and may our -Heavenly Father bless to you the perusal of it...." - - - "_February 27, 1826._ - -"Let me assure you that you give me great pleasure by telling me -unreservedly any doubts you may entertain of the propriety of my -principles or conduct. I love your considering and treating me as a -friend, and I trust you will never have reason to regret your having so -done, either in relation to your benefit or your comfort. In stating -my suspicions that I had not sufficiently endeavoured to impress on -my children, and that you were scarcely enough aware of the force of -the dictum that Christians were to be a peculiar people, I scarcely -need assure you that I think the commands, 'Provide things honest in -the sight of all men, whatever things are lovely, whatsoever of good -report,' &c. (admirably illustrated and enforced by St. Paul's account -of his own principles of becoming all things to all men), clearly prove -that so far from being needlessly singular, we never ought to be so, -but for some special and good reason. Again, I am aware of what you -suggest that, in our days, in which the number of those who profess a -stricter kind of religion than the world of _soi-disant_ Christians in -general, there is danger lest a party spirit should creep in with its -usual effects and evils. Against this, therefore, we should be on the -watch. And yet, though not enlisting ourselves in a party, we ought, as -I think you will admit, to assign considerable weight to any opinions -or practices which have been sanctioned by the authority of good men in -general. As again, you will I think admit, that in any case in which -the more advanced Christians and the less advanced are both affected, -the former and their interests deserve more of our consideration than -the latter. For instance, it is alleged in behalf of certain worldly -compliances, that by making them you will give a favourable idea, -produce a pleasing impression of your religious principles, and dispose -people the rather to adopt them. But then, if you thereby are likely -to become an _offence_ (in the Scripture sense) to weaker Christians, -(persons, with all their infirmities, eminently dear to Christ,) -you may do more harm than good, and that to the class which had the -stronger claim to your kind offices. Let my dear Samuel think over -the topic to which I was about next to proceed. I mean our Saviour's -language to the Laodicean Church expressing His abhorrence and disgust -at lukewarmness, and the danger of damping the religious affections -by such recreations as He had in mind. Of course I don't object to -domestic dances. It is not the act, the _saltus_, but the _whole tone_ -of an assembly." - - - "CLIFTON, _May 27, 1826._ - -"I am very glad to think that you will be with us. Your dear mother's -spirits are not always the most buoyant, and, coming first to reside -in a large, new house without having some of her children around her, -would be very likely to infuse a secret melancholy which might sadden -the whole scene, and even produce, by permanent association, a lasting -impression of despondency. I finish this letter after hearing an -excellent sermon from Robert Hall. It was not merely an exhibition -of powerful intellect, but of fervent and feeling piety, especially -impressing on his hearers to live by the faith of the love of Christ -daily, habitually looking to Him in all His characters. Prayer, -prayer, my dear Samuel; let your religion consist much in prayer. May -you be enabled more and more to walk by faith and not by sight, to -feel habitually as well as to recognise in all your more deliberate -calculations and plans, that the things that are seen are temporal, -but the things that are not seen are eternal. Then you will live above -the world, as one who is waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus -Christ."[54] - - - "_April 20, 1826._ - -"I would gladly fill my sheet, yet I can prescribe what may do almost -as well. Shut your door and muse until you fancy me by your side, and -then think what I should say to you, which I dare say your own mind -would supply." - - - "_September 30._ - -"I am thankful to reflect that at the very moment I am now thinking of -you and addressing you; you also are probably engaged in some religious -exercise, solitary or social (for I was much gratified by learning from -a passage in one of your letters to your mother that you and Anderson -went through the service of our beautiful liturgy together). Perhaps -you are thinking of your poor old father, and, my dear boy, I hope you -often pray for me, and I beg you will continue to do so. - -"I am not sure whether or not I told you of our having been for a -week at Lea,[55] having been detained there by my being slightly -indisposed. But it was worth while to be so, if it were only to -witness, or rather to experience, Lady Anderson's exceeding kindness. I -really do not recollect having ever before known such high merits and -accomplishments--the pencil and music combined with such unpretending -humility, such true simplicity and benevolence. With these last -Sir Charles is also eminently endowed. He reads his family prayers -with great feeling, and especially with a reverence which is always -particularly pleasing to me. There is, in 'Jonathan Edwards on the -Religious Affections,' a book from which you will, I think, gain much -useful matter, a very striking passage, in which he condemns with great -severity, but not at all too great, _me judice_, that familiarity -with the Supreme King which was affected by some of the religionists -of his day, as well as by Dr. Hawker recently, and remarks very truly -that Moses and Elijah, and Abraham the friend of God (and all of them -honoured by such especial marks of the Divine condescension), always -manifested a holy awe and reverence when in the Divine presence." - -Samuel Wilberforce had written to his father asking him what advice he -should give to a friend whose family was very irreligious. In the house -of this friend 'it was a common phrase accompanying a shake of each -other's hands on meeting, "May we meet together in _hell_."' The answer -to the appeal for advice is as follows:-- - - - "_July 28, 1826._ - -"I will frankly confess to you that the clearness and strength of the -command of the apostle, 'Children, obey your parents in all things' -(though in one passage it is added, 'in the Lord') weighed so strongly -with me as to lead me, at first, to doubt whether or not it did not -overbalance all opposing considerations and injunctions, yet more -reflection has brought me to the conclusion, to which almost all those -whom I consulted came still more promptly, that it is the duty of -your young friend to resist his parents' injunction to go to the play -or the opera. That they are quite hotbeds of vice no one, I think, -can deny, for much more might be said against them than is contained -in my 'Practical View,' though I own the considerations there stated -appear to my understanding such as must to anyone who means to act on -Christian principles be perfectly decisive. One argument against the -young man's giving up the point in these instances, which has great -weight with me, is this, that he must either give himself entirely up -to his friends and suffer them at least to dictate to him his course -of conduct, or make a stand somewhere. Now I know not what ground he -will be likely to find so strong as this must be confessed to be, by -all who will argue the question with him on Scriptural principles, and -more especially on those I have suggested in my 'Practical View' of the -love of God, and I might have added, that of the apostle's injunction, -'Whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord -Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father through Him.' I scarcely -need remark that the refusal should be rendered as unobjectionable as -possible by the modest and affectionate manner of urging it, and by -endeavouring to render the whole conduct and demeanour doubly kind and -assiduous. I well remember that when first it pleased God to touch -my heart, now rather above forty years ago, it had been reported of -me that I was deranged, and various other rumours were propagated to -my disadvantage. It was under the cloud of these prejudices that I -presented myself to some old friends, and spent some time with them -(after the close of the session) at Scarborough. I conversed and -behaved in the spirit above recommended, and I was careful to embrace -any little opportunity of pleasing them (little presents often have no -small effects), and I endeavoured to impress them with a persuasion -that I was not less happy than before. The consequence was all I could -desire, and I well recollect that the late Mrs. Henry Thornton's -mother, a woman of very superior powers and of great influence in our -social circle, one day broke out to my mother--she afterwards said to -me something of the same kind, not without tears--'Well, I can only -say if _he_ is deranged I hope we all shall become so.' To your young -friend again I need not suggest the duty of constant prayer for his -nearest relatives. By degrees they will become softened, and he will -probably enjoy the delight of finding them come over to the blessed -path he is himself pursuing. He will also find that self-denial, and a -disposition to subject himself to any trouble or annoyance in order to -promote his friends' comfort, or exemption from some grievance, will -have a very powerful effect in conciliating his friends. With all the -courtesy that prevails in high life, no one, I think, can associate -with those who move in it, without seeing how great a share selfishness -has in deciding their language and conduct, saving themselves trouble -or money, &c., &c. Happily the objections of worldly parents to their -children becoming religious are considerably weakened since it has -pleased God to diffuse serious religion so much through the higher -ranks in society: they no longer despair, as they once did, of their -sons and daughters not forming any eligible matrimonial alliance or -any respectable acquaintances or friendships. The grand blessing of -acting in the way I recommend is the peace of conscience it is likely -to produce. There are, we know, occasions to which our Saviour's