00 CD fcteeentefc to Gbe Xibran? of tbe Xllmverei t\> of Toronto 9 lua. J.M. Walton, Esq. Aurora J MEMOIR OP WILLIAM ALLEN, F.R.S. BY JAMES SHERMAN, MINISTER OF SURREY CHAPEL. PHIL A DELPHI A : HENRY LONGSTRETH, "C^**^ No. 738 SANSOM PREFACE. FEW men have deserved to have their character and efforts more widely diffused than William Allen. He was a " man greatly beloved" by a large circle of scientific, benevolent, and religious persons, who, during the period in which he lived, took the lead in endeavoring to emancipate the human mind from the shackles of ignorance and bigotry. His time and heart were devoted, for a long series of years, to obtain freedom for the slave, education for the chil dren of the poor, relief for consciences oppressed by ecclesiastical rule, and discipline calculated to reform as well as punish the guilty. His chemical experi ments and philosophical lectures contributed greatly to banish erroneous notions, and to enlarge the circle of sound knowledge, among professional and studious persons ; while his industry, self-denial, and piety, shed a lustre on his character, furnish an example to all, and show how much may be accomplished for the good of others by one ardent, intelligent mind I His " Life, with Selections from his Correspondence," was published in 1846, by his relatives, in three closely (iii) IV PREFACE. printed octavo volumes. That it was highly valued was proved by the sale of two thousand copies. Its bulk and price, however, prevented the extensive circulation which it deserved among persons of small means, and with but little time at command. Much of the information contained in the three previous volumes being purely denominational, or connected with incidents of every day life, both in business and religious experience, it was found, might be omitted without injury to the deceased. A volume exhibiting his principal characteristics, and his efforts to serve his Saviour, and to benefit the human family, appears more likely to be useful to general readers. The present Memoir, undertaken at the request of Mr. Allen's friends, is an effort to condense what is calcu lated to inform and cheer all who take an interest in well directed efforts to save the souls, and improve the condition of their neighbors. The volume will be found not a mere abridgement, as the greater part has been entirely re-written. It is cast into the treasury of knowledge, by the writer, as a mite which, he trusts, will be accepted and owned by the Gracious Master whom Mr. Allen served, and as a testimony of affec tionate regard for him whom he was permitted to call his friend. J. SHERMAN. SURREY PARSONAGE, May 1 6, 1851. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. His Early History, ••••••»£ I CHAPTER II. Entrance into Business — Marriage and Death of his Wife, 9 CHAPTER III. His Partnership and Extended Labors, . . • . 20 CHAPTER IV. Second Marriage — Anti-Slavery and Educational Efforts, 48 CHAPTER V. Labors in the Various Institutions — Publication of the " Philanthropist," • • • 72 CHAPTER VI. New Lanark, and Interview with theJEmperor of Russia, 99 CHAPTER VII. British and Foreign School Society — Duke of Kent's Affairs, 121 CHAPTER VI 1 1. ViMt to 1'yrmont, and Death of his Second Wife, . . 144 CHAPTER IX. First Efforta in Ministry, and Visit to Lanark, . . 176 (v) VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER X. Journey to Norway and Sweden, . . . . . 192 CHAPTER XI. Visit to Petersburg, . . . - . . . . 224 CHAPTER XII. Visit to the Mennonites and German Colonies, . . 264 CHAPTER XIII. Journey through Turkey and Italy to England, . . 29$ CHAPTER XIV. Interviews with the Emperor of Russia, at Vienna, and Verona, . . . 327 CHAPTER XV. Return from Verona— Death of his Daughter, and Third Marriage, ... . . .... .3/0 CHAPTER XVI. Death of his Mother— Visits Prussia, Austria, and Hun gary, . . ' . . • • •• • • 4°4 CHAPTER XVII. Visit to Spain, 444 CHAPTER XVIII. Death of his Wife, and Visit to Ireland, .... 463 CHAPTER XIX. Various Incidents, including a Journey to Prussia, from 1837 to 1840, . ... . . . .- . 485 CHAPTER XX. Death of his Niece— His Last Illness, and Happy Death, 502 CHAPTER XXI. Summary of Mr. Allen's Characteristics, . . . 516 MEMOIR WILLIAM ALLEN, ESQ., F.E.S. CHAPTER I. HIS EARLY HISTORY. GKNIUS, like its glorious Author, cannot long be concealed. A spring pressed with a weight of super incumbent earth, which hinders its rising in the spot nearest its source, will permeate the soil till it finds some cranny through which it can work its way to the surface, and when observed become a blessing to many a traveller; and a mind eminently endowed often meets with impediments, which, like blocks of granite, seem to arrest its course, yet apparently unim portant providential events open paths for its develop ment, so that it rises unexpectedly to bless the world with its influence. This was n-markably illustrated in the subject of this memoir. His parents belonged to a religious community which had no immediate coinu-ction with 2 HIS PARENTS. [1770. the objects to which his genius inclined ; his education was carried on according to the straitest sect amongst their instructors ; his father's hopes and determination were that his son should follow the business in which he had obtained a competent livelihood; a pious mother had abundant fears lest a more public life should make him forget the God whose name she had taught him to reverence, and the almost impassable distance which the habits and peculiarities of Friends interpose between those educated in their principles and the circles of royalty and fashion, seemed, to an ordinary observer of events, the very reverse of the pathway to the elevation he afterwards attained, and to present obstacles to its possession which little less than a miracle could remove. Job Allen, the father of William, was born at Scrooby, in Nottinghamshire, and after his settlement in London became a manufacturer of silk in Spital- fields. His wife Margaret descended from an Irish family of the city of Cork, whose name was Stafford. They were both members of the religious Society of Friends, and bore an irreproachable character for their integrity, piety, and domestic training. They had four sons, of whom William was the eldest. He was born 29th August, 1770, and became a special charge to his affectionate parents, who, as soon as he could un derstand, commenced a system of tender yet judicious restraint, and of wise and cheerful instruction, which made religion attractive. They taught him to value scripture truth, and to love the society of those who were its advocates, and especially to take heed to the convictions of the Holy Spirit as the best check to vice 1784.] YOUTHFUL GENIUS. 3 and the safest guide to truth. His mother was a pre eminently godly woman, to whose watchful care and early inculcation of great religious principles William Allen owed, as he was ever ready to acknowledge, much of his future elevation. " I well remember the deep religious solicitude which my honored and be loved mother felt for her children ; how she used to collect us round her in her chamber, when we were very young, and talk to us in terms adapted to our capacity, of the things which belong to the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." It also appears that he was favored in childhood with a pious schoolmistress, who deepened and sustained the godly instructions of his parents. An incident in her daily tuition made a deep impression on his tender mind. It was her practice before her pupils were dis missed, to make them stand around her, holding each other's hands, and say the Evening Hymn. In after years, as these scenes in the days of his childhood were occasionally brought to his remembrance, he would describe with grateful animation the feelings of infantile devotion, which even then, at times filled his heart and brought tears into his eyes as he repeated the impressive verses. In boyhood he evinced much of that activity cf thought and energy in execution, which so remarkably characterized his later years; yet his health was deli cate and required purer air than that of London. II j was sent to Mr. Alexander's school at Rochester, where he regained his vigor, and by whose instructions he not only increased his knowledge, but did not lo:;e the benefit uf his pious training. His stay at this 4 EARLY PIETY. [1788. school was very brief, and the education he received, though enough to qualify him to pursue his father's business, was far from that usually styled liberal. He very early, however, gave indications of a genius which enabled him to surmount this disadvantage. His taste for philosophical pursuits began to develop itself; he had a particular predilection for chemistry, and was persevering in his efforts to obtain an experimental knowledge of this science. Astronomy was also a favorite pursuit, and at the age of fourteen he had himself constructed a telescope with which he could see the satellites of Jupiter. In describing this cir cumstance he said, that " not being strong in cash" he was obliged to go economically to work ; he accord ingly purchased an eye piece and object glass, for which he paid one shilling ; he then bought a sheet of pasteboard, which cost twopence, and having made his tubes, and adjusted his glasses, he found, to his great delight, that the moons were visible. Thus for fourteen pence he obtained a source of enjoyment, the recollection of which always afforded him pleasure. The cultivation of his mind and his philosophical attainments were happily united with sound Christian principle, and subjected to the authority of God's word. He was singularly watchful lest the allure ments of science should beguile his heart from love to God or adherence to the simple truths of the Gospel ; and his example is an encouraging instance of the efficacy ot that grace by which he was enabled, through a long course of years, steadily and consistently to pursue the path of piety and usefulness. It accounts also for the singular fact, that men addicted to scien- 1789.] EARLY PIETY. 5 tific pursuits generally become averse to religion, either because its claims are neglected through the engrossing nature of their subjects, or by the influence of evil associates, they yield too readily to science the glory which is due only to God. One means by which he kept his heart with dili gence, and which has furnished memoranda for a connected life, was to record the principal events of his history, both secular and religious, in a diary which he commenced at seventeen years of age, and sustained with unwearied perseverance for above half a century. The very first entries distinctly indicate the character that was in process of formation. They are brief, but pointed and spiritual : " iqth First Month, 1788. — Experienced some degree of comfort in striving against evil thoughts." "2oth.— I went to Ratcliflf to take leave of my cousin. Worldly conversation was a burden to her, and to my dear mother, whose attention was fixed on higher objects. I must take part of the blame on myself." He regrets that he was " impatient on disappoint ment," but rejoices that he was "soon calmed." He resolves to " spend no time unprofitably." He expe riences " how happy is the state of those who are led and guided by the Spirit of truth, the inward moni tor." He exclaims, " O for a continuance of that sweetness which I at times feel a taste of, raising my affections towards that which is good." He adopted, with great decision, the principles in ^which he had been educated, but without bitterness against other divisions of the family of Christ. The 6 REGARD FOR MINISTERS. [1790. ministers among the Friends endeared themselves much to him, not only by their public addresses, which he states were often accompanied with "a divine sweetness," but by taking the opportunity of conversing with him when they visited his parents. " Advised by John Pemberton to be faithful in small things." " R. Jones and C. Hustler carne to see my father, and had religious service in the family. R. J. advised me, at parting, to be very careful what com pany I kept, and added, that if I kept the truth, the truth would keep me." "James Thornton remarked, in one of his religious communications, that every act of obedience to the Divine requiring brings strength ; and every act of disobedience, weakness." Of "a youths' quarterly meeting" at which James Thornton and John Pemberton were present, he says, " I do be lieve that the presence of the Lord overshadowed us. John Pemberton came to see us after meeting. I greatly enjoyed his company, having a savour of good upon my mind, attained at the above-mentioned meet ing. How much more pleasant is a review of the time spent in such society as his, than in that passed in the company of persons who have no sense of religion." It is a pretty sure omen of future great ness when a youth of scientific mind voluntarily pre fers the society of spiritual guides, to that of those who, however learned, have no piety ; and places the salvation of the soul above the fondest pursuits of literature. Two little incidents, pleasantly related, show how strong a hold religious influence had on his heart, and how the perseverance which afterwards signalized the 1790.] INCIDENTS OP YOUTH. 7 man, began to develope itself in a comparatively small matter. He states : — " G. Dillwyn was at our meeting this afternoon, and towards the close spoke in ministry ; chiefly address ing the poor in spirit, yet aptly observing, that there were some people who were poor, and yet would neither work nor beg ; ' such/ he said, ' were a burden to the community.' O ! thought I, had I but a house to entertain thee, how gladly would I do it; but it seemed retorted upon me, 'Thou hast a tabernacle capable of receiving his master, why dost thou keep him out?'" The other is the following : — " When I reflect upon the tyranny and oppression exercised by my countrymen towards the poor Afri cans, and the many thousands yearly murdered in the disgraceful Slave-Trade, I can but be a zealous op- poser of slavery; and, indeed, I have been so for a long time, as far as lay in my power — yet one step farther may be taken by me, which is wanting to complete my testimony in this respect, and which, if universally adopted, would inevitably put a stop to this enormous evil, and that is, disusing those com modities procured by the labor of slaves. And as sugar is undoubtedly one of the chief, I resolve, through Divine assistance, to persevere in the disuse of it until the Slave-Trade shall be abolished." To this resolution he steadfastly adhered for up wards of forty-three years, until the Abolition Bill passed ; when he again resumed the use of sugar. Some sentences in his diary show by what moral 8 MORAL PRINCIPLES. [1790, principles he aimed, as a young man, to guide his life and establish his character. " Morning. — Very much perplexed with my work ; but resolved to exert myself in it to day, and to report the consequence." " Evening. — The consequence was, that I got for warder in it than for several days past." "Beware of a spirit of pride in forming a judgment of things of which, through ignorance, thou art not qualified to judge. In short, it is safer to consider well, and not be hasty in judgment." " There appears to me such a meanness and low- ness of disposition in those who are cruel to animals, that I think I could not put confidence in them, even in the common concerns of life." "Too much resented a reproof; a sure sign that I needed it, and had too high an estimation of self." " Spend no time unprofitably, as thou hast known the want and value of it when it is past recall." CHAPTER II. ENTRANCE INTO BUSINESS MARRIAGE, AND DEATH OF HIS WIFE. IT was not likely that a youth of \V. Allen's genius, perseverance, and piety, should long escape the obser vation of some scientific mind, who would turn his talents to advantage, and assist him in his future pro gress. As the manufacture of silk was a very profita ble business, Job Allen designed to associate William with himself in carrying it on, but the occupation did not accord with his inclination, and though he was dutiful, diligent, and attentive, his mind was intent upon the pursuits in which he was afterwards pro fessionally engaged. Joseph Gurney Bevan, who had prospered as a chemist, introduced him at the age of about twenty-one, into his establishment at Plough- court, where, under the able supcrintendance of that excellent man, he was soon promoted to a responsible situation. This was a great disappointment to his father; yet seeing the decided bias of his son's mind, he acquiesced in the measure, and ultimately became fully satisfied. By William Allen the step was taken with much thoughtfulness, and prayer for Divine direction, and proved the opening to that career of extensive usefulness which marked his subsequent course. (9) 10 MINISTERIAL SOLICITUDE. [1793. • L A chasm of two years now occurs in his diary, arising doubtless from incessant occupation in his new and important situation. When, however, he resumes the exercise, it appears that he is devoting- himself with commendable zeal, not only to his business, but to the acquisition of chemical, medical, and literary knowledge. *793 — " I have attended some of Higgins' lectures, learnt something of short-hand and the new system of chemistry, and instituted a plan for my future studies." In the spring-tide of his energies, it was his singu lar privilege to have Samuel Emlen, a devoted minister of the Society of Friends, to reside six months with him at Ploughcourt, arid though he laments that " at tending to dear Samuel Emlen broke in upon his medical career," yet it is evident the advantages he gained by the judicious advice and pious exhortations of that man of God, in establishing his religious prin ciples and checking the temptations incident to a literary life, more than counterbalanced all his medical losses. And so William thought on reflection. He thus estimates the privilege : " Samuel Emlen has lodged with us during the last half year ; his company and friendly notice have been very reviving and con solatory to me. He spoke as closely to my state as if I had unbosomed myself to him. O the mercy, the condescension of the great Master, to commission his servant to say a word to me, and a word of consola tion too, when I am sensible that I deserve not the least of his mercies, but rather condemnation and reproof." 1795.] CHEMICAL SOCIETY. 11 " Yesterday Samuel Emlen, in his kind solicitude for my best interests, exhorted me to ' dare to do right.' I accompanied him to RatclifT Meeting, and had great satisfaction in it. He preached for a con siderable time, dwelling much on the words, ' My people shall never be ashamed.' After meeting he sweetly desired me to remember this text, and said he did believe that Jesus loved me. I was almost overwhelmed under a humiliating sense of my great unworthiness, yet comforted in the evidence of infinite condescension and love." In his review of the year 1793, the second he had occupied in his new business and habitation, it is evident that his philosophic studies had been kept subordinate to his eternal interests, and that his piety had advanced rather than receded. " Much depressed, during part of this year, with doubts and fears whether I was in my right place; but, after a season of great conflict, I was permitted to feel the consolations of the Spirit of God in a manner marvellous to myself: the clouds disappeared — the tempest ceased to assail my habitation, and quietness and confidence possessed my soul. For this, and for other touches of his love, vouchsafed to me, who am so unworthy, I hope to be ever grateful." After attending several meetings of the Chemical Society at Guy's Hospital, on the 3d of April, 1795, he was elected a member, and contributed much to its usefulness. In the same year Mr. Bevan resigned the business at Plough-court wholly to Willkdn and another gentleman, with whom he entered into partnership. 1 1 is engagements had therefore become more respon- 12 INDEFATIGABLE INDUSTRY. [1796. sible, and having in addition opened a laboratory at Plaistow, his time was more than ever occupied. For several months his diary is neglected, but it reopens with this memorandum on the date of July 3, 1795 ' " Entered physician's pupil at Thomas' Hospital." In October he was elected a member of the Physical Society at Guy's Hospital, where he practiced among the patients with encouraging success. This is one of his characteristic records : " Went to the hospital — received the thanks of a poor sick patient, which did me more good than a guinea fee." The year 1796 he commenced with the following noble resolution, to the carrying out of which his sub sequent conduct bore ample evidence : " Resolved to endeavor by all means to acquire more firmness of character, and more indifference to what even my nearest frtends may think of me, in the pursuit of what I believe to be right — to do nothing to be seen of men — to avoid every species of craft or dissimulation — to spend more time in my own room, in reading and retirement." The day did not yield sufficient time for the various duties in which his ardent mind was engaged, and therefore we have several notices in January of his sitting up all night, making experiments and prepar ing for lectures. The date is not recorded when he delivered his first lecture, but on the 28th January, being then only twenty-six years of age, he writes : — " Gave my second lecture this evening on attraction." These fectures were generally delivered to scientific and learned audiences, and required a great amount of preparation. 1706.] GLOOMY TIMES. 13 It was at this time lie united with other young men to form a philosophical society, called the " Askesian Society," which, as its name imports, was intended by its members to improve themselves mutually by philo sophical exercises. The objects were to elucidate by experiment, either facts generally understood, or to examine and repeat any novel discoveries. The meet ings were held twice every month, at Plough-court, during the winter season. Each member, in turn, was expected to produce a paper for reading and discussion, upon some subject of scientific (not literary) inquiry; and many of these papers were afterwards published in TillocJis Philosophical Magazine. Amongst the early members were William Allen, William Phillips, Luke Howard, Joseph Fox, Henry Lawson, Arthur Arch, W. H. Pepys, and Samuel Woods, the last of whom was President. Astley Cooper, Dr. Babington, A. Tilloch, Joseph Woods, jun., and several others afterwards joined the society, which continued for twenty years, and fully answered its original objects, in exciting and maintaining the desire for knowledge, and the habits of inquiry and accurate investigation. Nor must we forget the times in which all this was achieved. War was raging over the continent of Europe — the French were pushing their conquests everywhere. Holland was at that time in their hands, and their antipathy to the rising power of England alarmingly great; consequently bread rose to one shilling and three half-pence per quartern loaf, and all kinds of provision became enormously dear, so that commerce was crippled, and increasing risks demanded double care. William Allen saw the danger, but thus 1-4 GLOOMY TIMES. [1796. sustains his mind and braces his energies : — " The aspect of times is very gloomy, and the risk I run in business great. I can hardly look forward with the expectation of anything but difficulty and danger. I believe I may say, that I never doubted, but have full confidence in the sufficiency of Divine power. ' What shall harm you if ye be followers of that which is good ? ' The lines of Thomson seem a peculiarly appropriate motto for me, under present circumstan ces : — " ' Like Cato, firm ; like Aristides, just ; Like rigid Cincinnatus, nobly poor.' " Yet, in the midst of overwhelming engagements, Mr. Allen could find time and inclination for courting. His affections had for some time been fixed on Mary Hamilton, the excellent daughter of John and Eliza beth Hamilton of Redruth, and he had been accepted by her as a suitor. But as " the course of true love never did run smooth," we are not surprised at finding such a record in his diary, as, " Disappointed in my expectations of a letter from my dear M. H. this morn ing. Very low to-day, and oppressed with a variety of concerns." His philosophy, however, helped him over his difficulty, and with attempted composure he proceeds : — " S. W. called on me. I told him I was low and overdone. He put me in mind of the answer of the famous De Witt to a query, how he got through so much business in a day ? ' By doing one thing at once, and having finished it, proceeding in like manner to another.' I do think that I should get on with much less embarrassment, if I arranged my matters in the morning, and plodded through them oiu by one, 1796.] His MARRIAGE. 15 keeping my whole attention fixed to that with which I am occupied at the time." True, that is an excel lent maxim for ordinary affairs, but it is very difficult for a lover who has been disappointed in a letter from his lady, to keep his whole attention fixed on his busi ness. And so William Allen with all his philosophy found it. His affection was repaid by the consummation of his desires on the I3th of November, 1796. His notice of this important act of his life, shows with what right- heartednesa and piety he entered upon the new relation of husband; — " Our marriage was celebrated this day at Tottenham Meeting. Dear Thomas Scattergood was there, and seemed commissioned to hold out the language of encouragement, to us particularly, in an extraordinary manner. It was a time never to be for gotten; and he hinted that it might be encouragingly adverted to hereafter, in low seasons. My mind was unusually humbled and tendered. My precious Mary seemed equally sensible, that it might emphatically be termed ' a good day.' " With a loving heart and a mind tending to depres sion, few men were more fitted to value and enjoy the society and converse of an affectionate and intelligent wife, such as it was his happiness to have gained; and those who knew him at that period state that his bliss six-mod to overflow. His own statement confirms their report: — "My dearest companion is, next to Divine consolation, the greatest comfort I enjoy." But alas ! the fleeting character of all sublunary bless- was soon manifest. He was not long permitted to po.ssess th-j (K light and solace of this precious 16 DEATH OF HIS WIFE. [1797. treasure. On the 6th of September, 1797, she gave birth to a daughter; and on the I ith, four days only after her accouchement, her spirit was summoned to put on immortality. From the testimonies of her friends, for some time previous her mind had been preparing for the summons, and as the event ap proached, had enjoyed increased communion with her Lord. She literally fell asleep in Jesus; and her blessed and happy spirit, freed from the tabernacle of the flesh, saw Him whom she loved more clearly, and walked with Him more uninterruptedly in the upper sanctuary. It will easily be believed that Mr. Allen truly describes his own feelings when he states that his " tortured heart felt, as it were, the extremity of grief' All that kindness and sympathy could impart, were poured into his spirit by his attached friends; but though " Joseph G. Bevan possessed the faculty of sympathy in an eminent degree ;" and, " Mary Stacy was made a minister of consolation indeed " — none but those who have been called to pass through such scenes, can imagine or comprehend the disappoint ment, loss, want, loneliness, and sorrow, which such a bereavement creates. His touching references to her, and his own feelings under the stroke, can scarcely be read without deep emotion, which shows with how much they were written: " O how I loved her — how we loved each other ! I paid some attention to business to-day; but how heavily it went on ! The long line of years which I may probably have to traverse, presents a gloomy prospect, and I fear lest I should be drawn aside from 1797.] REFLECTIONS ON 111 I. l.VKM. 17 what I sec and believe to be right, and so the design of the Almighty, in administering this truly bitter cup, be, with regard to me, frustrated. After dinner, my clear mother and I were alone, and I opened my mind to her, stating my great fears about myself; but she comforted me with the assurance, that it was sealed upon her mind that this affliction was sent to bring me nearer to the source of good. My spirit was much humbled, and more serene during the rest of the day. I have thought that when the glory which shall be revealed is tasted, the greatest affliction we can suffer below, will, in comparison, appear trifling. O my soul! under all thy tribulations, constantly keep in view, that in that city towards which thou wishest to direct thy course, all tears shall be for ever wiped away, and that there thy dearest Mary is a joyful inhabitant." His rides and drives had lost much oi their interest from the want of one who participated in the pleasure. " When I see a fine prospect, it often occurs, what interest I should have taken in showing it to her. What sublime pleasure is received by reflection from another, — that is, in the sense of making another happy." " This road brings the idea of my precious, my most endeared companion, strongly before me. How often have we, in sweet harmony, travelled it together ! How my soul was united to her. " ' And is it then to live when such friends part ? 'Tis the survivor dies.' " I hope I do not repine, though my trial is exceed ingly great." 18 PIOUS RESOLUTION. [1797. His child was spared, and her presence sometimes mitigated his sorrows; but his feelings were often overpowered with the sight of this pledge of their love. " I could not bear to nurse her long — O ! I thought, how we should have enjoyed her together. It is a sweet infant ; I am afraid of getting too much attached to it ; but if any accident befal it, my suffer ings would be intense." Though his health suffered, and his spirits were distressingly depressed, the sanctified use of this trial was granted to him in answer to prayer, and was doubtless one of the mysterious preparations of the Great Master for the honor which He intended to put upon His afflicted servant. How beautiful is the fol lowing record, written in one of these seasons of deep depression and discouragement: " My resolution has been, that if I perish, it shall be at the footstool of my God, though I have been at times afraid to call Him so, or to use the term Father. In the afternoon, I had a relieving opportunity with my dear mother, who comforted me much. Sitting quietly by the fire, and endeavoring to direct my mind towards the source of all good, I was favored to feel a little calm, and was sensible of a degree of Divine support. It will be well for me often to retire to wait upon the Lord, that my spiritual strength may be renewed. And O ! saith my soul, may I never love anything more than Him, but be favored to keep everything in subordination, yea, under my feet. O that I may be now wholly devoted to Him and His cause, being careful for nothing, but how to fill up my duty from time to time." 1797.] SUSTAINING CONSOLATIONS. 19 It often occurs, that persons whose piety is ardent, and whose constitution tends to despondency, are favored above others with corresponding joys ; and Mr. Allen experienced that, if his affliction pressed heavily upon his sensitive mind, God favored him occasionally with remarkable visions of His glory. At times, he seems taken to the Mount of Transfigura tion, to see the glory and grace of his Saviour, and at others to Mount Nebo to view the promised land, not as Moses did, without the prospect of entering it, but as his own inheritance, to which he was hastening. Hear him describe one of these morning visions : " I seemed to have somewhat of a sight and feeling of the disposition which prevailed in heaven : such a unity — such a lamb-like spirit — such a profound peace ; no jar, no contention, nothing wrathful there ! Such dispositions appeared diametrically opposite to those which prevailed in the kingdom of God I saw that the world could not comprehend this state, and strong were my desires that I might be kept out of its parties, its noises, and its bustles, and be even esteemed a fool for Christ's sake. It was indeed a memorable time, and my heart overflowed." CHAPTER III. HIS PARTNERSHIP AND EXTENDED LABORS. As might have been safely predicted, the diligence and intelligence which William Allen evinced, was rewarded by a widely extended business. At the close of the year 1797, the claims of the laboratory, and the important concerns at Plough-court, had become so weighty and responsible, that it was found necessary to make fresh arrangements for carrying them on with greater efficiency, and a new partner ship was formed between Luke Howard and William Allen, under the firm of Allen and Howard. This left him a little more at liberty with respect to his business ; but it will be subsequently seen that his time was improved by innumerable public engage ments for useful objects, and almost incredible labors. Jane Hamilton, the sister of his wife, resided with him, taking charge of his little one, and superintend ing his domestic concerns. Among other plans for sustaining the life of godliness, and soothing his mind, it was her usual practice to read to him after supper, when he could lay aside his cares and per plexities, and listen to the narration of the labors, experience, and sufferings of the early members of his religious Society. From the time he commenced housekeeping, he was daily in the practice of assem- (20) 1797.] FAMILY RELIGION. 21 bling his household for the purpose of reading a portion of Holy Scripture, after which, according to the practice of Friends, a silent pause 'ensued, " for recollectedness of mind, and lifting up the heart to God." All his servants were watched over with parental care, their master giving each, when needed, reproof, counsel, and encouragement, with much feel ing and tenderness. Men whose time are much occupied oft find excuses for the neglect of family religion, and the parental care of the spiritual state of their dependents, but with Mr. Allen it was as conscientiously performed as any engagement in business, and one about which he frequently scrutin ized himself. " Examine more narrowly whether thou art per forming thy duty to every branch of this family." "Strong desires arc at this time raised, that I may be favored to conduct myself in such a manner as to be a good example to the dear young peopb under my care. My prayers are often put up for them in secret, as well as for myself." The privations and distress of the poor, from 1799 to 1802, were most deplorable. In addition to the sad consequences of war with France, the summers and autumns of the two last-mentioned years were ( xtremely wet, and deficient harvests caused bread to rise to one shilling and fivepcncc-halfpcnny per quartern loaf, and beef to one shilling per Ib. Other provisions were necessarily exorbitantly dear, and many of the poor barely existed. The attention of two Friends, William Allen and William Phillips, was specially directed to the means of affording them 22 SOUP SCHEME. [1797. relief, and a meeting was called at the house of the latter, to form a society for supplying the poor with soup and meat at one penny per quart. Such a society could now be easily formed, but it was then entirely novel, and created much discussion both as to its propriety and advantages, among otherwise benevolent persons, and it was with some anxiety the founders entered on their operations. However, a subscription was immediately commenced, and in the course of a few days, a committee was formed, sub committees were appointed, and by a division of labor, the society was quickly organized. Eligible premises were procured in Bricklanc, Spitalfields, soon adapted for the purpose, and tickets printed and issued to the subscribers. On the first day of delivery the visitors attended under no small anxiety as to the result of their experiment It succeeded, however, to their utmost wish — the applicants paid the penny per quart with cheerfulness, and carried home a supply of food which they could not have prepared of equal quality themselves for four or five times that sum. At first the applicants were served with soup every day ; but the distress being very great, the numbers increased so rapidly, that the committee were obliged to adopt the plan of distributing it only every other day to the same person. There were five boilers in the soup- house, capable of making from three thousand to three thousand f three hundred quarts, which were daily distributed to above one thousand persons, their money taken and their tickets marked, in less than two hours and a quarter. The effort cost about one hundred and fifty pounds per week ; which was pro- 1799.] STUDIES PROSECUTED. vidcd for by liberal contributions from various classes, including public companies. Into this scheme Wil liam Allen threw all his heart. He thus writes : — "The soup scheme absorbed a large portion of time last week. At the committee, I proposed a plan of keeping a book, and making domiciliary visits to the cases, but was negatived on account of the trouble. I felt rather hurt on the occasion, one of my opponents having expressed triumph; but I was principally grieved on account of being disappointed in the attempt to carry the plan to the greatest perfection of which it is capable. O, that self were more reduced ! it is this which gives us pain on contradiction. More comforted in my vesper than I expected." The next day he writes : " My irritation on the soup business subsided, and I acknowledged myself wrong, in pressing too earnestly what I yet conceive to be an excellent measure. Act steadily to one point, viz., thy duty, and neither seek the favor nor fear the frowns of man." Again: "Soup committee not over till past nine, and a trying one ; I gave way too much to the spirit of debate, and hurt myself by it, as I felt uncomfort able in settling accounts with myself at night." " 2Sth. — I went round among the applicants for soup — visited fourteen — many of them wretchedly miserable; and I am now firmly of the opinion that the soup has saved the lives of many." During the period which it is intended this chapter should survey, he prosecuted his studies in chemistry, natural philosophy, medical science, mathematics and botany, with surprising ardor and perseverance. A 24 CHEMICAL EXPERIMENTS. [1800. slight sketch only of his operations can be given, but that will suffice to show how intent he was on both getting good and doing good. He attended almost daily the lectures of the principal men of his time, and took very minute notes of them. Chemistry, as a science, was but beginning to attract attention, and though many of the experiments then made are now common to every well-educated person, they were then discoveries, and were as attractive to polite and learned assemblies as more recent discoveries are still. At those experiments Mr. Allen and his friend Pepys, whose assistance he frequently acknowledges, con stantly labored. Take a few of his notes for the year 1797:- " I am making great progress in chemical experi ments — fused platina with oxygen on charcoal." " Resolved to study pharmacy, regularly making all the experiments one by one — two or three experi ments in a week." " Entered perpetual pupil at Cooper's lectures at the Hospital." " Freezing experiments with W. H. Pepys ; we at tempted to freeze fifty-six pounds of quicksilver. I am not sure it was all solid, though some present seemed to think it was." " Entered perpetual pupil to Haighton's Physiology. After his lecture went to Cooper's — Wounds of Arter ies — extremely overdone." The review of a week is thus cfiven : — o "Study was suspended by a press of business; at tended, however, four Anatomical Lectures, — two Surgery, there being no more this week, — one Physi- 1800.] EXPERIMENT ON KKSI'IUATION. 25 ology, prevented attending both by a sale, and the Physical Society at Guy's." A later week gives the following attendance of lectures: — "Anatomy, six lectures; Physiology, two; Surgi cal, three; Chronic Diseases, one. Assisted in form ing the British Mineralogical Society." The next year, 1800, found him equally indefatiga ble. Of his studies he says : " A grand object with me is to perfect myself in the study of medicine, also in Latin." In reference to his attendance at the 1 1 1 >spital, he writes : " Copied out cases, and attended more to my mind than I have ever done before." Many experiments were carried on at Plough- court, not only for his own improvement, but for Dr. I ortlyce and others, and so'mc of them, as the follow ing, rather unpleasant and dangerous. "27111. — Experiments on respiration. — Present, Ast- ley Cooper, Dr. Bradley, Allen of Edinburgh, the two Lausons and J. Eox. We all breathed the ga.seous oxide of azote. It took a surprising effect on me, abolishing completely at first all sensation; then I had the idea of being carried violently up ward in a dark cavern, with only a few glimmering lights. The company said my eyes were fixed, face purple, veins in the forehead very large, apoplectic stertor, etc. They were all much alarmed, but I suffered no pain, and in a short time came to myself." As his talents became known, increasing demands were made upon his time and attention. Both for eigners and his own countrymen referred to him for 26 ASKESIAN SOCIETY. [1801. chemical analysis, and solicited him to perform ex periments which required great skill and accuracy. Plough-court became distinguished as an excellent repository for chemical re-agents, a subject to which he had turned his attention with peculiar success. Professor Pictet, of Geneva, obtained from him a valuable selection, and thus writes to him from Paris : — " My charming collection of chemical re agents was exhibited lately to the National Institute here, and the chemical members took great 'notice of it." As if he had not enough to engage his attention, he proposed, at the close of 1801, to deliver gratui tously a course of lectures at Plough-court to the members of the Askesian Society, with other friends who were invited to attend. These lectures became so popular, and the audiences so increased, that it was with difficulty they could crowd into the room On December 3d, he writes : — " At seven o'clock I gave my first lecture on chem istry. Dr. Rolph, Astley Cooper, Dr. Bradley, T. Poole, etc., etc., attended; there were about sixty present in all. I got through beyond my expecta tions, but I was very low about it before I began." The lecturer introduced his subject with a very modest exordium, and then stated : — " From my professional engagements I have neces sarily a large quantity of mechanical apparatus ; this, in the absence of more important subjects, I purpose gradually to bring forward in our meetings, and en deavor to give,*during the present session, as complete 1801.] LECTURES AT GUY*S HOSPITAL. 27 an idea of the Theory and Practice of Mechanics, as my ability and the limits of our time will allow." Notwithstanding these labors, he always had some French work on hand, and usually read a portion of it every day. He had also made considerable pro gress in German, and devoted some time to drawing, for both of which he had masters, though German gave way a little to business and lectures. Notices several times occur of visits to persons who claimed the exercise of his medical skill, and his aid on such occasions was highly beneficial. Such was his popularity as a lecturer, that " Dr. Babington called to offer him a partnership in his lectures on chemistry at Guy's Hospital." He had great diffidence and fear about acceding to the pro posal, and it was not till Astley Cooper, Bevan and Joseph Fox united their entreaties that he would ac cept this lucrative appointment. After a week's con sideration he says, " I went to Dr. Babington's, and agreed upon giving lectures jointly with him at Guy's Hospital. We appointed to meet again to arrange our plans." And this is his account of his first lecture : — " Rose early — getting ready for experiments at the Hospital — I felt distressingly low and anxious — gave my first lecture there, at which Drs. Babington and Curry were present, and Astley Cooper came in. I got through much to my satisfaction, and apparently to that of the class. It began and ended with loud plaudits." In the following month he states : — " Dr. Babington called for me, and I went with him 28 PROMOTES VACCINATION. [1803. to his lecture on the physical properties of water — made the experiment of composing water for him at the lecture, the globe being previously filled with oxygen. It succeeded capitally." On another occasion at his lecture he remarks, — " W. H. Pepys rendered me most essential service. I had a tight job to get ready — began a little after eight — a crowded theatre, 128 at least — showed the luminous experiments — all seemed highly delighted." At the commencement of another course the audience received him with loud plaudits, which were again re peated at the close of the lecture, and to his anxious and fearful mind these public tokens of continued ap probation were as he states "very encouraging." Towards the conclusion of the year he was " much occupied in endeavoring to establish an institution for cow-pox inoculation," and labored incessantly with Drs. Lettsom, Bradley, Pole, and others, till that noble institution was in full operation. How much we are indebted to him and to his noble band of fellow-labor ers, for their efforts to introduce a remedy for that awful disease the small-pox, by which the " human face divine " is freed from the scars which so commonly disfigured it in his day, can be duly understood only by those who lived at that period. Humphrey Davy, then a rising man in chemical science, and whose lectures to the Royal Institution were the most popular of his times, appreciated the talents of William Allen, and was very anxious to secure them for the more brilliant assemblies he was in the habit of addressing. His disinterested regard 1804.1 LECTURES AT THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. 