To the best of our recollection, he never honored this Review so far as to make it the subject of a motion in the House of Commons. He perhaps perceived by and by that the then House would not be likely to assume, at the nod of a clique, the new functions of Inquisitor-General over the British Press; but peradventure, moreover, as soon as the Slavery question came to be the uppermost one with him, his liberal zeal on behalf of the great American Republic began to subside. Certainly in the sequel many of his own most energetic speeches in that house were considered in a very large part of the United States as far worse "libels on America, than any he could have alleged against the poor Quarterly Reviewers. But we merely allude to the passage as illustrative of the natural tyranny of liberals. He was by and by engaged pro totis viribus in the agitation as to the negroes. It is obvious that his attention was concentrated on that subject mainly in consequence of the carnest appeals of his wife's sister, Priscilla; but Wilberforce greatly encouraged him, and he did exert himself so strenuously, that when Mr. Wilberforce's own health forced him to quit parliamentary life, he expressly devolved the leadership in "the Cause of the African" on this vigorous lieutenant. Miss Priscilla seems to have lived chiefly under Buxton's roof; and we believe the diary that records her untimely death does not exaggerate the impression her talents had made among all who moved in her sphere. His account of her as a preacher, penned deliberately after he had heard the best speakers of his time, is one of the memorabilia of this book: "I never knew an individual who was less one of the multitude than Priscilla Gurney. In her person, her manners, her views, there was nothing which was not the very reverse of common-place. There was an air of peace about her which was irresistible in reducing all with whom she conversed under her gentle influence. This was the effect on strangers; and in no degree was it abated by the closest intimacy. Something there was, undoubtedly, in the beauty of her countenance and in the extreme delicacy which constituted that beauty; in a complexion perfectly clear; in the simplicity and absence of all decoration but that of the most refined neat ness, which, altogether, conveyed to every one's mind the strongest conception of purity; and these attractions of person were aided by manners which nicely corresponded. No less remarkable were the powers of her mind. I have seldom known a person of such sterling ability; and it is impossible to mention these mental powers without adverting to that great and, in my estimation, that astonishing display of them which was afforded by her ministry. I many speakers also, but I deem her as perfect a have listened to many eminent preachers, and speaker as ever I heard. The tone of her voice, her beauty, the singular clearness of her conception, and, above all, her own strong conviction that she was urging the truth, and truth of the utmost importance-the whole constituted a species of ministry which no one could hear, without a deep impression. and which I am persuaded no one ever did hear, "Two or three days before Priscilla died she sent for me, as desiring to speak to me about something of importance. The moment she be gan to speak she was seized with a convulsion of coughing, which continued for a long time, racking her feeble frame. She still seemed deterstrength exhausted, she pressed my hand and mined to persevere, but at length, finding all said, "The poor, dear slaves!" I could not but understand her meaning, for during her illness she had repeatedly urged me to make their cause and condition the first object of my life, feeling nothing so heavy on her heart as their sufferings.”—p. 121. From this time we may consider him as occupying, in respect to one great question at least, the position heretofore held by Wilberforce-whom he surpassed in regularity of habits, in all the proper qualities of the man of business, as far as he was behind him in that eloquence which implies genius; so that the order of succession was excellently adapted to the varying circumstances of the time: Wilberforce being the very man to stir the popular feeling, Buxton to wield it with systematic energy till it worked out the consummation. This North, who had studied the two men well, foretold with remarkable precision. Buxton had no Pitt near him; but not even a Pitt could ever have availed to restrain and regulate him as that illustrious man did the gentle Wilberforce. His coarser organization once thoroughly excited, there was no fear that either weight of intellect and authority or any sensitive delicate scruples of any sort would check its advance. "A Quaker," says Coleridge, "is made up of ice and flame. He has no composition, no mean temperature. Hence he is rarely interested about any public measure but he becomes zeal, every decency and every right opposed a fanatic, and oversteps, in his irrespective to his course." (Table Talk, ii. 227). Mr. Buxton was almost a Quaker-it is probable that he would have been one altogether if he could have ceased to be a Nimrod, and any sectarian deficiency was supplied by the To which the biographer adds-giving no instincts of the chace. From indecencies name, but that Cambridge will hardly miss : of