words -must apply, 'He that loveth father and mother more than Me is not -worthy of Me,' and I doubt not that if your friend does the violence -to his natural feelings which the case supposes, in the spirit of -faith and prayer, he will be rewarded even by a present enjoyment of -spiritual comfort. If I mistake not I wrote to you lately on the topic -of the joy which Christians ought to find familiar to them, still more -the peace; and the course he would pursue would, I believe, be very -likely to ensure the possession of them. We have been, and still are, -highly gratified by finding true religion establishing itself more and -more widely. Lord Mandeville, whose parent stock on both sides must -be confessed to be as unfavourable as could be well imagined in this -highly favoured country, is truly in earnest. He, you may have forgot, -married Lady Olivia's only daughter. He is a man of very good sense; -though having been destined to the Navy, which had been for generations -a family service, his education was probably not quite such as one -would wish. He is a man of the greatest simplicity of character, only -rather too quiet and silent." - - - "HIGHWOOD HILL, - "_November 27, 1826._ - -"I hope you are pleased, I assure you I am, with the result of your -B.A. course. And I scarcely dare allow myself to wish that you may be -in the 1st class, or at least to wish it with any degree of earnestness -or still less of anxiety. The Almighty has been so signally kind to me -even in my worldly affairs, and so much more gracious than I deserved -in my domestic concerns, that it would indicate a heart never to be -satisfied were I not disposed in all that concerns my children, to cast -all my care on Him: indeed, you pleased me not a little by stating your -persuasion that it _might be_ better for you ultimately not to have -succeeded (to the utmost) on this very occasion. And I rejoice the more -in this impression of yours, because I am sure it does not in your -instance arise from the want of feeling; from that cold-blooded and -torpid temperament that often tends to indolence, and if it sometimes -saves its proprietor a disappointment, estranges him from many who -might otherwise attach themselves to him, and shuts him out from many -sources of pure and virtuous pleasure. - -"Your dear mother in all weather that is not bad enough to drive the -labourers within doors, is herself _sub dio_, studying the grounds, -giving directions for new walks, new plantations, flower-beds, &c. And -I am thankful for being able to say that the exposure to cold and dew -hitherto has not hurt her--perhaps it has been beneficial." - - - "_August 25, 1827._ - -"I was lately looking into Wrangham's 'British Biography,' and I -was forcibly struck by observing that by far the larger part of the -worthies the work commemorates were carried off before they reached -to the age I have attained to. And yet, as I think, I must have told -you, Dr. Warren, the first medical authority of that day, declared in -1788 that I could not then last above two or three weeks, not so much -from the violence of an illness from which I had then suffered, as -from the utter want of stamina. Yet a gracious Providence has not only -spared my life, but permitted me to see several of my dear children -advancing into life, and you, my dear Samuel, as well as Robert, -about to enter into Holy Orders so early that if it should please God -to spare my life for about a couple of years, which according to my -present state of health seems by no means improbable, I may have the -first and great pleasure of witnessing your performance of the sacred -service of the Church. It is little in me--I mean a very ordinary -proof of my preference of spiritual to earthly things, of my desiring -to walk rather by faith than by sight--that I rejoice in the prospect -of your becoming a clergyman rather than a lawyer, which appeared the -alternative in your instance; but it is due to you, my dear Samuel, -to say that it is a very striking proof of your having been enabled -by, I humbly trust, the highest of all influences, to form this -decision, when from your talents and qualifications it appeared by no -means improbable that in the legal line you might not improbably rise -into the enjoyment of rank and affluence. It is but too true that my -feelings would, at your time of life, have been powerfully active in -another direction. Perhaps this very determination may have been in -part produced by that connection to which you look forward. And may it -please God, my dear Samuel, to grant you the desire of your heart in -this particular and to render the union conducive to your spiritual -benefit and that of your partner also, so that it may be looked back -upon with gratitude even in a better world, as that which has tended -not only to your mutual happiness during the journey of life, but has -contributed to bring you both after its blessed termination to the -enjoyment of the rest that remaineth for the people of God." - -This letter refers to Samuel Wilberforce's marriage with Emily Sargent, -as to which his father remarks: "Viewed in a worldly light, the -connection cannot be deemed favourable to either of you." - - - "_March 20, 1828._ - -"The cheerfulness, which at an earlier period of my life might have -been a copious spring supplying my letters with a stream of pleasant -sentiments and feelings, has been chilled even to freezing by advancing -years, and yet, to do myself justice, though this may have dulled the -activity and liveliness of my epistles, I think it has not cooled the -kindly warmth of heart with which I write to my friends and least of -all to my children." - - - "_July 22, 1828._ - -"I am glad that any opportunity for your coming forward as a public -speaker has occurred, I mean an opportunity proper for you to -embrace, in which you were rather a drawn (though not a pressed) man -and not a volunteer. We have had the great pleasure of having dear -Robert officiate twice, both in the reading-desk and the pulpit. -The apparent, as well as real, simplicity of his whole performance -must have impressed every observant and feeling hearer with a very -favourable view of his character. His language remarkably simple, -much every way in his sermon to esteem and love. It suggested one -or two important topics for consideration, which I shall be glad to -talk over with you hereafter, as well as with Robert himself. One is, -whether he did not fall into what I have often thought an error in the -sermons of sound divines, and in those perhaps of Oxonians more than -Cantabs--that I mean of addressing their congregations as being all -real Christians--children of God, &c.--who needed (to use our Saviour's -figure in John xiii.) only to have their feet washed. Whatever may be -the right doctrinal opinion as to baptismal regeneration, all really -orthodox men will grant, I presume, that as people grow up they may -lose that privilege of being children of God which we trust they who -were baptised in their infancy did enjoy, and would have reaped the -benefit of it had they died before, by the gradual development of their -mental powers, they became moral agents capable of responsibility. -And if so, should not their particular sins of disposition, temper, -or conduct be used rather to convince them of their being in a sinful -state, and as therefore requiring the converting grace of God, than as -merely wanting a little reformation?" - - - "_November 20, 1828._ - -"Has Sargent[56] heard of the fresh explosion in the British and -Foreign Bible Society? I truly and deeply regret it. It has proceeded -from a proposal to print the Septuagint. In the discussion that -took place on that topic it was perhaps unwarily said there was no -proper standard of the Holy Scriptures. No standard!!!!! Then we -have no Bible! You see how a little Christian candour would have -prevented this rupture. Oh that they would all remember that the end -of the commandment is Love. I fear this is not the test by which in -our days Christians are to be ascertained: may we all cultivate in -ourselves this blessed principle and pray for it more earnestly. I -am quite pleased myself, Robert is delighted, by the appointment to -the Professorship (Hebrew) of Pusey--above L1,200 per annum. Pusey -had opposition, and is appointed by the Duke of Wellington, solely we -suppose on the ground of superior merit." - - - "_February 20, 1829._ - -"Legh Richmond,[57] though an excellent man, was not a man of -refinement or of taste. I cannot deny the justice of your remarks -as far as I can fairly allow myself to form a judgment without -referring to the book. I entirely concur in your censure of Richmond's -commonplace, I had almost termed it profane, way in which he speaks of -the Evil Spirit. This falls under the condemnation justly pronounced by -Paley against levity in religion. - -"When I can spare a little eyesight or time, I feel myself warranted -to indulge the pleasure I always have in the exercise of the domestic -affections, and in gratifying you (as I hope it is not vanity to think -I do) in writing to you at a time when you are in circumstances of more -quiet than usual, though I am aware that a man of your age, who is -spending his first year of married life with a partner, between whom -and himself there was great mutual attachment, grounded on esteem, and -a mutual acquaintance with each other's characters and dispositions, -can never be so happy as when he is enjoying a _tete-a-tete_ with his -bride. By the way, do you keep anything in the nature of a journal? -A commonplace book I take it for granted you keep; and speaking of -books, let me strongly urge you to keep your accounts regularly, and -somewhat at least in the mode in which we keep ours--under different -heads. If you have not the plan, tell me and I will send it to you. -Its excellence is that it enables you with ease to see how your money -goes; and remember we live in days in which a single sovereign given by -an individual is often productive of great effects. Where is it that a -single drop (stalactite) from a roof, falling into the ocean, is made -to bemoan itself on being lost in the abyss of waters, when afterwards -it became the seminal principle of the great pearl that constituted the -glory of the Great Mogul? And