29 for him will be seen by the following letter, which the board of managers requested him to send ; — " DEAR ALLEN, " Our managers have formed a plan of instituting different lectures on parts of Natural Philosophy in the next season. The terms will be liberal. Would you like to deliver, in the theatre of the Institution, the course on Natural Philosophy that you have given at Guy's ? Think about it, and let me know what your feelings are. I should have called on you, but I have been ill, and am not yet well. I go out of town to morrow. I am, dear Allen, with very great regard, yours, " H. DAVY." Drs. Babington, of London, and Dalton of Man chester, Ilatchett, Barnard, and Oriel, strongly advised him to take part in the lectures, and overruled his scruples by assurances of his success ; but it was not till four months after the invitation was sent that he could be prevailed on to accept it. On the 24th of January, 1 804, he writes : — " Set off between eleven and twelve for the Royal Institution, to give my first lecture — introductory and the general properties of matter. Felt much in pre senting myself before such an audience, but got on exceedingly well; Ilatchett and Sullivan came to me after the lecture." Barnard and Davy sent me con gratulatory notes. Before the first course was con- cludrd, the managers cntreatrd him to give another course in the spring of the following year. It may 30 SPECIMEN OF LECTURE. [1804. be pleasing to the reader to have a specimen of the sound sense and practical truth which the lecturer was in the habit of delivering to the fashionable audi ences of the Royal Institution, when " Albemarle Street was crowded with carriages." He thus con cludes his first course : — " In this general outline of some of the departments of natural knowledge, we have abundant opportunity to remark the traces of a wisdom past human com prehension, in the wonderful adjustment of all the parts of creation. How exactly are the moving powers balanced among each other ! — how admirable the order which results from their equilibrium ! The agency of the supreme intelligence is everywhere displayed, in characters so strong, that he who runs may read. Those who have most closely exercised their faculties in exploring these magnificent works, see the least occasion for exaltation, — the least incitement to pride; while they who know a little, but are ignorant how much remains to be known, are puffed up with imagin ary consequence, and deserve our pity. " We see that, in the works of nature, there is ample scope for the exercise of our rational faculties ; and limited as these faculties are, they are strengthened by use, and worthily employed when we endeavor to acquaint ourselves with as much of the wonders of creation as its great Author has permitted us to com prehend. As we proceed, new discoveries reward our search, — the sources of intellectual enjoyment pour an increasing stream of satisfaction upon the delighted mind; while sensual gratifications, perishable like their objects, tend only to enervate the soul, and sink us 1804.] SPECIMEN OF LECTURE. 31 far below the level of that high station which man is called to fill in the scale of created beings. The pur suits of science, properly conducted, tend to enlarge our views, to banish narrow prejudices, to increase our love of truth and order, and give tone and vigor to the mind. " Not more distant is heaven from earth, than false philosophy from the true. A set of wild and extrava gant notions is not philosophy, though in a neighbor ing country they have been dignified with the name. Those pretended philosophers have gloried in denying the fairest deductions from reason, — the most obvious truths; but the direful consequences of this perversion of intellect will long afford an awful and instructive lesson to mankind. " True philosophy is nothing more than real wisdom : the proper application of our faculties directed solely to the discovery of truth, which brings beauty, order, and excellence ; harmonizes the minds of its votaries ; teaches them to set a proper value on all the produc tions of the Creator, and leads them to feel even for the least of his animate beings. These will not put one of his sensitive creatures to unnecessary pain, and. rising from the simple polype and the worm to their fellow-men, will be anxious to employ their knowledge in diffusing comforts, in diminishing the misery which many have brought upon themselves; and, on the broad scale of universal benevolence, will imitate, as far as in their power, Him who is constantly diffusing good. These are the dispositions of the true philoso pher — this is the temper of heaven. " In such an agr as the present, it may be deemed 32 ADDRESS TO MEDICAL STUDENTS [1804. superfluous to urge the accumulated evidence we now possess in favor of the fundamental truths we most surely believe ; but on the juvenile part of the com munity, who are now forming their opinions, and beginning to reason for themselves, I wish to impress this important consequence, deducible from the sub jects which have passed in review before us, that in all the great powers of nature we observe such marks of contrivance, such adaptation of cause to effect, and the whole executed by means so sublimely simple, that we cannot avoid concluding with Archdeacon Paley, such designs must have had a designer, and that de- signer must be God !" At the conclusion of his course of lectures at Guy's Hospital, the following most admirable and appropri ate remarks were addressed to the medical students : " As this appears to be the last opportunity I shall have of addressing many of you collectively, permit me, before we separate, to offer a few remarks for your consideration. " Several of you having now finished the course of your studies in this place, are about to enter upon the wide theatre of the world. The profession which you have assumed, is, in itself, one of the most respectable of which man is capable. Having carefully studied the nature of our frame, you have undertaken to soften the miseries to which it is liable. May you, though in an inferior degree, endeavor to imitate the great example of Him, who went about doing good, healing all manner of diseases ! In a world so full of woe, to 1804.] AT GUY'S HOSPITAL. 33 a noble and generous mind, the opportunity of smooth ing the brow of care, and drying up the tears of sorrow, are the most gratifying offices which it is called upon to fulfil. Upon you will the anxious eye of the mater nal head of a family be fixed, in all the anguish of grief, while the support of herself and helpless infants is stretched upon the bed of languishing; and if poverty be added to her affliction, I trust you will rise nobly superior to sordid views, and find your richest recompense in the approbation of your own minds — in the sweet satisfaction of attempting, at least, to diminish the weight of that misery, which, perhaps, from the nature of things, you cannot wholly remove. " If gentleness of manners and polite behavior be esteemed ornamental in society at large, it is more indispensably requisite in the medical character. It is natural for the human mind to associate with this character the idea of power, and what can be more soothing to those under affliction than to meet with power and benevolence combined in the medical man ? " I am aware that, in the line of your profession, you will be sometimes placed in difficult and delicate circumstances; but never, I entreat you, sacrifice your sense of propriety, your feelings of the eternal obliga tion of right and wrong, that on which your present and future peace of mind depends, to any prospect of sinister advantage. Consider only what it is your duty to do, and leave the consequences to Him who never fails to approve every honest endeavor to per form it. So will you, in your different circumstances, be the instruments of most extensive good. You will 34 LECTURES FOR ONE SEASON. [1804. be a blessing to your country, and honored by those whose good opinion is of value." What a contrast does this sterling common sense, and elevating doctrine, present to the irreligious senti ments and questionable morality which many lecturers, to gain the applause of the gay and thoughtless, scatter like firebrands, arrows and death, among the students. Happy the lecturer who dares to mingle religious truth with scientific knowledge; and thrice happy those students who welcome it with applause, and adopt it in their practice ! The following note shows his labors at the Royal Institution and the Hospital for one season : " Lectures given this season. — Hospital, first course, 46 ; second course, Chemistry, 26; ditto, Natural Philosophy, 15 ; Reyal Institution, 21 ; total, 108." Resolutions formed this year, show the reason why he had so much time at his disposal, and why he could undertake such multifarious duties ; and, if adopted generally, most persons would find they could accomplish much more than they now believe possible. " Resolved, — before I enter upon a subject, to spend a few minutes in endeavoring to abstract my mind from all other objects but that immediately before me, to take ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, every morning, to consider what may be my duty for the day ; to fix my plan, adhere to it strictly, and endeavor to dismiss all further anxiety. Occupy every spare minute for ' standing jobs,' not infringing upon the fixed time for certain things. Much time is lost in desultory indecision ; when this comes on, catch up 1804.] BOTANICAL RESEARCHES. 35 the first thing that comes to hand of those that must be done." In the midst of these incessant labors he found time for higher studies. Most of his excursions in the country were made subservient to botanical researches, which combined the pursuit of health with increasing knowledge. Thus he states : "We had a coach for the day; and S. Wood, J. Woods, Golding, Barker, Middleton, and I, went to Harrow to breakfast. We then set ofT on foot, to Morpeth Field after the frittillaria, but our search was in vain : we however got the helleborus viridis, a scarce plant in these parts, and the ophioglossum, also the vinca minor, etc. We dined at the King's Head, Harrow, and set off home at six." About this period he attended a series of conver saziones at Dr. Babington's, where Count Bournon gave instruction in mineralogy, particularly crystal lography. A journey into Cornwall afterwards afforded him an opportunity of pursuing this study under very favorable circumstances, and of exploring some of the rich treasures of that county in their native state. He describes his descent into the copper mine of Dolcoath, situated a few miles from Redruth, with Thomas Cock, a young man from Plough-court, who accompanied him in his journey, and two intelligent miners: " I found the descent more easy and safe than I had imagined. The opening of the shaft was about five feet square, in which a perpendicular ladder about five or six fathoms was fixed against one side. After descending several of these ladders, some longer, some shorter, we came to a convenient place to sit 36 DESCENDS A COPPER MINE. [1804. down. The whole depth is cut out of solid rock, mostly killas, and here and there, at different depths, there are long horizontal passages about four feet high, and two or three feet broad, which form a communi cation with different shafts, many of which have been worked for ore. At twenty-five fathoms we came to the adit, which is a long passage carrying water out to the lowest level of the valley. At sixty fathoms there was a spacious place, formerly containing an immense quantity of ore ; you see the bare rock from whence it was cut, to a considerable height, and in the midst of this cavity there was a vertical division of rock about three or four feet thick, which had com pletely divided the lode, and is called a horse. To this place we kept pretty dry, but afterwards were much wetted with the dripping of water; we descended by a series of ladders, to the bottom of all, or sump, 184 fathoms, or uoo feet from grass. Here the men were working the copper ore, with iron instruments, at one end like a pickaxe, and the other like a hammer. Thomas and I borrowed their tools, and knocked off some pieces which we carried away as trophies. Hav ing brought down a thermometer, I took the tempera ture of a stream of water running to the sump, and found it 80° of Fahrenheit, the air was 77°. I had previously observed the temperature aboveground^ which was 64°, this probably arose from the action of sulphur and iron, or sulphur and copper in contact with water. Almost all the sides of the shafts hitherto seemed large blocks of killas, but where the water had washed the bottom of the sump, a fine white quartz 1804.] ASCENT OF THE MINE. 37 with ore in it. We were in a profuse perspiration, even when sitting ; it was a complete warm bath." They found the ascent very fatiguing, but arriving at the long level, he remarks : " We went along a narrow passage, cut out of solid rock, I think a full quarter of a mile. We were obliged to stoop, and in some places crawl. The place was dripping wet, and, at times, we were considerably above the ankle in mud. It felt very hot, and respiration was not free. I took the temperature, which was 73° in water, 75° out. The main lode runs nearly east and west, and under lays south about fifteen inches in a fathom. We now returned to the shaft, and mounted to day. I never was in such a mess in my life. Felt a sensible enjoy ment in washing tubs, with warm water. We had just been four hours underground. " There are six steam engines worked upon this mine. Most of the large mines of Cornwall are now so deep, that they must have been stopped long ago if the steam engine had not been applied; yet this noble invention had, at first, many prejudices to sur mount." This journey afforded a fund of interest to his in quiring mind; and the kindness of his friends greatly enriched his mineralogical and botanical specimens. In the course of 1805, he visited Cambridge. Wil- bcrforce having furnished him with a letter of intro duction to Professor Parish, he saw the university and its professors to great advantage. To show the esteem in which he was held, it is necessary only to quote an entry of his diary: 88 FIRE AT PLOUGH-COURT. [1805. " Dined with Professor Parish, and met Stephen's wife, who is the sister of Wilberforce, and her son. " Breakfasted with Professor Hailstone at Trinity College, then went with him and Professor Parish to see the Woodwardian collection of fossils : dined at the public table, Trinity, with Davis, the Vice-Master. Hailstone, Porson, etc. : spent the afternoon very agreeably with many of them. " The Vice-Master is a very good botanist, and showed me his hortus-siccus, which is in excellent preservation : took tea with him, and supped at Pro fessor Parish's." Soon after his return home, a fire happened at Plough-court, which threatened the destruction of the premises. It was occasioned by the breaking of a bottle of strong nitrous acid, the fumes of which ren dered it very difficult to approach the place with water ; great exertions were, however, used, and with the assist ance of many friends, together with the fire engines, it was subdued in about two hours. The combustible substances near it greatly increased the danger, about which he remarks : " When I consider the nature of the accident, our escape seems little short of a miracle. If it had hap pened in the night, there appears no probability that our lives would have been saved. About nine o'clock it was got under, and I trust I may say providentially, though I felt myself unworthy of such a favor." Nothing is more remarkable than Mr. Allen's regu lar and systematic attention to the care of his soul in the midst of all that was calculated to draw him aside from heavenly things. The claims of his business, the 1798.] FERVENT PIETY. 39 time and mental perseverance necessary for his lec tures, his frequent analyses, his acquisition of languages and elegant literature, his attention to the formation and working of institutions for the temporal and eter nal advantage of his fellow-creatures, would, in the opinion of many, have been a sufficient excuse for non-attention to piety. But the same spirit of perse vering devotcdness to the cultivation of heavenly principles marks his busiest and most honored seasons. When the world begins to flatter, it makes the position of him who receives the applause very slippery; and without double care he slides into a vortex of pleasure and wealth, which drowns men in destruction and perdition. From this Mr. Allen was graciously pre served by the use of those sanctified weapons, the word of God and prayer; the one guiding his steps through labyrinths of evil, the other securing to him a companionship and fellowship superior to all that the circles of literature or science could furnish. Extracts from his diary might be greatly multiplied, but a few will show how conscientiously he walked with God : " ijyS. — Many persons are sec-king after //'///// in natural science, but how few in spiritual things ! The reason probably is, that when found in the former, it exalts the creature, but when discovered in the latter, it lays him low. It may not, perhaps, chime in with his particular notions, and it certainly will not with his irregular desires." " Oppressed with discourse on politics. I wish dear was more redeemed from it. O, how infinitely 40 EXTRACTS SHOWING HIS [1799. superior is the kingdom of the Lamb to the kingdom of this world !" "The language ran through my mind, 'The Lord hath forsaken me, my God hath forgotten me,' yet I resolved to hope on. My faith and patience are much tried, the reflection that on this day twelve months I was made desolate, tends to keep me very low. O, this affliction — how it shakes me ! " " Defended Revelation and Christianity, in a small paper to be published in the MontJily Magazine" " Very low and poor, with a few exceptions. I think I am, nevertheless, sometimes favored in my nightly petitions, and can at times say, * Lord, thou knowest that I love thee !' O, for preservation from the spirit of the world ! I am certainly a very poor, weak creature, much wanting in firmness and strength of mind, vain, abounding in self-love and very indolent." " I dare not ask for riches, they have been the bane of thousands ; but I have earnestly desired to be placed in such circumstances, as that no revolution of this uncertain scene might disable me from paying every one his own — this would indeed be terrible." T799- — " H I am Preserved from falling a victim to the world, its knowledge, its honors, and its friend ships, I shall be inclined to consider it a miracle of mercy. O, that my feet were permanently fixed on the sure foundation, even Jesus Christ!" " My mind was sensible of the presence of good, this morning, before I arose ; renewed my covenant. O, how I pant for a state of greater enlargement ! My soul longs for a little of that liberty enjoyed by the children of God!" 1804.] FERVENT PIETY. 41 " 1800. — I find self very strong, manifesting itself in a disposition to speak freely, and enlarge upon what may tend to exalt it. A degree of self-abhorrence in the retrospect. O, that my efforts might be solely directed to the investigation of /;-/////, both in the moral and the natural world ! O Thou, who art the source of perfection, favor me with a little of thy all-sufficient help ! for without thee I am worse than weak." " Read the Scriptures to good satisfaction ; there is no book like them." 1802. — " I have seen the beauty, and long to attain to that heavenly disposition of mind, that seeks con stantly to render those around us happy. May I be favored to guard against peevishness, even when just cause, or what appears so, is given, and also to strive against foolish lightness." i8oj. — " I took the chair at Guy's Hospital as President, for the first time, and was favored to keep my place as a member of our Society. For this I felt thankful. What is the smile and applause of the world, compared with one beam from thy counte nance, O my God." 1803. — My mind rather more staid towards the close of the week. The purity of the Christian religion requires that we should constantly labor to render even all our thoughts acceptable to the Supreme Being; and if this were the case, our deeds would be more likely to bear the light. This is, indeed, a great attainment, but ought to be aimed at." 1804.—" My soul longs for more of the sensible feeling of the Divine Master's countenance and sup port, that so, I may hold on my way with firmness, 42 HIS PUBLIC DEVOTEDNESS. [1804. and not only experience preservation myself, but be useful in my day, to excite others to attend to their best interest." These extracts refer to his private walk with God, but more remarkable was his public devotedness. No pressure of engagements was suffered to interrupt his regular attendance on meetings for worship in the middle of the week, or the Lord's Day. " Made tem porals give way to spirituals," was his motto, to which through life he adhered. Nor did he shrink from the most active services to benefit the religious society to which he belonged. At the age of twenty-nine, he says, " I was appointed a correspondent member of the meeting for sufferings for Derbyshire and Notting hamshire. I felt afraid to refuse, lest I should be doing wrong." In the following year, when the enmity of the mob was particularly levelled at Friends, who, as many of them were corn factors, were most unjustly charged with being the cause of the high price of bread, he was one of a committee to draw up a paper on the subject for the, public, but it chiefly devolved on himself. When the clerk of the Monthly Meeting resigned, he was chosen. " I forebore to refuse on principle, being afraid of doing wrong, but my natural disposition would have been gratified by a strenuous opposition to the appointment." Of a meeting attended by Friends from several counties, deputed to assist in revising the Book of Extracts, he writes : — " Meeting at ten — felt comforted in sitting with Friends; amidst all my trials, weaknesses, and imper fections, I am encouraged by my feelings in attending 1805.] LABORS AMONG FRIENDS. 43 in my place on this occasion, and a hope is raised that this sacrifice of time will not be suffered to operate materially to my disadvantage." What that sacrifice of time was, the following mem orandum will show: " The sittings of the committee closed on Seventh- day morning, after having continued more thr.n three weeks ; I have not missed one of them, thor.gh such close application is rather trying, and I have often attended under heavy depression. Some were seasons of comfort and refreshment, wherein my hope and con fidence were strengthened. Saved about twelve hours this week by early rising." May not the low state of piety among many profes sors of religion be attributed in a great degree to their utter disregard of the ordinances of God on other days besides the Sabbath ? The world has no check — the family witnesses no devotedness except attendance on the Sabbath, and is it any wonder that the junior mem bers of the household should seek for other pleasures than those of God's house, which they are never taught to prize? To Mr. Allen, the counteracting influence of this public devotedness to God's cause was most beneficial. I Ic was repaid by ministerial visits of great worth, which kept alive the great principles of godli ness, and restrained the influence of flattery and worldly honor. He notes : — " Dear Mary Stacey felt a draught in her mind yes terday to call in and hand me the word of exhortation, viz., to be on my guard against the poison of the world's flattery and applause. She also reminded me that we were favored with good in proportion to the solicitude 44 DEATH OF HIS FATHER. [1800. with which we seek it. Remember this, O, my soul ! I believe M. S. to be a dear servant of the Lord." " E. Fry kindly warned me about philosophy, etc., expres sing a hope that it might not injure me in the best sense, and divert me from service in the Society." Besides his personal diligence, it pleased God to train his servant for devotedness and usefulness, by repeated afflictions, which were abundantly sanctified. In the year 1800 he lost his father; his description of his sickness and death, is very touching : " My dear father expressed his belief that he should not recover, saying, that he had for some time felt as if he were drawing to a close. He was resigned to the Divine will, and hoped that, if it pleased the Al mighty to take him, it would be in ' the accepted time.' He acknowledged that he had been blessed in his children. All my tenderness and affection for him seemed to be stirred up. Though in deep distress, I have, at times, some feeling of my heavenly Father's love. These touches, however slight, and like the crumbs that fall from the table, are received with eager thankfulness, and just serve to keep me alive. Verily, mine is the cup of bitterness ! Sanctify it, O Lord ! I beseech thee that all this suffering may not be in vain ! if thou but smilest on my closing moments, all my afflictions will be for ever, forgotten, and my wearied soul shall find rest in thee." " I sat by him, with my arm round his head, until half- past four o'clock in the morning, when he expired without sigh or groan. My dear mother bore it much better than I expected ; my poor mind was exceedingly agitated, and I was engaged in mental supplication. 1801.] DEATH ()!•' IMS BROTHER. 45 After we had given some vent to our sorrow, we sat down together in silence in the parlor, and I was favored with a little of the light of the Lord's counte nance, which, to his poor dependent creatures, is indeed a great mercy. O, here is the anchor in all our afflic tions." In the succeeding year, he again drank of the cup of sorrow, by the death of his endeared younger brother. " The decease of my dear brother Jonathan took place on First-day morning, after a trying illness of two weeks. The social band is broken in upon — there are few families in which fraternal love is stronger than in ours, and this visitation shakes me to the centre. On behalf of the dear deceased, there is no cause to mourn. He had a sort of foretaste of the joys about to be revealed, and longed to be released. He went off about eight o'clock in the morning, aged twenty- four. My dear brother possessed a remarkably sweet, amiable disposition, and was very forbearing. " The interment took place on the 8th, at the Bury- ing-ground, Whitechapel. The goodness of God to wards us was felt in an inexpressible manner as we stood round the grave, giving us a taste of that pro found peace and harmony which our clearly beloved brother is now in the full fruition of. When our Di vine Master condescends to manifest himself by the breaking of bread to our hungry souls, then all doubts vanish, and we are ready to exclaim, ' Now we believe, for we have heard him ourselves, and knois, that this is indeed the Christ, tlu- Saviour of the world ! ' May I never forget the sensations 1 then expenVm v<l ! 46 JONATHAN MIDDLETON DROWNED. [1803. How strong ! how clear ! how sweet the evidence that the immortal spirit was in everlasting bliss ! and oh, how condescending in our blessed Lord, thus to favor his unworthy creatures ! May we feel ourselves more and more bound to him in a covenant never to be broken ! " Two years afterwards he thus records another afflic tive dispensation, in the sudden death of a faithful servant : " I gave Jonathan Middleton and Thomas Smith, (two of the young men at Plough-court) leave to go to the marriage of John Grubb and Sarah Lynes, at Brentford; they were returning by Kew and Rich mond, and at the latter place poor Jonathan was drowned. The dreadful news reached me while at tea. My kind friend Joseph Woods, jun., accompanied me in a chaise, and we got into Richmond about eight. As soon as the chaise door was opened, I asked the name of the young man, and was answered that Smith was alive; the conclusion was obvious, and, although I summoned up all my resolution, my legs trembled under me as I went into the house; I was conducted up-stairs, where I found T. Smith stretched on a bed, nearly in a state of delirium, and two men holding his arms. I entreated him to endeavor to command him self. His reply was in a mournful voice, ' Poor Jona than's gone ! Poor Jonathan's gone ! I could not save him/ This was almost too much for my feelings, and I thought it would be better on his account to leave him, and send for the medical men who had attended at the time. Having got poor Thomas Smith into the chaise, we reached town a little before eleven. 1803.] TESTIMONY ( I- I! l:i MASTER. 47 Through the whole of this trying business, my mind experienced a degree of precious support, which I record with thankfulness, and pray that it may be con tinued through all those afflictions which may yet fall to my lot. " With respect to dear Jonathan, there is no cause for regret on his account ; I believe that his immortal spirit has entered into the joy of his Lord. During all the years he has been with me, I never remember to have heard an unguarded expression fall from his lips ; he was a pattern of strict integrity, and a bright example to the family. My loss is great; he loved me with the affection of a child, and mine to him was reciprocal ; he had the care of all my little matters, and was worthy of the unbounded confidence I placed in him — my companion, my friend, more than a ser vant, a brother beloved ! but may I feel ability to say, ' Thy will, O Lord, be done ! ' " Happy is that child of God who can receive strokes from the Divine hand in a similar spirit ! CHAPTER IV. SECOND MARRIAGE ANTI-SLAVERY AND EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS. AFTER continuing about eight years and a half a widower, Mr. Allen again entered the marriage state with Miss Charlotte Hanbury, of Stoke Newington, a lady whose piety and good sense had greatly endeared her to his affectionate spirit. The marriage took place at Devonshire-house Meeting, on the 22d of April, 1 806, and is thus briefly referred to in his diary : — " Fourth Month 26th. — This week has been a most important one, having entered into the solemn cove nant of marriage with my endeared friend Charlotte Hanbury, under, I trust, a precious degree of evidence of Divine approbation. May I be enabled to fill up the measure of those duties which now devolve upon me ! " His wife's sister, Anna Hanbury, resided with them, and contributed much to the comfort both of his child and himself. He had taken a house at Stoke Newing ton, between which and the house in Plough-court the time of the happy family was now divided. From his earliest days, William Allen had taken the deepest interest in the emancipation of the slave. When about twenty years of age, he thus powerfully argues the injustice and immorality of slavery. The (48) 1806.] ANTI-SLAVKRY EFFORTS. 49 Christianity of the argument is as beautiful as it is unanswerable : — " I think it may be safely asserted, and clearly proved, that those who enslave men, or are accessory to it, are neither moralists nor Christians ; for we know, in the first place, that to drag innocent people from their near and dear connections, and from their native land, to consign them to slavery, to wear out their lives in continual hardships, is unjust; and all this injustice has been fully proved upon the enslavers of men; consequently they are unjust, and, if unjust, of course immoral. "In the next place, we know that none can be Christians but such as are followers of Christ; and none can be followers of Christ without observing his precepts, especially the fundamental ones; but the enslavers of men act directly contrary to the precepts of Christ, for our Lord says, 'Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.' Now, when the advocates of slavery can reconcile this with the murdering of one hundred and fifty thousand of our fellow creatures annually, then we will allow that they are Christians indeed; but if they cannot, as it is impossible, let them join with the friends of hu manity, let them rank with the followers of Ckrist, and abandon a traffic so utterly inconsistent with the high profession they are making, and so offensive to the common Father of mankind; for surely the blood of the innocents has been found upon our nation, and that not by secret search." The intimacy between Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Allen commenced in the year 1794, from which period they 50 DEBATE ON THE SLAVE TRADE. [1791. labored together for Africa; but, in Parliament, the first effective efforts for the suppression of the slave- trade had been made by Wilberforce, who was nobly supported by Pitt and Fox, in the year 1791 — Mr. Allen determined to be present, and hear the debate, which he graphically describes :— " Wilberforce rose, and in an able speech, of nearly four hours, exposed the horrid traffic in its native de formity, and showed, with undeniable clearness, that its abolition, t so far from injuring our West India Islands, would, if adopted, be the means of improving them. He concluded with moving for leave to bring in a bill for the abolition of the trade. " In the beginning of Wilberforce's speech, Tarleton took a sheet of paper and a pen, with the intention to damp Wilberforce, which Pitt perceiving, took pen and paper also, to keep him in countenance ; but the good man seemed firm as a rock, and not to be baffled by Tarleton. Wilberforce sat on the Treasury bench, next to W. Pitt, who gave Wilberforce every little assistance in his power with his papers ; and I observed once in particular, when Wilberforce had drawn a strong inference, that Pitt held up his hands in admi ration. "•Although he was but poorly the day before, yet he exerted his voice in an astonishing manner, speak ing with great emphasis, and shining brighter and brighter after an hour than at first, and his voice, so far from failing him, strengthened as he went on. " Col. Tarleton, in a speech of about forty minutes, endeavored to defend this infernal business ; yet I do not remember that he refuted, or attempted to refute, 1806.] THE CAUSE DEFEATED. 51 one argument of the preceding speaker. In one part of his speech, pointing across the table to Wilberforce and others, he said, * The inspiration began upon that side of the house ; ' then, turning round, ' the revela tion has extended also to this, and reached to the height of fanaticism and frenzy.' So it seems, in his estimation, that inspiration is fanaticism, and revelation frenzy. I hear this man boasts, that he has killed more men with his own hand than any man in England. The words of Blair seem peculiarly applicable to him — " ' Behold the sturdy man-destroying villain ! ' ' After several other members had spoken for and against the abolition, Fox moved, and Pitt seconded, the adjournment of the debate to the following day. The debate was conducted with consummate ability on the second night, in which Pitt seemed to excel all his former efforts ; but the West India influence prevailed, and the slave-trade advocates obtained a short-lived victory. How deeply Mr. Allen sympa thized with the Abolitionists, and felt this defeat, will be best recorded in his own words : " 2O///. — This morning I went to know the fate of the business ; yet, as I approached the house of my friend, my heart palpitated, and I was almost afraid to knock at the door. Upon entering, I saw him in the passage. * Ah, William !' said he, ' we are beat — beat all to pieces; almost two to one against us.' "The intelligence struck me to the heart; I wac seized with tremor all over, but endeavored to conceal my emotion, ami inquired after particulars. He assured me that the most astonishing abilities had 52 FIRST COMMITTEE ON ABOLITION. [1806. been exerted on behalf of the abolition ; that he had never heard anything like it in his life ; that while Pitt was speaking, he remarked to some one near him, that in comparison to such a man they seemed a race of inferior beings." " W. Wilberforce made a short reply; and at half- past three o'clock the House began to divide : — Noes, 163; Ayes, 88; Majority, 75. Oh! scandalous deci sion ' O most disgraceful vote ! After the matter had been so fully stated — after the impolicy and infer nal cruelty of the trade had been proved so far, I think, as demonstration could carry them; yet the British legislature refuse to remedy it." The names of the little band of laborers who first formed themselves into a Committee to promote the great work of abolition, deserve to be had in everlast ing remembrance — they were William Dillwyn, George Harrison, Samuel Hoare, Thomas Knowles, M.D., John Lloyd, and Joseph Woods. Their first meeting was held in 1783. The mode they pursued was en lightening the public mind, and some of their efforts proved highly useful. In 1787 a society was formed upon a more extended scale, when the names of Gran- ville Sharpc, Thomas Clarkson, and afterwards W. Allen and several others,, were added to the Com mittee. In this Committee he ardently labored, and in as short a time as could be expected, considering the mighty influence brought to bear against the slave, his heart's desire was accomplished. On the nth of June, 1806, Fox moved a resolution, — That the Slave- trade is inhuman, unjust, impolitic, and ought to be 1807.] SLAVE TRADE ABOLISHKD. 53 abolished, and that the House would take speedy and effectual means for that purpose, — which was carried by one hundred and fourteen, to fifteen. This was followed up by a motion to address the king to correspond with foreign powers in amity with this country, to act in concert with us in this good work. On the loth February, 1807, he records: "The abominable slave trade is falling at last. The bill for its extermination passed the second reading in the House of Lords. For it, one hundred; against it, thirty-six ; majority, sixty-four ! A glorious triumph ! It was soon committed, and the blanks filled up with ist of First Month, 1808, but no more ships to be fitted out after Fifth month next. O Lord, bless the supporters of this righteous cause!" " j./tft. — The young men from my house came home from the House of Commons this morning, at five o'clock, and brought the glorious news that the bill for the abolition of the slave-trade passed the second reading by two hundred and eighty-three; against it, sixteen : ! ! Majority, two hundred and sixty-seven." On the 25th of March the royal assent was given to the bill, and for the honor of England it became the law of the land. In the following month we find him becoming one of the directors of a society, formed greatly through his influence, for the civilization of Africa, called the "African Institution." At the meeting held at Free masons' Hall for the formation of the society, the Duke of Gloucester accepted the office of President. Wilberforce, Lord Spencer, Roscoe, of Liverpool, Owen, Chaplain to the Bishop of London, William 54 AFRICAN INSTITUTION FORMED. [1807. Smith, and several bishops \vcrc present, and admira bly enforced the claims of the degraded Africans. The prominent object of this society was to protect the Africans from a clandestine slave-trade. It also aimed to promote the sale of their produce, to elevate them by education, and to sympathise generally with them as members of the same human family. Cir cumstances forbade the extensive accomplishment of all these objects, but a large amount of interest on their behalf was excited by the publications and efforts of this noble band of devoted men. Much as Mr. Allen's time was occupied by public objects, he gave a considerable portion to this society. His house was the receptacle of the African, and of all who befriended him, and never does he seem happier, or his talents to be more satisfactorily employed, than when pleading with princes and nobles, and otherwise laboring for their behalf. Arrangements had for some time been in progress for separating the concerns at Plough-court, from the laboratory which had been removed to Stratford; William Allen proposing to take the establishment at Plough-court, and Luke Howard the laboratory. On the 1 8th of July, 1807, they signed the dissolution of partnership. But there was no dissolution of friend ship between these estimable men. Howard accom panied him and his family, a month or two afterwards, in a tour to the lakes of Cumberland and Westmore land, and always maintained an ardent attachment to William Allen. On his return he commenced his winter campaign in experiments and lectures with renewed ardor. One 1807.] ELECTED FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 55 of his first efforts was at a private meeting at Free masons' Tavern, with Davy, Dr. Babington, and nine others, to institute a Geological Society which remains to this day. The result of the valuable researches made by himself and his friend, W. H. Pepys, on car bon and carbonic acid, were printed in the Royal Society's transactions, and elicited much interest in the scientific world. He remarks : " I understand from Davy that the council of the Royal Society would have voted the gold medal for our paper on carbonic acid, had only one person been the author, but they did not know how to manage it with two. It is however satisfactory to find that they thought it deserved one." The Society soon after elected Mr. Allen a Fellow, Sir Evcrard Home introducing him and acting as master of the ceremonies on the occasion. He had the pleasure also to see his friend Pepys elected a Fellow a few months afterwards, to give him his vote, and to go and tell him of his joy. Although Mr. Allen expresses himself in raptures at tin: discoveries of Davy, lectures for him when ill, and holds him forth most justly as a great leader in chemical science, yet the plain Quaker is sometimes found in very favorable collision with his superior. As for instance : " Experiment with W. H. Pepys suspended on account of my cough and the Yearly Meeting, but I have made considerable progress with my fair copy of the paper. Pepys and I went up to Davy with it on Seventh-day ; he finds it hard work to give up his favorite idea of the absorption of azote ; he however 56 LETTERS FROM HIS MOTHER. [1808. seems, though reluctantly, to yield to the evidence of our experiments ; this is quite as much as we could expect, seeing it overturns almost all his experiments on this subject." By his incessant labors his chest became seriously affected, and for a time arrested his progress. " Fifth Month. — Very low and poor this week — but little feeling of good. May not the cause be a too great absorption of the mind in outward things? I have, perhaps, been too anxious about our experiment and paper for the Royal Society. I have, however, met with a strong check from the indisposition of my lungs, which renders it imprudent to proceed at pre sent." His devoted mother, tenderly concerned lest his love of science and pursuit of knowledge should lead him away from objects of higher importance, took advantage of the pause which his illness occasioned, to address to him the following unWorldly and admir able counsels : — " Thy talents, my beloved child, if rightly directed, would tend to spread heavenly knowledge, and to ex tend the government of the Prince of Peace. Oh ! how I long that the Most High would anoint and appoint dedicated sons to turn the attention of men to their greatest good, and arouse them from their beds of ease before the solemn sound goes forth, 'Time shall be no longer.' — If one soul is of more value than a world, how does it behoove those to whom the two or more talents are entrusted, to occupy them in this great work. He, who has loved thee from thy earliest youth, has called thee to love him above all, to dedi- 1808.] LETTERS FROM HIS MOTHER. 