manner he was saved as a gentleman; Once, when he was staying with Mr. Coke but though he at the outset could see oppos-at Holkham, a well-known professor was also ing rights and intend to respect them, the one of the visitors. The venerable historian had steam of the struggle soon overclouded his never had a gun in his hand, but on this occasion perceptions, and he at last leaped in the Mr. Coke persuaded him to accompany the dark rather than not be in at the death. shooting-party; care, however, was taken to But let no reader dread the crambe recocta place him at a corner of the covert, where it was of the Slave Emancipation Question. The thought the other sportsmen would be out of his reach. When the rest of the party came up controversy in its progress occupied much to the spot where he was standing, Mr. Coke space in these pages-the results hitherto said to him, Well, what sport? You have were analyzed in a very recent article, been firing pretty often!' Hush said the where the name of Buxton recurred at every professor, 'there it goes again;' and he was just other paragraph. Our present object is the raising his gun to his shoulder, when a man man-and we shall only pause over a few walked very quietly from the bushes about remarkable steps in the political history, seventy yards in front of him. It was one of the beaters who had been set to stop the pheasants, by which his character and the society that and his leather gaiters, dimly seen through the mainly influenced him are illustrated. Here is part of a most Wilberforcian epistle, penned in October, 1822, immediately after a conclave of emancipators had been assembled at Cromer Hall : · bushes, had been mistaken for a hare by the Professor, who, much surprised by its tenacity of life, had been firing at it whenever he saw it move. But,' said Mr. Buxton, the man had never discovered that the Professor was shooting at him!"—p. 163. At the approach of the next Easter holidays Mr. Buxton writes thus to his wife :- "My dear friend, never, I believe, while I remember anything, shall I forget the truly friendly reception we experienced under your hos. pitable roof. I love to muse about you all, and March 22, 1823.-Wednesday is the very form suitable wishes for the comfort and good earliest day I can be down with you, and it reof each member of your happy circle-for a hap-quires all my energy and determination to keep py circle it is-and surely there is nothing in to that. This minute Wilmot, Under-Secretary the world half so delightful as mutual confi- of State, has been here desiring me to call on dence, affection, and sympathy-to feel esteem Lord Bathurst on Wednesday relative to my as well as good-will towards every human being Slave bill. I am very earnest about slavery; it around you, not only in your own house, but seems to me that this is to be the main business in the social circle that surrounds your dwelling, of my life-this and Hindoo widows; I am and to be conscious that every other being is well contented, and want no other business. teeming with the same esteem and love towards How odd the transitions of the human mind are: you. My dear friend, never shall I direct-how occupied mine was with pheasants henceforth to Cromer Hall without a number of delightful associations. God bless you all-and so I trust He will. It is quite refreshing in such a world as this to think what a globule of friendship has been accumulated at Cromer from different little drops sprinkled over the sea-side. Give my kind remembrances to all friends. Ever affectionately yours, W. W." The following extracts from the Cromer diary enliven the very next page ; and partridges till I left Norfolk: and I firmly be. lieve I have not thought of them five times during my whole stay in London; but they certainly occupied too much of my time in the autumn." It was about this time that Buxton first formally announced himself as the leader of the Anti-Slavery movement---we refer to his important speech of May, 1823, however, merely to recall distinctly the ground that he then took. His opening words (p. 130) were November, 1822.-At Holkham, Coke betted that I would kill 200 head in the last two days (November 18 and 19). The first it rained at "The object at which we aim is the extinction half-past twelve. At one o'clock the party went of slavery-nothing less than the extinction of home. In the two preceding hours I had killed slavery-in nothing less than the whole of the 82 head, and I stayed out another hour. The British dominions; not, however, the rapid terbet was won easily the next day. This week Imination of that state; not the sudden emancikilled exactly 500 head. 66 pation of the negro; but such preparatory steps, December 31, 1822.-Fine cold weather, very such measures of precaution, as, by slow defrosty, no snow. Found at Hempstead in the dis-grees, and in a course of years, first fitting and tant covers, eighteen woodcocks; one fled the bualifying the slaves for the enjoyment of freedom, country the first time he rose, one fairly beat shall gently conduct us to the annihilation of me, and the remainder I brought home.”