now also, remember the Church Missionary -Society is so poor, that it will be compelled to quit some fields -whitening to the harvest, unless it can have its funds considerably -augmented." - -[Illustration: SAMUEL WILBERFORCE, Aged 29.] - -The next letter refers to the offer of the vicarage of Ribchester, -near Preston, in Lancashire, made by the Bishop of Chester to Samuel -Wilberforce. - - - "_March 3, 1829._ - -"Whether regarded in relation to your bodily strength, your spiritual -interests, or to prudence in affairs, I should be disposed to advise -you to decline, with a due sense of kindness, &c., the Bishop's offer. -Your constitution is not a strong one, and it is highly desirable in -that view alone that you should for a time officiate in a small sphere, -and if it may be in a place where, as from your vicinity to Oxford, -you can have assistance when you are not equal yourself to the whole -duty. With such a scattered population, there must be a call I conceive -for great bodily strength. Secondly, the situation appears to me still -less eligible considered on higher grounds. It is no ground of blame -to you that your studies have not hitherto been of divinity. Supply -all that I should say under that head, were I not writing to one who -is capable himself of suggesting it to his own mind. Again, you cannot -have that acquaintance with human nature, either in general, or in -your own self, which it would be desirable for any one to possess who -was to be placed in so wide and populous a field, especially in one so -circumstanced as this particular place. Then you would be at a distance -from almost all your friends, which I mention now in reference to -the spiritual disadvantages of the situation, not in relation to your -comfort and Emily's, in which, however, it may be fairly admitted to -some weight. Again, _I_ should much regret your being placed where you -would naturally be called to study controversial anti-Roman Catholic -divinity, rather than that which expects the cultivation of personal -holiness in yourself and your parishioners. I could say much on this -head. Thirdly, Mr. Neale sees the objections on the ground of pecuniary -interest, as alone of so much weight, as to warrant your refusing the -offer--a vicarage. Its income is commonly derived from small payments, -and in that district probably of poor people whom you would not, could -not squeeze, and yet without squeezing from whom you probably would get -nothing. Most likely a curate would be indispensable." - -On the same topic Wilberforce writes again:-- - - - "_March 17th, 1829._ - -"I ought to tell you that in the reasons I assigned to the Bishop -for declining his offer, one, and in itself perhaps the strongest, -(nay, certainly so, not perhaps,) was my persuasion that for any -one educated and associated as you have been, it was of very great -importance with a view to your spiritual state, (more especially for -the cultivation of devotional feelings and spirituality of mind,) -that he should in the outset of his ministerial course be for some -time in a quiet and retired situation, where he could live in the -enjoyment of domestic comfort, of leisure for religious reading and -meditation, and devotional exercises; while, on the contrary, it was -very undesirable in lieu of these to be placed in circumstances in -which he would almost necessarily be almost incessantly arguing for -Protestant principles--in short, would be occupied in the religion of -the head rather than of the heart. I own to you in confidence (though -I believe I shall make the avowal to my dear Robert himself) that I am -sometimes uneasy on a ground somewhat congenial with this, about the -tutor of Oriel. For though I doubt not the solidity of his religious -character, yet I fear his situation is far from favourable to the -growth in grace, and would, alas! need every help we can have for the -advancement of personal religion within us, and can scarcely bear -without injury any circumstances that have an unfavourable tendency. I -trust my dear Samuel will himself consider that he is now responsible -for living in circumstances peculiarly favourable to the growth of -personal piety, and therefore that he should use his utmost endeavours -to derive the benefits that appear, (humanly speaking,) to be placed -within his reach. Oh, my dearest boy, we are all too sadly lukewarm, -sadly too little urging forward with the earnestness that might justly -be expected from those that are contending for an incorruptible crown. -Did you ever read Owen on spiritual-mindedness? There are some passages -that to me appear almost unintelligible (one at least), but it is in -the main, I think, a highly useful book. I need not say how sorry we -are to hear of Emily being poorly. But our gourds must have something -to alloy their sweets. D. G. your mother is recovering gradually, -and now profits much from a jumbling pony-chair; its shaking quality -renders its value to her double what it would be otherwise."[58] - - - "_March 19, 1829._ - -"In speaking of Whately's book I ought to have said that I had not got -to the part in which he speaks of imputed righteousness. I remember it -was an objection made to my 'Practical View' by a certain strange head -of a college that I was silent on that point. The honest truth is, I -never considered it. I have always been disposed to believe it to be -in some sort true, but not to deem it a matter of importance, if the -doctrine of free grace and justification by faith be held, which are, -I believe, of primary importance. Hooker, unless I forget, is clearly -for it; see his sermon on Justification. I trust I need not fear your -misconstruing me, and supposing I can be advising you, either to be -roguish, or shabbily reserved. But really I do think that you may -produce an unfavourable and false impression of your principles and -professional character, by talking unguardedly about _Methodistical_ -persons and opinions. Mrs. R. may report you as UNSOUND to the Bishop -of Winchester, and he imbibe a prejudice against you. Besides, my -dear Samuel, I am sure you will not _fire_ when I say that you may -see reason on farther reading, and reflection, and more experience to -change or qualify some of the opinions you may now hold. I own, (I -should not be honest if I did not say so,) that I think I have myself -witnessed occasions which have strengthened with me the impression that -you may need this hint.... Have you any parishioners who have been -used to hear Methodists or Dissenters, or have you any who appear to -have had, or still to have, much feeling of religion? I cannot help -suspecting that it is a mistaken notion that the lower orders are to -be chiefly instructed in the ordinary practical duties of religion, -whereas I own I believe them to be quite capable of impressions on -their affections: on the infinite love of their God and Redeemer, and -of their corresponding obligation to Love and Obedience. We found -peasants more open to attacks on their consciences, on the score of -being wanting in gratitude, than on any other." - - -"_April 3, 1829._ - -"Articles sent to Mr. Samuel--Bewick, Venn's Sermons (2 vols.), White's -'Selborne' (2 vols. bound in one), 2nd vol. of 'The Monastery.' A -lending library is, I think, likely to be considerably beneficial. -It cannot but have a tendency to generate in the poor a disposition -favourable to domestic habits and pleasures, and to seek their -enjoyments at home rather than in the alehouse, and it strikes me as -likely to confirm this taste, to encourage the poor people's children -to read to them. Send me a list of any books you will like to have for -your lending library, and I will by degrees pick them up for you.... - -"We ought to be always making it our endeavour to be experiencing peace -and joy in believing, and that we do not enjoy more of this sunshine -of the breast is, I fear, almost always our own fault. We ought not to -acquiesce quietly in the want of them, whereas we are too apt to be -satisfied if our consciences do not reproach us with anything wrong, -if we can on good grounds entertain the persuasion that we are safe; -and we do not sufficiently consider that we serve a gracious and kind -master who is willing that we should taste that He is gracious. Both -in St. John's first general Epistle, and in our Lord's declaration in -John xv., we are assured that our Lord's object and the apostles' in -telling us of our having spiritual supplies and communion, is that -our joy may be full. It is a great comfort to me to reflect that you -are in circumstances peculiarly favourable to your best interests. To -be spiritually-minded is both life and peace. How much happier would -your dear mother be if she were living the quiet life you and Emily do, -instead of being cumbered about many things; yet she is in the path of -duty, and that is all in all." - - - "_September 7, 1829._ - -"An admirable expedient has this moment suggested itself to me, which -will supersede the necessity for my giving expression to sentiments and -feelings, for which you will give me full credit, though unexpressed. -It is that of following the precedent set by a candidate for the City -of Bristol in conjunction with Mr. Burke. The latter had addressed his -electors in a fuller effusion of eloquence than was used to flow even -from his lips, when his colleague, conscious that he should appear to -great disadvantage were he to attempt a speech, very wisely confined -himself to, 'Gentlemen, you have heard Mr. Burke's excellent speech. I -say ditto to the whole of it.' Sure I am that no language of mine could -give you warmer or more sincere assurances of parental affection than -you will have received in the letter of your dear mother, which she -has just put into my hands to be inserted into my letter. To all she -has said, therefore, I say ditto. My dear Samuel, I must tell you the -pleasure with which I look back on what I witnessed at Checkendon,[59] -and how it combines with, and augments the joyful gratulations with -which I welcome the 7th of September.