nglifipffli^??!^ m 'PI 'hi ?>aw\^3 \A/\ Columijia ^Hnibersiitp mti)eCitpofi5eh)|9orfe LIBRARY J'uJ'UeU bv il'.Ir Caud . t^ntjravtd hv W.Sav GuMY.wr Wamwiwal'b ma. r<'Z-'t How do you know whether they will live to taste the sweets of life? Since they may never arrive at the fullness of day, let them at least enjoy the morning" •» Insanl sapiens nomen ferat, ceqnus iniqui. Ultra quani satis est virtutem si petat ipsam. Hor. Ep. i. 6. 15. W. Even virtue, when pursued with warmth extreme. Turns into vice, and fools the sage's fame. Francis. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 35 of my father's curate, one of those pedagogical Jehus mentioned by South ; a man quahfied neither by art nor by nature for this employ- ment. In short, the sum total of my literary proficiency under this succession of masters, may with strict propriety be compared to cer- tain geometrical series, in which the number of terms is continued indeed in infinitum, but the sum never equals unity. So that my acquisi- tions, in all these years, from the abilities of my numerous teachers, M^ere literally nothing. In the mean time my own application was unremitted; and I had gained some knowledge of words in spite of the insufficiency, laziness, and want of judgment, so conspicuous in this miscellany of worthy, or rather unworthy, pre- ceptors. At this last school I continued till Septem- ber 1769. When I first went there, I began my acquaintance with the Greek language, and was introduced into the vestibule oi[ Homer's Tem- ple a short time previous to my departure. But if I may be said to have saluted the Hero, from the threshold, he certainly had not yet acknow- ledged me as his votary. And here I cannot but lament that inunda- tion of dreadful evils, which are let in upon society by the tribe of unprincipled, or inef- fective school-masters. The majority of young 2 36 LIFE OF men, who go to College after finishing- their edu- cation at school, scarcely know, Avith tolerable accuracy, even the first rudiments of the lan- guages. Can imagination represent to herself a more melancholy case, than that of an ingenuous, enterprising youth, wasting his time and blast- ing his hopes, in a seminary of one of those ignorant, heedless, insipid teachers, with which the kingdom is overrun? This youth, of excel- lent capacity, and docile disposition, on coming to the University/, finds others, though far in- ferior to himself in genius, yet, from the ad- vantage of a skilful and conscientious master, so much beyond his own attainments, as almost to overwhelm him in despair. " I have kept my son," said the Mayor of one of the fiist towns in this kingdom, "^z> or seven years with this fellow K , learning Latin and Greek all this time ; and, now he is come home, I find him unable to construe a prescrip- tion, or explain the inscriptions of the gallipots.'' In my humble opinion this enormous usurpation of stupidity and impudence ought to be made a national concern." '^ " The ancient wisdom of the best times did always make a just complaint, that states were too busy with their laws, and too negligent in point of education." Bacon's Works, -Ito. J, p. 1 1 . W. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 37 To suffer the rising generation to be thus abused beyond all recovery from any future process, what is it but to blot the spring from the year? It may be assumed as an indisputable proposition, that no man of real taste and learn- ing will ever keep a school but from necessity, and therefore this task devolves of course on poor curates in the church, and poor ministers among the dissenters-, men useful and respect- able in their proper functions, but,ybr the most part, scantily furnished with polite literature. Hence it comes to pass that a learned school- master is rarely to be met with, but in those foundations, where the endowment bears some proportion to his merits. For my own part, I look upon the generality of these preceptors as robbers of hope and oppor- tiinity, those blessings for Avhich no compensa- tion can be made. I cherish liberty, I think, with a warmth of attachment inferior to no man; but I should rejoice to see, I confess, some restrictions in the case before us. Men of acknowledged qualifications should be ap- pointed to examine, with a scrupulous and con- scientious accuracy, the competency of all those who undertake the teaching of the learned lan- oruajres; and none should be allowed to exercise this arduous office, but those who could endure the fiery trial. ag LIFE OF Society would be benefited beyond mea- sure, and no real injury be done to the indivi- dual. Men should learn, or be taught, the know- ledge of themselves; nor should he aspire to adorn the mind, who is fit only to trim a peri- wig', or, in the vain attempt of acquiring sci- ence, leave uncultivated the capabilities of a commendable shoemaker.^ All quit their sphere^, and rush into the skies.° Every parent would be ready to intrust his children to the care of preceptors thus signa- •* ' This ignorancye in men, which knowe not for what time, and to what thing, they be fitte, causeth some wyshe to be riche, for whom it were better a gr^ate deale to be poore^ other to be medlinge in everye mnn's matter, for whom it were- more honestye to be quiete and still. Some to desyre to be in the court, which be borne, and be fitter rather for the carte. Some to be maisters, and rule other, which never yet began to rule themselves ; some always to iangle and taulke, which rather shoulde heare and kepe silence. Some to teache, which rather should learne. Some to be priestes, which were fitter to be clearkes. And this perverse judgemente of the worlde, when men measure themselves amisse, bringeth much disorder and great unsemelinesse to the hole body of the common- wealthe; as if a man should weare his hoose upon his heade, or a woman go with a sworde and a buckler, every man woulde take it as a greate uncumlinesse, although it be but a tryfle in rcspecte of the other.' Ascham's Toxoph. Works, 4to. l66. W, *= Pope, Ess. on Man, I. v. 124. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 39 lized by the current stamp of approbation. Learning would find lier reward in flourishing schools ; her benefits would be scattered in profusion over the face of the community, and spring up daily in civilization, happiness, and virtue. Yet I am well aware that scholars are too often profligates in life, and disgrace those letters, which are not onlv calculated to im- prove the understanding, but have, 1 think, a ■natural tendency to dignify the mind, and hu- manize the heart. Yes: virtue surely will confess her obligations to real learning; and Theocritus had reason for his assertion in those strains of immortaliti) : TsrriJ'/xEv rstT'iyi fiXog, fMvpa.(X.Ki h y.upu.a^, 'iprjY.s; S' Iprj^iv stJAv S' a. Mct'ffa xai w^a.. Tecs [j^Oi Ttxg £11] -jTASiOf Sofj^o;' ars yap vifvog, Oyr' sap s^aitiyois yXvKspujtspoy, sts ^j^sKKrc-at; Av^scc, l(XfTov £|Xiy Mwca; (ptXat' Ivg yap opsvvti, Tcc^iVTai, t'uktS' arj iro-fcv oa>.rja-a,ro KipKOcS Each insect tribe it's fellow-insect loves j Each bird it's fellow : T, the Muse's song. May my roof echo witli her thrilling voice ! Nor slumber soft, nor breath of early spring So sweet, nor honied flowrets to the bee. Him, on whose infant breast the Muse's eye Propitious glanc'd, nor sordid pleasures lure. Nor wily Circe's fascinating cup. But to return from this digression to my last ^ Theocrit. ix, ad fin, 40 LIFE OF master. He had a curious mode of compen- sation for occasional acts of injustice. When, through an angry and bhnd precipitancy to which he was addicted, he had chastized one of his pupils for the fault of another, he was accustomed to promise the sufferer that the next real offence which he might commit should pass with impunity. Likewise the im- proving method, which he employed in our exercises, deserves memorial at least, if not imitation. Without specifying a single fault, the exercise was torn, thrown away w^ith in- solent disdain, and the sentence was, " Very BALD Latin indeed !" This gentleman was occasionally teased with the itch of authorship. He published a single sermon first, then an ode on the king's birth- day, then a history of Egypt, then a novel, and lastly a volume of sermons; all in such an incomprehensible style of pompous inanity, both of sentiment and diction, as, I believe, never was exhibited in the republic of letters till his own a:?ra.^ s The reader will excuse me for quoting one paragraph from tliis author's Sermons; and I boldly challenge any man to point out it's superior from all those stores of eloquence, which rhetorical science, which energy and elegance of lan- guage, under the operation of genius, and in their happiest GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 41 From this inauspicious region, wliere every pleasing hope of future plenty was daily blast- ing, and no salutary influences cherished the rising faculties, I was happily removed, at the age of thirteen years, into a more genial cli- mate, being transferred to the tuition of the Rev. RjcHARD WooDDESON, wlio livcd in my father's parish of Kingston -upon-Thames. On this gentleman I never reflect but with sensations of pleasure, and sentiments of re- spect. He was, indeed, generally beloved by all his scholars. Such particulars of his life and fortunes as have come to my knowledge, will not be uninteresting to the reader who delights in virtue, and honours genius; whilst this memorial of gratitude must be deemed but a' suitable oblation of a scholar's duty to the memory of his preceptor. moments^ have been able to produce. Indeed this specimen may be safely numbered among the prodigious exertions of the human faculties, expanded by learning and refined by taste. Our accojnplishcd author alludes to the insidious at- tempts of a well-known writer to disparage the evidences of Christianity. " Thus the historian sheaths the subtle poison in the dress of reading, and diffuses it abroad on the softer 7vings of can- dour : he spreads his bright plumage as if to conceal latent guile, and just leaves room to see it under the fairest garb." " Cedite, Romani scriptores ! cedite, Graii !" ♦* Ye little stars ! hide your diminish'd rays," W. 42 LIFE OF " His saltern accumulem donis^ et fungar inani Munere." '' " These gifts at leasts these honours, I'll bestow." ' He w^asborn some time about the year 1703, or 1704,^ and was educated at Magdalen college, Oxford. Soon after his removal from the un iver- sity, he was, I believe, a school-assistant at Read- ing in Berkshire; how long, I know not; and between 1732 and 1738 was chosen master of the free-school at Kingston-upon-Thames.' He continued here till the year 1772, with signal success, and with equal reputation. A con- siderable portion of the nobility and gentry in that neighbourhood, who had been educated within the period here specified, were trained under him. Besides many scholars of considerable cha- ^ JEn. VI. 885. i Pitt. ^ At Findon in Sussex, as appears from the following lines of his pupil: " Wooddeson ! these eyes have seen thy natal earth Thy Findon, sloping from Uie Southern downs." Lovibond's PoemSj p. 118. ' " There the good teacher held by turns to youth. The blaze of fiction, and pure light of truth. Who, less by precept than example fir'd, Glow'd as he taught, inspiring, and inspir'd." Character of Mr. Wooddeson in Lovibqnd's Poems> p. 1983 see also p. 118. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 43 racter, who never distinguished themselves as authors, and others prohahly, who have heen conspicuous in the literary world, but un- known to me, the following well-known writers were indebted to his tuition: " Plants of his hand, and children of his care." "^ Mr. LoviBOXD, a writer in the Avorld (who died in 177.'5, and a small volume of whose Poems was published in 1785); l\lr. Steevens, the editor of " Shakspeare;" Mr. Keate, author of the " Sketches of Nature, " ' ' Poems, " and other respectable performances; JMr. Gib- Boisr, the historian; Mr. Hay ley, the poet; Mr. Maseres, Cursitor-baron of the Exche- quer, of scientific fame, and who gained witli the present bishop of London the Chancellor's medals, on t\\Q first year of their institution at Cambridge', and Mr. George Hardinge, one of the Welsh judges, the only pupil v.hose gra- titude exerted itself, with success at least, in procuring preferment for his master. A living, either in Kent or Essex, was ob- tained by him for Mr. Wooddeson, if I rightly remember, from his uncle Lord Camden, at that time cliancellor. And this \i'as all the obligation which the church ever fastened on the good old gentleman. ^ Pope's Eloisa. 44 LIFE OF In the latter part of his life, indeed, he used to preach once on a Sunday in Mr. For- dyce's chapel, at Roehampton; but this en- gagement answered no purpose of emolument, and furnished merely a little exercise for his body, and recreation for his mind; as the chaise-hire absorbed all the salary. On one of these occasions, when the family was from home, a favourite cat, which had made her way into Lady Margaret's pew, and fell asleep there, gave rise to the following verses from the facetious preacher: ON A CAT SLEEPING IN CHAPEL. The gentlefolk all gone from home. Fine doings sure in such a case ! Puss then at liberty may roam, Unaw'd from place to place : May sport the China jars among. On damask bed, or toilette, And fears much less than Betty's tongue, Her playful paw may spoil it. Such was the time, she knew not why. Puss to the chapel stray'd j And, in the closet mounted high, The folk below survey 'd. With pleasure she the place beheld. And, all things to her mind. The cushion, that so charming swell'd. She lik'd j — and so reclin'd. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 45 And now demure she seems, methinks. Like any judge in furs 5 And now mysteriously winks, Or stately sits, and purs. Then rising gapes, and yawns, and stretches ; Or to compose her listless pain. Regardless what the parson preaches, She stretches, yawns, and sleeps again. Yet, gentle puss! one moment wake. One transient look bestow. And see how too your betters take. Like you, their nap below. Infirmities crowding thick upon old age, of itself a disease, Mr. Wooddeson relinquislit his school in the year 1772, removed to Chelsea, and died in J 774, or the latter end of 1773, I am not sure which. His son, and only surviv- ing child, was Vinerimi Professor in the uni- versity of Oxford, an office which he has since resigned after the publication of his Lectures. He is a gentleman of very respectable abilities, who exemplifies the well-known maxim of the poet: *' Fortes creantur fortibus ; et bonis Est in juvencis, est in equis, patrura Virtus ; nee imbellem feroces Progenerant aquilae columbam." " » Hor. Carm, IV. 4. 29- 46 LIFE OF From valour, valour springs, from merit, worth ; The generous steer_, the courser pro\ e The virtues of illustrious birth; Nor do fierce eagles breed the timid dove. BoSCAWEN. When I was present, a few years ago, at the sale of the great Dr. Beutkjj's liljrary, on the death of his nephew of the same name, in Leicestershire, Dr. Jackson, a venerable clergy- man of that county, and formerly of Magda- len College^ Oxford (who died in October \79^, aged 88), was there at the same time. On hearing him mention his college, it instantly occurred to me, that he must be a contempo- rary with my old master at the university, and I accordino'lv askt him if he remembered Mr. Wooddeson at colleo-e. " Remember him!" said this amiable person, with eager accents, and eyes sparkling Avith benevolence: " re- member him! we were nearly of the same age and standing. I had a great respect for him indeed ; and often visited him at Kingston. But you shall judge of my friendship and affec- tion for his memory, from a single circum- stance. When his son was candidate for the Vineriafi professorship, and the contest was likely to be severe, I came over at once from Ger- many, where I then was, to O.vford, merely to give my vote, and returned to the Continent GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 47 immediatclv, at the close of the election/' — A specimen of regard which very sensibly af- fected my feelings, and was highly honourable to both parties ! Happy the one to deserve such friendship! Ha])py the other thus to sacrifice his own ease to the memory of a friend mIio Avas no more! Death had severed their inter- course, but not disunited their affection: that still survived, beyond all suspicion of selfish- ness, when compensation was become impos- sible: '' Fortunati ambo! si quid mea carmina possunt. Nulla dies unquam memori v^os eximet aevo." ° " Hail happy pair! if fame my pe72 can give. From age to age, your memory shall live." '^ I never heard that Mr. Wooddeson o-ave any work to the public himself, besides a " Metrical Prosody" in Latin for the use of the school; and a Sermon, preached by him at the funeral of his friend J\Ir. Clarke, of Thames- Uitton. I have also been informed that two or three of the sermons in " Bellamy's Family Preacher" were written bv him. He had the liberal ideas of a scholar, and the amiable manners of a o-entleman. In the treatment of his pupils, and his distributions to the poor, he was generous, even to indiscre- tion ; so that, after a most flourishing school ° Mn. IX. 446. P Fitt. 48 LIFE OF for nt^rXy forty years, he retired with loss from his employment; and his widoNV, I believe, had the mournfid consolation of experiencing the kind attentions of an affectionate and grateftd son. As a scholar, he was to a certain compass exact and elegant; acquainted Avith but few authors, but they were the best; and these he had read again and again with discernment and taste, both in private study, and in the ro- tation of scholastic discipline. The bent of his genius inclined him to the ode and epigram','^ 1 I recollect two or tliree proofs of Iiis epigrammatic turn in tlie subjects for our exercises. On the instability of the vul- gar he would sometimes give for a thesis a hemistich from " Propria quae maribus;" no great storehousCj one would pre- sume, of moral sentiment: " Neutrum modo, mas modo, vulgus." On the necessity of ready money to form the gentleman of modern days, part of a verse from " As in praesenti" furnisht a subject, assisted by a small alteration of orthography, with a similar pronunciation : '' TEs in praesenti perfectum format." There were two passages on which he always dwelt with peculiar rapture j one of "Horace," and one of " Virgil j" both, doubtless, exquisite in their kind. " Format enim Natura priiis nos intiis ad omnem Fortunarum habitum; juvat, aut impellit ad iramj ^ Aut ad humum maerore gravi deducit, et angit. HoR. Art, Poet. v. 108. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 49 compositions suited to a mind not very much enlarged. Yet what he knew, he knew as a man of elegance and sensibihty; but v/as nei- ther critical nor profound. He had a relish for neat and correct writing, but did not rise to the magnificent and sublime, either in his taste or conceptions: Prior was his great and only favourite among the English poets. " Nil praeter Calvum et doctus cantare CatuUum." r He was very rigid in requiring elegant Eng- lish from his scholars in construing Greek and Latin authors, almost to a degree of fastidious affectation. But his method of writing Latin was particularly injudicious, and improper; and to this day I feel the effects of my master's in- structions in this respect, composing with hesi- tation and difficultv in that lanouao-e, from the vices of early habit. His choice of books was, however, on the whole, highly proper; his distribution of the time between prose and poetry well adjusted; " Multa dies variusque labor mutabilis sevi Rettulit in melius: multos alterna revisens Lusitj et in solido rursus Fortuna locavit." iEN. XL V. 425. W. ^ Hor. Sat, I. 10. I9. " Calvus, Catullus only suit his vein." VOL. I. E 50 LIFE OF and his exaction of attendance in the school, provided we were ready with our lessons when called, was always moderate. A very good practice — frequent intervals of leisure, but some exercise to perform in them. This exacts diligence, but with less constraint, by not being limited to a certain hour. His whole conduct, indeed, Avas so engaging in all its circum- stances, as to make every scholar happy under his gracious and gentle reign. ' Mr. Wooddeson, like the generality of O.r- Jord's sons, was in his political opinions a Tory^ and orthodo.v in his theology : an enemy to all oppugners of royal power and established re- ligion. I have in my possession an Alcaic Poe??i, written by Mr. Wooddeson, upon the RadcUffc Library in Oxford. It is of unequal excel- lence, and has, I believe, been inaccurately transcribed. Some stanzas shall be quoted be- * A fine trait of benevolent nature is recorded by Plutarch: pxv eKsivfjv, /caS-' TjV ay TsKBUtr^iTy], tsg TfxiSa; aipjsvai rail^civ •aai V;vz- ivell Priory^ situated within three quarters of a mile from the college, the ruins of which are still in being. Jesus College is rurally situated at some distance from the body of the town, on the New- market-road, and is admirably calculated, from the fields and gardens with which it is encom- passed, for pleasing and peaceful contempla- tion. James I., of whom more quaint and hu- mourous sayings are recorded than of almost any prince, after passing some days at Cam- bridge, observed, witli characteristic propriety, that were he to live in the university, he would pray at King's (the chapel of which, college has no parallel for curiosity of architecture and Gothic beauty), eat at Tri?2ity (a college re- markable for its fine hall), and study and sleep at Jesus. ' ' A Dr, Boldero, one of the masters of Jesus College in the last century, lies buried in the chapel. This gentleman had been treated with particular severity during the Protectorate, for his attachment to the royal cause, in which also the Bishop of Etij, at that time, had been an equal sufferer. On a va- cancy of the mastership, Boldero, without any pretensions to the appointment, in plain English, plucks up his spirits, or, in Homer's, language, " speaks to his magnanimous niind, * * EiTTE 'f/'o; o\i [xiya>.nrofa, bv/j,cv. '• Fiiiem hoc ammnm tolcrare jubebo." Hon. Sat. n. 5. 20. W, GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 81 and present his petition to the Bishop. " Who arc you?" says his Lordship, " I know nothing of you; I never heard of you before." " My Lord! I have suffered long and severely for my attachment to our royal master, as well as your Lordship has. I believe your Lordship and I have been in all the gaols in Englarid." " What does the fellow mean? Man! I never was confined in any prison but theToivcr.'' " And, my Lord!" said Boldero, " I have been in all the rest myself." — The Bishop's heart relented, and he good-naturedly admitted the claim of his petitioner. VOL. I. a 82 LIFE OF CHAP. IV. Account of Studies at College— Dr. Bro/rii's Medah— Bishop Law's Sermon on the 5th of November, ]7/3 — Scraping of the Proctor — Mr. Homer — Dr. Farmer — Dr. Ogden. 1'J72—1775. As soon as 1 was settled in college, I re- sumed my classical studies, whicli had suffered a long suspension by a most severe sore throat and fever, fatal to multitudes at that time, and by a vacation of several months. Our college lectures in Algebra and Logic, were odious to me be3'^ond conception; and I am persuaded by experience, that Logic and Metaphysics are by no means calculated for those early years. Upon this point I shall have occasion to descant in connexion with a future juncture of my life, and therefore omit any further disputation here. As to the Elements of Geometry and Alge- bra, these are in themselves so extremely plain, so accessible to ever}^ capacity, and carry with them such beautiful and enL'a^'ino- evidence — Truth in her very essence ! — that I can scarcely account for an indisposition to such theories. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 83 but from a defect of judgment, or dexterity, in the teacher. So enamoured, however, was I with the beauties of classic ground, that no considera- tions coukl for some months prevail upon me to step out of this flowery path into the re- gions of Science and Philosophii, intricate as they tlioi appeared. I endeavoured, but in vain, to prevail upon myself to open Euclid, the OLD carpenter! as one of our year, like myself, a mathematician by compulsion, was Avont to call him in derision. At last, emulation effected, what reason and inclination were unable to accomplish. Upon hearing that several of my contemporaries had already made a considerable proficiency in Geometry, I resolutely sat down to encounter this formidable adversary, with all the assiduity that I could bear, and all the faculties that I could summon. It is observed at Cambridge, and is gene- rally true, that the hardy progeny of the North, from Cumberland, Westmoreland, and the re- moter parts of Yorkshire, are usually the pro- foundest proficients in Mathematics and Phi- losoplii). Mrs. Barbauld, a lady of an excellent genius, which she has condescendingly em- ployed to the noblest ends, in exciting infancy o 84 LIFE OF to virtue, and maturer years to a love of free- dom, somewhere sings, " And souls are ripened in our northern sky."' But I need not recur to this hijpothesis for a solution of the point in question. A previous foundation for the superstructftre of academi- cal pursuits is usually laid in the schools of those Northern parts of the country. Inde- pendently of that provision, this portion of our youth, generally speaking, have been so rudely educated in classic learning, in a style so unat- tractive and inelegant, as makes them appear, in contrast with their polished brethren from the public seminaries of the South, mere " Ca- primulgV and " Fossores.'" They naturally, therefore, turn their atten- tion to those objects which afford an equal prospect to their ambition; and become sedu- lous, to a superior degree of industry and per- severance, in their endeavours to counter- balance, by pre-eminent excellence in their own province, deficiencies of education almost ' See her poem called " Invitation." So Pope: " But ripens spirits in cold northern climes." Ess. on Crit. -101. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 85 irremediable: as a genuine taste for the beau- ties of composition is, I think, rarely found, where it was not instilled by an accomplished ])receptor at an early period. The reasons of this truth (for such abundant experience has proved it to me) may, I believe, be suggested without much difiiculty. The ideas, communicated in carlij years, leave not only a more last'uig, but a more pleas- ing, impression on the mind, so as to be tena- ciously cherished in after life w^ith all the preju- dice of habitual attachment. They receive such accessions of strenQ-th, by a slow, indeed, but perpetual reinforcement, as ultimately amount to a considerable sum, at a time when the un- initiated are perfect strangers to these en- chantments of sensibility and taste. The memory too is the first faculty which we exercise to any extent, with profit, and is successfully and delightfully employed in lay- ing up her treasures through this early period ; for the flowers of classic ground which invite her access are numerous beyond computation, and breathe a fragrance to which no language can do justice. Besides, at a more advanced stage, the mind becomes capable of moral, political, and mathematical investigation, with success ; and revolts with disgust from the indispensable 86 LIFE OF drudgery of acquiring language, by turning over day and night the dictionary and the Lexicon: " Nil sine mas;no" " Vita labore dedit. mortalibus." " By toil we purchase ev'ry solid good. If, however, this slavery be endured from some urgent consideration of expediency, the profit is in no wise proportionate to the exer- tion. We are now become impatient of ac- quiring ideas by such a tardij process; and but little benefit results from ufmnilin<>- labour. The student toils through his task with reluctance, and therefore with fatigue; accordina: to the exquisite OTumoron of the prince of poetry : / i t During the two first years of my residence at college, I pursued my matliematical and phi- losophical studies with a stated mixture oi' clas- sical reading, except when a strange fastidious- ness, for which I could never account, occa- sionally took a bewildering possession of my faculties. This impediment commonly re- " Hor. Sat. 1 . g. SQ. ^ Horn. II. IV. 43. Consenting witli reluctant will. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 8/ ciirred in the spring of the year, m hen I was so enamoured of rambling jn the open air, throusrh sohtarv iiekls, or by a river's side — igrams and Greek ode were very deservedly banished from the rcirions of Farmissus to the shop of the Lemnian God, for that ordeal which becomes these illegitimate productions of the Muses. *' Vulcan draw near, 'tis Thetis asks your aid." Pope. My Horatian attempt ** deserved a better fate, and was allowed by the friends of both parties a decided superiority over the triumph- ant composition. But the suspicious reader •will naturally be desirous to know the motives to an unjust determination in this case. I M'ill endeavour to satisfy his curiosity by some plausible suggestions upon the ])oint. Dr. Cooke, then Frovo.st of Kitigs, was a leading man in all these decisions, M'hich, as in this instance, usually reside in the breasts of three or four judges. He had been formerly master of Eton-school, and was, to a certain extent, an exact and elegant classic, though *= Homer, I!, xviii. v. 3(}2. '' This Ode was afterwards published in Mr. Wakefield's " Poemata," &c. 4to. J //P. 92 LIFE OF by no means j^emarkahlc; as I could discover even at tiiat early period. He liad acquired a degree of school-learn- ing sufficient, by a superiority above tlie ge- nerality of his contemporaries, to en<»:ender impertinence and conceit, hut too httle to produce humility, or effectual service to him- self or the community. His voice, which might, however, claim great respect, Mas suf- fered to domineer, on these occasions, even against the iudgment of others. His son, a scholar of King's, was a candi- date for the prize assigned to the Latin ode ; and, from circumstances then occurring, it appeared morally certain that he had seen his son's exercise, contrary to the direction of the founder, and the rectitude of svich transac- tions. The master of Magdalen was either Vice- chancellor that year, or acted for him ; and the prizes were adjudged, v,'hilst three or four of the umpires were walking up and down the grass-plot in the court of that college, after so brief and perfunctory a conversation, as convinced a friend of mine, who overheard them from the M'indosr of his room, with what little discussion this prejudiced case was irre- vocably settled. It is highly criminal to indulge on these V t GILBERT WAKEFIELD. o^i occasions any partiality. To check juvenile ambition by injustice and discouragement is to blast the fruit of excellence in its bud. The laudable emulation of mind in young- people is a certain harbinger of future excel- lence, as the reflexion of the sun's beams on the mountain-top betokens that his rising is at hand. I was a more regular attendant, I believe, than any of my contemporaries, on Xki^ strmons at St. Mary's; but have no particular reason to congratulate myself this day either upon the abundant pleasure or improvement \\ liich I reapt from these lectures. I v»'as present when Dr. Xaw, the late Bishop of' Carlisle, on a ffth of No'vcmber, preacht that sermon, which is mentioned by my much respected friend Dr. Disneif in his " Memoirs of Dr. Jebb." * That memorable prelat", then beyond the = " The Bishop of Carlisle preached a noble sermon on Nov. 5, in which he shewed, that the spirit of popery was not peculiar to popish countries : that spiritual tyranny consisted in imposing other articles, as terms of communion, than what Christ had given 5 that religious liberty was too valuable a right to be complimented away; and that every effort to op- press conscience should be opposed. In short no petitioner would have wished him to say more." Extract from a private letter from Dr Jebb, dated Nov. 10, 1773, in Jebb's Works, I. Mem. 5Q. 94 LIFE OF term assig'necl by David for the customary ex- tent of human life, acciuitted liimself with an elocution, audible, animated, and distinct, be- yond the exertions of most young men; and displa^'ed, with the utmost clearness and con- viction, the imperfections of ovw first reformers^ and of their reformation. And here a comical incident recurs to me- mory, respecting that scraping of the Proctor, Mr. JFilgress, whilst preaching, what Dr. Jebb justly calls " a most papistical sermon."' I myself was one of the offending galler}^ ; but whether an offender or not, 1 will not say, for I do not recollect; though too prone to mis- chiefs of that nature. After a i^tw names had been taken down comes the late Mr. Homer of Emanuel, a o-entleman distinouished as the editor of se- veral classic authors, and much more honour- ably so by a virtuous life, and a conscientious resignation of his fcllozvs/iip, rather than take Priest's orders, which his situation in the col- lege required him to do, ^ " What is your *" Disney's Jebb, Mem, I. p, 5*/ and 58. g I have been informed, that the society entertained so great a respect for their worthy member^ as to have expressed a vvilHngness to re-elect him fellow *' de ?tovo;" but found tills measure inconsistent witli their statutes. I am acquainted GILBERT WAKEFIELD. g5 name, sir?" S2iid Purkess, the other proctor; " Ho?)fer, o^ Einauucl.'^ — " Sir! you are at- tempting to impose upon me. Ilomtr, do you say?" ''Ygs, siv; Homer oi' Emanuel/" "Very well, sir." — After two or three more names comes a gentleman of my year, Jllr. Pindar of Queens. " Your name, sir?" " Pindar, of Queens."' " Sir! I will not be insulted in this manner. I insist upon it, sir! that you tell me your name." "My name, sir! is Pindar o^ Queen s.'' *' Sir ; this usage cannot be borne ! It is contumacy indeed." " My name is Pin- dar of Queens; and if you don't like that, I have no other for you." The proctor com- posed himself, and reluctantly submitted to the name. I heard Dr. Ogdcn preach most of those discourses, which were afterw^ards made public. His person, manner, and character of compo- with such striking instances of liberality in their master, the late Dr. Farmer, tov/ards those ot" whose integrity he was convinced, however opposite their sentiments, as makes this report highly cred;ble to me. Surely the facts were extremely honourable to both parties. We may apply to this occasion the words of Cicero: " Dignus imperator legioue INIartia; digna legio imperatore." These are the dispositions of reci- procal accommodation to the consciences of each other, that fulfil the laws of humanity and the gospel, and constitute the chief bles&ings of society. W. 96 LIFE OF sition, were exactly suited to each other. He exhibited a large black, scouling, grizlij figure, a ponderous body with a lowering visage, em- browned by the horrors of a sable periwig. His voice was growling, and morose; and his sentences desultory, tart, and snappish. His sermons are interspersed with remarks, eminently brilliant and acute, but too epi- grammatic in their close. They display that perfect propriety and purity of English diction, that chastized terseness of composition, whicli have scarcely been equalled by any writer. Like Cicero he wants nothing to complete his meaning; like Demosthenes he can suffer no deduction without essential injury to tlie sen- tence. He was a good scholar, a liberal- minded Christian, and an honest man. His uncivilized a])pearance, and bluntness of demeanour, were the grand obstacles to his elevation in the church. He kept a public act for his Doctor s degree, at the installation of the Chancellor, the VaXQ Dale of Newcastle, in 1733, with distinguished aj)plause. The duke was willing to have brought our divine up to court, to prefer him; but found, as he exprest it, that the doctor was not <}i producible man. Dr. Hallifa.v, the late Bishop of St. Asaph, was a passionate admirer and close imitator of GILBERT WAKEFIELD. Q7 Dr. Ogdoi. They Mere in company during* the French war of \756, and the conversation turning upon the politics of the day, mention was made of a recent capture, I think of some town. Halllfax en(}uired, " Who had taken it?" As this question implied the utmost ig- jijrance of the state of the war, and all its cir- cumstances at that time, Ogdoi, sliocked at such inattention to puhlic transactions, lifted up liis eyes, turned away his face with disdain, and growled, " What an idiot !" Which fur- nishes no bad specimen of the doctor's plain- jiess of rebuke. ^ * One of his singularities was a fondness for good cheer, with an excessive appetitej and his failing an immoderate indulgence of it. The following anecdote of his epicurism is related by a gentleman, now living, who was with him at St. John's: — The cook having spoiled a dish, the doctor was appointed to fine him 3 and he imposed three cucumbers, at their tirft appearance, which were paidj and all devoured by the doctor himself. But let the memory, reader! of this deficiency in a worthy character perish with him, like the body, and the good things which it consumed: nor do thou refuse to join me in the cha- ritable wish of the faceti£>us bard; " Farev/ell ! may the tvirf where thy cold reliques rest. Bear herbs, odoriferous herbs j o'er thy breast Their heads thyme, and sage, and pot-marjoram wave^ And fat be the gander tiiat feeds on thy grave." Anstey's " Bath Guide." W,. VOL. I. H 98 LIFE OF The common exhibitioners at St. AIary\^ were the hack preachers emplo3'ed in the ser' vice of defaulters and absentees, A piteous unedifying tribe! ^' From eloquence and learning far renio\ 'd, As from the centre thrice to th' utraost pole." GILBERT WAKEFIELD. gg CHAP. V. Study of Helrew — Cornparison letween mathematical Phi- losophy and classical learriing — The Author takes his Bache- lors Degree — Elected Fellow of Jesus College — Dr, Jebb, and Rev, Mr. Tyrwhitt. 1775—1778. All the time previous to my degree, I was longing, with inexpressible impatience, for such a portion of emancipation from the aca- demical studies, in which interest and ambition then engaged me, as would allow me some leisure for theological enquiries. This branch of learning, * my love of important truth, and native seriousness of disposition, had ever re- presented to my mind as the essence of literary enjoyment. During the long vacation of 1775, I relieved the severity of study by a relaxation of three weeks at my father's house in Richmond. Still, » "■ That learning, which the former times were not so blessed as to know, sacred and inspired divinity, the sabbath and port of all men's labours and peregrinations." Bacon's Works, 4to. I. 123, See also 55. 2 100 LIFE OF liowever, wanting employment wlien I was there, and ialling upon Lyons's Ihhrexv Grani' onar, I set myself with diligence to the acqui- sition of the Hebreiv language. For four or five days did I puzzle myself with that in- tolerable book, not aware of the abominable stupidity — a stupidity which no words can suf- ficiently stigmatize ! — of learning that language with the points. I\iost fortunately for me my fiither dined one day M'ith the late Daniel JFraij, Esq. of liiciimond, a well-informed man, who had been educated at Cambridge, and Avas one of the au- thors of the admired "Athenian Letters." As this gentleman was an excellent linguist, I made known to him my embarrassment respecting the acquisition of the Hehrexc. He expatiated orfthe extreme absurdity of attending to the points; lent me Alasclefs Grammar ; and, in the course of ten days, I hud read in my fa- ther's Polyglott, by the help only of BiixtorJ^s X^eiicon, nine or ten of the first chapters in *' Genesis" without much difficulty, and with infinite delight. From that hour I kept up a constant culti- vation of the Hebreio ; without some know- ledge of which tongue, no man, I venture to affirm, can have an adequate perception of the phraseology of the New Testament. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. loi In a little work called " Directious for the Student in Theology, '' I have sufficiently dis- closed the facility of that method '' which I pursued; and shall, therefore, say no more in this place. Notwithstanding its undeniahle superiority, mau}^ still prefer their old Miimp- shnus to our new Siimpsimiis, The chief mo- tive for the reconnnendation of points,^ in those who understand them, is, I fear, too often, pride. ^ " Let him, if his circumstances will admit, provide himself with Masclcf's Grammar and CasteU's Polyglott Lexi- con] if not, Buxtorf's Lexicon may be procured, and any other grammar which rejects the Points. A competent know- ledge of the principles of grammar will presently be attained^ and then the student must betake himself to the Lexicon, and perfect himself in the Grammar as he learns the language. By the help of a tolerable capacity, he will master the plain historical parts of the Old Testament with some degree of readiness after a moderate share of application in the course of seven or eight weeks." — Direction IV. 1 " These were devised by Masoretic Jews beyond all controversy above a thousand years after tlie Hebrew language ceased to be vernacular, and when the true pronunciation of the ancients was probably unknown. — The insuperable diffi- culty, that has been supposed to attend the rejection of Points, is the pronunciation of those words in which there is no vowel. In which indeed there is no difficulty at all : since the student must observe, that we do not learn these dead lan- guages to be able to converse in them, but to understand. them ; for into the genuine pronunciation the Points them- selves can give us no insight." Ibid. 102 LIFE OF Nee quae Imberbes didicere, senes perdenda fateri." " ** Nor own that it were beft, provoking truth ! In age to unlearn, the learning of their youth." " They are not fond, in. the first place, of acknowledging' themselves mistaken; and in the next, they cannot prevail upon themselves to reject as useless, what has cost them so much pains in the acquisition. *' Jamque dies, ni fallor, adest, quern semper acerbum. Semper honoratum, sic Di voluistisl habebo."" Or in plain English prose, it was January 16, 1776, — " the great, the important day," in which the fruit of all my application was to be fame, or disappointment. Seventy-five of us took our degrees that year; very few compar- ed to former times; for EachanP observed, more than a century ago, that " Two hundredy for the most part, yearly com7nence.'" The best of these seventy-five were but moderate pro- ficients ; and those of us in the highest posts of honour, greatly inferior to our immediate pre- decessors, and to those who succeeded us. For my own part, though I set inestimable value on the general conceptions, which I had «" Hor. Ep. II. 1. 85. " Francis. » yEn. V. 49. P Cont. of Clergy, 12mo. 23. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 103 then acquired, I felt within me no proper relish for these sublimities of knowledge, nor one spark of real inventive genius. But happy that man who lays the foundation of his future studies deep in the recesses of Geometry I " that purifier of the soul," as Plato called it; and in the principles of mathejnatical philo- sophy: compared with whose noble theories, I make no scruple to declare it, our classical lu- cubrations are as the glimmering of a taper to the meridian splendours of an itquatorial sun. What subject of human contemplation shall compare in grandeur with that M-hich demon- strates the trajectories, the periods, the distances^ the dimensions, the velocities, and gravitation of the planetary system; states the tides', adjusts the nutation of the earth, and contemplates the invisible comet, wandering in his parabolic orb for successive centuries, in but a corner of boundless space? — which considers that the diameter of the earth's orbit, of one hundred and ninety millions of miles in length, is but an evanescent point at the nearest Ji.ved star to our system; — that the fr^st beam of the sun's light, whose rapidity is inconceivable, may be still traversing the bosom of boundless space? Language sinks beneath contemplations so exalted, and so well calculated to inspire the mostawfidscntimentsof the Great Artificer; 104 LIFE OF of that AViSDOM which could contrive this stu- pendous fabric; tliat Providence Avliicli can support it; and that Power whose hand could launch into their orbits, bodies of a magnitude so prodigious! " But I lose Myself in Him, in light ineffable: Come then, expressive Silence, muse his praise !"' ]\Ioderate, however, as my attainments were, I had the honour of nomination to the second post: though the Emanuel men, -who, that year, furnished the Vice-chancellor and the Proctor, to make the distance more conspicu- 1 Thomson's " Hymn." "■ Praeterea dicebat ■ admrrationem, quae maxima est, non parere verba, sed silentium: idclrco, inquit, poetarum sapientissimus, auditores illos Ulyxi labores suas iliustrissime narrantis, ubi loquendi finis faclus, non exsultare, nee stre- pere, nee vociferari facit, sed consiluisse universes dlcit, quasi attonitos, et obstupidos delenimentis aurium, ad origines usque vocis permanantibus." Aul. Gell. Lib. V. cap. i, W. " He further observed, that the extremest admiration did not produce words, but silence. For this reason, he con- tinued, the wisest of poets makes those who heard Ulysses re- late, in a most delightful manner, his travels, when he had finished speaking, not leap up with vociferous clamour, but he represents them as being universally silent, as if astonished and confounded with the soothing gratification of their ears, extending even to their power of utterance." Beloe. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 105 ous, 1)}' an unhandsonic virtiiice, interposed tlie four gratuitous Houorati ' between their hero "■ After tjie examination for bachelors' degi'ees, a list is made out of those who have been most distinguished in that examination, and this list is printed on two papers, called 7Vi- J>oses, which are distributed about the university on two ap- pointed days. On the first of these days, the list distributed contains the names of those who have most distinsruished themselves, and who are divided into two classes; the first class being called JFranglers; the second class Senior Optiints. On the second day, the list distributed contains the third class in the order of honours, and they who are in this list are called Junior Optimes. These persons acquire tlx-.ir rank on cither of the lists of honours entirely from their merit, after undergoing a severe examination ; but they who are in the second list have not the privilege of being candidates for the classical medal. From ancient custom the Vice-chancellor, and the tvv'o Proctors, had the privilege of naming four per- sons, who were supposed to have some degree of merit to distinguish them from those who could not obtain a place in the list of honours: and these four persons were termed Proc- tor s SfJiior Optimes, and had the privilege of being can- didates for the classical medal. Their names were inserted iu the^;^r5/ tripos, and, generally, at the end of the list of Senior Optimes. The deviation from the general rule in Mr. Wake- field's case, by placing the four honor ati immediately after the Senior JV^ranglcr, did not arise from any intentional dis- respect to Mr, Wakefield, but was owing to a very curious circumstance, of which he does not appear to have been aware, and in which the honour of a single person, rot that of the college at large, was consulted. The person alluded to has, from that moment, been uniformly rising to the highest honours in the church, and his career in life forms a strikinsr 106 LIFE OF and myself; contrary to the practice of some preceding years, and, I believe, to the prac- tice ever since. Whoever might suggest this expedient, I mean not the least reflexion on the Vice-chan- cdloi\ Dr. Farmer, who was forward, on various occasions, to praise and to befriend me : and the Proctor was Dr. Bennet, the present Bishop of Cioyne, who has testified his regard for me with uniform benevolence. The reader, not acquainted with our TJni- "cersity, must be informed, that the Duke of Nezvcastle, at the commencement of his Chan- contrast with that of the subject of these memoirs, and hideed is a strong proof of the superiority of patronage over merit and application. It was not unnatural for Mr. Wakefield to attri- bute the artifice to Emanuel college, w^hich, though the first of the smaller colleges, can only boast of one Senior Wrangler; and its deficiency in the attainment of honours is very remark- able. Fioni the table of honours obtained by the several col- leges, and published in ISO I, it appears that, in a period of fiftv years, Emanuel college has obtained only eight honours, whilst Pembroke, a college far inferior to it in numbers, has, in that space of time, gained forty-seven honours; a number very nearly double of the honours obtained during that period, by Catherine Hall, Clare Hall,. Emanuel, and Trinity Hall. With respect, however, to Emanuel College, it ought to be noticed that, at the public examination for bachelors' de- grees ill January, 1802, since the publication of the above- mentioned table of honours, three additional honours were obtained by members of that society. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. W7 cellorship, about ^(y years ago, attempted to check rather than to discourage the propensity to mathematical and philosophical pursuits, by giving two classical medals yearly to the best proficients in the ancient languages ; but with this condition, that no Bachelor of J?'fs should be qualified to become a candidate, wlio had not attained a certain eminence in the pre- dominant occupations of the place : thus judi- ciously exciting our youth to a due mixture of these different departments of useful litera- ture. It so happened, from the modesty, rather than the insufficiency of our contemporaries, as the subsequent transactions manifestly shewed, that all of those {txventij-eigJit in num- ber) entitled by their degrees to contest these prizes of the chancellor, retired from the field, excepting My. (now Dr.) Forster, master of the Free-school at Norzvich^ and myself. I make no scruple to allow that he was, probably, a better scholar than his competitor; and ac- cordingly our examiners with justice presented this gentleman with the j^r^^ medal, and I came in for the second^ of course.' But then it mu^t 5 Tlie gold medal, given by tlie Chancellor, is a very fine piece. It is two inches and one-eighth In diameter, and nearly one-eighth of an inch in thickness. R'iine weighs down eleven guineas and a half. On one side is a bold embossed figure oi 108 LIFE OF be mentioned in my favour, that he was miieh older than me, three years at the least, having been superannuated at Eton; and had conse- quently enjoyed many more advantages of education, and for a o-reater leno-tli of time. But I dwell on this topic more particularly Avith a view of shewing the great unfairness which private attachment, or zeal for a parti- cular college, is apt to introduce into these academical determinations, to the sacrifice of equity, the discouragement of learning, and the depression of enterprising genius. Forster was, undoubtedlv, ranked much too hioh in the scale of honour for degrees: his contem- poraries of his own college acknowledged it with a knowing smile, significant of the ob- ject : and, in all probability, he did not de- serve a station that qualified him to be a Can- didate for the medal, but was thrust up, for that sole purpose, injuriously to others, and our most gracious and religious king — ns our church dutifully calls any monarch who happens to sit on the throne — with this inscription round it: Geokgius III, Piu-s Felix Pater Patri^. On the reverse^ a figure in a Bachelor's gown, on whose head Apollo is placing a laurel-wreath, at the direction of Fame, an infant figure, hovering in the air, with his trum- pet, and a label from it, with this inscription: Detur d'lg- inss'nno. At the bottom, Ausp. Aug, Hen. Due. de Grafton Acad. Cantab. Cancell. On the edge is writ- ten, Gilbert Wakefield, Jesus Coll. MDCCLXXVI. W. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. lOp discreditably to liimself and patrons. To pre- vent even the suspicion of such abuse, it would be more equitable to have one medal for the Wranglers^ and another for senior Optimes. At that time too the Johuians (of whose college Forster was a niember), when the loss of their zealous master, Dr. Powell, was but recent, had not yet relaxed their claims and eagerness for universal preference, not unsuc- cessfully asserted for some years previous to our own. I well remember a merry passage, touching my antagonist, during the examination for our degree. The three first classes went to the moderator s rooms at Clare Hall, in the evening, to solve problems. Here this gentle- man acquitted himself in no sense of the word prohlematicalli) ; but ingenuously confesst, like an honest man, that he knew nothing at all of the matter. However, with good humour, and a kind attention to the convenience of his as- sociates, he condescended to assume in our favour the office of the whetsione: ■ " Fungar vice cotis, acutum Reddere quae ferrum valet, exsors ip^a siccandi."' t Hor, Art. Poet. 304. " Thus let me sharpen others, as the hone Gives edge to razors, tliough itself has none," Feaxcij. 110 LIFE OF And occasionally threw light upon the mys- terious suhjects, which too closely engaged the attention of the rest to allow even a moment for such interruption, by — Siiuiffing the Candles, There are also at Cambridge two other prizes for the best proficients in mathematics and phi- losophy, among the 7iexv Bachcloj^s of Arts. They were left by Dr. Smith, the celebrated master o^ Trinity College, well known to the scientilic world for his treatises on Optics and Har- monics. These prizes usually fall to the lot of those ixvo wfYinglers who have been adjudged, in the previous examination for degrees, to the most honourable stations of the year. But it so fell out, that one of the best men in our year was prevented by indisposition from passing the former trial, and another was deemed by his college to have been injuriously superseded by myself, and the rest who -were preferred to him. I was awkwardly aifected by this in- cident : the gentleman thus supposed to be misplaced was one of my most intimate friends. No alteration, however, took place in our at- tachment or intercourse, which continued till I left college, with uninterrupted good-will, without any mention of this untoward cir- cumstance. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. Ill My friend Pretyman (at that time I mean), now Bishop of Lincoln, Dean of St. Paul's, Sic. who had exerted himself with great earnest- ness in my favour, was very urgent with me to appear among the competitors for these prizes in question. But I represented to him, that one of the three had ah^eady heen pro- nounced my superior, and that I had readily acquiesced in the decision ; that the other two were my particular friends; and though a pre- sumptive judgment only could be formed of their merits, I verily believed one of them to be clearly beyond myself, and the other not much, if at all, inferior. The truth is, I was but a humble proficient in the higher parts of Algehi^a and Fliiucions; for the former of which branches I never had much relish. I also thought myself exceed' ingly fortunate in faring so well thus far, and Avas strongly apprehensive that my laurels, so green and flourishing, might be scorched in the heat of this new rencounter where, in any event, I might lose honour, but could scarcely expect to gain it. In short, I was very glad by any argument to extricate myself from this perilous dilemma, and to rest from my con- tentions. On the l6th of April, 177^j as soon after 112 LIFE OF my degree as the statutes of our college, and tlie previous preparations would allow, I Mas elected ;^e/7oit^', on the nomination of the master and fellows, by the late Dr. Edmoud Keeiie, Bishop of Ely, at his house in London. This fellovv'ship had been vacated by tlie marriage of my tutor, ^fr. Milner, and was the same for which mv father had been nominated with that gentleman thirti/ years before. The society, from an honourable opinion of my dili- gence in study, and my exact attention to the laws and discipline of the college, during the entire period of my novitiate, had kindly en- treated the visitor to keep the felloM^ship vacant for nre beyond the customary time. This in- dulgence gave my father a degree of satisfac- tion much beyond the importance of the object ; of which, however, he did not live to see me reap the advantage. Indeed, with respect to regularity, my at- tendance at Chapel, the main point with us, M'as so uniformly punctual, that I sometimes took the liberty of missing in an evening, a step which would have inevitably brought a joba- tion upon any other Undergraduate. But I was persuaded that our master would conclude, from my general exactness, that some reason- able cause of absence had intervened, and would GILBERT WAKEFIELD. H3 therefore suspend his reproof; which I never in- curred, in a single instance, for this hold inno- vation. Dr. John Jebb, that true son of liberty, civil and religious ! the conscientious patriot ! the zealous and intrepid promoter of the best interests of mankind ! I had fixed upon for my maUiematical tutor in the beginning of the year 1775: and, through the interference of our common friend J/r. Tynvhitt, then fellow of our college, he listened to my solicitation. But I did not attend him longer than a week ; his avocations, and a disinclination on his part to lecture in the higher departments of mathe- matics and philosophy, dissolved this con- nexion. I will take this opportunity on the mention of Dr. Jebb and Mr, Tyrzohitt to correct a mis- take, which I know has been prevalent among my acquaintance; that I was seduced from the paths of Orthodoiy by the voice of these charm- ers. They are supposed, like the Pharisees of our Saviour's time, to have " compassed sea and land to make one proselyte^'' or, to adopt a comparison that will better harmonize with the ideas of these censorious surmizers, to have "gone about, like roaring lions, seeking whom they might devour."" " 1 Peteo c. 5. V. 8. VOL. I. I 114 LIFE OF It is not improbable (but of this I have no particular recollection) that the example of such respectable characters, occupied in the search and the profession of religious truth, might' apply spurs to the xvill'ing courser. In connexion with the publications then current, their example certainly excited among the Undergraduates a variety of conversation and debate upon the controverted points in theology: but their influence over my mind went no further. I soon found the truth to lie upon the surface; and was persuaded that a single eye of any acuteness, purged from those films of habitual acquiescence, which are super- induced by the operations of timidityy or the suggestions of pmidence, could never be a very long time in making the discovery. My con- stitutional frankness and intrepidity would then instantly impel me to the practical pro- fession of it. " I continued the prosecution of my classical and theological studies through the years 177^ and 1777, with unabated vigour. I meddled neither with controversialists nor commentators. Sometimes I read the New Testament in the * " Haud cuivis promptum est murmurque humilesque susurros ToUere de templis, ct aperto vivere voto." Peksius, Sat. 2. V. Q. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 115 order of the books, and sometimes with a har- mony: but m.y chief exertions Mere employed in endeavouring to attain a complete mastery of the phraseology of both Scriptures, by a close attention to the idiom of the lano-uao'es in which they are written. I recollect nothing worthy of remembrance concerning my theo- logical opinions during this period. In the year J?/^, urged on by my own in- clination, and the partial approbation of some friends, I publisht, at the University press, a small collection of Latin poems, partly ori- ginal, and partly translations, with a ^tw notes on Horace by way of appendix. One or two of the criticisms will stand the test of time; but the generality of them are trivial or un- solid. The poems (in which I have since dis- covered one false quantity) have been acknow- ledged by the most capable judges not inele- gant, nor destitute of merit. The indiscretion of the bookseller, and the ardour of my friends, occasioned my inexperience to put a price on this little volume, which was mere extortion. I was afterwards most heartilv asl:amed of this, and reduced it accordingly more than one half At the conclusion, I think, of the same a- 116 LIFE OP year, my most respected friend Mr. Tynvhitt resigned his fellowship, from a dissatisfaction with the doctrines contained in the Articles and the Common Prayer of the Church of Eng- land : and it was generally understood that Mr. Braithxvaite, another of our Senior Fellozvs, refused all college livings upon the same con- scientious scruples. Mr. Tylden also, my con- temporary in college, a most amiable person, and an excellent scholar, suffered a family- living to devolve on his brother, in preference to an acceptance of Anti-Christian confessions of faith, as the condition of the tenure. The members in Parliament for the Univer- sity^ after the example of the Chancellor, give yearly ybwr prizes, oi fifteen pounds value each, to the best exercises in Latin prose, on a sub- ject proposed by the Vice-chancellor; two for the middle, and tzco for the senior Bachelors of Arts. The subject in 1777, when I was middle Bachelor, was this: " Utrum ars critica ad ben^ scribendum plus utilitatis, an incommodi aiferat. " My friend Gretton, of Trinity, obtained, and I think very deservedly, the^?'^^ prize. I preferred the negative side of the question, and came in for the second. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 117 I have mentioned before/ that the inju- idicious method which Mr. JFooddeson pursued Avith his scholars, in the composition of our exercises, prevented me ever after from writ- ing Latin with due faciUty and elegance;^ and the consciousness of this insufficiency has made me always exceedingly averse to composition in that language. The habit might readily have been gained by close and particular application to this ob- ject ; but my attention was engaged by more pleasing and important pursuits. Quintilian was always a favourite author with me; and at this day, I think him, upon the whole, the most candid, sensible and ra- tional writer, upon philological subjects of all .anticpiity. In consequence of this attachment, my style savoured more of the expressive energy of this Rhetorician, than the magni- ficent volubility of Cicei^o. y See p. 4Q, supra, ^ Reviewers, and others, have occasionally complimented me upon my elegant Latinity: but I know myself too well to appropriate these commendations ; and if ever there be a -semblance of dexterity, it is the case of Horace: " Ludentis speciem dabit, et torquebitur," HoK. Ep. II. 2. 124. W. 118 LIFE OF In the disposal of the prizes, given by the members for the Univemitij, there is in general no room for suspecting any partiality. The exercise of each candidate is transcribed by some friend, and a Latin verse is written on the back. To enable the judges to refer each exercise to it's author, the same verse is also written on the outside ot a letter, sealed np, and inclosing the name of the candidate. The letters on which the verses of the best exercises are inscribed, the judges open: the rest, with the exercises, are destroyed. To place under one point of view these academical transactions, I shall anticipate the Bachelors' exercises of the following year; when the subject was " The learning of the Egyptians,'' suggested, I believe, to the Vice- chancellor by a curious posthumous essay from the celebrated Dr. JVoodward, published about that time in the " Arch^ologia of the Society of Antiquaries.'" The subject was set but a few weeks before I left college; and my exercise, scarcely begun there, was finished at inns, and twenty other places, through which I happened to pass, between that time and the day fixed for the decision. I trusted it, at last, for convey- ance, to the hands of a cross-country waggoner, and received the first tidings of success from the article in a London Nexvspaper. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. II9 Mr. Gretton and I maintained our stations in the same order as before. Thus ^vas mv ambition re^'ularlv mortilied bv an inferior allotment on everv occasion ! — .5'tT07;(/ wrano-ler, second medallist, and, both years, second in the Bachelors" prize. 120 LIFE OF CHAP. VI. Mr. IVakefield' s Ordination — Remarks on Stilscription-— Hyson Club. 1778. On the twenty-second clay of March, 1778, at the age of twenty-two years and one month, I was ordained a Deacon, in the chapel of Trinity College, by Dr. Hinchliffe, Bishop of Peterborough, on letters demissory from Dr, Keene, Bishop of Ely. Mr. Backhouse, Fellow of Ti^inity, the ex- amining chaplain, did not detain me many minutes. He only set me to construe three or four of the first verses of the first chapter of the " Epistle to the Hebrews." He askt me afterwards, how it appeared that the Holy Spirit was God ? I told him that the texts in Acts V. ver. 3 and 4, were usually alledged as the most apposite to that point. He nodded approbation; and I smiled at his credulity. " O! saec'lum insipieus, et inficetural"* => Catull. XLI. 8. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 121 Even then, I was so little satisfied with the requisition of sitbsa^iption, and the suhjects of that subscription themselves, that I have since regarded this as the most disingenuous action of my whole life ; utterly incapable of pallia- tion or apology; and I hold it out, accord- ingly, to the severest reprobation of every honest reader. I reconciled myself to a temporary ac- quiescence by the help of that stale, shameless sophistry, usually employed on these occa- sions : that so young ^ a man could not be ex- ^ " The very sophistry of the Jews. The Jews were offended at Christ because he was not received and followed by those of the most learning and authority amongst them. Have any of the Rulers, or of the Pharisees, lelieved on him? John vii. 48. We may then suppose that a Jew, who rejected the Gospel, would have argued thus: It becomes a private man not to lean too much to his own understanding, but to suppose that they who have studied the laws of God more than himself, and are appointed of God to be his instructors, are better judges in religious controversies than he can pos- sibly be. Our spiritual guides are all of opinion that Jesus is not the Messias. It is therefore the most modest, rational, and safe way for me, who have not their leisure, learning, and abilities, to submit and trust to their decisions." Joktin's Truth of Christ. Rel. p. 8. ed. 4. W. See likewise some most valuable remarks on the same sub- ject by the ever-memorable John Hales, in his sermon " On Enquiry and private Judgment in Religion." Works, 12mo. vol.3, p. 153, kc. 122 LIFE OF pected to form a competent judgment on these points at present; that the supposition, under whicli subscription was imposed, conceded a liberty to examine afterwards more maturely; that some of the wisest and best of men" had continued conscientious members of the Church of England through life, after an examination of controverted points; and other pretences of interested reasoners, which my ingenuity, not often exercised in these palliating hypocrisies, cannot now suggest, even with the help of memory. But liOM' truly lamentable to think of the wickedness'' of requiring an nn^QAgWQd assent and " See Aul. Gell. lib. 10. cap. IQ. W. •^ Similar convictions deterred Milton from entering the Church, as constituted in his time, " to whose service^" says he, " by the intentions of my parents and friends I was des- tined of a child, and in mine own resolutions, till coming to some maturity of years, and perceiving what tyranny had in- vaded the Church, that he who would take Orders must sub- scribe slave, and take an oath withal, which, unless he took with a conscience that would retch, he must either ftrait perjure, or split his faith j I thought it better to prefer a blameless silence before the sacred otfice of speaking, boughtj and begun with servitude and forswearing." Milton Apol. Smectym. b. ii. Introd. ad fin. Works, fol. Amst. I. 224. W. GILBERT ^yAKEFIELD. , 12-3 consent to such a miscellany of umntelUgible^ propositions! To think of thus ciisla\ing our inoenuous minds by the force of interest and the sanctity of an oath, to a prejudiced adoj)- tion of an established system of religion!' « " Not that he" {Mr. Emlyn) " opposed these things as being above his comprehension, but because they were the unintelligible inventions of men, and not tauglit in the holy Scriptures; and as it is necessary to use our reason and under- standing in judging of the credentials of revelation, it must be jio less so to use it in judging of the sense and meaning of tliat revelation. If men will represent mysterious nonsense as articles of the Christian faith, which have no foundation there, but are gross Anti- Christian corruptions, no wonder Deists should make sport with them, and use them for matter of re- proach against Christianity." Emlyn's Works, 4th edit. Mem. p. 54 and 5 5. W. f '•' Men will compel others, not to think with them, for that is impossible, but to say they do, upon which they ob- tain full leave not to think, or reason at all 5 and this is called Unity." Jortin, Eccl. Hist. Pref. IS. " Though some purposes of order and tranquillity may be answered by the establishment of creeds and confessions, yet they are at all times attended with serious inconveniences. They check enquiry; they violate liberty; they ensnare the consciences of the clergy by holding out temptations to preva- rication." Paley, Moral Phil. II. 320. *' If every Clergyman who disapproves and disbelieves such doctrines as that of a Trinity in Unitifi,- three Gods in 124 LIFE OF To think of thus teaching the uncorruptecl youth to stifle those emotions which the con- victions of truth have excited in his bosom, to disregard his own dignity of character,^ and to trample under foot the most solemn obligations of morality and religion ! one, had the resolution to avow his sentiments, and relin- quish his station in the Church, the Establishment would find herself deprived of more learned and respectable members, than she would previously have imagined, or could well spare- But God has not given to every man, any more than to Eras- mus, the spirit of Martyrdom ; and may he " ivho hioivs that we are lut dust,'' make every allowance for (he infirmities of his creatures in that day /" Wakefield's Address to the Inhabitants of Nottingham, &c. l/Sp. p, 26. " Hoc autem liberiores et solutiores suraus, quod Integra nobis est judicandi potestasj nee, ut omnia, quae praescripta, et quasi imperata sint, defendamus, necessitate ulla cogimur. Nam caeteri primum ante tenentur adstricti, quara, quid esset optimum, judicare potuerunt; deinde, infirmissimo tempore aetatis, aut obsecuti amico cuidam, aut una alicujus, quem primum audierunt, oratione capti, de rebus incognitis judi- cant, et ad quamcunque sunt disciplinam quasi tempestate de- lati, ad earn, tanquam ad saxum, adhaerescunt." Cic. Acad. II. 3. g •jravro^v ^b [j.a.Xi7r aKry^jvso (xoLvrov, Pythag. Golden Verses, " Abovfe all things reverence thyself." W. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 125 How truly divine in sentiment and poetry are those verses of the Satyrist : " Ambiguae si quando citabere testis Incertaeque rei, Phalaris licet imperet ut sis Falsu9, et admoto dictet perjuria tauro, Summum crede nefas animam prseferre pudori, Et, propter vitam, vivendi perdere causas." ^ ** A witness call'd, be strictly true and full : Tho' Phalaris were present with his bull, And, threat'ning vengeance with tremendous eye. Should dictate to your lips the perjur'd lie; Yet think it a flagitious deed to choose. For life's poor sake, your innocence to lose: To lose the ends, for which to life you came. Merely to save a perishable frame."' For grave, learned, and religious Seniors to exact from young men a subsaiption, and thus preclude all future investigation, by the strong •» Juven. Sat. VIII. 80. * Owen. '^ItTTtsp yoLp or/nag, oit/.at, xai 'ffXom, xoci twv aXXwv rwv T'oiovrouv ta ytxtw^sy Kr^vpolai'ix eivai Ssi' ovtcu xai I'uiv ntpa.^- £wv Tag a.p'xjxi xa< tag v'jto^B- blished interpretation of the Scriptures; nor is any room left for the exercise of the under- standing, for the efforts of reason and study, when refusal brings with it rejection, disgrace^ and poverty. ' What a melancholy dreadful reflection, that our ecclesiastical governors (many "" of ^ 1 Peter v. 3. ' " The liberal protestantism of the Church of England requires that its Clergy shall first subscribe, — then inquire^ — and afterwards dissent at their peril." Disney's Mem. of Jortin, 21/, Note. ™ The confession of Bishop Smalridge, as recorded by the truly honest IVhiston, is striking, and shews at least that the bishop entertained pretty strong doubts concerning the validity of some of tho^e important points to which all clergymen of the Church of England are compelled to swear and subscribe their unfeigned assent and consent, previously to being ad- mitted into Orders. " Some time after the publication of the then Bishop of Bangor's {Hoadleys) famous Sermon, and about the time of the publication of my ' Scripture Politics,' I waited upon Bishop Smalridge, and among other things desired that his GILBEFxT WAKEFIELD. 127 them at least) should he well convinced of these enormous evils, and yet refuse " to put forth even a fino-er" for the removal of them ! that they should he active for reformation in early life, " and lulled to indolence l)y the opi- lordship, of whom both parties had so good on opinion, would do something to bring us out of that disorder in which we then were, and particularly that • he would please to write a little book, to recommend a fair and impartial review of Christian Antiquity to the World, in order to the correction of such errors and practices as might have crept into the Church since the first settlement of Christianit)' : which re- commendation from him would, I believed, have a very good effect.' His lordship's answer, as near as I can remember the words, and that with great emotion of mind and body, was this: — ' Mr. Whiston, I dare not examine; I dare ?iot exa- mine. For if we should examine, and find that you are in tlie right, the Church has then been in an error so many hundred years.' I asked him * how he could say so, and still he a pro- testant.' He replied, 'Yes, he could.' This I testify under my hand. Will. Whiston." Histor. Tvlem, of Dr. Samuel Clarke, Appendix, p. !/6. " This appears to have been the case with Dr. Partem, Bishop of London, Dr. Yorke, Bishop of Ely, Dr. Percy, Bishop of Dromore in Ireland, and other dignified clergymen, now living, who, in the year 1/72, were joined in an asso- ciation with a numerous body of the Clergy, " to request 3 revisal of the Articles, and Liturgy, and Forms of Subscrip- tion." See " Lindsky's VindicicB Priestleianse," p. 51 and 52. 128 LIFE OP ate of preferment i" That alarming denuncia- tion of the scriptures deserves the most serious consideration of these people: "Whoso sliall offend," says the great " Bishop of our souls;" " whoso shall offend one of these little ones, which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."" But remonstrances of this kind have been, made so repeatedly, without effect, to those who need no conviction on the subject, that we must be contented to wait patiently the ap- pointed time of the Supreme Governor of EventSj who " worketh all things after the counsel of liis own M^ill," and prepareth the establishment of his kingdom "without observation;" and ° Whiston thus complains of his contemporaries in the year 1/30. " Nor has the present Lord Chancellor {King, nephew of the great Locke,) nor Bishop Hoadley, nor Bishop Hare, nor any other of the great advocates for Liberty about the Court, or in Parliament, made the least motion all this while, that I know of, for this true Christian Liberty; I mean the easing the consciences of those honest clergymen, who groan under the burden of the present impositions in Athanasian Creeds, Athanasian forms of prayer and doxo/ogy, and Athanasian and Calvinist articles of faith." Hist. Mem. of Dr. Clarke, p. 118. ed. 1/30. P Matt, xviii. Q. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. i2g in the mean while we must resign these tardy, involuntary, executioners of those grand pur- poses of the divine administration — the vir- tue, LIBERTY, and HAPPINESS of mankind — to " the Judge of all the Earth," who in " his wrath thinketh upon mercy." May mercy in that day be extended, in full measure, to all who are defiled by this great offence ! And I blush for him, I blush for this de- gradation of my species, when I see a man like Dr. Paley, of great worth and talents, and whose sentiments, from their general diffusion, must be so important to society, — when I see that author stain the pages of his incomparable book'' with such a shuffling chapter on sub' script ion to articles of religion. He has amply gratified the most sanguine expectations raised in his friends, by the ex- traordinary powers of his penetrating and com- 1 Paley 's " Moral Philosophy," notwithstanding some weak and some erroneous principles, may be recommended as an excellent summary of useful, practicable, edifying morality, delivered in a style perspicuous, and most explicit: vigorous without stiffness, and copious without redundancy. This treatise is particularly admirable for an undisserabled statement of ditficulties and objections. W. VOL. I. K 130 LIFE OF prehensive understanding, and the glory of his academical career. ' But has he, in this instance, acted up to the general simplicity and honesty of his cha- racter? The question is not, he knows very well, without any information from me, what a le- gislature httle versed in the genuine principles of christian liberty might expect from the sub- ject, but for what the subject in reality en- gages:' Whether the words and conduct of the subscriber in all plain construction of language, and conformably to every interpretation of human actions, do not imply an acceptance Qxr^oi ev dxi^i. Find. Pyth. x. 89, QO. W. s " What will become of all oaths, promises, and securi- ties among men, if the plain real truth and meaning of words be no longer the measure of what we are to profess, assert, or practise) but every one may, if he do but openly declare it, put his own strained interpretation, as he pleases, upon them ? Especially if this be to be allowed in the most sacred matters of all, the signing articles of faith, the making solemn con- fessions of the same, and the offering up public prayers, praises, and doxologies to tlie great God, in the solemn assemblies of his worship ? This I own / dare not do, at the peril of my salvation." Whiston's Hist. Mem, of Dr. Samuel Clarke, p. 52. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 131 of the contents of those articles for religious truths ? Whether the SLvth article; which maintains " the sufficiency of scripture to sal- vation, " does not only make the rest of this ^trdiU^Q farrago mere impertinence and incon- sistency; * hut prove also the compilers of them to have assumed the character of FatherSy Masters, and Teachers in the Christian Church, in direct defiance of the express prohibition of Jesus Christ himself? But I sicken at the subject, and feel a degree of sorrow not to be expressed, for such unworthy concealment, such palpable prevarication, as the advocates of ecclesiastical slavery are perpetually prac- tising, to the scandal of all morality, and the infinite dishonour of the Gospel. '^ There is more goes to persuasion" (says the excellent Joseph Mede) " than reasons or demonstra- tions, and that is not in my power."" May we ever remember, with a suitable solemnity of feelings, and a determination of obedience, that awful exhortation of the great Apostle: ' See the paradox of " The Church of England-man" in Jebb's Works, by Disney, iii, 25/. " IVIede's Answer to Mr. Hayn's Fourth Letter, Works, fol. 3d edit. b. iv. p. ysy. 132 LIFE OF " Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.'' " Soon after my degree, I had been admitted into a society called the Hyson Club, establish- ed some years before. It usually consisted of some of the most respectable members of the Ufiiversity ; and I reflect with much satisfac- tion, to this day, upon the profitable and pleas- ing conversations of this society. We consisted at that time of Dr. Beadon, then 3I?\ Beadon, felloxu of St. Johns, and public Orator; which office I have heard him discharge with an excellent elocution, and a latinity, easy, elegant, and copious. After- wards he was preferred to the mastership of our college ; and is now Bishop of Glocester. "^ Dr. P/aring,'' Professor of Mathematics ; most eminently distinguished, beyond his con- temporaries, in the abstruser speculations of that department, and displaying on other topics an admirable portion of good sense and knov/- '^ 2 Tim. ii, I9. y Since translated to Bath and JVells. * Dr. Waring died in the year 1/98. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 133 ledge; recommended by a characteristic sim- plicity, and unassuming gentleness of manners. Dr. Pearce, then Mr. Pcarce, felloxv of St, Johii's, and tutor, now master of our college, and dean of Ely; a man of considerable learn- ing; and whom I once esteemed for what I judged to be unaffected affability: but as I understood his behaviour in Mr. Frend's per- secution to be very reprehensible, I thought the doctor unworthy of my further notice. A man must possess something more than titles and preferments to deserve my respect. " T>r. Pretyman, whom I have mentioned be- fore, as exerting himself with all the ardour of friendship in my behalf at the time of my de- gree, was also one of our number; then Mr. Prttyman, felloio, and tutor, of Pembroke Hall; now Bishop of Lincoln and Dean of St. Paul's. I know that many persons, since this gentle- man has acted so conspicuous a figure on the public theatre of life, from a jealousy, I fear, of his influence Avith the late minister, and his exalted station, have affected to represent him as a mean sycophant, and a man of contempt- ible abilities. But indeed, reader! a The illiberal conduct of this gentleman on the occasion of Mr. Wakefield's trial, may be seen in the second volume of tljis work. 134 LIFE OF " Hie nigrae succus loliginis, haec est iErugo mera: quod vitium procul abfore ehartis, Atque aiilmo prius, ut si quid promittere de me Possum aliud vere, promitto." ^ As to the charge of serviUty and depen- dence, I can only speak presumpti-velij upon those points ; but I entertain not the least doubt in my own mind, that no occasion would require such debasement in his intercourse with Mr. Pitt. I am satisfied that the pupil ever entertained a genuine respect, a deference, an affection, for his tutor; and esteems it, I dare say, one of the happiest events of his life, to have been enabled to provide so amply for one so highly valued. I commend the late minister s forwardness in this matter, where others have so loudly censured him, in letting no opportunity of such essential gratification to his feelings pass un- improved, by a discharge of duty in this pleas- ing instance, in defiance of the obloquy vented against him, for this conduct, by envious churchmen. ^ Hor. Sat. I. 4. 100. " Tills, this is slanderous abuse. Rank as fell poison's blackest juice. ]f for myself I dare engage, Such venom ne'er shall taint my page." BOSCAWEN. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 135 The reader Avill see, before the conclusion of this work, that the testimony now given is extorted from me by the power of truth, rather than by the constraints of gratitude to my for- mer friend, or the force of admiration and the seduction of esteem for the son of Cha- tham. As for the abilities of the bishop, his con- temporaries at college can testify to that point, upon the unexceptionable authority of ex- perience : and I have been acquainted Avitli no man of a greater vivacity of conversation, or a more pleasant and aifable demeanour than my Lord o^ Lincoln, in the days of our inter- course. If wealth and distinction have made their too customary depredations on his heart, as on thousands of his predecessors ; if Mr. Fretyman and the Bishop of Lincoln are become persons totally different from each other ; if the glow of friendship has been extinguished by the frost of selfishness; conscious of the frailties of poor human nature, and well aware that in- tegrity with difficulty preserves its firmness beneath the warm influences of wealth and sta- tion, I will be the first to drop a tear on the funeral of his virtues, and, to the utmost of my abilities, embalm the dead. 136 LIFE OF " With care direct your steps, nor turn astray, To tread the paths of this deceitful way : Too hite of fell Ambition's power complain. And fall where many mightier have been slain." The general corrtiption attendant on pre- eminence and distinction is demonstration to me, that the happiness and virtue oF humanity will be much advanced, when those stations, raised so high above the common level, and which make those placed on them so giddy, shall be less the objects of eager ambition. Another of our society was Dr. Mihier, then Mr. Al'ilner, fellow and tutor, now master of Queens College, and Dean of Carlisle: whose extraordinary attainments in mathematics and philosophy were the praise and admiration of his contemporaries : but I am not informed whether the public at large be in possession of any proof of his powers beyond a paper in the Philosophical Transactions relative to the nuta- tion of the poles of the earth and the precession of the equincies, and several other articles in that collection, I ever esteemed this gentleman to be en- dowed vv'ith one of the most vigorous and penetrating minds. He once preacht an ex- cellent sermon at St. Alarfs, on ^fast, during the American war ; but his theological opinions, GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 1.37 in connexion Avith liis conduct, were always, I confess, to me, mIio yet affect some insight into the human character, one of the inscru- tabiUties of mystery. The other members of our chib were Mr. Alounsci), fellow and tut 01- of our college ; whom I have mentioned before ; " and Mr. Vince, originally of Caius College, but then, if I rightly recollect, of Sidnei/. He has since been elected a fellow of the Royal Society and still lives in Cambridge, where he is Plumian Pro- fessor of Astronomy and experimental Philosophy. It must be a strained panegyric indeed that exceeds his deserts, either as an accomplished mathematician, or an amiable man. This gentleman, I believe, has been rewarded with no preferment adequate to his reasonable pre- tensions. The rest of our associates, except poor Mounsey, M'ho is mouldering into dust, in the ^' land where all things are forgotten," and where even mitred heads themselves will soon be bowed down, undistinguished from their fellows ; '^ the rest of our associates, I sa}^, are ^ See p. 88. supra. "^ A short copy of verses, applicable to this sentiment, has been floating >n my memory ever since my childhood. Whether they are tiite or no, and who is their author, I cannot recoU 138 LIFE OF comfortably raised on the sunny hill of dignity and Avealth, and look down, from their warm stations, on the vulgar crowd below them, labouring up the steep; and, among the tribe of miscellaneous adventurers, on me also, once their equal in dignity and rank, though now shewing to their distant view not " grosser than a beetle.'' Methinks some of them might have found leisure and inclination to devise means of e:ra- tifying an ambition that never aspired beyond a trivial competency, for tlie enjoyment of a literary life, in one whom they uniformly pro- fesst to esteem and love ; but it were impious to repine; I check every murmur of my heart; my spirits overflow with consolation from a thousand sources; and I recollect that the So7% lect; but they are beautiful, comfortable, and admonishing j and shall be quoted here : " I dreamt, that buried in my fellow clay. Close by a com.mon beggar's side I lay : And as so mean an object shockt my pride. Thus, like a corpse of consequence, I cried : * Scoundrel! be gone 5 and henceforth touch me not} More manners learn and at a distance rot.' ' How, scoundrel!' with a haughtier tone cried he: * Proud lump of earth ! I scorn thy words, and thee. Here all are equal; here thy lot is mine: This is my rotting place, and tliat is thine.' " W. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 139 of God himself, " the Captain of our Salvation^'' ' went up to his Father a tlirone by the steps of sorrow. After this enumeration of my particular as- sociates, and mentioning Dr. Bennet, now the Bishop of Cloyne, also among the number of my friends, and Dr. Sutton, now the Bishop of Norxvich, as my acquaintance, without speci- fying others of considerable elevation in the church, I may fairly apply to my case the lines of Horace : " Quicquid sum ego, quamvis Infra Lucili censum, ingeniumquCj tamen me Cum magnis vixisse invita fatebitur usque Invidia, et, fragili quserens illidere dentem, Oftendet solido." f « Heb, ii. 10. i Hor. Sat. 2. l. 74. "^ For me (though claiming no pretence To equal fortune, wit, or sense). Envy, though grieved, must still confess, The great approve me, and caress. And tlius her base attacks shall fail, Foiled, like the viper in the tale." BOSCAWEN. 140 LIFE OF CHAP. VII. Mr. Wakefield s Application for a Curacy — Three Maxims of Horace— Reflections and Remarks on quitting the Uni- versity. My friends had now left, or were leaving college daily; and feeling m3^self inclined to try my fortune in the great world, I adver- tised for a curacy. Part of a letter, which I received on this occasion, is no bad specimen of the reasonableness of the superior clergy, and the drudgery of curates; for the reader's entertainment it is here inserted, with my answer : " Rev. Sir, " The duty required is, two Sermons every Sunday, except the first in each month, when the Sacrament is ad- ministered; and prayers on every Wednesday, Friday, and all holidays; and moreover on almost every day during the season of Lent, besides occasional duties. The Church is rather large, and requires a pretty strong clear voice. "When I am here, as I usually am, and well, I take such a share of the duty as my health permits me to do. When I am absent, or not well, the whole rests upon the gentleman who undertakes it. The salary is fifty pounds a year, paid quarterly, if desired, without any other emolument!' — GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 141 " Rev. Sir, Cambridge, March 03, 1778. " It is with extreme concern that I answer your let- ter so long after date; but, through the unpardonable negli- gence of my bookseller, I did not receive it till this afternoon. I sincerely wish this delay may be no greater disapppolntment to you, than it is to me. You cannot be surprized that I should decline such an offer, if you are thoroughly persuaded, as I am, that ' the labourer is worthy of his hire.' " Three maxims of Horace were essentlallv conducive to the regulation of my conduct whilst I remained in college, and, indeed, have regulated my subsequent life to this day. I re- commend them to the serious attention of the young in particular. T\\Q first is calculated to repress a conceit- ed practice too prevalent in the world, of sup- posing the particular branch of knowledge, in which xve happen to delight, more excellent and important than any other. A most silly affectation !^ originating in vanity, and pro- s The surest road to the attainment of literary eminence, is an indefatigable attention to one particular pursuit, the pe- culiar object of our affection, with such a coincident and gene- ral cultivation of all useful knowledge, as shall enlarge our comprehension, and prevent those puerile partialities, which contract the sentiments, and lead us to an unworthy preference of our own pursuits, and an illiberal estimate of the pursuits of others. W. " As there is a partiality to opinions, which, as we have 142 LIFE OF diictive of just contempt from \vell regulated minds. " Nee tua laudabis studia, aut aliena reprendes." '' Nor thou the fav'rite studies of thy friend Disparage, nor too much thine own commend. already observed, is apt to mislead the understanding; so there is often a partiality to studies, which is prejudicial also to knowledge and improvement. Those sciences which men are particularly versed in, they are apt to value and extol, as if that part of knowledge which every one has acquainted him- self with, were that alone which was worth the having, and all the rest were idle and empty amusements, comparatively of no use or importance. This is the effect of ignorance and not knowledge ; the being vainly puffed up with a flatulency arising from a weak and narrow comprehension. It is not amiss that every one should relish the science that he has made his peculiar study; a view of it's beauties, and a sense of it's usefulness, carries a man on with the more delight and warmth, in the pursuit and improvement of it. But the contempt of all other knowledge, as if it were nothing in comparison of law or physic, of astronomy or chemistry, or perhaps some yet meaner part of knowledge, wherein I have got some smat- tering, or am somewhat advanced, is not only the mark of a vain or little mind, but does this prejudice in the conduct of the understanding, that it coops it up within narrow bounds, and hinders it from looking abroad into other provinces of the intellectual world, more beautiful possibly, and more fruitful than that which it had until then laboured in; wherein it might find, besides new knowledge, ways or hints whereby it might be enabled the better to cultivate it's own." Locke's Conduct of the Understandina:. Sect. XXII. on Partiality. — See also Sect. XIX. ^ Hor. Epist. i. 18. 39. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 143 Mr. K7ioa\ I am sorry to observe, is chargeable with this fault in several parts of his admirable writings. Let him rather con- fine his strictures to subjects of Taste and Cri- ticism. • " ilia se jactet in auh\ yEolus."i In his own province let him ftill bear sway. The second maxim was eminently service- able in guarding me, in early life, against un- necessary indulgencies of meats and drinks, and especially that daily indiscriminate use of wine among young men, which should be re- served as a cordial to the stomach, and a solace for infirmities. It is an admirable maxim ! "■ Tibi quidnam accedet ad istam Quam puer, ac validus, praesumis mollitiem, sen Dura valetudo inciderit, sen tarda senectus." ^ " For fainting age what cordial drop remains. If our intemperate youth the vessel drains ?" ' The third was my ''phylactery,'' " the front- let between my eyes,'' the constant object of my attention: and it is, indeed, a powerful pre- servative from vice, a spur to industry and order; and constitutes the most valuable re- ^ iEn. I. 140, '- Hor. Sat. ii. 2. 85. ' Pope, 144 LIFE OF conimeiidatioii that literature can boast. I wish my advice, and imperfect experience of it's benefits, could persuade every youth to en- grave it, in impressions not to be effaced, on the tablet of his heart, and exemplify it in his daily practice ! " et ni Posces ante diem librura cum lumiiie ; si non Intendes animum studiis, et rebus honestis, Invidia, vel amore, vigil torquebere." '" " Rise, light thy candle, see thy task begun Ere redd'ning streaks proclaim the distant sun 3 Or Lusfs fierce whirlwind will thy calm molest, Or Envy cloud the sunshine of thy breast." Sweet bard ! most musical, most instructive 1 receive at least a poetical benediction in the language of thy successful imitator: " Oh! may thy grave with rising flow'rs be drest. And the green turf lie lightly on thy breast !" " On April the thirteenth, 1778, I left the university for the curacy of Stockport, in Cheshire, whither I shall soon convey the reader. In the mean time, as Dr. Jortin ° has m Hor. Epift. i. 2. 34. n Pope's Elegy on an unfortunate Lady. « Eccl. Hist. Preface, p. 29. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 145 observed, with all the pathos of a pensive spirit, in words unspeakably soothing to the mind ; " An agreeable remembrance of former days presents itself:" " Nee me meminisse pigebit Alumnae, Dum memor ipse mei, dnm spiritus hos regit artus.'i* Five years and a half, with little interrup- tion, did I pass in this blissfid seat, in the en- joyments of friendship, and the pursuits of learning. The occasional undulations which the force of ambition, or the gusts of passion, might raise upon the surface of my breast, were soon calmed by the infusions of time and the sunshine of religion. When I traced those hallowed paths which the most illustrious of my species had trodden before me; when I rambled on those banks, ranged those fields, or sauntered in those groves, where Bacon reasoned, Newton me- ditated, and Milton sang; an awful com- placency breathed over my spirits: the images of these unrivalled heroes at once inspired my emulation, and annihilated every sentiment of P tEh. IV. 335. Ne'er can my inind forget my Alma's name While vita] breath inspires my mortal frame. VOL. I. L 146 LIFE OF self-sufficiency. I felt the full impression of those enraptured effusions of the poet: " I seem through consecrated walks to rove. And hear soft music die along the grove. Led by the sound, I roam from shade to shade. By God -like poets venerable made." "J Before I quit this subject, my Alma Mater, 1 Pope's Windsor Forest, v. 267- '■' Movemur enim, nescio quo pacto, locis ipsis, in quibus eorum, quos diligimus aut admiramur adsunt vestigia. Me, quidem, ipsae ilLie noftrae Athense, non tam operibus magni- ficis, exquisitisque antiquorum artibus, delectant, quam re- cordatione summorum virorum, ubi quisque habitare, ubi se- dere, ubi disputare sit solitus ; stndioseque eorum etiam sepul- cra contemplor." Cic. de Legg. IL 2. W. " In these celebrated seats there is at least one very powerful incentive to learnings I mean the Genius of the place. It is a sort of inspiring deity, which every youth of quick sensibility and ingenuous disposition creates to himself, by reflecting that he is placed under those venerable walls, where a Hooker and a Hammond, a Bacon and a Newton, once pursued the same course of science; and from whence they soared to the most elevated heights of literary fame. This is that incitement which TuUy, according to his own testimony, experienced at Athens, when he contemplated the porticos where Socrates sat, and the laurel groves where Plato disputed." Idler, N° 33. — It appears that this paper was writ- ten by Mr. JFarton, the late poet-laureate. See Memoirs of his Life, by Mr. Mant (p. 3/), prefixed to the new edition of his works. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 147 to Avhom I am bound by so many obligations, must excuse a freedom, originating in a sin- cere desire for her welfare, if I endeavour to point out the defects of her constitution, with the conviction of a clear insiirht into the snb- ject, and with the confidence of truth. And here, at my entrance on this topic, I must stop to address a few words of expostu- lation to Dr. K/MAV, after premising, with the view of a favourable hearing from this gentle- man, that I am a warm admirer of his Ma'itings, and particularly of his " Treatise on Educa- tion-,'" excepting, peradventnre, when he quits his province, and presumes to dictate, with equal decision and inefficiency, upon subjects of which he proves himself to be almost, if not altogether, ignorant— mathematical philosophy, ' ■■ It is observed, and apparently to the disparagement of Mathematical Philosophy and her votaries, by a writer whose manly sense, and spirit of dispassionate discussion, claim a pe- culiar deference to his sentiments on every topic upon which his accomplishments are exercised, that, " few of those who daring the early part of their lives have gone deep into mathe- matics, acquire such a reiish for them, as to be induced spon- taneously to continue their application to them at an after period j" and " that mathematical pursuits are usually de- serted, as soon as the incidental motives which caused them to be entered upon, or the first ardour of curiosity, have ceased." Aikin's Letters to his Son, ii. 322 and 323. — Bat ve must observe, that the direct end of understanding the laws by 2, 148 LIFE OF I mean, and theology. In express proof and illustration of this censure, as it regards the latter subject, he has since written two volumes on the " Evidences of Christianity." ' I revere the man for his spirited and con- vincing letter to the Chancellor of Oxford \ for his triumph over prejudice; for his noble and strenuous opposition to the barbarism of edu- cation, and the vices of his University, who in- finitely disgraces herself by neglecting a mo- nitor so competent and respectable. He is endowed with the genuine intrepidity of a martyr; and if we had been fortunate enough to have had with us at Ca??ibridge a man of his honesty and firmness, in the \vay of in- vestigation and enquiry, during the infancy of his literary career, he would, doubtless, at this day, have been fighting under our standard the battles of a more honourable field.' ■which the universe is governed has been attained, and the in- direct end also of habituating the mind to the purifying in- fluences of geometrical demonstration. W. ' " Christian Philosophy, or an Attempt to display the Evidence and Excellence of revealed Religion." ' I wish his integrity, good sense, and candour, had in- clined him to a dispassionate consideration of the temperate, but manly and judicious expostulation of my amiable and much respected friend Dr. Disney, upon the subject of the GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 149 " Qui talis est, utinam esset noster!" But though Dr. Knox lias heen advertised of his former misrepresentations of our disci- pline at Cambridge, he still continues speaking of the Universities, as much alike; and, in a va- riety of places throughout his works, neglects that discrimination which he somewhere ex- plicitly acknowledges, and which, on the au- thority of his informers, should invariably be made; for he evidently knows nothing himself of our proceedings. Your Oiforcl dispiitationes in parviso, your doing juraments, your quodlibets, and the rest of your horrid jargon, painfully grating to Cam- bridge ears, and fit only to be chattered by monkies in a wilderness, arc mysteries as strange to us, as to the darkling Greenlander of the North, or the savage of Caff r aria. In short, our author's undistinguishing censures upon this subject are highly reprehensible, and will be corrected by him with scrupulous exact- ness, if he loves truth, as he seems to love her, and holds calumny in abhorrence. traditionary creed of his fathers. Our divine seems to ground his attachment to it very much upon that circumstance of early initiation ; but he should examine himself, and see whether he may not find occasion with St. Paul, " now he is become a man to put away these childish things." "VV, 150 LIFE OF In specifying- the defects of our Universiti/j I shall barely mention the impolicy and injus- tice common to both, of excluding such a nu- merous portion of society, by ecclesiastical restrictions, from the emoluments and conve- niences of those elegant retreats; thus con- tracting the sphere of emulation, and inter- cepting the opportunities of knowledge, to the prodigious hindrance of useful literature. At this topic, I say, I shall merely glance. The son o^ Orthodoxy will cry out — " He is mount- ing again upon his hobby-horse that cannot jog peaceably along the king's high-road; but kicks and flounces to the £>'reat annoyance of the passenger." ]My friend ]\Ir. Tyrzchitt once offered a grace,'' either that the Under graduates should be compelled to attend the sermons at ^S*^. Marys, or that those sermons should be abo- lished. Could Reason herself have made a proposal more unexceptionable? And yet, I think lie told me, it did not fmd more than slv or seven abettors; among uliicli number, the " " A ' grace' of the University senate bears some resem- blance to an act of the British parliament; it's authority, in all matters relative to academical discipline, is supreme — in cases wherein nothing is enacted in opposition to the laws of the land," Jebb's Works, IL 309 and 310. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 151 lionestv and o-ood sense of Dr.Cooke,the Provost of King's, whom I am hapj3y to commend, and of Dr. //ej/, if I viglitly recollect, induced these gentlemen to rank themselves. Now Avhat can be conceived more disgrace- ful to the university, than for strangers to go into the church, on a Saiufs day, and see the preacher exhibiting only to the Vice-chancellor, the Beadle, Mr. Blue-Coat, and the zcalls? ^ Should the spectator by chance come to a station under the eastern gallery, the preacher alone would be exposed to his view; and would forcibl}^ remind him of Amphion exerting his powers on the stones, or of " a voice crying in the wilderness." x\nother very great evil (for I shall not mention what can only be remedied by a par- liamentari) reformation of their statutes) is the practice of nominating tutors to their office upon the ground of no other distinction than the casual determination of seniority. Hence it happens that men below mediocrity in their literary qualifications, are sometimes chosen to direct the studies of the colleo-e: an incon- ceivable prejudice to learning, and a most ^ 'Tij.st;, aKpoxrai KrjpvKOs, yjcifsts, kXsivov 'Ev 7t£yOi, aySos Svu;, rsiyjx koci TtiTVoa, 152 LIFE OF mortifvino; discourao-einent of real talents! This grievance, however, would in a great measure be done aM^ay, without the invidious necessity of preference in the master by choos- ing none to fellowships but upon the claim of merit. The morning and evening prayers (which are much too long) are seldom attended at all by the fellows: and with no seriousness of dexo- tion by the undergraduates. Yet these might be contrived, probably without danger of in- terference from their political or ecclesiastical superiors, to contribute much more to the edifi- cation of the student. The indecorum attendant on this branch of discipline, especially in winter mornings, is even ludicrous. And nothing can be more truly descriptive of a reality, than a stanza in the parody of " Gray's Elegy :" " Haply some friend may shake his hoary head. And say : ' Each morn, unchDl'd by frosts, he ran, ^ "With hose ungarter'd, o'er yon turfy bed. To reach the chapel ere the psalms began.'"/ I am too well apprised of the good sense of my Cambridge friends to suppose their judg- ment upon these abuses to resemble the decision y Duncombe's Evening Contemplation in a College. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 153 of a certain prelate in my neighbourhood, when application was made to him by the curate of a church in his diocese, for permission to discon- tinue the weekly prayers, for want of an au- dience. "Oh! no;" says this idolizer of so- lemnity and form; " it is very proper that the bell should ring, and the curate attend, not- withstanding no parishioner should be there!!" Ridete quicquid est domi cachinnoruin I z What I am now going to allege will appear indeed to many, I am sensible, a point of a very unimportant nature, but it strikes me as ex- ceedingly prejudicial ])oth to learning and morals; I mean the late hour of dinner, which has been very generally adopted in colleges, since I quitted the university. When I have, in conversation, frequently objected to this in- novation, ^ the uniform answer is, " It makes along morning.'' For what?— for riding out perhaps, and taking pleasure; not for the op- portunities which this long morning furnishes for continued study. The mind, I am persuaded, profits most from z Catull. XXIX. 14. a " The dinner hour at Oxford was eleven o'clock in the morning, so late as the latter end of the seventeenth century." See Directions Divine, &c. p. 8, and Earle, p. 40. W. 154 LIFE OF regular and repeated interventions of meals, exercise, and society: but to such a methodi- cal intersection of the time, and to all the ad- vantages resulting from it, this division of the day into two parts only, is, of course, the grand obstacle. The pernicious consequences of this practice do not, however, end here. After so long an interval, the appetite is necessarily sharpened; the stomach is led to overload it- self, and thus oppresses with the body the mind also, " that particle of a^therial air,'"' as the poet calls it. Besides, bodily health is allowed by the sons of medicine to be much promoted hy frequent meals with moderation, and impaired by a dis- tribution of the day, which leaves the digestive powers for a long time unexercised, and then tries them to excess. The tea in an afternoon, a light and wholesome meal, under this new arrangement, is a secondary consideration, and falls into neglect. The habit also of esteeming the labours of the day to conclude with dinner- time, naturally leads, as every one must see, to idleness, and intemperance in the student. These remarks, if they have any founda- tion at all in reason and propriety, must not ** divinae particulam aurae." HoR. Sat. II. 2. yg. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 155 be slighted or received with ridicule, as puerile and insignificant. Nothing ought to be dis- regarded that has the remotest influence on the promotion of learning, and the establish- ment of virtue in the rising generation. *' Let school- taught pride dissemble all it can, These little things are great to little man."*= The constitution of King's College, to the inexpressible loss of literature, is particularly unfortunate. The gentlemen of this society, from the advantages of their education at Eton, come (I make no scruple to declare it) by far better prepared to cultivate letters, than the members of any other foundation whatever, in either university. That school sends out, as far as my experience can form a judgment, much the best scholars in this king- dom. Those particularly from Westminster, in my time, were indeed mean proficients, undis- tinguished altogether among their contempo- raries : and, in general, the produce of all our other great schools in the South were, almost to a man, inferior to the common run of the Etonians. Yet as the students of King's are prevented, by the singularity of their statutes, from en- '^ Goldsmith. 156 LIFE OF gaging in the mathematical and philosophical occupations of the place, and have no specific object presented to their ambition, they, al- most universally, relapse into idleness and dis- sipation: so that, instead of " going on unto perfection," they become stationary first, and then retrogi'ude. Accordingly their meridian altitude is the moment of their quitting school; and their academical course, a gradual declina- tion from it. In consequence of these unhappy circum- stances, though King's college never contains less than seventy members, of the best initia- tion possible in classic authors, this numerous society has sent out scarcely a man, in three hundred years, that can claim a rank among the most celebrated critics and philologists of this nation, in the ancient languages ; and few in fact who have exceeded the common edi- tors of school-books. Indeed the school at large cannot boast many of distinguished eminence in their own branch of knowledge; and Mr. Porson, fel- low of Trinity College, and Greek professor at Cambridge, shines both among his contempo- rary schoolfellows, and all his predecessors at Eton, like the Moon among the lesser stars. Learning sends them forth, as Achilles sent Patroclus, well equipped for her warfare; but GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 15/ is recompensed by no triumphs proportionate to her expectations, and their accomplish- ments. E; 'tToXs^.ov, ov^' avri; s^s^aro voTrriOSCvra. •* Him richly deck'd, he sent with steeds and car. But saw no more returning from the war. Upon this subject it cannot be enough re- gretted, that men do not more frequently pur- sue their studies from principle; nor consider them with reference to their important in- fluence on the melioration of human life, and the promotion of public virtue; but regard them rather as a selfish amusement. '^ And now I will conclude this disputation concerning the defects of our university, ^ ia ^ Horn. II. xviii, 23/, ' " Of the number that pass their lives among books, very few," says Johnson, " read to be made wiser or better. They purpose either to consume those hours for which they 'can find no other amusement, to gain or preserve that r<"spcct which learning has always obtained 5 or to gratify their cu- riosity with knowledge, which, like treasures buried and for- gotten, is of no use to others, or themselves." Rambler, N° 87. ^ On this topic of university education, I earnestly recom- mend Dr. Newton s book of that title: a specimen (in my judgment) of perspicuous reasoning, amiable benevolence, and dignified independence. W. 158 LIFE OF the words of that honest historian, Fuller the Jester, as TVarbw^ton well styles him. " Lately a college in Cambridge, much beautified with additional buildings, sent a mes- senger to a doctor, who had been a great, and promised to be a greater, benefactor unco them, requesting him to remember them, or else their college must even stand still. To whom the doctor answered — May your college and all the colleges in both the Universities stand still. In the charitable meaning whereof all good men will concur." I give at least my hearty concurrence to the wish. EsTOTE Perpetu.e ! GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 159 CHAP. VIII. Mr. Wakefield Jixes at Stockpori — Rev. Mr. Watson — Dr. By- rom — Coiifirmation at Stockport ly Bishop Porteus — Rev. Mr. Wilde — Archlishop Seeker. 1778—1/82. On May the third, 1778, I arrived at Stock- port, in Cheshire (tlie second or third best liv- ing in this kingdom), as curate to the Rev. John Watson, M. A. formerly Fellow of Brazen-nose College, Oaj'ord. This gentleman has given some account of himself in Jiis " History of the Antiquities of Halifax,'' to which I refer the reader who wishes any infor- mation on this point. He v/as a very lively, conversable, well-in- formed man; and one of the hardest students I ever knew. His great excellence Mas a knowledge of Antiquities; and several papers on these subjects are preserved in the Archao- logia of the Antiquarian Society, of which lie was a member. He compiled a book to prove the right of Sir George JVarren, of Poynton, near Stockport, and patron of the benefice; to the barony of l6o LIFE OF Stochport. Not more than sia: copies, I think, of this work were printed: Eyres oi JVarr'mg- ton had this honour; for it was, perhaps, the most accurate specimen of typography ever produced hy any press. He pubhsht also in 17^4, a sermon preacht at Lancaster assizes, and one on the thirtieth of January, several years before, in vindication of his conduct with respect to that day. When curate of Halifax, lie usually preacht on the anniversary of this fast, in defence of the trans- actions of those times; a procedure which naturally gave rise to much misrepresentation and surmise. He accordingly in M^S, printed verbatim the only sermon ^ on this subject that s " Kings shou'd obey the Laws. A Sermon preach'd at the Chapel of Ripponden, in Yorkshire, January 30, 1/55; proving that King Charles L did not govern like a good King of England ; with Reasons why his Character is so much es- teem'd, and with some Advice on that Head. By John Wat- son, M. A. Curate of the said Chapel." — He had before pub- lished in IJ'Sl (to vindicate himself from some misrepresenta- tions) " A Sermon preach'd in the Parish Church of Halifax, entitled Moderation, or a candid disposition towards those that differ from us, recommended and enforced :" — " Which if any man," says Archdeacon Blachburne, " who has sixpence to spare, will purchase, peruse, and lay to heart, he will lay out his time and his money very well." See note in " A serious Enquiry into the Use and Im- portance of external Religion," &c. re-published by Baron in " Pillars of Priestcraft," Sec. See IV. l62. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. l6l escaped tlie destruction by fire of his house at Ripponden, in Yorkshire, of which place he Mas afterwards minister. When he became rector of Stockport he discouraged the performance of the service customary on that day, but suf- fered his curates to follow their own inclina- tions in this respect. He was by no means destitute of poetical fancy; had M-ritten some good songs, and was possessed of a most copious collection of ban mots, facetious stories, and humorous composi- tions of every kind, both in verse and prose, copied out with uncommon accuracy and neat- ness. He once had a Newspaper altercation with the celebrated Doctor Bi/rom (as he was com- monly called) of Maiichester,'^ author, among other poems, of that admirable ballad in the eighth volume of the Spectator — (" My time, O ye Muses, was happily spent") — written when he was an undergraduate o^Trinity College, Cambridge, in compliment to Joanna, '' Where " he died on the 28th of September, 1/63, iu the seventy-second year of his age," having supported him- self " for several years" by teaching " his new method of writing short-hand" till a "■ family estate devolved to him by the death of an elder brother." Biog. Brit. 2ded. vol.3, 121. — Axi\c\Q Byrom. VOL. I. M 162 Ll FE OF daughter of the great Dr. Bcntky, then master of that society. This lady afterwards married the kite Dr. Denison CumhtrlamU Bislwp of Kilmore in Ireland, and was mother of the ce- lebrated Mr. Cumberland. The subjects of dispute were " turning io the East, and bocving to the name of Jesus.'' The doc- tor could not write prose, but poured out Hudi- brastic \crse in a copious and perennial stream, with the fluency of common conversation.' Our rector engaged this poetical champion with his own weapon ; and combated the su- perstition of his antagonist with vivacity and success. I resided some Meeks under the hospitable roof of this intelligent and entertaining man, whose conduct towards me was, on every oc- casion, to the last degree, friendly and respect- ful; nor was he ever known to quit his study with such readiness on account of any other visitor of similar rank of life. During this time, Dr. Porteus, the present Bishop of London, came to Stockport, and lodg- ed with us, in the progress of his primary visi- » " It was remarkable in Mr. Byrom, that he had so ac- customed huTiself to the language of poetry, that he always found it the easiest way of expressing his sentiments upon every occasion." Eiog. Brit, ubi supra, p. 122. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. j(53 tatioii, as Bishop of Chester. His lordslii'p, understanding that I was just come f rom C^r/w- bridge, with distinguished affabiHty and con- descension, directed the conversation to this point; and, among other remarks upon the state of the University, at tliat time, lamented exceedingly, that no proper provision was made for rcQ-ular lectures in Tiieolos^y: an idea which he had formally enforced in an excellent sermon, preached by him for his Doctor s de- gree, at the eominencement in 17o7. I observed upon this, that theological in- struction, as a part of academical education, M'as undoubtedly a very important considera- tion in itself; but I thought an unbiassed dispo- sitionfor enquiry into truth, and especially re- ligious truth — a frame of mind most dilhcult to attain, and tlie rarest of all accomplish- ments ! — was of mucii higher consequence: and it was to be feared, that no lectures could be given, divested of all peculiarities of opinion, Avhich M'ould hardly fail to introduce them- selves (in spite even of the watchfulness of integrity itself) for the purpose of defending systems and establishments : and this inconve- nience, I humbly thought, no advantages of instruction could possibly compensate. The Bishop, in reply, did not think that, in proper hands, such a partiality would be a ne- o i64 LI^E OF cessary concomitant of these lectures : and here our disputation ended; as I thought it improper for me to urge tlie argument with eagerness and pertinacity. When his lordship left us, I said to the rec- tor, " The bishop, no doubt, would think me a very forward youth!" " No," says he: "so far from that, he expresst his satisfaction with your conversation, and lamented that the strait- iiess of his time should prevent a longer enjoy- ment of your company." We had at that time a general confirmation in Stockport Church; and during the celebra- tion of this unscriptural and frivolous cere- mon}^, I remember saying to Mr. JVilde, of Chadkirk, in all the restlessness of impatience to be delivered from such an ignominious con- finement, what I hope the reader w^ill think a very ingenious and pertinent quotation: " Turpe est difficiles habere nugas, Et stultus labor est ineptiarum.' ^ ^ Martial, II. 8(5. y. And yet I recollect, when I was confirmed at Kingston, a woman, old enough to have been my grandmother, underwent this operation for the fourth time at least, " I feel myself," ^ ' she, " so much strengtliened by the bishop's hands!" — '-'.'le (ptod hales, et hales. A late Archbishop of York, after a confirmation at Leeds, GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 165 But this excellent person just mentioned must not be passed over with such a cursory memorial. His stedfastncss of integrity de- mands a particular tribute of respect from a congenial and sympathizing brother. He con- tinued through life on a small cure of forty pounds a year, and might have united an ad- joining benefice to his little income, had he been willing to repeat his subscription to the thirt\j-mne articles. His diocesan, Bishop Porteus (whom I am happy in any opportunity of com- mending), greatly to his honour, professt him- self ready to indulge the scruples of his con- scientious brother, but found such indulgence incompatible with the duties of his office. 2Ir. JVilcle was a contemporary at Bra.zen- iiosc with my rector, Mr. ff^atson; and since Bishop Horsleij delights in representing us Heretics as a set of mortals distinguished by nothing but virulence and want of literature, came into the house of his host, and trussing up his cassoc- sleeves, *' Give me," says he to his friend, " a bason of water, to wash my hands after this dirty work, in more senses than one." \V. 1 Scilicet uni aequus virtuti, atque ejus amicis. Ea laus grata esse potestati debet excelsae, cum interduni et vituperationi secus gestorum pateat locus, Amm. Marc, W. i66 LIFE OF I will subjoin a short note which he once sent me on returning 3fr. Evansoiis admirable let ter to Bishop Hurcl, as a clear proof (though on a trivial and incidental occasion) of his ele- gance of learning and sprightliness of wit : " Sir, Otterspool Bridge, July 26, 1778. " I LEAVE home to-morrow morning, and may pro- bably be absent a fortnight. I have directed this pamphlet to be sent to you 5 which I have read with great pleasure, and for which I return you my thanks." " I wish I could think with Mr. Eoanson, that a reformation, so greatly wanted, must and will ere long take place. I am not so sanguine : nor can I entertain quite so favourable an opinion of mankind. I do not believe that there is virtue enough left among us to effect a reformation of any conse- quence : and I am verily persuaded tliat if the Bible was burnt to-morrow, and the Alcoran introduced and established in it's stead, we should still (provided the emoluments were the same) have plenty of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons." " Wherever, and whatever you are^ whether as fame re- ports is likely to be the case — " irrupta tenet copula;"'" or whether you chuse, " pulsare terram pede libero;"" — I sin- cerely wish you health, and all possible happiness, and am your most humble servant, J. Wilde." With the reader's leave, I will here break through the fence of chronology to pursue my anecdotes of Bishop Poj^teiis, as far as I am »> Hor. Od. I. 13. 18. » Hor. Od, I. 37. 1. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 167 personally concerned in tliem. About four years after this time, he came on a visitation, and to consecrate a chapel at JVarrington, in Lancashire, where I then lived. He was en- tertained by my respected friend Mr. Ozcen, " then, and at this day, rector of the place; a man of most elegant learning, unimpeachable veracity, and peculiar benevolence of heart ; who once thought as highly of this prelate's excellencies as myself. The conversation turned upon me. Mr. Owen mentioned his acquaintance with me; which was then but slight. The bishop spoke handsomely of my character, and noticed my '^ commentary on St. Matthew'' Mith approba- " Tills gentleman is the author of several sermons and tracts; and more distinguished by a translation oi Juvenal znd. Persius, with a preface, and disputations relative to his author, highly meritorious and instructive. For propriety, perspicuity, and elegance of expression, Mr. Owen has not many equals^, at a time when good writing is become so general. My friend, as a dutiful son of his Alma Mater, (for he is an Oxonian) is a very good churchman, and wonders at my oiitrageous heresies. When I have seen him, of late years, he would presently begin with a lamentation of my secession from the church, and of my principles. Now no bad estimate may be formed of our respeciive principles from their effects. Mine have led me to the sacrifice of all worldly interests; his led him to an acquiescence in the emoluments of a good rec- tory, and a good free^chooj. W 168 LIFE OF tion; and, moreover, expresst himself ready to serve mc, if an opportunity should offer. In consequence of my good opinion of his lordship, corrohorated by such liberal profes- sions, when in a later period of my history, all my dependence for a comfortable livelihood rested on the acquisition of a fe^v pupils, and I thought he could not serve me in any way with more ease and less hinderance to himself, I pre- sumed to state my situation to him, and request his patronage in this respect. To this modest apphcation of a poor Dea- con, our gracious Bishop did not condescend to return an answer. Letters seldom miscarry but to great people. Had mine conveyed in- telligence of a translation to the see o^ Durham, how expeditious would have been the reply ! Bishop Pretyman was also very liberal in t\\QSQ professions o^ service;'' and as faithful in performing them as his brother — Nohile par fratrum ! — Here it will be suggested by some, " the acrimony of your writings against the establishment prevented their interference in your behalf" Not so: for their expressions of good-will were subsequent to the most ob-^ l^oxious of my publications. P Ouhii shy Byttyfi i^t/.o:, GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 169 ^Vlio must not be convinced, tliat with their connexion in the higher orders ot society, these prelates might have patronised me in this re- spect to the utmost extent of my fondest wishes (and with a good conscience too, as they could not but allow my competency for this employ- ment) without the least detriment or expence to themselves, without any diminution of claims and influence, to the prejudice of their own interest and views, because the recom mender of a tutor confers a favour on a parent, rather than receives one ? Yet not one of mv old acquaintance, and nezc admirers, high in station and poMcrtul in influence, ever befriended me in a single in- stance, bv their s:ood offices in mv behalf: but, while their i[ildcd vessels drive before the a- ale in all their ^aliantrv, thev disdaintullv ride bv my little baj'k; and behold it. with perfect un- concern, buffetted by tlie vrind. and assailed by the v.-a\'e. In connexion with my Zo}\I of London, formerly the Chaplain, and afterwards the Bio- grapher of Archbishop Seeker, there is an anec- dote, delectable enough, probably unknown even to his lordship, touching his imperious 3.nd persecuting'- master; a prelate. v,ho thought ^5 '' his Grace required subscription and retrac- tion, without any ■warrant or authority, with respect to opi- 1-0 LIFE OF himself" bound, after tlie example of all in- terested converts, (for in such a case I con- nions, no otherwise censurable, than as they did not agree with his own system. One of these cases related to tlie doctrine of an intermediate state, which had been contro- verted in print by a learned and ingenious gentleman, who had afterwards occasion to apply to his grace for a dispensa- tion in order to hold a second living. His grace's behaviour upon that occasion was such, that one of his advocates thought it necessary to apologize for it in a nionthly magazine. The circumstances, though 7iot unknown to me, I take not upon me to give. The worthy sufferer is still living, and best qua- lified to judge how far it is expedient, either to publish or to suppress them. With respect to another case, I am not under the like restraint; and shall therefore give it just as it was transmitted to me. ' When the late Mr, W. a clergyman of Kent, came to the ^rchlishop for a dispensation to hold a second living, his grace took occasion to examine him upon the subject of miracles, with regard to their duration in the church after the days of Christ and his Apostles. Mr. W. frankly told him bis opinion, that miracles ceased after the times of the apostles, and the spreading of the gospel through the Roman empire. The Archbishop would have it, that they continued some centuries afterwards, and insisted on his re- tracting his assertion in a formal writing under his hand.' Now what audiority had his pace, from any part of the con- stitution of the Church of England, for exercising this pontifi- cal tyranny over the consciences of these two gentlemen, with respect to either of these points ? — These indeed are inquisito- rial features which strike through the thickest varnish his grace's ingenious biographers can plaister over his natural com- plexion. And after these manoeuvres got wind, is it any mar- vel that it should be remembered his grace was a Proselyte^ GILBERT WAKEFIELD. Ifl ceive sincere conviction to be scarcely possible) to recede the greatest distance from the tole- rant principles of his dissenting education, that he might remove every suspicion, as Black- burne expresses it, " of hunkering after his old deviations.'^ The late J/r. Jniliams,'' of Nottingham, a dissenting minister, and my intimate acquaint- ance, was told by Air. Statham, who was like- wise a dissenting minister at Nottingham, that Seeker, in conversation with 3Ir. Robe7't Dazv- son (from whom Air, Statham received this cir- cumstance) and some other dissenting niinis^ ters (about the time, I presume, of Seeker's preaching among the sectaries at Bolsover, in Derbyshire), had expressed himself in terms, strongly declaratory of his ambitious turn of mind. " Aye," says T>axvson, " nothing will do for you Seeker! but conformity." " No," and one of that zealous sort who are eager to prove the sin- cerity of tlieir conversion, by persecuting all who are less pli- able to their politics?" Archdeacon Blackburne, in his Historical View, &c. 2d edit. 1772, p. 245. Note. ' Formerly chaplain in a family at Fairford in Gloucester, shire; and on a very friendly footing with the well-known Dr. Atwell, rector of that place, ajid head of a house in Ox' ford. W. i;2 LIFE OF replied Secher, like anotlier Hazael, ' with in- dionant earnestness; " Conform I never " t CAN. * 2 Kings viii. 13. ' This anecdote of Seeker suggests one of a similar nature relating to the celebrated Chillingworth. In a highly inte- resting letter addressed by this extraordinary man to his friend and patron Dr. (afterwards archbishop) Sheldon, and inserted at length by IVhiston in bis " Memoirs of Dr. Clarke," is contained the following remarkable passage : " Good Dr. Sheldon, I do here send you news, as unto my best friend, of a great and happy victory, which at length with extream ditficultie I have scarcely obtained over the only enemie that can hurt me, that is, myself. Sir, so it is, that though I am in debt to yourselfe and others of my friends above twenty pounds more than I know how to pay ; though I am in want of many conveniences j though in great danger of falling into a chronicall intirmitie of my bodyj though in another thing, which you perhaps guesse at what it is, but I will not tell you, which would make me more joyfull of pre- ferment than all these (if I could come honestly by it) ; though money comes to me from my father's purse, like blood from his veins, or from his heart 5 though I am very sensible that I have been too long already an unprofitable burden to my lord, and must not still continue S03 though my refusing preferment may perhaps (which fear, I assure you, does much afflict me) be injurious to my friends and intimate acquaintance, and pre- judicial to them in the way of theirs; though conscious of my own good intention and desire, suggests unto me many flatter- ing hopes of great possibilitie of doing God and his Church service, if I had that preferment which I may fairly hope for; GILBERT WAKEFIELD. i;3 No man who has not directed his attention to this suhject, so niiicli as I have, can be at all aware of the marv^ellous efficacy of prefer- ment, and the prospect of preferment, in rec- t'lfy'uig the intellect^ and enliglitening the eyes of the understanding. I know of no better Epilogue to my farce, which may well be denominated the theological Proteus, than some lines of Butler, that true child of wit and nature. though I may justly fear that by refusing those preferments which I sought for, I shall gain the i-eputatiou of weaknesse and levity, and incur their displeasure, whose good opinion of me, next to God's favour, and ray own good opinion of my- self, I do esteem and desire above all things: though all these and many other terribiles visa forma; have represented them- selves to my imagination in tlie most hideous manner that may be^ yet I am at length firmly and unmoveably resolved, if I can have no preferment without Sulscriplion, that I neither can, nor will have any." That ChiUingworth should, in the succeeding part of his life, have been induced to abandon the noble principles maintained in this admirable letter; and that he should at length have consented to accept preferment by compliance with Subscription, must ever be a subject of deep regret, and, together with other instances of a similar kind, must have a very unhappy influence on that numerous class of mankind who are too prone to justify their own laxity of principle and conduct, by appealing to the examples of distinguished men. The abovementioned letter is dated in l635, when Chilling- worth was upwards of thirty-two years of age. 174 LIFE OF " What's orthodox and true believing Against a conscience ? A good living. What makes all doctrines plain and clear ? About two hundred pounds a year. And that which was prov'd true before. Prove false a^ain? Two hundred morey ■ " Pludibras, Part Ifl. Canto I. v. 1273, &c. GILBEllT WAKEFIELD. l/J CHAP. IX. Removal from Stockport — Brewood School— Mr, JVokefieU settles at Liverpool— Rev. Mr. Maddock—Rcv. I. M'llner. 1778. In August 1778 I quitted Siodqwrt, and passed two months with ray brother at Rich- 7)wnd; and during the time of my continuance there, was made happy by the prospect of a very agreeable establishment in life, without the embarrassments of those ecclesiastical func- tions, which began now to be exceedingly irk- some to my feelings. The trustees of Brewood School, in Staffordshire, advertised for a mas- ter, and referred for information of the parti- culars to Mr. Careless the under-master. I accordingly applied to him; but was very pre- cise in requesting him to let me know, whether my subscription to the articles were necessary as a qualification to tliis appointment, as I was. determined in that case to make no solicita- tions for the post, from an extreme aversion to ?i public exhibition of myself, at that early age, as one v/ho sacrificed his interests to his scru- ples. In proof of this I shall quote part of a 176 LIFE OF letter to 1113- friend Jllr. Tynchitt on this oc- casion. " Richmond, Surry, Sept. 10, 1778. " The state of my conviction is suffi- ciently determinate to forbid any future subscription, though not to justify a formal relinquishment of my profession. I make very little account of the forfeiture of my fellowship. That will fall a sacrifice of course next commencement j and possibly by some other means before tliat time 5 which, as 1' should prefer it on several accounts, so particularly on thisj to avoid even the appearance of forwardness and ostentation : as that would not only be highly ungraceful in so young a man, but is itself an abomination to me." The answer of Mr. Careless to my apphca- tion was as decisive as I could wish, — that iw such condition whatever was necessary. Upon tliis information, I employed all the means in my power to secure the appointment. 3Ir. Nevile also, fellow of our college, in- terested himself so far in my favour as to write to the same gentleman, and to engage J\Ir. Maimvairingj fellow of St. Joluis, to solicit .some of the trustees in my behalf. Dr. Farmer, at the instance of Dr. Beunef, the present Bishop of Cloyne, exerted his good offices in procuring me the interest of Sir Ed- ward Littleton, one of the trustees. Thus the whole progress of the affair was favourable to my suit, so that the school was morally certain of coming into my hands. At GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 177 this juncture, when just in possession of tlie prize, I discovered the m'ls'mformation of Mr. Careless, and was compelled to abandon my expectations. As Mr. Nevile, who was so zealous for me on this application, is known to the literary world by his elegant imitations of Horace, Juvenal, and Persius, and his translation of Virgirs Georgks, and was in every respect an accomplished scholar, I shall indulge mj'self with the insertion of his letter to me on this occasion. " Dear Sir, " I AM favoured with your's of the 12thj and have a just sense of your civil expressions, which would admit of some abatement, did you but know what sincere pleasure I took in giving your true character to Sir Edward : you would then perceive that by engaging in your interest I had not so much conferred, as received, an obligation. Give me leave to add, that you owe this application to no private attach- ment of person or college, but to a sense of duty: for I should have condemned myself had my friend disgraced himself, or abused his trust by the want of any information which I had it in my power to send him. I am very sorry that any ob- stacle should be in your way to an office for which you are so exquisitely well qualified. Believe me, dear Sir, With the warmest wishes for your welfare. Your friend and servant Jes. Col. Thomas Nevile." Oct. 17, 1778. VOL. I. N 178 LIFE OF I could mention some further circumstances respecting Brewood Schooly"^ honourable both to myself, and my patrons, on that occasion; whose kind opinions and friendly efforts will never be obliterated from my memory. Soon after this disappointment of my hopes, I accepted the curacy of St. Peter s at Liver- pool, principally with a view of establishing a day-school in that town, if a suitable opportu- nity should present itself. Never did I live in any place where the clergy were treated with less respect, or where I was myself so little noticed. Out of twenty ministers of the establishment, and nearly as many of the dissenting denominations, not one, to the best of my recollection, ever called on me, or shewed me the least civility, except- ing Dr. Crigan, then minister at St. Atiii'Sy now Bishop of Sodor and Man; and my friend Dr. Gregory, now chaplain to the Bishop of Lan- daff. Nor was this inhospitality much to be regretted, for, indeed, at that time, nothing could surpass the low condition of the Church of Enghaid Clergy in this town, with respect to dignity of character, both in manners and in learning. The gentlemen just spoken of. Dr. Dohson^ " See Appendix (A). GILBERT WAKEFIELD. lyg and his lady (who is known to the world by her life of Petrarch, and other works) with J/r. JVilliam Rathbone, an eminent merchant, were the only people of rational ideas, and instruc- tive conversation, who ever condescended to solicit my acquaintance. INIy rector, JMr. Mad- dock, was then infirm, and resided at some dis- tance from the town. One day, I remember, he was expostulat- ing with me on the subject of my dissatisfac- tion with the constitution and doctrines of our church; of which sentiments J made no secret at any time, when a good end could be accom- plished by a declaration of them. After some disputation on both sides, but without the least tendency to warmth and ill- humour in either of us, I finisht the debate by a plain question, which I heartily wish every member of the church-establishment to put to his own conscience; and to answer it deliber- ately, and solemnly, according to the report of that faithful arbiter, as he expects to render an account of his actions to the great Umpire of the universe — '' Tell me plainly, Mr. Maddock, did you ever read the Scriptures, with the express view of enquiring into the doctrine of a Trinity, early in life, and be- fore your preferment, or your prospects of preferment, might contribute to influence your 2 ISO LIFE OF judgment, and make it convenient for you to acquiesce?"^ '' Why then," says he, " if you ask me that, I must honestly own, I never DID." — It is scarcely needful to add, that he molested me no more on these questions. y *' Critolaus scripsit legatos Mileto publicse rei causa ve- nisse Athenas, fortassean auxilii petendi gratia j turn qui pro sese verba facerent, quos visum erat, advocassej advocates, uti erat mandatum, verba pro Milesiis ad populum fecisse : Demosthenem Milesiorum postulatis acriter respondisse, neque Milesios auxilio dignos, neque ex republica id esse conten- dissej rem in posterum diem prolatam; legatos ad Demos- thenem venissej magnoque opere orasse, uti contra ne dice- ret: eum pecuniam petivisse: et quantum petiverat abstulisse: postridie, quum res agi denuo caepta esset, Demosthenem lan^ multa coUum cervicesque circumvolutum ad populum prodisse, et dixisse se synanchen pati; eb contra Milesios loqui non quire : turn e populo unum exclamasse, non synanchenj quod Demosthenes pa teretur, sed argyranchen esse." AuL. Gell. lib. XI. cap. Q. W. " Critolaus relates, that ambassadors came from Miletus to Athens upon public business, perhaps to request assistance. They engaged what lawyers they thought proper to speak for them, who, as they were instructed, addressed the people in behalf of the Milesians. Demosthenes replied with severity to the demands of the Milesians, and contended that they were unworthy of assistance, nor was it the interest of the state to grant it. The matter was deferred to the following day. The ambassadors in the mean time came to Demosthenes, and with great earnestness intreated that he would not oppose them. He asked for money, and they gave him what he de- inanded. On the day following, when the business was again GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 181 " adeb In teneris consuescere multum est !" ^ . " such appears The force of habits gained in tender years."* It is too late to examine the qualifications and manners of a master, when we have sold^ ourselves to his service. " Jus habet ille sui, palpo quern ducit hiantem Cretata ambitio ?" "^ " Next of the tyrant train, to seize thee, waits Ambition; and displays her gilded baits. Enjoys he freedom who obeys her laws? Who follows eager where she tempting draws?"'' debated, Demosthenes came into public with his neck and jaws wrapped up in woollen, complaining that he had a quinsy, and could not speak against the Milesians. On this, one of the people called out, that Demosthenes was troubled with the silver quinsy." Belqp. ^ Virg. Geor. II. 272. ^ Warton. '' " the desire of esteem, riches, or power, makes men espouse the well- endowed opinions in fashion, and then seek arguments, either to make good their beauty, or varnish over and cover their deformity. Nothing being so beautiful to the eye as truth is to the mind} nothing so deformed and irreconcileable to the understanding as a lye." Locke, Hum. Und. b. 4. c. 2. s. 2Q. « Persius, Sat. V. 1/0. ^ Owen. 182 LIFE OF I went lip to Cambridge, at our audit, in November 1778. I had then some clel)ate with 7ny old friend Milner on the theological contro- versies of the time: he importuned me much to Avrite my sentiments on the subject. Though a reluctant correspondent, I complied with his request; but was never honoured witli the least notice of my letter: — as I accidentally, and contrary to my general custom, kept a copy, and it will serve to shew the state of my mind at that time, and the observations in it are, perhaps, not wholly unimportant, I will insert it below/ " " Dear Milner, Liverpool, Nov. 13, 1776. " I DID not fail to reflect verj' seriously upon the subject of our late conversation at Cambridge : and exceed- ingly regret that it should be so soon interrupted. After a sober and dispassionate appeal to the suggestions of my own heart, I cannot with sincerity profess that I appear to be ' working a deceitful work,' or that I think myself an ob- ject of self-delusion. Docility of disposition, and undefiled conduct, not austerity of manners, is pure religion j and though every man living be as nothing ' in the sight of God and altogether vanity,' yei he may freely exert, without danger or ofi'ence, the power implanted in him to distinguish between good and evil. A disinterested and well disposed mind will hardly over-rate the faculties it possesses : to under- value them, as some men do, is neither diffidence nor hu- mility, but an injury to our character as rational intelligences, and amounts, in my apprehension, to nothing less than a pro- GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 183 Whilst I continued at L'werpool^ I persevered in reading timNcw and Old Testaments, with all fane accusation of the author of them. I conceive not of * the Grod and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,' as a morose and peevish Being, who will harden, or even suffer to be in error, those that cleave unto him with sincerity of heart; but as a merciful and indulgent parent, who will lead his chil- dren, yet not without perpetual and painful exertions on their part, in discerning delib-^irate conviction from the inveterate prejudice of education, and in diligently searching the volume of his will, ' into all the truth.' " That, as you remarked, it is a plausible and tempting office to set one's self up against established opinions, as a proof of superior discernment, is a malicious observation of Hooker, and as remote from truth as it is from charity. In- deed the misfortune of these general maxims is, that they are addressed to the fancy more than the understanding: and may be reversed and retaliated with equal propriety and advantage. But belief and disbelief, in religious matters, is of too much consequence, by far, with y??e, to be accommodated merely to the gratification attendant on singularity. "■ Your position (if I properly understood you) that every appointment of Providence in this world is absolutely right, without any reference to futurity, is equally repugnant to reason and revelation. It annihilates the best natural argu- ment for a future state, and supposes that wickedness in pro- sperity, and goodness in distress, will need no adjustment in the day of retribution. My mode of reasoning that occasioned it, about the punishment of children, might, possibly, be un- satisfactory enough: but I should be glad to know how that punishment is consistent with the innocency of their state, and the perfect atonement already made for sin by the blood of Chri.t. 184 LIFE OF possible attention and assiduity. My objec- tions to tbe creecV of my forefathers were daily " The Divinily I shall not touch upon now, being at present less qualified to ascertain the validity of my own opi- nion, than detect the fallacy and absurdity of that commonly received. It would be no difficult task, however, to shew that even your friend at Leeds has totally mistaken and per- verted the most intelligible passages of Scripture, and, by a gratuitous kind of argumentation, has applied throughout nu- merous texts in confirmation of a pre-established notion, in a sense that ought not to have been supposed, but fairly proved. That the hypothesis of two natures seems to agree best with the words of Scripture, I do not deny 5 but maintain it to be directly adverse to the scope and tenor of the Sacred Writings j and to contain^ notwithstanding the qualifications of so much ingenuity, impossibilities and contradictions. The clear and unequivocal deductions of reason, no revelation can invalidate or supersede. All the communications of God are perfectly consistent: he cannot contradict himself: with him is 'no variableness, neither tropical shadow.' In this instance too (for it is not a point of unessential speculation) I am per- suaded that ' the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.' "■ This I lay down as an incontrovertible truth, — that no man can acquire an adequate knowledge of the phraseology of the New Testament, and consequently of it's meaning, with- *" Among Mr. Wakefield's MSS, is the following memo- randum: " December, 1/78. " Began to conclude from Scripture that Christ had no existence prior to his conception j and that the spirit of God, cording to the Hebrew idiom, means only God." GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 195 iluiltiplying, and my determination m'QS already made to quit the church, for some other line of out an intimate acquaintance with the power and peculiarities of the Hebmv tongue. The language of the New Testament is popular Greek, conveyed throughout in the Hebrew idiom ; and this, together with a desultory mode of reasoning, abound- ing in digressions and repetitions, contributes to make some parts of St. Paul's Epistles very difficult to understand. Many precepts delivered in them are evidently local, and occasional, and, as the circumstances to which they refer are unknown, their meaning must, of course, be very indeterminate. They never, I think, could be so intelligible, even to the people for whom they were designed, as those oi St. Peter and St. James; but they all seem to have been carried by some of Pauls com- panions, who, no doubt, could well explain them. All scrip- ture, you say, is given by inspiration : the difficulty still re- mains — to point out where the apostle speaks by his own spirit, and where by the spirit of God. I might answer, with jus- tice, that this assertion refers to the ypa.mj.aioL, the Old Testa- ment, mentioned in the preceding verse; but most willingly allow these epistles to be of equal inspiration with the rest of Scripture. Though considering time, place, persons, and pe- culiar circumstances, I am convinced that he ever expresses himself with the most perfect propriety; and though I never read those invaluable compositions without unspeakable de- light, the nature of his argument, without recurring to his own insinuations to that effect, would sometimes oblige me to conclude, that he is only speaking 'after the manner of men.' " You will readily perceive these to be the cursory obser- vations of one who pretends to no very accurate, or extensive information on the subject. I am satisfied you will take no undue advantage of these concessions, and have, tlierefore, un- folded myself for my own instruction, with the undisguised 186 LIFE OF life, on the first opportunity. My attachment, however, to theology would never suffer me to think with tranquillity of transferring myself to any other profession; independently of addi- tional ohjections, of a very serious nature, to such an alteration in my plan of life. sentiments of a friend. ' The Lord give us understanding in all things !* I am with great sincerity, Your affectionate friend, Gilbert Wakeiield.' Rev. Mr. Milner, Fellow of Q^ueen's College, Cainhridge. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 187 CHAP. X. Mr. JFakefield's Marriage — Vacation of his Felloivship — American and French IVar — Slave Trade. On the twenty-third of March, 1779, I married the niece (the brother's daughter) of my rector, Mr. JVatsoji. Her great grand- father and great grandmother were an in- stance of conjugal affection, that has never been exceeded, and of a mutual enjoyment of each other for a length of time, which, pro- bably, the experience or memorj' of no reader will be able to parallel. Their matrimonial connexion lasted se'venty- five years; nor were they married so early in life, but thaty/Ve years more might have been added to this period without any violation of usage, or propriety. They died nearly at the same time^ — " lovelij in their lives, and in their g Johnson relates concerning the parents of Roger As- cham, that " they lived married sixty-seven years, and at last died together almost on the same hour of the same day." Life of Ascham. Johnson's Works, XII. 308, J8S LIFE OF deaths scarcely divided;^' — she at the age of ninety-eight, he at the age of one hundred and sevett years; both in full possession of their fa- culties. He was out a hunting a short time before his death, and uncommonly vigorous to the last. In the hall of IMr. Leigh, of Liime, in Cheshire, there is a portrait of him. Of the same family was John Hezcit, D. D. the beloved chaplain of the favourite daughter of that extraordinary personage, whose cele- brity our poet has characterised with an un- exampled felicity of expression: " See Cromwell damn'd to everlasting fame."'' This gentlenijan ' Avas beheaded in J 658 for his exertions in the royal cause, notwithstand- ing the most importunate intercessions of his mistress'' with her father, who is said never to ^ Essay on Man. — Pope seems to be indebted for the ori- ginal thought to my Lord Roscommon, in his Essay on trans- lated Verse, where he speaks of Mceviiis : " That wretch, in spite of his forgotten rhymes. Condemn d to live to all succeeding times.'' W. i See Life of Barwick, 1753 orBiog.Brit. 2dedit. L661. Art. Barwick. Note [O]. ^ " Mrs. Claypole, who was infected with monarchical prejudices, from her matrimonial connexions, in her last sick- GILBEPxT WAKEFIELD. 189 have denied any other favour to his darhnor o child. ]\Iy rector had a good painting of his ancestor, Dr. Hewit; and there is a print of him ill Clarendoti. By marriage I vacated my felloxvship; of which I immediately informed the master of our college.' This matrimonial eno-ao-ement was several weeks after greeted by the Hyson Club, con- formably to the laws of our society, with the following billet : " The resident members of the Hyson Club present tlieir compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield, and beg leave to congratulate them on the happy occasion of their late marriage. Edward Waring, William Pearce, George Pretyman, Isaac Milner, Geo. Mounsev, Sam. Vince." Camlridge, May 13, l/zp. ness exclaimed vehemently against Cromwell's crimes and cruelties ; in particular for his putting hrr favourite. Dr. Heivit, to death, on whose behalf she had made importunate intercessions." Macaitlay. Hist, of England, 8vo. V. 186. Note. ' From Dr. Caryh letter, dated Cambr. 