57 catc thyself to him, to surrender thy all to him, to be made use of as he shall direct. The reins of govern ment should not be in thy hands, but in his, to turn \hecinto the path he may in future appoint, and out of what thou, as a man, wouldst have chosen for thyself. Ah ! my dear, it is not the strength of natural affection which leads me to say thou wast not intended to spend all thy time in earthly pursuits, but through submis sion to the operation of that Power which creates anew, thou art designed to lead the minds of others both by example and precept, from earth to heaven. I believe it may be said of thee as was said to Peter, ' Satan hath desired to have thee that he may sift thee as wheat,' but I humbly hope that the same Advocate will plead for thee, that, ' thy faith fail not: " On another occasion, she writes : — " I entreat thee again to consider the necessity of setting thyself more at liberty in the future. Thou art too much absorbed in study, my beloved child, for however innocent it may be, yet, like the doves in the temple, it fills up a place in the temple of thy heart, which ought to be otherwise occupied, and dedicated unto the Lord, in whose hands thou wouldst become an instrument to promote the knowledge of pure Christianity. Come, my beloved, if a right hand or a right eye be called for, give it up— the Lord loves a cheerful giver, and he will restore thee an hundred fold." At the close of the year 1809, she again addresses him in a similar straiu : — " Now, my dearly beloved, suffer thy tender mother to throw before thee the wish of her soul, that thou 58 SKETCH OF LANCASTER'S [1808. mayst surrender up all that does not tend to promote the coming of thy Heavenly Father's kingdom in thy heart, and his will being done by thee on earth, as it is done in heaven ; thou wilt, I believe, if faithful, hear the voice of the Lord saying, ' Who will go for us ? ' And O, mayst thou be so unloosed from earthly con cerns as that this ready humble language may be thine, — " Here I am, Lord, send me.' " During the year 1808, Mr. Allen became acquainted with Joseph Lancaster. He was born in Kent Street, Southwark, of pious parents, in the year 1778. By their instructions he became deeply impressed with the value of religion. His enthusiastic and somewhat original character soon developed itself. Having been an assistant at both a boarding and a day-school, he became thoroughly acquainted with the defects of the old system of education. At eighteen years of age, he commenced teaching on his own account, in a shed on his father's premises. He thus describes his operations : — " My father gave the school-room rent free, and, after fitting up the forms and desks myself, I had the pleasure, before I was eighteen, of having near ninety children under instruction, many of whom I educated free of expense. As the number of scholars continued to increase, I soon had occasion to rent larger premises. "A season of scarcity brought the wants of poor families closely under my notice ; at this time a num ber of very liberal persons enabled me to feed the hungry children. In the course of this happy exer tion, I became intimately acquainted with the state of 1808.] FIRST EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS. 59 many industrious poor families, whose necessities had prevented the payment of the small price of their children's tuition, some of whom had accumulated arrears for many weeks. In every such case I remitted the arrears, and continued the children's instruction free of expense. "The state of the poor, combined with the feelings of my mind, had now blended the pay-school with a free-school. Two benevolent private friends had 1>< •• n in the habit of paying for five or six poor children at the low price I had fixed as the assize of education or mental bread for my neighborhood. I easily induced these friends to place the money they gave, as pay, in the form of a subscription." ( )n the outside of his school-room he placed the following printed notice: — "All that will, may send their children and have them educated freely; and those that do not wish to have education for nothing, may pay for it if they please." This general invitation brought many more than his room would hold, but God raised him up friends, who erected for him rooms capable of holding 1000 chil dren. He says : — " The second building I owe to the benevolence of the Duke of Bedford and Lord Somerville, who ap peared to be sent by Providence to open wide before me the portals of usefulness for the good of the poor. The children now came in for education like flocks of .sheep, and the number so greatly increased, as to place me in that state which is the mother of inven tion. The old place of education in which I had been hitherto conversant, was daily proved inadequate to 60 ALLEN VISITS HIS SCHOOLS. [1808. the purposes of instruction on a large scale. In every respect I had to explore a new and untrodden path." The system of instruction pursued by Lancaster, combined scriptural and conprehensive principles with simplicity and economy, features which strongly com mended it to the mind of Mr. Allen. His first visit to the school must be given in his own words : — " I can never forget the impression which the scene made upon me. Here I beheld a thousand children collected from the streets, where they were learning nothing but mischief, one bad boy corrupting another, all reduced to the most perfect order, training to habits of subordination and usefulness, and learning the great truths of the gospel from the Bible. The feelings of the spectator while contemplating the results which might take place in this country, and the world in general, by the extension of the system thus brought, into practice by this meritorious young man, were overpowering, and found vent in tears of joy." The public soon pronounced its encomium on Lan caster's system. The school-room was visited, he tells us, "by foreign princes, ambassadors, peers, com moners, ladies of distinction, bishops and archbishops." He lectured in the numerous towns, and everywhere received the plaudits of crowded assemblies. His various school-books, statements and defences of his system were eagerly purchased, passing rapidly through several editions. George III gave him an interview at Weymouth, which is thus described : — " On entering the royal presence, the king said, ' Lancaster, I have sent for you to give me an account of your system of education which I hear has met 1808.] LANCASTER WITH GEORGE III. 61 with opposition. One master teach five hundred children at the same time ! How do you keep them in order, Lancaster ? ' Lancaster replied, ' Please thy majesty, by the same principle thy majesty's army is kept in order — by the word of command.' His majesty replied, 'Good, good; it does not require an aged general to give the command; one of younger years can do it.' Lancaster observed that in his schools the teaching branch was performed by youths, who acted as monitors. The king assented, and said, ' Good.' Lancaster then described his system, to which they all paid great attention, and were highly delighted ; and as soon as he had finished, his majesty said, ' Lancaster, I highly approve of your system, and it is my wish that every poor child in my dominions should be taught to read the Bible ; I will do anything you wish to promote this object.' " ' Please thy majesty,' said Lancaster, ' if the sys tem meets thy approbation, I can go through the country and lecture on it, and have no doubt but, in a few months, I shall be able to give thy majesty an account where ten thousand poor children arc being educated, and some of my youths instructing them.' His majesty immediately replied, ' Lancaster, I will subscribe ^IOO annually; and,' addressing the queen, 'you shall subscribe ^50, Charlotte; and the prin cesses £25 each ;' and then added, 'Lancaster, you may have the money directly.' Lancaster observed, ' Please thy majesty, that will be setting thy nobles a good example.' The royal party appeared to smile at this rvation ; but the queen observed to his majesty, 'How cruel it is that enemies should be found whu ii- LANCASTER'S DIFFICULTIES. [1808. endeavor to hinder his progress in so good a work.' To which the king replied, ' Charlotte, a good man seeks his reward in the world to come.' Joseph then withdrew." Large subscriptions poured in upon him from all quarters ; but, unaccustomed to the use of money, and naturally enthusiastic, imaginative, and extravagant, he soon became involved in great pecuniary difficulties, writs were out against him, and his creditors were clamorous. Yet Divine Providence raised up friends to assist him in his extremity, and had he been blessed with prudence to adhere to their counsel, would have- saved himself and those interested in his welfare a vast amount of labor and sorrow. Among those who succored him, the principal was Joseph Fox, a surgeon and dentist of Lombard Street, a man abounding in the best feelings of the human heart, and at the same time possessing undaunted courage and perseverance in every good work. Another was William Corston, a straw-hat manufacturer on Ludgate Hill, who had been his friend in the still earlier periods of his work. Fox, it is believed was an Inde pendent, Corston a Moravian, but both one in Christ Tesus in spirit and effort. The first interview Mr. Fox had with Lancaster was at Corston's house, on Ludgate Hill, which is beauti fully described by Corston : — "After dinner, our first subject was the debt. ' Well, Joseph,' said Mr. Fox, ' what do you owe now ? Do you owe a thousand pounds ? ' He only replied, ' Yes.' After a little time, he asked, ' Do you owe two thou sand pounds ? ' A significant pause ensued. Joseph 1808.] INTERVIEW WITH FOX AND CORSTON. 63 again replied, 'Yes.' The third time he inquired, with increased earnestness, affectionately tapping him on the shoulder, ' Do you owe three thousand pounds ? ' Joseph burst into tears. 'You must ask William Corston/ said he. ' He knows better what I owe than I do myself/ Mr. Fox then, rising from his seat, and addressing me, solemnly said, 'Sir, I am come to London to see the devil in his worst shape ; tell me what he owes.' 'Why, Sir/ I replied, 'it is nearer four thousand than three/ He returned to his chair, and seemed for some time to be absorbed in prayer; not a word passed from either of us. Mr. Fox at length rose, and, addressing me, said, ' Sir, I can do it with your assistance/ I replied, ' I know, Sir, that God has sent you to help us ; and all that I can do is at your command/ He rejoined, ' I can only at pres ent lay my hand upon two thousand pounds. Will you accept all the bills I draw upon you ? and every one shall have twenty shillings in the pound, and interest if they require it/ I replied, ' I will/ We then all instantly rose, and embraced each other like children, shedding tears of affection and joy. 'The cause is saved ! ' exclaimed Mr. Fox. I replied, 'Yes : and a threefold cord is not easily broken/ Thus, through the gracious and almighty hand of Him, who prospers His own cause, and makes it to triumph over all its enemies and obstacles — thus was the foundation laid for the maintenance of an institution, which was destined to confer the blessing of Christian education upon millions and millions of mankind. " \Ve immediately, and with ivmuvd i-iu-rgy, pro ceeded with the work. Two days after, the bills, 64 SCHOOL COMMITTEE FORMED. [1808. forty-four in number, were drawn, accepted, and given to the creditors ; and, with gratitude to the Divine goodness, it may be added, that they were all honored as they became due. " Soon after this we were joined by several valuable friends; and on March I, 1808, a committee was formed, consisting of the following persons : — " THOMAS STURGE, WILLIAM ALLEN, WILLIAM CORSTON, JOHN JACKSON, JOSEPH Fox, JOSEPH FOSTER." Thus, with a liberality rarely equalled, Fox sold out two thousand pounds from the funds, arid made himself responsible for four thousand pounds more, in the faith that, when the merits of the system were known, means would be provided for liquidating the debt, and Corston had the courage to accept bills, drawn upon him by Joseph Fox for between three and four thousand pounds, at six, twelve, and eighteen months' date, in favor of all the creditors. God hon ored this work of faith, for loans were obtained, and subscriptions raised, so that every bill was punctually honored. Beside the immense efforts required to raise funds for the liquidation of the heavy debt with which Lan caster's concerns were encumbered, Mr. Allen under took to prepare a regular set of books, and to enter the accounts, which, from their complicated nature, was no easy task. In writing to Joseph Foster, he le- marks : — " I have been laboring as hard as ever I did in my own concerns in unravelling matters, and I have the 1808.] MK. ALI.l N'S sriIOOL LABORS. 65 satisfaction to inform thcethat our waste-book, journal, and ledger, are all posted up as far as the materials permitted. I have raised between fifty and sixty heads in the ledger, which, I believe, will include all our present subjects." For many years, he recorded all the minutes of the committee with his own hand; and he observes, — " This engagement has taken great hold of me, for I have distinctly seen the importance of its bearings." In the course of their investigations they found a considerable debt owing to a baker for bread ; and when some of the examiners expressed their surprise at his having given so large a credit, he replied,— " The good which Mr. Lancaster has done to the poor of this neighborhood is such, that as long as I have a loaf left I will give the half of it to enable him to continue such beneficial exertions." Notwithstanding the disinterested kindness of these noble minded men, Joseph Lancaster evinced no small apprehension respecting the interference of the com mittee, which Mr. Allen, in the spirit of a Christian, thus attempted to subdue : — " Be assured, my dear friend, that neither myself nor any of the committee wish to interfere further than appears absolutely necessary for the attainment <>f the object thou art so laudably pursuing. We desire, as much as the nature of the concern will admit, to labor with and for thee, in private. We entered into it merely from a sense of its importance, and to assist a meritorious individual, and not from an)- little feeling of vanity, in being known to patronize a work of general utility. I believe thou wilt always 66 DISINTERESTED KINDNESS. [1808. find us superior to feelings of this kind— and, indeed, if we IKK! possessed them, they would not have been a sufficient inducement to undertake such a load as this is. " As the money will be advanced in confidence in the care of the committee, we feel strongly bound to keep regular accounts; but we must depend upon thee for the items, as without them everything will be in utter confusion, and we shall be quite discouraged. I am sure thou wilt see and feel the importance of it as the work advances, and also be quite convinced that our wish for the minute details of expenditure does not arise from the slightest suspicion of thy honor and integrity, but solely from our experience in matters of business, and knowledge of the world, convincing us of the vast importance of clear and correct accounts." Three years after the formation of this committee, Lancaster, in a report which he published, acknowl edged the disinterested kindness and labors of his friends. Happy had it been for him had he continued in the same grateful temper : — " Into the hands of a few friends, now constituted my trustees, I have committed my financial concerns for the last three years ; and during that time they have conducted all my affairs with the greatest good to the poor, by enabling me to spread the knowledge and practice of the plan in the country. By superin tending my financial concerns, public and private, in my absence, with liberal sacrifices of time and atten tion, as well as advances of money, everything is now happily brought to that state rf maturity, which will 1808.] APPOINTED TREASURER. 67 lead to the hope of public support to a system, which has already spread in part over the land, and may yet make a more extensive progress. And, however in adequate I may be to express my gratitude for the generous and disinterested assistance I have received from them in the maintaining and prosecuting the arduous work in which I have been engaged, I trust that a generous and enlightened British public will grant them that co-operative assistance which the benefits of a national education, and their disinterested philanthropy, so richly merit." On the formation of a school society, which imme diately succeeded these arrangements, Mr. Allen became treasurer. For several years his advances were frequently very heavy, and were made under circumstances which necessarily involved risk of loss; but his devotion to the object, his anxious desire for the improvement of the laboring classes of society, and his unshaken belief that the divine blessing rested on the work, enabled him cheerfully to sustain a burden which would otherwise have been insupport able. In his arduous labors, the hearty co-operation of his dear and valued friend Joseph Foster, of Brom- Iry, upon whom, for a long series of years, a large share of the weight of this institution devolved, was a great encouragement to him, and strong were the ties of friendship which ever after unite'd these truly benevolent and excellent men. During these engrossing labors he sustained with his usual energy his scientific pursuits. ] f e opened a correspondence with the eminent geologist De 1 on the connection between galvanism and electricity, 68 GALVANIC EXPERIMENTS. [1808. and conducted experiments with unsparing industry. The following are specimens : — "Eighth Month 2ist. — After breakfast, Children, Davy, Pepys, and I, began our experiments on Chil dren's great battery. Fused a foot and a half of pla- tina wire, one-thirtieth of an inch in diameter, red hot, and ignited three feet of thinner wire. The plates were two feet by four, and twenty pairs. Char coal burnt with a bright light like the sun, iron wire was not melted, except short lengths : this Children very properly attributed to the oxide instantaneously formed, and which is a non-conductor; it had a greater effect upon thicker wire, no effect upon diamonds, potash, or the gold leaf electrometer, but a couronne des tasses of two hundred half-pint earthenware jugs, with copper and zinc plates about two inches square, connected with lead, decomposed potash, gave strong shocks, and proved that the large plates give quantity, and produce great effect in igniting ; the small plates give intensity, and are most powerful in decomposition. The base of potash evidently blackened diamonds when heated within a plate glass tube. Davy observed that the presence of a very minute proportion of an element in a compound was sufficient to give that compound a totally different appearance ; that metals, and all combustible bodies, had a positive energy, and oxygen a negative energy.' " Third Month jd. — Experiment with Pepys took up nearly the whole day. A very important and interesting one with a guinea pig, which breathed for an hour in a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases. The only effect it appeared to produce, was to make 1809.] ELECTRICAL KITE. 69 him sleepy towards the end of the experiment, but he did not seem to suffer in the least. Our apparatus was so contrived, that we could have relieved him whenever he appeared uneasy." " Eight/i Month I2th. — To Newington by two-o'clock coach. In the afternoon raised the electrical kite,— wind south, weather showery. When the kite was in a clear sky, it gave positive electricity, varying from fifteen to thirty degrees; but a cloud arose, and as it approached the kite, signs of electricity were reduced to o. It became negative under the cloud, then more strongly negative as rain began to fall, and kept increasing till I was almost alarmed, the sparks being very dense, zigzag, and about two inches long ; and this, notwithstanding the insulation was spotted with rain." During the year 1808, he made further efforts to bring more effectually before the minds of the public, and of men in power, the subject of capital punish ment, and thus describes the auspicious commence ment : — " Seventh Month ist. — Basil Montague, Thomas Furley and H. M. Foster, R. Phillips, F. Smith, J. G. Bevan, and Luke Howard, dined with me to converse on the subject of our little society — we have now taken a regular form. Its title is, 'A society for diffusing information on the subject of punishment by death.' For the next six months they are to dine at Plough-court on the first Second-day in the month, in order that we may be in time for the publications. B. Montague is to open a communication with Sir 70 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. [1809. Samuel Romilly, and it appears as if we should go on with spirit." He did so, and found " Sir Samuel delighted with the idea of having coadjutors in this great cause." During a meeting of this society at Mr. Allen's house, one of the party maintained that " departure from truth was not only warrantable, but our duty, in certain cases." The good host could not suffer such lax morality to rule his friend's actions, and therefore sent him, in a letter, the following delicate and admir able admonition : — " I am willing to believe, that the difference of opinion between us, upon the subject of truth, consists more in words than in anything else. "The question is,-, not whether truth is lovely and of divine origin — not whether our lives should be regulated by it — not whether it be calculated to secure the happiness of mankind. On these points I con ceive there can be no question between us ; but ask me, whether it be allowable to depart from truth, to answer particular purposes, and I shall answer, no. He, who has declared Himself the God of Truth, and that deceit and falsehood are His aversion, can never, in my opinion, have rendered the latter necessary in the intercourse of His creatures. His system, as re vealed in the sacred writings, is complete without it, and as well might we attempt to reconcile light and darkness, as truth and its opposite. We find in the Bible, that one of the recommendations of the Lord's people was, they are ' children who will not lie/ and then follows, ' so He was their Saviour.' I am always alarmed when I see the symptoms of that false philo- 1809.] LETTER ON TRUTH. 71 sophy, (unhappily too much acted upon at the present time) whose avowed maxim is, that 'the end justifies the means : ' think what would become of society, if it were universally adopted, and it certainly is so, in a degree, wherever we set up our limited conceptions of what may be useful, as a sufficient warrant to depart from that line of rectitude pointed out by Infinite Wisdom, for the government of His creatures. In this case there would be no standard of right, and every man would be at liberty to adopt his own. Let us, dear , earnestly endeavor to render all our actions acceptable to the Divine Being, and, depend upon it, we shall not go far wrong. We cannot plead ignorance of His will, since, in addition to the sacred writings, He has promised to assist with His Holy Spirit those who humbly apply to Him for aid. With the assistance, then, of Infinite Wisdom, and the pro tection of Infinite Power, what ought we to fear ? " Acting decidedly for God and truth towards dis cerning minds, will produce more respect than enmity, and so it did in this case. The faithful remonstrance was the means of cementing, rather than dissolving their friendship, as a brief extract from a letter written by the individual reproved, a short time afterwards, will show : — " I shall ever think of you with the dearest affec tion. Whether our society continue or separate, I trust that, through life, you will think of me, with some of the affection which I feel for you." CHAPTER V. LABORS IN VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS — PUBLICATION OF "THE PHILANTHROPIST." HE whose joy had been so great at the passing of the Slavetrade Abolition Bill, would watch with a jealous eye any infringement of its wholesome clauses. It was scarcely to be expected that persons, who for many years had engaged in the horrid traffic, and accumulated wealth by its means, would easily relin quish their unjust gains without making some clandestine efforts. An atrocious attempt to evade its penalties was made even in the port of London, which happily reached the ears of Mr. Allen and his friends. A vessel called the Commercio dc Rio, three hundred and sixty tons burden, was fitted out by a Portuguese house in London, to engage in this abominable traffic; its proceedings were narrowly watched for some time, and when the proofs became sufficiently strong an in formation was laid, and the vessel seized in consequence: on board were found ninety-three pairs of handcuffs, one hundred and ninety seven iron shackles for the feet, several hundred-weights of iron chain, and fifty- five dozen of padlocks, together with mess-kits, and a large store of those provisions which are usually des tined for the miserable inhabitants of these horrid dungeons; the main-deck gratings were concealed by (72) 1810.] SLAVE VESSEL CONDEMNED. 73 a slight covering, which to the eye appeared like a common deck, but so contrived as to be easily removed when the vessel got to sea ; she was in other respects fitted up as a slave-ship, and capable of carrying from six to eight hundred slaves. Great precautions were taken, and much intrigue employed, to prevent suspi cion and impose upon government. A person high in office, as a Portuguese agent, exerted his influence with the British Cabinet, to palliate this nefarious business, but the vigilance of the friends of humanity, and the laws of our country, detected and punished the attempt. The vessel was valued at twenty thous and pounds ; both that and her cargo were condemned in the Court of Exchequer, and subsequently sold. Six months afterwards Mr. Allen observes, that "the Commtrcio de Rio being finally condemned, it is thought right that the owners should be prosecuted for the penalties ; and I think it is a very proper measure, for it will not only operate as a peaceful check, but may bring to light some of the hidden things of darkness by the investigations which must take place on a trial." The African Institution engaged a large portion of his time, and became an object of great interest to individuals, whose names are familial to us as house hold words, and whose efforts in the cause of freedom have earned them a just fame. The following extract will show how a committee, consisting chiefly of nobles and members of Parliament, wrought on behalf of the slave : — "African Institution at one. The Duke of Glou cester, as usual, at his post, and manifesting a lively 74 SKETCH or WWL cttFVt& [ l S U . interest in the important subject under dis^ssion, The old veteran* in the cause* Granville Sharpe* Wil- bcrforce, William Smith, and others w*re present; indeed the majority of the company \vere members cither of one or the other House of Parliament \\llberforce brought forward some very imixM-tant rv*o'u::uv,< tvs-tvvtin^ tho IsLuul of IVinidad. which produced some very judicious observations from Gran- \nlle Sharpe and Brougham, who has Uetn br\>ujjht into Pariian^ent We \\-ere informed that at the taking of Guadeloupe about three hundred black sv^ldiers in the French service were made prisoners, that they were afterwards distributed on board the ship* of the squadron, and sold as prixe goods at Martinique* tor the benefit of the army and navy. The Puke of Gloucester manifested much displeasure at this pro* eeedin£\ and if ministers do not attend to it promptly, William Smith and Brougham are determined to move an inquiry in the House of Commons ; for the French. in their capitulation, had expressly stipulated that the black people in their sen-ice should be considered free men. and be no more reduced to a state of bond- During the year iSux Paul Cuffee. a man of color. was brought under the notice of the African Institu tion bv Mr* Allen. His arrival in England he regarded as a circumstance of great importance to Africa* as likely to introduce a more extensive system of com merce in that neglected and debased territory* I us interesting history is thus narrated : — "Tlie father of Paul Cuflee was a natixv of Africa. \\ , - .< taken as a slave to Massachusetts* *rr TV:.;. '-.T:.'-.-.'- ?& Like many of his maslijaira be possessed a mind of his :---. - .-- -.-: !-. - .-: : :- : -.•-.-• -Paul's fcther died when be was about leaving a considerable property in land, but which, sion for his mother and her famiry of ten children. " His enterprising mind was soon dwected to com merce, as be CAM^Citcd that it furnished more ample lewaids to isjiliiilij than agriculture. He therefore, at the age of sixteen, entered as a common hand on board a vessel destined for the Bay of Mexico. After continuing four years in a sabmJsMlfc capacity, be commenced business on Ins own jmiMt He expe- -.'.-.:.'.-::.\-.--':--~i':.- '--'.'-' -".'-'-'-'• ':::.-- by piiates and pillaged of everything, but he seemed to possess tint active tuw igr which is the oflfepring of a mind satisfied of the prat •• jMity of its plans, and consck>us of die power to accomplish its piirpose. His labors were ultinntely crowned with success, and in 1795, he was master of a schooner of sixty nine tonsburden. On his arri\^l at one of the American ports, the pcopis were filed with juluai IBIM irf and alarm ; a vessel, owned and omimiadrd by a black was unprecedented ; HUpSf^i*** woe iiiirrl, and sev eral persons associated for the purpose of preventing him from registering bis vessel, or remaining among them ; on examination, however, his papers piuvcd to be correct, and therefore the custom-house officers could not legally oppose bis piocccdsig- Paul 76 CUFFEE BECOMES A FRIEND. [1811. ducted himself with candor, modesty and firmness; his crew also behaved not only inoffensively, but with conciliating propriety. In a few days the inimical association vanished, and the inhabitants treated him and his crew with respect and even kindness. " Gradually his property increased, and by his in tegrity and consistency of conduct, he gained the esteem and regard of his fellow-citizens. He had a share in two vessels, one a brig called the Traveller, of 162 tons burden, commanded by his nephew, Thomas Wainer, and the ship Alpha, of 268 tons bur den, of which he was the commander; the rest of the crew consisted of seven men of color. " He had made application to be united with the religious Society of Friends, and was admitted into membership with that body. For several years he had turned his attention to the colony of Sierra Leone, being induced to believe, by his communications from Europe, as well as from other sources, that endeavors to contribute to its welfare, and to promote the best interests of his fellow-men in that portion of the globe, might not be ineffectual." The Monthly Meeting to which he belonged, and the African Institution, approved of his benevolent de signs, and encouraged him to procure a cargo at Sierra Leone, and proceed with the Traveller to this country. For this purpose it was necessary for him to be furnished with a license for the importation of African produce, as, according to former navigation laws, no articles could be brought to this country, in an American vessel, either direct from the place of its growth, or from any other country without express 1811.] MR. ALLEN VINDICATES CUFFEE. 77 permission. Mr. Allen obtained the interest of Wil- berforce, who procured an order in council, which brought him to England in 1811. In a letter to the excellent Mr. Clarkson, Mr. Allen relates, that on the vessel entering the dock at Liver pool, " a press-gang came on board, and examined the crew, most of whom had protections, two were bound to him by indenture, and one of these, Aaron Richards, a shipwright of Sierra Leone, whom Paul took solely for the purpose of teaching him naviga tion, with a view to benefit the colony, was taken away. Thou mayst be sure that on receiving this information, I made the best of my way to Macaulay." Macaulay had received a letter from some person in office in Sierra Leone, cautioning him to be on his guard against any " representations that Paul Cuffee might make, as no credit whatever was to be attached to anything he might say." Mr. Allen was just the man to investigate such a report — he entertained the despised son of Ham in his house — sent a memorial to the Board of Trade vindicating his character — " got off the impressed man, Aaron Richards," and had an explanation with Macaulay. He tells Richard Reynolds of Bristol : " Clarkson and I are both of the mind that the present opportunity for promoting the civilization of Africa, through the means of Paul Cuffee, should not be lost; he seems like a man made on purpose for the business; he has great experience as well as integrity." On he went till he obtained a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the African Institution, before whom he introduced Paul Cuffee. Let him describe it: — 78 CUFFEE'S DISINTERESTEDNESS. [1811. "Eighth Month 2?t/i.—l was called upon to state the business, which I endeavored to do as briefly as possible. Paul was then called in, and introduced to the Duke of Gloucester, who asked him several ques tions, as did others also ; he returned satisfactory answers, and his simplicity and strong natural good sense made a great impression upon all parties. The Duke appeared much gratified, and after Paul Cuffee had withdrawn, a vote of thanks was passed to him, and a committee appointed to see what use might be made of him. Macaulay had Paul to dine with him on Second-day, and gave him a letter to Governor Maxwell, of Sierra Leone, and also to Judge Smith, which I hope will soften the latter. Captain Clarke, from New Bedford, dined with me on the Fifth-day; he has known him from a boy, and states that a person of greater integrity and honor in business, he never met with. I did not give the smallest hint which might call forth this declaration." (< The next day after a religious service, in which Paul engaged, I was," says Mr. Allen, "very busy in getting seeds and various articles together for him, and presented him with a telescope. We had an affecting parting, as it is not very probable we shall see him any more. He has left a wife and eight children, and a profitable business in which he was engaged, to forward the views of the African Institu tion, and this at the risk of his person and property." After Paul's departure, Mr. Allen opened a corre spondence with John Kezell, a native of Sierra Leone, to whom he sent presents of different articles likely to 1811.] RESULTS OF EFFORTS FOR AFRICA. 79 be useful in the colony, including seeds, tools, books, etc. He remarks : — " Dr. Roxburgh, of Calcutta, has forwarded some more seeds to Sierra Leone, and among them a species of aloe-tree, the wood of which, Lord Valencia says, frequently sells for its weight in silver, being highly valued as a perfume. This explains some passages in scripture, as 'trees of lign aloes/ — 'aloes with all the chief spices/ etc." He was soon cheered with letters from Africa, and in a note accompanying them to the Duke of Glou cester, he states : — • "The results have justified my most sanguine ex pectations; I see now that the colonists of Sierra Leone want only a stimulus to their industry, that they are looking to us for it, and that we can afford it without the slightest inconvenience to ourselves.1' Specimens were also sent him of African cord, a substitute for hemp, which proved very strong, and samples of indigo, which were found about half as good as that sold by the East India Company at 4*. §d. per lb., and quite as good as that which was first brought over to England by the Company. Sierra Leone is now a flourishing colony; but who can tell what the efforts of such men as Mr. Allen and his compeers have contributed to its elevation ? Those who have ever attempted to conduct a periodi cal know the extreme difficulties with which editors whose minds and time are exclusively confined to that object, are often encompassed ; but for a man of Mr. Allen's occupation to embark in such an enter prise, seemed as daring as it was almost certain 80 STARTS THE PHILANTHROPIST. [1812. of failure. Yet his ever-active mind had been for some time occupied in preparing a little periodical, to be entitled "The Philanthropist." In this work, he obtained the assistance of several of his friends. In his prospectus, he states : " The sole object of the present work is to stimulate to virtue and active benevolence, by pointing out to those who have the disposition and the power the means of gratifying the best feelings of the heart, and to show that all, even the poorest, may render material assistance in ameliorating the condition of man. " The unity of design which the contemplative mind will perceive in the effects of Almighty power, guided by infinite wisdom in the production of good, makes it evident that a human being, in fulfilling the purposes of his creation, and promoting his own happiness, must of necessity promote that of his fellow-creatures ; for he then acts harmoniously with the divine intention, and it will be found that, as we approach more nearly to the standard of perfection, we shall be more fully imbued with love to our species, and even become anxious to promote the welfare of all within the sphere of our influence. " They, on the other hand, who are out of this divine harmony, are not only miserable in themselves, but the cause of misery to others; and to this circum stance may in great measure be attributed the evils which desolate the world,— such being, in the energetic language of the apostle, ' hateful and hating one another." In a letter from Henry, now Lord Brougham, writ ten in allusion to "The Philanthropist," he says— " I 1812.] ESSAY ON DETRACTION. 81 should before this time have answered your kind letter, and thanked you for the sheets of the new work! I need not say how greatly I approve of it Nothing has been planned for a very long time which has given me more real pleasure, and I hope I shall hereafter be able to show my zeal and anxious wishes for its success more substantially than by any expression of good-will ; but when I explain to you how I am cir cumstanced at present, I am confident you will see how impossible it is to me to contribute anything to the first number." This excellent publication continued its acceptable career, feeding multitudes with wholesome truths, under the fostering hand of its unpaid editor, with all his numerous engagements, for a period of twenty years. As a specimen, the following excellent article from Mr. Allen's pen, on the vice of detraction, may show the useful tendencies of " The Philanthropist : "— "Detraction is the natural infirmity of little minds, whose envy is excited by the contemplation of talents superior to their own, or of virtues which they will not take the pains to imitate; but those who feel mortified by a consciousness of inferiority of talent, should reflect, that none can aspire to a greater honor than the approbation of Him who dispenses his gifts in such proportion as He sees meet, and requires nothing but a due application of what He has bestowed, whether it be more or less. Mincls devoid of true courage are also prone to detraction, and even persons not destitute of benevolent feelings are apt to fall into this vice through inadvertence. ' The affections and sympathies of our nature, and 82 ESTEEM AND LOVE. [1812. the consciousness of the need of mutual support, are the bonds which connect mankind in society. The individuals of which it is composed are necessarily dependent on each other, and that not merely in a pecuniary point of view, but as regards those comforts and refined pleasures which alone render society desirable. It becomes our interest, then, as it assuredly is our duty, to study and promote the happiness of those with whom we are connected, and that not only upon great occasions, which seldom occur, but particularly in those daily and minute inci dents which chiefly mark the course of our lives. A gloomy look and sullen silence, where there are no obvious reasons for it, strike a damp through tlu cheerful circle, and the individual has only the melan choly satisfaction of having made others uncomfort able as well as. himself. Much, indeed, depends upon the manner in which we conduct ourselves, even in actions otherwise indifferent, and the same words pro nounced in different tones produce opposite effects. A rigid and austere carriage is a great drawback from those whose virtue commands our esteem. Esteem and love, however, are different things, and the latter is only secured by unaffected gentleness of manners, and a constant attempt to direct all our words and actions to promote the comfort and happiness of others. This is true politeness, and nothing more than Christianity requires. We are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves; and if we do this sincerely, we shall be very careful of throwing out any insinuations which may tend to their prejudice. Perhaps nothing is more destructive to the peace, and 1812.] ILLNESS AT HASTINGS. 83 even the comfortable existence of society, than detrac tion. Hence, in the sacred writings, ' whisperers and backbiters ' are classed among the 'workers of iniquity/ and as their mischief is so insidious, they should be as carefully avoided as persons more openly wicked. 'Thou shalt not curse the deaf/ was a law promulgated from the highest authority; and this law, so far from being abrogated, is strengthened and extended by the Christian dispensation. The spirit of this injunction prohibits any attack upon a person not in a situation to defend himself, as is the case with those who are absent. 'As ye would, therefore, that men should do unto you, do ye also to them.' " None of these additional services abridged his ordi nary labors. The article on detraction was written at Hastings, during a season of suffering from " uneasi ness about the heart," brought on by incessant toil. A note penned by him there states the select duties to which he intended, in future, to restrict himself, and all will agree with him in the conclusion, that they are " enough for one man." " If favored to return home, I must allot time for particular purposes, and take double care not to over load myself with engagements, as a constant round of occupation is injurious to mind and body. The following great objects are enough for one man, and I must resist all attempts to engage me in more, viz.: the Overseership of Gracechurch-street Monthly Meet ing; Lancaster's concern; Spitalfields Local Associa tion for the Poor ; Spitalfields School ; Philanthropist; Lectures; General Association for the Poor; Bible Society." 84 BENEVOLENT EXERTIONS. [1810. Good man ! when a temptation presented itself to serve God's cause, or the poor, away went all his noble resolutions — the tide of benevolence broke down all the barriers of prudence. A few extracts, taken almost at random, before and after the restrictions he imposed on himself, will show they were not as the laws of the Medes and Persians. Here are four days' work : — " Third Month $th. — To Devonshire House to meet committee on subscription for British prisoners in France. " 6th. — Three o'clock, Borough-road, to meet the Duke of Gloucester, etc. ; W. Bootle, Sir John Seb- right, and W. Wilberforce were there ; they seemed much gratified. " jilt. — Capital punishment committee, at four ; full attendance ; B. Foster resigned the office of secretary, which I took up. "8th. — Thatched House Tavern, about two. Lan caster's committee; Duke of Bedford present; good attendance." On the 22d of the same month we find him writing a paragraph for the " Times " newsp~oer, in answer to an attack upon Spitalfields School. Sir John Sinclair urged him to give some lectures at the Board of Agriculture, which he declined ; but in the next month they elected him an honorary member of the Board, and he informs us, — " I must now write a small pamphlet, in a popular style, on the best form of wheel carriages and roads. It had, perhaps, better be first given in lectures at the Board." 1810.] LECTURES ON WHEEL CARRIAGES. 85 In a few months we find the following lamenta tions : — " My spirits much depressed on several accounts as humbling views of myself, and feelings of great inward poverty — school concern — my treatise for the Board of Agriculture — impending lectures — business, etc., but I must brush up, and hope for the best. I have certainly been helped hitherto, and trust that He who knows my most secret intentions, will merci fully continue His assistance." Some time afterwards he tells us :— " I went to the Hoard of Agriculture, where I gave my first lecture on wheel carriages about twenty of the nobility were present." Again : "Board of Agirculture; lecture on roads, No. 2; well satisfied." His friend Davy could not part with his services at the Royal Institution, and Mr. Allen's heart could scarcely refuse the following delicate application : " MY DEAR ALLEN, "As you are a professor of Natural Philosophy at the Institution, your name, of course, must appear in the list of lecturers. I hope you will contrive to give sonic lectures. Mr. Pond will take a considerable part of optics and mechanics. Perhaps you will give a few, six for instance, on Pneumatics and Hydraulics. But you must be governed by your own convenience; your time is too precious to be employed in any way that is not pleasant to you, and that does not coincide with your own views of utility. I hoped to have met you at Dr. Babin-tnn's, on Saturday, but was disap pointed. I trust you are quite well, and that you do 8G SOCIETY FOR LABORING POOR. [1810. not injure your health by your unceasing exertion to promote all good things. " I am, my dear Allen, most sincerely yours, " H. DAVY." The Hospital also clave to him, and would not dis pense with his acceptable and useful addresses. Hence we read : " Began my lectures this week at the Hos pital. I appear to feel much less when I get into them, than in the anticipation." The continuance of war gave him a large amount of labor for the poor. Bread was one shilling and six pence a loaf, and many were out of employ, both in the manufacturing districts and in the metropolis. Besides the Soup Society in Spitalfields, the committee of which consisted of forty persons, who met at his house, a society was formed in London, to aid local associations in various parts of the country in relieving their poor. At a public meeting for this object, held at Freemason's Tavern, at which the Dukes of York, Kent, and Cambridge were present, with many of the nobility and influential members of the senate, a sub scription was entered into and a committee formed, of which Mr. Allen, of course, must be one, and it appears his office was no sinecure. He tells us : " I have been lately much engaged in the affairs of the Society for the relief of the Laboring and Manu facturing Poor. All the letters from different parts of the country are put into my hands, in order to digest the information, which is afterwards fairly entered, under the different heads, in a book kept for that purpose. The whole forms a most valuable body 1810.] IMPROVES IN TRIGONOMETRY. 