[60] I hope I am deeply thankful -to the bountiful Giver of all good for having granted me in you a -son to whose future course I can look with so much humble hope, and -even joyful confidence. It is also with no little thankfulness that -I reflect on your domestic prospects, from the excellent qualities -of your, let me say _our_, dear Emily. I must stop, the rest shall -be prayer, prayer for both of you, that your course in this life may -be useful and honourable, and that you may at length, accompanied by -a large assemblage of the sheep of Christ, whom you have been the -honoured instrument of bringing to the fold of Christ, have an abundant -entrance into the everlasting kingdom of God." - - - "_September 28, 1829._ - -"How much do they lose of comfort, as well as, I believe, in incentives -to gratitude and love, and if it be not their own fault thereby in -the means of practical improvement, who do not accustom themselves to -watch the operations of the Divine Hand. I have often thought that, -had it not been for the positive declarations of the Holy Scriptures -concerning the attention of the Almighty Governor of the universe to -our minutest comforts and interests enforced by a comparison with -the [Greek: storge] of parental affection, we should not dare to be -so presumptuous as to believe, that He who rolls the spheres along, -would condescend thus to sympathise with our feelings, and attend -to our minutest interests. Here also Dr. Chalmers' suggestions, -derived from the discoveries made to us through the microscope, come -in to confirm the same delightful persuasion. I am persuaded that -many true Christians lose much pleasure they might otherwise enjoy -from not sufficiently watching the various events of their lives, -more especially in those little incidents, as we rather unfitly term -them; for, considering them as links in the chain, they maintain the -continuity, as much as those which we are apt to regard as of greater -size and consequence." - - - "_November 21, 1829._ - -"We have been for a few days at Battersea Rise. But your mother will, I -doubt not, have told you the memorabilia of this visit, and especially -the inexhaustible conversational powers of Sir James Mackintosh. I -wish I may be able, some time or other, to enable you to hear these -powers exerted. Poor fellow! he is, however, the victim of his own -social dispositions and excellences. For I cannot but believe, that -the superfluous hours dissipated in these talks, might suffice for -the performance of a great work. They are to him, what, alas! in some -degree, my letters were to me during my Parliamentary life, and even to -this day." - - - "_December 17, 1829._ - -"We ought not to expect this life to flow on smoothly without rubs -or mortification. Indeed, it is a sentiment which I often inculcate -on myself that, to use a familiar phrase, we here have more than our -bargain, as Christians, in the days in which we live; for I apprehend -the promise of the life that now is, combined with that which is to -come, was meant to refer rather to mental peace and comfort, than to -temporal prosperity. My thoughts have been of late often led into -reflections on the degree in which we are wanting to ourselves, in -relation to the rich and bright prospects set before us as attainable -in the Word of God. More especially I refer to that of the Christian's -hope and peace and joy. Again and again we are assured that joy is -ordinarily and generally to be the portion of the Christian. Yet how -prone are but too commonly those, whom we really believe to be entitled -to the name of Christians, disposed to remain contented without the -possession of this delightful state of heart; and to regard it as the -privilege of some rarely gifted, and eminently favoured Christians, -rather than as the general character of all, yet I believe that except -for some hypochondriacal affection, or state of spirits arising from -bodily ailments, every Christian ought to be very distrustful of -himself, _and to call himself to account, as it were_, if he is not -able to maintain a settled frame of 'inward peace,' if not joy. It is -to be obtained through the Holy Spirit, and therefore when St. Paul -prays for the Roman Christians that they may be filled with all _peace_ -and _joy_ in believing, and may abound in hope, it is added, through -the power of the Holy Ghost." - - - "HIGHWOOD HILL, - "_December 31, 1829._ - -"MY DEAR CHILDREN,--For to both of you I address myself. An idea, which -for so old a fellow as myself you will allow somewhat to be deserving -the praise of brightness, has just struck my mind, and I proceed to act -upon it. Are you Yorkshireman enough to know the article (an excellent -one it is) entitled a Christmas, or sometimes a goose or a turkey pie? -Its composition is this. Take first the smallest of eatable birds, -as a snipe, for instance, then put it within its next neighbour of -the feathered race, I mean in point of size, the woodcock, insert the -two into a teal, the teal into a duck, the duck and Co. into a fowl, -the fowl into a goose, the goose and Co. into a turkey. In imitation -of this laudable precedent, I propose, though with a variation, as -our Speaker would say, in the order of our proceeding, that this -large sheet which I have selected for the purpose should contain the -united epistles of all the family circle, from the fullest grown if -not largest in dimensions, myself, to the most diminutive, little -William.[61] As the thought is my own, I will begin the execution of -it, and if any vacant space should remain, I will fill it, just as any -orifices left vacant in said pie are supplied by the pouring in of the -jelly. But I begin to be ashamed of this jocoseness when I call to mind -on what day I am writing--the day which, combined with the succeeding -one, the 1st of January, I consider, except perhaps my birthday, as -the most important of the whole year. For a long period (as long as -I lived in the neighbourhood of the Lock, or rather not far from it) -I used to receive the Sacrament, which was always administered there -on New Year's Day. And the heart must be hard and cold, which that -sacred ordinance in such a relation, would not soften and warm into -religious sensibility and tenderness. I was naturally led into looking -backwards to the past days of my life, and forward to the future; led -to consider in what pleasant places my lines were fallen, how goodly -was my heritage, that the bounds of my life should be fixed in that -little spot, in which, of the whole earth, there has been the greatest -measure of temporal comforts, and of spiritual privileges. That it -should be also in the eighteenth century, for where should I have -been, a small, weakly man, had I been born either among our painted or -skin-clothed ancestors, or in almost any other before or after it? As -they would have begun by exposing me, there need be no more inquiry as -to the sequel of the piece. Next take my station in life, neither so -high as naturally to intoxicate me, nor so low as to excite to envy -or degradation. Take then the other particulars of my condition, both -personal and circumstantial. But I need go no farther, but leave it to -you to supply the rest. And you will likewise, I doubt not, pursue the -same mental process in your own instance also, and find, as may well be -the case, that the retrospect and prospect afford abundant matter for -gratitude and humiliation, (I am sure I find the latter most powerfully -called forth in my heart by my own survey). Many thanks for your last -kind letter. You have precisely anticipated what was said by the -several _dramatis personae_. It is a real sacrifice for Emily and you -to be absent from my family circle. But the sacrifice is to duty, and -that is enough. And you have no small ground for comfort, from your not -having to go through the 'experiment solitary,' as Lord Bacon terms -it, but to have one, to whom you may say that solitude is sweet. But I -must surrender the pen to your dear mother." - -The country was at that time extremely disturbed by what were known -as the "Swing Riots."[62] Bands of rioters went about, burning ricks -and threshing machines, then newly introduced, and considered by the -labourers as depriving them of the winter threshing work. Wilberforce -seems to have shared this feeling. - - - "HIGHWOOD HILL, - "_November 25, 1830._ - -"Your mother suggests that a threshing machine used to be kept in one -of your barns. If so I really think it should be removed. I should be -very sorry to have it stated that a threshing machine had been burnt -on the premises of the Rev. Samuel Wilberforce; they take away one of -the surest sources of occupation for farmers in frost and snow times. -In what a dreadful state the country now is! Gisborne, I find, has -stated his opinion, that the present is the period of pouring out the -7th Vial, when there was to be general confusion, insubordination, -and misery. It really appears in the political world, like what the -abolition of some of the great elements in the physical world would -be; the extinction, for instance, of the principle of gravity." - - - "_December 9, 1830._ - -"I have been delaying the books that all might go together. Mather's -'Magnalia'[63] shall be one of them. There is a very curious passage in -it early in the volume, in which in Charles I's time, he says, expenses -have been increasing so much of late years that men can no longer -maintain their rank in society. Assuredly this Government is greatly to -be preferred before the last. Brougham better than Copley, and several -highly respectable besides, the Grants (Charles is in the Cabinet), -Lord Althorp, Sir James Graham, Lord Grey himself, highly respectable -as family men; Denman a very honest fellow. The worst appointment is -Holland, Duchy of Lancaster; he has much church patronage which, though -I love the man, I cannot think decorous. Lord Lansdowne, very decent, -Lord Goderich ditto. But your mother is worrying me all this time to -force me out, and Joseph declares the letters will be too late. So -farewell." - - - "_December 17, 1830._ - -"I have always thought that your having a strong virtuous attachment -when you first went to the University was a great security to you. The -blessed effects of this safeguard we shall one day know. It will be a -mutual augmentation of attachment and happiness to find that those whom -we loved best had been rendered the instruments more or less of our -salvation.... - -"That religious feelings are