2Q Mar. l/zP, in answer to this communication, we quote the following testi- mony to the reputation with which Mr. Wakefield quitted IQO LIFE OF This billei was not so immediatelij subsequent to the transaction (which came at the time to their knowledge) as to fill up tlie measure of complimentary civility ; and now excites in my memory a circumstance recorded by Sueto- nius."" The American and French war had now been raging for some months, and several hun- dred prisoners of the latter nation had been brought into Liverpool hy piivateers. I fre- quently visited them in their confinement, and was much mortified and ashamed at their uni- form complaints of hard usage, and a scanty allowance of unwholesome provision. What I occasionally observed in my visits, gave me but too much reason to believe the represent- ations of this pleasing people, who maintained college. " The regard I had for you was founded in the es- teem I had for your father, and inuch improved by the op- portunities I had of observing your own great merit." " Tiber. 52. When the Trojan ambassadors waited upon Tiberius with their condolences on the death of his son Drusus, somewhat out of date, he replied, with the utmost composure of counte- nance — " I beg, gentlemen! your acceptance in return of my hearty condolence on that melancholy event, the loss of your illustrious townsman Hector." W. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 191 their national spriglitliness and good-humoLir undamped even by captivity. I kept my sus- picions secret ; but wrote an anonymous letter to the mayor^ stating my observations and sen- timents on the subject. I was happy to learn very soon, from the prisoners themselves, the good effects of my interference ; and the commissary, the author of their wrongs, was presently superseded : whether in consequence of my detection of his iniquities, I could never learn; but when I met him in the street there was fire in his eye, and fury in his face." Towards the conclusion of one of my ser- mons, preacht at Liverpool, I was led by the proximity of the subject to Condemn, in terms of the utmost asperity, and somewhat hyper- tragical, the horrid practice of aggravating the calamities of war by the rapine and injustice of praatc hostility .° This, in the grand mart of ^ " Fraud in his eye, and famine in liis face." Churchill. o The insertion of the following observations on the horrid practice oi Privateering will require no apology, coming from the pen of the venerable Dr. Franklin : " It is for the interest of humanity in general, that the oc- casions of war and the inducements to it, fliould be dimi- nished. The practice of robbing merchants on the high seas, a remnant of the ancient pirac)', though it may be accident- i92 LIFE Of privateering during that war, and of the ^^n- can slave-trade, excited, of course, no small ally beGeficial to particular persons, is far from being profit- able to all engaged in it, or to the nation that authorizes it. Piraterie, as the French call it, or privateering, is the uni- versal bent of the English nation, at home and abroad, where- ever settled. No less than seven hundred were, it is said, commissioned in the last (the American) war! These were fitted out by merchants, to prey upon other merchants, who had never done them any injury. Methinks it well behoves merchants to consider well of the justice of a war, before they voluntarily engage a gang of ruffians to attack their fellow- merchants of a neighbouring nation, to plunder them of their property, and perhaps ruin them and their families if they yield to it 3 or to wound, maim, and murder them, if they en- deavour to defend it. Yet these things are done by Christian merchants, whether a war be just or unjust3 and it can hardly be just on both sides. They are done by English and Ameri- can merchants, who, nevertheless, complain of private theft, and hang by dozens the thieves they have taught by their own example. "■ It is high time, for the sake of hum.anity, to put a stop to this enormity. The United States of America, though better situated than any European nation to make profit by privateering (most of the trade of Europe with the West Indies passing before their doors) are, as far as in them lies, endea- vouring to abolish the practice, by offering, in all their treaties with other powers, an article, engaging solemnly, that, in case of future war, no privateer shall be commissioned on either side J and that unarmed merchant ships, on both sides, shall pursue their voyages unmolested. This will be a happy improvement of the law of nations. The humane and just cannot but wish general success to the proposition." Franklin's Works, 12mo. 1793. II. 152 — 178. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 193 {letrrcc of resentment ao-ainst the author of such outrageous doctrine. I was acquainted, at that time, witli no other effect of mv inter- ference besides mahgnity against myself; but learnt some years afterwards, tliat the nerves of one lady were so agitated by the thunder of my lecture, as to allow herself and husband no rest till he had sold his share in a privateer. The remark of Pomfret, though not poeti- cal, is generally true; and I profess to rank among the number of those, who are firmly persuaded of the very superior loveliness of disposition and sensibility of heart in the weaker sex. " For there's that softness in a female mind. Which m a man's we cannot hope to find." The principal cause of the multitude of pi^hafeers from Liverpool, during the French and American war, was the impediment Avhich this event had put in the way of the African slave-trade, whose head-quarters, as I have ob- served, are fixed at this place. In addition to the other evidences of the cruelty attendant on this execrable traffic, which nothing can resist, as Mr. Fox, \v\th an energy becoming the greatness and sensibility VOL. I. o 194 LIFE OF nil- of his soul, nobly cxpresst it, but " an ii penetrable licart, or an inaceessible understand- ing ;" I M'ill })roduce two facts, one of Miiicli, indeed, is somewhere on reeord, but not gene- rally known, and for the other I shall give such authority, as will leave nothing to i>e dis- puted but my own veracity; of M'liich every one may judge as he pleases. Since the conclusion of the American war, it came out in evidence on a trial in ll'estmin- stcr-Ihill, th;it a Slavc-Sliip, laden Mith her commodity, had i)een so long detained on the passage, as to i)e reduced to a short allowance of water and |)ro\ i.sions. 'Jheir distress was every day increasing. The captain had an opportunity of saving his crew and cargo by takin<>- refue,'e in a Frcncli island; but then the liope of his trafhc \vas gone. In short, he continued on the seas so long, as to be re- duced to great necessity indeed: and the mode of alleviation adopted by this greedy savage was, to bring the blacks one by one out of their dungeon uj) to the deck, and throw them overboard, to the number of o)ic hundred and thirty.'^ The account is, I think, in one of the P " III a late Uial at Guiklluill it appeared, that a ship freighted with slaves, being reduced to a great scarcity of water. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 193 *' Annual Registers." I relate from memory, but my statement I am persuaded is not far from the truth, even to exaetness. Another L'wcrpoul eaptain, in a hirt^e eom- pany at Bu.vton, related wliat two ])artieular friends of mine liave also licard him relate. A female sUrcc on her voyage fi-etted herself to a very great degree, on aeeount of an infant- child, whom slu; had hrouglit witli her. " Aj)- prehensive for her health, 1 snateht the child," said this monster, glorying in his unj)aralleled brutality; " I snateht the child from her arms, knockt its head against llie side of the ship, and threw it into the sea." 1 liope my memory is exact even to the minutest circumstances of this story, which almost exceeds belief: as to the capital fact, that is most certain. Now I should be glad to know upon what grounds the JIuuse of Cominons could vindicate one hundred and tlurhj-iliree Negroes were hand-ciiJJ'cd and thrown into the sea !" Bishop PoRTEus's Sermon, Feb. 23, 1783, on " The Civilization, &c. of the Negro Slaves." Sermons, I. 411. ed. 8th. Note. There can be no doubt that the Bishop and Mr. Wakefield allude to the same fact, notwithstanding the trirting variation as to the place of the trial, which is very obviously accounted for by Mr. Wakelicld's relating the circumstance from me- mory. 2 IpQ LIFE OF their conduct, in refusing to listen to a requi- sition from all denominations and descriptions of people, for the abolition of this trafhc — a requisition so general and unanimous as, I sup- pose, has seldom been displayed on any other occasion. I would put the question especially to those Members of Parliament, who had grounded their most specious pretences of op- position to the Coalition- Ministry (in a tone of whining supplication) upon a determination " to listen in all cases to the instructions of their constituents." What language will un- dertake to stigmatize, with suitable severity, such inconsistent conduct ? As for Mr. JVilberforce, his exertions in this cause, have, I dare say, been very laud- able ; but who will arrogate merit from oppos- ing the Slave-Trade ? It may be vicious in the extreme to defend this traffic; it is scarcely a subject of praise to disapprove it. I must, however, beg leave to withhold my general commendations from a man, who, with un- blushing uniformity, could support our late minister'^ in every measure of his wretched ad- ministration. Poor deluded mortal ! to make so much noise about slaves, while, by his votes in parliament, he could sanction such measures q Mr. Pitt. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 19; as migJit have exterminated half the youth of Europe hy the sword. And it is most wonderful to me, how any man, endowed witli the smallest portion of dis- cernment, and capahle of the feehlest exer- tions of the reasoning faculty, can allow M7\ Pitt the merit of sincerity on this suhject. I know many will he shocked at the uncharit- ableness of this insinuation : but before these good admirers of the late minister allow scope to their indignation, I must entreat them, I must entreat Air. Pitt himself, to answer one plain question. But it is anszvered, by facts of indubitable evidence, and convincing beyond his oath, or the united oaths of all the in- terested and prejudiced votaries of this gentle- man under heaven: Mr. Pitt! had you conceived the abolition of the Slave-Trade necessary to the preserva- tion of your power, and to the maintenance of your place, could not you have carried that measure? Answer me. " Where be your vaunts now? Quite chop-fallen." ^ Whilst I vvas curate at St. Peter s, the thun- der of the church was launched in a sanguinary prayer against the Americans. I read this ' Blair's Grave. 108 LIFE OF pra3'er in it's order, but with the omission of all those unchristian words and damnatory clauses wliich constituted the very life and soul of the composition, and the essence of edifica- tion, to the generality of my hearers. I perceived in an instant among those mighty nien the Churclnvardens, no small bustle at these retrenchments. The shrug of the shoulder, the elevation of the hand, the lower- ing visage, the uplifted eye, the whisper in the ear, during the service, were indubitable signs of the violence of that storm which was o-oina: to burst upon my devoted head in the vestry. " We shall inform the BisJiop, Sir, of this conduct." But these important officers of the church were soon convinced that " they had got," in Queen Bess's homely phrase, " the "wrong sow by the ear." " Why, gentlemen!" says I, " not one pin do I care for all that you can say or do: and when you write to my Lord the Bishop, present my most humble duty to his lordship, and tell him, that I care as little for his resentment as for yours." — I verily be- lieve no letter on the subject ever reached the bishop to tills day. As my sermons were usually composed in the v/eek preceding the Sunday on Avhich I preacht them (for I never borrowed a line from any man whatever) ; b}- the assistance of a GILBERT WAKEFIELD. igg tolerably tenacious memory, I bad seldom oc- casion to look upon tbe book. Tbis iiictbod is attended with two excellent effects, Avitbout whicb preacbing can scarcely be approved by any congregation. Your voice is not lost in tbe pulpit, but diffuses itself tbrougb the cburcb ; and tbe audience are impressed v/itli a good opinion of your abilities, v/bicb is iiigbly serviceable in securing attention and adding authority to vour instructions.' I have been told that when my friend Dr. « It was a subject of just regret, to all who had known Mr. Wakefield in earlier life, that he so soon relinquished the office of a public preacher J in the execution of which his talents and qualifications had fitted him peculiarly to excel. For the fol- lowing short character of his mode of preaching Ave are in- debted to a friend, who v/as also nearly connected with the subject of this note, and well able to form a correct judg- ment. " His manner of performing the public services of the Church, was not only altogether exempt from every irreve- rence, both of carelessness and affectation, but likewise pos- sessed a seriousness that indicated his impression of the great moment to mankind of every thing relating to religion, and engaged universal approbation. His delivery of his discour^es, in particular, was with a voice distinctly audible, as well as mild and conciliating, and an address animated and impres- sive; all which, in concurrence with the so'emniiy and sim- plicity blended in his aspect, rivetted, in an uncommon de- gree, the attention of his hearers, and failed not uniformly to obtain their warmest encomium," 200 LIFE OF Bennet, the Bishop of Cloijne, (who is gifted with a very fluent eloquence) first entered on a curacy near Cambridge, the town was over- run with methodists. His discernment readily pointed out the principal cause of the empti- ness of the church, whilst the neighbouring- barn teemed with catechumens: namely, the humdrum method of fixing the eye immove- ably upon the book; where nothing distin- guishes the exhibitioner from a statue of wood, or stone, but the droning whine and the mum- bling lip. He adopted instantly the evtempo- raneous mode of preaching, and soon trans- ferred the swarm into his own hive. Had I continued my ministrations in the church, I should have pursued the same me- thod, having made the experiment, in part, with success, by delivering two discourses on the '' Lord's Prayer," from a few lines con- taining only introductory words of sentences. It was my intention also, alternately to edpouiid the Scriptures, instead of a Sermon : a most edi- fying and essential exercise ; ' but scarcely ' " Sometimes, Instead of a set discourse, edify your con- gregation with an exposition of some portion of the Scriptures: illustrate one of our Saviour's ParaMes, or a part of his Sermon on the Mount, Independent of the direct and immediate ad- vantage of this method, your audience will be induced to read. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 201 practised (by any denomination of Christians, \vith mImcIi I am acqnainted) with a zeal and frequency commensurate to it's importance. As I never intended to proceed in my de- grees at Cambridge, on account of the requi- site subscription, and could therefore propose to myself no end from continuing my connec- tion with the college, I desired my name to be taken from the boards. About the same time, I had exchanged my laborious and unprofit- able curacy of Si. Peter s for that of «SV. FauFs, also in Liverpool, wdiich had less of the drudgery of the profession, and left me more leisure for my studies. It now became necessary for me to attempt some plan of life more lucrative than a curacy; especially too as I had resolved to relinquisli my station in the churcli as soon as possible. Accordingly, I publisht some proposals for opening a Day-school in Liverpool; Init the good citizens, measuring my qualifications by the standard of the pedagogical tribe already stationed among them, and esteeming me, on their Bibles more in private, when they are thus enabled to read them with understanding, and to worh out their own Sal- vation. Yoia cannot propose to yourself a more noble end than this, or one that will give greater etrect to your ministrations." Directions for the Student in Theology. XL 202 LIFE OF that account, unreasonable in my terms, seemed indisposed to give me the least portion of en- coura«'emeiit. By a new adventure, however, in my event- ful history (which shall be soon related in it's chronological order), I wns delivered from the mortification of a disappointment which a longer trial of my scheme would have occa- sioned. I once took the pains to calculate all the ])rofits of m.y cierical zcarjam, issuing irom cJiristejiings, burials, and iceddings, Avithout number, for three mouths, whilst 1 was curate at St. Peter's, and from presents, allowances of wine, &c. in three curacies, all of them to- gether occupying nearly tzvehe months ; and the amount was 0^43. \Qs. ^dh. Whilst I officiated at St. FauVs for one of the ministers, a fellow of Brazen-nose'' College, " The mention of Bra%en-nose College excites in my mind tlie rccollpction of a pleasant adventure that happened during my residence in Liverpool, A large company was dining at the Golden Lion, one of which was a JVclch curate, with a very insignificant appearance, meanly dressed, and of a small meagre person. Near him sat a wag of a gigantic size, and thundering accent, remarkable for an enormous no=e on his impudent face. The little parson was immediately fixed upon as a good subject for the raillery of this important gentleman; who set himself accordingly to roast the doctor for tlie enter- GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 203 in OdfonI, wlio was generally absent, his col- league died, and it was kindly hinted to nie by one of the principal inhabitants of the place, that the corporat'mi, who have the disposal of all the preferments in the town, would nomi- nate me his successor upon proper application to their body. But I had determined upon another course ; and consequently forbore any exertions for the attainment of an object, now become unpalatable to my feelings. An event of a most singular complexion occurred before I quitted Liverpool; which, on account of the important conclusion to be deduced from it (very reasonably in my opi- nion), I shall now circumstantially record. I have mentioned that one of the ministers of St. Paul's died during my connexion with tainment of the guests. " I presume, doctor! you have had a college education 7' " Yes, Sir!" " You look as if you had." " You too. Sir! no doubt have enjoyed the advan- tages of academical instruction." " Certainly, Sir! I have." " You are a member, I make no question, of Brazen-nose College." " You scoundrel! what do you mean by that ?" — The disputants came to blows : and our ecclesiastic pugilist, to the amazement of the spectators, proved such a David to this Goliah, as made him speedily repent of his tem.erity and importance in provoking one, who could thump a cushion, or pumnni an autat^onist, with equal vigour and dexteiity. W. 204 LIFE OF that church. This li^entleman liad been broiio-ht up among- the dissenters, I beheve, of the Pre^- byterian denomination : he was at least their minister for some years in Liverpool, at Btii's- Garden Chapel. During his continuance Nvith this congregation, he liad the character of an excellent preacher, and was very popular among them. He afterwards conjormed. Whilst I was at St, Paul's, his character was very low indeed as a preacher; nor did he seem in much higher estimation as a man. My rector had frequently intimated his suspicions of the honesty of his colleague; and signified to me his conviction that his reverend brother pur- loined the sacrament-money . His proof of this was, that more money was counted by the churchwardens from the collection in the gal- leries only, than what the sum total from the xchole church was after^'ards found to equal. No man of ordinary candour would hastily iiivc credit to such a dreadful accusation of a brother ; and my disposition to suspense of judgment was considerably strengthened by the cordial antipathy which these two teachers and professors of the evangelical system of love and peace, were known to have imbibed for the persons of each other. ]\Iy rector as an Oxonian was staunch to the principles of his GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 205 7iu?'se, botli in politics and religion; and there- fore an enemy to dissenters, and every thing re- lating to them. The next sacrament Sunday was agreed upon between us for the season of detection : but several elapsed before illness would suffer the supposed culprit to attend. The day, however, came at last, and these eyes were xvitiiesses to the theft of our sacrilegious grey-beard. We secretly determined to charge him with the offence ; but what other measures we had in- tended to pursue, I cannot now recal to me- mory. Death intercepted those intentions, whatever they might be. He never entered the church after that day : he sickened imme- diately, and died. I went to see the poor for- saken unhappy man, in his fatal illness,, from pure commiseration of his condition; but no- thing beyond customary civility past between us. Now my inference from this circumstance is as follows : but observe, reader ! I do not advance it as an universal truth, though as one settled in my mind; of which, however, every person must take the liberty of judging as he pleases. I say then, '' it is scarcely possible, in my opinion, that any man who has been educated 206 LIFE OF in tlic true principles of dissent from tlie esta" diishmenf, can afterwards conform Avith a good conscience." By the true principles of dissent, I iindei-stand an abjuration of all human au- thoriti) in propounding and enforcing articles of faith, collected hi) men as the doctrines of scrip- ture, in their ov/n terms and according to their own interpretation ; because a compliance with sucli an authority is a Hteral abjuration of the supremacy of Christ in his own kingdom, against the most expHcit commands of Christ himself. " The foundation on which sensible non-con- formists build their opposition, is that which I have laid ; and I must own, a very strong presumption v.ould be raised in my mind to the disadvantage of the moral character of an apos- tate from this principle. In spite of every propensity to a charitable judgment, I could not but regard him, in the beautifully allusive language of Lord Bacon, " as offering to the author of truth the unclean sacrifice of a lie." The melancholy instance just related is a very pertinent corroboration of my ideas. To confirm the above sentiment, M-hich with me is almost become an axiom, I may here • Matt, xxiii. 8, 10. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 20/ mention J/r. Badcock, "^ so well known to tlie literary world by the share he had in the com- position of Dr. JFhites Bampton Lectures. This gentleman, who had been educated a dis- senting minister, before he would sacrifice his consistenc}^ to delusive hopes of ecclesiastical preferment, had many painful struggles with his old principles, which he expresses in the following parody of the well-known soliloquy in Hamlet : *' Conform, or not conform ? That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mitid to suffer The stings and arrows of outrageous bigots. Or to take refnge 'midst a sea q/'curses, And by subscribing, end them ? To preach — in form ca- nonical — No more — and ly a gown to say we end The heart-ache, arid the thousand scofFs or wants The poor cloak'd teacher's heir to : —To preach — to speak in church — To speak in church? — Perchaiice to weep at home — Aye, there's the rub j For by conforming thus, what tears ma)' fall. When we have shuffled qff'ihe coil of conscience. Must give us pause. There's the respect That makes the meeting-house of so long standing. For ivho would hear the scorns o/" upstart priests. Our people's frowns, complaints, and short subscrip- tions, y Who died in 1788. 208 LIFE OF The pangs q/ thankless labours, paid by yawning, Their insolence to catechise our faith, and all the spurns That patient teachers yjorra the unworthy take. When he himself might his quietus find Upon a benefice ? Who jvould bear neglect. Or groan in want, whilst some men sweat with feasting. But that the dread of something worse than huugej: (That sting of conscience whose malignity No benefice can sooth) puzzles the will. And makes us rather hear those ills we have. Than fly to church, by flying from our peace? Thus conscience keeps us Presbyterians still j And thus the native hue of resolution is still kept up — By every serious thought, and preachers too. Who soon might be promoted, hy this regard From bishops turn away, and lose the name Of Clergy." At Liverpool was a non-conformist preacher of uncommon celebrity for his oratorical voci- feration, and attended by a numerous congre- . gation, M'ho amply provided for him. He was inveighing loudly one day, in the presence of my i^ecto7\ against the magistrates, for suffer- ing an itinerant brother to perform his mini- sterial functions in the open air, on account of the incommoding crowds about him. " Now are you not a pretty fellow," said Jlladclock, " to enjoy the benefit of toleration in your own way, and not allow this poor traveller the same indulgence with yourself?" GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 209 *' Obstupuit steterantque comne, et vox faucibus Iisesit." * This conaistent dissenter Nvas preaching a sermon for the lujirmary ; and, among other arguments to effect his purpose, is said to have pleasantly observed, tb.at " no man, such Mas the importance and excellence of the institution ! could possibly be prevented from bestowing liberally according to his ability, but by some distress of c'lrcumstauces. Who- ever, therefore," he added, " shrinks from his duty on this occasion, must be inevitably con- cluded to be in debt" The consequence was a plentiful contribution. I have heard of another dissentino- minis- ter, who employed, in a similar case, an ar- gument equally humourous and successful. " Methinks, " says this arch divine, " methinks I hear some of you excuse yourselves by al- leging the great sums you intend to bequeath to these charitable institutions at your death. I am glad to hear it. Commendable indeed it is to be charitable at any time. But in the mean while the poor must not starve in e.v- pectation of your liberality; and we, the friends ^ iEn. II. 774. " Fear rals'd his hair, and horror chain'd his tongue." Pitt. VOL. I. P 210 LIFE OF and patrons of the poor, shall think ourselves in duty hound to offer up our most devout supplications to the Father of IMercies, that he would be pleased, as soon as possible, to take you to himself for their benefit.'''' The au- dience were terrified into charity; and the effect was answerable to the most sanguine Avishes of the preacher. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 211 CHAP. XL Removal to IFarrington — Account of the Academy at that Place — Tutors of the Institution. About this time tlie trustees of the Aca- demy at JVarrington, in Lancashire, had come to a resoUition of appointing a distinct tutor for the classical department, and were inclined to make choice of a clerQ-vman of the establish- meut, Mr. Gore, a worthy bookseller in Lixerpool, who had conceived an opinion of my libe- rality of sentiment from the books, for which I had occasionally enquired at his shop, men- tioned this circumstance to his friend, the Re^v. Mr. Godwin, a dissenting* clergyman in the neighbourhood, and one of the trustees: a man not to be named by me without that tri- bute of respect, which is due indeed from all, to amiable manners, strict integrity, masculine sense, simplicity, benevolence, and hospitality. Dr. Brandreth, a physician of great and deserved estimation in Liverpool, called upon me, to mention their proposals, at the request 2 212 LIFE OF o? Mr' Gockcin \ and in consequence of this application, I went to that gentleman to con- verse with him upon the suhject. i\t this in- terview, he informed me more particularly of the intention of the trustees, and their wish to engage a Church of England clergyman. I immediately replied, that I was sorry for this information, as I had determined to leave the church myself, and was therefore apprehensive that I should not sufficiently coincide with the views of the trustees on this occasion. Before our departure, however, (for I was accompanied hy Dr. Brandretli) this difficulty seemed to disappear; and it was thought expe- dient (with perfect propriety) that I should procure some testimonials of my character and competency for such an employment. I had mentioned Dr. John Jebb as one who knew me well, and could give such an account of me, as, I doubted not, would be perfectly satisfactory to the trustees. I wrote to Cambr'uhc also for a coUe£;e-tcsti- monial, and one Mas sent; but finding it couch- ed in a style of formal insipidity, and such as the master and fellows would have granted officiallij to many whom they had much less reason to esteem than me, without any appro- priate recommendation, I turned it over, with- out delay, to the discipline of that wortby re- GILBERT WAKEFIELD, 213 ceiver of all literary rubbish, the limping deity of Lemnos. A more specific testimony would not have contributed materially to the furtherance of mv suit. The character oiven of me by Dr. Jehb, through the n^.cdium of Dr. Priestley, had so entirely secured the approbation of the trustees, as at once to cut off every hope of another candidate, thougli powerfully support- ed, and Ions: connected with the institution and its patrons, I was not made acquainted, for some time, witli the friendly interference of Z);', J(f/>^ in this business; and, after I was acquainted A\ith it. delaved mv acknowledgements to him much ]on2:er than was consistent with civilitv, and a proper sense of his kindness. I shall insert the doctor's reply to my letter. " Dear Sir, '•' I RECEIVED your obliging favour j and am sorry you gave yourself a moment's disquietude upon the subject you mention. In acting as I did, I paid that tribute to your abi- lity and your worth, which I was entitled to do fi-om my ac- quaintance with you, and die opinion Mr. Tyrivhitt bad formed of you 3 and I should have therefore been blameable not to have acted as I did, I rejoice that the situation is such as you approve. That it is one wherein you can be useful to mankind is certain : ami that you really will be uset'ul is no le?s sure. 214 LIFE OF " I shall always hear of you with pleasure, and be glad to hear from you whenever you shall do me that favour. I am, with great esteem, Your's sincerely. Craven Street, John Jebb,'" nth Aug. 1780. " Critical knowledge applied to the Greek Testament is touch wanted. I have no doubt but you will think it an ob- ject worthy your attention." a I reinov'Cd to Jravrbigfon in August, 1779, previous to the annual commencement of our Session at the academy in September. The institution had then existed, I think, tzvo and twenty years; and survived my arrival four years. The intention of it was, to pro- vide a course of Hberal education for the sons of dissenters, and particularly for dissenting mi- nisters. During* it's continuance many very respectable characters, both laity and clergy, had been formed by it's discipline; " som.e are fallen asleep," and some are dignifying and improving society at this day. Also many members of the establishmeiit had preferred an education there, to the restrictions on opinion, and the relaxation of discipline in the Uni'ver- => For another letter from Dr. Jebb to Mr. Wakefield about this time, see Appendix. (A). GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 215 sities; one third, at least, of the students, in my time, were of that description. The academy was supported by annual sub- scriptions, and the sums paid by the students for their education. I pronounced the speedy downfall of thi:5 establishment, soon after my arrival there: and as I am not ambitious of inspiring the reader with an elevated idea of my prognostic powers upon the constitution of this patient, I will point out the very simple and obvious symptoms, by which this opinion was suggested. No fund, or no adequate fund, had been provided for the maintenance of the tutors, and the income from the students was not com- mensurate to the expences of the academy. Who then could not foresee, that upon any failure of students, such as must often happen from the mere unaccountable vicissitudes of things, independently of the good conduct and credit of an institution; or upon the death, sickness, or declining zeal of subscribers, al- ways most active in the infancy of a scheme; who, I say, could not foresee, that, in this case, the tutors must starve, or the seminary fall? Besides, the students, in general, staid with us so short a time, that a succession was required, beyond what the families of liberal 316 LIFE OF dissenters were likely to supply to this institu- tion, for a continuance. As I shall have occasion to speak more niinutely upon the academical institutions of the dissenters, on occasion of a second connexion of the same kind, some years after, I shall here only state in a few words the causes Avhich precipitated the downfall of IFarrington Aca- demy. These were, in short, the want of an established fund, secure from fortune and ca- price; the incapacity of preserving proper dis- cipline from the untowardness of the situation, and the injudicious structure of the buildings; an enormous expence inconsiderately incurred, at a most unhappy juncture, in improving them; an uncommon failure of students for one year; and the luke-warmness of some of the trustees. And here, before I proceed to give an ac- count of my associates in office, iiiy duty urges me to discharge a debt of justice to the t7 ustees, whose behaviour to me was liberal and respect- ful on all occasions, worthy of gentlemen and dissenters! To one of them, Samuel Shore, Esq. grati- tude compels me to break through decorum in thus puhlkli) acknowledging a peculiar obliga- tion, in consequence of an ingenuous informa- GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 217 tion respecting the literary proficiency of one of his sons : a proof of genuine good sense and true magnanimity, which i'ew parents indeed, as I have found by experience, are capable of oivino;. The invitation also of the supcrintcndants of this institution M'as conducted in an honour- able manner: I shall in this pLice insert the letter of the President, Sir Henry Hoghton. " Warrlnjrton Academy, ** Rev. Sir, Thursday, July'i, 17 79-— l o'clock. " The Trustees of the Warrington Academy, at their general annual meeting held this day, have unanimously agreed to request your acceptance of the office 0/ Classical Tutor in the Academy, on the terms proposed to you by Dr. Enfield : and they doubt not that your connexion with this seminary will be as agreeable to you, as it wili be respectable to them. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, H. HoGHTON, President."" Our Divinity tutor, Dr. Aikkv, vas a irentleman whose endowments, as a man and as a scholar, according to my sincere judg- ment of him, it is not easy to exaggerate by panegyric. In his life he was rigorou-sly virtuous, and, 218 LIFE OF when I knew him, under a self-government, as perfect as a participation of human weaknesses can well allow. He has acknowledged to me his irascible propensities in early life, and the difficulties which he had encountered in this discipline of his temper. Religion had brought every wayw^ard idea and irregular passion into subjection to the laws oi reason, and had erected her trophy in the citadel of his mind. Yet I must candidly acknowledge that the hiiih esteem and even veneration, in which I held this gentleman, received some abatement several years after his decease, on hearing from a friend at Nottingham, of unquestionable vera- city, who had formerly been his scholar at Kib- worth, in Leicestershire, some mortifying in- stances of severity in the castigation of his pupils. And should an historian faithful to his trust '" sitj)press the relation of this blemish, compensated by such various and exalted ex- cellencies? " velut si Egregio inspersos reprendas corpore nsevos." •= " Like a fair flice when spotted with a mole." ■* •* Nequid veri non audeat. Cicero de OratH. 15. W. •= Horace, Sat. L Q. 67. «• Francis. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 219 As 7)r. Aikiiis whole coiuluct was strictly moral, so the inlluences of religion upon his heart were permanent and awful. He was be- nevolent and candid in all his judgments on the character of others; of great hospital it \% as 1 myself experienced; quick to discern and ready to acknowledge true merit, wlicrever it resided; not tenacious of his own opinions, but patiently attentive, beyond almost any man I ever knew, to the reasonings of an opponent; perfectly open to conviction; of an affability, softened by a modest opinion of himself, that endeared him to all; and a politeness of de- meanour seldom found even in an elevated station. His intellectual attainments were of a very superior quality indeed. His acquaintance with all the evidences of revelatiofi, with morals, poli- tics, and metaphysics, was most accurate and extensive. Every path of polite literature had been traversed by him, and traversed with suc- cess. He understood the Hebrew and French languages to perfection: and had an intimacy with the best authors of Greece and Rome, su- perior to what I have ever known in any dis- senting minister from my own experience. His taste for composition was correct and elegant: and his repetition of beautiful passages (though 220 LIFE OF accompanied with a theatrical pomp and state- liness), highly animated, and expressive of sen- sibility. At an early period of his life he was in the capacity of a French clerk in some mercantile house in London ; w^here he acquired hio ex- traordinary facility in the French tongue. Growing weary of a condition but ill-suited to his disposition, and unworthy of his genius, he became a pupil, and soon after an assistant tu- tor, in Dr. Doddrklge^s Academy^ at Northamp- ton; and, about the year 1730, accompanied that gentleman to the superintendant of the Ecclesiastical Court, at the time when a prose- cution against the doctor for keeping an aca- demy, as a dissenter, was meditating by some high-church bigots of those da3^s : with whose merciful intentions George II. interfered, by declaring, that no such proceeding should be permitted in his reign.*" The public is in possession of no literary ' " Agreeably to the noble and generous maxim he had laid down, that, during his reign, there should be no persecu- tion for conscience -sake,' observes Orton, at the close of his account of this scandalous transaction. See his Memoirs of Doddridge, 1/66, p. 250—253. Biog. Brit. 2d edit. V, 306. Art. Doddridge. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 221 production fi'om Dr. Aikiu,^ to the best of my knowledge, but a note in his son's " Biographi- cal Memoirs of Medicine;" a work that wants nothino; l)ut it's continuation. He entertained one opinion of great singu- larity, nor compatible, I think, with the gene- ral sobriety of his judgment, and the solidity of his understanding, yet common to some other worthy men ;^ viz. that sincere and zeal- ous preachers of the Gospel among unenlight- ened nations, would be favoured with the gift of tongues and other miraculous powers, which attended the first Teachers of Christianity. i Dr. Aikin was the author also of a Latin preface to the selections from Pliny, published by his son, and of some occa- sional articles in the Monthly Review. s Of this opinion was Grotius, concerning whom Dr. MiDDLETON has tlicse remarks: "■ He took the conversion of the Heathens to be an occa- sion so worthy of the divine interposition, as not to doubt, he says, but, that if any person were employed in it at this day, in a manner agreeable to the will of our Lord, he would find himself endued with a power of working miracles ! From which declaration of so learned and judicious a critic, we may observe, how fallacious the judgment, even of the wisest, will ever be found, when deserting the path of nature and expe- rience, and giving the reins to fancy and conjecture, they at- tempt to illustrate the secret councils of Providence." MiDDLETON on Grol'ius in Marc. xvi. 17. — Preface ta *' Free Enquiry," &c. Wvrhs, 4 to. I. xv. 222 LIFE OF This incomparable person died December 14, 1780, aged 67,^ leaving* behind him two chil- dren wortliy of such a father — Mrs. Barbaidd and Dr. John Aikin — the undoubted heirs of his talents and his virtues: " Prirao avulso non deficit Alter ^lurtus, et siinili frondescit virga metallo."'^ " One pluck'd away, a second branch you see Shoot forth in gold, and glitter through the tree." '' •* The following Epitaph in the Meeting-House at War- rington, was written by Mr. Wakefield : Memoriae S. Reverendi Viri JOANNiS AIKIN, D.D. In Academia Warringtoniana Primb Literarum humaniorum, Deinde, Theologiae, Per Annos viginti tres, Professorisj Judicio imprimis limato, candido, subtilij Liberalium penitiorumque Doctrinarum disciplina Instructissimi : Comis, benevolus, pins, Et Hominis et Christian! Munera Cumulatissime explevit : Obiit die 14to. Decembris, Anno Salutis 1/80, iEtatis 6/. Academic Curatores, Honoris ergo I'onendam statuerunt. i yEneid. VI. 143. " Pitt. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 223 The fine genius and noble sentiments of those distinguished characters have been as- certained by too many monuments of litera- ture to require, in their commendation, the feeble efforts of my pen. The philosophical department, and that of the belles-lettres, were filled by my most valued and respected friend the late Dr. fFilliam En- field, abundantly known to the pifb lie, as an in- dustrious, elegant, and instructive M^'iter; and to his acquaiutance as the most amiable of men. No commendations can exceed the merit of his unremitting, and, in many instances, dis- interested assiduity, in the discharge of his duties, as a tutor and director of this academy, sometimes even to his own loss. His conscientious and useful labours never received that reward, either of pecuniary com- pensation or honourable and respectful ac- knowledgment, to which they were entitled : and my friend, for tzvelve years of unceasing- application and perpetual anxiety, endured with cheerfulness and contentment, had but little consolation beyond the consciousness of desert, which defies alike the tyranny of for- tune and the rage of malice. So sincere and uninterrupted was our mu- tual respect ' and harmony, that the beautiful * I had an opportunity^ which does not fall to the lot of 224 LIFE OF lines of Virgil were not applied to the faithfiii warriors M'ith more strict propriety, than their purport was exemplified in our friendly union, through the whole period of this connexion. " His amor unus erat, pariterque in bella ruebatit; Turn quoque communi portam statione tenebant." "" One was their care, and their delight was one, One conimon hazard in the field thej shard. " Dr. Enfield died Novembers, 1797, in the Jifty-seventh year of his age. Three volumes of his sermons have been since published, to every man, of knowing what this excellent person thought of myself, when he had no temptation to disguise his feelings. The death of a Clergi/man of the name of Wakefield was an- nounced in the Nottingham paper. Dr. Enfield wrote to our colleague. Dr. Clayton, soon after j and the following is an extract from his letter: " Dear Sir, Thorpe, near Norwich, Jan. 5, 1766. " A XBTTER from my son informs me of the death of our much esteemed colleague and friend, Mr, Wakefield, but gives me no particulars relating to it. I was much affected by the news, and feel sincere regret at the loss of a man, with whom I was so nearly connected, in whose society I have passed so many agreeable hours, and whose abilities, learning, and integrity entitled him to so high a dfgree of esteem." W. vp" IEa\ IX. V. 182. n Drvden, GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 225 which Dr. Aikin prefixed a short memoir of his friend. When he engaged in the mathematical and philosophical departments at JVarri7igton he appears to liave mistaken his talents, as many- good men have done before him; and, indeed, this mistake of his jndgment he afterwards ac- knowledged to me, with a magnanimity more honourable to his character than all supe- riority of intellectual accomplishments. Dr. Aikin's misapprehension ° upon this sub- ject must be attributed, in some measure, to his warmth of friendship for so meritorious a colleague. For where that writer errs (and when will mortality be perfect) a cause must be investio-ated in the innocent fallibilities of ° It is presumed that the passage to which Mr. Wakefield refers is the following : " On a vacancy in the mathematical department of the academy, it was found impracticable to give adequate en- couragement from the fund it possessed to a separate tutor in that branch. Dr. Enfield was, therefore, strongly urged to undertake it; and by the hard study of one vacation he quali- fied himself to set out with a new class, which he instructed with great clearness and precision ; himself advancing in the science in proportion to the demand, till he became a very excellent teacher in all the parts which were requisite In the academical course." Aikin's Biographical Account, p. xii, VOL. I. Q 226 LIFE OF humanity, and not in the censurable defi" ciencies of the heart. J)r. Clayton (afterwards of Nottingham) succeeded, on the death of Dr. Aikin, to the tutorship of Divinity. He was for some j-ears minister at the Octagon in Liverpool (where a hturgy M'as used), and the author of two ser- mons', one occasioned by the dissohition of that society, and the other on prayer, preached at a meeting of dissenting ministers: both of them excellent compositions. This gentleman was my very particular friend, and I might here indulge those en- comiums of his intellect and heart, which even envy would not attribute to the undiscerning partiality of affection, p The celebrated Dr. Taylor of Norivich was the predecessor of Dr. Aikin, at the first open- ing of the academy; but died in a year or two, I think, after his appointment. The reader, who is acquainted with the writings of this very learned, liberal, and ra- tional divine, cannot fail to be impressed with sentiments highly favourable to the gentleness and forbearance of their author : for even the meekness of Christianity itself is exhibited in P Dr. Clayton died a few years since. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 227 his prefaces and occasional addresses to the reader. IjLit he was, in reality, a very peevish and angry disputant in conversation, and dicta- torial even to intolerance. So imperfect a judgment may be formed of the mikhiess or asperity of any author from the correspondent quality of his writings ! This institution had also the honour of Dr. Priestley's abilities in it's service for several years : a man on a\ hom I shall not now lavish those praises, Mhich confer more honour on the giver than the receiver of them. The last of tliis laudable fraternity whom I shall mention, but not the " least in love," is the Rev. George JFalker, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and for many years dissenting minister at Nottino'ham. This gentleman, take him for all in all, possesses the greatest variety of knowledge, with the most masculine understanding, of any man I ever knew. He is in particular a ma- thematician of singular accomplishment. His *' Treatise on the Sphere," long since pub- lished, and one upon the " Conic Sections," are the vouchers of my assertion. His two volumes " of Sermons " are preg- nant with the celestial lire of genius, and the 2 228 LIFE OF vigour of noble sentiments. His " Appeal to the People of England" "^ upon the snbject of the Test Laws would not be much honoured by my testimony in it's favour, as the best pam- phlet published on that occasion, M'ere not this judgment coincident with the decision of the honourable Charles James Fo.v, mIio declared to a friend of mine the same opinion of it's ex- cellence: an approbation Mdiich the author of that appeal will know how to value. But these qualifications, great and estimable as they are, constitute but a mean portion of his praise. Art thou looking, reader! like Msop in the fable, for a Man ? Dost thou want an intrepid spirit in the cause of truth, liberty, and virtue — an undeviating rectitude of action — a boundless hospitality — a mind su- perior to every sensation of malice and re- sentment— a breast susceptible of the truest friendship, and overflowing with the milk of human kindness — an ardour, an enthusiasm, in laudable pursuits, characteristic of mag- nanimity — an unwearied assiduity, even to his own hindrance, in public services? my ex- *i " The Dissenter's Pica J or the Appeal of the Dissenters to the Justice, Honour, and Religion of the Kingdom. By G. Walker, F.R.S. I/PO." GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 229 perience can assure tliee, that tliy pursuit may cease, thy doubts be banished, and thy hope be reahsed : for this is the man. Who, now will stay to compute the deduc- tion, which must be made from this sum of excellence, for sallies of passion, devoid of all malignity, and often excited by a keen in- dignation against vice ; and for vehemence and pertinacity of disputation ? His excel- lencies are capital virtues; his defects petty failings. I reflect to this day, with a pensive pleasure, saddened by regret, on the delight- ful converse — " That feast of reason, and that flow of soul" — ^ which I enjoyed with my colleagues; especi- ally at a weekly meeting, holden alternately at the house of each other, and rendered still more agreeable by the occasional accession of some congenial spirit, resident on the spot, or casually introduced as a visitor. " Tecum etenuii longos memini consumere soles." " While summer suns roll unperceived away." "■ Pope. 230 LIFE OF We once made an attempt to form another society at Warrington, merely literary, consist- ing of Dr. Enfield, the present Dr. Aikin, myself, and an assortment of the superior stu- dents: at which every member in his turn was to produce for discussion some composition in prose or verse, upon a subject of criticism, philosophy, or taste. I never relisht this sort of meeting, in which set speeches were ex- pected; but was happy enough when conver- sation glided by a natural and unprepared course into a literary channel. We soon oave it up. It was our practice to rise and address the president. I was not willing to be an indo- lent spectator of the oratory of my colleagues; and got up in my turn to harangue. I stam- mered, repeated, stood a statue of confusion, and — sat down. " Inceptus clamor frustralur hiantes."s " My sense was gone^ my speech was lost.' Yet this consolation remained, that I had great authorities to keep me in countenance. » yEn. VI. 493. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 231 " Le nouveau Ciceron tremblant, decolore Cherche en vain son discours siir la langue egare: En vain, pour gagner temSj dans ses transes alireuses, Tiaine du dernier mot les syllabes honteuses. II hesite, il begaye, et le triste orateur Demeure enfin muet aux yeux du spectateur."' « Boileau le Lutrin Chant. VI. 171, kc. 233 LIFE OF CHAP. XII. Mr. Wakefield's first theological PuMications—His rapidity of Composition — Devotion to theological Pursuits — Anec- dotes of a Clergyman — Mr. Wesley — Observations on the Character of Mr, Howard. 