87 of information relative to the state of the poor." Its usefulness he thus describes : " Our Spitalfields association is relieving much misery, though comparatively a small part of what actually exists. In the course of a few weeks, we sold above twenty-one thousand pounds weight of salt cod, at twopence per pound ; and are selling from nine hundred to one thousand red herrings every day, at from two to three for a penny. The distress in Spitalfields is greatly increased by the rise on potatoes; government have been sending off" many thousand tons to Spain and Portugal, as well as large quantities of corn and flour. The consequences to the poor this winter will, I fear, be dreadful. I am informed that three times more corn than usual has been already threshed out since the harvest, and yet markets con tinue to rise." When obliged to retire to the Isle of Wight for a little recreation after his exertions in the course of the year, his repose yielded improvement in a science which few would adopt for hours of recreation. " Though absent from business, I have been pretty busily employed in taking angles and calculating them, which has considerably improved me in trigo nometry." The singular mixture in the following entry, will show with what facility his mind turned from one object to another, and how assiduously every moment was improved : " To town by eight o'clock coach — learning Greek cards — correcting proof of 'Philanthropist' — called with Lancaster's books, on Joseph Fox, in Argyle- 88 LETTERS FROM HIS MOTHER. [1810. street, and thence to S. R., James's-place ; had a most satisfactory interview with him, and settled affairs between him and Lancaster. Dined with Joseph Fox, after an unsuccessful attempt to meet with Wilberforce and Brougham — home to Plough-court, and then to Stewart -street, to take tea with my dear mother." The strong affection of his mother towards him was met on his part by true filial piety. She frequently conveyed to him in writing, the religious concern she felt on his behalf; her letters were carefully preserved, and in many seasons of affliction and discouragement, he was consoled by her sympathy and strengthened by her counsel. Paramount indeed must have been that engagement which would keep him from regu larly visiting his beloved mother, who knew how to appreciate his attentions, and repaid them by such heavenly communications as the following : " Thy kind sympathizing attention is extremely grateful to me, and it is the prayer of my spirit that the Lord may reward thee with the descrndings of His love and life-giving presence. My drooping mind was refreshed last evening, in feeling thy mind drawn, in silence, towards that divine inspcaking Word which endureth for ever. Mayst thou often, even in the midst of thy occupations, turn to Him for counsel; then wilt thou know all thy steps to be ordered of the Lord, and in righteousness shalt thou be established. " I have frequently admired at the permissions of Providence concerning thce, even in thy going from thy father's house. It was a bitter c::p with me to part with thce, yet the distance being so short, I jj.ivc thee up, preferring thy apprehended good, and through the 1810.] LETTKKS 1 ROM HIS MOTHER. 89 right dedication of thy talents, the good of others, to my own gratification. But when I saw the trials, the heart-rending sorrow thou hadst to pass through, I was ready to call in question all that I had believed right; the cloud was at first too thick to be seen through by mortal eyes ; but by endeavoring to hold fast my confidence, my mind was strengthened in the hope that thou wouldst be preserved through all, and that by these means thou wouldst be fitted to fill with humility the station allotted thee in the succeeding stages of thy life, and surely I have cause to say, 1 Good is the word of the Lord.' " To the elevated spirit of this holy woman all his honors, and talents, and success, appeared compara tively insignificant, while he neglected to devote him self to the ministry of the Word. That he might be wise to win souls was the highest ambition of her sanctified mind. A short time after the former letter, slu- sent him the following on the same subject: " MY DEARLY Bl.I.oVl.n ('lIILD, " Tl on wast yesterday iimming brought near to my spirit with much sweetness; my mind was given to see what was the mind of Truth concerning thce, and in the prospect, earnest desires were raised for thy preservation, and that thy talents might be dedicated without reserve, to the Great Giver; then would He refine and qualify thce to promote His cause on earth, and make of thee a pillar in His house, to go no more out. He would likewise enable thee to show unto oth< the pearl of greatest value is to be found; thou wouldst not only be set as a watchman on the 90 HELPS FROM GOD. [1810 walls of Zion, but thou wouldst also be made instru mental to turn the attention of the children of men to that divine gift of grace, which if believed in and obeyed, would make real Christians, putting an end to pride, avarice, and contention, and the attendant of these, — bloodshed ; and making way for the fulfilment of the angelic anthem, which ushered in the birth of the Saviour of mankind. — ' Peace on earth and good will towards men.' Oh, how I long that the great design of our blessed Redeemer's example, sufferings, and death, were more fully accomplished ! and that thou and others, who have seen in a degree, the beauty that there is in the Truth, or in other words, in real vital Christianity, may never turn aside from its brightness. ' The path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day;' and into this path, I believe beyond a doubt, thou art called." No doubt these exhortations were helps from the Great Master to keep his piety alive amidst so many engagements likely to diminish its flame. The house of God, too, being his loved abode, furnished him with continued supplies on his pilgrimage. How charac teristic are the following entries : — " Meeting — to comfort. As I had my lecture to compose, I deliberated with myself whether I might not omit meeting ; but I was not easy to do it, and was glad I went." " My prayer has been of late, that if the Great Masterdeem me at allworthy to assist His poor church, 1810.] CHOSEN OVERSEER OF MEETING. 01 I Ie would be pleased to qualify me for it, and keep me humble before Him." The Society felt the value of his services ; and when any special office required an intelligent mind to fill it, he was generally elected. " Monthly Meeting. I was appointed to the station of overseer. Though conscious of my unfitness for it, I was afraid to refuse, lest I should shrink from a duty, and thereby bring greater spiritual poverty upon myself. My prayer is to be preserved from doing any harm, if I can do no good. O for a grain of true faith!" The next year he tells us that he and his wife were chosen to the office of elders. The man who could act according to the great principles he laid down in the following exhibition of his ardent piety, would be a rich blessing in any office in which the church could place him. " Still panting, at times, for closer communion with my great Creator and Preserver, with strong desires that He would enlighten my mind, and enable me to promote His work in the heart of others. Without 1 1 is favor and countenance, all earthly enjoyments are vanity, and science foolishness." " I must learn to bear with and still love my breth ren, even when I think they are acting upon mistaken principles. O, how must that Great Being, who is truth itself, pity and bear with even those who arc supposed to think and act most correctly! Let all flesh be humbled before Him." But of all the concerns to which he was called, he assures us the Lancasterian lay the heaviest on his 92 SUCCESS OF SCHOOL EFFORTS. [1811. mind. It occupied much of his time and demanded considerable advances of money. The excellent Richard Reynolds of Bristol assisted him with dona tions for every benevolent object, specially for schools for the poor, but at his own request they were anony mous. In a letter to him Mr. Allen describes the state of things which called for so much care and prudence : " We have at present nearly forty lads boarded and clothed at the Borough-road, and training for school masters. Among them we have two African youths, sent from Sierra Leone by the Crocodile frigate, which sailed at the same time as the Traveller. They came in consequence of the offer made by our school com mittee to the African Institution. We have also a promising young man, a Dane, training on Lancaster's plan, designed for a schoolmaster at Copenhagen. He was a prisoner of war, but handsomely given up by our government for this particular purpose. One of Lancaster's missionaries is gone to Ireland, and he is to follow in a few weeks, under the patronage of those connected with government. Another of his best young men is engaged by the Americans to open a model school upon the plan at George Town, near Washington. The applications from the country are numerous. Our school-room in Spitalfields is to be completed in a fortnight, and we are promoting a school for several hundreds in Westminster. Indeed, the work goes on in all directions exactly as we could wish, or more properly far beyond what we could have expected. Nothing discourages us but the unavoidably heavy expense which we are obliged to encounter. 1812.] ADVANCES OF MONEY. 93 The average of our expenditure is sixty pounds per week; our income from subscriptions about twenty pounds ; occasional donations, say nearly equal ; but if we could make the annual subscriptions three thousand pounds, we should be quite at ease, and able gradually to pay off the advances." No wonder he inserts in his diary — " Sometimes I am uneasy at the pecuniary advances I have made in the school concern ; but at others I am comforted in believing it is the Lord's work. May lie bless it in our hands ! " 1 1 is chief difficulty lay with Lancaster, whose impru dences and thoughtlessness led him and the commit tee into many troubles. In another letter to Mr. Reynolds, he states them at length, and the judicious regulations the committee adopted, an abridgment of which is here given : — " Lancaster took Salvador House at Tooting, with out consulting any of his friends, and candidly in formed us that he considered this undertaking as perfectly distinct from his public work. As he had given the best part of his life to the public, without fee or reward, he thought it was high time to consider the claims which his family had upon him for support. His plan is t<> take fifty boarders at forty-two pounds per annum ; a private friend is to lend him eight hundred or a thousand pounds to fit out, and he thinks he has a fair prospect of making the concern not only answer his pecuniary purposes, but promote the great e which he still has deeply at heart. Fox and 1 w.-re dearly of the mind that the time was now come for drawing a line between Joseph Lancaster and the 94 LANCASTER'S PRIVATE SCHEME. [1813. great public work ; for however feasible his private scheme might be, it was possible it might fail, and if this should, unhappily, be the case, it would be a great reproach to us as guardians of the subscriptions, if these should be laid hold of to pay his private debts. We found him strongly disposed to put the public work into our hands entirely, provided we would ex onerate him from all claims on that account, which we agreed to do, upon certain conditions, namely : — " The public work, hitherto carried on in the name of Joseph Lancaster, to be in future conducted solely by the committee. " J. L. to do his utmost to promote the public work, by superintending the training of masters and mis tresses, at the Borough-road, and in every other way which shall not incur expense. " The committee will not be responsible for any ex penses which they have not expressly warranted. "The family, and every thing at the Borough- road, to be solely* under the direction of the com mittee. " Every thing to be ordered, and all bills made out, in the name of the Committee of the Royal British or Lancasterian System of Education. "J. Lancaster to make over the premises at the Borough-road, and all the property there, to the trus tees, as security for their advances. " The public will have more confidence in the new arrangement, and we shall be able to do full as much good with less expense." The following year, 1813, saw the failure of Lan caster's scheme, and he immediately applied to his old 1813.] MEETING AT KENSINGTON PALACE. 95 friends for relief. Mr. Allen says: — "Lancaster has got himself into much difficulty at Tooting, as we feared he would, and now he expects us to help him. We have to carry on the great work through much tribulation." The " School concerns " brought Mr. Allen into more immediate contact with the Duke of Kent. He thus relates his interview with him on this painful business : — "Sent for by the Duke of Kent. Told him the whole of the circumstances respecting J. L. He be haved very kindly, said that we must not give up the cause, and promised his support to the new arrange ments. He then entered upon private confidential business on his own concerns." Another interview was appointed, and Mr. Allen went to Kensington, with Fox and Corston, to meet the Dukes of Kent and Sussex, and the Duke of Bed ford. " We fully and frankly stated the nature of our difficulties with Joseph Lancaster, but I observed that it would be proper for them to hear his account of the business — that he must be made to confine himself to the points on which he thought he had reason to complain of the committee, and that we would attend to answer for ourselves. They were all quite of this mind, and the Duke of Kent remarked, that as Lan caster was a man of a violent temper, it would be right to have some indifferent person present, and he knew of no one more likely to manage him than Whitbread. In this we all agreed, and the Duke of Bedford undertook to engage him in the business. The three dukes shotted themselves real men of busi- 96 ARRANGEMENTS WITH LANCASTER. [1813. ness and of feeling. We left with them our plan of a new constitution, and retired, comforting ourselves with the hope that things were really getting into a proper train." The Royal Dukes prevailed on Joseph Hume to join Whitbread in the investigation of the business. This resulted in another most important meeting : — " Fox, Whitbread, Joseph Foster, W. Corston, T. Sturge, Place and Bone from Westminster, J. Hume, J. Lancaster, and myself met at Kensington Palace. The Dukes of Kent and Sussex presided. The Duke of Kent opened the business in a masterly manner, stating, that his friend Hume having, with great labor, investigated the whole matter, had digested the sub jects in regular order, in the form of a report, which he proposed should be read. This was accordingly done. It was drawn up with great candor and ability, and we had little to remark in reference to it. Lan caster behaved very imprudently, to say the least. In conclusion, the Duke of Kent told him in substance that they had agreed upon certain points, which they were determined to maintain, — that they would give him time to consider of them coolly, that he might still be the prominent feature in the business, but that if he persisted in the conduct he had lately pursued, they were determined to maintain the cause witlwut him. The patience and condescension of the Royal Dukes, on this occasion, were very striking. " It is well for the cause that the deed was executed, which secures the premises at the Borough-road — this, as Fox says, is our sheet anchor." The next year at the annual meeting of the School 1813.] M-r\K.\ ni»N KKMM LANCASTER. 97 Society, at Freemason's I lall, Mr. Allen informs us, "the absolute separation from Lancaster was an nounced, and we took the title of ' The British and Foreign School Society.' Every thing went off ad mirably. I brought home upwards of three hundred pounds ; the only damp upon our proceedings was our feeling for the poor infatuated man who first brought forward this beneficent system. — Much exhausted." While at Cromer, Mr. Allen received the following admirable letter .from the Duke of Kent, expressing his feelings both to the institution and towards Lan caster : — " Kensington Palace, August 75, 1813. " FRIEND ALLEN, " I duly received, this morning, your esteemed favor of yesterday, and was highly gratified in finding that the exertions of myself and brother, on Friday last, at the committee, were noticed by you in so feeling and friendly a manner. I only hope that, in the end, suc cess may attend our exertions, and harmony, with good discipline, be restored. It can scarcely be necessary for me<o observe, that your conduct, and that of the trustees throughout, has impressed both of us with sentiments of admiration. With respect to the unfor tunate J. L., I cannot help fearing, that vanity and dis tress united, have bereaved him of the power of judgment, but I trust, in a little time, we shall be able to convince him of the folly of the former, and relieve his mind of the latter; and that we shall be able to avail Ourselves < >( his sn vires, by remunerating them liberally and marking out his line, so that he 98 LETTER FROM DUKE OF KENT. [1813. cannot possibly stray from it. I hope Fox and Hume- together will be able to get on rapidly with the new code of regulations, and whenever they are ready, my brother and myself, with the Duke of Bedford and Mr. Whitbread, will be ready to meet them. Know ing, as I do, Mr. Hume's uprightness, clear-headed ness, and perseverance, I am convinced you could not have a more efficient co-adjutor. With respect to my own affairs, the moment I can avail myself of your advice, with advantage, I will do myself the pleasure of addressing you again. In the meanwhile I remain, with regard and esteem, friend Allen, yours, faithfully, " EDWARD." CHAPTER VI. NEW LANARK, AND INTERVIEW WITH THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. THE efforts of Mr. Allen to carry out the humane and beneficent designs of the Society for the Abolition of Capital Punishment, received a new impulse by a case which he describes in a letter to Lord Sidmouth. It was as follows : A young man, about twenty-two years of age, ex tremely ignorant, not being able to read or write, and exhibiting no indications of a ferocious disposition, was condemned to death. This poor wretch, it seems' crept in at the window of a house, stole property to the amount of a few shillings, and withdrew without any attempt to commit a personal injury. A petition was sent to Mr. Allen from Cardiff, where the young man was awaiting his sentence, imploring a commuta tion of the terrible and disproportionate punishment. I Ie was the right man to be entrusted with such a document. "I took it," he states, "to Inglis, then went to Vansittart, to get a note of introduction to Lord Sidmouth, but Vansittart kindly went with me himself. Lord S. received me politely, but seemed bent upcn h.m-in-r the man at the instance of the judge, Came home too much depressed to do any- tiling with comfort." (99) 100 SAVES THE LIFE [1813. If, however^ he was robbed of his comfort, his de pressed spirit gave his pen unusual power to plead for the prisoner with heart-stirring eloquence. To Lord Sidmouth he writes : " Shall a person, to whom, be it remembered, society has failed in its duty by suffering him to grow up in ignorance, for the crime of stealing a few shillings, and without any aggravating circumstances, be cut off in the prime of life, suffer the very same punishment which you inflict upon him who has been guilty of the most barbarous murder, and, in short, endure the greatest punishment which one human being can inflict upon another ? '• Many will not prosecute when plundered of their property, lest the felon, if convicted, should lose his life ; hence for want of a law inflicting adequate pun ishment, an offender escapes to commit new depreda tions, and derives further encouragement by calculating upon his chances. Everything seems planned to avenge society of its injuries, while the means for preventing their increase are almost completely overlooked. To reform the guilty, and to restore them as useful mem bers of the community, is a glorious triumph of humanity, and marks a state rising in the scale of civilization ; but to have no other resource than the punishment of death, reminds me of the miserable subterfuge of a barbarous age, barren in expedients to save, strong only to destroy. " Excuse me for speaking out freely on this awful occasion ; indeed the case demands it, and I should despise myself if, under such circumstances, I felt an inclination to shrink from the performance of my duty; 1813.] OF A CONDEMNED CRIMINAL. 101 in endeavoring to discharge it however, I hope I have not failed in the respect due to a person in thy distin guished situation, and as I know that thy feelings must have been strongly excited on this distressing subject, I hope thou wilt be pleased to make some allowance for mine." Two days afterwards he tells us : " Went up to Lord Sidmouth, at Whitehall ; met with a very favorable reception, and had a long interview on W. Morgan's case. I find a respite of ten days is sent down, in order to give time to consult the judge. I have no doubt now that the man's life will be spared." Before the expiration of three days, he received a note from Lord Sidmouth, stating thai it had been recommended to the Prince Regent to commute the sentence of W. Morgan to transportation for life. Happily for us, the subsequent amelioration of our criminal code renders it unnecessary to print all the powerful arguments of Mr. Allen to Lord Sidmouth, in favor of the prevention of crime by education and labor. To him and his faithful coadjutors in this God like work, society is indebted for the improvement of our laws in the treatment of criminals ; and although prison discipline is a subject still encompassed with difficulties, this fact stands out in bold relief, that severity never reclaims from vice. And who that drinks into the spirit of our holy religion, must not devoutly pray that every vestige of sanguinary ven geance may speedily be blotted from our statute book, and the lowest criminals, by education and pastoral instruction be taught that Christianity is emphatically — love. In a letter to Sir Robert Harry Inglis, lh< n 102 NEW LANARK. [1813. private secretary to Lord Sidmouth, Mr. Allen, after eulogizing his lordship for the kindness he had shown to the poor culprit, utters a desire which every un prejudiced mind still echoes : " I wish it were in my power to convince those, who, from their situation and influence, are able to give full effect to the measure, that it is possible to make arrangements for the education of every poor child in the kingdom at a very trifling expense to the public, upon some general plan in which good men of all descriptions might cordially unite ; this would do more towards diminishing crime, than all the penal statutes that could be enacted." The suffering state of the working population in our manufacturing districts had been peculiarly brought under the notice of Mr. Allen, by his indefatigable labors in the society established in London for their relief, and, both in a moral and political point of view, it was cause of serious anxiety to many reflecting minds. His hopes were raised of the practicability of im proving their condition, by hearing of the good which had been effected through the benevolent exertions of the proprietors of the cotton mills at New Lanark, established in the first instance by the benevolent and pious David Dale, near the falls of the Clyde. The temporal and moral benefits of a population amount ing to more than 2000 persons, had been greatly pro moted by the admirable system pursued in them. The mills had been in operation about thirteen years, and during that period none of the workmen had applied for relief from public charity, nor had one of 1814.] ARTICLES OF PARTNERSHIP. 103 them been called before a magistrate for any offense. Robert Owen, who married a daughter of the founder, long had the management of the works, but by a dis solution of the partnership, they were obliged to be sold by public auction. With great conflict, on account of the responsibility it involved, Mr. Allen determined to unite with Joseph Fox, John Walker, and Robert Owen, in the purchase, in order that Robert Owen might carry out Mr. Dale's noble plans for the eleva tion of the manufacturing poor. The parties came under an engagement to secure Mr. Allen from loss for one year, and that they would take his shares if he felt uneasy and disposed to relinquish them, on giving notice. The year 1814, opens with a memorandum : " Received letters from my friend Fox, with the information that the Lanark mills are ours. May the divine blessing attend the undertaking, and may we be kept humble and cautious !" A proof of the feelings which actuated the new pro prietors, was given by the care they took in framing the articles of partnership, which will not find many parallels at that period. They provided for the reli gious education of all the children of the laborers em ployed in the works ; and " that nothing should be introduced tending to disparage the Christian religion, or undervalue the authority of the Holy Scriptures. "That no books should be introduced into the library, until they had first been approved of at a ral meeting of the partners. That schools should be established on the best models of the British, or other approved system to wlnYh the partners might 104 ARTICLES OF PARTNERSHIP. [1814. agree; but no religious instruction, or lessons on religion, should be used, except the Scriptures, accord ing to the authorized version, or extracts therefrom without note or comment; and that the children should not be employed in the mills belonging to the partner ship, until they were of such an age as not to be prejudicial to their health." Mr. Allen applied to Lord Sidmouth for a charter for Lanark, which it does not appear, from future memoranda, was granted. In the autumn, he and his family visited Lanark. Here, it appears, for the first time he discovered " the peculiar opinions " of Owen. After long conversation with him, he came to this conclusion : " I found the arrangements, with regard to the manufacturing part, excellent, and even beyond my expectations ; but, alas ! Owen, with all his cleverness and benevolence, wants the one thing, without which, parts, acquirements, and benevolence are unavailing." Joseph Fox subsequently joined their party, and found that nothing but the most decided stand for religious truth could preserve it among the work people. They therefore " sat down with Owen, to a most important discussion of several points in the articles of partnership, particularly those relating to the training of the children, and the use of the Holy Scriptures in the schools. The latter, Fox and I made a sine qua non, at least as far as we are concerned, and Owen at length yielded." At the close of the year, the affair was brought to a conclusion by signing the articles of partnership, an act which Mr. Allen thus describes, and his own feel- 1814.] REASONS FOR SIGNING THEM. 105 ings concerning it. The record exhibits his piety and honor in a very lovely light. . " This was indeed a memorable week ; on Seventh- day, the 24th, John Walker, Joseph Fox, Joseph Foster, Michael Gibbs, and I, signed the articles of partnership in the Lanark concern, and forwarded them to R. Owen for his signature; glad should I have been could I have avoided it ; but considering all the religious feelings which have attended my mind on this subject for a year past, I considered it my duty to join, and signed in the faith that I was brought into it for some purpose not seen as yet. Looking upon it on the prudential side, I cannot but see the risk of a great concern, interwoven with the state of human politics and continental arrangements ; also the great slake committed very much to the pru dence of one man. On the other hand, the sense of duty I felt in engaging in it; the prayers I have put up night and day that if it were wrong I might feel a timely check; that it would not be generous to desert some of the other parties, who maintained that they would have nothing to do with it, but on condi tion of my being one ; the probability that I may be the bond of union between them ; the wide field of usefulness where we have the control of three thousand people; the strength I might give in opposing any infidel plans of R. O.'s, — all these have turned the scale, and I must leave the result in the hands of Infinite Wisdom; and O, that I and mine may be under His protection !" Various circumstances gave occasion to test the principles on which Mr. Allen acted, in which his 106 PROOFS OF DISINTERESTEDNESS. [1814. integrity and honor remarkably triumph. During the progress of an investigation into the hardships suf fered by the black settlers at Sierra Leone, before the African Society, a sentiment was expressed that with respect to supplying slave-traders from the stores, it is not the business of the managers to inquire what the things are wanted for, if the people bring their money ; but Mr. Allen " maintained, that admitting it was not their business to inquire, yet when a man comes and says, ' I want a supply of articles for the purpose of buying slaves,' or where we have every reason to believe that things are wanted for that pur pose, they cannot be supplied without a degree of participation in the guilt. I stated my own case, in which a merchant, with whom I had done considerable business, sent me a large sea chest to refit. I suspected, from the nature of it, that it was destined for the slave- trade, and, on inquiry at the merchant's counting- house, found that it was so. I then told him that I could not, consistently with my feelings and principles, derive profit from, or at all aid or assist in, such a business. They, of course, sent for the chest, and I lost their custom." The African Institution, though it conferred many advantages on the black settlers, did not answer all the wishes of its founders, in consequence, as stated in its first report, of " its fixed determination not to engage in commercial speculations." The settlers found great difficulty in parting with their produce to their satisfaction, and they had no way of conveying it to England so as to make the most of it themselves. On this point Mr. Allen differed in opinion from some 1814.] FORMS A NEW AFRICAN SOCIETY. 107 whom he regarded with love and reverence, and to carry out his convictions a new society was formed, as the following notice imports : " A meeting at Plough-court, of an important nature for Africa. Thomas Clarkson, George Harrison, Samuel Hoare, Jr., T. J. Forster, B. Forster, and Charles Barclay met, and we formed ' a Society for the purpose of encouraging the Black Settlers of Sierra Leone, and the natives of Africa generally, in the cultivation of their soil by the sale of their produce.' Samuel Hoare was appointed Treasurer, and William Allen, Secretary. Amongst the resolutions agreed to at its formation, was that the society shall raise a fund, not by loan but by free gift, and that it shall appoint a committee to manage it, and that no member shall de rive emolument from the transactions of the society." In a communication to Richard Reynolds of Bris tol, the following year, we have an account of the settlement of the difficulties of this infant institution, in a manner which reflects the highest honor on Mr. Allen's disinti restcdncss : — " The committee, which was held at my house, was most respectably attended; Samuel Iloarc, Sr., was in the chair; his son was also present, together with Robert Barclay (brewer), G. and A. R. Barclay, Lord Carrington, John Smith, M. P., the Forsters (bankers), T. F. Buxton, etc., etc., etc. One of the first questions was, how far, according to the letter of the law, the parties could be considered 'traders,' as most of them felt delicately upon that point; having, by their articles of partnership, bound themselves from engaging in any other trade; and Sir Samuel Romilly's opinion, 108 SPOKE TO VANSITTART. [1814. in a letter addressed to me upon the subject, having confirmed their doubts, they got over the difficulty by prevailing upon me to take the whole responsibility, and to permit all the transactions to take place in my name ; I insisted however, on having some one to join me, and named John Clarkson, who, thou mayst re collect, was for some time governor of the colony ; this was agreed to, and S. Hoare formed a minute, stating that the money was actually given to us for certain purposes, without requiring an account. This seemed to settle all their fears. Lord Carrington paid in fifty pounds ; this with the bounty of thyself and friends, with some other subscriptions, makes our capi tal about five hundred pounds. " I spoke to Vansittart upon the subject of giving facilities to the importation of African produce. This, with the exception of sugar, he readily agreed to do, and before I came away, gave orders that a memoran dum should be made for a bill to be brought into Parliament, without loss of time, to put Sierra Leone produce on a footing with all British colonies with respect to duties, which is not the case at present." Mr. Reynolds very justly remarks, in reply to Mr. Allen — " The expedient adopted to prevent the subscribers to our African concern from being joint traders, or, in this instance, traders at all, would have been equally satisfactory had they prevailed upon some other suit able person to have taken upon himself the whole responsibility, and to permit all the transactions to take place in his name. I really think thou hast already 1814.] NOTE FROM WILBERFORCE. 109 done, and hast engaged to do, more to serve others than could reasonably be expected from any man." Mr. Wilberforce, in a letter to W. Allen, observes: — "With you I have no reserves. I am persuaded of your possessing all the qualities of head and heart which claim attachment, and you possess mine in a -I eater degree than in proportion to the opportunities we have hitherto had of cultivating each other's friend ship. After saying this, I should not be honest if I did not however add, ' Tails cum sis, utinam noster esses ; ' that is, for your own sake, and that of the world, *I wish your religious principles and my own were more entirely accordant. I fear you may deem this an approach towards bigotry, but truth seemed to require the avowal." Yet, when he required any object of a liberal nature carried out, Mr. Allen was the friend to whom he generally applied; though Episcopal prejudices and Kpiscopal advice, large as was the heart of Wilber- force, sometimes prevented him from serving with similar decision those institutions which Mr. Allen labored to establish. The following interesting inci dent will illustrate the character of the two men : — " W. Wilberforce called, and stated that he had been informed the Lascars and Chinese kept at Ratcliff had been very ill-used : that they had not sufficient pro vision, and that several of them had been unmercifully flogged ; that some humane persons in the neighbor hood had collected a good deal of evidence on the subject, and he wished T. Clarkson and me to con sider \vlut could !>«• done. " A Lascar c<><>k was brought to us who had been 110 LASCAR'S SOCIETY FOUNDED. [1814. flogged about a fortnight before. The offence ap peared to be the food not holding out for the parties it was designed for ; the marks on his back showed that the lacerations must have been very deep. After conferring with one of the directors of the East India Company, an order arrived from the shipping commit tee, for ' W. Allen, T. Clarkson, and a friend, to visit the Barracks at all seasonable hours ;' previous to this, all access had been refused to strangers. " This morning T. Clarkson and I went to the Bar racks, calling in the way at Wontner's in the Minories, a benevolent man who has interested himself on be half of these poor creatures: we took him with us. It appears that they are under the authority of a serang, who punishes them at pleasure." After an affecting detail of their suffering condition, he adds, — "A regular plan must be resorted to, and the whole ought to be put under the inspection of some of the humane inhabitants. There are about two hundred in the barracks at this time." On the very next day, we find this brief but telling entry in his diary : — " Second Month ifth. — To Wontner's, at the Min ories. — ' Lascar's Society ' founded." Happy was the poor oppressed sufferer that obtained William Allen to espouse his cause, or attempt his freedom ! It is peculiarly gratifying to find that, amidst en gagements which bewilder the head to read them — of so absorbing a nature, of such great responsibility, and requiring such constant application — his piety kept pace with his exertions, and even increased as more 1814,] ADDRESS TO THE KING OF PRUSSIA. Ill extraordinary demands were made upon it. What heart can be unmoved with the following exquisite Sentiments, which are -interspersed amidst notices of hospital lectures, committee meetings of all kinds, the formation of new institutions, business attentions, church affairs, the spread of religion, or the relief of a slave : — " Riches, life, and health are uncertain ; but a little assurance that we are on that foundation which can not be removed, and that none of the storms and vicissitudes of life can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord — this adds a lustre to all that is beautiful in creation, and sweetens every bitter cup, and even enlightens the darkest scenes with a gleam of peace and hope ! " " I feel myself, with regard to spirituals, poor and blind, and naked, and wanting all things, deeply con vinced that I cannot help myself. May I persevere in humble application to Him from whom alone help can come; may the Saviour strip me of the filthy rags of my own righteousness, and clothe me with His right eousness ! " During the year 1814, the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia, with many of the foreign nobility, visited London. Mr. Allen took advantage of the op portunity to seek an interview, in order to plead with them on behalf of peace and education. As Clerk of the meeting he wrote two addresses, which the Friends adopted. That to the King of Prussia, besides con gratulating him on his arrival, and expressing desires for his welfare, solicited the continuance of his kind protection to members of their own persuasion, who 112 INTERVIEW WITH HIS MAJESTY. [1814. had been sufferers on account of their peculiar opin ions, and faithfully tells him, — " Our conviction, O King ! is, that the regard of a monarch to his con scientious subjects is a sure means of promoting the best ends of government, as well as of drawing down upon himself the favor of Almighty God ! " That to the Emperor of Russia, after stating their peculiarities, and the religious freedom they now enjoyed, continues: — " The Lord has put it into thy heart to promote the circulation of the Holy Scriptures among thy subjects; may He bless the endeavor to promote their general improvement ; and as religious inquiry is now widely spreading among the nations, and many pious persons are searching for themselves into the things pertaining to salvation, we entreat thee, great Prince, to continue to be an indulgent protector of such upright and conscientious subjects, wheresoever found in thy extensive empire." Luke Howard and William Allen called upon Baron Jacobi, the ambassador from the King of Prussia, and showed him the address, which he seemed to approve, and promised to show it to the king. On the i6th of June Mr. Allen reports : — "Stephen Grellet, John Wilkinson, Luke Howard, and 1, attended at James' Palace according to appointment with Baron Jacobi, to present the address to the King of Prussia ; after waiting some time, we were told that the king had been up all night, and was much hurried, and that the only chance we had of seeing him, was by standing in the passage through which he was to pass to his carriage. When he came up, Baron Jacobi directed the king's attention to us, and the address, 1814.] INTERVIEW WITH COUNT LIEVEX H3 together with some books, was presented ; S Grellct had only time to say a few words in French and on adverting to some of our Society in his dominions and to the Society's testimony against war, the king observed, that they were excellent people; but with out waiting for the conclusion of the sentence, said war was necessary to procure peace.' " The interview with the Emperor of Russia was so 'leasing, and is so graphically written, that it will best be told in Mr. Allen's language. He had previously Obtained an introductory letter from the Marquis ,,'f ravistock to Count Lieven, the Russian ambassador -This morning Luke Howard accompanied to Count 1. (even's, 1 larley Street. I first made an logy to him for not taking off my hat, on account our rehg,ous scruple in this particular, which he received in a very affable manner. We then explained ! nature of our mission, and gave him a copy of the address from our religious society to the Kmperor Alexander, in English. He appeared to read every word u ,th the most marked attention, and very de- lAefatelyj I watched his countenance, and observed that his mind was considerably affected by it Ik- assured us that he would lay it before the Kmperor and take his pleasure upon it. He requested me to at.,, id at the Pulteney Hotel that evening at nine o clock, which I did, but the Emperor not arriving I ft at between twelve and one, and arrived at Plough court about half-past one. " 'Hi-- next day I went u,> to Count Lievcn'.s. Soon after eleven, one of th, servants tamc im<) thc room and Kid that the Cowrt ua.at the d,,,,r in his carriage' 114 EMPEROR OF RUSSIA AND SUITE. [1814. and requested me to go to him ; he smiled, made me get into the carriage, and, driving off immediately, informed me that the Emperor wished to attend one of our meetings, and that there was no other time for it but the present. I replied, then it was quite plain we must go to the nearest, which was Westminster, and lose no time, otherwise it might be broken up. We were soon in the midst of a crowd of carnages and people, I think at Count Nesselrode's, Curzon Street, Mayfair. My mind was much exercised for the honor of the Truth, and my secret petitions were put up to the alone Source of Divine help. The Count was dressed in his regimentals, gold epaulettes, stars, crosses, etc., with a large hat and feathers, sword, etc. On entering the house I was shown into a parlor on the left hand, the steps, passage, etc., being lined with people. I suggested, that to prevent annoyance from the mob, the Emperor had better go as privately as possible. The Emperor and Duchess soon came down, the former in a plain dress. I was introduced to them, and then gave the coachman directions where to drive. The Emperor and Duchess, with the two Dukes, went in one carriage, and Count Lieven took me in his. The plan was for the Emperor's carriage to follow us, but in the crowd we lost each other ; however, we met much about the same time at Martin's Lane. A number of persons had collected, but not one of them had gone up the court. The Emperor alighted, and the Count, taking me by the arm, made way through the crowd. I went, at a re spectful distance before the Emperor, and had just time to beckon out four Friends who sat near the 1814.] ATTEND THE FRIENDS* MEETING. 115 door. I uesired them to get behind the Emperor and keep the crowd back, which they managed exceedingly well. I showed the Emperor, the two Dukes, and the Count, to a seat fronting the meeting; the Duchess preferred the first cross form on the women's side. I sat opposite the Emperor on the first cross form. " The Emperor and the whole party conducted themselves with great seriousness. The meeting re mained in silence about a quarter of an hour. Richard Phillips then stood up with a short but acceptable address to the meeting, and soon after John Wilkin son was engaged in explaining the effects of vital religion, and the nature of true worship, beautifully applying the text, 'He is their strength and their shield.1 After he sat down, John Bell uttered a few sentences, and John Wilkinson sweetly concluded in supplication. I think I may say, Friends were evi dently owned in this their strait, and that nothing could have answered better, if it had been ever so well con trived. After meeting, the Emperor and his compan ions, with the Grand Duchess also, very kindly shook hands with the Friends about them, and a passage being made through the middle of the meeting, I went before them to the carriage, they continuing to shake hands with the Friends as they passed. At the car riage, the Emperor, in French, appointed the 2ist, at ten o'clock, for Friends to meet him at the Pultcney Hotel, limiting the deputation to me and the person uho spoke second, which was John Wilkinson." 11 .'ist.— We took up the address; the Emperor having been engaged till six o'clock that morning, was not up when we arrived, and we had to wait 116 INTERESTING INTERVIEW [1814. about two hours and a half. At last a message came for us, and Stephen Grellet, John Wilkinson, and I, were introduced into an apartment where the Emperor stood to receive us : he was quite alone, and dressed in a plain suit of clothes, and, with a look of benignity, seemed to meet us as friends, rather than as strangers. I put the Address into his hands, which, as he had seen the copy, he did not open, and then, on behalf of the Society, presented him with some books. He looked into each of them, but appeared desirous of employing all the time in conversation, which was carried on partly in English, which he pronounced very well, and partly in French. His questions were chiefly in reference to the doctrines and practices of our Society, and evidently showed that he was acquainted with the operations of the Holy Spirit in the soul, and considered forms and external observ ances but of secondary importance. On the subject of worship, he said, he agreed entirely with Friends, that it was an internal and spiritual thing ; he said that he was himself in the habit of daily prayer ; that at first he employed a form of words, but at length grew uneasy with them, as not always applicable to the present state of his mind, and that noiu the subject of his prayer was according to the impression he felt of his wants at the time, and in this exercise he felt sweet peace. " He was desirous of knowing whether any among us were set apart for the ministry, and whether we had any particular form on such occasions, or ap pointed any to preach at particular times. We stated the principles of Friends, which drew from the Emperor 1814.] WITH Till: KMPEROR OF RUSSIA. 