—p. 162. Slavery." He proposed various modifications of man- | collections, that I told her about twelve o'clock agement and discipline for the adults---and to send for Dr. Farre. I have a vague idea of that the children born after the passing of my wife's return, but beyond that all is lost to his bill should be free. me. But within a few months he has made up his mind to a considerable step beyond this programme. Before January, 1824 The fact was, that I was seized with a fit Wednesday that I showed any symptoms of reof apoplexy, and it was not till the following covery. I am glad that the first object I noticed was my dear wife. I well remember the expression of deep anxiety upon her countenance, and I am sure I had seen it before To her delight I spoke to her, and the words I used were those that expressed my unbounded affection towards her. Thanks to her care, joined to that of my brothers and sisters, and of the medical attend "Mr. Buxton was contemplating a new plan, namely, the emancipation of all children under seven years of age, ample compensation being granted to the masters: the children were to be educated and maintained by the British Government till they were seven years old, and then ap-ants, I gradually recovered." prenticed to their former masters, after which they should be free.”—p. 141. This was a large advance---but still Mr. Buxton had not yet caught the full spirit of Coleridge's Quaker reformer. His speech of that year ended thus: "So deeply," adds his son," had the subject which caused this alarming seizure become rooted in his mind, that almost his first words, on recovering full consciousness, were uttered in a decided tone, to the effect that he must get up and go to the House, to bring forward his motion on the Mauritius. When told that the day was already past, he would not give credit to the "I have no hostility to the planters. Com-statement, till it was put beyond doubt by refer pensation to the planter, emancipation of the chil-ence to the newspaper in which the proceedings dren of the negro-these are my desires, this is of the House on the evening in question were the consummation, the just and glorious consum. reported."-p. 193. mation, on which my hopes are planted, and to which, as long as I live. my most strenuous efforts shall be directed!"-p. 149. The biographer candidly or naïvely adds "During these first four years of the AntiSlavery struggle, the leaders were chiefly employed in clearing the ground for future operations."-p. 155. Mr. Buxton's publie exertions were sus- a pended in 1827, in consequence of the vio lence of the excitement in which he now was involved the Quaker in him had literally become flame. His diary says: Mr. Buxton recovered slowly, and there was in this agitation a lull that lasted untilthe political changes of 1827 having produced in natural succession those of 1828 and 1829-fit audience had been prepared for the rampant Whiggery of 1830-proclaiming by its far more effective voice: "Be it mine to fan the sacred flame." Now is the time for every people in Europe to take degree in the University of Paris!"-fatal, too late repented words! Buxton heard and was not disobedient. Almost all his friends in and out of the House became Reformers--and he supported "the Bill and the whole Bill" in all its stages; "About the middle of May my physician de- but there is nothing in the book that conscribed my state by saying, You are on fire, veys the least impression of his having taken though you are not in a blaze.' I concealed any real interest in that matter on its own from others-I did not even admit to myself merits. He appears to have voted with the the extent of my indisposition. I could not Whigs, partly no doubt as a Whig, but prindoubt that I felt ill, but I was willing to suppose cipally because Lord Grey's Government that these were nervous feelings, the effects of included several of his old colleagues in the fatigue of mind, and that they would vanish, as they had often done before, when the question Anti-Slavery Committees (Brougham, Howwas at an end. On Saturday, May 19th, I took ick, &c.), and he anticipated from that a survey of the case of cruelty to the negroes, Government, if fixed in power, a cordial and for two or three hours I was distressed be- readiness to forward his special object in yond measure, and as much exasperated as dis- the manner most approved by himself. tressed, by that scene of horrid oppression. I Among other fraternizing scenes of 1831 was never in my life was so much moved by any a grand beefsteak dinner at the brewery in thing, and I was so exhausted by the excitement, that I could not that day renew my exerSpitalfields-Buxton (now the chief parttions. The next morning I awoke feeling very ner) in the chair, between Lord Chancellor unwell. My wife and the family went to a Brougham and the Duke of Richmondplace of worship, and my daughter remained while Mr. Joseph Gurney, croupier, was with me; I think, but I have not any clear re-flanked by Earl Grey and Dr. Lushington, 6 Nor was it possible to be otherwise than pleased with all our guests, with whom we parted about eleven o'clock at night, after a flowing, exhilarating, and not altogether uninstructive day." Buxton himself says: Lords Cleveland, Durham, Sefton, Duncan- | of thought, ready wit, and evident good feeling. non, &c., &c., were present-in all twentythree luminaries. Mr. Gurney writes:"The Premier, grave and thoughtful as he seemed, did great justice to our dinner. Milord Grey,' cried the Spanish General