contagious (if I may use the word so), is -undeniable, and there may be temporary accesses of religious feeling, -which may produce a temporary effervescence, with little or none of the -real work of God on the heart. But you and I, who are not Calvinists, -believe that even where the influence of the Holy Spirit was in the -heart, that Spirit may be grieved and quenched. The good seed in the -hearts of the stony-ground hearers is just an instance in point. When -my friend Terrot was chaplain, of the _Defence_ I think, great numbers -of the rough sailors were deeply affected by his conversation and -sermons, of whom, I think he said, thirty only appeared in the sequel -to be permanently changed." - - - "_January 4, 1831._ - -"You are now a man possessed of as much leisure as you are ever likely -to possess. What think you of laying in materials for a Doctrinal and -practical History of Religion in England, in different classes of -society, and of males and females, from the time of the Reformation to -the present time or perhaps to 1760. It was once my wish to write such -a work, but the state of my eyes long ago rendered it impracticable. -The sources from whence the particulars for the work must be derived -are chiefly Lives and Memoirs. Numbers of these have been published -of late years, and the object is one which would give opportunities -for exercising sagacity, as well as candour. There is this also of -good in it that, _nullus dies sine linea_, you might be continually -finding some fresh fact or hint, which would afterwards be capable of -being turned to good account. The Annual Registers and the different -magazines and reviews would be rich mines of raw material. Do meditate -on these suggestions. How very strong has dear Henry become both in -his opinions and his language! Really if he were to go into the law, -which Robert seems to think not improbable, there would be considerable -danger of his getting into quarrels which might draw on him challenges, -the more probably because people might suppose from his parentage, -&c., that he most likely would not answer a call to the field. I must -say that the becoming exempt, even in the world's estimate, from the -obligation to challenge or being challenged may be no unfair principle -of preference of an ecclesiastical profession to any other. The subject -of duelling is one which I never saw well treated; a very worthy and -sensible man, a Scotchman who was shipwrecked in Madagascar, I forget -his name (was it Duncan?) sent me one, his own writing, but I thought -it _naught_. And now my very dear boy farewell." - -Wilberforce writes to Mrs. Samuel Wilberforce the day after his -daughter Elizabeth's marriage. - - -_Mr. Wilberforce to Mrs. Samuel Wilberforce._ - - "HIGHWOOD HILL, - "_January 12, 1831._ - -"MY DEAR EMILY,--We had a delightful day yesterday for our ceremony, -and after the indissoluble knot had been tied in due form, the parties -drove off about 12 o'clock to spend a few days at Mr. Stephen's -favourite residence of Healthy Hill, as he terms it, Missenden. I -really augur well of this connection, having strong reasons for -believing Mr. James to be a truly amiable as well as pious man, and my -dear Lizzy is really well fitted for the office of a parson's aider -and comforter. It has given me no little pleasure to have been assured -by Mr. Dupre, the curate of the parish, that she has been truly useful -to the poor cottagers around us. His expression was, 'She has done -more good than she knows of.' This event, combined with the close of -another year and the anniversary of my own dear wife's birthday, has -called forth in me a lively sense of the goodness of that gracious -Being who has dealt so bountifully with me during a long succession -of years. Dr. Warren, in 1788, as I was reminded when at Brighstone, -declared that for want of stamina there would be an end of my feeble -frame in two or three weeks, and then I was a bachelor. After this, -near ten years after, I became a husband, and now I have assured me -full grown descendants, and an offset in my Elizabeth. I have been -receiving many congratulations from being perhaps the only living -father of three first-class men, one of them a double first and the -two others in the second also. Above all their literary acquirements -I value their having, as I verily believe, passed through the fiery -trial of an university, for such I honestly account it, without injury. -And it gives me no little pleasure (as I think I have before assured -you), to add that I ascribe this in part to the instrumentality of a -certain young lady, who was a sort of guardian angel hovering around -him in fancy and exerting a benign influence over the sensibility and -tenderness of his lively spirit. Farewell, my dear Emily. - - "Believe me, begging a kiss to baby, - "Ever affectionately yours, - "W. WILBERFORCE." - - -_Mr. Wilberforce to the Rev. Samuel Wilberforce._ - - "_February 8, 1831._ - -"MY DEAR SAMUEL,--Pray both for your mother and for poor William that -they may be delivered from [Greek: merimna]. The former, alas! lies -awake for hours in the morning, and cannot banish from her mind the -carking cares that haunt and worry her. We profess to believe in the -efficacy of prayer. Let us prove the truth of our profession by at -least not acquiescing, without resistance, in such assailments. It is -more from natural temperament than from any higher attainment that -I am not the prey of these corrosions. Something may be ascribed to -the habit of controlling my thoughts which I acquired when in public -life.... You might, I believe, have shone in political life; but you -have chosen the better part. And if you can think so now when in your -younger blood, much more will you become sensible of it by and by when -you look back, if God should so permit, on a long retrospect, studded -with records of the Divine blessing on your ministerial exertions. -Kindest remembrances to dear Emily, and a kiss to little Emily, and the -blessing of your affectionate father, - -"W. WILBERFORCE." - - - "HIGHWOOD HILL, - "_March 4, 1831._ - -"I will frankly confess to you that I almost tremble for the -consequences of Lord Russell's plan of Reform if it should be carried. -I wish the qualification had been higher. The addition to the County -Representation lessens the danger. Much in the judgments we form on -such practical questions depends on our period of life. I find myself -now at seventy-one and a half far more timid and more indisposed to -great changes, and less inclined to promise myself great benefit from -political plans. I own I scarcely can expect the plan to succeed, -especially in the House of Lords. We understand your invitation to be -for July and August. But I foretell you plainly you shall not regularly -walk with me, or break off any habits which can in any degree interfere -with duty. We have not yet settled our plans. Indeed, they may greatly -depend on the convenience of our friends. I well remember the Dean of -Carlisle used to say when invitations multiplied, 'Do you think that -if you wanted a dinner there would be so many disposed to give you -one?' We are now about to put this to the proof. I own now that it -comes to the point I am a little disposed to exclaim, 'O happy hills! O -pleasing shades!' &c. But I should be ashamed were I to have any other -prevailing feeling than thankfulness. I feel most the separation from -my books. However, _sursum corda_." - -Wilberforce writes to his friend Babington on Lord Russell's -propositions:-- - - -_Mr. Wilberforce to Mr. Babington._ - - "HIGHWOOD HILL, - "_March 14, 1831._ - -"MY DEAR TOM,--I fear you will be again disposed to accuse me of -treating you with neglect (not, I hope, with unkindness) in suffering -week after week to pass away without returning answers to your kind -letters. I have really had as much necessary writing on my hands, -as even when I was member for Yorkshire. But I cannot bear to think -that you are, day after day, looking out for my handwriting (as you -are opening your daily packets), and looking out in vain. There have -been many topics, I assure you, on which I should have been glad to -communicate with you had I been able. I know not how you have felt, -but I must say I felt glad by the consciousness that I was not now in -a situation to be compelled to approach, and act upon, the important -question of Lord John Russell's proposition. On the whole, I think I -should have been favourable to it; chiefly, or rather most confidently, -from trusting that we shall do away with much vice and much bribery -which now prevail. I am persuaded also that the change will be for the -benefit, and greatly so, of our poor West India clients. I should like -to know your sentiments on the plan." - - -_Mr. Wilberforce to the Rev. Samuel Wilberforce._ - - "_April 8, 1831._ - -"And now, my dear Samuel, we have commenced our wanderings. I write -from Daniel Wilson's, who treats us with the utmost kindness." - -From this time Wilberforce had no house of his own, but spent the -remaining years of his life with his sons and with his friends. In his -own language, he "became a wanderer without any certain dwelling-place." - - - "KENSINGTON GORE, - "_April 20th._ - -"It must be three weeks or more since Lord Brougham, when on the -woolsack, called Stephen,[64] then attending the House of Lords, quasi -master (two of their description you perhaps know are required to be -always present; they take down their Lordships' Bills to the House of -Commons), and after expressing in very strong language his concern at -having heard such an account as had reached him of the state of my -finances, and more particularly of its being necessary for me to quit -my own house, and become a wanderer without any certain dwelling-place, -he stated that he had lately heard of my having sons and a son-in-law -in the Church, and that he should be most happy to do what he could -for them. Lord Milton afterwards, as I understand from Dan Sykes, -expressed to Lord Brougham some kind intentions towards me, and more -especially that he waived a claim or an application he had been making -for the living of Rawmarsh, as soon as he learned that Lord Brougham -had destined it to me. Robert would not accept any living which would -not afford me a suitable