117 many interesting and feeling expressions. lie re marked, that Divine worship consisted not in outward ceremonies or repetitions of words, which the wicked and the hypocrite might easily adopt, but in having the mind prostrate before the Lord. " In conversing with S. Grellet in French, the Em peror feelingly remarked upon the importance of the trust committed to him — the many temptations with which he was surrounded, and the few to whom he could open his heart upon such subjects, saying that it would be a profanation of holy things to speak of them to persons in general. Our dear friend, S. Grellet, under the pressure of gospel love, addressed a few sentences to him in French : the Emperor pressing S. Grellet's hands, with both of his, was much contrited, and with tears in his eyes, said, 'These, your words, are a sweet cordial to my soul, they will long be engraven upon my heart/ — indeed, several times during the opportunity, he took one or other of us by the hand, and to John Wilkinson he expressed how fully his spirit united with him in prayer, at the meeting on First-day. lie said he desired to have this opportunity, apprehending that he was one in sentiment with us, and though, from his peculiar situ ation, his practice must be different, yet the religion <>f Christ being one, and his worship spiritual, he believed that in this we might all unite. " I le stated how the Lord had made him acquainted with spiritual religion, after which he had much sought it, and that herein he found strength and consolation; adding, that he, and all of us, were only placed in this life to glorify God and be useful to one another, and 118 THE EMPEROR AND DUCHESS [1814. that we ought to strive to be prepared for another life. " He expressed how much he was disgusted with the practice which prevailed in this country, of sitting several hours after dinner, saying it was a waste of that time which might be employed for the good of our fellow-creatures. " On S. G. congratulating him with having such a sister as the Duchess of Oldenburg, who appeared to be one in religious sentiment with him, he said if was a great favor — that they could freely converse together on such subjects, and profit by each other's experience. " S. G. having directed his attention to suffering Africa, the Emperor went into the subject with warmth of feeling, saying that the Africans were men, and objects of redeeming love as well as ourselves; and that when the articles of peace were framing, he had done all he could for them, and from what passed, it appeared very plain, that if the cause of Africa were given up in the treaty, it was no fault of the Emperor's. " I then addressed him upon the subject of estab lishments for training the poorest of the people in habits of morality and virtue, and in useful knowledge, and respectfully reminded him that he possessed the power, in a greater degree than any other person now in existence, for doing incalculable good in this way. I briefly stated the plans now pursuing in this country, and the preference claimed by the British and Foreign School Society, and that it was well calculated to assist Bible Societies : the Emperor listened with marked attention, and said, ' It is indeed a subject of great importance.' 1814.] VISIT A I'KIKXn's HOUSE. " The interview lasted about an hour, and the Em peror stood during all that time ; his conduct through out, though familiar and affectionate, was dignified, and lie said, ' If any of your Friends should visit Petersburg on a religious account, let them not wait for any intro duction, but come direct to me, and I will do every thing to promote your views.' He remarked that he should never forget this opportunity, and, as we with drew, he took each of us by the hand, and said, ' I part from you as from friends and brethren.' " The Emperor, when at Portsmouth, expressed an inclination, to " visit a family of the persuasion of Friends, and stop for half an hour to have a little friendly conversation." Lord Sidmouth signified the Emperor's desire, and arrangements were accordingly made for John Glaisyer to receive him : but when he reached Brighton, the crowd was so great, that he passed on without fulfilling his intention. Mr. Glais yer, however, writes to Mr. Allen : " I think thou wilt be pleased to learn that the Empcn.r was not willing readily to give up his wish to see a Friend's family. My cousin, Nathaniel Rick- man, and his wife, were standing at their own gate last l;irst-day afternoon, to see the Emperor pass; he, ing they had the appearance of Friends, desired the driver to stop, when he alighted, and asked N. R. if they were not of the people called Quakers. Being answered in the affirmative, he requested liberty to go into the house, which, of course, was most willingly granted. The Duchess then alighted, and they all went together ; shortly afterwards the Duchess asked if they might go over the house, and they were accord- 120 THE EMPEROR'S DEPARTURE. [1814. ingly conducted into the principal apartments, the neatness of which they praised. On returning to the parlor they were invited to take some refreshments, which they did, and seemed much pleased with the attention. On rinding that the family had not heard of the Emperor having had any communication with Friends in London, he gave them an account of his having been at meeting, and also of the conversation he had had with some members of the Society, in an inverview out of meeting. They seemed unwilling to take leave, but said, two or three times, that they had to go as far as Dover that night, and they wished to know whether they should pass any more Friends' houses on the road ; they said they had intended to go to one at Brighton, but could not get there for the crowd ; they wished to be remembered to Friends generally, said it was not likely they should see each other again, but they hoped they should not be for gotten. On parting, the Emperor kissed Mary Rick- man's hand, and the Duchess kissed her; they shook hands cordially with N. R., saying — ' Farewell.' They staid about twenty minutes, and, during their conver sation, the Emperor spoke in praise of the Friends he had seen in London, and behaved throughout in the most free and affable manner possible." Who, after reading this touching narrative, is not ready to exclaim, May all future Emperors of Russia resemble the good Emperor Alexander, and all the uneducated poor children in his vast dominions have as earnest and disinterested a friend to plead on their behalf as William Allen! CHAPTER VII. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY DUKE OF KENT'S AFFAIRS. IN order to extricate the British and Foreign School Society from debt, and place it on a permanent footing, it was resolved to endeavor to raise ten thousand pounds, in gifts of one hundred pounds each; the subscriptions, as they were paid in, to be vested in the funds, in the names of trustees, under certain condi tions, specified in a circular issued by the Committee. Those who are in the habit of collecting money of the rich for any benevolent purpose, well know that Mich a plan was much easier to propose than accom pli -h. The excuses arising from real inability in some who dare not explain their circumstances, and from others who wish to avoid the sacrifice required, are very disheartening. But men of prayer and singleness of purpose for promoting the Divine glory, seldom fail in accomplishing their object. Persons were not then so much in the habit of giving large sums as they have been of late years. Many of the best friends of education predicted failure, while others who knew the men that had put their shoulders to th.- wheel, cheered them on and expected success. 41 Fox and I," says Mr. Allen, " think it right to make even- exertion on this account;" and they did make (121) 122 BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. [1815. as great exertions as if their own private advantage were the reward. When fresh donations were sent in, Mr. Allen records them with the triumph of a victory. " Our ten thousand pounds subscription to the British and Foreign School Society amounts to about twelve hundred paid in — eighty-eight hundreds more wanted." A long distance from the goal, but he thought the sum a large earnest from heaven of ultimate success. In a few months we have another record : " Great annual meeting of the School Society ; Freemason's Hall completely filled; the Duke of Sussex in the chair, supported by Earl Darnley: the whole went off very well, except that I was pained with the over strained eulogium pronounced upon myself by Tracy. The great subscription amounts to three thousand seven hundred and eighty pounds." These memorials of increase go on till the close of the year 1816, when, after two years of labor, he an nounces in a reply to the Duke of Bedford, who had sent him a second donation of one hundred pounds towards the fund : " I am now happy to say that the generosity of our friends has secured the great object: most of the money is actually paid in, and the remaining four or five hundred is promised, and will, most likely, come in during to-morrow and next day. " It must be a source of great gratification to thy liberal mind, to reflect that, in the ordering of Divine Providence, thou shouldest be the first of the British nobility to appreciate the value of a plan which is bestowing so many substantial blessings upon our country and the world ; to have nursed it in its infancy ; 1815.] FORMS DISTRICT SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS. 123 to have superintended it in its growth, and finally to have witnessed its complete success." To awaken attention, and give the public confidence in their plans, the Committee determined " to come forward boldly," to meet in future at St. Paul's Coffee House, and that every member of a country Commit tee, also all ministers, either of the Church of England or dissenters, provided they were subscribers, should have the privilege of attending when in town. A great difficulty arose first in the Committee of the Westminster School, respecting the form of ques tions in the lessons. A happy thought of Mr. Allen freed this perplexing subject from its difficulties. He suggested that they should leave out Freame's ques tions, retaining only the words of Scripture ; all seemed pleased with this proposal, which was agreed to, and they declared that they did not wish one word of the text to be omitted. Mr. Allen and his friends made great efforts to excite an interest in the poor themselves for the edu cation of their children, by means of School Associa tions. "If," he observed, "we succeed in a few dis tricts of this metropolis, the work will rapidly spread ; and the good effects upon the great mass of the com munity in promoting morality and virtue among them will be incalculable." In this new movement the Duke of Kent took the deepest interest, as will appear by an extract from a note to Mr. Allen : "The idea of establishing School Associations ap pears to promise the best results, and the Duke hopes that William Allen will favor him with a very early PERSEVERANCE AMIDST DISCOURAGEMENT. [1815. communication, whenever that destined for the Bor ough of Southwark is established and set a going ; as, immediately afterwards, it may be right to arrange a public meeting, in order to follow up the same plan throughout the metropolis, as an example to the whole of the United Kingdom ; and if the Duke's services can be useful on that occasion, he trusts that William Allen is well persuaded he may command them." Those services were freely given. Mr. Allen states : " The first meeting of the Southwark Auxiliary School Society, was held at the Horns, at Kenning- tcn, — a very respectable meeting ; the Dukes of Kent and Sussex were there, and, as usual, behaved nobly. I had to open and explain the business." " Sixth Month 6th. — Went to the great school meet ing at Shadwell; upwards of one thousand persons were present. The Duke of Kent in the chair." Such a good work could not be expected to pro ceed without opposition from a variety of quarters^ and from some where least deserved and anticipated. Lancaster rose up as a foe to his dearest friends. " He published in Edinburgh," writes Mr. Allen, " a narrative, full of the grossest misrepresentations and personal abuse of Fox and me, by name. It would be quite easy, by a plain statement of facts, to put him down completely; but the enemy would triumph in his exposure, and we are strongly advised to forbear." His friend, Joseph Fox, took a similar view of the matter, urging him to be full of hope and joy, and showing a courage and affection of the most endearing character. How beautiful is the following extract 1815.] I'KKl'AKING SCHOOL REPORT. from a letter written by him to Mr. Allen, in this time of trouble: " If we have been permitted to have our faith ancl patience tried in various ways during the progress of the great work in which we have been engaged, we cannot say our labor has been in vain ; let us cheer each other, — we shall reap if we faint not. In the whole of the struggle, my mind has been supported by a consciousness of the close fellowship of heart which was ever to be found in you, and I hope, that so long as we arc spared in this present sphere of action, we shall be like Jonathan and David." Another source of anxiety sprang from a skeptical spirit getting into the Committee of one of their chief Associations. « jjth. — Intensely engaged in preparing the school report, F. Martin assisting me. We then went to the great school meeting at the old London Tavern ; Duke of Kent in the chair. Dr. Collyer read the report excellently well; the room was crowded; my spirits were much depressed, and I only said a few words on the general statement of accounts. The infidel spirit began to develop its plans, as manifested in one of the speeches; there is an effort to erect the Westminster society into a counterplot, to get rid of the Bible alto gether. Thus a new era is forming in this arduous work. May the Lord strengthen the hands of his poor feeble servants !" It appears that bigotry assisted infidelity in attempt- in- to wither the plant which now began everywhere to spring up. Among the instruments (i<>d provided for carrying on this work was a pious young French- 126 FRENCH OPPOSITION TO SCHOOLS. [1815. man, nacmed Martin, now minister of the French Church, St. Martin's-le Grand, who made himself master of the system, and diffused it widely in France. By assistance from the government, several schools were established in Paris and other cities of the em pire during the reign of Napoleon ; but when the Bourbons resumed the government, persecution was levelled against Martin and his system on account of his religion ; that is, he was a Protestant, and Catho lics would not endure that the education of youth should be taken out of their hands. If the opposition had been confined to Catholics it would have created no surprise. Romanism, as a system, always was, and ever will be, a hater of education. Who, however, would expect, in a Protestant periodical, to find such a sentiment as that on which Mr. Allen so justly animadverts : — " We have still encouraging accounts from Paris, but in the last number of the Christian Observer there is an insidious paragraph, calculated to stir up a host of enemies against Martin in his own country. Whilst he is earnestly entreating that we should never mention in print that he is a Protestant, the Christian Observer says, ' It is not to be wondered at if the French are uneasy at seeing a Protestant clergyman at the head of their schools. What should we think/ it continues, * if a Catholic clergyman was at the head of our National Schools ? " The reader will at once perceive that the cases are not parallel. Martin went, not to be at the head of the National School of France, but, by the assistance of the government, to introduce a better system of 1815.] LETTER TO F. MARTIN. 127 education where very little existed before; and surely at this every Protestant should have rejoiced. But what reason can satisfy bigotry ? It is quite refresh ing to turn to the affectionate effusions of William Allen towards this sufferer for Christ : — " MY DEAR FRIEND FRANCIS MARTIN, " Thy zeal in this blessed work, which I indeed believe is the Lord's, and thy attributing all that has been done to His gracious assistance, have endeared thee to me in a particular manner. Though conscious of many imperfections in myself, I trust I have this one mark of discipleship, that I love those who, as I believe, love the Lord Jesus, however they may differ from me in some matters of opinion. I sympathize with thee, my dear friend, in thy very arduous labors, and in thy critical situation ; but as thou endeavorest to keep a single eye to the glory of God, and the good of His creatures, with fervent prayers for the influence of His Divine Spirit, strength will be afforded com mensurate with the trials of the day. He is omnipo tent, and will carry on his own work in his own way. Let us then cast all our care upon Him, avoiding, as much as possible, all anxiety about the event, but taking especial care that we do not retard the business by any imprudence." Notwithstanding the.se and other impediments tin- cause of education went on gloriously. Neither labor nor expense were spared by Mr. Allen and those who labored with him. Defective as the educa tion of our poor still is, the country is indebted to such spirits as these for uprooting old prejudices 128 DISAPPOINTED HOPES. [1815. against educating the peasantry, and making it fash ionable to help it forward by money and labor. During this year Mr. Allen undertook a little work which greatly facilitated the formation and conducting of schools. He collected the materials for " A Manual of the British System of Education," which was to contain such an accurate description of all the minutiae of the school discipline, that those who had never seen a British School might be able to comprehend the whole business, and even to organize a school by it. There is no doubt it greatly contributed to spread the plan. The prospect of a meeting to be held at Bristol, for the purpose of forming an auxiliary to the British and Foreign School Society, decided the course of Mr. Allen's excursion in the summer of 1815. "Fox," he observes, " has made arrangements with Thomas Richardson, and Sir James Mackintosh has engaged to attend the meeting; it seems as if he would drag me there with him, much as I dislike public exposure, for I see that unless we exert ourselves strenuously, the business will not be done." Finding, on their ar rival, that Wilberforce was at J. S. Harford's, he and Joseph Fox went over to invite him to attend the meeting ; they had nearly secured his services, when on retiring to consult his friends, the scale was turned against them, and he excused himself from yielding to their solicitations. Denied by one who ought not to have deserted his friends in the hour of their need, and hearing that it was likely Sir J. Mackintosh would not appear, the two dear men had no resource but a 1815.] GOD, HIS Kl I t (,i; IN TROUBLE. 129 throne of grace, for help suited to their time of special need. I low beautiful is the following record: " Engaged in supplication before I rose this morn ing, that the Lord would strengthen and support us this day. Joseph Fox, Dr. Schwabe and I, had a conference about what ground we should take, and then walked with a heavy heart to the Guildhall, where Edward Protheroe, M.P., took the chair. The attendance was numerous and respectable, and several excellent speeches were made. Mackintosh and Wilberforce had both failed us, but dear Fox and I endeavored to put our trust in the Divine arm, and were mercifully and signally helped, as we humbly hope. We were favored to get through our part very satisfactorily: the first Auxiliary Society was formed, and the cause triumphed. The Almighty often ac complishes His purposes by feeble instruments. May lie alone be glorified ! " Mr. Wilberforce was not satisfied that he had done right in yielding to prejudice, and a few days after wards, in a letter to Mr. Allen, very feelingly alludes to the circumstance: — " I cannot lay down my pen without assuring you that, from various causes, among which giving pain to two persons whom I respect and value was one, our last interview at Frenchay was long a subject of deep concern to me. Mr. Fox would probably tell you that we crossed each other on Clifton Down, and it was because I felt so much that I did not stop to hold a paries-." Mr. Allen and his family spent some weeks at C'lif ton, where the varied brauties of the surrounding 130 VISITS COCK ROAD. [1815. scenery often proved a pleasing source of interest and enjoyment. He describes them in language which proves that he had taste to relish beauty, had he- chosen to confine his attention to her charms. " Tin- tern Abbey," he remarks, "is the most beautiful specimen of gothic architecture I have seen. From the summit of Wind Cliff, about 428 feet, is a most charming and extensive view : beneath us the river in all its sinuosities. In the early part of the walk, the town of Chepstow, with its spacious castle rising abruptly from the side of the river, attracts attention," etc. But all these attractions for the eye, and the relaxation which heavy duties such as this required, were ma/de subservient to the conviction that a moral paradise would impart to men greater power to relish a natural one, and therefore the object of his drives was, in many instances, to" mark out the most necessitous localities for schools. "We went to that noted haunt of depredators, called Cock Road, Kingswood, which docs not con sist, as I had supposed, of continued streets, but of little huts or hovels scattered over a considerable ex tent, the paths to them between hedges intersecting each other like a labyrinth ; frequently four or five of these paths meet, and hence pursuit is rendered very difficult. The leader of the gang, Tom Cain, is now in gaol, where he is to remain for eighteen months longer; we saw his house, which is a depository for stolen goods ; it is said that as many as thirteen carts have come there in a night. In the midst of this nest a house is erected for a First-day school, with an ex cellent room, sixty feet by forty, capable of containing 1815.] SCHOOL FOR FRIENDS' CHILDREN. 131 two hundred and eighty children ; it is said that even Tom Cain subscribed to it. It is truly a pity that there is not some exertion made to have a day school. In this place also are schools for adults, and we were much pleased in seeing one or two of them. The teachers voluntarily attend at all seasons and in all weathers, many of them from Bristol ; I believe they are principally Methodists ; their pious zeal does them great credit." Among his visits was one to the boarding-school at Sidcot, for the children of Friends. His graphic description of it shows how well the children of Qua kers are trained, and the habits of industry and clean liness engrafted in their minds. In this institution there were thirty-nine boys and thirty-nine girls. " Robert and Lydia Gregory superintended it gratui tously, and seem remarkably well qualified for the work. I was particularly delighted, not only with flie system of order and neatness which pervades the whole, but especially with that part of the plan which initiates the children into habits of industry; most of the household work is done by them, only one servant neing kept. The girls assist in the kitchen, and in washing, ironing, waiting at dinner, cleaning room , etc. The boys also have their distinct duties waiters, sweepen of the school and bedrooms, furni ture rubbers, etc. In one of the rooms the following card was hung up : ' It i . requested that the following instructions be particularly observed by the children : — 'To do every thing in its proper time; to keep every thing to its proper use; and to put every thing 132 SOCIETY FOR REFORMATION. [1815. in its proper place ; also that each fire may consume its own cinders. " The superintendent has a workshop, which, besides a turning-lathe and carpenter's tools, contains a forge. With the assistance of the boys, he completely built a shed, and tiled it. The boys are also employed in the garden and on the land; in fact, I was strongly reminded of Fellenberg's system." During the year 1815 he paid much attention to the formation of a society for the reformation of youth ful depredators, from nine to twelve years of age, who infested the metropolis. They were estimated at 700. Some had been recently capitally convicted at the Old Bailey, and received sentence of death. Under the conviction that prevention is better than cure, he visited Cold Bath Fields Prison, conversed with the young thieves, took down their cases, and came home exulting, " If but a few of these poor children can be saved, it will be worth the effort." Shortly afterwards he states : — " Our society for collecting information on the subject of the youthful depredators who infest this metropolis is proceeding vigorously. We have a very large Committee, which is subdivided into small Committees for the different prisons ; they are furnished with heads of inquiry, printed with blanks to be filled up ; these are brought into the General Committee, and serve as the founda tion for the register, from which the cases are posted into a very large ledger, with an alphabetical index. Lord Sidmouth is much interested in the business, and wishes me to bring the account of the cases to him when they are written up." 1815.] FOUNDS SAVINGS' BANKS. 133 The subject of estau^sning a safe depository for the savings of the laboring class, was amongst those ben evolent plans which had long claimed the attentive consideration of Mr. Allen. In order to steer clear of the defects of theory on so important a subject as employing the money of the poor for their use, he solicited and gained important suggestions, which were the result of experience, from those who, in their several localities, had, on a small scale, thus as sisted the poor. His house at Plough-court was the place which had the high honor, on the 2Oth of January, 1816, of en tertaining the first company to carry the noble plan into operation, which its proprietor had originated. " Charles Barclay, Charles Dudley, and Robert Stevens, met at Plough-court, on the subject of savings' banks for the poor ; and we laid the first stone of the building." On the 26th we find Mr. Allen prosecuting his new enterprise in the proper quarter. • " I went with C. Dudley and R. Stevens to the Chancellor of the Ex chequer, on the business of savings' banks for the poor;" and on the 8th of April the Committee came into working order. "Attended the first meeting on tin London Savings' Hanks, at the Merchant Seamen's Office, Sir Janus Shaw in the chair." The little seed thus planted, he lived to see spread into a great tree, yielding pleasant fruit annually to thousands of de positors. Yet Lis varied benevolent engagements did not pre vent his scientific pursuits. For some time he had been occasionally occupied in preparing tables of the 134 ASTRONOMICAL STUDIES. [1815. right ascension and declination of the stars from the first to the fourth magnitude, with the places of some of the most interesting double stars. They were ar ranged for his own amusement; but as they seemed likely to prove useful to persons possessing a circular or transit instrument, he was induced to publish them. In this little work, entitled " A Companion to the Transit Instrument," the variations in right ascension and declination are given to the end of 1814. His fondness for the study of astronomy rendered his ob servatory a great source of gratification to him, and there, at the close of many a weary day, were his toils forgotten. Nor did either labors for others, or scientific recrea tions, weaken the energy with which he cleaved to eternal realities. His tendency to depression was one of the means which God graciously employed to pre serve him amidst so much flattery and honor, humble as a child, and pursuing eternal things as his best in heritance. A few extracts from his diary, scattered over more than twelve months of memoranda, will show his spiritual tendencies and enjoyments. " First Month i^th. — More zeal is wanting to keep my mind in a disposition to watch for opportunities to promote the spiritual welfare of others. Entangled as I am with external objects, it requires a continual effort to abstract the mind from them, so that they shall not wean it from a sense of the Divine presence. " I have begun a little tract on worship, and feel a degree of satisfaction in this part of the allotment of my time." 1815.] PIOUS KX TRACTS. 135 " loth— Faint yet pursuing. O, that I may be safely directed and mercifully preserved in the road towards a better country ! One ray from this region of light is more consolatory that the concentrated beams of the world's sunshine." "jfst. — My spirits are much depressed on various accounts. The Lord only knows what trials and exercises will conduce to our preservation and refine ment. May He be graciously pleased to purify my heart, and make me an instrument in His holy hand for the good of others." " Struggling on with my weights and burdens ; got rid of one for the present, last Third-day evening, when I gave the concluding lecture of the course on Experimental Philosophy. Endeavored to direct the minds of the pupils to Him, whose almighty power produced and supports the system of the universe." " At a meeting of the vestry on the Fifth-day, my neighbors kindly concluded to excuse me from the office of churchwarden, on the grounds of my con scientious scruples, for which I returned them my grateful acknowledgments." Among the causes of depression, was an attempt on the part of Mr. Owen, of Lanark, to introduce opinions and practices among the work-people, favorable to his infidel propensities, and contrary to the original agree ment. In the latter part of 1815, Mr. Allen wrote to him the following remonstrance, which, for its spirit and piety, deserves a permanent record: "Mv DKAK FKIKNP: "Thy kind letter of the loth served to increase the 136 LETTER TO OWEN OF LANARK. [1815. desire I had felt to write to thee ; but the depression of spirits I have long and increasingly suffered, on account of my connection with an establishment which, at one time, presented the most animating prospects of extensive good to mankind, has rendered it very difficult to me to correspond upon the subject. I felt, and still feel, the most sincere attachment to my friend Robert Owen, on account of the kindness of his dis position, and the benevolence and strong good sense which mark his general plans for the amelioration of the condition of the laboring classes of society. I fondly hoped that one establishment might be found in which it should be proved, that it was possible to provide for the comfort, for the morals, and the hap piness of a poor population, without injury to the pecuniary interests of the employers, and that New Lanark might be held up as an example to the world. What pleasure did I not anticipate in giving my humble co-operation to such a work ! and with what zeal did I endeavor to bring others to assist, who may now consider me as having been made a dupe to designs which my heart could never approve. It is now the general opinion, that my friend is the deter mined enemy of all revealed religion, and that he is anxious for nothing so much as to prove, in the instance of such an establishment as Lanark, that the world has been grossly abused down to the present time, in being required to believe that the Divine Being had at any time, through the influence of His Holy Spirit, communicated His will and purposes to any of His rational creatures ; that the Scriptures were mere idle tales, and one of the causes of the miseries 1815.] LETTER TO OWEN OF LANARK. 137 which exist in the world. Now, if this opinion of the public be correct, we have, indeed, reason for bitter complaint. We came into the concern, not to form a manufactory of infidels, but to support a benevolent character in plans of a very different nature, in which the happiness of millions, and the cause of morality and virtue, are deeply concerned." After remonstrating with him on the folly and wickedness of his infidelity, and the objects for which he and his friends had entered into the concern, he adds: " But though nearly two years have since elapsed, we have not specific and satisfactory information as to the progress made in many of them, and are very much at a loss to reply to the queries put to us by those who have heard of what was intended to be done at Lanark. The eyes of the public are upon us, many for evil and some for good ; we wished to have some particulars respecting the population and the progress made in realizing the above objects, but have only received a list of the members. " I must confess that I have written this letter under much depression of mind, principally from the cause expressed in the beginning of it, and also from considering how deeply I am implicated in responsi bility for this concern. Do write to me, not in vague terms, but definitely as to thy views and prospects; that I may fully make up my mind as to my future proceeding; and whatever I may ultimately determine upon, I hope I shall always be able tc subscribe myself "Thy affectionate I'Yirml, " WILLIAM ALLEN." 138 SINGULAR TRIALS IN THE [1816. The affairs of the Duke of Kent, by a singular repetition of untoward and afflictive circumstances, became embarrassed. In the Duke's honorable mind, the claims of creditors rendered some arrangement towards a settlement imperative, and he consulted Mr. Allen on the best means to be adopted. To under stand both the Duke's position and that of Mr. Allen in this painful business, it will be necessary to give a short detail of the circumstances. In his eighteenth year the Duke was sent to Lune- berg to prosecute his military studies under Baron Wangenheim, whom he regarded and described as "a mercenary tyrant," bent on appropriating to himself every shilling he could squeeze out of the ^1000 per annum given by the King for the Prince's use. One guinea and a-half per week, sometimes melted down by military forfeits to twenty-two shillings, was all that found its way into the pocket of the Prince for his personal expenses of every kind. By the command of his Majesty the Prince was sent to Geneva, and the sum paid to the Baron to maintain his royal pupil's establishment was now ,£6000 per annum ; yet the pocket-money to the Prince was not increased. The results were such as might be ex pected. From not having any of those indulgences allowed him, which other young Englishmen of his own age, with whom he was living, enjoyed, and who were the sons of private gentlemen, the Duke incurred debts by borrowing money to procure them. On attaining his majority, he determined to visit England, and lay his youthful trials and sacrifices before his father, expecting that an appeal to such a 1816.] EARLY LIFE OF THE DUKE OF KENT. 139 source would rid him of further annoyance, and extri cate him from his pecuniary difficulties. His majesty's displeasure was extreme. Though the brothers of the Prince urged every argument in his favor which justice and affection could dictate, the King allowed the Prince a sojourn of only ten days ; at the short notice of twenty-four hours he received orders to embark for Gibraltar; and on the night of his departure was admitted to the King's presence for five minutes only to say farewell. He had no opportunity of laying open those embarrassments which had brought him to England, or of entreating the King to grant him the necessary outfit for his new station. And this noble-minded young Prince was obliged to leave his native shores with the inconsiderable sum of £500, which had been advanced to Captain Crawford. After only fifteen months' residence at Gibraltar, he was ordered to embark with his regiment for America. As no regular allowance had been assigned him, he naturally calculated that it would at least equal that which Baron Wangcnheim had had with him as a pupil. Hut he learned that it had been un alterably fixed at £5000. The debts incurred by his outfit, the claims incident to royalty, and to a natu rally benevolent heart, had greatly increased. He- was therefore obliged to sell his equipment at Gibraltar at great loss to pay his debts there, and to purchase on credit a fresh equipment in Canada. To satisfy his creditors he gave them bonds amount ing to £20,000, payable at the expiration of seven years; believing that as his brothers had had a par liamentary allowance much earlier in life, he might 140 THE DUKE'S LOSSES. [1816. fairly expect one soon. This contract was fulfilled punctually, though the interest alone swallowed up one-fifth of his income. Reverses, however, seemed everywhere to accom pany him, and one loss to be only preliminary to another. When, in December, 1793, he was appointed to the expedition engaged in the reduction of the French West India islands, he was obliged to dispose of his existing equipment, because too heavy for marching order. He bought a lighter, and this was lost in crossing Lake Champlain. In 1794 the Prince was commanded to return to North America with a staff appointment, and he ordered a fourth equipment from England to supply the place of that lost in Lake Champlain. This cost .£2000, and was sent out in the Antelope, which was captured by a squadron of French frigates, and the outfit became the spoil of the captors. A fifth was indispensable, and shipped in 1795 on board the Tankerville. This vessel was also captured by the enemy, and another loss of ,£2000 was sustained. Being raised to the grade of Lieutenant- General, and made Commander of the Forces at Hali fax, his elevation in rank induced the Prince to order from England a sixth equipment, which, being shipped on board the Recovery transport, fell also into the hands of the enemy. Thus, in not more than seven years, a sum amounting to ,£10,000 was lost in equip ments alone. But being raised, May, 1799, to the rank of General in the Army, and appointed Commander-in-Chicf of the Forces in British North America, he ventured upon ordering from England a seventh equipment, 1816.] APPOINTED (ioVERNOR OF GIBRALTAR. 141 more costly than any of its predecessors, amounting in value to .£11,000. The vessel was wrecked on Table Island ; every soul on board perished, and the ocean swallowed her and her whole cargo. The extraordinary combination of adverse circum stances in so few years in the military life of one individual is probably without parallel. The conse quence was that his Royal Highness quitted North America far more seriously embarrassed than when he entered it. When he had reached his thirty-second year, his first parliamentary income of ,£12.000 per annum was granted. His brother, the Duke of Cumberland, though four years younger, received his grant of a similar amount the same day. Prince William Henry was created Duke of Clarence in his twenty-fourth year, but Prince Edward had to wait to the verge of his thirty-third year before he was raised to the dignity of the Duke of Kent. Why such distinction should be made among the King's sons can be accounted for only from the fact that the Duke of Kent was prover bially free from princely vices. His political views were in advance of those maintained by his family. I Ic was known to be a lover of constitutional liberty, an advocate for unrestricted education, a good public speaker, active and orderly in all his arrangements, and of great independence of character — all of which would make ministers who were hostile to his views reluctant to place him in the House of Lords. The same year he was appointed Governor of Gib raltar. On his arrival he found tin- whole garrison in itC of insubordination. Drunkenness abounded, 142 THE DUKE RECALLED FROM GIBRALTAR. [1816. and vice of every kind followed in its train. He instantly and resolutely set about a reformation by withdrawing the licenses from a number of wine- houses, though his own revenue was derived from granting them. A deep-laid scheme of mutiny, pro moted by those in command, was laid, and the Duke's life was saved only by a special providence. But the Duke's energy prevailed. Order was restored, drunk enness was diminished, punishments became infrequent and the deaths by drinking astonishingly less. All, however, was of no avail ; misrepresentations of the circumstances were sent to the authorities, and he was recalled. The Duke returned to England to plead his own cause, but remonstrances, facts, and evidence were unheeded. The decision was final that he should cease from command at Gibraltar. The King had repeatedly promised to refund his early losses. Mr. Pitt had also assured him that he would bring his case before Parliament; but the former never fulfilled his promise, and the latter died when his services were most required. Mr. Hume brought the subject forward in the House of Commons, but the ministry of the day differed from him in politics, and his claims on the country received a negative. From this time he devoted himself, with his royal brother, the Duke of Sussex, to useful and benevolent objects, especially to those of universal education.* * The above particulars are gleaned from a statement pub lished at the time by the authority of the Prince, and from an interesting life of his Royal Highness recently given to the world by the Rev. Henry Neale, M. A. 1816.] ALLEN BECOMES TRUSTEE TO THE DUKE. 143 Frequent interviews with Mr. Allen on this subject led the Duke to a very high appreciation of his char acter and business habits, and he consulted him on the state of his affairs, and the best mode of probable extrication. After due consideration, Mr. A. told the Duke that he saw no escape but that of reducing his expenditure and placing his income in the hands of trustees, who would grant him a certain allowance and gradually pay his debts with the remainder. In this proposition the noble-minded prince acquiesced, provided Mr. Allen would be one of the trustees. He at first excused himself on account of his multiplied engagements, but when the Duke repeated the request he assented, and labored most assiduously and faith fully on his behalf. At the close of one laborious day, when some important steps had been taken, he remarks, " I feel peace in this affair, and, if my feelings do not deceive me, this exertion to help him is right." The Duke of Kent's grateful sense of his services was from time to time acknowledged in very feeling and gratifying terms. CHAPTER VIII. VISIT TO PYRMONT, AND DEATH OF HIS SECOND WIFE. PREVIOUS details of Mr. Allen's educational efforts have shown, that to no single individual was he so much indebted for persevering and enthusiastic assistance as to J-oseph Fox. But in the very prime of life, and in the might of his usefulness, he was called to abide with the Saviour whom he had so faithfully served. This was a severe stroke to Mr. Allen, and is commented on by him in strains of affectionate lamentation. " Fourth Month ioth, 1816. — Received a great shock on hearing of the sudden removal from this scene of trial and conflict of my dear and intimate friend, Joseph Fox, at the age of forty. He was my invaluable and disinterested fellow-laborer in the cause of the educa tion of the poor. I have the strongest assurance that the change is to him unspeakably glorious. The day before his decease he said that his work was now over, and that he was completely resigned to the Divine will — that he had a most comfortable assurance that, through the dear Redeemer, he should be received into the heavenly mansion, — that he felt great con solation in a review of his arduous labors for the best interests of the poor — that, on his own account he had no wish to live, — and that he was thankful in seeing the great work in a fair way to be established. This (144) 1816.] DEATH OF JoSKI'lI FOX. 145 is a loss which I shall long feel. We were closely united on the great foundation of revealed religion, as well as in school concerns; in all our difficulties, we used to comfort and strengthen one another in the firm belief that the work was the Lord's. Very precious hast thou been to me, my brother ! " On the 1 8th, Mr. Brougham, Mr. Allen, and about twenty- five of the School Committee, fell in with the funeral procession, and accompanied it to the Baptist Meeting-house, Long-lane, Southwark, to pay the last tribute of affectionate regard to the memory of their dear friend. Several persons distinguished for their benevolence and public usefulness, expressed by letter to Mr. Allen their deep regret at the loss which the community had sustained. Amongst other manifestations of sym pathy with the sorrow of his surviving friend, the Duke of Kent addressed him a letter of condolence, in which he says, he had " felt the loss of that excel lent man most deeply, whether considered as a private friend, or a public philanthropist." In May, Mr. Brougham obtained the appointment of a Committee by the House of Commons on the subject of the education of the poor; and Mr. Allen was summoned to give evidence as to the nature and progress of the plan of the British and Foreign School Society. This occupied much valuable time, but his experience enabled him to give better information than perhaps any other man. "My examination on the subject of the poor by the Commitee of the House of ('ominous has occupied much of three days;" yet it uas cheerfully given fur such a noble object. 