Alava to him, as he was availing himself of a fresh supply of beefsteaks (pronounced by the Lord Chancellor "Our party went off in all respects to my to be perfect')- Milord Grey, vous êtes à satisfaction, Talleyrand could not come, having Votre sixième.' The contrast between Lord just received an account of Prince Leopold being Grey and Alava was curious: the former, the elected king of Belgium. Brougham said this dignified, stiff, sedate British nobleman of the was a severe disappointment, as his Excellency old school; the latter, the entertaining, enter-never eats or drinks but once a day, and had tained, and voluble foreigner. He had been the depended on my beefsteaks. The party arrived faithful companion of the Duke of Wellington at about six o'clock. I first led them to the through most of his campaigns, and now had steam engine; Brougham ascended the steps displayed his usual energy by coming up all the and commenced a lecture upon steam-power, way from Walmer Castle, near Dover, in order and told many entertaining anecdotes; and when to help in devouring the product of the stokehole we left the engine, he went on lecturing as to in Spitalfields. The Lord Chancellor was in the other parts of the machinery, so that Joseph high glee: he came in a shabby black coat and Gurney said he understood brewing better than very old hat; strangely different from the starred, any person on the premises. I had Mr. Gow up gartered, and cocked-hat dignity of the venera- with his accounts, to explain how much our ble Premier. When the dinner was ended I horses each cost per annum; and Brougham quitted my post by Lord Grey, and joined Bux-entered into long calculations upon this subject. ton at the top of the table. He was telling a To describe the variety of his conversation is story on the subject of Reform (the only way in impossible— which that subject could be mentioned, as Tories were present). A stage coachman, said he, was driving a pair of sorry horses the other day from London to Greenwich. One of them stumbled, and nearly fell. Get up, you boroughmongering rascal, you!' said the coachman to the poor beast, as he laid the whip across his back. The Lord Chancellor laughed heartily at this story. How like my Lord there was the old horse!' said he to me, laughing and putting his hands before his face-Lordsitting opposite to us. Buxton now left us, to talk with Lord Grey, whom he very much delighted by praising Lord Howick's speech upon slavery. It was a speech which deserved praise for its honesty and feeling, as well as for its talent. But the old Premier seemed to think that his son had been carried by his zeal rather too far. Something led us to talk about Paley, and I mentioned the story of his having on his death-bed condemned his Moral Philosophy, and declared his preference of the Hora Paulina above all his other works. This led Brougham to speak of both those works. Did you ever hear that King George III. was requested by Mr. Pitt to make Paley a bishop? The King refused; and taking down the Moral Philosophy from the shelf, he showed Pitt the passage in which he justifies subscription to Articles not fully credited, on the ground of expediency. 'This,' said the King, is my reason for not making him a bishop.'. Lord Grey overheard the Chancellor's story and confirmed it; but,' added the Chancellor, I believe the true reason why George III. refused to make Paley a bishop was, that he had compared the divine right of kings to the divine right of constables!' · The Chancellor was very cordial, and we were all delighted with his entertaining rapidity 'From grave to gay, from lively to severe.' We had no speeches, but conversation flowed, or rather roared like a torrent. The Chancellor lost not a moment; he was always eating, drinking, talking, or laughing; his powers of laughing seemed on a level with his other capacities. Talking of grace before dinner, he said, ‘ I like the Dutch grace best; they sit perfectly still and quiet for a minute or two. I thought it very solemn.' He inquired the wages of the draymen. I told him about 45s. weekly, and we allow them to provide substitutes for a day or two in the week, but we insist on their paying them at the rate of 26s. per week. Yes,' said he, I understand; these rich and beneficed gentry employ curates, and the curates of the draymen get about as much salary as those of the clergy.' After dinner we took them to the stables to sec the horses. Somebody said, 'Now the Lord Chancellor will be at a loss; at all events he knows nothing about horses. However, fortune favored him, for he selected one of the best of them, and pointed out his merits Some one proposed that he should get upon his back, and ride him round the yard, which he seemed very willing to do; and thus ends my history of the Lord Chancellor."