residence." - - - "_April 23, 1831._ - -"You cannot conceive how little time I appear to have at my own command -while passing our lives in this vagarious mode, which, however, calls -forth emotions of gratitude to the Giver of all good, who has raised -up for me so many and so kind friends. I ought not to forget, while a -Gracious Providence has granted me a good name which is better than -great riches, that many public men as upright as myself have been the -victims of calumny. I myself indeed have had its envenomed shafts at -times directed against me. But on the whole few men have suffered from -them so little as myself." - - - "BATH, _October 19, 1831._ - -"I am but poorly, and I am bothered (a vulgar phrase, but having been -used in the House of Lords I may condescend to adopt it) with incessant -visitors. There is a person come over to this country from the United -States, of the Society of Quakers, for the excellent purpose of -obtaining popularity and support for a society which has been in being -for nine or ten years--the American Colonisation Society. I could not -but assent to his proposal to pay me a visit at this place. The time -was when such a visitor would have been no encumbrance to me. But now -that he takes me in hand when I am already tired by others, (though -it is only justice to him to say no one can be less intrusive or more -obliging than he is), I do sink under it. My dear Samuel, it is one of -the bad consequences of the plan you prescribed that I exhibit myself -to you in the state of mind in which I am at the moment, though I -should not otherwise have selected it for that purpose. - - - "_Friday, 12 o'clock, October 21st._ - -"Our American friend has left us this morning But, alas! he has -requested me to write in his album. What a vile system is the album -system! No, I do not, I cannot think so, though I am somewhat ruffled -by being called on for my contingent, when I have little or no supplies -left to furnish it." - -Wilberforce goes on to express his gratitude for the safety of his -daughter Elizabeth (Mrs. James), who had been confined of a daughter. - -"The mere circumstance that a new immortal being is produced and -committed to our keeping is a consideration of extreme moment. Though I -own it sometimes tends to produce emotions of a saddening character, -to consider into what a world our new grandchild has entered, what -stormy seas she will have to navigate. I will enclose an interesting -passage I have received from Tom Babington, giving an account of Dr. -Chalmer's speculations. - -"I own I am sadly alarmed for the Church. There is such a combination -of noxious elements fermenting together, that I am ready to exclaim, -'There is death in the pot,' and there will be, I fear, no Elisha -granted to us to render the mess harmless. But yet I am encouraged to -hope that the same gracious and longsuffering Being who would have -spared Sodom for ten, and Jerusalem even for one righteous man's sake, -may spare us to the prayers of the many who do, I trust, sincerely -sigh and cry in behalf of our proud, ungrateful land. Yet, again, when -I consider what light we have enjoyed, what mercies we have received, -and how self-sufficient and ungrateful we have been, I am again tempted -to despond. I wish I could be a less unprofitable servant. Yet I must -remember Milton's sonnet, 'They also serve who only stand and wait.' -Let us all be found in our several stations doing therein the Lord's -work diligently and zealously. What do you think of Shuttleworth's new -translation of St. Paul's Epistles? I have borrowed but not yet read -them. Affectionate remembrances to dear Emily, and a kiss to sweet -baby." - - - "BLAIZE CASTLE,[65] - "_October 31, 1831._ - -"You will hear what dreadful work has been going on at Bristol for the -last eight and forty hours. Sir Charles Wetherell[66] escaped from -the fury of the mob by first hiding himself in some upper room in the -Mansion House and then passing, disguised in a sack jacket, from the -roof of the Mansion House to that of another house, whence he got to -a distant part of the town, and in a chaise and four returned in all -haste, (they say) to London. He was, as Recorder, to have opened the -Commission and tried all the prisoners to-day. However, the latter -are now all at work again in their accustomed callings. Not a single -gaol, I am assured, is left undestroyed. The Bishop's Palace, (and -Deanery too I am told), burnt to the ground. The Custom House ditto, -Mansion House ditto. Poor Pinney, the Mayor, I was assured, behaved on -Saturday with great presence of mind. The populace, however, got into -the Mansion House before the corporation went to dinner; so all the -good things regaled the [Greek: hoi polloi]. Strange to say, (just as -in the London riots), people were allowed to walk the streets in peace, -and last night half the people in the square were looking on at the -depredations committing by the other half. Well-dressed ladies walked -about great part of the night staring as at a raree show. The redness -of the sky from the conflagration was quite a dreadful sight to us in -the distance. It is said they are endeavouring to organise a force for -the defence of the city. It is very strange that this has been so long -delayed. I'm assured pillage has latterly been the grand object. The -deputation, I am told, were followed by a cart, in which, as they went -along, they stowed the plunder. I have not said it to your mother, for -fear of her becoming still more nervous,[67] (which need not be), by -her finding me entertaining such cogitations, but if I perceive any -grumblings of the volcano at Bath, before the lava bursts forth I shall -hurry your mother to a certain quiet parsonage--though, alas! I cannot -but fear for the Church in these days." - - - "BLAIZE CASTLE, _November 2._ - -"The Bristol riots, though in some particulars the accounts were -as usual exaggerated, were quite horrible, and the _great_ events -as reported. But a striking instance was afforded how easily -perpetrations, if I may use the word, the most horrible may be at -once arrested by determined opposition. On Monday morning early the -mobs were parading about without resistance. But on that morning the -troops, a small body of dragoons, charged them repeatedly at full -speed, and not sparing either the momentum or the sharpness of their -swords, no attempt at making a head afterwards appeared. Afterwards -the day was properly employed in appointing a great number of special -constables and other civil force, and every night, as well as day, -since has passed in perfect quiet. A great part of the plunder has been -recovered, and numbers of criminals have been seized--some of them sent -to a gaol about seven miles off; and happily the condemned cells have -escaped the fury of the mob, and have afforded a stronghold for keeping -the prisoners. I need not tell you in what a ferment the mind of our -host was thrown, indeed with great reason. He had been threatened with -a visit at this place, and the best pictures were stowed away in safe -custody. I am persuaded it has become indispensably necessary to form -in all our great cities and neighbourhoods a civil police, properly -armed and drilled. And thus, as usual, out of evil good may arise." - - - "BATH, _November 13, 1831._ - -"I think you know Mr. Pearse of this place, an excellent and very -agreeable man, and master of the Grammar School at this place, a large -and flourishing one. He is a very musical man, an intimate and long -attached friend of Dr. Crotch. I will consult him about your organ. I -believe I told you that I scarcely ever remember finding my time so -little equal to the claims on it as at this place, though were I asked -'What are you doing?' I should, alas! say 'Nothing'; and even, 'What -have you to do?' still the same reply, 'Nothing'. I have one occupation -of an interesting and in some degree of an embarrassing nature. Soon -after our arrival, I learnt that the only other inmate of our house was -a gentleman who had been confined to his sofa for many months from the -effects of a rheumatic fever. He had no friends with him, only a family -servant who attended on him. Naturally feeling for the poor man, he -and ourselves being the only inmates, I sent a message to him to say -that, if agreeable, I should be happy to wait on him for a few minutes. -He returned an assenting and courteous reply. Accordingly I called, -and found a very civil and well-behaved man. I found that he had been -fond of game, and had expressed his regret that he could not purchase -it (this was his servant's report). Accordingly I sent him some now -and then. I soon afterwards was told that he was a Roman Catholic. -He is by profession a lawyer at Pontypool. I have since had several -conversations with him, and find him a decided Roman Catholic, but a -man apparently of great candour and moderation. I was not surprised to -find him strongly prejudiced against Blanco White.