146 MR. ALLEN AT GHENT. [1816. At the yearly meeting in June, two female Friends expressed a " religious concern to visit Friends in Pyrmont and Minden, and also in the South of France." The judgment of the assembly selected Mr. Allen to accompany them, and appointed him to the office, to which he yielded as a religious duty. During the interval of a month he was intensely engaged in attending Committees of his favorite societies, and that on the Duke of Kent's affairs, and preparing for the voyage. Lord Sidmouth gave him an introductory letter to his brother Addington at Berne, and Vansittart a note to Baron Fagel, the am bassador from the Netherlands, who furnished the passport and three letters of introduction. On the 2d of July, he, with his wife, their nephew, Cornelius Hanbury, Francis Martin, and thetwo Friends, of whom he was to be the " care taker," set sail on board the Lady Castlcraigh for Calais. They proceeded through Belgium, stopping at some of the chief towns, and in specting their principal institutions. By the Governor's direction they were conducted through the large prison at Ghent, called the Maison de Force. The criminals were employed at various trades, each in a separate, commodious cell, being allowed to associate and converse with none but the persons who had the oversight of them. The provisions of the penal code, (under which none were punished with death, excepting for wilful murder,) and the en tire management of the convicts, were found to be so much in advance of those of his own country, that Mr. Allen observes : — " When I contrasted this enlightened system, which 1816.] VISITS ROTTERDAM. 147 has so long flourished here, and produced such excel lent effects, with the savage code of my own country, and the horrid management of our own prisons, my mind was agitated with conflicting sentiments of de light and indignation." At Antwerp Mr. Allen met with some excellent persons who were accustomed to meet together to worship God, in a manner more in accordance with spiritual Christianity than the professors around them ; he describes them as — "A very little flock, in the midst of a bigoted and benighted people ; they spoke of experiencing great peace and consolation in the interior life, through which they had sweet communion with the Lord." Here he was introduced to Baron Scheremberg, Membre de la Commission Generale de Bienfaisance ct des Hospices du Royame des Pays Bas, and to the Governor. He explained to him the British system, and offered, if he would adopt it, to instruct some lads at the London Institution to in troduce the system into his country. The travellers proceeded to Breda, through Dor- trccht to Rotterdam, where, at the house of the wealthy T. Ledeboer, they had a religious meeting with some pious persons, and another at the Orphan I louse, where 260 were present, who seemed blessed and affected with the addresses of the Friends. They arrived at the Hague on the I4th, and had an interview with Count de Ilogendorp, with whom they conversed on the schools, both of Holland and Batavia, and on the efforts now making for the civilization of Africa. The Count appeared much pleasc-d with a mutual intercourse of good offices between Sierra 148 VISITS THE MORAVIAN SETTLEMENT. [1816. Leone and Delmina, and expressed his intention to have schools established at the latter place. After taking leave of the Count, they set out in search of M. Repaleur, Directeur des Cultes, who received them very kindly. " On opening a letter from Baron Fagel," says Mr. Allen, " introducing me to him, I found that it con tained a letter, Which my kind friend, N. Vansittart, had written with his own hand, informing Repaleur that my object in travelling was to visit institutions of public utility, and to see pious persons in different countries, recommending me to his kind notice and attention. This very friendly conduct of the Chancellor of the Exchequer I shall long remember. I presented to the Minister, Repaleur, some Bible Society papers, and African Institution reports ; he gave a general in troduction, and put us under the care of his nephew Van der Dussen, who took us to the schools, and afterwards to the workhouse, where we were joined by the General Director of all the Poor-houses, Slingerland, a very interesting and sensible man, who interpreted for them in their religious addresses." Passing through Leyden and Haarlem to Amster dam, they visited the Rasphouse — a prison in which convicts are employed in rasping logwood and other timbers for dyes — the workhouse, the country hospital, the schools, and the foundling hospital. From Amsterdam they went to Utrecht ; went over the prisons, and the hospital for the insane, and then visited the Moravian settlement at Zeist. After leaving Zeist, they passed through a very poor country. " I always considered this," observes Mr. Allen, " as the 1816.] ARRIVES AT M IN DEN. 149 wilderness part of our journey, a sort of Terra Incog nita ; the change for the worse in the appearance of the people and their habitations, is very striking. We see crosses, and all manner of popish trumpery, so that ignorance, dirt, misery, and superstition, seem to be naturally connected. A great many figures in bas-relief, representing some circumstances in the life of our Saviour, and miserable daubs of painting, one of them intended to represent the ascension of the Virgin in full-bottomed petticoats of flaring red, going up, with monks under her in the act of adoration." On the 3 1st of July they arrived at Minden, where they spent some days, visiting all the Friends who \\vre united with them in religious profession. They also paid similar visits at Kidenhausen, where a boy's school for the children of Friends, kept by a person who had joined their society, greatly interested them; they had a religious opportunity with the scholars, at which all the Friends were present. On their way to Pyrmont, they passed through Hameln, a town belonging to the kingdom of Hanover, which had been, until recently, a strongly fortified place; but during tin: late war, after a dreadful siege, was taken and destroyed by the French, who were a whole year in demolishing the fortifications. The people of I lanieln were obliged to assist ; which many «'f them did not regret, as tiny had been the means of attracting so many hostile armies to the spot, by which they had suffered greatly. On the 6th of August they reached Pyrmont, and continued there until the 1 5th, during which time they were frequently engaged in religious opportunities with 150 MR. ALLEN A PEACE-MAKER. [1816. those who profess the principles of Friends in and near that place, both on the usual meetings in the week and on the Sabbath days, to which many who were not members of their Society frequently came. From some apparently trifling causes, the harmony of the little company of Friends there had been much dis turbed, and Mr. Allen believed it right to have a private interview with the individuals concerned, in company with Francis Martin, as interpreter. How well adapted he was to be a peace-maker, the following interesting description of the interview will show : — " On meeting them, I was under much concern of mind, being thus alone, with so weighty a work on my hands; but my secret petitions were fervent that I might be favored with Divine help, and that if I could do no good, I might, at least, be prevented from doing any harm. After a little time of silence, I addressed them under a feeling of love and sweetness that I have not often experienced, and had humbly to believe that my request was granted. I desired that they would state what it was that had grieved any of them, with respect to the conduct of a brother or a sister ; some free communications passed, with explanations that tended to their reconciliation ; the cause of offence seemed chiefly to rest with two individuals. After a pause I addressed these persons, reminding them that they were both much advanced in years, and in the ^-cmmon course of nature verging towards that state, m which it would be felt extremely desirable to them to be rid of this burden. They then embraced each other, and most present burst into tears ; it was indeed a heart-touching scene, and, I believe, deeply felt by 1816]. VISITS HEIDELBERG. every one as a memorable time; all present parted with appearance of much love and tenderness." On the I $th they quitted Pyrmont, and, by short stages, proceeded to Carlshaven ; here some of the company separated, and returned to Pyrmont; Mr. A. and his wife, accompanied by F. Martin, proceeded slowly to Cassel, Freidburg, and Frankfort. At the latter place they inspected the Prison, Lunatic Asylum, Hospitals, Munster Schools, and the Orphan House, and visited Gericht Von Meyer, Pastor Passavant, and M. Wild. With all these persons they had of course long conversations on education, and on the dis tribution of the Scriptures, and at the house of the latter held many religious meetings. From Frankfort they proceeded through Darmstadt to Heidelberg, which Mr. Allen describes as a "beautiful city, and a very interesting place." At BruchsaU, throngs of people were assembled at the great fair; almost all kinds of articles were exhibited for sale; amongst the rest were tracts in the true papistical style. One was entitled, " Sent by the An-vl Raphael," another, "Sent by the Mother of God " " The countenances of the people," Mr. A. observes, "showed great want of intelligence ; the women are generally employed in reaping and field labor; they w< ar enormously large straw bonnets ; the men wear three-cornered hats, equally large in proportion." rom Strasburg, after inspecting the cathedral, which " is very magnificent, between four and five hun dred feet in height, and the splendid marble monument to the honor of Marshal Saxe," they proceeded to Basle, and made acquaintance with several active 152 INTERVIEW WITH BARONESS KRUDENER. [1816. and intelligent friends of education and religion. Among others the Baroness Krudener, whom Mr. Allen thus describes : — "The Baroness has a temporary residence in a poor little house. We found her taking coffee, in a small room, with a bed in it. There were present three men and three women, besides our party; one an interesting looking man, a Councillor of State, with his wife ; another a young man of very agreeable manners, who wore a black cross suspended from his neck ; and the third, an older man, who, I was informed, was one of her followers, and had that morning preached to three or four thousand persons in the open air. " The Baroness was dressed in white, with a plain cap; she is an elderly person, rather tall and thin, has a good deal of vivacity of manner, spoke French fluently, and talked to us standing. She said she felt more happiness in that poor place, than she had enjoyed while surrounded with grandeur; that, if we were doing the Lord's work, it mattered little where we were ; that the present were no common times, but that the Almighty had a great work in the earth ; that there had been a great number of. conversions, es pecially amongst the poor, but many also amongst the rich ; that we had nothing to do but to come to Christ in sincerity of heart, and be anything, or nothing, as He pleases. " She holds meetings every evening for prayer, which are crowded, and speaks with much energy. Spittlcr said that she gave away almost all her income to the 1816.] SCENE WITH PESTALOZZI. 153 poor, but that it was done without sufficient dis crimination." On the 2d September they proceeded to Hoffwyl, the residence of Count Fellenberg; it is a large chateau, on the left of the road. " I sent in the letter from Dr. Marcet, introducing me," says Mr. Allen: " we were shown into a neat room, which Fellenberg soon entered ; there was something in his countenance and manner indicative of great mental power, openness of character, and benignity. He has the charge of about sixty children ; six or seven of them are the sons of German princes, and the parents of others are persons of considerable rank and property; but Fellenberg boards and educates about twenty-five of the children, for whom he receives nothing but the produce of their labor. The pupils all appeared healthy ; Fellenberg treats them as his own children ; I noticed they spoke to him without any appearance of awe or restraint." Pursuing their journey, they arrived at Berne, whence, on the 6th, they came to Yverdon. " Here," says Mr. Allen, " I went with Cornelius and Martin to deliver my letter of introduction to Professor Pestalo/xi ; he saluted me with two kisses, one on each cheek : he is a lively old man, rather below the middle stature, and thin ; some of the pupils were examined in our presence, solving, by mental calculation, a variety of difficult questions in algebraic equations, etc. It is pleasant to see the terms upon which the pupils live with Pestalozzi, and the tutors — a spirit of harmony seems to pervade the whole establishment. I took an affectionate leave of the old man, who again 154 ILLNESS OF MRS. ALLEN AT GENEVA. [1816. saluted me three times at parting. I was much pleased with my visit." After leaving Yverdon, passing through a most picturesque country, with fine views of the lakes of Neufchatel and Geneva, they reached Lausanne on the /th ; and on the next morning Mr. Allen speaks of his dear wife as being very poorly, and adds, " we held our little meeting to comfort." As they travelled on to Geneva, the state of the road induced them frequently to walk. " My dear Charlotte," he observes, " preferred doing so, yet it fatigued her much ; and she has suffered sadly from the poor accommodation at the inns. On reaching Geneva, my dear friend Professor Pictet came to meet us, and did everything which friendship could suggest to promote our comfort ; dear Charlotte seemed very far from well." The next day did not exhibit more favorable symp toms, yet a little energy was apparent in the sufferer towards the evening, and revived his hopes of speedy restoration. But the following morning seemed to predict an event which was the farthest from his apprehension when he left home, and calculated to press his tender spirit with an exceeding weight of sorrow. He says, " I did not notice anything remark able until this morning, when, on awaking, I inquired of my dear wife how she had rested ; she described her feelings as being very distressing, and mentioned an apprehension that she should never leave that place." By this intimation he was, as he expresses it, "plunged into inexpressible anguish." On this very 1816.] HKR AFFECTING DEATH. 155 day, however, she was able to enter in her own private journal, the following remarks :— " I have felt poorly and sinking for several days, and now, this loth day of Ninth Month, feel as if I must take leave of all here. What a trying dis pensation ! but it is the Lord's will. What will become of my precious husband, deir Cornelius, and the two females? May the Shepherd of Israel keep and preserve them ! — C. A." A degree of pressure on the brain soon deprived her of mental power to describe the pain she appeared to suffer. Three weeks she continued m this dis tressing condition. When the fatal disease was at its height, her afflicted husband says :— " In the depth of my grief, I have prayed, with many tears, that He who knows the tender feelings of the minds He has created would pardon my excessive sorrow, and give me strength to acquiesce in His holy will." On the 28th, he writes : — " It was quite plain to dear Cornelius and me, that all ground of hope was taken away. We gave her wine and nourishment, but her breathing became shorter, yet she did not appear to suffer at all. My feelings are not to be described. I knelt down by the bed-side, and, in a low tone, poured out my supplications that her precious spirit might be received into everlasting rest, and that we might be preserved. Her countenance became heavenly, giving evidence that she had done with the troubles of time, and she quietly breathed her last without the least struggle or motion. Oh, the serenity of that blessed countenance ! in onr agonies we felt that it 156 MR. ALLEN'S RETURN TO LONDON. [1816. was well with her. I believe my reason would be quite overset, were it not for a little Divine support." On the 3d of October, the remains of this precious woman were interred' in the cemetery of Sacconet. Several kind and sympathizing friends united with the bereaved husband and nephew, C. Hanbury, in paying this last sad tribute of affection. Mr. Allen says : — " The pause at the ground was very solemn, and on parting with the remains of all that was dearest to me in life, I had strength to say audibly, ' Thy will, O Lord, be done ! ' " During the month of sorrow, the most assiduous and affectionate attentions were paid both to the suf ferer and himself by Mr. and Mrs. Walkec> Professor Pictet and his excellent daughter, Mrs. Vernet, of whom Mr. Allen says : — " She is like a sister ; never shall I forget her kindness and sympathy." A short time before the decease of Mrs. Allen, Elizabeth Robson and Elizabeth Fry, accompanied by Francis Martin, had proceeded towards the South of France, and on the 4th of October, Mr. Allen and his nephew quitted Geneva, and commenced their sorrowful journey homeward. They reached home on the 2Oth of October, " where," says Mr. Allen, " I found my dear mother, daughter and sister, with whom I had a truly affecting meeting. After tea we had a religious opportunity, in which, I trust, a precious degree of Divine good overshadowed us, and I was almost ready to exclaim, 'When Thou shuttest, none can open; and when Thou openest, none can shut. Where the sceptre of Thy love is stretched forth, even such a one as I, who 1816.] MR. ALLEN IS COMFORTED. 157 scarcely dares to call himself Thy servant, is embold ened to present his petition, that Thou wouldst give him strength to bear his afflictions in a manner well pleasing to Thee; to sanctify them, and make them the means of establishing him more firmly on the alone sure foundation.' " " What an unspeakable mercy it is that I can never for a moment contemplate the dearest one I have lost but as a glorified spirit! O! may I be permitted to follow in the Lord's due time, and have my lot with her forever! O! Shepherd of Israel, gather me and mine into thy folcf, and preserve us to the end." Mr. Allen found what many have enjoyed under similar trials, that God comforts his bereaved people in His house of prayer, and therefore bears this testi mony to His love: — "26th. — At meeting was favored with a sense of the Divine presence ; dear E. J. Fry was there, and was made the minister of consolation to me; but, oh! I am afraid to go back into the world and its lawful engagements, and have prayed that I might rather be taken out of it now than suffered to do anything contrary to the Divine will. I am much tried with the prospects of the lectures, and would cheerfully give them up if I could see it was right to do so." It was well for him that he could not see it his duty to decline lecturing. When the mind, by repose, is permitted to feed on its own sorrows, it aggravates instead of healing them. Ordinary employment is the brst means of quieting our own spirits, and gives us an opportunity of comforting others with the com fort wherewith we are comforted of God. On the 158 RESUMES HIS LECTURES. [1816. 5th of November, Mr. Allen recommenced his lec tures, and the hearers sympathized with a man who had the kindness and courage, so soon after such a calamity, to give them the benefit of his counsel. His remark on it is, — " Gave a lecture at the Hospital to a large audience; unusually long plaudits. It was deeply trying; but I went through it as a duty." During the whole course the lectures were never so much crowded ; many could not get in. At the close of the week, he takes this cheering view of his condition : that though his wife was gone, his child — his pious child — was left. "Though favored at times with a little precious feeling of that which my soul longs to centre in for ever, yet I am very often cruelly buffeted and cast down, and strong fears assail me that I shall never hold out to the end. The loss of my dearest Char lotte, with whom I was united in the strongest bonds of affection, the remembrance of her love, and her unremitting attention to my comforts, even in the most minute particular, the sweetness and humility of her spirit, the religious firmness of her mind, all — all rise up before me, and make the separation bitter indeed. I ought, however, to number it amongst my greatest mercies that my precious and only child has long given, and still gives me, the strongest reason to believe that she is one of the lambs of the Heavenly Shepherd. May all our spirits be united in Him forever ! " The remainder of the year he filled up with " Lectures, both morning and evening," with attend ances at the various Committees of the Bible, School 1816.] LETTER TO DUKE OF SUSSEX. 159 and African Societies, and in correspondence with princes, nobles and generous friends, to complete the subscription of ten thousand pounds. On the last day of the year, Mr. Allen gives the Duke of Sussex an account of his success in the following beautiful and characteristic epistle : — "To THE DUKE OF SUSSEX. " London, jist of Twelfth Month, 1816. " Divine Providence has been pleased to crown the cause which has been so nobly patronized and sup ported by thy royal brother and thyself with the most complete success. " The invested subscription of ten thousand pounds for the British and Foreign School is not only raised, but we shall have a surplus of two or three hundred pounds towards the new school-room, which we hope to get completely ready, and everything in activity in our new mansion, before the next general meeting in the month called May, which will be one of uncom mon interest. The work prospers in all directions; and the only regret we now feel is, that poor Lancaster is in such a disposition of mind that he cannot har monize with his best and tried friends, nor can they have anything to say to him until he gives unequivocal proof of a change of heart, for he would have ruined the whole concern, and some of those engaged in it, if great firmness under trying circumstances had not been displayed. " I have said the only regret, not because I did not recollect my endeared friend, our late worthy secretary, 160 THE DUKE'S REPLY TO MR. ALLEN. [1816. Joseph Fox, but because I have the most unshaken confidence that his happiness, in seeing the accom plishment of that object in which he made such large sacrifices, could not be so great as that which he now enjoys. " If, at any time, thou wouldst wisji to know how we are going on, and wouldst be pleased, through thy secretary, to give me notice of it, I would wait upon thee with pleasure. " I remain, very respectfully, thine sincerely, " WILLIAM ALLEN." The reply of the Duke is very striking, as it proves that, on this, the last night of the year, short as was the time allotted to rest, it was rendered yet more brief by the deep interest which this excellent Prince cherished in the great cause of educating the poor: — " FRIEND ALLEN, "At the close of a very eventful year, I received your most welcome letter of last night. It did indeed convey balm to my soul. And as one's hopes are raised by a happy combination of events, I could not, after returning my humble thanks to Providence for all His great mercies, help exclaiming, that the year had turned out more fortunate than we mortals were inclined to hope. You, my good friend, who have so diligently worked in the vineyard, and have like wise had your severe trials this last year which has just closed upon us, will also rejoice in the full accom plishment of the second great work which you have 1816.] Till': DL Kl'.'s KKl'I.V TO MR. ALLEN. 161 undertaken, and for which you have, with such admirable constancy, labored for so many years. " Happy, indeed, would it have been for us could we have enjoyed our harvest in the company of our departed and excellent friend Fox. Still, I believe, his modesty would have kept him back on this occasion, had his friends not pushed him forward ; therefore, it is better for him that he is gone, where, I trust, we may all go, if we endeavor to discharge, to the best of our faculties, those duties imposed upon us. It is this hope which consoles us, in some measure, for the loss of a valuable friend. Indeed, as an equal, one must consider the demise of a friend a personal loss, as nothing can replace him ; and my friend Fox might perhaps have his equal, but his superior most decidedly not. What we are to do to replace him, without your assistance and advice, I know not. "As for Joseph Lancaster, I will not begin the year by abusing him ; indeed, every cause is a bad one where it is necessary to call in such aid; but thus far I must add, that great as his sins have been, and ever must be acknowledged, the smiles of flattery were too bewitching for him, and he has unfortunately become a slave at the shrine of that seducer. " Should matters change, I never will refuse shaking hands with him ; but I must be fir.st satisfied that the h'-.irt has CVCT n-m.iiii'-d pure, and that his imagination only was bewildered and intoxicated. " Kxcuse this li r.iwl — it is now half-past five, and I am just setting off for Windsor, to be present at my mother's breakfast. 162 REVIEW OF THE YEAR. [1817. " May every happiness attend you, and may Provi dence continue to prosper our great undertaking, fo the sincere prayer of your well-wisher and friend, " AUGUSTUS FREDERICK." " Kensington Palace, January I, i8ij" So that joy was mingled with Mr. Allen's sorrow, and his heavenly Father crowned the year with His goodness as he thus beautifully commemorates it. " The year which has now closed has been singularly awful to me. In it I have lost my precious Charlotte, who was the balm of life, my comfort and support under all my trials and labors for the good of others. In this year also I have lost my dear fellow-laborer in the great cause of the education of the poor, Joseph Fox ; and here am I left behind ; yet, truly, I must acknowledge that the Almighty hath been good to His poor afflicted servant. Lord, preserve me ! " The year 1817 opens with a similar spirit of depen dence on God, and an earnest desire to be entirely consecrated to his service. " If the Lord would but condescend to purify me thoroughly, and manifest His will with clearness, I think, at times, I could give up all to follow Him; but O, the hardness and corruption of the human heart ! who can know it ? " His house had long been the resort of foreigners who took any interest in general education, or wanted information on the best methods of conducting it, and he seems to record in his diary his increased pleasure if they partook of his hospitalities. This was one of his dinner parties : — 1817.] LETTKK FROM THE KING OF HAYTI. 163 "At dinner we had the company of Baron Strand- man, Dr. Ilamel, the four Russian youths, Sultan Katta Gary-Crimgary, with Mornay, etc., etc. We spent a very interesting afternoon, conversing with them about the Bible Society, schools, etc." The little kingdom of Hayti had received special attention from Mr. Allen. He labored hard to extend its civilization both by commerce and education. The following letter from Henry Christophe, the King of Hayti, addressed to Mr. Clarkson, will show the ample success of their endeavors. Both its com position and spirit do great credit to the African monarch : — " THE KING TO THOMAS CLARKSON, &c., &c. " Palace of Sans Souci, Oct. 18, 1816, thirteenth year of Independence. "SiR, MY FRIEND, " I have read and meditated upon the contents of your letter of the 5th of August, with all the attention of which I am capable. " I am sensibly touched by the grr.it interest which you take in the cause ot the Africans and their M'lants — in the prosperity of Il.ivti, and in my per-. i ma! reputation, and therefore I will reply to you with the frankness and sincerity which the relation i:i which we -taml to each other requires; and I hop- that you will thus become acquainted with my char acter and motives, us I think I am with yours, and with those of my other estimable friends. 164 LETTER FROM THE KING OF HAYTI. [1817. " Entirely devoted to my project of establishing public instruction, of extending moral principles as widely as possible, and of concurring with the noble and generous views of our friends, I have welcomed with gratitude the masters and professors whom they have sent out to me. As soon as Messrs. Gulliver and Sanders arrived here, I fixed them in the metrop olis, and have procured them scholars, whom they instruct upon the plan of Lancaster. I am astonished at the effects of this new system, and at the premature intelligence which it develops in the pupils. In fact, I consider the sending of these masters as the greatest benefit my friends could have conferred upon me. " Mr. Evans, the teacher of drawing and painting, is established at Sans Souci, and his school is also opened. " I trust that my friends will send out other masters and professors for the supply of the Royal College, and to enable me to extend the benefits of education to every town in the kingdom. " I am too desirous of meriting the kindness and esteem which have been shown me, not to make every effort in my power to secure the approbation of my friends. " I beg of you to watch over the interests of the Africans, our brethren and of the Haytians, their de scendants, with your usual care, zeal and humanity. You, who have so long been the champion of this noble cause, cannot be indifferent to my solicitations. " Believe me, Sir, with the greatest respect and the most cordial friendship, " HENRY." 1817.] SENDS TEACHERS TO HAYTI. 165 In the supply of teachers to this infant state, Mr. Wilberforce united heartily with the Committee of the British and Foreign School, and two masters, Gulliver and Daniel, were sent out with slates and other school materials, to establish the system there. I Uit it soon appeared that Mr. Wilberforce had been prevailed upon by other parties to prefer sending teachers by another channel. "Judge of my surprise," says Mr. Allen, in a Christian and spirited remon strance to Mr. Wilberforce, " when we were informed by the owner of the Sprightly that Mr. Wilberforce had spoken for a passage for a schoolmaster —that his name was Sweet, and that he was sent by the National Society. The business will be fully explained to Christophe, but I am afraid that he will begin to suspect that his new friends are not acting in concert with each other ; I have, however, great confidence in his good sense." At a Committee-meeting about the close of the year, Mr. Wilberforce came in, when the whole matter was discussed. lie consented at last to pay for the slates and materials, though obviously much chagrined at their being sent. " His preference for the Church of England plan," says Mr. Allen, " is marked." He had evidently placed himself in a somewhat equivocal position, as an annual subscriber, a vice- pn-sident, an eloquent advocate, and yet, according to his sons, a disapprover of the Society; and if the sons of Wilberforce correctly estimated their father's opinions, the difficulties which frequently presented themselves to the Committee in their Intercourse with this otherwise good man, are explained. 166 EXPLANATORY LETTER [1817. As the Duke of Kent was residing on the Continent, Mr. Allen was very anxious that full accounts from time to time should be sent to him, on all subjects in which he was specially interested. The following letter exhibits the sweet spirit of the writer : — " London, 2d of Third Month (March), 1817. " ESTEEMED FRIEND, " I trust thou knowest my disposition too well to attribute the plainness of this address to any other cause than an adherence to my religious principles, and wilt not suspect me of assuming too great a degree of familiarity, in consequence of the . kind notice with which I have been hitherto favored. " I have long wished to write, but I have been partly prevented by the heavy affliction which Divine Providence has permitted to come upon me, and partly by a fear of being intrusive ; the latter impedi ment has been removed, by a paragraph in one of thy letters to Rae Wilson, a very zealous friend to our school concerns; and knowing that he was in the habit of writing to thee, I have furnished him, from time to time, with such information as I thought would prove acceptable ; but, in the present instance, I can trust no one with the expression of some senti ments, which nothing but a sense of duty and affec tionate attachment to thee would have compelled me to hazard. The Duke of Kent knows that I have never courted his notice from any interested view; indeed it is only in order to be more extensively useful to my country and to mankind, that I wish to be known to those in the higher ranks of society. 1817.] TO THE DUKE OF KENT. 1G7 "Since my return, I have inquired anxiously into the state of those arrangements, which are so admir ably calculated to remove all those embarrassments that must have pressed heavily upon thy mind, and which we all so deeply deplore ; and I was delighted to find that they were operating to our utmost wishes. " It is not only of consequence to complete this great work, but to complete it in the shortest possible time, because the absence of so powerful a patron from the country, is an injury to those works of benevolence, which distinguish England among the surrounding nations ; and any interruption to the plan would put off that day, so honorable to the Duke, and so gratifying to all his real friends, when he shall have discharged all his engagements, and be in full possession of all his revenues ; and that by a wise disposition of his own resources." Mr. Allen proceeds to touch upon some other im portant and delicate questions, most intimately con nected with the happiness and welfare of the Duke; and after very modestly but earnestly offering some suggestions for his consideration, he details the pro gress of the education of the poor, and concludes: — " I must now repeat the earnest hope that nothing which I have said may give offence to the Duke of Kent, and I am sure it would not if he knew my heart, and with what sincerity and attachment I sub scribe myself his faithful and respectful friend, • " WILLIAM ALLEN." An extract from the Duke's reply, dated Brussels, May 5, 1817, will show his appreciation of Mr. Allen's 168 THE DUKE'S REPLY. [1817. exertions, and the characteristic resolution of his noble mind. " It would have been exceedingly satisfactory to me, had it been in my power to have attended the last meeting of my Committee at Karslake's, knowing the sincerity of your heart and your attachment to me. I am happy to find that you are perfectly con vinced of my adherence to the spirit of my original agreement, and I will venture to say that nothing shall divert me from it. Indeed, when every three months I have the satisfaction of seeing between four and five thousand pounds wiped off, no other stimulus can be wanting to induce me to go on, even if I were not bound by that most sacred of all ties, a promise to my friends. Upon the other point, to which you have so delicately alluded, I shall only say that I trust Providence will direct my proceedings for the best, and that I shall never deviate from the line which I conscientiously believe it is my duty to pursue. " I take my leave by repeating the unalterable sentiments of friendship and regard, with which I remain, esteemed friend, yours most faithfully, " EDWARD." Two female friends, H. Field and E. Barker, from America, were desirous of paying a religious visit to some parts of the Continent of Europe, and it was proposed, as on a former occasion, that Mr. Allen should accompany them. At first it seemed a o\ity to decline the service; but, on consulting his pious mother, she encouraged his going with them, though 1817.] THEY ARRIVE IN PARIS. 169 the pressure of engagements and the extent of corres pondence at this time were very oppressive. The two females from America; Josiah Forster; his nephew, Daniel Hanbury ; " his beloved Mary ; " George Majolier, who was returning home to his parents; and Mr. Allen, started on Saturday, the 2 1st of June, for Dover, spent the Lord's day in that town, and on the next went on board the Countess of Elgin. They proceeded to Paris on the 26th, and visited the Abb£ Gaultier and several eminent individuals, whose love to education and evangelical religion drew forth the best affections of Mr. Allen's heart. Some places of interest were shown to the American Friends by one who, though dressed in a plain garb, could estimate the valuable and beautiful in the works of man. This is his description of a view of Paris : — " After tea we went to the top of Montmartrc ; it was a beautiful sunset, and the view of Paris from it, lying as at our feet, was truly grand, and, as they burn only wood, nothing obstructs our having a clear sight of the whole ; on the northeast side of Mont- martre are the gypsum quarries, which they were burning for plaster of Paris : all the houses of Paris, as far as I could see, were built of stone; looking to the right, the gilded dome of L'Hopital dcs Invalides is a striking object; still more to the right, in the distance, is St. Cloud, the residence of the King; before us the two towers of Notre Dame ; the view altogether was very fine." "We dined at Fontainblcau ; a large place ; very quirt, and few persons to be seen. It was tin- favorite hunting seat of Henry IV of France, and of Hona- 170 ESCAPE OF MR. FORSTER. [1817 parte, who signed his abdication in the palace here, which we visited. It is very splendid and covers much ground. The apartments are magnificent; several of them hung with Gobelin tapestry. There are most beautiful vases of Sevres porcelain ; a table also of the same excellent workmanship." It appears that the taste of Mr. Forster had nearly cost him a lodging in the gaol at Lyons : — " We were surprised at receiving information that Josiah had run a risk of being arrested to-day, in consequence of wearing a red carnation in his button hole ; it appears that within the last ten days several persons have been taken up for wearing red pinks in their coats." From Lyons the travellers proceeded to Congenies, which they reached on the loth of July. Their fellow-professors of that vicinity were assisted by them in more perfectly arranging their system of church discipline; overseers were appointed to watch over the flock ; the school was reorganized ; some inter esting youths were appointed as teachers to the different classes ; pecuniary assistance was given, by which the women Friends were enabled more efficiently to pursue their occupation of spinning; and facilities afforded for the fuller employment of the men, par ticularly in the winter season. Some unhappy prejudice existed in the minds of a few individuals towards each other, and Mr. Allen could not rest till this stumbling block to their edifi cation was removed. It was happily accomplished in a manner similar to that which he adopted at Pyrmont. O, that all Christians would act the part of William 1817.] VISITS VERSAILLES. 171 Allen, and heal the divisions among the members of churches, instead of widening them, and thus encoura ging distance and separation ! After thus laboring diligently for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the little settlement of Friends in that part of the world, they parted from them in much love, amidst the tears of a poor but affectionate people. " Whilst passing from one of the neighboring villages to another," Mr. Allen observes, " Daniel Hanbury announced that my dear friend F. Martin was coming on horseback to us ; he was soon by the coach side ; we mutually rejoiced to see one another. I find dear Martin has exerted himself strenuously in the school cause ; and here is an ample field. He is about to leave this district, and enter upon the office of pastor at Bordeaux. I think E. P. Frossard should succeed Martin in his labors in the school cause in this part of the country." On the 2 5th of July they proceeded to Montpelier; here they met with some serious persons ; inspected the prison and a large establishment for beggars. The next day they proceeded towards Bordeaux, and were kindly welcomed by the aged Pasteur Martin, President of the Protestant Consistory, who rendered them every assistance in his power during their stay of two days at that place, after which they pursued their journey, arriving on the 1 2th of August at Versailles, where they visited the palace, the gardens, library and the grand and petit Trianon, the former built of Languedoc marble, by Louis IV, for Madame de Maintenon, an ambitious woman, and the tool of 172 VISITS THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY. [18 17. the Jesuits in the persecution of the Port Royalists, and the good Fenelon and Guyon. The splendid vases of malachite and Sevres porcelain, with the gorgeous tapestry of the Gobelins, a beautiful pint cup of lapis lazuli, and over one of the mantel-pieces a group of figures in bas-relief, exquisitely cut in agate, particularly attracted Mr. Allen's attention. In the evening they proceeded to Paris, and on the 1 3th visited the Jardin des Plantes, in that city, where Mr. A. remarks : — " We saw everything to great advantage, the day being beautifully fine. The scientific names of the beasts are attached to their apartments, which are very roomy; and the botanical student has every facility, as the plants are all labelled. I suppose there is not in the whole world anything to equal this garden." " On the I4th I was introduced by Count Lasteyrie, to Professor Arago, the assistant astronomer at the Royal Observatory ; " an interesting establishment, which of course Mr Allen visited. He enumerates a variety of telescopes and other optical instruments with which he was much delighted. Above all he was cheered to learn from Count Lasteyrie that the French government had recently sent down orders for the establishment of schools on the plan of the British and Foreign School Society in each of the departments. Soon afterwards he learned that the whole of the Island of Hayti was provided with teachers on the same plan. The next morning they left Paris for Dover, where they parted from their American friends, and arrived 1817.] KLVIEW OF JOURNEY. 173 in London on the 24th of August. His review of the journey is thus expressed : — "On my return from my long journey, in which my dear child and I have travelled by land and water nearly two thousand miles, I find everything at home apparently in order and going on well; for which, and for our preservation and that of our dear com panions, I desire to cherish reverent gratitude. I have felt much peace in this little act of faith and dedication, and have at times been ready to say, Lord: it is enough ; continue to preserve me and mine to the end: yet nature feels deeply the privation of her sweet society, who loved me ardently, and whom it was my constant delight to render happy— but oh! my dearest Charlotte, I have the firm conviction that Ikon art safe, whate'er becomes of me ! " On the 1 8th of September, he attended the British and Foreign School Committee, and gave an account of his visit to France. At his suggestion the Com mittee agreed to contribute £200 towards the expenses of Frossard, who should travel through the south of France, to promote and assist in the organization of new schools, and endeavor to rouse the richer classes of the Protestants to subscribe towards a fund at r.Mi.k.iux, where they were anxious to establish an active Central Committee. " I would strongly advise you," writes Mr. Allen to his friend Martin, "to sit down to the map of France, and mark all the places where the Protestants are most numerous, and to plan out the first journey in a direction where complete success is most probable, for a degree of success m the first instance will en- 174 ORGANIZING SCHOOLS IN FRANCE. [1817. courage and give fresh spirits both to him and to the Committee. Having settled the route, you should next consider who are the persons to whom it will be useful to address letters of recommendation, and you should especially endeavor to secure the co-operation of the prefects and members of government ; in his way he should see all the Protestant pastors, and endeavor to interest them in the cause, and prevail upon them to advocate it ; and also to distribute copies of Count Lasteyrie's book upon education to such of their hearers as have property and influence. " What a privilege to be placed by Divine Provi dence in a situation for doing such essential service to your country, to religion and to mankind. I need not say what rigid economy will be necessary in con ducting this great work ; but I hope that Divine Providence will incline the hearts of those who have it in their power to contribute the means." On the 3Oth he records : — " Went up to Prince Esterhazy, by his request, to converse with him en the subject of schools ; we had a most interesting conversation of above an hour; I explained the difference between our plan and Bell's. The ambassador expressed a full resolution to intro duce our system into Austria, and to send three or four lads to be instructed at the Borough-road." Thus was the influence of this good man extended on every side. His home, his heart, his purse, were open to all of any country who would help him to disseminate the knowledge of Jesus Christ by the circulation of the Scriptures and the education of the poor. Every one, from whatever quarter of the globe 1817.] GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 175 he came, was impressed with the singleness of purpose and devout assiduity of his noble heart, while they saw him maintain his own religious principles, and even peculiarities, with a decision as remarkable as it is rare. His lectures were continued at the Hospital, four every week ; and his attention to any of the institutions to which he had once given his name never flagged. The latter part of this year his evenings were more than usually devoted to astronomical observations and calculations in his observatory at Newington,and with the single exception of the pain he felt, in com mon with the entire community, on the death of the amiable Princess Charlotte, on whom the hopes of the nation were fixed, appears to have closed happily and usefully. CHAPTER IX. FIRST EFFORTS IN MINISTRY, AND VISIT TO LANARK. WE have before observed Mr. Allen's attention to the practice among the Society of Friends, for some of their number who feel a concern for the spiritual welfare of their fellow-members, to pay visits of in quiry, condolence and instruction, to each family attending worship at the particular meeting to which they belong. Mary Dudley and her daughter engaged Mr. Allen to accompany them in visits they were about to pay ; " but, alas," he adds, " I am so weak, low and poor, that I seem utterly unfit." Yet in the review of a week, he records : — " I have now joined our friends, M. and E. Dudley, in nine family visits, in most, if not all, of which, I thought that a precious degree of Divine power pre vailed, and was graciously permitted to attend us from house to house. It seems to be a time of encourage ment, and has been marvellous to me, as I have thought it right to say something in most of the families hitherto and have had peace in it." This was repeated till the circle of visitation was completed. How well he was adapted for such an exercise, may be judged of by the spirit evinced in the following extracts : — " Still under the feeling of great poverty of spirit — (176) 1818.] VISITS FAMILIES WITH FRIENDS. 