1781—1783. During my residence at Warrington, I began my theological career as an author early in the year 1781, with " A new Translation of the First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians," " accompanied by such notes only as were necessary to justify my variations from our established version. This attempt was received with tolerable favour by the public, and the whole impression has been long since disposed of; a success ■which has fallen to the lot of only a itw of my performances, though I have usually printed but a small number of them. In the course of a few months I publisht " For several letters occasioned by this uulplication, see Appendix (A). GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 233 my *' Essay on Inspiration," intended from a variety of arguments to prove such a gift, as commonly understood, not resident in the gospel writers. The general idea is good and impregnable; but the Mork is much less accu- rate than I could wish. During the same year, on occasion of some discussion with a very respectable and sensible friend, a quaker, I printed my Treatise on baptism." A dissenting clergyman in the neighbour- hood of Warrington felt himself disposed to regulate his ministerial functions by the doc- trine which I had endeavoured to establish ; but the wind of opposition from the mouths of his congregation began to blow so fresh upon this non-conformist, that, as I understood, he was compelled to take shelter from the storm in the haven of recantation and compliance. In the next year, 1782, my " new Transla- tion of St. Matthew, with notes, critical, phi- lological and explanatory," in 4to. made it's ap- pearance. This work cost me considerable pains, and has been honoured not only by the approbation, but applause of some of the best scholars and judges in this kingdom, sound * See Appendix (A), 234 LIFE OF and unsound in the faith — churchmen and dis- senters. Notwithstanding- all this, and it's undeni- able utility in giving the young student in di- vinity an insight into the phraseology of the Scriptures, in conjunction with the cheapness, considering it's bulk, fullness, and typographi- cal execution, beyond almost any production of it's time, after a sale of eighteen years, many copies, out of five hundred, remain to be dis- posed of at this hour. This work was very expensive, and taught me caution in these undertakings for the fu- ture. The remark of Juvenal is very applicable to this ill-fated production : . " Probltas laudatur, etalget."/ • " virtue, now-a-days. Gets only the cold charity of praise." ^ When I once put my hand to the plough, nothing but bodily infirmities induce me to look back; and when I have begun, I finish with unremitted industry and great rapidity.^ y Juv. Sat. I. 74. ^ Owen. ^ " Tu, dum tua navis in alto est. Hoc age, ne mutata retrorsum te ferat aura." HoR. Ep. I. 18. 87. W. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 235 This practice I mention merely as a fact, and not from vain-glory in any (quickness of conception or fluency of diction; and, more- over, as an apology for unavoidable inaccura- cies; because this effect arises from a consti- tutional ardour which will not suffer me to dwell long on the same object. ]\Iy " Translation and Commentary on St. IMatthew " \vas begun and completed within the compass of a few weeks; my "Treatise on Baptism " in nine days; and the first edi- tion of these memoirs was finished, all to a Httle polish, within twelve days from their com- mencement, in spite of imperfect sleep, multi- farious occupations, and an aching head. For the space of six years after leaving colleo-e, the Greek and Roman writers received a very small portion of my liomage, partly from want of books, but principally from my devotion to theological pursuits, which were carried on with the zeal of an enthu- siast. " Yet while your vessel's under sail. Be sure to catch the flying gale. Lest adverse winds with rapid force. Should bear you from your destin'd course." Francis, 236 LIFE OF During my abode at Warrington, especially, Pindus and Parnassus M'ere almost untrodden by my feet; abandoned for " Sion hill "' and Siloa's brook that flow'd Fast by the oracle of God." ^^ In that time I cultivated my acquaintance with the Old Testament in the original, even to a degree of intimacy with tiie Hebrew lan- guage ; I learnt also its kinsmen, the Syriac and Chaldee; I acquired perfectly the Samari- tan character, in which and in the Si^ro- Chaldaic version I read the Pentateuch; to these I added the JEthiopic, Arabic, and Persic, but the last less effectually, because less im- portant than the rest, to the purpose of the scriptures; and finally I read the Coptic ver- sion of the N'ezi) Testament with the utmost facility, and in the course of my reading made some improvements in the lexicon and gram- mar of that language. The merit of industry and good intention no man will refuse me, and malice herself shall acknowledge, that, if I have missed the truths ^ Milton, P. L. I. 10. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 237 of revelatwu, it is not my fault, l)nt my mis- fortune. " An idea now suggests itself, which is of some moment in mv own vindication, and Mill not be introduced unseasonably at this place. Besides a constitutional intrepidity in the cause of truth, an inherent disdain of tempo- rary expedients, and a native aversion to con- cealment and disguise, that decision and bold- ness, which appeared .in my theological per- formances from the very first, had it's origin, I can assure the reader, in a verv commendable motive. I had resolutely determined in that inge- nuous season of life, when mv conviction was fresh and strong upon my mind, yet uncor- rupted by " the world and the things of the world, ""^ to write an indelible testimony against myself" — to leave no palliation for apostacy, ■^ " If with all this cost and pains my purchase is but error, I may safely say^ to err hath cost me more, than it has many to find the truth j and Truth itself shall give me this testimony at least, that if I have missed of her, it is not my fault but my misfortune."' John Hales of Eton, " Letter to Abp. Laud." " 1 John ii. 15. ' Joshua xxiv. 22. " Patiar non molests, judices, earn vitara quae mlhi sui 238 LIFE OF no refuge from tlie reproach and infamy of mankind — should 1 ever make an offerino- of my integrity at the slirine of Mammon, or, to gratify a patron, bow doAvn in Rimmon's temple. The experience of the hving and the testi- monies of the dead conspired to shew what the Apostle had tauglit me, that " the love of money is the root of all evil. " f " forewarn'd by dire example to beware Apostacy, by what befel To these apostates." s What numbers have launched on the ocean of life with Conscience for their compass and Virtue at the helm; but alas! being imper- ceptibly seduced into a strange inattention to their security by the allurements of the gay- scene around them, have split upon the rock sponte antea jucunda fuerit nunc jam mea lege, et conditione, necessariam quoque futuram." Cicero in Verr. III. 2. W. I willingly consent that the plan of life, which was before, on it's own account, the most delightful to me, shall hence- forth also be rendered necessary, by the law and obligation which I fix upon myself, f 1 Tim. vi. 10. g Par, Lost, VII. 41. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 239 of interest, and sunk finally in the gulph of corrnption, amidst the cries and lamentations of all good men. A lady of P , whose son I occasionally assisted with private tuition, in the exuberance of her acknowledgments for this attention, spoke in terms of great magnificence of her interest with distino'uished churchmen, her re- lations, and of the very high probability that some good preferments would be my reward in no long time, through the instrumentality of so powerful a patroness. No preferment, at any period, would have presented to my mind even an evanescent temptation to renew subscriptmi to the articles, I made, however, no discovery of my deter- mination to this fair tantalizer; wilhng to allow her all the merit of so generous an interference with her great friends in my behalf. But after all, she performed no service, and I felt no dis- appointment. During one of the years of my residence in this place, I saw in the papers an advertise- ment from Camb?idge, offering a prize to the best essay " on the Necessity of a Redeemer.'' 240 LIFE OF by any person, who then was, or had been, a member of that university, and was under thirty years of age. I immediately determined to collect into one view my thoughts, at various times, on this most important subject, and took the pains of arranging all the texts of the Neio Testament relating to it, under the proper heads; inter- spersing occasional remarks, and adding such authorities from antient and modern writers, as my share of learning at that time and my scanty library enabled me to exhibit, I sent in my exercise by the day appointed, but with my customary fortune.'' The prize was conferred on an essay neither so learned nor elaborate as mine ; whether by a determination consonant to the i^eal judg- ment of the examiners on it's merits, or whether the accuracy of their theological noses disco- vered some heretical taint lurking in my papers, it is not in my power to determine: for, if I rightly remember, a scrupulous conformity to the orthodoxy of the Church of England was an indispensible condition of acceptance to every exercise. ^ " Durat in extremum, vitseqne novissima nostrae Prosequitur fati, qui fuit ante, tenor." Ovid, Ep.VIL 111. W. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 241 Whilst I liv^ed at Warrington Dr. P- « red-hot orthodox Oxonian, preferred to a good henefice, I think, in Berkshire, hut usually resident for a few months every year at this town, uhere his own and his wife's relations also lived, preacht a furious sermon against all innovators and heretics^ at Sankey- street Chapel, which I often frequented from an aversion to the mode of praying among dis- senters. It so fortuned that I was not there upon this occasion ; hut various parts of this dis- course were personal, and specific enough abun- dantly to satisfy the whole congregation that the pellet was shot at me ; and I was informed of this attack from all quarters. Afterwards, the doctor perceiving that, in this attempt at popularity, he had misst his aim, and that the heretical object of his theo- logical pop-gun was in better estimation with the people than he hoped, (by the benefit of this competition, for he was himself univer- .sally disliked,) requested Mr. Oxven, rector of Warrington, to signify, that I was not in his intention in that discourse, and had been mis- informed upon the point. The most candid judge at that time, I am sure, under a knowledg-e of all the circum- VOL. I. R 242 LIFE OF stances of the case, would have rejected this palliative without hesitation, as a nauseous compound of hypocrisy and meanness/ ' The doctor was excessively avaricious. He would not allow his servants to sit down at dinner, lest the ease of their situation should incline them to eat more than might be good for them, or than they would be apt to eat in a standing pos- ture: which was a curious refinement in ihe pinching system ; but I hope no curmmlgeon will light upon this narrative, and turn to his own account this expedient of oeconomical inge- nuity. One day says the doctor to the barbers lad who afterwards drest me: "Tom! can't you take this old wig of mine, and dress it up a bit ? I'll give you a shilling : — but be sure you don't let your master know." The lad at once closed with the offer, but feeling no fondness for his employer, told his master and fellow 'prentices of his private job. To work he went with Irons so hot as scorcht and eventually destroyed tlie bottom of the hair, whic*h yet kept, for a time, a fresh and stiff curl to the eye. '' Aye ! this is well done, Tom ! indeed : there's a shilling for you," says our divine : not doubting but tlie peri' ivig had taken " eternal buckle" under the hands of this ex- pert artificer. In a day or two the doctor went out in this renovated busby; but meeting unfortunately with a heavy shower in his ride, the curls hung down never to be raised again ! and be- trayed the canker at the root. " Purpureus veluti cum flos, succisus aratro, Languescit moriens : lassove papavera collo Demisere caput, pluvia cum forte gravantur. ^n. IX, 435. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 243 Over against tliis Dr. P lived a sugar-baker, **^ by name, at wbose house the* celebrated Mr. Wesley M'as sometimes en- tertained on his progresses. It is well known that this extraordinary man was uniformly a pertinacious stickler for the pre-eminence oi academical graduates among his clergy; and (if I am rightly informed) the undignified tribe, whatever their ministerial excellencies might be, were never admitted to the administration of certain more important functions in the church. One day the preachers were walking about the room, or looking into the street, as fancy dictated. It was casually mentioned among them that the opposite house belonged to a clergyman whose name was Dr. P . " Aye;" says one of the uninitiated subalterns, ■with a length of countenance and a drawling " As a gay flower, with blooming beauties crown'd. Cut by the share, lies languid on the ground ; Or some tall poppy, that, o'ercharg'd with rain. Bends the faint head, and sinks upon the plain." Pitt. When Tom made his regular visit the next day, he saw the doctor ready equipped with a horse-whip in his hand, to give him a warm reception Tom's conscience smote bimj he took to his heels, and consigned the beard and periwig of his reverence to another artist. W, o 244 LIFE OF tone; '^ there were no doctoi^s in divinity in our Saviour's time!" " I don't know that," re- phed JVesley, with some eagerness: ''I don't know that St. Paul might not very properly be called a Doctor in Divinity.''' I went, when he ^vas at Warrington, to hear Mr. Wesley preach. There Avas nothing in his discourse either to admire or despise. The familiar address after the sermon con- tained admonitions, or censures of the audi- ence, remarks upon the state of their parti- cular congregation, and short histories of his own exploits. I was diverted not a little with the conclu- sion of one of the Jiymns, and I supposed till this day that Hogarth had taken advantage of the early excesses of the sect, when he em- ployed the lines, which I am going to produce, in his plate of Credulity, Enthusiasm, and Super- stition; but W^esley gave the- inspiring couplet on this occasion with a warmth of emphasis to the enraptured audience : " Only love to us be given \ Lord I we ask no other heaven." The renowned philanthrope, Mr. Howard, visited me at IFarrifigton, and I was in his com- pany several other times. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 245 The impressions of his character, which these interviews left on my mind, were those of a man rigorously conscientious; free from immoralities himself, and inexorable to those of others; ardent, to enthusiasm, in all his projects; of unconquerable perseverance; of perfect punctuality in every engagement; stern, self-sufficient, arbitrary, and assuming; inat- tentive to the conversation of others; and im- patient in company, when not occupied in the recital of his own adventures. This character'' of Mr. Howard (in the former edition of these memoirs) though very different from the studied encomiums of his panegyrists, yet coincides, as I have since understood, with the sentiments of others, who have formed their opinion from more frequent opportunities of intercourse, and an association more familiar and more durable than mine. In fact his zeal respecting prisons was his hobby -ho7'se; and happening to be an amiable one, and suited to his tpmper, from principle benevolent, and intrepidly persevering from nature, it acquired, of course, universal vener- ation. ^ The question with me is, Is it truth > if so, I never re- gard any imputation when the facts cannot be disputed j and am quite indifferent to the judgments of those, who are afraid of encountering Truth under any form. W. 240 LIFE OF Mr.Hotcard was destitute of those enlarged conceptions which the cultivation of letters, and a liberal profession of religion are calcu- lated to produce. You niiglit admire him at a distance, but he wanted those accomplish- ments wliich command afjtction. Thus the astronomer regards our earthy in his general calculations, as an even sphoiroid ; but a near inspection shews it's surface to be depressed invallies, protuberant in hills, and exasperated bj a thousand inequalities. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 24^ CHAP. XIII. Mr. Wakefield removes to Bramcote — Publishes " Directions for Students in Theology"— Removes to Richmond —Anec- dotes of Bennett and Leivis. 1/83, 1784. The JVarriugton Academy being now dis- solved, I, of course, having, as the apostle has expressed it, '' no more place in these parts," removed with my family, and fixt myself in the autumn of 1783 at Bramcote, a most i)lea- sant village within four miles of Nottingham on the Derby road. ]My wish was to have procured a few pupils for my maintenance ; and, in prosecution of this purpose, I wrote to all my friends, real or pretended,' and among the last description ] (t Di tibi sint facileS;, et opis nuUius egentem Fortunam praestent, dissimilemque meae. — Atque hsec, exemplis quondam collecta priorurUj Nunc mihi sunt propriis cognita vera malis. Vix duo tresve mihi de tot superestis, amicij Csetera fortunae, non mea, turba fuit. Ovid. Trist. I. 5. 33. 248 ^ LIFE OF found Dr. For tens, my Lord of Chester, as he then was, to claim his station."' Still, however, I made excuses to myself for that great incivility of a total neglect to answer my letter, which indeed nothing can justify one human creature in exercising to- wards another; and in tlie fidlness of my good opinion, dedicated to him in the beginning of 1784, my anonymous tract, " on the Study of Divinity,"" without any interested view what- ever; for I dare say he never knew the author, till I annext it, several years afterwards, to tiie list of my publications. I do not repent of that dedication, because a conscientious and respectful action needs no m We cannot but apprehend that Mr. Wakefield, whose own practice, in similar cases, was so uniformly cautious, was on this account more liable to construe too literally the intention of those customary expressions of respect and good- will which are so current in society, especially among persons of the higher orders; this we think influenced him in the present instance, and in a former part of his memoirs, to con- clude somewhat too hastily against the sincerity of Bishop Por- teus, upon whose patronage his claims appear to have been but slender, and very different from those which he might reasonably make on Bishop Pretyman, and other exalted churchmen. " The title of this little work (which has been quoted be- fore in these notes) is " Directions for the Student in Theo-' logy," 1784, GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 249 repentance: but plentiful proof has convinced me, since the inauspicious hour of it's produc- tion, that the encomium was undeserved. All my applications were ansvv^ered only by a single pupil, who had been a student under me at Warrington. In this rural retreat of Bramcote I carried on my theological studies with incessant vigour, and produced the first volume of an " Enquiry into the Opinions of the Christian Writers of the three first Centuries concerning the Per- son of Jesus Christ,"" which I carried down no further than to the conclusion of the apos- tolic age; and meeting with no encouragement to continue my plan, I have long since drop- ped it for ever. This production has been very pointedly commended by men, whose judgment would do honour to any work. The Rev. Air. Parkhurst, formerly of Clare Hall, Cambridge, bestowed part of a book, written more particularly against Dr. Priest- ley, in attempting to confute some of the po- sitions in this publication. If I recollect rightly, ° This work was dedicated to Dr. Watson, Bishop of Lan- dqff, as a tribute of respect for his great learning, and, then, highly liberal principles. In the Appendix, [A], will be found the bishop's letter of acknowledgment to Mr, Wakefield on tl^is occasion. 250 LIFE OF his arguments were nothing more than some of the stale futilities on tlie plural termination of the Hebrew word Elohim^ in defence of the P Mr. Frend, in his Letters to Bishop Pretyman, has the following ingenious observations on an argument which is so great a favourite with Orthodox Christians. " Your lordship finds the Trinity in the first verse of Genesis, because forsooth a noun plural in the Hebrew lan- guage is joined to a verb singular; and the English reader is to rest his faith upon your lordship's ' critical studying of lan- guages and phrases." " I used formerly, and your lordship probably continues to be much in company with Norfolk men, w'ho from a pe- culiarity of dialect, when they speak in the third person, join in the present tense a noun in the singular to a verb in the plural. Thus they say, George do love Susan, not George loves Susan ; Nelson fight well, not Nelson fights well ; but they mean exactly the same as other Englishmen, who use singular nouns with singular verbs. — The expression of the Norfolk men, and the expression in the first verse of Genesis, are idioms of speech, and both may probably be accounted for in a similar manner. I was one day carelessly turning over a folio, in which was, I think, Ingulph's relation of the in- cursions of the Danes into this country, of whom a great num- ber by his account were by compact settled in Norfolk. This circumstance led me to reconsider the peculiarity of the Nor- folk dialect; and on examining the Danish grammar, I found that it was no solecism in Denmark, but the regular structure of the Danish language. A similar circumstance, at this dis- tance of time not so easily ascertained, may have occasioned the peculiarity of the Hebrew language; and a greater insight into the languages of Africa, where Alam is still in many GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 251 Trinity, unworthy of a moment's consideration. If such remarks were p/iilologicalli/ just (which thev are not) who would choose to construct a system so extraordinary upon the weak founda- tion of a grammatical singularity of language? This gentleman Avas author of a Hehrew parts the name for god, will perhaps afford a clue to us in fu- ture researches." Animadversions on the Elements of Christian Theology, Letter XII. pp. 90 and 91. Dr. Johnson's well-known most scrupulous adherence to the doctrines termed orthodox, would never suffer him to re- ject the aid of any argument that could be thought to give, countenance to his favourite tenets. The terms, however, in which the doctor speaks of the argument in favour of the Trinitij, drawn from the first chapter of Genesis, which Bishop Pretyman has considered as deserving his support, is striking, and well worthy of attention from those who agree with the bishop. Speaking of the celebrated Father Paul, Johnson remarks, that " being made a priest at twenty-two, he was distinguished by the illustrious cardinal Borromeo with, his confidence, and employed by him on many occasions, not without the envy of persons of less merit, who were so far exasperated as to lay a charge against him, before the in- quisition, for denying that the Trinity could be proved from the first chapter of Genesis ; hut the accusation was too ridi- culous to le taken notice of." Life of Father Paul Sarpi in Works, XII. p. 5. The circumstance concerning which Dr. Johnson thus ex- presses himself, occurred so long ago as the year 15^4, at the very fountain head of orthodoxy and superstition. 36'i LIFE OF lexicon, :iii(I otlu-r ])crFormancc.s, which in every l>Ji<»;e betray a most: romantic and lanci- i'nl sujxnstition, anri ahun(hincc of ridiculous etymologies. One cause, to w hich I have attributed the cool recc|)l ion ol my writings, in addition to snc'ii as must Ix^ ob\ ions to the uiost iindis- cerning re;i(lcr, is ihe unrelenting severity M'itli which those rcxncws, in most estimation at that time, j)roseeuted every publication from my ])en. ]\Ir. luidcovk, then a writer in the DIojilhljj Jlccicxv, M'as labouring, like many otiiers, to prove the sincerity ol" his conxtrsion by the ?n()st vehement attacks on his first connexions, 'Wo; Se to the spirit of these " Memoirs " by shewii)"' iiivsclf as I am. IMaiikind, however, should be made to un- derstand (and such arrogant dictators i.i parti- cular) that the office of a tutor is of the first usefulness and dignity in society; and that no which it mny be carried.— May not the same be said of educa- tion, particularly of speaking, and English composition? Any gentleman with learning and talents, who studies to improve this branch, will deserve the thanks of the public, and when his merit is known, will doubtless have the power of requir- ing such terms as will soon make him easy for life, if not re- warded by preferment in the church." tc Sir, Kottinj^ham, January ] 0, 1785. " Your letter confirms me in a suspicion, which your conversation excited, that you would not easily be satis- fied witli any treatment of your son. You suppose me, no doubt, to be some needy schoolmaster, who will be glad of a pupil upon any terms. You are mistaken. I have a degree of spirit and liberality, I do assure you, which some, I perceive, in more affluent circumstances and politer life appear not to possess, I do not wish that any man should entrust his son to my care, who does not think it of as much importance to hiviselfas to me. My merit is not lo l-e tried and to be known, as you suppose ; it has been tried, and is well known : and I am happy to number some of the greatest characters of this kingdom, in station, abilities, and virtue, among my friends. That I have not been served by them n:ore eiiectually may seem a singularity to you; b"jt it is a singularity for which f could easily account." "W. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 275 pecuniary compensation can be a proper equi- valent for a conscientious inspection of the morals, and the comnumication of valuable knowledge." Let us hear on this subject the admirable remarks of a spirited Ro77ian. " Isto modo, ne medico quidquam debere te, nisi mercedulam, dices; ncc pra^ceptori, quia aliquid numeraveris: atqui omnium horum apud nos magna caritas, magna reverentia est. Quasdam pluris sunt quam emuntur. Emis a medico rem inEestimabilem, vitam ac valetudi- nem bonam; a bonarum artium pra^ceptore, studia liberalia, et animi cultum. Itaque .his 7ion rei pretium, sed opera solvitiir: mercedem non meriti, sed occupationis sua? ferunt." ^ • See Aul. Gell.IX. 3. W. P Senec. de benef. VI. 15. In the same manner you will say that you owe nothing to the physician but a squall fee, nothing to the preceptor, because you have paid him the trifle which is his due: while, on the other hand, they are considered by us as benefoctors entitled to sentiments of the greatest affection and respect. Some things are of greater value than the mere sums for which they are purchased. You buy from the physician invaluable articles — life and good health. From the teacher of useful science you purchase a taste for liberal pursuits, and a cultivated mind. To them, therefore, not the value of (lie benefit which they o 276 LIFE OF Though I had never read the church-ser-' vice, in puhlic, since I gave up my curacy at Liverpool, in June, 1779, I had preached now and then, at various seasons, and in several places. These I shall specify, as they will take up no long time in the enumeration, and will fill up the chart of my theological opera- tions as a deacon in the Church of England. Cut my sermons were all free-will offerings, and received no pecuniary compensation, I preacht, once or twice in 1783, for the curate of Bramcote, in the church there, and once in the mother-church of Attenboroughy a village about two miles south of Bramcote, on the banks of the Trent, and famous for giving birth to Henry Ireion, Lord Deputy of Lreland during the Protectorate, and son-in-law to Ci'omwell. Indeed our little county was eminently fertile of those choice spirits, who, in the seventeenth century, instructed mankind with such energy and success in the lessons of civil liberty, which their disciples, of our days, have practised in a manner infinitely honour- able to themselves and their preceptors: but communicate, but of the labour vvliich they expend, is repaid: they receive the recompense not of their deserts, but of tlieir exertions and employments. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 277 the names of those heroes I cannot give with sufficient exactness and authority. I preaclit the sermon at Richmond upon the general peace in 1784-,'^ at the request of my brother; the Injlrmarif sermon at St. Peter s, NottinirJuim, in 178.5 or 1786; and twice at St. Marij^s, about the same time. And there ends my list of these exliibitions from the pul- pit. My affairs went on in a cahn uninterrupted tranquillity, with respect to my tuition, my family, and my studies, to the spring of 1786, when I was seized with a pain in ray left shoulder, from a grievance, of which no ac- count could ever be given, and which, for two entire years, harasst me beyond measure, and almost beyond endurance, without material abatement: nor am I delivered from the ap- prehension of a return, or the occasional im- pressions of it, to this hour. For three iveeks I have not been able to lie down in bed for as many hours at one time, and, without opiates, could seldom procure ease or sleep. " Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum, Teiidimus in Latiuni, sedes ubi fata quietas Ostendunt." «" 1 This sermon was afterwards publislieii. ' Mn. I, 20S. 278 LIFE OF Through such varieties of woe, we gain That " land of promise" where no ills remain 5 But Truth and Mercy endless bliss ordai jmain ; > n, J An entire interrnption of my studies was the necessary consequence of this unrelenting* malad}^; except that I endeavoured to lull my pains in the earlier stages of this disorder, by writing some remarks on the poems of Gray, to which the publisher prefixed a life of the poet without my knowledge, and without the consent of it's author, who, on occasion of this literary depredation (equally displeasing to my- self and the aggrieved party) wrote me an angry letter. Some other articles Mere huddled together at the end without my approbation. The only fruits of this publication, which was indulged with the warm encomiums of all the periodical journals of that time, were a single copy for myself. The ^'Geo}-gics of Virgir' also afforded my mind some alleviation in this distress. An en- thusiastic admiration of the finest poem of the most accomplished poet in the nni verse, next to the studies and consolations of religion, fur- nisht the most powerful alleviation of this series of sorrows. A consideration of the very disadvantage- ous circumstances, in which that publication GILBERT WyVKEFIELD, Ifg was prepared for the press, M'ili dispose the candid critic to make suitable allowances of ex- culpation for it's many inaccuracies and imper- fections. Some of the criticisms need no apo- logy, and M'ill be received by the ablest judges with gratification and applause. And in this place, where I am mentioning a work printed at their press, it becomes me to declare the liberality with which the Un'i- versity of Cambridge usually conducts publica- tions of this nature: the recital of which can- not fail to reflect upon them abundant honour from the learned of all denominations. The work is proposed to the syndics or cu- rators of the University press. One of their body is requested to read it, in orrh-r to form an estimate of it's merits, and to judge of the expediency of printing it, with respect to the credit or discredit of the work to their body, and the university at large. Upon his appro- bation the work is consigned to the press; the whole expence is defrayed by the university, and the entire copy presented gratis to the author. The only interference of the syndicate on these occasions is, to fix the price of the vo- lume, which is usually, but not much, below the current rate; that the public, on one liand. 280 LIFE OF may be accommodated, and on the other, no inducement holden out to the speculating mp- nopohsers of these articles of trade. Some typographical inaccuracies deform this edition of the Georgics, from trusting the cor- rection of the press to others, Mho indeed ought not to be expected to submit to such an irksome task. It would be a very reasonable indulgence to us poor authors, were the legislature to suffer our proofs to be conveyed free, like newspapers, in a case open at each end for the prevention of fraud. Surely it would reflect no dishonour on any government to shew at least, this trivial token of it's respect for let- ters. Nor would the revenue be materially impaired. Many are induced to relinquish pub- lication altogether, or to defer their schemes of authorship to a time which never arrives, rather than encounter the enormous expences of such a reciprocation of postage as a work of any length requires; and thus that paper is not used which is productive to government by it's consumption. This is a very serious in-, convenience to many; and I am one who speak feelingly upon the subject, from experiment. I wish some statesman of taste and magna- nimity would stand our friend : these qualities GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 281 liave taken up their residence with Mr. Fox, who would perform a congenial service in at- tempting the accomplishment of our relief. The debility of mind and body occasioned by the malady mentioned above, rendered a suitable attention to my pupils an absolute im- possibility. I retained one only, Mr. Robert Hibbert, the cousin of my former patron, who was soon to be transferred to the university. The society of this ingenuous and amiable youth' was a source of perpetual satisfaction; and he usually past his vacations with me till the completion of his academical career in his first degree. I tried change of air at Riclimojid and at Scarborough; but Time was to me the master physician that, in the word^ o? Sophocles, ''made all things easy.'" * The generous token of regard and gratitude which Mr. "Wakefield received from this gentleman, under circumstances that rendered it peculiarly acceptable, will be mentioned in the continuation of these memoirs. t Xfoyo^ ya^ sy/Aa/:-/^^ ^eog. Elect. 180. W. 282 LIFE OF CHAP. XV. Remarhs on Bishop Horsley — Four Marks of Antichrist — " Internal Evidences of Christianity" — Silva Critica— Ventriloquist — Mr. Heyivood. 1788, 1789, In the beginning of the year 1788 I was induced to animadvert \vith all the severity, which, in my apprehension, the occasion re- quired, on some of tlie pompous inanities " of " The Apostles were, by infinite degrees, the best in- formed of all philosophers, says our learned polemic. " This position, if it were true, would invalidate the capital argument for the truth of Christianity — an argument perpetually insisted on by the sacred writers j namely, that the gospel was not indebted to the information of philosophers for it's establishment, but to plain unlettered men (Acts iv. 13), proclaiming the intelligence of their senses, and exhibiting in attendant miracles the power of God, as a complete demon- stration of their veracity. (1 Cor. i. 27. ii. 5. 2 Cor. iv. 7) " But the position, my lord, is unquestionably and abso- lutely false. Read the lives of Christ and the Apostles, as recorded by the four evangelists: read the history of the first preaching of Christianity, as related in the ^c/5 of the Apostles. produce me, if you can, but a single proof that the Apostles were possessed of one truth in Science or Philosophy, after GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 283 Dr. Horskij, now Bishop of Rochester,'' in an ordination sermon preaclied before Dr. Samuel. our Lord's ascension, which they were not acquainted with be- fore, and I will take shame and ignominy to myself, as ig- norant and prejudiced in the extreme. They preached what they had ^een, znd heard, ^uAfelt. (1 John, i. 1.) This was experience, not philnsophy .—They needed no philosophy ; they had none. The position is, indeed, grossly untrue j subver- sive of the fundamental support of revelation,- loudly contra- dicted by the lives of the Apostles, by the positive and express declarations o( scripture, by the whole spirit and oeconomy of the gospel. Nay, so jealous was the divine projector and con- ductor of his own supremacy in this grand undertaking, of any intermixture of human influence, that he would not admit the services of the learned Apostle of the Gentiles, till the Chris- tian revelation had been openly proclaimed and decisively au- thenticated by Fishermen and PulHcans, rude in speech, and weak in knowledge. And yet shall Dr. Horsley be bold enough to affirm, that the Apostles were, by infinite degrees, the lest informed of all philosophers! — My lord, I feel myself impelled by my love and reverence of Christianity to interfere on this occasion, and to reprobate such a solemn paradox, so unspeak- ably absurd in itself, and so flagrantly injurious to the cause of revelation, with all the vehemence of censure. *' What our divine has advanced in his twelfth and thir- teenth pages upon the utility of human learning * has so much my approbation, as to make me lament that he did not wholly ■"' Since translated to St. Asaph, * See Palcy's Moral I'hilosophy, II. 3o0, &c, ed* 8. 284 LIFE OF HaU'ifax, then Bishop of Gloucester, to mIioiti my " Remarks " were addressed " in a letter." confine his efforts to the illustration and enforcement of this topic on the gaping catechumens. There was no need, I will maintain, of learning to the Jirst pullishers of our religion : facts were their propositions, and miracles their proofs. But our hopes, in these later ages, rest upon the written records of those transactions. In proportion, therefore, to our ac- quaintance with history, to our capacity to estimate its credi- bility, to our knowledge of the human mind, to our acquaint- ance with human languages, to our sobriety and strength of judgment, to the fidelity of our memory, the comprehen- siveness of our understandings, and the promptness of our eloquence; — in proportion, I say, to our intellectual endow- ments, co-operating with that essential principle, singleness of heart, will be our ability to discover, and explain, and illustrate, and recommend, the gen uine.doctrines of the evan- gelical dispensation. " After some very questionable insinuations respecting \he present existence of a divine commission for an ordination to the ministry, our author enlarges again, with infinite com- placency, upon the prodigious acquirements of the plain men (IiJix-rai) of Nazareth, in terms of exaggeration so supremely ridiculous, as almost make it impossible for a candid man to suppose him serious. * The Apostles and primitive teachers,' says he, * were profound metaphysicians, the vest of moral- ists, well-informed historians, accurate logicians, and excel- lent in a peculiar strain of eloquence.' I can affirm, with great honesty and seriousness, that I never read, in the whole course of my lite, a more ludicrous specimen of pompous inanity — a declaration more extravagantly romantic, more ridiculously contemptible. That any person can have perused with atten- GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 28.} He had l)een an acquaintance of my father's, and a fellow of our college, to whom I was not unknown. It is most sincerely reo-retted hv me that the dispositions of Bishop Horsley should have been warped either by pride, ambition, or selfishness, to such an excessive obliquity as displays itself throughout his writings. The native vigour of his faculties, his various know- ledo'e, his eleo'ant and nervous stvle, and his ingenuity of invention, might have been hap- pily employed to the advancement of science, and to the confirmation and recommendation of the Chrislian'Ujj of the Scriptures. It is a miserable reverse to these o'lorious utilities, to sell one's self to a system, and to be occupied in the drudgery of an establishment for the sake of the rewards. Talk not to me of a concern for religion, and a veneration for truth, when a man is already in possession of great preferment,'' and is expecting more. tion the scriptures of the New Teslameni, and have finished his meditations in them with such impressions and sentiments as these, is to me, I own, perfectly incomprehensible." Remarks on Dr. Horsley's Ordination-Sermon, in a Letter to the Lord Bishop of Gloucester (the late Dr. Halifax), by Gilbert Wakefield, B, A. 1/88, pp. 9, 10, ice. f " Lucre diverteth and interrnptfth the prosecution and 286 LIFE OF Reason and Philosophy can accept with confi- dence no declarations of integrity and convic- tion, when a brihe has been received. " Discitej non inter lances mensasque nitentes. Cum stupet insanis acies fnlgoribus, et cum Acclinis falsis animus meliora recusat: Veriim hie impransi, mecum disquirite. Cur hoc? Dicam, si potero. Male verum examinat omnis .Corruptus Judex."'' *' Let's talk, my friends ! but talk before we dine: Not, when a gilt buffet's reflected pride Turns you from sound philosophy aside; Not, when from plate to plate your eye-balls roll, And the brain dances to the mantlinjr bowl.^ a Yet I alloM^, and am persuaded, that many dignified clergymen are perfectly honest and sincere in professing the doctrines of the church ; but it is an insult to the common advancement of knowledge like unto the golden ball thrown before Atalanta, which while she goeth aside, and stoopeth to take up, the race is hindered." Lord Bacon's " Adv. of Learning,"' book I. (Works, vol, L p. 21, 4to.) " Thou shalt take no gift; for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the word of the righteous." Exod. xxiii. 8. W. ^ Hor. Sat. IL 2. 4. ^ Pope. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 28 sense of mankind, in every age, to call tlicm unjnrjudiced and proper witnesses.'' We slioukl recollect the penetrating remark of the Jezcish sage — " The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately Avicked." I woidd not wish the reader to infer from the following ohservations that I am prepared to give an opinion upon the points in*" dispute between this sturdy polemic, Dr Horsleif, and his antagonist Dr. Priestley) because, in truth, I have not read the performances of either on the controverted topics : But one day, whilst I was waiting in a li- brary alone, I opened our prelate's book in that part of it, in which he descants on the Greek word JjwTti?. I smiled M-ithin me to ob- serve the craft with Avhich this pretender to ^ Clergymen, in other respects learned, intelligent, and inquisitive, but bigotted on the subject of ecclesiastical forms and discipline, and ignorant of the enlarged principles of that religious " liberty with which Christ has made us free," * and with which the happiness of mankind is so essentially con- nected, may be compared to the moth, which is unable to see in the blaze of day, and by night is eager to run into every taper that it discovers. W. c See Horsley's " Tracts in Controversy with Dr. Priestlev, Sec." and Priestley's " Defences of Unitarianism." l/po. * Gal .V.I. 288 LIFE OF philological precision had ramified the significa- tions of this poor word'' in all the ostentation of technical parade. In the autumn of this year, 1788, I puh- lished, without my name, a short tract under the title of "Four Marks of Antichrist, or a Supplement to the Warburtonian Lecture." My object in this little effort was to point out four characteristics of genuine Christianity in- compatible with the doctrines and constitution of the Church of Eno-land: in doinir which I unaccountably neglected to mention my ob- ** The term has two senses only, and is incapable of more. It's primary meaning is a man in a private station ; it's second- ary, that character which a man in private station usually exhibits. In such displays as these, the object of our artiticer of dis- putation was (I should suppose) after cannonading the castle of these non-conformist idiots with a volley of shot from his pedantic battery, to advance under the cover of the smoke, and take the fastnesses by storm, without the tediousness of a regular approach by the mines of argument or the lodgments of confutation, " I cannot but," with Lord Barrington, " have a very mean opinion of writers, who will put on the appearance of assurance and certainty, that they may carry the guise of per- fect knowledge and judgment to the bulk of their readers, where they are far from being at that certainty which they affect. And every one must have a worse opinion of those who give themselves this air only to serve private or party views." W. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 289 ligations to Mr. Evansotis Letter to Bishop Hiird. But the reader may possibly be curious to kno\7 upon what inducement /, of all men liv- ing, so unsuitably to my disposition and the general tenour of my life, once more^ sent into the world an anonymous '\^v\}\\Q?iX\riW \ and adopted a practice, not very allowable, in my opinion, when a man presumes to find fault, in terms of such vehemence, with the conduct and sentiments of his neighbours. For this procedure I will ingenuously state my reasons, with the utmost simplicity and clearness; not much perhaps to the credit of my prudence with the wary sons of circumspec- tion and design. In \\\Q first place, I had lived long enough in the world to be sensible of the magical in- fluence of a name in recommending a book to public notice, or in retarding it's advances to a popular reception. For once, therefore, I felt an inclination to try how an ambiguous title upon a very inte- resting subject would operate on the public. The revievv^ers, I think, gave a creditable criti- cism upon the performance, though they spoke ' See p. 98. - VOL. I. U 290 LIFE OF of the gall ill which the writer had clipped his pen. The scheme^ however, did not answer. Very few indeed were ever sold ; but more since it was known to be mine than before. I believe, in accounting for the general in- felicity of my publications, two other causes should be considered; the one is, a scarcity of advertising, to which I am driven by the enor- mity of the expence,^ which would readily swallow up all the profits of my little produc- tions; and the other, the want of that zeal which a M'ell-accnstomcd bookseller will exer* cise in the sale of works v/orthy of his pur* chase. My second and principal inducement to the suppression of my name, at the publication of that pamphlet, M^as, an unwillingness to disgust my good friends at Cambridge; or to speak more properly, a fear of irritating them to such a degree, by my rudeness to " the great god- dess Diana, whom all Asia worshippeth,"^ as i " Poverty is a disease which rages as much and as fre- quently in the republic of letters as the plague in Constan- tinople." JoRTiN. Remarks on Eccl. Hist. II. 29. W. . ^ Acts xix. 27. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 291 hiio-ht incline them to withdraw from me their patronage '' and good opinion. This I own was to me a very serious con- sideration. For as the state of my affairs would not allow me to puhlish my criticisms at my own hazard, this most pleasing employment of my time, liberal in itself, and possibly not altogether unimportant to good letters, would be absolutely superseded: for what can ani- mate our exertions but Hope? and who Mill be laborious with a daily and nightly persever- ance, merely for the sake of occupation, with- out the prospect of any advantage, but a selfish gratification of taste ? At the top of my literary articles for the year 1789, stand " Remarks on the internal Evidence of the Christian Religion:" a work which might gain approbation, at least for it*s, good intentions towards religion, from every class of Christians. The journalists of the day were candid and liberal in their character of this performance, which was written from the heart, and has been applauded by some whose capacities of judgment cannot be disputed. '' Which proved afterwards to be the case, as will appcau in the continuation of these memoirs. 292 L I F E O F Even the Christian rehgion, however, seems but a {lull sul)je(.'t in the apprcliensions of the present age: so that the difference to mv is not Very inaterial, whether I write for Chris/ idi/i/.i/ or against the Church. My piping ])ro(]uccs no dance, and my inourning no lamcntatio)i. I question not but the internal evitlenees of our estublishmcnt would suit more prelates tlian the internal evidences of tlie gospel. But I sliall not hastily make the experiment. The cry tlien would be Am 7rOT«juaji/ yj^i^owi -mzyxi.^ A small impression of this pamphlet was not sold off till 1793, when it was repiinted with many additions. In June of the same vear, came forth from the Cambridge press the iirst part of a work, entitled " Silva Critica, sive in auctores sacros profanosque commentarius philologus." ' Enrip. "Med." 411. edit. Toys. ITesychius, at the words avtc TtoraiJ.cvv. The streams flow upwards. " Ante leves pascentur in aethcre ccrvi, Et freta dtstituent nudos in littoie pisces." ViEG. Ec. I. 60. W. " Sooner the stag in fields of air shall feed. Seas leave on naked shores the scaly breed." Warton. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 293 My grand intention in the plan of tliis work was the union of theological and classical learning — the illustration of the scriptures hy light borrowed from the philology of Grtece and Rome; as a probable method of recom- mendino- the books of revelation to the notice of scholars ; and thus promoting in the world at the same time a projitable heathenism (if I may be indulged in this singularity of expres- sion for the sake of brevity) and a rational theoloo-y. I have been long persuaded, that with honest minds, superior to the sordid allure- ments of interest, the capital obstacle to a tolerably general uniformity of sentiment on the fundamental points of Christianity, is the slender acquaintance, which even the ministers and professors of the gospel themselves have made with the original language of the Nezv Testament. These sacred oracles of divine truth are usually apprehended through the medium of an interpreter, and, of course, ad- dress themselves to the understanding with a certain portion of ambiguity and mysticism. " They verilv speak well, but yso, are not edi- fied.'"^ Besides too many Christians are apt to con^ ^ 1 Corinth, xiv. 1/. 294 LIFE OF ceive of the Old and Nexv Testaments as com- positions not to be studied and discussed like ordinary writings : -which gross misconception is a serious hindrance to just ideas of Chris- tianity. As soon as the common rules of cri- ticism shall be generally applied to the scrip- tures, and every portion of them estimated and examined m ith a freedom of discussion, ur.awcd by the apprehensions of a foolish superstition, Truth will advance with rapid strides on her career throughout the M'orld, and the predic- tion will be daily accelerating to it's accomplish- ment: that " The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea,"' About this time, I met with an opportu- nity, which I had long wished for in vain, of witnessing a most extraordinary ventrHoqnist. I heard him in the street alarming the multi- tude with his mysterious ejaculations, and brought liim honje with me for a satisfactory examination of this uncommon faculty. He was a man of about thirty years of age. He told me that he had accidentally perceived his ability to speak in this manner about two ' Isaiah xi. 0. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 295 years before, ami since the first discovery had much improved it, in producing louder and distincter tones. By some peculiar conforma- tion, I presume, of the organs, he could speak with the inspiration of the breath, and so throw a sound into his lungs. But the exertion was always accompanied with difficulty and fatigue. When the voice was loudest, he used to turn gradually from the company to conceal the motion of his lips, and to favour the de- ception, as if the noise proceeded from his belly. As he stood in the middle of the room, and occasionally conversed in his natural tone of voice, when he spoke inwardly and in a fainter accent, the spectator would, of course, according to the uniform habit with respect to sounds in such a case, refer this feebler voice to a remoter station, and conceive of it as is- suing from a corner, or some other point be- yond the man. This is the whole of the mystery, and this solution will account for that singular phasnomenon in all the variety of it's exhibition.