[68] 'Oh,' he cried, -'I assure you, sir, that book is full of the grossest falsehood.' But -I was a good deal surprised to receive from him an assurance that he -had been reading with great pleasure in a book of my writing; and I -found, to my surprise, that quite unknown to me Kendal had lent him the -book. I durst not have done it, but the event has taught me that we may -sometimes be too timid or delicate. Can you suggest any mode of dealing -with my fellow lodger? Hitherto I have gone on the plan of cultivating -his favourable opinion by general kindness, sending him game, &c., -and endeavouring to press on him the most important doctrines of true -Christianity and of showing where the case is really so, that he may -embrace those doctrines and still continue a good Roman Catholic. -There is in the _Christian Observer_ for September last a critique on -Dr. Whately's sermons by the Bishop of Chichester. He is said, in the -outset, to have stated in a pamphlet on the Bible Society controversy, -that the only books in the Scriptures which were fit or useful for -general circulation were Genesis, Exodus, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, I -think Isaiah, but am not sure, the four Gospels, Acts, 1st Timothy, -1st Peter, 1st John and Jude; all the rest likely to do more harm than -good." - - - "BATH, _December 6, 1831._ - -"I am unaffectedly sorry for having been apparently so dilatory in -complying with your request for hymns and tunes. I use the word -_apparently_, because to any charge of suffering any opportunity of -executing the commission to pass by unimproved, I may boldly plead -not guilty. There never, surely, was such a place as this for the -frittering away of time. Two visits before breakfast to the Pump Room, -and two again from 2 to 3 1/4 o'clock in the afternoon, make such a -chasm in the day, that little before dinner (about 4 3/4) is left for -any rational occupation. Then not being able, for many reasons, to -receive company at dinner, we often invite friends to breakfast, and as -we cannot begin the meal till 10 1/2 at the soonest, we seldom have a -clear room till after 12. Sometimes morning callers come in before the -breakfasters are gone (as has been the case this morning, when my old -friend Bankes has entered, taking Bath in his way from his son in North -Wales into Dorsetshire). You owe this account of expenditure of my -time to my feeling quite uncomfortable, from the idea of neglecting a -commission you wished to consign to me for prompt execution. I will put -down in any letter I may write to you any hymns and hymn tunes which I -like ('Happy the heart where graces reign,' Lock tune), and you may add -together the _disjecta membra_ into one list. But I have not hymn-books -here except G. Noel's. At Highwood I have a considerable number. Your -poor mother is worried to pieces by company and business. I am fully -persuaded, my dear Samuel, that you wish to lighten the pressure on me -as much as possible, and on the other hand I doubt not you give me full -credit for wishing to make you as comfortable as I can, and I really -hope I shall be able to go on allowing my children what is necessary -for their comfort." - - - "_January 19, 1832._ - -"St. John says, you will remember, 'I have no greater joy than to -know that my children walk in the truth.' This he could declare -concerning his figurative children. And well, therefore, ought we to -be able, at least, to desire to feel similar sensations on witnessing -the graces of our true, real children. And I am in a situation to -feel this with peculiar force. Indeed, I hope I can say with truth -that the more frequent, more continued and closer opportunities of -witnessing your conscientious and diligent discharge of your pastoral -duties--opportunities which I probably should not have enjoyed in the -same degree had I still a residence of my own--more than compensate -all I suffer from the want of a proper home. Indeed, there are but -two particulars that I at all feel, _i.e._, the absence of my books, -and the not being able to practise hospitality; though that is rather -a vulgar word for expressing my meaning, which is, the pleasure of -receiving those we love under our own roof, joining with them morning -and night in family prayers, shaking hands with them, and interchanging -continual intercourse of mutual affection. Well, the time is short, -even for those who are far less advanced than myself in the journey of -life." - - - "BATH, _June 14, 1832._ - -"I forget whether you know the Dean of Winchester[69] or not. We have -many a discussion together, and I now and then stroke his plumage -the wrong way to make him set up his bristles. He holds the great -degeneracy of these times. I, on the contrary, declared to him that, -though I acknowledged the more open prevalence of profaneness, and of -all the vices which grow out of insubordination, yet that there had -been also a marked and a great increase of religion within the last -forty years. And as a proof I assigned the numerous editions of almost -all the publications of family prayers, beginning with the Rector of -St. Botolph's (Bishop of London's)." - - "_July 12, 1832._ - - -"Though I do not like to mention it to your mother, I feel myself -becoming more and more stupid and inefficient. I think it is chiefly -a bodily disease, at least there, I hope, is the root of the disease. -I am so languid after breakfast that, if I am read to, I infallibly -subside into a drowsiness, which, if not resisted by my getting up and -walking, or taking for a few minutes the book Joseph may be reading -to me, gradually slides into a state of complete stupor. Yet it is -downright shocking in me to use language which may at all subject me -justly to the imputation of repining. And to be just to myself, I do -not think I am fairly chargeable with that fault. I hope that which -might at first sight seem to have somewhat of that appearance is rather -the compunctious visitings of my better part grieving over my utter -uselessness. I do not like to give expression to these distressing -risings, because I may not unreasonably appear to be calling for -friendly assurances in return of my having been an active labourer. -Yet when I am pouring forth the effusions of my heart to a child to -whom I may open myself with the freedom I may justly practise towards -you, I do not like to keep in reserve my real feelings. My memory is -continually giving me fresh proofs of its decaying at an accelerated -rate of progress. But I will not harass your affectionate feelings; -and however I may lament my unprofitableness, and at times really feel -depressed by it, yet my natural cheerfulness of temper produces in my -exterior such an appearance of good spirits that I might be supposed by -my daily associates to be living in an atmosphere of unclouded comfort. -So you need not be distressing yourself on my account." - -The rest of this letter shows that Wilberforce had asked the advice of -Samuel as to the wisdom of engaging a Roman Catholic tutor for his -grandson "dear little William."[70] Samuel's answer was couched in -decisive terms against this step. Wilberforce, however, was reconciled -to the idea by the knowledge that "dear little William's mother will -be always on the spot, always on her guard, watchful and ready to -detect and proceed against any attempt whatever which might be made to -bias William's mind into undervaluing the importance of the difference -between the Roman Catholic and the Protestant system, or still more to -infuse into his pupil's mind any prejudices against our principles or -personages, or any palliations of the Popish tenets." - -In the concluding year of Wilberforce's life, though he complains of -"becoming more and more stupid and inefficient," the feelings and -thoughts which animated his life appear in full vigour. His watchful -love for his children, his hospitality, the steady, faithful looking -forward to the life everlasting--all are there. Nor, until he has made -one more effort to secure the freedom of the slaves, does the weary, -diligent hand finally "lay down the pen." - - - "_December 18, 1832._ - -"Although we should use great modesty in speculating on the invisible -and eternal world, yet we may reasonably presume from intimations -conveyed to us in the Holy Scriptures, and from inferences which they -fairly suggest, that we shall retain of our earthly character and -feelings in that which is not sinful, and therefore we may expect -(this, I think, is very clear), to know each other, and to think and -talk over the various circumstances of our lives, our several hopes and -fears and plans and speculations; and you and I, if it please God, may -talk over the incidents of our respective lives, and connected with -them, those of our nearest and dearest relatives. And, then, probably -we shall be enabled to understand the causes of various events which at -the time had appeared mysterious." - - - "_December 28, 1832._ - -"I should wish to suggest to you an idea that arises from a passage in -a letter from William Smith.[71] The idea is that it might have a very -good effect, for any of my reverend children to be known to manifest -their zeal in the great cause of West Indian emancipation, and slaves' -improvement. And as I am on that topic let me tell you, I need not -say with how much pleasure, that I really believe we are now going on -admirably. The slaves will, I trust, be immediately placed under the -government of the same laws as other members of the community, instead -of being under the arbitrary commands of their masters, and (perhaps -after a year) they will be still more completely emancipated. I was -truly glad to find in the evidence taken before the House of Commons' -Committee (which the indefatigable Zachary[72] is analysing), highly -honourable testimony to our friend's (Wildman's) treatment of his -slaves. But I ought not to conceal from you the connection in which W. -Smith's suggestion of the great benefit that would result from my sons -taking a forward part in befriending the attempts that would be made to -stir up a petitioning spirit in support of our cause, (for he informed -me that efforts for that purpose would be made). He stated that it had -been observed almost everywhere that the clergy had been shamefully -lukewarm in our cause; and of course this, which I fear cannot be -denied, has been used in many instances for the injury of the Church. -You and I see plainly how this has happened: that the most active -supporters of our cause have too often been democrats, and radicals, -with whom the regular clergy could not bring themselves to associate. -Yet even when subjected to such a painful alternative, to unite with -them, or to suffer the interests of justice and humanity, and latterly -of religion too, to be in question without receiving any support from -them, or to do violence to, I will not say their prejudices, but their -natural repugnance to appearing to have anything of a fellow-feeling -with men who are commonly fomenting vicious principles and propositions -of all sorts; when placed, I say, in such distressing circumstances, -they should remember that their coming forward, in accordance with -those with whom they agree in no other particular, will give additional -weight to their exertions, and prove still more clearly how strongly -they feel the cause of God, and the well-being of man to be implicated, -when they can consent to take part with those to whom in general -they have been opposed most strongly. The conduct of the Jamaica -people towards the missionaries has shown of late, more clearly than -ever