177 Lord how long! O that Thou wouldst purify me thoroughly, and having seen meet to strip me of what was dearest in life, enable me to devote the re mainder of my days to Thy service, and condescend to show me clearly how I may shake off every shackle and burden which may have a tendency to impede my progress towards the heavenly city." "Still travelling through a barren land, but meet with some springs now and then. We cannot com mand that heavenly enjoyment, the sense of the Divine presence, but we ought to use our utmost exertion to keep the mind in a fit state for it." "A struggle must be maintained against a clispo sition to seek ease at the expense of my duties." What parent would not hail the visit of a friend who could give such advice to his children, as that written by Mr. Allen to Emilien Frossard, the son of M. Frossard, of Montauban, whom he kept in his house for some time, and then gained him a situation as assistant in a respectable school near Manchester ? The day of his departure he put into his hand the following most valuable letter: — "DEAR 1C MI LIEN, "I feel anxious for thy welfare in every respect, and especially in thy going alone among perfect strangers: but, if thou ait Careful to attend to the Divine Monitor in thy own mind, the Spirit of Christ, thou wilt be under the notice and protection of the greatest of beings, and wilt be favored with that sweet peace in thy own soul, which is far beyond all other enjoyments. Accept, dear Kmilien, the following hints from thy 178 LETTER TO E. FROSSARD. [1818. sincere friend and well-wisher. Preserve this letter and peruse it occasionally. " i. Devote some portion of the day to the reading of the Holy Scriptures alone in thy chamber, and pray constantly to the Almighty that He would en lighten thy mind to understand them. " 2. Endeavor to keep thy mind in such a state that thou mayst turn it to think upon God many times in the course of the day and pour out thy petitions to him in secret for preservation. " 3. Never do anything privately which thou wouldst be ashamed of if made public, and if evil thoughts come into thy mind, endeavor to turn from them and not follow up the train of them, or indulge them for a moment; always endeavor that thy very thoughts may be acceptable in the sight of God, to whom they are always open. "4. Be careful not to read books of an immoral tendency, as novels, romances, etc., and endeavor to discourage it in others : they are poison to the mind. "5. Be punctual in attending a place of worship. "6. Be very careful what company thou keepest; have few intimates and let them be persons of the most virtuous character, for if a young man associate with those of bad character, he infallibly loses his own. " 7. Be very circumspect in all thy conduct, and particularly towards females. " 8. Study the interest of thy employer, and en deavor to promote it by all fair and honorable means in thy power; study the duties he expects from thce, and fulfil them faithfully, as in the sight of God. Avoid entering into any parties against him, if such 1818.] VISITS PRISONERS WITH MRS. FRY. 179 should be found among the pupils, and never speak disrespectfully of him. " 9. Endeavor to improve thyself in thy studies in the intervals of leisure. " 10. Never do anything against thy conscience. " I have not time to add more than that my prayers are put up for thy preservation, and that as long as thou continuest to conduct thyself in a virtuous and honorable manner, thou wilt find a steady friend in "WILLIAM ALLEN." This letter called forth a most warm and grateful reply, in which E. F. states that he sent a copy of it to his father, who, delighted with the excellent pre cepts it contained, had thought it right to let the stu dents at Montauban share in it, and made it one of his best lessons in morals and French composition. It will be recollected that Mr. Allen had been often solicited by his mother, and others whose judgment he esteemed, to devote himself to the service of the ministry among Friends. His deep sense of his own unworthiness made him hesitate for many years; but it is not improbable that these visitations, in which he- found more freedom and acceptance than he expected, helped to decide him as to the path of duty. On February 8th, he says : — "Went with E. J. Fry and Cornelius to Newgate; about one hundred women prisoners were collected and behaved in a most exemplary manner. K. J. F. ivad the seventh chapter of Luke to them in a solemn manner and made s< >me <•« mnneiits upon it very sweetly. I thought a precious degree of power attended. I 180 EFFORTS FOR CRIMINAL REFORM. also ventured to address them and I felt peace. We were all well satisfied with our visit." And on the nth : — " Meeting. Pretty close exercise of mind and a sense of good : the text, * Feed my sheep/ was quoted, and I felt as if it would have been right to supplicate publicly, but after some conflict of mind I put it off, and felt uneasy afterwards j I have since been very low and poor, and yet, if it should be re quired of me thus to avow myself openly, may I not hope for indubitable clearness." On the 8th of April, his difficulties seem to have been overcome — "The first meeting was to me a solemn time; I was impressed with what I thought a sense of duty to say a few words, which I deferred till the meeting was breaking up, when I ventured to utter them, and had peace, not only that day, but in the night also." So that by visiting the families, and then the pris oners in Newgate, his mouth became opened to utter God's faithfulness to his assembled Church. Much of William Allen's time was occupied, about this period, with committees and various engagements connected with the subject of criminal reform. On the 2 ist, he states : — " Had an interview with Lord Sidmouth, together with S. Hoare, jun., T. F. Buxton and William Craw ford, on the Reformatory for six hundred boys; we were well received, and the first half-hour was spent in considering the plans, with which he seemed pleased, and desired us to draw up a written statement, which he assured us should be laid before government. We then had a long conference on the cases of Kelly and 1818.] ROBERT OWEN'S PRINCIPLES. 181 Spicer, the two boys condemned for uttering forged notes; we cleared our consciences, and, I think, made a little impression. He said that he had sent for the crown solicitor, and expected him every minute; wrc proposed waiting for him in another room, which we did, and then Buxton very properly laid the case before him; he promised to inquire into it without delay; Buxton and I then went to the Penitentiary, Millbank and to Tothill Fields." The statement required by Lord Sidmouth was most ably drawn up by Mr. Allen, and presented at a subsequent interview, when his colleague and himself met with a most favorable reception. At the close of the previous year, Mr. Allen laments the abominable conduct of Robert Owen — a man he had signally served, and who, at first, promised so well — in the following strain : — " Robert Owen is in town, and I am much distressed about him. He has blazoned abroad his infidel principles in all the public newspapers, and he wishes to identify me with his plans, which I have resisted in the most positive manner; I am resolved not to remain in the concern of New Lanark, unless it be most narrowly and con stantly watched by some one on whom we can thor oughly rely." I I«- thought it necessary immediately to confer with Lord Sidmouth, and stated to him how much he and his partners in the Lanark concern, not only disavowed, but held in abhorrence the principles of Robert Owen. This determined the partners to visit Lanark, and in the month of April they arrived at the interesting spot; "the principal object," as he describes it, "being 182 VISIT TO LANARK. [1818. to discover whether any attempt is making there to weaken the faith of the people in Divine revelation ; though I must say that all accounts justify a hope that they stand firm to the principles of Christianity." After a week's residence there, he writes : — " This has been a trying week, as I have had deep exercise of mind on account of Robert Owen's infidel principles. I have sustained many disputes with him. We have endeavored to get pretty full information relative to the state of the concern at Lanark, both with regard to the population and the business. What I pray for is to be favored to see clearly what is re quired of me to do. Oh ! that He whom I wish to love and to serve, would favor me with light and clearness ! " I find that when R. O. was applied to at first for leave to establish a Bible Society, he refused, but afterwards some of the people established it, and now his wife and family subscribe. Just before dinner on the 6th, I asked R. Owen's wife whether she thought that the people would be inclined to meet the London proprietors, and to receive any communication which they might be disposed to make: she said they would be quite disposed. I rather think she must have told her husband; for he no sooner saw me when we were going to dinner, than he asked me whether I was dis posed to have a meeting. This put me to the test; I told him that I did feel inclined to meet the people; but it was only fair to state, that though I should certainly prepare nothing beforehand, yet since he had addressed them on his principles, I might feel it right to state what were ours. He immediately said, 1818.] MORALS OF THE PEOPLE. 183 'Will to-morrow evening do?' I assented, and in the kindest manner he said that notice should be given to all the village. I replied that my wish was merely to meet the work-people and officers of the establishment, though I should not object to any one who might wish to come. In the meantime, a depu tation arrived from the work-people, stating, that they were preparing an address to the London proprietors, and requesting to know when they might present it. We fixed upon the time of the meeting, when what I might have to say would come in very naturally in the reply. In the afternoon I took a little walk by myself in the grounds, and felt as if half my burden was taken off, by having consented to the arrange ments for to-morrow evening. The engagement, however, appeared a very weighty and difficult one, as, on all accounts, I wished to avoid any unnecessary pain to R. O.'s feelings ; while, at the same time, my peace consisted in speaking the whole truth. " The next day Joseph Foster and I took a walk to Old Lanark, to see the minister there, and inquire into the moral state of the people at the mills; he said he was not aware of any case of drunkenness for a year or two past, and he did not think that Owen's principles took any root among the population. We then went to another of their ministers; he gave us a very good account of the morals of the people at the mills, and I find that he visits them often ; he seemed heartily glad to hear our sentiments on the subject of the Scriptures, and we urged him to visit the schools, and see that they were taught there, and also to cor respond with us if lu: .saw any attempt made to intro- 184 ADDRESS OF THE WORK-PEOPLE. [1818. duce anything contrary to revealed religion. On our return to the mills we had a conference with the master of the work-people who has had the general superintendence. He has the character of a steady religious man, and his information was satisfactory. About half-past seven we went down to the works, where we found the people assembled in the great room of the institution, to the amount of several hundreds ; we went up into the gallery, and took our seats in front. The deputation walked up the middle of the room, and the reader, Innis, the schoolmaster, mounted the pulpit, and read audibly the following exceedingly well composed address : — "'To WILLIAM ALLEN, JOSEPH FOSTER AND MICHAEL GIBBS, ESQUIRES. " ' GENTLEMEN, "'We, the inhabitants of New Lanark, beg to ad dress ourselves to you, as part proprietors of the establishment, on your appearance amongst us. We have had several opportunities of expressing to Robert Owen, Esq., our grateful sense of his continued kind ness to us, as our more immediate master; and would now offer you our most cordial Welcome, on visiting this place. We are fully aware, Gentlemen, that although your other pursuits may prevent your con tinued residence m the village, yet, whatever tends to add to our comfort, or to render our circumstances easier, will meet with your approbation ; and, in this view, we regard it as not unnecessary to thank you, thus publicly, for the many advantages we enjoy, through your co-operation with Mr. Owen, and the 1818.] MEETING WITH THEM. 185 other partners in the concern. The care which is taken in gratuitously educating our children, and the humane treatment we experience, under the persons to whom is committed the management of the various departments of this work, are advantages which call forth our earnest expressions of gratitude. We are sensible that our circumstances are much superior to that of all other cotton-spinners ; and it is our desire, by a steady attention to our various duties, to merit a continuance of that kindness which we now experience. We hope the interest you have taken (in conjunction with the other proprietors) in the bill now pending in Parliament, — having, for its object, to place others, of the laboring class, in some degree, on a footing with ourselves, — will be rewarded, by your seeing it pass into a law. We conclude, by expressing our desire that all cotton-spinners enjoyed the same ad vantages as we do ; then would the master manufac turers feel the superior gratification arising from possessing the affections of a well-treated and happy people; and their servants that pleasure which a con tinued kind attention, on the part of the master, is calculated to afford. '"With much respect, Gentlemen, we sign ourselves in the name, and by the request of the inhabitants of New Lanark, etc.' (Signed by eight persons.) " When it was finished, Joseph Foster, Michael Gibbs and I, rose, and I was mercifully favored with utterance and strength to discharge the burden which has so rested upon my mind, though the engagement 186 MR. ALLEN'S ADDRESS. [1818. was one of no small delicacy, Owen being present. I felt a comfortable degree of best help, and spoke for about three-quarters of an hour. The people were remarkably attentive, and when all was over separated very quietly. R. O. and I walked together to Braxfield. He did not make the least objection to what was said, but remarked that that day would be long remembered by the people. J. F. and M. G. said that they could not have wished a word altered. I was deeply thank ful in being thus helped, and one of my great objects in visiting Scotland being accomplished, I looked towards setting off home with pleasure." The next morning Mr. Allen received a deputation, requesting that he would favor the inhabitants with a copy of his reply ; but a difficulty arose, as he had not previously written anything for the occasion. He promised, however, that on his return to London, he would endeavor to send what he could recollect on the subject. He begins b)' giving them a history of the reasons which induced them to take the mill, and then proceeds, — " We are then embarked together in a common cause — your interests and our interests are intimately blended. We are aiming, not merely to promote the comfort and happiness of the people of New Lanark, but to afford an example to the manufacturers of Glasgow, of Stockport, of Manchester, and, in fact, to every manufactory in the whole world; for these principles are of universal application. " In this important business, however, your cordial co-operation is indispensably necessary ; the eyes of 1818.] TO THE PEOPLE OF LANARK. 187 the world arc upon us, and much, very much, depends upon the nature of your conduct. Those who are watching for evil would be glad of an opportunity of impeaching the moral character of the population here — would be eager to employ it as an argument against our plan; and most effectually would they counteract all our attempts to propagate it, were they able to show that the cause of morality and virtue were not promoted by it. But, from all that I have heard and seen, I feel the deepest conviction, that, in point of moral and religious feeling, as well as in temporal comfort, no manufacturing population, of equal extent, can compare with New Lanark." Me then declares that, while they were anxious to promote their temporal comfort, they felt the deepest interest in what related to their eternal well-being, and presses upon them the value of an interest in Christ above every earthly consideration. " But," he adds, " here we would be distinctly understood : We arc not desirous to see you proselyted to this or that form of religion, but we are anxious to see your children brought up sincere Christians. The London proprietors, who arc now present with you (as well as our friend John Walker, now upon the continent), though firm believers in the Christian religion and the truths of Divine revelation, as contained in the Holy Scriptures, and as applied by the Spirit of God in the secret of the heart, themselves differ as to some less important particulars. Joseph Foster and myself are members of the Society of Friends ; Michael Gibbs is a member of the Kstablished Church of 188 DIVINE REVELATION. [1818. England ; but we all agree with the Church of Scot land in the main' truths of religion. We believe that the true Church of Christ consists of members of all visible churches, who, in the sincerity of their hearts, are endeavoring to know and to perform the will of God — who are faithful to what is manifested to them to be their duty. These will be finally accepted what ever denomination they may have borne among men, and will, in a glorified state, form part of that company which no man can number, gathered from every nation, kindred, tongue and people, which the Evangelist John, in the visions of God, saw surrounding the throne, and uniting in the universal hallelujah." He then proceeds to avow their firm belief in Divine revelation, and by a series of arguments from physical science, proves the just and wise government of God, and the insufficiency of human reason to comprehend infinity. Appealing to the characters which faith in Christ had formed in all ages, he concludes that the Christian dispensation is of Divine origin, and presses it on the attention of all who heard him : — " This is the only principle upon which true happi ness can be built; and therefore, in the education of your dear children, we are especially anxious that they should be trained up in a knowledge of, and reverence for, the Holy Scriptures, and that their tender minds should be imbued with the great truths of revealed religion. But we must depend upon you to second our efforts for their good, which will most effectually be done by the powerful influence of a pious example in yourselves ; by firmness, tempered 1818.] MEETS DR. CHALMERS. 189 with kindness, in repressing and discountenancing every appearance of angry passions, every deviation from truth and sincerity, and by teaching them the importance of a due observance of the day appointed for Divine worship. Then may we expect the blessing of Heaven upon our great experiment; — then may we, indeed, confidently hope, that your children will become useful and honorable members of society at large, and your greatest temporal comforts in your declining years. The bonds'of natural affection v.ill be strengthened by the principles of our holy religion; and having honestly endeavored to put your beloved offspring in the right way, you may descend to the grave blessing and blessed, and lay down your heads in peace." In the course of this journey William Allen spent a few days at Glasgow, where he attended a meeting of the Peace Society, held at Dr. Chalmers'. The subject was discussed, whether they should go the whole length with the London Committee as it regards defensive war. " Dr. Chalmers seemed against it, Collins for it ; I gave my sentiments on the same side as the latter, and had peace in doing so. They all appeared to feel the force of the observations, and Dr. Chalmers promised to study the subject deeply." " In the evening we went by appointment to pay another visit to Dr. Chalmers, and had much inter esting conversation about the poor, etc.; I told him my plan for general investigation, which he seemed to approve." After visiting James Kwing, a magistrate', "an ex- 190 ARRIVES IN LONDON. [1818. cellent man, warmly interested in the subject of pris ons, and who has paid great attention to the state of the poor," and Erskine, of Mar, " a very benevolent old gentleman, who gives away most of his income in charity," and Jeffrey, the Editor of the Edinburgh Review, and enlisting him in the prison cause, on which he engaged to write an article if Mr. Allen would furnish him with materials, which " interview was particularly agreeable." He adds : — " About five o'clock I went to Dr. Brewster's, in Melville-street, and met a large party there — L. Horner, Pillan, of the High School, Count Brenner, a very interesting young German, etc. After dinner we had much satisfactory conversation about schools and prison discipline." " nth. — Dr. Brewster came to breakfast with me at the hotel ; a1 *• half-past ten Dr. Hoppe called, and took me to se^. ais lecture-room, which seems admir ably contrived, and capable of holding several hundred pupils ; in the apparatus room he has a considerable number of very large closets, in which the apparatus is nicely arranged for every lecture; and he has papers for each lecture, with instructions to his assistant." On the same evening they set off by mail, travelling all night and the next day, and on the following night slept at York. From thence they posted to Stamford, and arrived the next day in London :— a journey which can now be accomplished in a few hours. The result of his visit he thus states : — " The investigation which we have made at Lanark has been very satisfactory, and I have had much peace 1818.] HIS MIND AT EASE. 191 in the public opportunity I had with the work-people, so that, though the journey home was rather fatiguing, my mind was at ease. I begin to hope that even this undertaking may be blessed, and that, perhaps, we were permitted to enter into it, to prevent New Lanark from becoming a seminary for infidels : how thankful shall I be if this is the case ! " CHAPTER X. JOURNEY TO NORWAY AND SWEDEN. IN a letter which Stephen Grellet addressed to Mr. Allen, in February, 1818, he mentioned the deep exercise of mind under which he had long labored, in the prospect of religious service in Europe, particularly in Russia. He had, at length, thought it right to submit the subject to the ju'dgment of his Monthly Meeting, and though the matter was then in too early a stage to enter much into detail respecting his views, he was desirous, after the first public step was taken, to convey the intelligence of it, himself, to this "brother beloved." It awakened no common degree of sympathy in Mr. Allen's mind ; he seemed to have an idea of the contents of the letter before he opened it, and from that period there was a reference, in his arrangements, to the probability of accompanying Stephen Grellet on his interesting tour. As this would take him from his family, business and engage ments, for many months, it was a subject which re quired the deepest consideration, and, to decide in favor of it, the clearest conviction of duty. He, who was in the habit of carrying the minor concerns of life to his Father and God, did not fail to seek counsel from on high, on this important and interesting busi- (192) 1818.] PREPARATION FOR THE JOURNEY. ness. He shows us the workings of his soul in the following statements, made in July: — " 2oth. — Dear S. Grellet is arrived at Liverpool ; we may expect him in London next week. Now comes the trial ; but if my great Master will but condescend to make the path of duty plain, whether it is to go or stay, I feel quite resigned, for I know that I can never be truly happy but in doing or suffering His will; and, if but favored with clearness that it is right to make those sacrifices which will be necessary, in case it seems my duty to accompany dear Stephen, it is all I wish. I shall then leave my precious child, my dear aged mother, with others who, by natural and spiritual ties, are dear to me — in confidence that they will be supported and cared for by the Shepherd of Israel." The manner in which his great Master confirmed his desires, he thus relates, in a review of a week, during which Stephen Grellet was a visitor in his house : — "A time of deep exercise of mind; the great enemy appeared to be let loose upon me, but faith prevailed. As the time of trial drew nearer and nearer the con cern became heavier and heavier, and on Seventh-day it seemed as if I must give up. On First-day evening dear Mary, S. Grellet and I, went to dear R. Christy's, where we had a religious opportunity never to be forgotten. Divine love and power plentifully over shadowed us, and melted us all in a remarkable manner; no doubts remained ; at the close I was en gaged in supplication for my precious child, committing her to the protection of our Heavenly Father." After that which he considered a satisfactory assur- 194 STARTS FOR STAVANGLR. [1818 ance of the path of duty, he publicly communicated his intention to accompany Stephen Grellet, and re ceived from the members of his church sympathy and confirmation. After obtaining introductions from the Swedish Ambassador, from Count Lieven to his brother, to Prince Galitzin and to the Russian Ambassador at Stockholm, he went to Kensington Palace, at the re quest of the Duke of Kent, to spend a short time with him previous to his departure. On the next day, August 4th, he accompanied the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince Leopold to the Borough-road School, and on the 8th he took leave of his " dear aged mother," his "beloved child," "the family," and " Rebecca Christy," his " precious sister in the un changeable truth." With deep emotion, Stephen and himself started in a post chaise about seven o'clock in the evening, took up their friend Joseph Foster at Bow, who accompanied them to Harwich, while Enoch Jacobson, a Norwegian, who was to be their fellow- traveller, brought their baggage by coach. They staid a night at Ipswich, with their friends, Richard and Ann Alexander; Priscilla Gurney came all the way from Norwich to meet them, and Thomas Clarkson dined with them. After dinner they had a solemn and affecting parting with their friends. They were bound for the port of Stavangcr, in Norway, but the wind proving contrary, they were obliged to remain at Harwich until the I5th, when they embarked on board the Frecling, not without some apprehension that they might be forced to return. This, however, did not prove to be the case, though 1818.J DESCRIPTION OF STAVANGER. 195 at first they made very slow progress, and during part of the voyage suffered much from the tossing of the vessel. The wind continued contrary, and the voyage was a very trying one, the vessel affording but little accommodation ; but he was able to read and write, and took many observations with his sextant, which, with a telescope and other instruments, were his travelling companions. How these good and holy men improved their limited opportunity of usefulness on board the vessel it will be instructive and pleasing to read : — " After dinner we went upon deck, and sat in our usual place by the companion ; I read several chapters in Isaiah, after which we sat in silence. I had some conversation on religious subjects with the ship lads, and also with the captain; after tea we resumed our places by the companion, when I again read in the Scriptures, and at sunset we had a season of refresh ment and comfort." " I'.iglith Month 2$th. — On going upon deck, this morning, I discovered land at a distance; and a quarter before eleven we took a pilot and his two sons on board, and soon arrived at Stavanger. "Stavanger is situated at the head of an arm of the sea; the population is estimated at about three thous and ; the houses are universally built of wood an 1 covered with tiles. Keiland, the son of one of th • principal inhabitants, came on board ; he speaks Kn- -lish very well, and I delivered to him our letters of introduction; he was so kind as to expedite th • examination of our baggage. The inn is a large qui -l house, situated near the landing place, remarkably 196 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. [1818. clean ; and, after our doleful imprisonment in the vessel, this change is very grateful to our feelings. " The pilot expressed to Enoch a great anxiety to purchase a Bible, and stated that the single copy which they had among them had almost excited a quarrel, so many wishing to possess it, that they were, at last, obliged to decide it by lot; it was con cluded to give the old pilot one, which he very grate fully received ; his son afterwards came down and intreated permission to buy one, saying he had the money for it, but as Norwegian Bibles are scarce with us, and we had given one to his father, we gave him a Testament, enjoining them both to read them to their neighbors." " On the 26th we called upon the principal magistrate, a sedate man, who has been judge for twenty-six years, and had much conversation, through Enoch, on several subjects, amongst the rest, on capital punishment. He said, that in the district of Stavanger, comprehending forty thousand inhabitants, in the space of one hundred and forty geographical miles, not one person had undergone capital punishment for twenty-six years. This is only inflicted for murder or high treason. The cases of theft, he says, may generally be traced to idleness, and the average number in that period is only about six or seven per year. For small offences, persons are imprisoned in their own houses, upon their parole. " The Dean told us that out of five or six hundred families in Stavanger, not more than fifty have a Bible, — that the people are willing to subscribe and pay for them, and some have actually paid, but they cannot 1818]. SCARCITV OF NORWEGIAN BIBLES. 197 get them from the so-called Bible Society at Christiana. We propose to attend to this subject when we go there." " We went to dine with G. S. Keiland, who is Mayor of the town, is very opulent, and owns about two- thirds of the houses in Stavanger, at his country house, about a mile out of town ; it stands upon a commanding eminence, and his fine grounds and plantations were formerly covered with heath and stones, but now he has many fertile meadows with good rich grass, and keeps about forty cows and several horses; they arc smaller than ours, have short backs and are strong built. He had invited Judge Lnuolcl, Dean Storcn and the young priest Lange, to meet us. "We were cordially received by our host, who took us by the hand and bade us welcome to his house and to the country; he appears to have read much, is a man of considerable information and has been in England. I endeavored to excite a zeal in them to promote useful associations, and I think we shall set them to work on the Bible cause; there is such a scarcity of Bibles in Norway that even Priest Lange is obliged to borrow one for himself. Dean Storm thought that if he had a thousand Bibles he could dispose of them all, and even sell the greatest part of them in three months, and it was finally agreed that tiny should describe their wants in a letter to Stein- kopfl" '' j<;//i.— (}. S. Keiland called, not, as he said, out of compliment, but from affectionate regard. I told him of some observations I had made yesterday upon 198 CROWDED MEETING FOR WORSHIP. [1818. the nature of the soil, and suggested the propriety of allowing a certain portion of land to the poor people of Stavanger; he said that he had actually made a beginning, but the prejudices of the poor were such that they could hardly be prevailed upon to adopt anything new; he had, however, found one man, who seemed to have some spirit for the thing; I told him if only one could be brought to lead the way, others, seeing his success, might be induced to follow. About three o'clock we prepared to go to the afternoon meeting of Friends. I was apprehensive that it would be crowded ; curiosity having been excited by the meeting in the morning. When we reached the place, we found it rather difficult to get in; the room was soon filled, and a great many were upon the stairs ; indeed, I was really afraid of some mischief from squeezing, more than two hundred being in the room —most of them were standing. Stephen had a long and satisfactory communication in ministry ; after it was over the people seemed desirous of shaking hands with us. " G. S. Keiland sent his servant with a present for the Bible Society of an old and scarce copy of the Danish Bible, 1589, and the Old Testament in four volumes, an ancient edition, which I am to forward. I am particularly pleased with this circumstance, as the acknowledgment which the Society must send will open the door for correspondence and for the wide diffusion of the Bible here. "A pious young man, a farmer, called and begged to buy a Testament ; he was very earnest to pay for 181 N.] MORALS AND STATISTICS OF STAVANGER. 199 it, but we insisted on presenting him with one; we have numerous applications of a similar kind. " We learn that there are no manufactories at Stavanger; some of the inhabitants are employed in agriculture, and many of them support themselves by fishing. A laborer can earn about three rix dollars per day, equal to one shilling and sixpence of our money. The women spin flax, which is not grown in the country, but imported, and they sometimes can earn two rix dollars per day. " The average price of potatoes is about two shillings per bushel ; the bread is made of oats and rye or barley, a loaf of rye bread, bran and all in it weighing three pounds, their weight, eighteen ounces to the pound, costs a rix dollar, equal to sixpence. " It is said that all the children of the poor are educated, and the regulations of the country make it absolutely necessary; for they cannot set up in busi- , or marry, or perform any acts as citizens, unless they are able to read : all must be examined and con firmed when they are fifteen years of age, and for this purpose they must be able to read. This statement must obviously relate to towns and villages, as those who are scattered in the country have not the means. Tiny have several small schools, but education is not well conducted. All poor schools are maintained by a tax updi the inhabitants, and are absolutely under the control of the clergy; a school might, however, •ipporti-d by subscription, in which case the clergy would have nothing to do with it. "About sixty or seventy persona out of the whole population, which, including the neighborhood, is 200 VOYAGE TO CHRISTIANSAND. [1818. about four thousand, are supported by charity. The general state of morals is reported to be pretty good, and the police is so well conducted, that if anything were lost in the middle of the street, it would be soon found and restored." After taking an affectionate leave of these interesting people on the 3ist, they were aroused between five and six on the morning of the 1st of October, by the captain giving them notice that he was preparing to get under weigh for Christiansand, to which they were now bending their course. "The kind landlady," says Mr. Allen, "shed tears on parting, and the old man, her husband, stood looking after us for a long time after we set sail." The voyage to Christiansand was very tedious, the wind proving so boisterous and contrary that the captain was obliged to put into the port of Tanangcr, where they remained a few days. While on board the vessel, Mr. Allen had nearly met with a very serious accident : — " I was seated," he says, " on the edge of the stern, repeating Olney hymns, and watching the grand style in which our little bark dashed through the tumbling sea, when taking my eyes off for a moment to look at my watch, there was a violent pitch which tossed me backward into the boat which was lashed across the stern. I was not at all hurt, but after this hint took a lower station." " Christiansand is quite upon a level, and covers much ground; the streets are very wide, and are paved with rough stones and irregular flat slabs of rock. The town is supported principally by commerce 1818.] PRIVATE BENEVOLENCE. 201 in deals and fish. We saw an extensive timber-yard where there were two saw-mills worked by water." The letters of introduction with which they had been furnished, procured them a very kind reception. After inspecting the schools and prison, they dined with P. Isaachson, the principal merchant in the place. His family being absent, the company consisted entirely of gentlemen, about twenty of whom were present : — " We were first assembled in a large room, beauti fully papered with colored representations of natural scenery and figures very well executed. Here we stood conversing in groups, and soon felt ourselves quite at home and pleased with the order and hospi tality which reigned. After dinner, the company, on rising, according to the practice of the country, shook hands and went down to the large room below, where coffee was handed, and we conversed freely in little parties. We had a satisfactory opportunity of in forming the minds of the company upon several important subjects. P. 1. then conducted us to a large establishment, founded by his late father for nine or ten aged women, and for the free education of a num ber of poor children. It is a very large wooden building, and the inscription in Norwegian over the door, imports, "Instruction for the young, and rest for the aged." This is a fine example of private benevolence. It appears that they are a more moral people here than in most other parts of Kurope, yet they have suffered loss in this respect in conse<|ii< -m « of the war. The testimony of some of the priiu ipal inhabitants showed that the children were very imper- 202 MODE OF TRAVELLING IN NORWAY. [1818. fectly educated, and that some were not receiving any school instruction. The poor were a great burden, and Isaachson said that they cost him more than all the private expenses of his own family. A poor family may claim support for each child they have beyond two." On the nth, the travellers prepared to set out on their arduous journey to Christiania, in the carriage which they had brought from England, but found considerable difficulty in arranging the harness to suit it. The plan of travelling, in Norway, is to send forward a man and horse, called the fore-boot, with orders for horses at the different stations on the day's journey. Each of the neighboring farmers is obliged, in turn, to furnish a man and horse for posting. These are bound to wait three hours, and if the traveller does not arrive before the expiration of that period, they are at liberty to return and to claim payment; as the man must generally walk, it shows the usual rate of posting in that country. The adjustments were at length completed, and the horses, four in number, were brought to draw together. The toil and exertion during this day's journey were extreme; in some places they were compelled to assist in. pulling the carriage up the ascents, in others to check the velocity of the descent, and the whole day was occupied in travelling rather less than twenty English miles. The Norwegian mile is equal to seven English. Mr. Allen strained his knee in some of his efforts, and this, with another day's exertion, and very little food, made him feel much exhausted on their arrival 1818.] THEIR PERILOUS SITUATION. 203 at Arcndal, which they reached about half-past nine. They then had to walk a considerable distance to the inn, passing through narrow, steep, stony alleys, for there was nothing, he says, deserving the name of streets. Not having had any dinner for two days, it is not surprising that they much relished some excel lent mutton chops. Arendal is a great seaport, and very large vessels ride near the shore. It is built upon rocks, and the houses are erected just where they could find a place for them ; — the foundations of some are one hundred feet above the tops of others. On proceeding further through the country the next day, Mr. Allen thus describes the perilous situa tion in which they were placed : — "We came to a most terrible hill, extremely steep; and when, with great exertion, we had got all the five horses to act together for a few feet, we were obliged to stop to let them rest, and block the wheels with stones, till we got about half-way up. The road then turned sharp round, but the turn being so short, the fore wheel got into such a position that there was the most imminent risk of going down the precipice, even if the horses should be able to draw on, it seemed as if we could not make any more way without peril. We altered the position of the carriage a few inches at a time, and succeeded at last, by literally putting our shoulders to the wheel, to get round this dangerous turn, and were favored to reach the top in safety after an hour and a-half of unremittcd exertion. "One of our drivers is a steady intelligent man and a schoolmaster. The plan for the country schools is 204 ITS GEOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES. [1818. to have a schoolmaster for the parish, who keeps school for a week at one farm house, then a week at the next, and so taking them in course, all the children following from one house to another ; he is about a year in making his round ; the most remote of the children have only about three miles to go ; he had no Testament, and was made happy in being presented with one. Their Catechisms, etc., are the principal books read in the schools." " i$th. — Rose at twenty minutes past four; we have taken six horses for this stage. A poor sailor, a Dane, born at Copenhagen, and a prisoner, yet going alone to Laurvig to prison to take his trial for deserting from a gun boat, about five years ago, begged to go with us for subsistence by the way; he speaks English, and we took him along with us. The stations are almost always single houses. " What a country Norway is for a geologist ! it seems made of rocks, which rise from three to five hundred feet, and follow each other in uninterrupted succession, like waves of the sea, in the whole course, from Stavanger to Christiania. There are granites of all sorts, including gneiss, and by the coast huge masses of solid felspar, with very little mixture of anything else; we have seen whole rocks of milk-white quartz. John Julien, of Abo, gave me a specimen of the new alkali, lithia, which he made himself; it was first de tected in the petalite, and afterwards found more abun dantly in the spodumene ; both minerals occur in the mine, Uto, in Sweden, in the province of Sudermania. " From Ode Garten we were obliged to have seven horses — it seemed impossible to make all the horses 1818.] PERILS OF TRAVELLING. 205 draw together, and after we had proceeded three miles we came to a terrible steep hill, and the road boggy with loose stones ; we had a person stationed at each wheel, to help to push when the horses made an effort and put stones to block when they began to flag ; but with our utmost exertions we often did not gain an inch ; in this way we worked for several hours, but as we approached the top the ascent became steeper, and we could not possibly proceed further. It was in vain to think of sending for horses, as in these deserts the persons who furnish them often live miles apart, and it generally takes four hours to collect them at a sta tion. It was now eight o'clock, and getting quite dark; we had had no dinner, and were faint and exhausted ; my left knee was more strained by my efforts at the wheel, so that it hurt me much when I walked, and my clothes were covered with dust and dirt It was now plain that we must encamp here for the night. We had some bread and cheese, and some hung beef, which our kind friend Ann Alexander had provided for us at Ipswich. We sent one of the men forward on horseback to order six horses to be brought to us by four o'clock in the morning, and our sailor, with one of the men, to a house about two miles off to forage, discharging the rest, who were very glad to go home. Dear Stephen and I were now left quite alone upon one of the hills of Norway ; we, however, felt tranquil, resolving to make the best of it. When Enoch and the sailor returned, they brought some milk, boiled eggs, and potatoes; we then collected wood, and prepared to make a fire among the great blocks of granite by the road side. It was very cold, 200 A COMFORTABLE NIGHT'S REST. [1818. my feet were wet, and I think I never felt a fire more acceptable ; with a pole for a seat, we took out our plates, and prepared our repast. Nothing can exceed dear Stephen's kindness and care of me ; but my mind is so constituted, that unless I can see him better off than myself, this attention rather distresses me. Dear Enoch waits upon us with filial attention, and we mutually endeavor to make one another comfortable. About half-past nine the moon rose in a clear sky, and after supper I repeated some poetry to them — amongst the rest, Pope's ' Universal Prayer/ Prior's ' Charity,' and Addison's ' How are Thy servants blest, 0 Lord,' etc. Stephen and I got into the carriage and slept, or rather dozed for some hours ; Enoch, the sailor, and the lad, lay down by the fire. At break of day I heard the trampling of the horses, and whilst they were harnessing we boiled our kettle, made some tea in it, and all had an excellent breakfast. The horses were far superior to those which had left us in our present position, and after a few vigorous efforts they drew the carriage to the top of the hill, for which 1 felt very thankful. The hill is called Torne-Bakkin, or Thornehill. As we proceeded, the roads were so bad, and tl e hills so desperate, I thought it might be a providence that we had been stopped where we were, for if we had arrived at the top of the hill, we might have been tempted to try in the dark to reach our station, and have met with a very serious accident." After passing a ferry to Brevig, they proceeded by water to Helgeerauen, and then by land to Laurvig. It is a considerable seaport; the streets are very quiet, without traffic or shops ; it is supported by shipping 1818.] ARRIVES AT CHRISTIANIA. 