-pp. 265-268. ̧ · We have been quoting the most piquant among the lighter pages of this book; but we wish we had room for several chapters immediately ensuing, which the student of history will find as amusing as instructive. These depict in great detail-and the detail here is everything-the battle that Buxton after all had to fight with the Government collectively, and with almost every leading! Then she copies the letter, in which Buxman in it individually-the long stiff battle | ton expresses himself so firmly that Lord of dogged determined onesidedness, against Althorp, on their meeting a few hours afterthe reason and justice of some, and the at wards, told him he "saw it was of no use last awakened prudence of responsibility in attempting to turn him " So they "resolvothers. This is the most curious study yet ed on their several courses"-Buxton to produced for the physiologist of the squeez- bring forward his motion for abolition "with able kingdom. a due regard to the safety of all parties concerned"-Lord Althorp to move an amendment, viz., the addition of the words "conformably to the resolutions of 1823"-Canning's judicious and statesmanlike resolutions. Accordingly Buxton spoke "very well indeed"-Mr. Macaulay was "strongly eloquent"-Lord Howick "capital :" Lord Althorp made his proposal, and then-the lady says, Lord Grey, even in the genial hour of the brewery beefsteak, "feared his son had been carried too far by his zeal :" by and by, as the practical difficulties -the economical, financial, imperial consequences of the meditated consummation force themselves on younger men, they one after another give plain signs of shrinking. We especially commiserate poor Lord Althorp, who as leader of the Commons has to stand the Then came the trial; they (privately) besought brunt against the indomitable Buxton. Is my father to give way,and not to press them to a dithe man mad?"-cries Lord Brougham (p. vision. They hated,' they said, 'dividing against 290), "he must yield !"-but there is no him, when their hearts were all for him; it was notion now of allowing his lordship to regu- merely a nominal difference-why should he split late the paces of the dray-horse hobby. hairs?-he was sure to be beaten-where was Even Dr. Lushington whispers caution the use of bringing them all into difficulty and forbearance-a little delay, but a little-Emaking them vote against him? He told us that he thought he had a hundred applications of tu Brute! And it is all in vain. A se-this kind in the course of the evening; in short, lected paragraph or two can give no notion of this protracted struggle; but merely to whet curiosity, we shall take part of a long letter, quite a despatch, written by one of Mr. Buxton's daughters after the debate of May 24, 1832. During several preceding days, she says, things had gone on in the usual course!" nearly every friend he had in the House came to him, and by all considerations of reason and friendship besought him to give way. Mr. Evans was almost the only person who took the other side. I watched my father with indescribable anxiety, seeing the members, one after the other, well from their gestures what their errand was. come and sit down by him, and judging but too One of them went to him four times, and at last Every possible assault from friend and foe to sent up a note to him with these words, immake my father put off his motion, and when movable as ever?' To my uncle Hoare, who that was found hopeless, to induce him to soften was under the gallery, they went repeatedly, but it down, or not to divide the House! Dr. Lush- with no success, for he would only send him a ington was of opinion that it would endanger message to persevere. My uncle described to the cause to persevere, and difference of opinion me one gentleman, not a member, who was near with him is worse than anything to my father. him under the gallery, as having been in a high The Government were also most pressing, and agitation all the evening, exclaiming, 'Oh, he the terms they offered extremely tempting. On won't stand! Oh, he'll yield! I'd give a hunTuesday morning my father and Dr. Lushington dred pounds, I'd give a thousand pounds, to have were a long time with Lord Althorp and Lord him divide! Noble! noble! What a noble felHowick, both of whom used every argument and low he is!' according to the various changes in almost every entreaty. I believe he did not re- the aspect of things. Among others, Mr. H‒‒‒ ply much at the time, but was cruelly beset, and came across to try his eloquence; Now don't acutely alive to the pain of refusing them, and, be so obstinate; just put in this one word, "inas they said, of embarrassing all their measures terest" it makes no real difference, and then all and giving their enemies a handle at this totter-will be easy. You will only alienate the Governing moment. They said, besides, that the pub-ment-Now,' said he, I'll just tell Lord Allic were so occupied with Reform, that it was thorp you have consented.' My father replied only wasting the strength of the cause; nobody I don't think I exaggerate when I say I would would listen, and the effect would be wholly lost, whereas if he would wait a little, they would all go with him; their hearts were in fact with him, and all would be smooth if he would have a little reason and patience. On his return, he related all this to us, and proposed writing a letter to Lord Althorp, previous to the final interview."-p. 287. VOL. XV. No. II. 11 rather your head were off, and mine too;. I am sure I had rather yours were!' What a trial it was! He said afterwards, that he could compare it to nothing but a continual tooth-drawing the whole evening. At length he rose to reply, and very touchingly alluded to the effort he had to make, but said he was bound in conscience to do it and that he would divide the House. Ac |