™ m These people were called by the Greeks iyyacrT'piiJi.v^oiy belly-speakers J by the Hebrews and Cha/dees nnt*, from the swelling of the belly in spea.kingj whence the Latin " Obbd'' in Persius, V. 148. 296 LIFE OF I now frequently amused myself during my solitary walks with translating the odes of Horace. Some of them were occasionally pub- lished in one of the magazines, and I have since reprinted them with several others in a small volume of " Poetical Translations." In July 1789? our society at Nottingham, composed of a select number of friends, con- genial in sentiment and dispositions, was im- paired by an irreparable calamity in the death of our associate, AIi\ Samuel Heyzvood, attor- ney at law, a native of Mansjield, in this county. The loss indeed of this most excellent per- son was not confined to the narrow circle of our society. From the peculiar posture of af- fairs at that time in Nottingham, from the great influence which his station would have super- added to talents and virtues, capable of com- There is a sort of possession among the Hacks in Jamaica; and under it's imaginary influence nothing can console these unhappy victims, or induce them to receive sustenance : they abandon themselves irrecoverably to despair. These people call this affection having Obyj the same word, I make no doubt, as the above oriental term. We are not sure how the inhabitants of the East might pronounce the first letter of the alph.ibet: not to mention the frequent commutation for each other of the A and 0, particularly iii tiae jEthiopic language. W. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 20^ manding res}3ect, and operating to public use- fulness in almost any situation; and from his unimpeachable character in a profession emi- nently serviceable M'ithin it's sphere of action, when conducted by integrity : no estimate could easily be formed of the loss which the community at large sustained by his death. No event of my whole life impresst on my mind a more forcible conviction of the un- searchable counsels of the dhnuc Government, and a more awful admiration of that stupen- dous wisdom, which baffles every effort of hu- man sagacity in attempting to account for the tardy progress of the world to the maturity of happiness and virtue. The plant is blighted after kindly germinating and putting forth it's blossoms in the full promise of future plenty, merely, it should seem, in aggravation of our disappointment. I believe that this sad event imprinted on tlie bosom of Mr. H eijivoocr s fnentls those traces of regret, which even the operations of time will be unable to obliterate. " Each pensive hour shall thee restore^ For thee the tear be duly shed : Belov'd till life can charm no more: And mourn'd till Pity's sell' be dead."* n Coilins"s Dirge in Cymb. 298 LIFE OF We paid the last tribute of affection to our friend by erecting a mural monument of marble, in St. Mary's Church, to perpetuate the memory of his worth and our esteem with the duration at least of perishable stone. To yxp yzpxg sa-ti ^a.vovfujv.'^ For this reward the dead may justly claim. As the epitaph was composed by me, at the request of our society, and exhibits the true character of an ornament to his species, I shall insert it here. To the memory of Mr. SAMUEL HEYWOOD, Attorney at law in this town. Who died July 25, 1789, aged 34. As a man Eminently respectable in his day. And worthy to be remembered by posterit)'j In his profession. Intelligent, hberal, and uncorrupt j As a son, a husband, and a brother. His duty, gratitude, love, and kindness Could not be exceeded} His sprightliness and affability. The ease, urbanity, and cheerfulness Of his conversation, ° Horn. Od. XXIV. 295. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 299 United with firmness of mind. With a vigorous and cultivated understanding, Unwarped by prejudice, and undisturbed by passion, Endeared him to society. These excellencies were heightened By the principles of religion, At once manly, rational, and sincere. A few friends. Who deeply regret his loss. Testify their atfection. And soothe their sorrow, By this memorial Of his virtues. 300 LIFE OF CHAP. XVI. Nottingham Gaol — Slave Trade — Capital Punishments — Bishop Horsley — Bishop HaWifax — Test Act. 1789, J 790. In 1789, I was appointed chairman of a committee in Nottingham, which was selected from a number of the most respectable inhabi- tants, whose object was to compel the corpora- tion to construct a more commodious and healthy toxcn gaol/ and in that capacity I sent p From a variety of papers which we have pemsed on the subject, it appears that Mr. Wakefield was associated with many of the principal inhabitants of Nottingliam, in order to promote the accomplishment of this important object^ which was sanctioned by the decided opinion of the two physicians of the town. For the space of several months, his time and close attention were occupied by this affair, which occasioned a correspondence of some length between him, as chairman of the committee, and the present Lord Carrington, his brother Mr. Smith, and Mr. D. Parker Coke. The zeal and energy with which Mr. Wakefield acted in this business, though unfortunately for the cause of hu- manity, not crowned with success, shewed how ready he was to sacrifice his own ease and his own studies, when there ap- GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 301 an account of our proceedings to both the members for the town. As the parliamentary conduct of one of them, Daniel Parker Coke, Esq., had been in general conformable to my wishes, and as his demeanour on every other occasion M'ithin my knowledge indicated a man of spirit, sense, and principle, I took the liberty of expostu- lating, in terms of considerable energy, upon the vote which he had given on the questions of tlie Test Act and the Slave-TiYide, as un- worthy of his character and accomplishments. He accepted my freedom of rebuke with a magnanimity that increased my good opinion of him; modestly confesst himself unequal to a discussion of those topics with me; and pro- mised to weigh my arguments in particular, when those questions should be again agitated in the house. peared a reasonable prospect of promoting by his exertions the welfare and interests of others. The same ardent wishes to meliorate the condition of pri- soners, whom Mr. W. in another place, speaks of as "the despised men of the earth" — as " a wretched, forsaken, and uninstructed portion of his fellow-creatures," led him in a later period of his life, especially after having had too much per- sonal acquaintance with their afflictions, to interest himself again in their behalf j as may be seen in the " Continuation " of these " Memoirs." 302 LIFE OF The reader must not impute to me the pre- sumption of supposing that I had influenced Mr. Coke's convictions with respect to the fact which I am now going to adduce, because his own innate candour and liberality are fully adequate to the effect in question. As counsel at JFarwick assizes, after the diabolical transactions at Birmingham, in 1791, this gentleman acquitted himself in a manner equal to the fondest wishes of the most ardent lover of religious liberty^ and is entitled to every acknowledgment in our power for his laudable exertions.'^ Among other observations on the Slave- Trade, I adduced tzvo unequivocal universal maxims, one Christian and one heathen, applir cable to every subject of politics, morality^ and religion, which admit of no confutation^ and lie within the compass of the feeblest ap- prehension to conceive. I. " Evil is not to be committed that good may come;" because the evil is certain, and the good contingent and hijpotlietical : ' and be- 1 See the Report of the Trials of the Rioters at Birming- ham in New Ann. Reg. for 1791, vol. XII. (37). ' " Men must pursue things which are just in present,, and leave the future to the Divine Providence." Ld, Bacon, Adv. of Learning, book II. Works, 4to. I. go. W. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 303 cause the designs of tlie divine administration and the happiness of mankind cannot be pro- moted by evil, that is, by the viohition of tliose very laws which constitute the only means of happiness. This maxim answers, at once, every argu- ment o^ political expediency." We cannot listen * Gisborne, in reply to the argument frequently urged in favour of the Slave-Trade, that " the interest of the kingdom requires it's continuance," observes — " And is the interest of the kingdom to be supported by depriving unoffending fo- reigners of their rights; by an uniform succession of outrages agaihst humanity and justice ? What would have been rob- beries and murders if committed by single highwaymen, are they not still robberies and murders, though the perpetrators have previously coalesced into a troop, a society, or a nation ? It is a momentous truth, and a truth little regarded, that the rules of morality are as binding on nations as on individuals; and that our obligations as Englishmen are subordinate to our duty as Christians." Principles of Mor. Phil. &c. 2d edit. p. 154. " The natives (of Africa) are excited to war and mutual depredation, for the sake of supplying their contracts, or fur- nishing the market with slaves. With this the wickedness be- gins. The slaves, torn away from parents, wives, children, from their friends and companions, their fields and flocks, their home and country, are transported to the European settle- ments in America, with no other accommodation on ship- board, than what is provided fur brutes. This is the second stage of cruelty from which the miserable exiles are delivered, only to be placed, and that for life, in subjection to a domi- nion and system of laws, the most merciless and tyrannical 304 LIFE OF to the plea one moment. No political expe- diency, Avbose basis is Evil, or an actual and open transgression of an express, universal, immutable, and undeniable rule of rectitude, can terminate in national utibty. II. " Fiat justitia, ruat coelum :'* Let jus- tice be done thowj^h the sky should fall upon us. This indubitable sentiment furnishes a complete answer to all the suggestions of pro- bable inconveniences' that may result from the that ever were tolerated upon the face of the earth : and from all that can be learned by the accounts of the people upon the spot^ the inordinate authority which the plantation laws con- fer upon the slave-holder is exercised, by the English slave- holder especially, with rigour and brutality. " But necessity is pretended — the name under which every enormity is attempted to be justified. And, after all, what is the necessity? It has never been proved that the land could not be cultivated there, as it is here, by hired servants. It is said that it could not be cultivated with quite the same conveniency and cheapness as by the labour of slaves: by which means a pound of sugar, which the planter now sells for sixpence, could not be aflbrded under sixpence halfpenny j and this is the necessity " Paley's Mor. Phil. I. p. 237, edit. 8. ' The following observation of Dr, Franklin, on the practice of impressing stamen, is equally rpplicable to the case of Slaves : " Inconvenience to the whole trade of a nation will not justify injustice to a single seaman. If the trade v ould suffer without his service, it is able and ought to be willing to offer GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 305 abolition of the Slave Treacle. Let these be as numerous and as formidable as you please, they must be encountered in preference to injustice and oppression. Comply first with the laws of the Supreme Being, and leave consequences to his management. He is very able to execute all the ends of his administration without the instrumentality of our wickedness, and is de- lighted with nothing so much as our endea- vours to promote the happiness of our fellow- men, especially the desolate and oppressed. We are then co-operating with himself: for the grand design of his government is the ulti- mate felicity of all his creatures. But conviction is the last thing wanted upon this subject. A contempt for sordid lucre in comparison with virtue, an abhorrence of fraud, robbery," and murder, as unavoidably con- him such wages as may induce him to afford his service volun- tarily.'' See Dr. Franklin's Remarks on Judge Foster's "Ar- gument in favour of impressing Seamen." Works, vol. II. p. 157. edit. 12mo. 1793, " " It is a further degree, or even a higher species of oppres- sion, of which some are said to be guilty 3 not indeed in this island, but in countries subject to the, government of Great Britain. They, who are slaves there, if a late author may be credited, ' endure a slavery more compleat, and attended with far worse circumstances, than what any people in their condi- VOL. I. X 306 LIFE OF nected M-ith this horrid traffic, are the grand desiderata. As we are men and Christians then, let us wash our hands from the stains of human tion suffer in any other part of the world, or have suffered in any other period of time.' (Burke's Eur. Sett. II. 124. ed. 3.) The most consummate and perfect example of oppression and inhumanity has been reserved then, it seems, to be exhibited in these enlightened times, by the subjects of this free and Christian nation ! Lei us turn our eyes for relief to some ordi- nary wickedness." Ogden. Sermon on " Thou shalt not steal." P. 243. " There are men who hardly scruple to avow the opinion, that in public deliberations the prohibitions of the moral law ought often to be disregarded when opposed to national advan- tagCj and there are statesmen who have avowedly acted upon that dangerous principle in regard to the slave trade; holding that it's abolition or continuance was a question to be decided rather by considerations of expediency, than by the dictates of humanity and justice," " Of course it is in vain to reason with such men in pub- lic life, upon principles of mere moral obligation, whether Christian or Pagan. They will neither reprobate with St. Paul the doing evil that good may ensue; nor hold with a heathen statesman — ' In eadem re utilitas et turpitudo esse non potest — hoc ipsum utile putare quod turpe sit, calamito- sum est.' (Cic. de Off. iii.) The book of entries is their bible; and a custom-house officer at the bar, with an account of exports in his hand, ' Plenius ac melius Chrysippo et Crantore dicit.' " " The Crisis of the Sugar Colonies," &c. 1802, p, 105. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 30/ blood, and no longer sport with the life, li- berty, and happiness oi millions of our species.'' ^ " In the British islands alone there are upwards of four hundred thousand human beings, of whom much the greatest part live most literally without God in the world; without any knowledge of a Creator or Redeemer; without any one principle either of natural or revealed religion ; without the idea of one moral duty, except that of performing their daily task, and escaping the scourge that constantly hangs over them." Bishop PoETEUs's Sermon on the Civilization, Im- provement, &c. of the Negro Slaves in the British Islands, vol.1, p. 389, edit. 8. " It is peculiarly incumbent on the people of this kingdom to exert their utmost liberality in alleviating the miseries, both temporal and spiritual, of the wretched Africans; since they have been for many years (till interrupted by the late war, i.e. the American war) more largely concerned in the inhuman merchandize of men, and have imported more slaves into the colonies, than any other nation in Europe. By their means, principally, have many thousands, many millions, of human creatures been torn from their native land, from every bless- ing that was valuable, every connexion that was dear to them; and, after passing in their voyage through incredible hardships and difficulties (under which great numbers of them actually perish) have been landed in a country and among a people un- known to them; and, without any offence of theirs, have been doomed to a perpetual servitude, a servitude too which they leave (the only inheritance which they have to leave) entailed on their latest posterity." Bishop PoRTEUS, ubi supra, p. 411. 2 Mb LIFE Ol' " Shame to mankind! but shame to Britons most, Who all the sweets of Liberty can boast j Yet, deaf to every human claim, deny That bliss to others, which themselves enjoy : Life's bitter draught with harsher bitter fill] Blast every joy, and add to every ill 3 The trembling limbs with galling iron bind. Nor loose the heavier bondage of the mind. " Yet whence these horrors? this inhuman rage. That brands with blackest infamy the age? How mild, in contrast with the rigour that has been so generally exercised in the British Islands, are many of the laws and regulations established in the colonies of other Euro- pean nations? Of this the following account of a most bene- volent one, said to have been established in tlie Spanish settle- ment at the Havannah, is a striking instance: " As soon as a slave is landed, his name, price, &c, are entered in a public register j and the master is obliged by law to allow him one working-day in every week to himself, be- sides Sunday 5 so that if he chooses to work for his master on that day, he receives the wages of a freeman for it; and what- ever he gains by his labour on that day is so secured to him by law, that the master cannot deprive him of it. As soon as the slave is able to purchase another working- day, the master is obliged to sell it to him at a proportionable price — viz. one- fifth part of his original cost 3 and so likewise the remaining four days, at the same rate, as soon as the slave is able to redeem them : after which he is absolutely free." Bishop PoRTEUs, ubi sup. p. -402, Note; and Sharp's Appendix to " the Just Limitation of Slavery,' &c. p. 53, referred to by the bishop. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 309 Is it, our varied interests disagree. And Britain sinks, if Afric's sons be free? — No — Hence a few superfluous stores we claim, That tempt our avarice, but increase our shame ; The sickly palate touch with more delight. Or swell the senseless riot of the night." / During my abode at Nottingham I 11 ever failed to attend all the capital punishments that took place there; courting, at all times, every circumstance which misiht read me a whole- some lecture on mortality, or suggest an ad- ditional motive of gratitude to God for the comforts of my own condition. I am cordially persuaded, upon a most se- rious, most frequent, and most mature con- templation of this subject, that, if a general reformation of the penal code cannot be effect- ed in our nation, this is one of those enormous sins'" for which the Governor of the Universe y Roscoe's Mount Pleasant. * Men are imprisoned, punished, and executed, in this country, on the evidence of a single witness (see Blackstone, IV. ch. 27) — a most direct infraction of the divine law deli- vered to Moses. " One witness shall not rise up against a man for any ini- quity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth : at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.' — Deut, xix. 15; see also xvii. 6; and Numbers, xxxv. 30 j and recognised by Christ: see Matt, xviii. 16. W. 310 LIFE OF will surely visit us. No man and no commu- nity of men are, in my judgment, authorized to take away life. And what shadow of excuse can possibly be alleged for sacrificing such a multitude^ of lives, and often for trivial of- " Though the end of punishment is to deter men from of- fending, it never can follow from thence, that it is lawful to deter them at any rate, and by any means ; since there may be unlawful methods of enforcing obedience even to the justest laws." " To shed the blood of our fellow-creature is a matter that requires the greatest deliberation, and the fullest convic- tion of our own authority : for life is the immediate gift of God to man, which neither he can resign, nor can it be taken from him, unless by the command or permission of him who gave it ; either expressly revealed, or collected from the laws of nature or society ly clear and indisputable demons trationy Plackstone. Comm. book IV. cap. I. = It is observed by Mr. Wakefield in another place^ " When Miraheau was in England, about nine years ago, he asked a friend of mine, with whom he was dining, if it were true that twenty young men had been hanged that morning at Newgate. When my friend told him, that, if the daily pap-irs asserted it, there was no reason to doubt the assertion j he replied, with great warmth and surprise, that the English were the most merciless people he had ever heard or read of in his life." See •' Remarks on the general Orders of the Duke of York," 1794, p. 13, note, — It appears tliat Miraleau was in Eng- land in 1785. In February of that year Twenty Convicts were executed, at once, before Newgate ; in April, Nineteen ; and in tlie November following Eighteen suffered death at the same place, besides others executed during the several months GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 311 fences/ without employing a single effort for their reformation, when plans for this purpose of that year amounting in the whole to nearly One Hundred, many of them young persons, who fell a sacritice to the seve- rity of the penal statutes, in London alone — not ojie of them under a charge of murder." See New Ann. Reg. v. VI. for 1785. Surely this dreadfully-authentic statement might justify Mr.Wakefield'slanguage, when he laments that " We tie up a fellow-creature with as much indifference as if be were a being of an inferior order." " Remarks," Sec, p. 12. t> " The first thing which strikes one upon entering on this task, is this melancholy truth, that, ' among the variety of actions which men are daily liable to commit, no less than an hundred and sl.\ty have been declared by act of parliament to be felonies without benefit of clergy, or, in other words, to be worthy of instant death.' (4 Blackstone, Com. 18.) When we come to enquire into the nature of the crimes of which this dreadful catalogue is composed, we find it contain transgres- sions which scarcely deserve corporal punishment, while it omits enormities of the most atrocious kind. We find in it actions, to which nothing but the terror of some inipending danger to the state could ever have given a criminal appear- ance,* and obsolete offences, whose existence we learn only from those statutes, which are still left standing as bloody monuments of our history, though the caiises which gave rise * 35 Eliz. c. 1. § 3. 35 Eliz. c. 2. § 10. sgEliz. C.17. It is to such laws as these that one may apply the observation of Lord Bacon, that " there are a number of ensnaring penal laws which lie upon the subject, and if they should be awaked and put in execution, would grind them to po\Ydcr." (Proposal for amending the Laws.) 312 LIFE OF have been pointed out (capable perhaps ot much improvement), and practised with suc- cess in other countries?'^ Who does not dis- cover the manifest tendency of such indiscri- minate destruction to outrage lesser criminals, and produce, to the great terror of societ}-, the excesses of violence and cruelty ? '' to them have long since ceased. We see the invasion of a man's property, though but to a small amount, and unac- companied by violence, treated as the greatest of all enormi- ties. To steal a sheep or a horse, to snatch a man's property out of his hand and run away with it, lo steal to the amount of forty shillings in a dwelling-house, or to the amount of five shilling'^ privately in a shop, nay, to pick a man's pocket of the value of only twelvepence halfpenny, are all crimes pu- nishable with death." Observations on Madan's Thoughts on Executive Juftice 12mo, 1/86. p. 16, &c. This valuable and highly interesting v/ork has frequently been ascribed to the late John Lee, esq. = " Was the vast territory of all the Russias worse regulated under the late Empress Elizabeth than under her more san- guinary predecessors? Is it now under Catharine II. less civilized, less social, less secure' And yet we are assured that neither of these illustrious princesses have, throughout their whole administration, inflicted the penalty of death : and the latter has, upon full persuasion of it's being useless, nay even pernicious, given orders for abolishing it entirely through- out her extensive dominions." Blackstone, Comm. book IV. cap. I. ^ " Lenity should be the guardian of moderate govern- / GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 313 I was once present at the execution of a jnan of undaunted firmness, and (saving this ments: severe penalties, the instruments of despotism, may- give a sudden check to temporary evils ; but they have a ten- dency to extend themselves to every class of crimes, and their frequency hardens the sentiment of the people.' Principles of Penal Law, by William Eden, Esq. {now Lord Auckland) 3d edit. p. 13. " All punishment is an evil, but is yet necessary, to pre- vent crimes, which are a greater evil. Whenever the legisla- ture therefore appoints for any crime a punishment more se vere than is requisite to prevent the commission of it, it is the author of unnecessary evil. If it do this knowingly, it is chargeable with wanton cruelty and injustice) if from igno- rance, and the want of a proper attention to the subject, it is guilty of a very criminal neglect. If these principles be just, the legislature of Great Britain must, in one or otlier of these ways, be culpable, unless it be impossible to prevent theft, by any punishment less severe than death. The author of " Thoughts on Executive Justice" seems to think that it is impossible, and that these severities are therefore to be justi- fied on the ground of necessity. But experience shews the erroneousness of this opinion, because in several European states, where the punishment of death is never inflicted but for the most atrocious crimes, these lesser offences are very rare; while in England, where they are punished with death, we see them every day committed j and when, in the reign of Henry the Eighth, so many criminals were executed, that their numbers were computed to amount to two thousand every year, crimes seemed to multiply with the number of execu- tions. ' So dreadful a list of capital crimes,' s^ys Mr. Justice Blachtone, after having lamented that they are so numerous, 314 LIFE OF action of robbing a traveller of a few shillings, without insult or ill usage, under the seduction ' instead of diminishing, increases the number of offenders.' Nor is this a phsenomenon very difficult to be accounted for : in proportion as these spectacles are frequent^ the impression which they make upon the public is faint, the effect of the example is lost, and the blood of many citizens is spilt, with- out any benefit to mankind. But this is not all j the frequent exhibition of these horrid scenes cannot be indifferent : if they do not reform they must corrupt. The spectators of them be- come familiarised with bloodshed, and learn to look upon the destruction of a fellow-creature with unfeeling indifi^erence. They think, as the law^s teach them to tliink, that the life of a fellow-cilizen is of little ^'aluej and they imagine they see revenge sanctified by the legislature^ for to what other motive can they ascribe the infliction of the severest punishments for the slightest injuries ? And where the moral character is de- praved, crimes must be frequent and atrocious." Observations on Madans Thoughts, &c. pp.27, &c. It is remarked by Dr. Franklin that " Montesquieu, who was himself a judge, so far from thinking that severe and ex- cessive punishments prevent crimes, asserts, as quoted by our French writer, that ' I,'atrocite des loix en empecbe I'execution. ' Lorsque la peine est sans mesure, on est souvent oblige de lui preferer I'impunite. ' Les causes de tons les relachemens viennent de I'impu- nite des crimes, et non de la moderation des peines.' " It is said by those who know Europe generally, that there are more thefts committed and punished annually in England, than in all other nations put togetlier." Franklin's Works, ed. ]2mo, II. p. 1/0, GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 315 of an hardened accomplice) of an unexception- able character. He died, without bravado, and without obduracy, under a due sense of his awful situation, M^th the magnanimity of an hero; despising that merciless and unequal sentence which had brought him to this sad condition. " Had I known," says he, " that I should have suftered thus for that offence, I would not have so easily been taken." He was a man of Herculean strength, and capable of destroying half a dozen constables before he could have been secured. I think, at the moment of his execution, I would have preferred his condition and his crime to that of the judge who condemned him.^ It is not in Athetis only that the laws It is very remarkable that one of the first statutes even of our sanguinary Queen Mary recites in its preamble " that the state of every king consists more assuredly in the love of the subjects towards their prince, than in the dread of laws made with rigorous pains; and that laws made for the preservation of the commonwealth without great penalties are more often obeyed and kept, than laws made with extreme punishments." Blackstone. Com. book IV. ch.l. * " The learned, the judicious, the pious Boerhaave re- lates, that he never saw a criminal dragged to execution with- out asking himself, ' Who knows whether this man is not less culpable than me?" On the days when the prisons of this city are emptied into the grave, let every spectator of the dreadful 316 LIFE OF are written in human blood:' and those leois- lators and statesmen who sknnber over these enormities, and use no effort for redressing them, are they not in reahty justly chargeable with all their consequences?^ Have rulers no discernment that they are unable to discover the midt'ipiicat'wn of capital offences from capital punishments? Destruc- procession put the same question to his own heart. Few among those that crowd in thousands to the legal massacre, and look with carelessness, perhaps with triumph, on the ut- most exacerbations of human misery, would then be able to return without horror and dejection. For who can congra- tulate himself upon a life passed without some act more mis. chievous to the peace or prosperity of others, than the theft of a piece of money?" Rambler, N" 114. '' If it be objected that almost all nations in all ages have punished certain crimes with death, I answer, that tlie force of these examples vanishes when opposed to truth, against which prescription is urged in vain." Beccaria on Crimes and Punishments, ch. 28. ed. 4th. 115. s " Lawgivers should remember that they are mediately, and in effect, the executioners of every fellow-citizen who surfers death in consequence of any penal statute." Eden on the Penal Law, &c. p. 28. •' Hear him, ye Senates! hear this truth sublime. He, who allows oppression, shares the crime.'" Darwin's Bot. Gar. Part II. c. 3. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 317- tion is not redress. One head may be cut off, but two spring instantly from the wound. Reformation must begin at a much higher point; in a moral education; in the rectification of crooked habits by patient discipline ; in the suppression of all public incentives'' to riot and intemperance; in the scrupulous correction of small offences; and in allotments of punish- ment proportionate to each transgression. ' '' " His (j. e. Mr. Madan's) assertion that it is most of all to be wished, that crimes might be lessened by prevention, no man can dispute; but at the same time who can go on with him to say, that the most likely means of prevention are * the fears of severe punishment?' Ought it not rather to be said, that the most likely means are, to preserve uncor- rupted that large but unfortunate description of persons, who, being born in misery and indigence, and differing from us in nothing but the accidents of rank and fortune, are entitled to our utmost care and protection? For, if we negligently suf- fer a thousand sources of profligacy, and encouragements to vice to surround these helpless creatures on every side, what a refinement of cruelty is it to hang the thieves and profligates whom we have made, and whose only crime was, that they had not such uncommon philosophy and resolution as to be able to resist the temptations with which we have ensnared them." * " If those whom the wisdom of our laws has condemned to die, had been detected in their rudiments of robbery, they might, by proper discipline and useful labour, have been dis- entangled from their habits; they might have escaped all the temptations to subsequent crimes, and passed their days in 316 LIFE OF But *' Gallic careth for none of these things.'"' Towards the conclusion of this year, 1789, a prosecution was commenced hy one part of the corporation of Nott'mgham against another, for neglecting the qualifications required in these cases by the Test and Corporation acts. On this occasion I published in a pamphlet " An Address to the Inhabitants of Notting- lepaiation and penitence j and detected they might have been, had the prosecutors been certain that their lives would have been spared. — They who would rejoice at the correction of a thief, are yet shocked at the thought of destroying him. His crime shrinks into nothing, compared with his misery j and severity defeats itself by exciting pity." Rambler, N° 1 14. ^ The voice of one philosopher is too weak to be heard amidst the clamours of a multitude, blindly influenced by custom; but there is a small number of sages, scattered on the face of the earth, who will echo to him from the bottom of their hearts." Beccaria, ut supra, 115. It appears that the renowned ChiU'ingworth left among his MSS. a tract entitled " A Problematical Tentamen against punishing crimes with death in Christian societies}" of which the late Dr. A''ipp/i- says, "It were to be wished that it had been preserved and printed j — the reflections of so thinking a man on such a subject, and which hath not to this day been treated of with sufficient extent, accuracy, and precision, would pro- bably have been found well worthy of attention." Biog. Brit. 2d. edit. IIL 515 and 517. Art. Chillingworth. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. Sig ham on the Subject of the Test Laws," which was soon after folloMTcl by an appendix. The dissenters of Birmingham applied to me for leave to reprint these addresses in be- lialf of civil and religions liberty; which I readily granted, with a proper sense of their favourable opinion of my exertions in the com- mon cause. As my motives in this publication, which some people misconceived, are particularly stated in the Birmingham edition, I shall not trouble the reader with any further detail of this production. In connexion with this subject, what should hinder me from relating a pleasant piece of his- tory, which Avas conveyed to my ears upon tolerably good authority, and indeed wears upon it's face the features of authenticity. When a deputation from the body of the dissenters waited upon a certain prime minister, to solicit his interposition and support to their intended application for the repeal of the Test Laws, his behaviour was such, upon the whole, as to encourage them to expect his patronage, but shadowed with that convenient mysticism of expression, which leaves a man at liberty to prevaricate, without the possibility of fastening upon him a direct charge of inconsistency and falsehood. 3Z0 LIFE OF This propitious reception is soon rumoured by the hundred mouths of Fame through every corner of the land, and reaches ere long even the retirement of a certain prelate, who is said, and I believe truly, to have set up in specula- tive wkiggism, and to be leaving off in practical toryism. Up comes this metamorphosed ecclesiastic in a violent bustle to our " defender of the faith and so forth;" and exclaims in all the trepida- tion of distress, '' Your majesty's minister is no friend to the church !" — This minister is ac- cordingly summoned, and given to understand what part he is expected to act, if he means to keep his place. There was no difficulty of choice, no shadow of embarrassment to him in this dilemma. "Part with any thing sooner than my place !" says ouf upright statesman. " The manor, sir! The manor, sir!" — he cried. Not thatj I cannot part with that." We all well know the event to be exactly cor- respondent to the hypothesis of this little his- tory. A sensible composition by a friend appeared at this time in the Nottingham Journal, sug- gested by the transactions of the day. It ap- pears to me worthy of a longer date than the GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 321 fugitive existence of a nexvspaper ; and that date my work shall attempt to give it.' 1 u UPON CONSCIENCE. " Conscience having been pleaded to justify the M'orst as well as the best actions, it is of great consequence to examine the subject carefully, and to consider by what rules a man may judge, whether he has a good conscience, a tender con- science, a weak conscience, a wicked conscience, or no con- science at all. " Conscience is a principle of action, directing a man what he ought to do or forbear, founded upon a consciousness of what passes in his own mind, and the consistency of such conduct with his opinions. " It is a directory for his own conduct, as far as the con- sequences of it relate to himself alone. The proof of a good conscience is where a man suffers an inconvenience, exposes himself to any danger, or submits to any wrong rather than deny what he believes to be true, and rather than do what he believes to be wrong. This is certainly an amiable disposi- tion; and no one has a right to complain if any one cheerfully submits to self-denial, or injury for public good. " A tender conscience respects others rather than our- selves; for if the object of tenderness be self, it becomes the height of selfishness; if the object be others, it becomes the height of benevolence. " A weak conscience is where a man's concern for the rights, the virtue, or happiness of others, being unattended with a sound judgment, leads him to forego those advantages he might innocently enjoy, or to suffer real injuries he might in- nocently avoid, through a desire of promoting private or pub- He virtue. Of this no one has a right to complain, though they cannot admire. It ought certainly, if not encouraged, to be protected : and a generous public will not unnecessarily VOL. T. Y 322 LIFE OF I have read in some ancient author'" a re- lation of a people in Scythia, who went out increase the number of sacrifices it is disposed to make, but endeavour, by an appeal to reason, scripture, and experience, to prevent so good a disposition from being a grievance to the possessor. " No conscience at all is a total insensibility to right and wrong, and a total indifference to private or public virtue. " A wicked conscience is either a pretended plea, which has public good for it's ostensible object, and private emolu- ment, or the interests of a party, for it's real one. It is void of all tenderness or concern for others. It imagines that good may be brought of evil, that religion can be promoted by inhumanity, and the public good by acts of injustice. It at- tempts to produce conviction by force, by fraud, by promises, or threatenings, instead of reason, arguments, facts, and ex- perience. As the mark of a good conscience is a readiness to suffer any inconvenience or punishment rather than to say what it believes to be false, or to do what it believes to be wrong; so the sign of a wicked conscience, or of no conscience at all^ is, that it will bend to every thing which promotes self- interest, or will serve the views of a party. It passively be- lieves, and passively obeys what others command; it gives up first of all a right, and at length all power of private judg- ment; resolves all equity into law, and all wise law into acts of parliament, all right into power, all truth into creeds, and all religion into conformity." \V. We understand the above to have been written by the late Dr. Clayton. "» Herod. IV. 3. — Claudian alludes to this passage of his- tory in the following lines : Ut Scytha post multos rediens exercitus annos, Cum sibi servilis pro finibus obvia pubes GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 323 with all their forces to make war on a iieio-h- bouring nation. During their absence on this expedition, which lasted much longer than was expected, the whole l)ody of slaves, very numerous in that country, rose upon the few free-men that were left to guard them, and got possession of the wives and properties of their masters. These masters, on their return, carried on an ineffectual war for the recovery of their rights, and Avere so baffled in every attempt, as at length to despair of success. In this extremity, one among them, dis- tinguished for his experience of affairs, and his insight into the human character, proposed to lay aside their arms and go upon their slaves in their usual manner, with their zchips in their hands, and^^^o' them to their duty. The experiment M'as made accordingly, and with success. The servile timidity with which the culprits had been accustomed to view these implements of castigation, returned at once with all it's concomitant sensations; and the Iret, et arceret dominos tellure reversos^ Armatam ostensis aciem fudere fla2;ellis: Notus ab inceptis ignobile reppulit horror Vulgus, et adductus sub verbera torpuit ensis. In EutFop. I, 508, &c, W. 2 324 LIFE OF mere association of ideas awed them into sub- mission. A story, remarkably resembling- this of the ancients, is related in the memoirs of the late King of Prussia : A maraudinii; hussar discovered the kinir at a distance, and concealed himself behind a tree to secure his mark, when a proper oppor- tunity should present itself. The sagacious monarch descried the Austrian in the act of levelling his piece. " Sirrah!"' said he, with- out emotion, but in a chiding tone; and at the same time held up his cane in a striking- posture. The Ausirian dropt his gun, pros- trated himself before his majesty, and craved pardon for his presumption. " Nee vera virtus cum semel excidit^ Curat repoiii deterioribua." " Exactly in the same manner as these iicif- thians acted with their slaves, or the Prussian monarch with the Austrian hussar, are we spiritual A^atchmen of liberality and freedom " Hor. Carm.III. 5. 2g. " And valour, failing in the soldier's breast, Scorns to resume what cowardice possest." Francis. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 325 sometimes compelled to deal with our contro- versial antagonists in theology. Sycophants, inflated by their preferments, and presuming on their authority with the higher poxvers; intoxicated by ambition and a prodigious conceit of their own acquirements; and above all become callous to the impressions of calm reason and dispassionate expostulation, by the immoderate applauses of the interested and the ignorant ; these Jeshuriins," I say, would ride Avith irresistible fury over every barrier of decorum, and tread down the help- less adversary without mercy, did not some bold adventurer (to his own hindrance per- haps) sometimes step forth into the ring with the instruments of severer discipline. In the beginning of the year 1790, this was precisely my case. In a pamphlet called an " iVpology for the Liturgy and Clergy of the Church of England " (by many ascribed to my old acquaintance Dr. HoRSLEY, then advanced to the Bishopric of St. David's) the author, ?i prelatical Hercules, under the frantic notion of destroying mon- sters, had laid about him with such indiscri- minate ferocity, as to wound very severely some members of the community, whose cha- • Deut. xxxii. 15. 32(3 LIFE OF racters both as men and Mriters, should have protected tliem from such outrage. A publication/ ascribed by common fame to the Duke of Grafton, and which for it's good sense, exact information upon the subject, and liberahty of sentiment, would do honour to any character, was treated with a rudeness, for which no provocation could have apologised. Our dashing polemic went also out of his way to encounter Dr. Symonds, professor of modern history in the university of Cambridge ; partly, I presume, because lie Avas a friend of the Duke's, and not merely from any necessity which his station and prospects laid upon him, to attack the professor's work,'' in it's nature and conduct not likely to call forth any such ebullition of resentment. This work however he assailed in a style of the lowest scurrility, which any man, not estranged from all sense of decorum and reverence for his own feelings, might M'cll blush to own. At the request of some friends, who were P " Hints submitted to the serious Attention of the Clergy, Nobility, and Gentrjr newly associated, by a Layman." J/ 89. s " Observations upon the Expediency of revising the present English version of the Four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles." GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 32/ of opinion that siicli virulence and abuse should not be suffered to domineer with impunity in this course of triumphant exultation, I took the task of flagellating this ungovernable vic- tim of hierarchical possession (though in a case almost desperate) into a little sobriety and de- cency of manners/ I recollected on one hand the remark of Terence — " Responsuaij non dictum esse, quia laesit prior" — * tantamount to the true observation of Demos- thenes, that "no blame can be justly thrown upon an asperity of language merely remedial and in reply, but is chargeable on the aggres- sor only. " ' To which case another observation of the orator is applicable, for I believe either his grace or the professor might have said very •^ " A blunt author in pursuit of the truth knows no man after the flesh till his chace is over. For a man to think what he writes, may bespeak his prudence 3 but to write what he thinks, best opens his principles." Asgill. W, ,« Eun. Prol. 6. aXKa. T'oii ro spyov dvro TrfTrojTjxoo-c J;a yap rov; ■toiovrov; rovro sartiv. Dem.de cor. trierarch. p. 677- edit. Lutet. 1570. W. 328 LIFE OF trul}', that '' he Mas the author of this enmity, having received no injury from us either in word or deed."" Also accordino^ to the maxim laid down hv Cicero, " Humanitatis est Responsio," " I recollected what was due from me to the deserving characters which had heen assailed with so mucli virulence. Finall}^ I thought something due to myself also, who had come in for a spirt of dirty lan- guage from this great scampering cavalier, as I was riding my little hobby, with my betters, along the road of reformation. Now, where was the wonder, if after all this, I used our author with no great cere- mony ? Nor could I expect much applause even from my friends ; for very few have a spirit equal to these hardy exploits ; which, however, I must repeat it, are very useful in preserving order in the world, M'hen tyranny is advancing so fast upon us. Uncurbed by the rebukes of some free adventurer in letters like myself, these projectiles would fly off in u Ttj; yoLp syppag itooTspog srog vitrjp^sv, ovhv v(f -^^wv Demost. in Neaer. p. 726. ed. Lut. W. '' De Oiat. II. 56. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 320 tangents from their orbits, and throw the en- tire system into confusion. Such men are regarded as oracles by the subordinate Clergij, and do infinite mischief to the cause of trutli and hberal enquiry, and prepare society for implicit obedience, and the mind for slavery, unless some man has the resolution to controvert their infallibility, curb their insolence, and disseminate better prin- ciples. They themselves are hereby taught to conduct their opposition with more decency and good manners, and to write like Gentle- men and Christians. But the principal advantage gained by these rencounters is, that modest authors (who are often the most sensible) are not discouraged from exhibitino- the fruit of their readino- and meditation to the public, which would be de- jjrived of their valuable communications, if they were to be attacked as soon as they ven- tured to propose if it be but "Hints," that do not suit the taste of lordly churchmen. From these and other considerations, I look upon the man who has the courage to come forward and avow himself on such an occasion, as an essential benefactor to society, and a true friend to peace, candour, and good- manners. Yet as to the generality, with whom Bishops 330 LIFE OF are sacred things, their extreme reprobation was but a natural result ot" my conduct. Some however, whose principles should have taught them a less slavish lesson, joined in the cry oF condemnation. I have said above that the Apology was as- cribed to Bishop Horsley, yet some, not very unlikely to form a true judgment, say it was Bishop Hallifax. I hope they are mistaken: it would argue in him much ingratitude to the object of his censures, from v.hom he had re- ceived important services. About Midsummer of the same year (1790) all the powers of hierarchy M^ere in motion, and the tools of monarchical domination and spiritual tyranny, hed-chamhcr lords and pen- sioned commoners, were crowding to county meetings on all sides. Ardet inexcita Ausonia atque irnmobilis ante.'' Both church and state were declared to be in dan2:er fjom the machinations of the vile dissenters, and their vile advocates. The cry y ^neid, VI I. G23. " Till now unmovd by discord and alarms, Ansonia burns." Pitt. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 331 was issued from the court, and reverberated from the remotest corners of our affrighted empire. '' Audiit et Triviae longe lacus; audiit anin'is Sulphurea Nar albus aqua, fontesque Veliui: Et trepidse matres pressere ad pectora natos." ^ I was not sparing* in my exertions, such as they were, to enforce the claims of civil and religious liberty upon my countrymen; and employed in this old-fashioned and unprofitable warfare the keenest weapons, whether of rea- soning, ridicule, or satire, that my armoury could supply. ^ ^n. VII. 516. " The late of Trivia heard the note profound. The Veline fountains trembled at the sound. The thick sulphureous floods of hoary Nar Shook at the blast that blew the flames of war: Pale at the piercing call, the mothers prest With shrieks their starting infants to the breast." Pitt. " The great and the powerful seldom fail to raise a cry of danger to something or another, that really is, or is thought to be, valuable, by means of the stupid, the lazy, and the corrupt, the constant tools and confederates of the mighty, and who are at the same time the sworn enemies of all en- quiries." Lord Barrington. W. 332 LIFE OF I publisht a miscellany of cursory^ reflections on the subject; in which are remarks worthy to be numbered among the best of my capabi- lities; but some gross errors and omissions of the printer, occasioned by my distance from the press, made me careless of it's fate. The time now approached when I was once more to leave Nottingham, and to launch again into the great world, in quest of a new adventure : " — — ~ major rerum mihi nascitur ordoj Majus opus moveo." ** " A mightier work, a nobler scene appears." = a a Cursory Reflections occasioned by the present Meet- ings in opposition to the Claims of the Dissenters." l/QO. h ^n. VII. 44. = Pitt. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 33? CHAP. XVIL Tutorship at Hackney College — Pupils — Remarks C7i academi- cal Education — Silva Critica, Second Part. 1790, 1791. In consequence of an invitation to under- take the classical tutorship in an academical institution recently established at Hackney, I removed in July, 1790, to that place/ with «• In one of my journeys to London, after my election to the classical tutorship at Hackney College, a sturdy indepen- dence of spirit had well nigh brought me into a dilemma most uncomfortable to one of my tender habits and constitution. Twice did I travel backwards and forwards between Notting- ham and London, to seek after a house, besides my last journey of removal 5 on all which occasions I walked above three- fourths of the way. One day after going sixty-two miles, above forty of which I had walked since seven in the morning, under a burning sun, and on a road clouded with dust by the passage of car- riages during the general election, I reacht after sun-set a solitary inn on the other side of Northampton, which had been recommended to me as an excellent place of peaceful accom- modation. I greeted the mansion with emotions of uncom- mon delight after so wearisome a pilgrimage; went in, and 334 LIFE OF two dependencies; that of private pupils and that o^ public tuition at the College. Both these askt an obscure figure of a landlady, sitting by the fire in dark- ness visible, *■* Where dying embers through the room Taught light to counterfeit a gloom," if I could get some supper and a lodging there that night ? She did not know whether I could or not. " Let me know at once," said I, " because I have no time to lose." She not much liking, I presume, my " bodily presence," which was not very weighty, muttered a faint consent. This ungracious acquiescence stirred up in me my Pytha- gorean maxim, of which I have made excellent use on nu- merous occasions. -■ TtxvT'wv Ss i^aXicrr' ai(r')(^vvso (ravrov. " And above all men reverence thyself." I I rejected at once her insolent donation; started from the room ; and almost overpowered with heat, and thirst, and weariness, sallied out in quest of another asylum for the night. None but the brother pilgrim, whose feet have carried him " O'er hills of peril and through vales of woe," can easily imagine the fortitude necessary for such an assertion of personal dignity and independence. Night with sable fingers was drawing her curtain over me, and shedding dews and darkness on the face of nature : the simple inhabitants of these rural regions were hastening to re- pose; nor did I know where another house of entertainment might be found, having gone at other times ten miles on the GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 335 anchors at length failed me, and left my little bark again afloat on the ocean of life. It is well known to all my friends, and no secret to many others, that the son of a noble- man, distinguished by his rank, his love of letters, and his liberal opinions on religious subjects, was to have been placed under my care. Certain apprehensions not unlikely to operate in this case, against the wish and de- termination of the noble person himself, pre- vented the execution of his intentions. I am well aware that many suspicions, in- jurious to his character, and unfounded in turnpike, in this county, without seeing a single liabitation by the road-side, or finding a drop of water. A lodging under a hedgCj or in a hovel, was now in prospect ; when I fortu- nately approacht, in the extremity of the evening, a small inn, which furnisht hospitable entertainment and a comfortable bed J whither I retired in about an hour after my arrival; but my customary watchfulness went with me. I procured some intervals of imperfect sleep between twelve and two : and left the house before three in prosecution of my journey. " Tir'd Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep! He like the world his ready visit pays Where fortune smiles ; the wretched he forsakes : Swift on his downy pinions flies from woe. And lights on lids unsullied with a tear. From short, as usual, and disturb'd repose I wake." Young. W. 336 LIFE OF reality, have been entertained both bv mv friends and enemies: but I must deelare pub- licly that his behaviour throuoliout this trans- action was ingenuous, candid, and without disguise ; becoming a xiotary of truth, and a man of honour. Shall I, who assume the liberty of thinking as I please, and of altering my purpose ten times a day, if propriety and conviction dictate a change of sentiment, refuse a privilege to others which I employ so unrestrainedly my- self? All that I require on these occasions is ^frankness of action, an e.rplicitness of language, declaratory of a free and honest soul. It would have implied gross ignorance of the world indeed, and a defect of observation incompatible with my experience, in union with discernment, at all superior to the intui- tion of a changeling, not to be sensible that a professor of my religious opinions, exercising so much freedom of writing and conversation, could expect no general encouragement as an instructor of youth, and could only look for success from the particular and zealous patro- nage of individuals. With these disappoint- ments, therefore, all my expectations from this plan were of course extinguished ; and this is the genuine account of my failure in this part of my prospects. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 337 My other dependence, the classical tutor- ship at the College, was by much tlie more agreeable of the txco; Jind in that situation I was hoping to, pass the remainder of my days. On entering upon my office I found reason to congratulate mvself on the zeal and docilitv of my pupils. Never was I connected Avith such a set of orderly, industrious, attentive, respectful, and amiable youtlis. The flame of attachment which their o-ratitude and affection kindled in my breast, will go out in that mo- ment only when memory is extinguished. But I was heavily concerned to find in most of them lamentable deficiencies indeed, and in all, but a slender portion of those delicate sen- sibilities to beauty, sublimity, and pathos of composition, which result from an elegant clas- sical education. What must be done? An imperfect execu- tion of my office was a misery in which I could not acquiesce; and no time adequate to a re- medy of previous disadvantages could be al- lotted from the general distribution of academic business; nay, the present allowance was ren- dered partly ineffectual by the jaded attention which was brought to my lectures from the distracting variety of other occupations. This was their own complaint, and of itself visible enough to me in it's effects, A similar VOL. I. z 338 LIFE OF evil had occasioned to my mind perpetual un- easiness at jrarrington in a former period, and determined me in that case, as in the present, to correct the improprieties in our system, or relinquish my station in the college. In short I sio-nified mv intention of resig- nation to the Committee; intimating-, to the best of my recollection, my disapprobation of the present plan of procedure; which I had not spared to censure to several of their body, in private conversation, as far as was consis- tent M'ith decency, and the respect that 1 felt for individuals. I found myself, indeed, in a most difficult and delicate situation; highly dissatisfied with our plan, and yet not forward to make a public remonstrance, lest my conduct, as Mas natural, might carry with it too much an appearance of attempting to establish my own interest on the ruin of my associates. Indeed by the very illiberal conduct of a leading member in the committee, I was em- broiled to the utmost of his power with my colleague the late Dr. Kippis; a gentleman whose unlimited benevolence, independently of his literary accomplishments, had won my ve- neration ; and from whom no one could with- hold respect, who was himself respectable. Leaving, however, such gross impropriety GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 339 to the reprobation of all honest men, v/ithout further chastisement from me, affairs seemed at one time to be tending fast to a reforma- tion, Mdien a sudden pause took place, and left me no alternative but escape from a crazy and sinking vessel. My connexion with the col- lege ceased in June ITPI-*" ^ Some months previous to this period Mr. Wakefield hav- ing signified his intention to resign the tutorship, his pupils gave the fijllowing testimony of their grateful attachment, and of their sincere regret at the prospect of losing the advan- tage of his instructions: December is, 1790. At a Meeting of Mr. Wakefield's Pupils at the New College, Hackney, it was unanimously resolved that the following Address be sent to him : Sir, It gives us the greatest pain to hear that you have signified to the Committee an intention of resigning the office of Tutor. We earnestly hope that some means will be taken to remove the causes which have unhappily led you to such a resolution. Our high sense of your merit, and of the im- provement we derive from your instruction, lead us to entreat that you will reconsider the affair, and to express our sincere wishes that you may be prevailed upon to continue in a situa- tion in which you are at once so useful and so respectable. Signed, by desire of the students, T. NoRGATE, This testimony of regard for their tutor was afterwards con- firmed by a present of nearly one hundred pounds, raised en- tirely among the students themselves, for the purpose of aug- menting his library. o 340 LIFE OF I shall here make some observations upon; the highly important sul)ject of academical in- struction, and with particular reference to the Christian Jlliriishy; and the dissenters may assure themselves that tiieir interest and re- spectabiliti) as a body are ver}' materiall}" con- cerned in what I am now proceeding to re- mark. I most heartily wish to see every branch of useful and ornamental learning flou- rish among them. For the province which I am undertakings my e.vperience, at least, has amply qualified UiC, and I have heretofore discussed the subject with the late Dr. Aikin, our divinitv tutor at JVarrina-ton, who (not to mention everv otlier person with whom I have conversed) acknow- ledged the rectitude of my ideas upon the question. The scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ments are, as all parties allow, the sole reposi- tories of divine truth, and the store-houses Mdience all our materials of a religious creed are to be derived. What then is the first step ne- cessary ? Undeniably, an intimate acquaint- ance with the language and phraseology of the sacred volume, in conjunction with those indis- pensible assistances, which an accurate and extensive knowledge of the Greek and Roman writers is capable of furnishing. Every phi- GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 341 losopliical mind will readily grant me, that no system of religious doctrines can be valuable to the possessor, or useful to the promotion of gospel truth, which is not the result of an im- partial and unbiassed perusal of the scrip- tures. The N'eza Testament should be read as if the book were newly published in the world, and, if possible, every interference of any senti- ments professed among different sects of Chris- tians most scrupulously shut out. Let the student thoroughly understand the cUctiun and style of his author's composition, and deduce his own creed accordmgly. Where is the meritorious difference between Socinicm and Trinitarian^ if the respective doc- trines have been poured into the mind through the funnel of a lecture? Of M'hat value is the fire of zeal, without the illumination of knoxv- ledge? A direct consequence of such disci- pline is the production of sects and divisions in society, rather than edification in gospel truth and gospel manners. I feel no difficulty there- fore in condemning most decisively and se- verely that plan of lecturing in Trinitarianism, Arianism, and Sociniajiism, the pre-eiistence of Christ, &c.; Mhence springs, with other evil iVuit, a harvest of theological co.vcombs, devoted ^Q a system, and puffed up with a vain conceit 342 LIFE OF of profound knowledge not Nvorth pos^^essing. The building may look fair and stately to the eye of an unskilful or inaccurate observer, but '\t's foundation is on the sand. The absurdity, however, and inefficacy of this method, is sufficiently apparent from one obvious circumstance; which is, that the in- genuous youth (and to such I appeal) eager for knowledge, and burning for improvement, is wearied and disgusted by this tedious pro- cess, unsuitable to his taste and years. He struggles against nature, but in vain. The weaknesses of mortality are no match for such a potent adversary. " succombant sous I'efFort Soupire, etend les bras, ferme Tceil, et s'endort." As to the Mathematical and Philosophical departments of education, the elements of science are dry and abstract, and, as expe- rience proves, exceedingly unpalatable to the generality of young minds. The pupil should therefore be carried forward with all the ex- pedition that a faithful and accurate initiation will admit, to a practical application of his principles to the striking, amusing, and in- structive truths of thtfour branches of natural philosophy, and to the sublime demonstrations of the Newtonian system of the universe. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 343 13iit how can he be expected to relish those tedious theories of which he sees no end and application? This is so abundantly authorised hyfact^ and is in itself so evident, as to render a further discussion of the point nothing less than an inexcusable insult to the understand- ing of the reader. With respect to Metaphysics, Morals, His- tory, and Politics, lectures on these subjects are of little utility in an early stage of life:^ the faculties are not yet qualified to love or comprehend them : and words are employed, and questions answered, without any impres- sion of distinct and correspondent ideas upon the mind. I know from experience that what I say is generally true, though there are, no doubt, occasional exceptions. I, moreover, exceedingly condemn, as pre- judicial, and even ruinous, the method of con- veying knowledge in pre-composed lectures, which leave no proper independent exertion for the understandino- and industrv of the stu- dent. f — — " dura prima novis adolesclt frondibus aetas, Parcendum tenerisj et dum se laetus ad auras Palmes agit, laxis per purum immissus habenis." ViKG. Geo. II. 362. W. 344 LIFE OF The greatest service of tuition to any youth, is to teach him the exercise of his OWN powers;'^ to conduct him to the hili of knowledge by that gradual process in which he sees and secures his own way, and rejoices in a consciousness of his own Jaculties and his own proficiency.^ Puppies and sciolists alone can be expected to be formed by any other process. The tree of knowledge cannot be climbed but with difficulty and patience. An able tutor, at a proper period of the student's life, should point out to him the most s " The business of education in respect to knowledge, is not, as I think, to perfect a learner in all, or any one of the sciences, but to give his mind that freedom, that disposition, and those habits, that may enable him to attain any part of knowledge he shall apply himself to, or stand in need of in the future course of his life." Locke. Conduct of the Understanding. Sect. XIL See also Sect. XIX. '' TtjV yzvva.ia.v y.oi,i (piXoti'xov fvcriv ru vovoj xrrj^svra TtXzov svip^aivci rcvv airovw; cru\\syoiJ.svujv' xai /xaAAoy YjSarai Anecdot. Gr^ec. Villoison, torn. If. p. 50. W. What is acquired by labour pleases the generous nature, ■which is eager for distinction, more than that which is collected without labour ; and a person is more delighted by supplying^ hiiriseif, than by receiving from others. GILBERT WAKEFIELD. 345 valuable authors in these different provinces of literature for his own private studies, with leave to consult him in difficulty, and confer with him on stated occasions. He will not pretend to make scholars, but to enable his pupils to make themselves such. As for lectures on these branches, they only destroy time, tempt patience, and are an affront to an understand- ing moderately endowed by nature.* A capacity of employing time with pleasure and advantage, the grand security against immorality and dissipation,^ is the most useful * " People have now-a-days got a strange opiinon that every thing should be taught by lectures. Now I cannot see that lectures can do so much good as reading the books fiom which the lectures are taken. I know nothing that can be best taught by lectures, except where experiments are to be shewn. You may teach chymistry by lectures; you may teach jnaking shoes by lectures." Dr. Johnson. W. Chilo apud Diog. Laert. 17. E. edit. Rom. What is difficult ? to employ leisure well. Epuirr^bci; ri a.vrw 'gspiyB-yovev sx (IiiKoent, and, I trust, impartial searcher of the Scrip- tures, and must say, that upon mature deliber- ation, I think the doctrines delivered in that book are improperly and inadequately repre- sented in the articles of our church. The same reasons to which my fellowship will fall a sacrifice in a few months, will certainly pre- vent any repetition of my subscription, even though this determination be attended with the loss of Brewood: for that at least, I pre- sume, is an indispensable introduction to the mastership. Strange! that a formal subscrip- tion to the Articles of the Church of England should have ever been deemed essential to the con\€ya.nce of classical histruction • that things so unconnected in their nature should have ever been united ! £S ITijysiov ifcoisi xaXippoov Cowp OvS' r/j? S?M10V. ^ b U. ii, 752. . a n the gentle flood Fours into Peneus all his limpid stores, But with the silver-eddied Peneus flows Unmixt as oil." Cowi'eb. LETTERS, 373 I suppose there is no probability of any initi. LETTERS. 403 the independent attestations to the Jewish ReveUition, internal and external, are abun- dantly sufficient to command the acquiescence of any prudent man who will acquaint himself with them. No evidence of this kind amounts to mathematical demonstration: it is all that the most scrupulous sceptic has a right to claim, if it be highly probable: no historical evidence can be greater, and good arguments might be offered against the propriety of any greater in religion, which respects the conduct of a rational and probationary creature. Not, however, that I should think myself obliged to accept as authentic history, every fact recorded in the canonical books of the Old Testament. And yet perhaps no general rule could be laid down in this case, concern- ing what should be rejected, and what re- ceived : and every man would differ according to his different apprehensions of the subject. To give an instance. It is related (Joshua X. 12 — 15) that the sun and moon stood still at the command of Joshua. Supposing the earth's diurnal rotation only to have been sus- pended, every particle of loose matter on the surface must have been miraculously detained in its position at that time, or the centrifugal force would have carried it away from its 2 404 LETTERS. place: to say nothing of the great dispropor- tion between the miracle and its end. God, in authenticating his last and best Revelation, was not so profuse (if we may so speak) of his exertions. All the mighty works of his Son were benevolent in their object, and important in their end. Besides the context shews this particular of the relation to be extracted from another book, probably a collection of poetical pieces: and as the battle evidently appears to have commenced early in the morning, and might continue through the day, the author of the work referred to, took advantage of this circumstance, and by a sublime, amplification, not unusual in the figurative raptures of Eastern poetry, magnified the appearance of those lu- minaries from the beginning of the battle to the end, into a suspension of their course in the midst of heaven." [The rest of this letter is unfortunately torn off.] o See Mr. Wakefield's further illustration of this subject, "Mem." II. 31, &c. note. LETTERS. 405 LETTER XIII. Mr, Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Warrington, July 30, 1780. DEAR SIR, I HAVE been somewhat dilatory, but shall make no apologies. Indeed, I have been indisposed for this fortnight past, and am not yet quite well; and have besides made a short excursion to Stockport. My indisposition more affects the mind than the body, and is nothing but a total incapacity of application to any useful business, arising in part from the languor occasioned by the heat. My disposition to study has been at all times exceedingly capricious, and has there- fore produced long intervals of idleness j^ and this has gained me the character of a much harder student than I ever was. What is a little surprising to myself, considering my for- mer ardor, is, that my thirst for knowledge is actually much abated, and in my opinion, I shall never urge my researches with alacrity, p See supra, p. 8/. 406 LETTERS. till I am disengaged from all avocations that interfere with my own pursuits. I like the present lineaments of your wwr^e- I'mg'^ well. I hope the care and aft'ection of its parent will be speedily exerted in bringing it up to the maturity of a perfect man, that it may be " a burning and shining light" in its generation, warm Avitli zeal and illuminated with knowledge. Warburton's " Divine Legation," I never read throughout, but have only consulted it occasionally. It is, I believe, a well-stored magazine of learned disquisition and useful information, and might, I should think, be of service to you in your projected work. I cannot be surprised at your impatience in your present situation. Nor do I think, as you seem resolved (and with reason) to relin- quish it, that you can adopt your measures for that purpose too soon. Optima quceque dies miseris mortalibus sevi Prima fugit : subeunt morbi, Uistisque senectus, "■ And your preference for London seems Judi- 1 Referring to some projected work of his correspondent, ^ Georg. iii. 67. " Our best of days advance with double speed. Diseases, pains, a ghastly troop ! succeed ; With care, and labour, and complaining age." Warton, LETTERS. 407 cious, as it is the most conspicuous and promis- ing theatre for predicatorial exhibitions. The station of Hfe which I had once repre- sented to myself as the perfection of terrestrial felicity, was, the possession of a competent country living, of a moderate parish, where religion might be preached with success, and where an exemplary and condescending de- meanour might have rendered a man the fa- ther of his little flock, A situation this, never meant for the visionary who created it. I can readily allow you to be honest from an incapacity to be a knave; i. e. from a well- grounded incapacity of hazarding a mean or improper action: such an incapacity as I wish the whole race of man had the happiness to labour under to the end of time. I was sorry to leave you so abruptly the other day, but it was inevitable: and I shall moderate my sorrow, if it might prove an in- ducement to you to compensate the mortifica- tion, if it were only by an equivalent, which, I think, common gratitude will require at your hands. But I am sure you are not one of those estimating characters that imagine themselves to have returned a kindness by another of equal value; you will not, I hope, hesitate to repay with usury. Will you fix a day for pay- ment, and enhance the value of it by an early 408 LETTERS, date? My time of occupation begins to draw on apace, which leaves me but Httle leisure for the domestic offices of friendship and hospi- tality. My e7inui and peevishness, or rather fro- wardness of head, is so extraordinary, that I could not by any means assure myself of com- pleting this letter when I first began it. My wife desires her comphments. I hope your mother is well. I am, dear Sir, Yours affectionately, Gilbert Wakefield, LETTER XIV, Mr. Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Warrington, Sept. ]l, 178O. DEAR SIR, I FIND myself obliged by the present hurry of the recommencement of our sessions to write a few lines in the way of prelude, and prevention. Your last favour shall be more LETTERS. 409 exactly attended to at my earliest leisure, and I would not wish you to think me unmindful of you, though I cannot always punctually oh- serve the proper seasons of correspondence. We are upon the eve of removal to a more commodious house, in an airy and pleasant situation, with the convenient appendage of a «*arden, and cannot on that account receive you just now with equal satisfaction: though I fear you were not so urgent upon fiivouring us with your company, as to render this apo- logy necessary, or to endanger our inconve- nience. I have got a young gentleman with me in the house, and mean to take one more, who, I believe, if we can agree, is to come from Liverpool. My time before was chiefly taken up in the business of the Academy, which in- duced me to fill up the measure at once, that I may be able to relinquish such a busy life the sooner. Indeed, my head is exceedingly capricious, and cannot attend with profit to my own concerns, when distracted by a multi- plicity of foreign avocations : nor can I pursue any regular and substantial scheme of study, by short and detached intervals. In the mean time, I shall endeavour to reap as much fruit as possible from those employments which come upon me daily. 410 LETTERS. Have you seen any of the poems of a gentleman whose name is Hayley? One of his upon History, addressed to Mr. Gibbon, appears to have great merit. At least some extracts in the Revie>y, containing the charac- ters of some celebi'ated historians, ancient and modern, gave me much gratification. My wife desires to be remembered to you. I hope your mother is well. I am, dear Sir, Yours, with sincere aflFection, Gilbert Wakefield. LETTER XV. 3/r. Wakefield to the Rev, Mr. Gregory. Warrington, Oct. 13, 1 780. '' What shall I say unto my friend? what shall I speak ? or how shall I clear my- self.'^" — I am constrained to adopt the ejacula- tion of the patriarch; though the offence in both cases was involuntary; he was conscious LETTERS. 411 of no wrong towards the Ruler of the land, and a variety of business has made me inattentive against my will, but not forgetful of my friend. Your promise of a speedy translation of your bodily presence to Warrington, gives me much pleasure: let not delay diminish it. I am sufficiently at liberty to enjoy a good share of your company at all times, but rather more so at the end of the week, than at the begin- ning. Will you fix a time? Will you say next week? Only give a line of premonition, that I may contract no engagements. With respect to your question concerning the law of Moses, I think Jesus expressly af- firms the worship which he was delegated to establish to be a worship "in spirit and in truth:" i. e. (as the context clearly shews) in spirit, in contradistinction to the ceremonial dispensation of the Jews: in truth, in opposi- tion to the groundless notions of the Samari- tans. Christianity is a religion of the heart, and therefore whatever makes part of the Jewish ritual, which was chiefly calculated for the removal of political disqualifications and external impurities, must be considered as abolished by the promulgation of Christianity. The law which Christ declares he came to complete, is the moral law, of imnnitable and 412 LETTERS. eternal obligation; a law, not written "with pen and ink," or engraven on tables of stone, but impressed on the living tables of the heart. Indeed, the temple itself was so necessary in almost all the services of the law, that the demolition of that must involve in it the abro- gation of those rites which respected it. But I rather think you propose the ques- tion with reference to Madatis book,' which I have not seen ; but have been told that some of his arguments proceed upon the usage of some approved characters in the Bible-history, To which it may be answered, that the Bible is, in many j)arts, merely an historical relation, and therefore, agreeably to the fidelity of his- tory, frequently records the good and bad transactions of men for the admonition of fu- ture ages, without censure or approbation. Besides, Christianity is the perfection of right reason, and calculated to be eminently produc- tive of the felicity of men; and, therefore, whatever may be proved to be highly rational and subservient to the general good, must, I think, be esteemed a doctrine of that dispen- sation. But so much may be said in confirma- » " Tbelypthora, or a Treatise on Female Ruin," by the Reverend Mr. Madan; a work well remembered for the severe animadversions which it drew upon its author. LETTERS. 413 tion of this opinion, that nothing but a per- sonal conference can do justice to the subject, to which I hope soon to submit it with you. Your intentions respecting that young gentleman are but a continuation of your be- nevolent and friendly attentions to me. But I will tell you my design. Three or four will be the most that I shall take. They will each have a bed-room to themselves, and a common room to study in, besides a parlour below, which they may frequent between the seasons of business, and will live in all respects like ourselves. We shall make their situation as comfortable and liberal as possible; and I shall expect them to be assiduous and atten- tive, as the absolute condition of their stay with me. They cannot else stay with utility to themselves, or pleasure to me. I have one already who attends some lectures at the Aca- demy; but he is so negligent, that I hope not to keep him long. I might have had Mr. 's nephew, of Liverpool, but as he was designed to attend at the Academy, and I find it inconvenient not to have them to my- self, as it occasions irregularity in family- hours, and hinders that immediate improve- ment with me, which is the great object, I de- clined taking him. 414 LETTERS. The expence of furniture for their accomo- dation, and other things considered, I have determined, and that by the advice of my friends, not to take any under 06" 100 per an- num : it is a great price; but this is not now a business of necessity with me, and I mean to discharge it with a painful assiduity to the best of my ability. I have adopted the plan since my removal to this commodious house, and my brother, at Richmond, is taking mea- sures for its execution. I mean to take only three, but make a timely reserve of one, if any particular instance should occur, that no one may think himself aggrieved by a trans- gression of my agreement. Our vacation, which is two months in the summer, is the only time I should wish them to be from me. Mv wife desires her best wishes. I am, dear Sir, Yours, very sincerely and aifectionately, Gilbert Wakefield. LETTERS. 415 LETTER XVI. Dr. Jebb' to Mr. Wakefield. DEAR SIR, I RETURN you my sincere acknow- ledgments for the very great pleasure I re- ceived from your favour of the 5th ult. It would give me the highest satisfaction to see both the works you mention executed ex- actly in the manner you propose. The bishop of Carlisle has often discoursed with me upon the subject of a new translation, and wished it might be attempted. It would not be an improper measure to hint to friends that communications would be acceptable, re- serving to yourself the full power of disposing of them in the way you would approve. I am glad that you bound your idea with the Nexv Testament. I could almost wish the first attempt would reach no further than the gospels; for such a part, done with accuracy and judgment, would be productive of infinite * See a former letter from this gentleman, supra, p. 213j 416 LETTERS. advantage. Verses and chapters would, no doubt, be marked on the side, as in the Greek edition of Bengelius. Our excellent friend Tyrwhitt, I have no doubt, would communicate what would assist greatly in the good work. With respect to the Epistle to the Hebrews, it would be a very valuable work to give a new translation of it ; for strange are the conclu- sions that are deduced from it at present. I shall rejoice to hear you are thoroughly engaged in these employments; they will in- deed be worthy of your utmost attention ; for nothing can be more pleasing than to diffuse the knowledge of the gospel; and nothing can do this more effectually than the rendering- it intelligible and consistent to the EngUsli reader. I receivetl a letter some days ago respect- ing subscription to a building at Warrington. I wish it were in my power to return a better ansM'cr. The fact is, that as yet I have no property which I can call my own, and it would be injustice in me to make a parade of sub- scribing, when I must subscribe what would belong to others and not myself. Were I in circumstances, I should not hesitate to shew my attachment to the cause of liberty and lite- rature, which the establishment at Warrington is so much calculated to promote. LETTERS, 417 I beg my respects to Dr. Enfield, and if you would make an apology for me, grounded on Avhat I have mentioned, you would much oblige me. I saw young Mr. Shore, who speaks of you with great respect. Mrs. Jebb joins me in good wishes; and I remain, with great esteem, sincerely yours, John Jebb, Craven-street, Oct. 17, 178O. LETTER XVIL Mr. WAKEriELD to Mr. Crafton." Warrington, Nov. I6, 1/80. DEAR SIR, I BEG leave to return the books ^ you were so kind as to send me. I have not time to read them through at present, nor in- " This gentleman was a Quaker, and then residing at Warrington. t Barclay's Apology, and Law's Address to the Clergy. VOL. I. 2 J. 418 LETTERS. deed do I now think I ever shall. The perusal of a few passages in each has sufficiently con- vinced me of the spirit that pervades them both, in which is so little conformable to mv notions of these matters, that I mean to read such mystical and gloomy works iio more : and in this 1 shall think myself entirely justifiable; as much so as you, I dare say, think yourself in not reading the journals of the Methodists. Some years a^'o I was much inclined to these uncomfortable conceptions of Chris- tianity ; and 1 reflect upon my deliverance from them, as a mariner on his escape from the storm, with a pensive pleasure, with a mix- ture of horror and exultation. Thev are cal- culated, I am persuaded, to produce that worst of all mental disorders, spiritual pride; by mak- ing us fancy ourselves the peculiar objects of divine favour and illumination. They tend to create a morose solemnitv of manners, an in- solent contempt of the qualifications of other men, and a surl}^ piety: all which affections are, in my opinion, completely exemplified in Barclay's writings. They insensibly lead men to such excess of presumption and impiety as makes them set up for inspired teachers of the truth, usurp the province of prophets and apostles, and substitute the uncertain and ima- LETTERS. 419 ginary feelings of self-delusion for the infal- lible word of God. One observation of your's I overlooked in my hurry. You say, " It cannot then be true, that if man had continued in the likeness and image of his all-perfect Creator, every imagina- tion of the thoughts of his heart, should have been ojily evil continually. Such a supposition would be no less blasphemous than absurd." I observe, the last clause of Scripture should be rendered, '' though every imagination, &c. be evil continually;" as you may see in the margin of the Bible, which frequently gives the best translation. Indeed the passage, as it is now read, is, when considered with the context, quite in- conclusive, and nonsensical: if such an asser- tion would be blasphemous and absurd, the Scriptures are chargeable with this blasphemy and absurdity : for see Gen. ix. 6. James iii. 9- which passages are a most unequivocal pl'oof, that the image of God in man, whatever it be, is not extinct, but existing to this day in hu- man nature. That doctrine of the depravation of the human heart, in consequence of the fall, is most unscriptural and erroneous, dishonour- able to God, and an encouragement to sinners; as Dr. Taylor, in his work on Original Sin, has 2 420 LETTERS. demonstrated, by evidence as clear and cogent as can be offered to the human mind. God makes men upj^iglit : but they seek out many inventions. I am, Sir, Your sincere friend, Gilbert Wakefield. LETTER XVIII. il/r. Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Warrington^ Nov, 22, 1780. MY VERY GOOD FRIEND, I AM almost ashamed of sending you such small returns for your acceptable letters, but I prefer this to an entire neglect of you; and mean you to look upon them as an earnest of something more ample, though not more friendly, when leisure v/ill permit. Our little lad has been very ill since you left us, but is now almost recovered. I have had my brother and a newly-acquired sister over, and have been much occupied in the rites of gratulation and hospitality. LETTERS. 421 But, you will say, when will you come to Liverpool? Indeed, I will endeavour to speak to this subject, as divines say, before long, and I hope to the satisfaction of us both. 1 have been contemplating the prolusmis you left with me, though I have not yet com- passed the Siege of Jerusalem J It is a fair tOAvn, and well-fortified. Some little animad- versions, chiefly on the language, I will reserve for a personal conference, if you are not in haste to have them returned. It will give me great pleasure to under- stand that you do not take these make-weight letters unkindly. Believe me, the longest let- ter ever written could not be a more substan- tial pledge of my friendship and regard, nor, as I hope, assure you more satisfactorily how much I am, Yours, sincerely and affectionately, Gilbert Wakefield. y A juvenile Tragedy, written by his correspondent. 422 LETTERS. LETTER XIX. il/r. Wakefield to the Rev. Air. Gregory. WarriDgton, Dec. 9, 178O. DEAR SIR, If no unforeseen and unexpected contingency intervene, I promise myself the pleasure of seeing you soon. Christmas Day, one of our few days of respite, falls, I think, on Monday fortnight. If I come, I must set out on the Saturday, and return on Tuesday morning at the furthest. The season of my visit is unfavourable in one respect, as you will doubtless be unusually occupied in ecclesiastical services: but I am glad to snatch any period of suspension from business, however hallo^ved by mother church, and am obliged to oppose her expostulations with the decisive answer of the bold apostle: Ye observe days^ and months, and seasons and years', which were made for man, and not man for them. I allow that some men are gifted with such LETTERS. 423 a compliant and unclouded brain, such a fa- cility in arrano-ino- their ideas, however dis- similar, without confusion, and such a power of close and persevering attention, as enables them to execute a variety of literary business with success. But I cannot cono-ratulate mv- self upon such rare endowments. My head is coy and capricious, soon fatigued and soon confused, and requires to be courted into good humour by every possible expedient.^ And that independence of spirit M'hich, I persuade myself, pervades the whole tenor of my principles and conduct, pursues me into the very recesses of mv study; and any busi- ness that I am compelled to do (e. g. that of writing to my friends) lies heavier upon me, and remains much longer unfinished than any voluntary labour ten times more tedious. I accept your desire of inspecting any pro- ductions of mine, as a proof of your regard; but alas ! I am in labour, and cannot biing forth. Oh ! for the obstetrical interposition of leisure and tranquillity I I shall be happy in any remarks of yours that may coincide M'ith the objects of my enquiries, and will freely z Mr. Wakefield's frequent complaints of inability to pur- sue his studies, were occasioned, in a great measure, by those violent pains in the head to which he had been subject for many years. 424 LETTERS. communicate what may occur to me, if calcu-* lated for your purposes. If by translations we mean to entertain the reader, it is, no doubt, advisable to give scope to our fancy in a free imitation ; but if we wish to furnish an exact Hkeness of the author, and to exhibit him rather than the translator^ we must adhere to a literal translation. The word credible has not indeed sufficient force; nor do I know any single English word equivalent to in^rToq. When I see you, I will give you my opinion freely upon the entertainment you left Math me, as far as my judgment will authorize it. But dramatic poetry is what I have read the least, admire the least, and am the least able to criticise of all literary productions. My promised excursion to see you at Liver- pool appears in the anticipation as exhilarating as a release from a ten years' captivity to the prisoner. My wife desires her kindest re- membrance. I expect company, and must conclude myself. Very sincerely yours, Gilbert Wakefield, LETTERS. 425 LETTER XX. J/r. Wakefield to the Rev. il/r. Gregory. Warrington, Dec. 22, 1780. DEAR SIR, This, if iiotbing very unexpected intervene, will be the harbinger of my arrival to-morrow, by the stage, whicli, I suppose, will arrive at Griffith's sometime between five and six at night. Indeed a fatal event had well nigh deprived me of the pleasure of this visit. Our little lad is but just recovering from a most formidable attack of sickness: he lay, to all appearance, expiring for several days, and was utterly given up by all ; but was rescued from the very edge of the grave by a most wonderful deliverance. We have had a great mortality at this place : Dr. Aikin, you know, is among the w LETTER XXIII. Mr. Wakefield to Mr. Crafton. Warrington, March 10, 178I. DEAR SIR, I THANK you for your friendly letter of last night, and those expressions of regard and esteem conveyed in it. The question in dispute between Mr. Fother- gill" and his antagonist, is a subject in whose •• See Wakefield's Translation in loc. * An eminent preacher among the Quakers, who had re- sided at Warrington. He was brother to the late Dr. F. VOL. I. 2 G 434 LETTERS. decision I am in no wise concerned: being most certain, in opposition to one, that JVater- Baptism was enjoined to Christians, and as certain, in opposition to the other, that it is unnecessary now, except to new converts from Heathenism, or any false religion, to the Chris- tian faith. My opinion is briefly this : TVater-Baptism was in use among the Jews, and was tlie cere- mony which they employed in admitting pro- selytes to the privileges of their religion. This ceremony was adopted for the same purpose into the Christian oeconomy. I will only offer two reasons for this persuasion of mine out of many that might be adduced: 1. Jesus him- self submitted to it, and he is generally under- stood to have exhibited his own conduct as a pattern to all his future disciples. My second reason is, a passage of scripture, which I think cannot be explained to any other meaning. Acts X. 44 — 48, But this emblematical rite was only designed for Heathen converts to Christianity, not for children born of Chris- tian parents. This also I could prove by abun- dant evidence, if it were needful/ ^ It appears (supra, p. 233) that this correspondence oc- casioned Mr. Wakefield's publication of " A plain and short Account of the Nature of Baptism according to the New Tes* LETTERS. 435 The books you have sent are therefore of no importance to me: for it cannot be sup- posed that I, who have probably read the scriptures in search of truth as much as the authors of them, and could advance, if I do not greatly deceive myself, in defence of my notions, what could not easily be confuted, can be moved from my belief by a few obser- vations of a pamphlet. And, in any case, I should forbear reading them, till I saw Mr. O 's performance, as it is an invariable rule with me to hear both sides: having fre- quently observed that an author's sentiments, considered with the context, wear a very dif- ferent aspect from that delineated in broken and unconnected scraps by his opponent. It may not be amiss to mention that I have heard the late Dr. Aikin, who was a perfectly com- petent and impartial judge, declare that . he thouo-ht Mr. O had the advantao-e in the controversy. You mistake when you suppose that I called either Barclay, or his followers, by those odious epithets. I only said to the best tament," &c. in which, among other topics, he enforces the doctrine of Emlyn's " Previous Question." See on this sub- ject Mr. Frend's Letters to Bishop Pretyman, on his " Ele- ments of Christian Theology," Letters II and III. 2 43& Betters: of ni}^ recollection, nay, I only could say, that his writings are calculated to produce the af- fections particularised in my letter.^ I say so still. And if the Quakers are not chargeable with those vices, which I believe, they owe it to their own good understanding and other causes, more than to Barclay's book; many parts of which are written with a conceited and petulant spirit. . With what you direct to me as a minister of the church of England, I have not the least concern. It is well known that I some time since relinquished my station in that church, because of the little correspondence of her doctrines with my private persuasion; and when either she or the Quakers talk of inspiration^ I believe neither her nor them. I allow myself to be but imperfectly in- formed of the tenets of the Quakers. It has been my study to collect a religious creed from the true source of knowledge : not to examine that of other people. Amidst the great variety of discordant opinions upon ar- ticles of faith, I esteem it no mean part of hiozvledge (if you will overlook the contradic- tion in terms) to be ignorant of some things. With respect to the doctrine of original sin, s See Letter XVII. LETTERS. 437 I think you are also mistaken. My letter was rather an answer to yours, than a discussion of Barclay's sentiments. I do not know that I imputed that doctrine to him: it was unques- tionably implied in your letter, I should be very glad, if it were in my power to enjoy more of your society; but a variety of domestic concerns, best known to myself, added to those of a less private nature, engross my time. Of late indeed Dr. Aikin's death has engaged me almost inevitably in more business than I could wish- Believe me, Sir, With sincere regard and esteem. Your humble servant, Gilbert Wakefield, P. S. I have ventured to send you a book, bound up with some other tracts, lately pub- plished, upon the Lord's Supper. It has given me much pleasure. 438 LETTERS. LETTER XXIV. Dr. Jebb to Mr. Wakefield. DEAR SIR, I THANK you heartily for the Epistle to the Thessalonians.'' I hope you will perse- vere. The bishop of Carlisle,' from whom the enclosed comes, highly approves the idea, and I have no doubt will speak favourably to all he sees. I was with him when he did so to the bishop of Rochester. Several of the Hebraisms you have marked, and explained, please me highly : a great deal may be done in that way. I should hope our friend Tyrwhitt would be very serviceable in this great cause: no man possesses a greater power of being eminently useful in it. I have no doubt but that if you would write to the bishop of Carlisle, at Cambridge, telling fully your idea of any particular Epistle, he would send you his thoughts upon particu- lar passages, which might be amended in the ^ See supra, p. 232. ^ Dr. Edmund Law. LETTERS. 439 translation. You would have the power, which it is very necessary you should retain, of attending to the hints you should receive, from him, or others, as you thought proper. I shall be happy at hearing from you at your leisure. In the mean time I will do all, in furtherance of the cause, that I can do. But my attention to business, wlwch now grows upon me, prevents my giving so much reflec- tion to these subjects as I could wish. With best respects and great esteem, I am, sincerely, yours, John Jebb. Craven Street, 17th May, 178I. LETTER XXV. J/r. Wakefield to the Bishop o/* Car lisle. Warrington, May I9, 178I. MY LORD, At the instance of Dr. Jebb, and prompted by my own knowledge of your lord- 440 LETTERS. ship's character, I have taken the liberty to return you my thanks for those observations on the first Epistle to the Thessalonians, which he has just communicated to me. They are much as I should have previously expected from a person of your extensive erudition, and intimate acquaintance Avith the letter and spirit of the sacred writings. I am a stranger to flattery, and lament that truth should some- times wear the appearance of it. You will judge, my lord, how happy I should think my- self in receiving more favours of this kind. Will you bear with me, if I take this op- portunity of mentioning a few things with re- spect to my intended translation?'' As 1 was not at all sanguine in my expectations of the success of a work so little adapted to the taste of the generality, I did not explain my inten- tion in the preface so circumstantially as I should have done: I will be more particular, if I have occasion to republish that specimen; Avhich is possible, since I only printed two hundred and fifty copies. I mean to have one volume of notes, merely to justify my deviations from the old version, which I shall make as concise and plain as pos- k Of the whole New Testament^ with noteS;, published in 1791. See gupra, p. 355. LETTERS. ^ 441 sible, for the satisfaction of the unlearned. I have a o;reat variety of observations of another east, which I think will considerably illustrate many passages of scripture, and many points of doctrine. They are for the most part new, and, as it appears to me, of importance. These will be by no means calculated for common readers: and as I should be unM'illino- to en- cumber them with what they could not use, I shall reserve them for another volume, which will be necessary to complete the design. Though I have no doubt respecting the meaning of the first chapter of Jo/w, I shall be at a loss whether to render Xoyci; by zvisdom, or reason. fFisdom would be more intelligible, and in that similar passage, Prov. ch. viii. the Septuagint use (ro 1784. DEAR GREGORY, Though much formality and our at- tachment would be but ill connected, I beg leave to observe, that I was not the debtor in our correspondence before the arrival of your last letter. The natural fondness which authors feel for their own productions, will give you some concern at the procrastination of your Essays: and I wish that you could have made some eligible agreement with your bookseller. I. admire, however, your steadiness, which is able, in such critical cases, to overbalance your parental partialities. If every one were endued with the same proportion of sober resolution, we should have less disappointment in the world, and fewer perishable publica- tions. Your Essays contain certainly many solid LETTERS. 505 remarks and useful facts, of still more impor- tance than any theories, in developing the nature of the human mind: hut I as certainly think that they are not sufficiently entertain- ing, and let me add futile, to command a very general attention from this unlearned and su- perficial generation. We are told a great deal about the great diffusion of knowledge, and the literary cast of modern times: but I am persuaded that the sum total of knowledge is less now than it has been for two centuries. The rays are scattered over a more extensive surface; but are less luminous in proportion to their dispersion. Experimental philosophy, history, &c. and all those subjects which are easy of acquisition, are more cultivated and more generally known: they suit the levity and indolence of the age. But mathematical philosophy, and that species of learning, which is conversant with ancient authors and ancient times, is at a very low ebb, and seems still subsiding. As Mr. Pitt has risen in your opinion, he has proportionably sunk in mine. I pro- nounced, from his first speeches I ever saw, that lie Mould never be a great man. They exhibited the caution, the precision, the cold- ness of a gray-haired orator: unattended by the bold luxuriances, the bright-eyed fancy, 506 LETTERS. the general characteristics of youthful genius Besides, that absurd stateliness of manners, which will command respect, but never gain love; those symptoms of an immoderate self- opinion, visible in his exterior ever since I knew him; his fondness for courtly honours, are pro})erties incompatible with a truly great and amiable mind. For my part, it seems to me highly disgraceful that so young and inex- perienced a man should direct a nation, and monopolise its first offices, to the exclusion of more venerable and able characters. His in- tegrity is, I dare say, unimpeachable. I easily picture to myself the complacency, the satisfaction, the triumph of our friend F. going about doing good among the poor brethren. I congratulate you on your preferments, which I hope are only the first fruits of a plen- teous harvest. If you sometimes want my advice, I very often want such as you could give me; but these advantages, alas! must be foregone. Yours sincerely, Gilbert Wakefield. LETTERS. 