207 and iron works, where about one hundred persons are employed. Like all the other towns the houses are built of wood. On the 1 8th they started with five horses on excel lent roads. Snow-ploughs were kept at the different stations to clear the roads for the sledges. They slept at I lohnestrand, a seaport, and one of the largest towns in Norway. The next day, as they required only four horses, Enoch drove, and made an excellent coach man, and at a little after twelve they arrived at a large place called Drammen, where they staid over the Sab bath. At two o'clock they held their meeting as usual, and about fifty persons, with the landlord and landlady, attended, and Enoch interpreted admirably. " 2 1 st. — We started with five good horses; the pros pect of the country is very pretty; the arm of the sea, with its little islands, the ridges of rocks covered with pines, the farm houses in various directions, with the pastures and the autumnal tints of the trees, make a fine landscape ; though it wants that softness which we admire in England. About two o'clock we arrived at Christiania; it contains about ten thousand inhab1'- tants; the houses are built of brick, and plastered, the streets are broad and airy, and the pavement round stones. There are large, square, wooden cisterns in the middle of the principal streets, into which a foun tain of clear water is always running; they have excel lent wharves for shipping, and large storehouses, built of logs ; vast quantities of deals arc stacked up along the water side, ready to be shipped." " 22d. — In the evening Otto Collett called upon us; he is in the prime of life, with frank, open manners; 208 INTERVIEW WITH N. TRESCHOW. [1818. he says that the poor of Christiania are distributed among the neighboring farmers — one, two, or three to each, who give them food and clothing for any little service they may be capable of performing, and the parish officers are bound to see that they are not over worked or ill-treated. I should think this plan liable to great abuse, and that the burden lies too heavy upon the farmers. " We afterwards waited upon N. Treschow, who is Counsellor of State, and one of the principal members of the government here. I find he is the person whose office it is to report to Stockholm respecting our Friends. I showed him my list of queries on subjects connected with education, the state of the poor, the morals of the country, etc., with which he seemed pleased, and said that information on all these points regularly came to his office ; and he offered to give me answers for all Norway, which I gratefully accepted. We are so much pleased with this interview, that we think it would fully compensate us for coming to Christiania." " 24th. — We were engaged to dine with our friend Collett to-day, at his country seat, about two miles distant ; and met N. Treschow ; he was dressed in full uniform, and many others also were covered with gold lace and stars ; among them was Count Mornen, the principal Governor, who is called Stadtholder, a very sedate elderly man. The company, consisting of twenty-six, seemed to comprise the principal persons of the place. The room was of polygonal form, and we sat at the largest round table I have ever seen; it was several yards in diameter ; the dinner was carried 1818.] SINGULAR IMPRISONMENT. 209 round by several men servants. After about two hours the company rose, shook hands, and retired into the other rooms ; here I had a good opportunity for conversation with the company, and with a worthy widow, aunt to our host. She and her nephew quite insisted upon our leaving the inn, and taking up our quarters with them, saying that we should do just the same as if we were at home; we had some difficulty in excusing ourselves, but compounded by promising to dine with them, by themselves, to-morrow. We returned to our inn, thankful in believing that this visit had been of service." " 26th. — We waited on the Governor, according to appointment, and were very kindly received: he sent one of his officers with us to the castle, and to the house of correction. In the latter we were shocked to find about twenty young persons confined, not for any crime, but merely because they had neglected to learn their catechism, and consequently could not be confirmed by the priest; thus they were sent, literally and avowedly, to be prepared for confirmation, to a place where they were confined with felons and crimi nals of all descriptions. Some amongst them were from twenty to thirty years of age. The officers who accompanied us joined in expressing their abhorrence of this measure ; but in this country such is the sway of the clergy, that a person not confirmed is almost considered an outlaw. We stated our feelings very freely, and have reason to think that the matter will be taken up. " In the prison hospitals, men and women are mixed together without any regard to feelings of delicacy. 210 LEAVING CHRISTIANIA. [1818. The officers, as well as ourselves, were shocked at this also, and said they never before knew that such was the practice. " Professors Hersleb and Stennison came to converse with us on the subject of the Bible Society here ; we find they refuse to keep the funds separate from those designed for the supply of catechisms; and the sub scribers in Norway complain that what they gave for Bibles was spent in printing catechisms. The priests seem afraid of the Scriptures being circulated, unac companied by their explanations and conjectures. " I like what I have seen of the Norwegian charac ter; there is much frankness in it; it seems, in many respects, to resemble the English. I should think- that, in general, they were an honest simple-hearted people, and they are remarkable for their hospitality. Among the higher classes there appears to be a ten dency to scepticism, and among the lower to bigotry." " 28th. — Preparing to leave Christiania. Iver Steen, a superintendent of the roads, has been of essential service in making out our route to Stockholm, with a list of what is to be paid; he has also provided us with a coachman ; indeed, both he and Otto Collett have studied how they could be most useful, and their kind assistance has been a real help to us." The travellers now proceeded with good roads, and through a country in many parts resembling Switzer land. As they advanced they found cultivation in creasing, and the cattle were finer and more numerous. Some of the pine forests bore extensive traces of the ravages of fire occasioned during the struggle with 1818.] ENTERS SWEDEN. 211 Sweden in 1814, when some persons set fire to the woods, and many miles of valuable firs were destroyed. " On the 3Oth we came to the division between Norway and Sweden ; it is merely a path between the pines, in the forest, except that there is a circular pile of rough masonry, about five feet high and six feet in diameter. We afterwards arrived at a great forest of pines, far superior to those of Norway ; some of them of large size, and the stems are clean and without branches for thirty or forty feet from the ground ; the Norway pine is, however, closer grained, and better fitted for sash frames. We begin to see the white rein deer moss." Tenth Month 2d. — We have had several fine views of lakes to day. In some of the forests there is a mixture of other trees with the pine, and though they have lost their verdure, the varied hues of the foliage are still more beautiful. Some whole trees are of a golden yellow, others all shades of orange, and the ash trees are a blood red. I never before saw such rich autumnal tints. " The houses we generally meet with in the country have a poor appearance, only one story high, built of logs just squared enough to lay one upon another, and in some instances the joints arc filled up with moss. "We have travelled about fifty-six "miles today, and at this station, Artorp, are four hundred and ninety-two miles from Christiania." " jd. — We had been obliged to pay so large a deposit for our carriage on the frontier, that we had exhausted so much of our Swedish money as not to 212 IN DIFFICULTY FOR MONEY. [1818. have enough to carry us through another day, much less to Stockholm. We had Norway money, and a few guineas, with two one-pound Bank of England notes, so at Orebroe I sallied forth with Enoch, though we did not know a creature in the place. It being market day, the square was thronged with people. We went to a large shop in which they seemed to sell everything from linen and woolen down to rat-traps, oil, salt, etc. ; the head of the concern was out, so we could do nothing here. We then went to another large shopkeeper in the market place ; his shop was literally thronged with customers from the country; there were many shopmen, and all busy. However, at length we found that the master was at home, and desiring to see him, the flap of the counter was lifted up, and wedging our way through the people, we were shown into the counting-house. He received us with civility, and Enoch explained our pitiful case ; but we again found that our Norway money was not available. I desired Enoch to tell him that we had gold which we would deposit with him as security for any Swedish money he might advance, and if he sent to his correspondent at Stockholm, we would repay the money and take it up there ; but all would not do, and we civilly took our leave and returned to the inn. I had little doubt, however, of ultimate success, and again taking Enoch with me to the market place, repeated my visit to the person upon whom we first called. After sufficient explanation he very kindly consented to make an advance upon the five guineas and the two one-pound notes, which he said he would send to his correspond ent at Stockholm, where we might repay the money 1818.] REACHES STOCKHOLM. 213 and take them up. We were very grateful for this deliverance, and with many thanks took our leave and returned to the inn, where dear Stephen was anxiously waiting the result." " On the 5th we reached Stockholm between one and two, and on arriving at the gate, were slightly questioned and suffered to pass. We then proceeded a considerable distance to the English hotel, which is kept by a widow named Johnstone, and is a large quiet house. " As soon as we had settled about our apartments, and arranged our things, I went to wait upon Count Engestrom, with the letter from Count Moernen, and that from their ambassador in London, and dear Stephen explained the nature of our visit, with which he seemed well satisfied. He said the King had been expecting us for some time ; that he was now in the country, but would return to Stockholm in a few days, when the Count promised to inform him of our arrival, and offered his services if we wished for an interview. We gladly accepted his kindness on this point. We came back with thankful hearts that the way was so far opening before us. I had three letters, one from my beloved child, one from my dear sister, Anna 1 lanbury, and one from dear John Barry. The details in them were very cordial to my feelings I am anxious about my beloved mother in the approach of this cold season. I love her more than I can express ; but though absent in body, we are at times sweetly united in spirit. "Stockholm is a large place and contains ninety thousand inhabitants ; the principal street is narrow 214 PHILLIPSEN'S SCHOOLS. [1818. and quite straight for more than a mile; there are no foot paths, and the pavement, which is round stones, is very unpleasant to walk upon. The houses are generally three or four stories high, and are built of brick and plastered. The shops are very similar to those in the common streets of Paris. George Fox, the English Consul, called and offered his services." "8th. — We went by appointment to Herman T. Phillipsen, who, I find, has been engaged in his philan thropic labors about seven years. His wife is an amiable woman, and quite seconds him ; indeed she seems as busy in the female department as our English ladies. They have a handsome house, with a spacious garden, at the bottom of which is a large building appropriated to schools, where two hundred and fifty children are taught, sixty of them at his expense. The children make their own clothes, the wool and flax being brought into the house and manufactured into garments. I was pleased to see the New Testament, and to observe that the girls were questioned, as in our own schools. Many of the boys were employed as tailors, and others were learning to make shoes ; the boys work for the girls, and the girls for the boys. Phillipsen's object is, that the children should learn to do everything for themselves, in the plainest and most useful way. This sight was truly a feast to us." After inspecting an Orphan Asylum very similar to the former, Mr. A. says, — " Our kind friend took us to a large establishment, in which about three hundred and fifty children and infants are boarded. There is a large gymnasium, where the boys were exercising with wonderful agility; 1818.] BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. 215 but the part appropriated to infants exhibited a striking appearance of comfort. The little sheets on the cots were beautifully white — the nurses very respectable, good-looking young women. A bed for one of them is placed behind every two little beds, that they may take charge of the babies during the night. Children may remain till they are fourteen, when, if their parents do not provide for them, they are placed out by the Board. The charitable institutions here amount to one hundred and seventeen. " The poor-house seemed to be comfortable for persons in a situation to require it. They have all separate beds except the married persons. Several of the inmates were at work ; all are allowed to receive their own earnings. The Retreat for poor citizens who have been housekeepers, but are now in reduced circumstances, is in a fine situation at the outskirts of the town, and has a large garden attached to it. It was formerly the country-house of a rich merchant, who left it for this express purpose. There are three or four persons in some of the rooms, in others only one, and in one room we saw some elegant paintings. The total number in the institution is thirty-six. The cloth was laid in the dining-room, with a napkin and a silver spoon by each plate. Kvery person, on coming in, must bring with him a silver spoon, six napkin*, and some shirts ; if he is too poor to furnish them, he is supplied by the parish, or by some other means. Tin-re is a boat kept for them to amuse- themselves on the water." " lot/i. — The institution for the widows of citizens is a large substantial mansion. The number in the 216 VISITS LORD STRANGFORD. [1818. house is seventy-three. We saw one very respectable person about ninety-six years of age. She was alone, reading in her psalm book, and appeared in the full possession of her faculties. She was in excellent spirits — seemed quite glad to see us, — and when I shook hands with her, put my hands to her lips, say ing she wished us to experience the consolation she felt in a sense of the goodness of the Lord. It was really quite refreshing to perceive the state of her mind. On the cloth, which was laid for dinner, there was a bright pewter soup-plate, with another under it, laid for each person. From a very large Bible in the dining-room, after dinner, one read aloud to the rest. The clothing of all was very neat and respectable. We now took leave of our friend Phillipsen and went to Belle Vue, about two miles from Stockholm, to call upon the British Ambassador, Lord Strangford, but he was gone to town to meet us. We then went to the town-house, where Lord Strangford received us with great kindness. I find that he is the intimate friend of Lord Sidmouth. He invited us to dine with him, but we excused ourselves on account of our en gagements, and the shortness of our stay. He gives an excellent character of the honesty of the Swedes." " ijth. — We were introduced by our kind friend, C. Hughes, the American Ambassador, to General de Suchteln, the Russian Ambassador, a fine old man, who received us very kindly. He has a valuable library, consisting of several thousand volumes, amongst which are many scarce works, and a manu script of the four gospels, written on vellum, and more than one thousand years old. Very fine paintings, 1818.] LIBERALITY OF A SWEDE. 217 also, by the first artists — one, in particular, was a most exquisite performance. The subject was our Lord conversing with Nicodemus by night, and the light of the lamp was so exactly imitated, that the flame appeared to be actually quivering." The Count and Countess Engestrom invited them to dinner, where they met a deeply interesting party, and on the next day they went with Phillipsen, Dr. Weigel, the King's physician, and Count Rosenbold, "a pious valuable character, possessing a good deal of religious tenderness," to inspect the Hospital, which is a spacious, airy building, very neat and clean. The poor need no tickets of recommendation, but present themselves, and are taken in at the discretion of the physician or surgeon, as there is room. There is a Bible in each room, and a Testament for each bed. This hospital, as well as other public charities, about eight years ago were so badly managed people would not subscribe to them ; but, by the care of Phillipsen and other benevolent characters, they are now brought into excellent order; and such is the public confidence reposed in Phillipsen, that large sums of money are put into his hands for these objects. One person, who spends only five hundred banco dollars per annum npon himself and family, or about sixty-two pounds sterling, gave him, not long ago, one hundred thousand dollars! He is much respected by the King, but has uniformly declined to accept any order of distinction. "We went to Danvig, about two miles distant, where there is a hospital for the insane. A mild treatment is pursued with the lunatics, who are em ployed where it is practicable, and they are assembled, 218 INTERVIEW WITH THE KING. [1818. for about an hour every day, for prayer and religious reading. It is remarkable that, during this time, they are quite silent, but immediately after it is over they begin their usual incoherent talking." " On the 1 5th we dined with the Russian Ambassa dor, General de Suchteln, where we met a large and very pleasant party. Three o'clock is the usual dinner hour here, and it is the practice for the company to assemble about half an hour before. The General is a mild, amiable old man ; he keeps an open table every day for his friends, and dinner time being fixed, they come without ceremony, just when they like. The Austrian and Danish Ambassadors were there, and a person high in authority in the Swedish Gov ernment." " 22d. — Count Engestrb'm sent a note to say that the King would receive us at six o'clock this evening. We requested to be allowed a private audience, and the King kindly appointed the interview at his country- house at Rosenthal. " On arriving at the palace, we sent in our cards to Count Engestrom, who conducted us into an elegant little private apartment, where he begged us to sit down, and leaving us for a few minutes, returned with the King, who was dressed in military uniform, with stars and crosses ; he has a very fine countenance, indicating mind and benevolence, and kindly took us by the hand. Stephen explained to him the motives which had induced us to visit his kingdom, and we soon entered into free conversation. He seemed quite one with us on the subject of capital punishment, and said that he had himself abolished the practice of flog- 1818.] ADDRESSES THE KING. 219 ging. After standing about a quarter of an hour, he inquired whether we should stay two or three days longer, and finding that this was the case, said he should like to see us again the day after to-morrow, when he could spare an hour or more. He took leave of us, not formally, but with kindness and even affec tion. We returned to our inn under a feeling of reverent thankfulness that our great Master thus con tinued to open the way before us." Count Engestrom sent Mr. Allen, a note appointing the 25th, at eight o'clock in the evening, for a second interview with the King. The interval between these visits was employed in preparing a memorial to be presented to his Majesty. It was of a comprehensive character, embracing the subject of the education of the poor, and the best means of improving their moral and physical state, with suggestions on the subject of prison discipline. But Mr. Allen was anxious to prepare an address to the King of a more personal character, such as Kings seldom read. With what religious solemnity it was written the following extract will show: — " I felt it a very important business and a religious duty; I shut myself up in my own room, and with solemn feelings, mentally craved assistance in the per formance of it, and my petition was assuredly granted "To CHARLES JOHN, KING OF SWEDEN AND NORWAY, &c. " MAY IT PLKASI-: THE KING, "Under, we humbly trust, a degree of that gospel love which wishes the eternal well being of all, we have felt it our duty to pass through thy dominions, 220 LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE. [1818. on our way to other countries, and to salute those everywhere who we believe love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity — whatever may be the form of religion which they may profess ; for we know no distinction of sect or party, believing that the true church is com posed of individuals of all sects and denominations, who are faithfully endeavoring to know and to perform the Divine will concerning them; these, wherever scattered, are united in one head, even Christ, and in the fellowship of His gospel feel that they all are brethren. "We are deeply convinced that, in proportion as the benign spirit of the gospel is submitted to in the hearts of men universally it will lead to order, to sub ordination, and to peace in the earth; for, proceeding from the source of infinite love, it produces nothing but good-will towards the whole human family — it teaches charity for those who differ from us; and accordingly, the true church has been under persecu tion at times from the earliest ages, but has never per secuted. "We have been particularly gratified in being in formed of thy disposition to grant liberty of conscience and indulgence to religious scruples ; for as every man must give account of himself unto God, he is bound to perform worship in the manner which he is con vinced, in his own mind, is most acceptable in the Divine sight; and we take the liberty to solicit thy kind protection of those who, though they may differ in sentiment from the religion of the country, yet, by their lives and conduct, give proof that their only 1818.] THE HAPPINESS OF RULERS DESCRIBED. 22 1 object is to preserve a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men. It is by concentrating all the talent and all the good feeling which exist in the body of the people, and directing it to one object — the general good, that nations become strong ; and we are sure, with thy enlightened mind, it is not necessary for us to dwell on the happy effects produced by a free toleration, in matters of religion, in those countries in which it is enjoyed. "In reflecting upon the cares and difficulties which must necessarily attend the high station in which it has pleased Divine Providence to place thce as King of these realms, we have felt our minds engaged, in affectionate sympathy, earnestly to recommend thee to rely on that grace and good Spirit which, as it is believed in and followed, will render us always accept able in the Divine sight. This, O King, would assist and support thee more powerfully than any mere human means, and make thee a happy instrument to forward that great work which the Almighty has in the earth, and which at the present day is so conspicu ously going on in different nations in a variety of ways, but tending towards the same glorious object — the advancement and exaltation of the Redeemer's king dom. Thus would thy throne be established in righteousness, supported by the hearts and affections of all the wise and good. — ' For them who honor me, will I honor/ saith the Lord ! "That He, who has so signally made the way before thee, may conduct thee by Mis providence, bless all thy virtuous exertions for the good of thy 222 SECOND INTERVIEW WITH THE KING. [1818. people, and finally receive thee into His everlasting rest, is the earnest desire of " Thy sincere and respectful friends, " STEPHEN GRELLET, " WILLIAM ALLEN." " In the evening we went to the palace, and were conducted to a large room, magnificently lighted, where a company was assembled, amongst whom were several ladies; passing through, we at length reached a neat little room, with a long writing table, which is the King's private cabinet. He soon came in, and received us very kindly, desiring us to take chairs. Count Engestrom was the only person pres ent, as before, and we entered into free conversation. The King told us a great deal about the state of Nor way, and what he had done for that country, regretting that there were some things in their old constitution which were very hurtful ; he said the peasants were not represented in their government, etc. We told him that we had prepared an address, which, if he pleased, S. G. would read ; to this he readily assented, and appeared much gratified and affected by it. He remarked that the warrior who sought for glory, and those whose objects were to aggrandize themselves in the world, had their gratification in things external and transitory, while those who went about doing good, enduring fatigues, and submitting to many privations and difficulties for that purpose, had a much richer reward in the inward satisfaction of their own minds. We spoke of the Friends in Norway, and he told us that the affair of marriage had been before the council, and it was concluded that, provided it was 1818.] CONDESCENSION OF THE KING. 223 performed after the manner of Friends, and registered, it should be lawful, and that he would protect not only the Friends there at present, but those who might join them in future. He said, ' Your Friends cannot avenge themselves, — all that their principles permit is, if pos sible, to parry the blows which maybe aimed at them, but they cannot otherwise defend themselves; they, therefore, have a double claim to protection,' and this, he assured us, they should have. We were quite at our ease, and way opened to tell the King that one of our Friends, residing at Christiania, who had accom panied us here, and been very useful as an interpreter, had a great desire to see him. He ordered him to be sent for directly, and Enoch Jacobson was, at length, brought in ; the King received him very graciously, and spoke kindly and familiarly to him, Count Enge strom interpreting. We then presented the King with some books, which he received with marked satisfac tion, and regretted that his son was not present. The conference lasted above an hour, when we took leave. While I was holding his hand, in the love which I felt for him, I expressed my desire that the Lord would bless and preserve him. It seemed to go to his heart, and he presented his cheek for me to kiss — first one, then the other : he took the same affectionate leave of drar Stephen and also of Enoch, and commended himself to our prayers. This was, indeed, the crown to our labors in this place. Here, as at Rosenthal, we felt the precious influence of that power, which in every place had set an open door before us, and we could in deep humility say, 'It is the Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes.' " CHAPTER XL VISIT TO ST. PETERSBURG. Two days after the interesting interview with the King of Sweden, our travellers entered a vessel bound to Abo, on their way to St. Petersburg. Mr. Allen says they put up at "the Society's Inn;" and thus describes the town : — " The houses at Abo are low, built of wood, and generally painted red. A river runs through it, which is only navigable about a mile farther, on account of a fall. The streets are rather narrow, and paved in the same way as at Stockholm, which makes it very uncomfortable in walking. After passing the bridge, some of the houses are plastered. The poor live on peas, potatoes, bread and fish. There was a great dance at our inn this evening, though it was First-day. We have been much pained at several things in this house." In the castle, forty prisoners for the province, con taining a population of 200,000, were confined after sentence, with some who were untried. Some, for murder committed under very aggravated circum stances, were loaded with manacles, chains, and collars : many were heavily ironed ; and one man had an iron hoop over his head from which a bell was suspended. A visit to this prison deeply affected (224) 1818.] DINKS WITH THK ARCHBISHOP OF ABO. 225 Mr. Allen, and forced from his benevolent spirit the exclamation : — "Oh, how is it to be desired that a com mittee could be formed to visit these outcasts, and try to bring them to a sense of their condition !" In most of the places he passed through he heard the same general complaint of the demoralization of the poor, and of the increase of crime in consequence of war and the use of strong liquors. " Never," he observes, "was the connection of cause and effect more striking." The Governor won his heart by an exhibition of a very choice cabinet of minerals, some of which were entirely new to him. After dining with him, and making exchanges of duplicates, they went to attend a meeting of the Religious Tract Society. The Arch bishop and several priests were present, and much pleased that the strangers had accepted the primate's invitation to their meeting. It consisted, however, of only about thirty persons, and was opened by singing a psalm, standing. The business was then proceeded with, and that which in England would be considered a very singular motion was passed, — " that females might become members of the society." After wor ship, by themselves, on the Sabbath, they went with Dr. Haartman, to dine with the Archbishop, who received them very cordially, and introduced them to his wife and family, some of his clergy, to Ignatius who read the report at the tract meeting, to the Pro fessor of Oriental languages, and to several school men, who wore their crosses and different orders. Mr. Allen thus describes the meal, and its improvement : "At dinner the Archbishop placed Stephen on one side of himself, and me on the other, and we had much 226 TRAVELLING IN FINLAND. [1818. serious conversation. Before we sat down, they all made a solemn pause, standing, no one uttering a word. On rising after dinner, there was another pause, when Stephen advanced a step or two, and in a very delicate and suitable manner, sweetly addressed them in a few words, which seemed to be well accepted, a good feeling prevailed throughout ; and after retiring to the next room to take coffee, the Archbishop seemed to be more and more interested in the conver sation. He fully assented to the great truth that the ceremonies in religion, and even what they call the ordinances, are nothing compared with the living sub stance. His wife also was very kind and respectful, and we parted under a mutual feeling of regard and esteem." " Eleventh Month 2d. — After some delay about the horses, we set off, with our man Peter as coachman. They now measure by Russian versts, and a verst is just about three-fourths of an English mile. The travelling in this country is, beyond all comparison, better than in Norway, and cheaper than in any part of the world we have yet visited. We are not obliged to send on a fore boot, the horses being always ready. " The road from Abo to Petersburg is on the whole good, and very frequently runs through extensive forests of pine and birch; and, for more than a hun dred miles together, huge single blocks of red granite are scattered about on each side of the road. The wonder is, how they could come there, for the country is almost a dead level, and some of them are as large as a small house. I soon began to remark, that in many of these blocks there was a tendency towards a 1818.] VISITS PRISONS, ETC. 227 regular geometrical figure, and this was abundantly confirmed as we proceeded ; a number of these con sisted of a prism terminated by a pyramid, and on one of the pyramids I distinctly made out six faces. Many of these rocks are decomposing fast." On the 4th they reached Helsingfort, a town con taining about five thousand inhabitants. It was burnt down when the Russians took possession of it, but the Emperor Alexander having ascertained the amount of the losses of each individual, indemnified them all, upon condition that the houses should be rebuilt of stone or brick, and upon a certain plan. He has already caused to be paid one million six hundred thousand roubles, independently of what has been expended for public buildings. Great improvements were in progress, as the Empetor intended it for the scat of government in Finland. The Councillor of State, D'Ehrenstrom, who had " a clear head and right conception of things," showed them the plan of improvement for the new buildings, and expressed himself anxious for any help or information the strangers could give him ; while Count Hayden, to whom the Governor-General of Finland had given them a letter of introduction, sent his aide de-camp to show them the prison, hospitals, and public buildir At dinner with the latter, his "eldest daughter Mary reminded him of his own dear child." The conver sation was of the most useful kind, relative to tlv establishment of schools, etc., and when they left, tho Count accompanied them to the waterside, where they found his own barge, manned with three pair of oars, ready to Lake them back to Helsingfort. 228 TREATMENT OF PRISONERS. [1818. Mr. Allen's description of the treatment of prisoners here is very affecting : — " The prison was a trying and heart-sickening scene; most of the men were ironed, and one man had a great weight of iron upon his legs, an iron belt round his middle, and an iron collar round his neck, with a projecting piece eight or nine inches long, with chains beside. We could not help express ing to the gentleman who accompanied us, our strong disapprobation of this barbarous mode of securing prisoners. The delay of justice is so great that, by Sandman's account, a prisoner sometimes is in prison two years, and often in irons, before his case is decided. None of the persons here seem to have, the least idea of a rational and Christian system of prison discipline, and look upon the reformation of culprits as a thing next to impossible." From Helsingfort they pursued their journey to Fredericksham, and, when clear of the houses, the country seemed all rock. The stations were often very poor, and the travellers were obliged to dine in the carriage. "At Fredericksham," Mr. Allen says, "We could not avoid dining with the Commandant, where we met a large company, many of whom were young officers. On Stephen remarking pleasantly to Cfolonel Taraschoff that we were men of peace, he, smiling, took off his sword, and put it in the corner of the room, and his example was followed by the officers round him. The freedom, openness, and hos pitality we experienced, were very remarkable. " gth. — We started at six o'clock, five horses as usual. The country about Fredericksham is open, and there is much water communication with the Gulf 1818.] APPEARANCE OF THE PEASANTS. 229 of Finland. About nine we arrived at the station Pytterlax, a filthy dirty house, but here we must breakfast. There was a cock crowing upon the table in the midst of the dirt; we however found another part of the premises rather more decent, and took our breakfast there standing ; we had brought our bread and tea with us. " Some peasants are generally in attendance at the stations ; they wear dirty sheepskin jackets, the leather outside and wool within ; their hair is very long, they have no covering on their heads, and many of them wear their beards ; they have a dismal grim appear ance. A little before five we arrived at the gates of Wyborg, a strongly fortified town, where we were stopped for our passports. They were puzzled to read them, and kept us some time. We found pretty good accommodation at the inn, which is kept by an Italian who speaks French well. "On the nth we arrived at Lindula ; a very poor house — no beds: we found our way, however, into a tolerably decent room, where we must lie in our clothes. The people of the house went to bed between seven and eight, without appearing to take the least thought about us. We had brought some meat with with us, and I cut it into steaks, and cooked it in the travellers' kitchen. Though the meat was very poor, yet I must say it was done justice to in the cooking. Between eleven and twelve I lay down in my clothes, soon went to sleep, and had quite a good night." " I2th. — Rose refreshed with my night's rest. The snow is everywhere on the ground, and the roads are very rough. About two o'clock we arrived at the 280 ARRIVES AT ST. PETERSBURG. [1818. outposts of Petersburg, and after crossing a bridge supported by boats, congratulated ourselves on having, as we thought, crossed the Neva ; for we were told that when the ice comes down from Lake Ladoga, it usually carries away the bridges, and the passage over to the city is cut off for days together. After pro ceeding, however, a good deal further, we found that we had the main bridge still to pass, and that it had been carried away by the ice only two or three hours before. What to do we did not know, but after we had inquired till near dusk, we returned some distance to a ferry. There was no hope of getting the carriage over to-night, so we took our bags, and got into the small boat, leaving Peter to take charge of the carriage. The ice had accumulated so much that I was afraid at one time that we could not wedge our way through. However, we landed safely at last, and hired two droskies to take us to the Hotel d'Europe, which is in a large open space just opposite the magnificent palace of the Emperor. " Petersburg certainly is a remarkably fine city. The houses are brick, plastered, and look like stone, the streets are very wide, straight, and of great length, and the footways broad with flat stones. It is con sidered so important to maintain the uniformity and beauty of this city, that no house can be built before the plan is submitted to the government and approved. The grandeur of the public buildings, and even the private houses, exceeds anything which I have yet seen. About a verst beyond the gate of the city is a triumphal arch, on the top of which is the representa tion of six horses abreast, fixed to an antique car, 1818.] DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY. 231 containing a winged figure, holding out a wreath. I suppose this is considered as the commencement of the country; the appearance is very different from England ; no beautiful hills, but one universal flat. Petersburg itself is built upon a bog, so that the houses shake as the carriages drive along." The next day Walter Yenning and Dr. Paterson, two old friends in the cause of education and the dis tribution of the Bible, found them out, and the meeting was mutually delightful. The following morning they engaged very excellent apartments, which Mr. A. thus describes : " They consist of three rooms on the ground floor, opening one into the other. Our landlady is an Englishwoman, who married a Russian, and is now a widow. She seems a respectable, clever woman, and, as private lodgings are scarce at Petersburg, we regard it as a providential opening to meet with such a com fortable retreat." " ifth. — A beautiful morning; it freezes pretty hard, our friends the Vennings called, and conducted us to the Bible-Society house, where we met our dear friend Dr. Paterson, who resides here. We were delighted with the arrangements which Dr. P., under the patron age and support of the Emperor and his enlightened ministers, has been enabled to make. In one room tlu-y have ten presses constantly at work on the Holy Si:ri])turc:s, besides two other presses in another room. They are beginning to print an edition of the Testa ment in common Russ, which has never been done before, though there are thirty millions of people who understand no other language. This was an idea of the Emperor's, and as such immediately complied with 232 INTERVIEW WITH PRINCE GALITZIN. [1818. by the heads of the clergy. As more than twenty millions cannot read, the necessity of adopting a plan for schools is apparent, and Dr. Paterson is confident that it is the Emperor's wish. He says I am come just at the right time, and that it seems providential ; indeed I have a uniform and increasing evidence that this is a period in my life in which I am called upon to labor, and in a manner a little out of the common beaten track. "About half-past nine on the 1 8th, we waited, by appointment, upon Prince Alexander Galitzin, and were very kindly received by the Prince and his confidential friend and secretary, Basil Papof. There is a good deal of vivacity in the Prince's countenance, but it is tempered with sedateness and religious feeling. We were soon sensible of that which words cannot convey, but the language is the same everywhere ; he merely took the letter of introduction from Lord Teignmouth, and, without reading it, gave it to his friend Papof, saying that he felt, pointing to his breast, that which was a sufficient introduction. We explained to him, with the greatest openness, our motives for visiting this and other countries. He readily agreed to give us every facility; the conference lasted more than an hour, and was highly satisfactory. Both the Prince and his friend seemed to be men of deep piety, and to be not only intent upon doing good to their own country, but to the world. We then went to the Minister of the Interior, where we also met with a cordial reception. He introduced us to his wife and family, with whom we had some interesting conversa tion on religious subjects ; his niece, the Princess 1818.] DINED AT SEBASTIAN CRAMER'S. 233 Sherbetoff, was with them. We next called on Lord Cathcart, the British Ambassador, who received us with respect and attention, and afterwards to visit the Princess Sophia Mestchersky, whom we found a very superior person, possessing excellent abilities, much religious sensibility, and quite alive to benevolent exertions for the good of mankind. I spoke to her on the subject of the education of the poor, and she is willing to take the lead in the female department. " We now returned to dinner with hearts full of gratitude to that great and good Hand which has led us thus far." " iyth, — Dined at Sebastian Cramer's. The style of his house is that of a nobleman. The merchants here live like princes. Nothing could exceed their kindness and attention to us; this hospitality is so general, and we are now so much known, that we have numerous invitations out to dinner, but we are so anxious to get through the task assigned us by our great Master, that we constantly refuse, where duty does not lead us ; and our aim uniformly is to go steadily forward with our work." Daniel Wheeler, a member of the Society of Friends, had established himself as a merchant in Okta, a vil lage about a mile and a half on the opposite side of the Neva, and had a room fitted up for worship. On the Sabbath Mr. Allen and Samuel Stansfield, a mer chant from Sheffield, settled at Petersburg, accompa nied them to Wheeler's where they spent the day in a religious opportunity with their Society. Both the travellers addressed the assembly and returned early, 234 CONVERSES WITH PRINCESS MESTCHERSKY. [1818. as it was quite dusk at three o'clock, and dangerous to cross the river in the dark. " On landing from the ferry," says Mr. Allen, " we pass the most elegant line of iron railing, between a long range of granite pillars, that I have ever seen ; it far exceeds the Tuilleries at Paris; within is a public garden, which in the summer is a promenade.". "26th. — We went with the Vennings to dine with the Minister of the Interior, Karadavcloff, and were kindly received by himself and his wife. There was a large party, amongst whom we were glad to find our friend Papof. The wife of the Minister and the Princess Mestchersky were sitting together and very cordially welcomed us ; by degrees we were introduced to Prince Peter Mestchersky, brother-in-law to the Prin cess, a pious good man, Prince and Princess Sherba- toff, Prince and Princess Trabetskoy of Moscow, etc. Dr. Paterson was likewise present, with many others whose names I did not learn. Papof was kind enough to place me by himself, and Prince Peter Mestchersky, who was at my other side, seemed quite disposed to be acquainted. We had much interesting conversa tion during dinner, which was elegantly served up, and after sitting about an hour and a-half, the company rose and went into the large drawing-room, where they divided into little parties </