before, that the spiritual interests of the slaves, no less -than their civil rights, are at stake. In such a case as this, it is -not without pain and almost shame that I urge any argument grounded -on the interests of the clergy; and yet it would be wrong to keep -considerations of this sort altogether out of sight, because one sees -how malignantly and injuriously to the cause of religion the apathy -of the clergy may, and will, be used, to the discredit of the Church, -and its most attached adherents. It is not a little vexatious to find -people so ignorant, as too many are, concerning the real state of the -slaves, notwithstanding all the pains that have been taken to enlighten -them. Stephen's book in particular has, I fear, been very little read. -When we were at Lord Bathurst's I saw plainly that the speeches of a -Mr. Borthwick, who had been going about giving lectures in favour of -the West Indians, had made a great impression on Lady Georgiana. But I -must lay down my pen." - - - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 1: All Pitt's letters are carefully preserved in the library -of Lavington House with the exception of this series which was found in -a disused cupboard.] - -[Footnote 2: Lord Rosebery's preface to "Pitt and Wilberforce Letters," -privately printed.] - -[Footnote 3: Hon. Edward James Eliot, brother-in-law of Pitt.] - -[Footnote 4: Mr. Henry Bankes, Wilberforce's life-long friend.] - -[Footnote 5: "Life of Wilberforce," vol. i. p. 95.] - -[Footnote 6: Afterwards first Lord Carrington.] - -[Footnote 7: "Life of Wilberforce," vol. i. p. 95.] - -[Footnote 8: Privately printed.] - -[Footnote 9: "A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of -Professed Christians," &c., London, 1797.] - -[Footnote 10: "Marmion," Introduction to Canto 1.] - -[Footnote 11: Wimbledon.] - -[Footnote 12: Hampstead.] - -[Footnote 13: Here Mr. Wilberforce adds a pencilled note: "Devonshire -House Ball. King."] - -[Footnote 14: Mr. Wilberforce has written over this in pencil: -"Qy.--Not a stroke of Providence could sever."] - -[Footnote 15: Mr. Wilberforce has erased here "for desiring Mr. Pitt -before he went out to pass his register bills."] - -[Footnote 16: Mr. Wilberforce has written here in pencil on the margin, -"Fox's Martyrs. Qy. number."] - -[Footnote 17: Mr. Wilberforce adds here a pencil note in his own -handwriting: "Remarkable that when I entered York, in order to attend -a public meeting which was about to take place, there was but one -gentleman with whom I had the smallest acquaintance, the Rev. Wm. -Mason, the poet."] - -[Footnote 18: Here there is a pencil note: "For he was one of the -shyest men I ever knew."] - -[Footnote 19: Pencil note: "Wyndham."] - -[Footnote 20: A note: "Vary here."] - -[Footnote 21: A note:--"Dilate, and Figure."] - -[Footnote 22: Here is added in pencil, "2nd Nov. 1821."] - -[Footnote 23: Rosebery's "Life of Pitt," p. 233.] - -[Footnote 24: Then Clerk of Parliaments. Rose writes to Wilberforce -later: "I shall never find words, either in speaking or writing, to -express what I think of you."] - -[Footnote 25: Pitt.] - -[Footnote 26: About 1802.] - -[Footnote 27: Lecky, vol. vii. p. 32.] - -[Footnote 28: Dundas, who had been Treasurer to the Navy, was impeached -on April 29, 1805, on a charge of misappropriating L10,000 worth of -public money. He was acquitted June 12, 1805.] - -[Footnote 29: William Wilberforce married Barbara, daughter of Isaac -Spooner; she was the seventh Barbara in her family, the name having -been handed down from mother to daughter. The first Barbara was -daughter of Viscount Fauconberg and wife of Sir Henry Slingsby, Bart., -who was beheaded on Tower Hill June 8, 1658, by Oliver Cromwell, for -loyalty.] - -[Footnote 30: She was second daughter of Sir Edward Walpole; her uncle -Horace Walpole writes of her: "For beauty I think she is the first -match in England, she has infinite wit and vivacity."] - -[Footnote 31: "Coelebs in Search of a Wife," published 1809. Of her -publishing experiences, Hannah More writes: "One effect of Coelebs has -pleased me. I always consider a bookseller in respect to a book as I do -an undertaker with regard to death--one considers a publication as the -other does a corpse, as a thing to grow rich by, but not to be affected -with. Davies (Cadell's partner) seems deeply struck, and earnestly -implores me to follow up some of the hints respecting Scripture in a -work of which he suggests the subject."] - -[Footnote 32: "Life and Letters of Maria Edgeworth," by Augustus J. C. -Hare.] - -[Footnote 33: "Poor Burgh almost mad about the Union" ("Life of -Wilberforce," vol. ii. p. 359).] - -[Footnote 34: Lord Redesdale was appointed Lord High Chancellor of -Ireland March 15, 1802; he resigned February, 1806.] - -[Footnote 35: Wilberforce to Henry Bankes. "Life of W. Wilberforce."] - -[Footnote 36: Brother to Mr. Pitt, of whom Lord Eldon gave it as his -deliberate opinion that "the ablest man I ever knew in the Cabinet was -Lord Chatham."] - -[Footnote 37: Part of this letter only is printed in "Life of William -Wilberforce."] - -[Footnote 38: The third Lord Holland was Fox's nephew, and converted -his palace at Kensington into a sort of temple in honour of Fox's -memory.] - -[Footnote 39: Charles Manners Sutton, Speaker of the House of Commons, -1817-1834; created Viscount Canterbury 1835; died 1845.] - -[Footnote 40: Mr., afterwards Lord, Brougham.] - -[Footnote 41: Mr. Manning became bankrupt in the winter of 1830-31.] - -[Footnote 42: Mr. James Stephen married Wilberforce's sister.] - -[Footnote 43: Mr. Wilberforce's second daughter.] - -[Footnote 44: Part of this letter is in "Life of Wilberforce."] - -[Footnote 45: This thought, thus strongly impressed on Samuel's mind, -was many years afterwards expanded by him into the lovely allegory of -the "Children and the Lion," published in "Agathos and other Stories."] - -[Footnote 46: Bishop Wilberforce once told Dr. Woodford (Bishop of Ely) -that he was naturally indolent and had at first "to flog himself up -to his work." (Life, vol. iii. p. 305). To those who remember Bishop -Wilberforce, and to readers of his Life, these passages must appear -surprising indeed. They afford a striking instance of a natural defect -turned into the contrary Christian grace.] - -[Footnote 47: Part of this letter is in the "Life of Wilberforce."] - -[Footnote 48: Part of this letter is in Bishop Wilberforce's Life.] - -[Footnote 49: Born 1779, younger son of Wilberforce's intimate friend, -Right Hon. Charles Grant. Robert was in Parliament, 1818-34: was -Judge-Advocate-General: knighted, 1834, and made Governor-General -of Bombay: a persistent advocate of Jewish emancipation: author of -pamphlets on Indian affairs and many well-known hymns: died 1838.] - -[Footnote 50: Part of this letter is in the "Life of Wilberforce."] - -[Footnote 51: Part of this letter is in the "Life of Wilberforce."] - -[Footnote 52: A single year's almsgiving exceeded L3,000. "Life of -Bishop Wilberforce," vol. i. p. 22.] - -[Footnote 53: Eldest son of Wilberforce's old friend and ally, Henry -Thornton, of Battersea, Rise, who died in 1815. The Henry Thornton of -the text was only twenty-five years old when this letter was written.] - -[Footnote 54: The beginning of this letter is in the "Life of -Wilberforce."] - -[Footnote 55: Lea, Lincolnshire--the residence of Sir C. and Lady -Anderson. The son, in his turn, Sir Charles Anderson, was Bishop -Wilberforce's life-long friend.] - -[Footnote 56: The Rev. John Sargent, of Lavington, father of Mrs. -Samuel Wilberforce.] - -[Footnote 57: His life had been recently published.] - -[Footnote 58: The first few lines of this letter are in the "Life of -Bishop Wilberforce."] - -[Footnote 59: Checkendon, on the Chiltern Hills in Oxfordshire, Samuel -Wilberforce's first curacy, where his memory was long cherished.] - -[Footnote 60: Samuel's birthday.] - -[Footnote 61: Only son of Wilberforce's eldest son William.] - -[Footnote 62: The leader of these riots, whose exact personality is -unknown, was called "Jack Swing," and in this name the mob sent their -threats and summonses.] - -[Footnote 63: "Magnalia Christi Americana, or Ecclesiastical History of -New England," by Cotton Mather, D.D. It was a costly book with a large -map. Southey considered it one of the most "singular books in this or -any other language."] - -[Footnote 64: Mr. Wilberforce's brother-in-law.] - -[Footnote 65: The seat of J. S. Harford, Esq.] - -[Footnote 66: Lord Grey's Reform Bill had amongst its most vehement -opponents Sir C. Wetherell, Recorder of Bristol. On his arrival in -that city the riots began there by an attack upon his carriage, after -which "Bristol was the theatre of the most disgraceful outrages that -have been perpetrated in this country since the riots of London, 1780." -(_An. Reg._ 1831.)] - -[Footnote 67: Mrs. Wilberforce writes to her son Samuel: "Shall I send -you the deeds, &c., to take care of for the family, and the plate to -bury in your garden? I think you will be safe in the Isle of Wight. Do -not let my fears be mentioned; they say we should all appear brave and -bold."] - -[Footnote 68: T. Blanco White, a Spaniard by birth, left the Church of -Rome and joined the Church of England, and also became a naturalised -Englishman. He was closely connected with the Oxford movement, but -lapsed into Socinianism. He died in 1841.] - -[Footnote 69: Dr. Thomas Rennell: he was appointed in 1805 and was -succeeded in 1840 by Dr. Garnier.] - -[Footnote 70: Only son of Wilberforce's eldest son William.] - -[Footnote 71: "My most faithful friend, William Smith" ("Life of -Wilberforce," vol. iii. p. 536).] - -[Footnote 72: Macaulay.] - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber's note: - -The following corrections have been made: - -Page 10, "compleatly" changed to "completely" (completely happy) - -Page 22, "compleat" changed to "complete" (complete concert) - -Page 241, "worldy" changed to "worldly" (viewed in a worldly) - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRIVATE PAPERS OF WILLIAM -WILBERFORCE*** - - -******* This file should be named 44912.txt or 44912.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/4/9/1/44912 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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