507 LETTER XLIX. J/r. Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Bramcote, June 6, 1784. DEAR GREGORY, I AM going tomorrow with my pupil to Cambridge; and as I thought I coukl put the letter in the office commodiously on the road, I gladly took advantage of the opportu- nity of writing a line to you. I shall be from home about five days; and after my return, intend, God willing, to prepare for my de- parture to Richmond,^ where I hope to be in about a fortnight. Though it is the general opinion that my present scheme can hardly fail of success, I do not feel myself, I confess, remarkably san- guine on the occasion. Not a single pupil have I yet heard of: but perhaps it M^ere unrea- sonable to expect any applications before I am lixed on the scene of action. As soon as I am ^ See supra, p. 25':^. 508 LETTERS. there, I will call upon some friends in London, who may possibly be of some service. Indeed I will remit no endeavours, as I find myself exceedingly desirous not to begin the plan without some provision, some first-fruits of an approaching harvest. Mr. Evanson, of Mitcham, as my brother informs me, overflows in such a manner, as compels him to limit his number to ten, and to raise his terms to £60. You, no doubt, have heard of him ; he is a notorious and con- firmed heretic. He wrote some years ago a letter to Hurd, then bishop of Litchfield, upon the subject of the Prophecies and Antichrist. He is an ingenious and well-informed man. There are some individuals at Richmond as earnest about my success as myself; but with diiferent dispositions. My prosperity in this way will chagrin them as much as it will give you and me plea- sure. It is an unmanly feeling, I allow; but M'ho loves to see " the uncircumcised triumph?" When I am settled, I shall hope for the pleasure of your company: though if I may form an argument of induction from your for- mer conduct, I must not expect it above once a year. Fie upon you! to have lived so long within eighteen miles, and very frequently without one reasonable impediment, and never LETTERS. 509 to have come but once, on set purpose, to Warrington! suffer me to preach to you re- pentance and reformation. Mrs. W. desires her respects. Believe me, with the utmost sincerity, Yours, aifectionately, Gilbert Wakefield, LETTER L. The Bishop of Landaff to Mr. Wakefield. Cambridge, July 26, 1784. REV. SIR, A VARIETY of business prevented me for some time from reading your book,^ or I would sooner have thanked you for the honour you have done me by inscribing it to me. I admire and approve the spirit and eru- dition with which it is written; and though I think the pre-existence of Jesus to be the e " Enquiry, &c. concerning the Person of Christ." See supra, p. 149. 5iO LETTERS. doctrine of the New Testament, yet I am far from wishing the contrary opinion to be stifled, or the supporters of it to be branded as enemies to the Christian system. Whoever is afraid of submitting any ques- tion, civil or religious, to the test of free dis- cussion, seems to me to be more in love with his own opinion than with truth. I shall be glad to see you either in Cam- bridge or in London, that I may become per- sonally known to you. That the spirit of God may guide you in all your researches, is the sincere prayer of Your much obliged servant, R. Landaff. LETTER LL 7T/r. Wakefield to the Rev. 3Ir. Gregory. Richmond, Aug. 3, 1/84. DEAR GREGORY, WHE>r I survey one sheet, or sixteen pages, in a Review, I am appalled at the con- templation. Thrice do I lift up the volume, LETTERS. 511 and thrice it tumbles from my hand ! How- ever, I shall be obliged to you for speaking to the conductor, but will rather wish you not to ratify till I see you. I am very sensible of the trouble, which I impose upon you. I wish most earnestly for an association with two or three others of different pursuits and talents, for the different provinces in a new Review, upon a perfectly liberal and free plan, M'ith real names prefixed to each paper. I think it should be called a literary Review, and only concern itself with the capital publi- cations in each branch of knowledge. But this is a mere Utopian project that has oc- curred during my frequent meditations upon some expedient to employ my time with ad- vantage to others and to myself. The Philosophical Society at Manchester are going to publish a volume, in which an at- tempt of mine on Alphabetical Characters is to make its appearance.'" I know it goes in opposition to your opinion. You will remember ten o'clock next Sa- turday. Yours sincerely, Gilbert Wakefield. '■ See supra, p. 26g. 512 LETTERS. LETTER LI I. J//-. Wakefield to the. Rev. Mr. Gregory. Richmond, Sept. 10, 1/84. DEAR GREGORY, When you talk, and others talk, of thtjitjiess of things, what is meant? Fitness, to what? It occurs several times in your essays. You mistate my favourite study; which is not polemical divinity but divinity itself; whicli is quite another thing : C'est toute autre chose, as Mr. Maty says. And the rea- son why I never took any pleasure in moral ethics, he calls them, and would not give one penny for all the morality in the world, is, because there is no foundation for virtue and immortality but in Revelation: and therefore I could never see any advantage from moral writings, though you point out so many. Give me that edification and those hopes which I find in the scriptures, and let others find theirs where they can. LETTERS. 513 I am fflad you like the Sermon:' but as to sending it to Dr. Pretyman, that would not do; that were to say, Is not my sermon, Pretyman, better than yours? I do not know when I shall leave Rich- mond, but I believe in about three weeks. At present I intend to see London once more. Yours, most sincerely, Gilbert Wakefield. LETTER LIIL Jir. Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Richmond, Sept. 22, I784> DEAR GREGORY, I HAVE got two, if not three, pupils to begin with, at Nottingham. It would have given me pleasure to have * Preached at Richmond, upon the general Peace. See supra, p. 277. VOL. I. 2 M 514 LETTERS. seen you before I went; and I would have gratified myself in this had it been practicable, or had my mind been sufficiently at ease to have enjoyed properly the interview. I believe that many moralists would ex- plain the jitness oj things in a different man- ner: in any case your explanation supposes a wise superintending Providence. We differ in this, that you think the Scrip- tures offer much better grounds of virtue, than any system that ever appeared, whereas, I think, they furnish the ojili/ grounds, and other systems none at all. For this reason, the man who contributes in the least degree to confirm or illustrate the Scriptures, whether he be Thomas Aquinas or Lindsey, deserves better of mankind than all the moralists of reason in the world. We leave this place early on Friday morn- ing, and hope to reach Nottingham on Satur- day night. I never had but one copy of my o-%g^/«crjtta on Alphabetic Writing, which is at Manches- ter for publication in their Miscellany. It is a very rude performance, executed in a popular manner, without authorities, which I had not time or inclination to insert. I ex- pect the book will soon appear to delight and LETTERS. 515 instruct mankind, and the metropolis in par- ticular, where you will no doubt hasten to in- spect it for your own benefit. Believe me Your very affectionate friend, Gilbert Wakefield. LETTER LIV. Mr. Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Nottingham, Nov. 8, ] 784. DEAR FRIEND, You are too liberal by far in your concessions, when you suppose yourself to benefit by my letters, so as to leave me a loser by these communications; but I attribute your mistake to that benevolence of disposition which leads you to conform, more than any man of Av^orth I ever knew, to the Apostle's exhortation, " in honour preferring one an- other." It is a laudable deception. 2 516 LETTERS. Vellem in amicitia sic erraremus, et isti Errori nomen virtus possuisset honestum." ^ I had heard before of the business in agi- tation at Warrington, and I since learn that no scheme is as yet adopted. As to my success at Nottingham, or in any other place, that is a problem, rather than an axiom. I have two gentlemen with me from Exeter, of whose coming I knew before I left Richmond, and with them I shall stop, as far as circumstances allow me to prejudge. I almost wonder that you should not have accepted the oifer from Liverpool: but you are the best judge of your own prospects and feelings. You have my best thanks for your offer of assistance, but my staiF is put up. Could I get admission to such a place with leave to use the Church of England Liturgy reformedy I should eagerly come forwards, and be happy to employ myself in a manner, which I always thought would constitute the first happiness of my life. That mode of public instruction and exhortation would be the most pleasing exercise of my abilities and time: but in this case, even hope is vain. I rejoice with you in disposing of your ^ Hor. Sat. j. 3. 41. LETTERS. 517 " Mammon of Unrighteousness" so well to the Turtleophagi of Liverpool. Mrs. W. is a great deal hetter, and sends her kindest remem- brance. There is a second number of Commentaries and Essays, &c.' by Johnson. Will you just peep in it some day, and see if you can spy any thing of mine? I sent them a o-^gJ/ao-jt^Qs. I . have ordered a copy, but I may not receive it of some time. Believe me, With an unalterable attachment, Your. very affectionate friend, Gilbert Wakefield. 1 " Published by the Society for promoting the Knowledge of the Scriptures," instituted 1/83, whose papers now make 2 vols. 8vo. The " Sketch of the Plan" prefixed to their first volume " was chiefly written by Dr. Jebb." See Disney's Jebb, i. 190. 518 LETTERS. LETTER LV. Mr. Wakefield to the Rev. Mi\ Gregory. Nottingham, March 11, 1/35. DEAR GREGORY, My opinion of your sincerity is too firmly and too justly established to doubt of the reality of those apprehensions concerning me, conveyed in your letter; and my con- sciousness of my own weaknesses too great to dispute their justice, though I may not be im- mediately sensible of them myself You cannot gratify me more, than by an early account of your recovery from your disorder; which I sincerely hope is nothing of a confirmed nature. Do not confine yourself too closely in your contracted apartment; and never neglect a suitable proportion of exercise abroad. What you mean by the pamphlet of the Theological Society I hardly know. I have got two numbers, of those published for John- LETTERS. 519 son, for promoting the knowledge of the scrip- tures, but have not seen a third announced yet. I have sent a paper or two to the Tlieo- logical Repository," and had one inserted in the last number, which you would readily dis- cover by the manner of it, I dare say. I expect to go with my two pupils to Cam- bridge in the spring; and hope my brother will meet me there, to see the university. How it would add to my gratification, would you accompany him. The distance is abso- lutely nothing ; the vehicles commodious and expeditious; and such an excursion highly seasonable and salutary for you at this time. Do think about it. I thank you much for your recommenda- tions. Some gentlemen of this town have im- portuned me to take day-boys, which my friends here think will be very likely to an- swer better. I have only two boarders with me, who go to reside at Cambridge in Octo- ber; and really the good opinion, Avhich some of my friends entertain of me, has been no little inconvenience in procuring me such pu- pils, as other masters had practised their ulti- "> To that work Mr. Wakefield contributed six articles, with the signature of NEPIODIDASCALOS. See Vols. IV, V, VI. 520 LETTERS. matiim upon, and sent to be finished with me ; which is exceedingly troublesome. This has inclined me to admit none beyond fourteen years, in future, upon the same terms with others. This plan of day-boys I shall try fairly, m conjunction, with the other, for some time; and if it does not answer tolerably, give both up finally and contentedly. I have lately turned myself very closely to my old classical pursuits, and meditate some criticisms in that way. My best wishes attend your essays. I conclude myself, with Mrs. Wakefield's best respects, Yours, most sincerely, Gilbert Wakefield. LETTERS. 52, LETTER LVI. J//\ Wakefield to the Rev. Jll?\ Gregory. Nottingham^ May 14, 1/83. DEAR GREGORY, I HAD written to you about a fort- night since, and before the epistle could be dispatched by the parcel, it was suppressed by the determination of our expedition to Cam- bridge: from M'hich 1 hoped to have received more pleasing fruits by your presence, and that of my brother. The notice, it seems, as I supposed, was too short: but I was not my own master in the business, or you should have had more time for preparation. ^\ly engage- ments with my pupils' friends in London, were so ordered, as to make it impossible for me to see you ao-ain. I staid in Richmond till Sun- day, which proyed a horrible and stormy day; and the Sabbath of public conyeyances exposed me to the pelting of the weather for about four miles. Besides, what churchman does not know the bustle of an Easter-Sundav, with 522 LETTERS. that part of the profession wliich Dr. Horsley says are' so equal to the drudgeries of the busi- ness, and look forwards to a rest from their labours with hopes full of episopaey or immor- tality? I am now employing myself in writing a book of criticisms, in Latin, illustrative of the Scriptures, by the means of ancient authors;" of which the university will undertake the printing at her own cost. But this summer Aveather produces in me, as ever, a most per- fect listlessness; and disables me from every thing but the enjoyment of society, which is as scarce with me as with any man: such, I mean, as would be perfectly palatable to my disposition. Have you seen the Bishop of Landaff 's pub- lication; and what do the reverend brethren think of it? What is the news of the literary world, which is not apt to reach my ears? Ipse quid audes? Quae circumvolitas agilis thyma? I have begun, what I have long meditated, to read the Revelations. Yours most affectionately, Gilbert Wakefield. " The first part of this work was published in 1789 under the title of " Silva Critica." See supra, p. 292. LETTERS; 523 LETTER LVIl. J/r. Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Nottingham, Ang. 27, 1785. DEAR GREGORY, I AM glad to observe so much atten- tion and propriety in the two bishops. Mere passive applause lias been the only meed that experience has taught me to expect from such elevated characters: but the liberalitv of the times is in no respect more conspicuous than in its influence upon that order. It will give me new pleasure, and in a greater degree, to un- derstand from you, that the Bishop of C has exerted himself successfully in your behalf. One is rejoiced to see mankind redeemed from the general imputation of degeneracy and selfishness by such instances of disinterested kindness. To your question. We need go no further than the Acts of the Apostles for a proof of the steadfastness of the primitive Christians even unto death. We find the apostles there 524 LETTERS. declaring in the face of the Jewish council, that they should obey God, and not man. In consequence of this adherence to the facts of the Gospel — the life, crucifixion, and resur- rection of Jesus — and an open and undaunted confession of them, Stephen brought destruc- tion on himself The same faith which was so odious to the Jews, who expected a different INIcssiah, occasioned the martyrdom of some other Christians, and amongst the rest of James the brother of John : Acts xii. 1. 2. To proceed no further there, Paul was in hourly expectation of a violent death for per- severance in the same cause. 2 Tim. iv. 6. And what makes the characteristic distinction between these sufferers, and those of after times, some of whom have died in attestation of opposite creeds, and therefore of falsehood, is — that the primitive Christians depended \\\^ou facts — what they had seen with their eyes and heard with their ears, and could not be deceived; but others have died for opbiionsj what they only supposed to be true. It is in- conceivable that they should have persisted in maintaining Christ to be risen, whom they knew before his death, and handled after- Avards, but on a supposition of the truth of this proposition. Other arguments might be alledged; but this is sufficient, till the historic LETTERS. 525 cal credibility of the New Testament is dis- proved, or till the annals of mankind furnish some instances of men's suffering death in such circumstances. I have no doubt but some accounts of thing's of this nature are as well attested in subsequent histories, as other facts of a dif- ferent nature in profane annals, which no man thinks himself at liberty to disbelieve. But posterior evidence is precluded in this case; because those of that o-eneration, which was cotemporary with Christ, and can only come under this description of sensible witnesses, must have been soon extinct. Conversation upon these topics is what I most ardently desire; for I read nothing, and am in some danger of giving up study alto- gether, seeing no end but my own gratifica- tion, and that is selfishness; which be ever far from me ! Indeed, one half of the year, the summer, which brings with it an invincible propensity to ramble abroad, was always idle with me. I shall go to Cambridge, if alive and well, at the latter end of October, to carry for printing, at the university press and expence, in Latin, an illustration of various passages of the scriptures from profane authors. I expect Dr. Clayton to come to reside 526 LETTERS. here immediately; perhaps he is ah'eady come. Mrs. Wakefield is gone for a month to Scar- borough. If you have been to Richmond, you would find my brother in his M^onted good spirits. You know that Dr. Enfield is gone to Norwich. Dr. B is in Nottingham, and holds forth twice on Sunday next: as he is an acquaintance of mine, and so celebrated a preacher, I shall by all means 7iot go to hear him. Yours, most affectionately, Gilbert Wakefield. Did you ever read a small collection of Tracts by the ever-memorable John Hales, of Eton college ; one of the greatest men of that age, which produced many great characters, and was the sera of English virtue and mag- nanimity? LETTERS. 527 LETTER LVIIL Air. Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Nottingham, Oct. 26, 1785. DEAR GREGORY, The inactivity of winter has put a temporary stop to the parcel, by which my letters were conveyed to London, and forces me to write by the post. I go to Cambridge on Sunday, but cannot possibly protract my stay there beyond two days; and the weather has put on a very frown- ing aspect. A little idleness will be very likely to do you good. After breathing so long the fresh western gales from the Irish sea, I am not at all surprised to hear of your complaints, which have their origin, I dare say, in your sedentary mode of life, and the adulterated atmosphere of the city. Besides, your con- duct of your leisure, and your studies is ex- ceedingly injudicious. Late reading and late rising are universally thought to be prejudi- 529 LETTERS. cial to the health; and seems to me an incon- trovertible persuasion. I carry with me my work for the University press; and if I shall find myself likely to pro- cure the same privilege in future, I shall not w^ant employment. I want to know very much, whether Mason's right in Gray's poems is expired; for I should like to occupy myself this winter in such an edition of them, as would suit the classical na- ture of the originals; and, as they are a certain commodity for the booksellers, some of the profession might, perhaps, have no objection to take an edition upon them. I shall endea- vour to get an application made to Cadell upon this subject, who is, I believe, one of the most respectable of the fraternity. I shall be glad to hear of the favourable sale of your essays. All the service that I have been able to render them, is the intro- duction of them into two Book-Societies at Nottingham. I tell you, that if you look to a Jew for Ilehrezv, you will never know any thing of the matter: get MascleJ's Grammar, Bu.vtorJ's Lexicon, and a Hebrew Bible; and if you do not compass it in a trice, why then let me bear the blame for ever.° The two gentlemen that ° See supra^ p. 100. LETTERS. ' 529 I am carrying to Cambridge are proficients, after paying a very small attention to it, for eight or nine months; for their principal em- ployment has been in another way. It grieves me to tell you that I am not able , to benefit Miss Williams beyond my own sub- scription. No man has less influence and power in these respects than myself. Other- wise, who would be so forward to encourage female merit, as one who has always been an idolater of the sex? Nor can this justly bring upon me the imputation of sin; as a woman is " no graven image, nor the likeness of any thing in Heaven above," &c. My poetical taste is among the most fasti- dious. Anything short of excellence will not go down with me. Si paulum a summo decesslt, vergit ad imum. Mrs. Wakefield desires her respects. Yours ever, Most sincerely and affectionately, Gilbert Wakefield. Dr. Clayton desires me to tell you how glad his brother would be to see you at any time. VOL. I. 2 N 530 LETTERS, LETTER LIX. J/r. Wakefield to the Rev. Mr, Gregory Nottingham, Dec. 12, 1/85. DEAR GREGORY, You have made a most equitable, and indeed advantageous agreement for me with K, and I shall be glad to shew my sense of the obligation in any way you choose. You speak of a speedy appearance of the book, which, to be sure, is a principal con- sideration. I can get it forward speedily, be- cause my thoughts have been often employed upon Mr. Gray; juvat usque morari, Et conferre gradum : and I shall endeavour to answer the favourable impressions, which, I well know, the par- tiality of your friendship would leave upon K.'s mind. My young gentlemen are coming to town this week, tomorrow or Wednesday; and I LETTERS. 531 will endeavour to convey the first notes by them. Any errors, or improprieties, that you may discover, I will gladly thank you to correct. I rather wish them to be considered as notes of taste^ than formal criticism. The typogra- phical artifices the bookseller must manage. The notes will be better in a body at the end, than under the text, except, perhaps, Mr. Gray's own illustrations. And I think the poems may as well be printed in the order of my remarks. The edition should be neat, and I should think a thin quarto would be the handsomer form : but this I submit to you and him. You will see I have occasionallv translated some of the classical quotations, and I hope in such a manner as will give the English reader some insight into the originals. Can you tell me, whether the variations Mr. Mason has put into the notes ever ap- peared before, so as to be common right? The more speedily it is set about the better, and, if it be necessary, I will devote (as I have done since your letter) my whole time to the business. A neat print is a principal matter: and you must tell me what you think of the specimen I send, whether it be sufficiently en- tertaining; for dry criticism will not do. I 2 532 LETTERS. do not apprehend that the odes in general will have such copious animadversions as the ode on Spring. Well, I have done, and you must excuse so much selfishness. The work you speak of, I shall be glad to see; and to suggest whatever lies within my power. I once published an anonymous six- penny pamphlet, by Law, upon the Study of Divinity, in which you would see some re- marks upon learning Hebrew. I have no copy, or would have sent one."* I was sorry that you should have declined the proposal of Lord Camelford, if the terms were liberal. You would have been led into a more healthy situation, and might have pro- cured, after a short servitude, some comfort- able preferment. The text, I think, should be from Mason; and the stanzas arranged according to the specimen in the notes. Company has interrupted me: so I con- clude myself Yours, most truly, Gilbert Wakefield. p See supra> p. lOl. LETTERS. 533 LETTER LX. j^l/r. Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Nottingham, Dec. 17, 1785. MY GOOD FRIEND, You have set me at ease, and you have not set me at ease; for you should have received two parcels, reaching to the twentieth page inclusive. You will relieve my parental anxiety by informing me of their safe arrival. All the quotations, which are at all impor- tant, are translated, but by myself; for I have no translations, scarcely, at hand ; and if I had, they are not found to give a complete idea when one comes to particulars. As for the size of the book, the notes, I think, will be sufficiently copious without any laborious efforts to extend them. I shall write a small preface, and have got a good motto for the title-page. Yours, in haste, most truly, Gilbert Wakefield. 534 LETTERS. LETTER LXL Mr, Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Nottingham, Dec. 24, 1785. DEAR GREGORY, I LIKE 3^our plan of disposing of the observations very well; and therefore, if it please K, let it be adopted. Except his typo- graphical taste be elegant, as I am a little fas- tidious in this respect, I should like to see the conduct of the j?r6'^ sheet: but I am not solici- tous about it, if his professional accuracy be approved. They will take care to copy such of Gray's notes, as I may happen to have omitted; which will easily be done with the book before them, as they are put under the text in all other editions, and mostly so in Mason's. After all, as the observations are solely of the simple and entertaining kind, without the remotest pretence whatever to depth of criti- cism, I almost doubt whether it were advisable to prefix one's name; but I shall not object, if LETTERS. 535 you think it may be done without infamy, for credit I want not from such operations; ex- cept the credit of reading poetry with some share of taste, and writing, perhaps, such re- marks as may improve that faculty in others. I shall write a short advertisement, of a few lines, by way of preface, declaratory of the scope of the observations. K. will take care to insert nothing legally offensive.'^ By the by, Mason's property hinders one from doing the business as completely as one could wish. I think the Elegy will look better in dis- jointed stanzas, than the wearisome form in Avhich Mason has disposed it. It should be last in order. Yours, most affectionately, Gilbert Wakefield. s The Inattenfion of the publisher to this direction occa- sioned some inconvenience to Mr. Wakefield. See supra^ p. 278. 53(3 LETTERS. LETTER LXII. M)\ Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Nottingham, Dec. 31, 1785. MY DEAR FRIEND, Whilst I think of it, I must tell you that my brother Thomas chides me for not ac- cepting K.'s other proposal of a certain sum. Now I thought that this might possihli) be im- prudent with respect to myself, and probably injurious to him ; and, therefore, I had given it up. If you thought it most advisable, I should prefer it: but it looks mercenary. One thing, however, I must secure myself from; and that is the very possibility of any concern in a law-suit. I am very sensible that your conversation would have contributed very much to the im- provement of the notes. But the truth is, I am most impatient, and cannot dwell long upon a subject. Supposing that a second edi- tion should ever be wanted, I could do a good LETTERS. 537 deal more and better by having an Interleaved copy, and looking into it occasionally at my leisure. The order of Sliakspeare's verse, I believe, is properly given: but what idea can be drawn from a scholar's eye is beyond my comprehen- sion: a poefs eye were another thing; but imagination and scholarship were never yet es- sential companions. When I proposed my explanation of the passage in As You Like It to our gentlemen at Warrington, some approved highly, and some hesitated, but could not object. I have no doubt but it will be generally approved, as it has been by those to whom I liave proposed it. It is one of those hits, in which I would stand single against all mankind ; yea, as Bentley used to say of Horace, if Shakspeare were alive, and swore he did not mean that sense, I would not believe him.' "■ A quotation from Mr. Wakefield's note^ referred to in this place, may be amusing to those not possessed of his edi- tion of Gray. It occurs on the seventh and eighth line of the ode on Eton College : " And ye, that from the stately brow Of Windsor's heights th' expanse below Of grove, of lawn, of mead survey, frhose turf whose shade, whosefloivers arnoiig," &c. 538 LETTERS. I think your sonnet extremely pretty, though perhaps I could mend it a little: but «' That is," says Mr. Wakefield, " the turf of whose lawn, the shade of whose grove, the flowers of whose nead. This is a peculiar artifice of composition, which, in the hands of a skilful poet, is neither inelegant nor useless, as it frequently prevents a superfluity of expression. Hebrew poetry abounds with examples of this mode of writing. The reader may find various specimens exhibited by Bishop Lowth, in the Pre- liminary Dissertation to his Isaiah." Mr, Wakefield is then led to explain the following passage from Shakspeare's Hamlet (Act iii. sc. i.) : The courtier's, soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue, sword. *' That is — The courtier's eye, the soldier's sword, the scho- lar's tongue. " This singularity often occurs in Mr. Pope:" [e, g, " Annual for me, the grape, the rose renew. The juice nectareous, and the balmy dew. Essay on Man, I. 135. " When earthquakes swallow, or when tempests sweep Towns to one grave, whole nations to the deep." Ibid. V. 143.] " But the courtiers eye, in the line just quoted, ever ob- servant of the motions and will of his sovereign, gives me an opportunity of explaining a passage in Shakspeare, which is most grievously perverted and misunderstood. LETTERS. 539 observe, this is not saying much ; for Mr. Gray's opinion is almost mine, that the very worst verse is preferable to the very best cri- ticism that ever was made upon it. The whole of the notes has been ready this week, and I will send them by the first oppor- tunity. The reason of my neglecting to observe Gray's imitation of Horace's '' O Diva, gra- tum quee regis Antium" was, Johnson had " And then the lover. Sighing like furnace, with a woful ballad Made to his mistress' eye-brow." As You Like It, Act ii. sc. 7. So the passage is pointed in all the editions and quotations that I ever saw: but surely nothing can be more erroneous. For who ever heard of a ballad made to another? It is non- sensical and absolutely indefensible. A comma should be put at ballad, in order to connect viade to his 7)iist7-ess' eye- brow with the lover, who is the proper subject of the passage. The lover, made to his mistress'' eye-brow — obedient to her nod — subservient to her iviyik — depending upon her eye: as sub. missive as even the world itself was to the widow : ' The world depend upon your eye, And when you frown upon it, die.' This species of homage, and servile attention, is expressed in the New Testament by oi^iJaAp.oiJsXe/a— eye-service," Wakeheld's Gray, pp. 38, Q. 540 LETTERS. anticipated the remark, and the resemblance is but general and not striking. Your imita- tion of it, I am sure, would appear with advan- tasie in the notes : but why should we exhaust ourselves at the first onset? And why will not you make a point of communicating some further remarks upon the poems, that I may gratify myself by speaking of you to the pub- lic in terms suited to your merit, and my af- fection ? Do not urge K. to print too many at first. Excuse brevity; for I am wonderfully busy. Yours, ever most truly, Gilbert Wakefield. LETTERS. 541 LETTER LXIII. il/r. Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Nottingham, Jan. 5, lysd, DEAR GREGORY, Incorrectness in these poems would, I think, be a great disgrace; and there- fore, if th^ first sheet be not past recovery, I shall put down some more corrections. I should think it were an easy matter for two or three sheets to stand set before the print- ing off, by which means I could have as many proofs sent me by the week. Your remarks on the Elegy I like very much. Johnson's Life of Savage, from which you quote, in illustration of a particular pas- sage, I always regarded as a weak and injudi- cious attempt to draw an ignoble character into reputation; and I was particularly grieved that so long a life of so unimportant a subject should be suffered to intrude itself into such an undue portion of room in the Biographical Lives. 542 LETTERS. Your remark upon the aukwardness of the poet's address to himself — For thee, who, mindful of th' unhonour'd dead. Dost in these lines their artless tale relate — is very just, and had quite escaped me. I was glad to see you concur with me in admiration of that fine line, Struck the deep sorrows of his lyre. If Lord Camelford's son was to have had the benefit of your superintendence at college I doubly regret your refusal. Had you gone to Cambridge, I could have introduced you to some acquaintance, which would have made your sojourn there highly agreeable. Gray's notes are best M'ith the text. Yours, ever most affectionately, Gilbert Wakefield. Bless me! I see that p. 6, I. 1, the printers have got Diogenes, the tub-man, instead of Dionysius. Horrid ! abominable ! it almost gives me a palsy. LETTERS. 543 LETTER LXIV. il/r. Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Nottingham, March 6, 1786. DEAR GREGORY, I THANK you for the Dictionary, which I shall keep, and commission, ere long, my brother to pay you for it. The other I shall keep only to a favourable opportunity of returning it; as, with your leave, it does not appear to me calculated by any means for a beginner. The English Review, I see, treat very handsomely my paper in the Manchester So- ciety's volume. I rather wonder that you have never transmitted any essay to the so- ciety, through the hands of some of your friends. They want an occasional supply to compensate the inattention of their unworthy members, of whom I acknowledge myself one, not easy to stimulate into action, except under the impulse of my own propensities. I supposed that Dr. Aikin would at last 544 LETTERS. transplant himself to London ; and shall be glad to hear that the soil has virtue enough to give proper nourishment to so vigorous a plant. You will be happy, I am sure, in his conversation; and I rejoice at the prospect of seeing him occasionally, whilst we continue to enjoy "the sun and summer-gale." Give my most cordial remembrance to him. In haste, Yours ever, most truly, Gilbert Wakefield. LETTER LXV. « il/r. Wakefield to the Rev. J/r. Gregory. Nottingham, March 25, 1786. DEAR GREGORY, When I set about the Itahan in earnest, I shall again pay my respects to Boc- cacio, and endeavour to justify the opinion of your fair acquaintance by finding him a proper introduction to such advanced students as she describes. Certainly the very first sentence is of a length, which you would in vain attempt LETTERS. 545 to parallel after an hour's investigation in any modern author. , Dr. Aikin's situation and prospects will, of course, engross his time; and it is a vain hope to look for social comfort amongst the dis- ciples of Hippocrates. I found this completely verified in the instance of my late friend Dr. Jehb. I rejoice in learning your engagement in a work,' which you speak of with so much ap- pearance of satisfaction. As I profess myself under obligation to give you every assistance in my power, and would avoid every ap- pearance of indifference and ingratitude, at any hazard, I will tell you the truth with all freedom and simplicity. I never did read ecclesiastical history in my life, except ten years ago at college, Avhen I read Mosheim and Jortin; and was so thoroughly disgusted with the former, as to resolve never to look at him again. Such minute details of the frivolous reveries of ideots and knaves — such accounts of sects, which ought to have no existence but in a name — made me set down this branch of study (except as far as it ' " History of the Christian Church." A new and en- larged edition was published in 1/95, in 2 vols, 8vo. VOL. I. 2 54Q LETTERS. was respectably treated by Euseblus, Sozomen, and Socrates, for the three first centuries, and by others for the three last,) as unworthy the attention of every man, who made pleasure or profit the object of his enquiries. I have not, to my knowledge, in all my papers, a single remark of any kind to this purpose. Had I been, however, in possession of Mosheim, or known where to procure him, 1 would have given him an inspection, to try, whether I could do you any service. Of late my attention has been engrossed by the classics, and is likely to be much so in future. And then you seem to have advanced so far in the business, as to admit no delay; nor do I know whether your performance is to be an abridgment, or principally a new- work. If you can, however, prescribe any method for me to proceed in, whether by reading Mosheim, and noting errors, ixc. in- form me, and I will endeavour to borrow the book in town, and peruse it. Scruple not to write instantly by the post. Yours, most faithfullv, Gilbert Wakefield. LETTERS. V 6ij ' ^ LETTER LXVI. Jir. Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Gregory. Nottingham, May 7, 1786. DEAR GREGORY, I SHALL be very glad to assist your operations in the version of Lozvth,^ which is much more after my taste than the former work, in which you have engaged. The " Pra?lectiones" is a very pleasing and elegant work, and I suppose the best specimen in the world of the fertile improvement of a subject: for never before was such a super- structure of elegance raised from so slender a foundation. Whatever is in my power, I shall rejoice to do; for though I am, and always was, at this time of the year irresistibly led away by idle- ness, yet I shall willingly exert myself at all * " Lectures on the Sacred Poetry of the Hebrews, trans- lated from the Latin/' &c, 2 vols. 8vo. 1787. 2 548 LETTERS. times with a prospect of real service. In the case of Mosheim, I foresaw a good deal of un- pleasant reading, Avithout any consciousness of utility to your design. Should any critical remarks, of whatever kind, arise, except Vi'-hat are not abstruse, ■would they be acceptable? This is only sup- position: for as it is some time since I read Lowth, I cannot pronounce about its aptitude to produce remarks in me. The Dictionary does extremely well : I found out the misplaced leaves. When do you think of visiting Liverpool and taking Not- tingham in your Avay? Yours, ever most truly, Gilbert Wakefield, LETTERS. 549 LETTER LXVII. Jir. Wakefield to the Rev, Mr. Gregorys Nottingham, July 22, 1786. DEAR GREGORY, I WAS extremely sorry to find by your letter, which I yesterday received, that you are impatient for your papers. My bro- ther cannot have given you a right idea of my situation at this time. I had desired him to tell you that it was impossible for me, at present, to exert my mind in the contemplation of a single idea of any kind. An absence from my bed of five ■sveeks (three nights only excepted, when I undressed myself, and slept part of the night by means of opium) added to an unceasing pain, has reduced me to this imbecility of in- tellect." A friend of mine at Cambridge had easily " See supra, p. 277* $pQ. LETTERS. engaged me to write some notes on Siathis, Avliom he is publishing; but I have let him know, that it is as impossible for me to read a line of his author with attention, as to blow out the sun. Your paper I began resolutely to read the fust opportunity after it reached me; when I soon came to two long sentences, which re- quired particular examination. They lie now in my study with Lowth open at the place, to be considered, as soon as ever I find myself capable; but I daily grow rather worse, and mean within a week, if no alteration take place, to come to town for the best advice that can be had, as existence is neither tolerable nor probable, for any length of time, under my present circumstances. I wish you would in- form me, by the return of the post, what you wish me to do with your papers. I am obliged to you for your recommenda- tion of me to the lady; but experience con- vinces me that no enquiry is ever made into the terms but by those w^ho think c£lOO per annum much too exorbitant for education. Besides, unless my condition of bodily health amends, instead of seeking for new pupils, I must, and soon too, ease myself of those al- ready with me, and study to make my life as LETTERS. • .s$i, comfortable as I can in somnolence and do- mestic tranquillity. Believe me yours, ever most truly, G. Wakefield. LETTER LXVIII. The Rev. Dr. Enfield to Mr. Wakefield. Norwich, Jan, 24, I/PO, The particulars, my dear Sir, which you communicated to me in your last give me much concern. Things are surely not quite as they should be in this world, when some of the best men in it, and they too the best qualified to serve mankind, are neither re- warded for their merit, nor even suffered to reap the fruits of their industry. It cannot surely be long before you will find yourself in a situation in which your learning and talents will yield you a more substantial return than mere applause. How far your Oxford scheme is likely to be successful; I cannot judge; but that you 552 LETTERS. might do something there, in the capacity of an editor, which would turn to account, I have little doubt. I have had some conversation with our bishop upon the subject. He tells me that the Oxford press is open to ail men of letters, who come properly introduced to the board which superintends that business; and particularly that a Cambridge man would find no difficulty in obtaining the patronage of the university of Oxford in publishing any work of real learning. The proper method of pro- ceeding, he says, is, by a letter to the Vice- Chancellor, stating accurately and particularly the plan Avhich the autlior or editor means to execute; and that it should also be accom- panied with recommendatory letters from Cambridge. As to any probability of being- employed as superintendent of publications at the Clarendon press, I can obtain no infor- mation. When I first mentioned your name to the bishop, he recollected that you had censured him in one of your publications; and turned to the " Essay on Inspiration," in which you call his reply to T)r. Bell an appeal ad "oerecun- diam: he seemed most hurt by the Erratum Bigot for Bagot; but passed over the matter with much good humour; said he owed you no grudge, and that he should be glad to see LETTERS. 553 a man of your learning enconraged as he de- serves. I presented him with a copy of your Silva. The bishop appears before the ])ubh*c chiefly in the hght of an orthodox zealot; but, if 30U were personally acquainted with him, I think yon would see much reason to respect him for honesty and integrity, for a benevo- lent heart, and for as much liberahty as his narrow principles will allow him to exercise. I believe if your name were brouo-ht forward before the Board at O.xford, you -would find him inclined to favour your application. What you tell me concerning 's silence does not much surprize me: it cannot be justified; but you w^ill perhaps admit it as some apology, that he treats all his friends in the same manner. If his negligence should deprive him of your assistance, the loss will be greater on his part than on yours: but I liope that you have heard from him before now. I long to see your pamphlet" on the Test Act: you will perhaps send me them by my daughter. I cannot think it possible, that, in the hands of opposition, the bill should get through the Commons. ' " See supra, pp. 318. 332. ^' The motion for the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts wp.s made by Mr. Fox March 2, \7Q0, when the House divided upon the question 3 ayes lO.j, noes 294. See N. A. Reg. xi. 87. 554. LETTERS. Nothing could be more grateful to a parent's heart, than the testimony you bear in your last to my son's merit, and the assurance you give me of his fair prospect of success. How shall we repay the goodness of those kind friends, who have admitted him to their re- gard, and rendered him so many essential services? I have sent up the first part of my intended publication^ to the publisher. I am afraid I shall find the printing a tedious business. Mrs. E. unites with me in cordial respects to Mrs. Wakefield and yourself. I shall be anxious to hear from you soon. I am, with true esteem. Dear Sir, Your affectionate friend, William EKFiEUi. Mr. Pitt good for nothing! it is impos- sible 1 He says the Slave Trade shall be abo- lished ! =* ** The History of Philosophy, from the earliest Times to the Beginning of the present Centur)'/' &c. 2 vols. 4to. 1791. . LETTERS. r>35 LETTER LXIX. The Rev. Dr. Clayton'' to J/aWakefield. l Nottingham, April /, 1791. DEAR SIR, Few things are more embarrassing than to write where the heart feels more than the pen can describe. I could not however suffer your mother to go to Hackney without this written testimony of my gratitude for past favours, of my deep regret for the absence of your society, and my anxious sohcitude for your welfare and happiness. I have no one now to enliven my morning solitude Avith a friendly call. We have suffered an irreparable loss in your departure, and Heywood's death. Of your brother I enquire after you, and have been not a little agitated with your precarious situation; but I hope it is changed for the better, if not, I cannot conceive, Avith your abilities, but that you must command inde- pendence; or is the world in such a Mretched condition that a man of merit cannot make his way but by a servility which a man of honour must reject with scorn? ^ See supra, p. 226, 556 LETTERS. It is really astonishing to see men of no distinguished talents meet with the most flat- tering success, while men of the first rate are disappointed. The cause is -worth investi- gating. There is a certain attentioii to the art of pleasing, there is a certain degree of prudence to which I am afraid the most liberal minds do not pay sufficient attention. And there is a degree of patience jiecessary to success to which a man of genius can hardly submit. Believe me, my good friend, I mean not by this to draw you into an explication, or to suggest that I have the least suspicion of the wisdom of your conduct. I have nothing at heart but 3'our interest, nothing I wish more for your own interest, and that of the rising generation, than the success of your plans. If I know any thing I know your integrity and disinterestedness. I am only afraid of your being " righteous overmuch." Your brother asked me if I intended to be a subscriber to your work? surely; and I beg your pardon for leaving you in any doubt of it. Whenever I can serve you, you may com- mand it; nay, I shall think it an honour, as well as a pleasure, but my misfortune is, I have more inclination and less capacity than most others. LETTERS. 557 Remember me to Mrs. Wakefield, and be- lieve me to be Your obliged humble servant, N. Clayton. LETTER LXX. The Rev, Dr. Enfield to ATr. Wakefield. Norwich, Aug. 1, 1792. I AM sure, my dear Sir, you must have thought me chargeable M'ith extreme in- attention, in having so long neglected to ac- knowledge the friendly notice you have taken of me in your Memoirs. The true reason has been, that at the time when this interesting- work came into my hands, I was in a state of health and spirits, which rendered every kind of mental exertion irksome; and, since my recovery, business of various kinds has crowded upon me, which has demanded immediate dis- patch. I have seldom in the course of my life read a work with more avidity, or, on the whole, with more pleasure, than this bold and honest sketch of yourself and your opinions. Besides the amusement which it afforded me in com- mon with other readers, from the great variety 55a LETTERS. of anecdotes and reflections which it contains, I experienced a kind of enjoyment in the pe- rusal, Avhich must be confined to those who have the happiness of your personal acquaint- ance and friendship. Even in those scenes which passed prior, or posterior, to my con- nexion with you, I could easily imagine you exercising the same virtues, and exhibiting the same accomplishments, and the same ami- able manners, which won my esteem and af- fection at Warrington: and, in indulging this imagination, I was well assured that I could not be mistaken; for I have always seen that you are as religiously careful to observe the precept, serxetur ad iminn, &c. in the conduct of life, as in your literary productions. But the part of your work, you will easily suppose, which most of all interested me, was the narrative of those incidents which passed during your connexion with the Warrington Academy. Here I seemed to be carried back into the midst of that busy scene, which, while it distracted me with a thousand anxieties and vexations, sometimes afforded me pleasuresi, which I must always recollect with infinite re- gret, because I must never expect to see them renewed. Such society as we then enjoyed in our small fraternity of literary friends, few situations, however agreeable in other re- spects, are capable of supplying. LETTERS. 559 Accept my best thanks, my dear friend, for the pains you have so kindly taken to re- move the obloquy which some have been in- clined to cast upon me on account of the failure of the Warrington Academy. General expressions of esteem from one, to whom I have long been very cordially attached, could not be unwelcome: but your attempt to do public justice to my honest and assiduous, though unsuccessful, exertions in the service of that institution, and to assign the true causes of its dissolution,'' is an act of friendship, which it is impossible I should ever forget. In what you have said concerning War- rington, Hackney, and dissenting academies in general," I heartily concur. If the plan of university-education be faulty in being too narrow, ours is not less so in being too general. With respect to classical learning in particular, I am convinced, as I believe you have fre- quently heard me acknowledge, that dissenters have never given it that share of attention in their schools, which it deserves. You have chastised us pretty severely on this score; but we ought to kiss the rod, and be better scholars for the future. I am sorry, on many accounts, that your situation at Hackney has proved so unpleasant: ^ See supra, pp.215, 2l6, and 223. •= See supra, pp. 340 — 353. 560 LETTERS. excuse tlie freedom of sincere friendship, if I add, that I have sometimes of late been reluc- tantly compelled to wish, that you had been more sparing of censure. I have been an attentive, and,'/ think, an impartial spectator of the skirmish between you and your opponents, on the subject of public Avorship; and I must confess that the debate does not appear to me, in the result, to termi- nate against the practice; nevertheless, lac- knowledge that there is much necessity for reformation in the wo.'/e of worship, both among church-men and dissenters; and I hope your caustics will make us all feel tliis necessity, and produce speedy alterations. I shall rejoice to be informed that you and your family are well, and tliat you have a pros- pect of being settled more to your satisfaction than you have been of late. Mrs. E. unites in best remembrance, and kindest wishes to yourself and Mrs. W. Believe me ever. With true esteem and affection, Your obliged and faithful friend^ , W. Enfield. END OF VOL. I. T. Bensley, Priiter, Roll Cuiirt, Fleet otree:. ^^ COl UMRIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES 03 5021980 jfjii; cJiiu{ii?tiii<> H