[1]All Pitt's letters are carefully preserved in the library of Lavington House with the exception of this series which was found in a disused cupboard.
[1]All Pitt's letters are carefully preserved in the library of Lavington House with the exception of this series which was found in a disused cupboard.
[2]Lord Rosebery's preface to "Pitt and Wilberforce Letters," privately printed.
[2]Lord Rosebery's preface to "Pitt and Wilberforce Letters," privately printed.
[3]Hon. Edward James Eliot, brother-in-law of Pitt.
[3]Hon. Edward James Eliot, brother-in-law of Pitt.
[4]Mr. Henry Bankes, Wilberforce's life-long friend.
[4]Mr. Henry Bankes, Wilberforce's life-long friend.
[5]"Life of Wilberforce," vol. i. p. 95.
[5]"Life of Wilberforce," vol. i. p. 95.
[6]Afterwards first Lord Carrington.
[6]Afterwards first Lord Carrington.
[7]"Life of Wilberforce," vol. i. p. 95.
[7]"Life of Wilberforce," vol. i. p. 95.
[8]Privately printed.
[8]Privately printed.
[9]"A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians," &c., London, 1797.
[9]"A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians," &c., London, 1797.
[10]"Marmion," Introduction to Canto 1.
[10]"Marmion," Introduction to Canto 1.
[11]Wimbledon.
[11]Wimbledon.
[12]Hampstead.
[12]Hampstead.
[13]Here Mr. Wilberforce adds a pencilled note: "Devonshire House Ball. King."
[13]Here Mr. Wilberforce adds a pencilled note: "Devonshire House Ball. King."
[14]Mr. Wilberforce has written over this in pencil: "Qy.—Not a stroke of Providence could sever."
[14]Mr. Wilberforce has written over this in pencil: "Qy.—Not a stroke of Providence could sever."
[15]Mr. Wilberforce has erased here "for desiring Mr. Pitt before he went out to pass his register bills."
[15]Mr. Wilberforce has erased here "for desiring Mr. Pitt before he went out to pass his register bills."
[16]Mr. Wilberforce has written here in pencil on the margin, "Fox's Martyrs. Qy. number."
[16]Mr. Wilberforce has written here in pencil on the margin, "Fox's Martyrs. Qy. number."
[17]Mr. Wilberforce adds here a pencil note in his own handwriting: "Remarkable that when I entered York, in order to attend a public meeting which was about to take place, there was but one gentleman with whom I had the smallest acquaintance, the Rev. Wm. Mason, the poet."
[17]Mr. Wilberforce adds here a pencil note in his own handwriting: "Remarkable that when I entered York, in order to attend a public meeting which was about to take place, there was but one gentleman with whom I had the smallest acquaintance, the Rev. Wm. Mason, the poet."
[18]Here there is a pencil note: "For he was one of the shyest men I ever knew."
[18]Here there is a pencil note: "For he was one of the shyest men I ever knew."
[19]Pencil note: "Wyndham."
[19]Pencil note: "Wyndham."
[20]A note: "Vary here."
[20]A note: "Vary here."
[21]A note:—"Dilate, and Figure."
[21]A note:—"Dilate, and Figure."
[22]Here is added in pencil, "2nd Nov. 1821."
[22]Here is added in pencil, "2nd Nov. 1821."
[23]Rosebery's "Life of Pitt," p. 233.
[23]Rosebery's "Life of Pitt," p. 233.
[24]Then Clerk of Parliaments. Rose writes to Wilberforce later: "I shall never find words, either in speaking or writing, to express what I think of you."
[24]Then Clerk of Parliaments. Rose writes to Wilberforce later: "I shall never find words, either in speaking or writing, to express what I think of you."
[25]Pitt.
[25]Pitt.
[26]About 1802.
[26]About 1802.
[27]Lecky, vol. vii. p. 32.
[27]Lecky, vol. vii. p. 32.
[28]Dundas, who had been Treasurer to the Navy, was impeached on April 29, 1805, on a charge of misappropriating £10,000 worth of public money. He was acquitted June 12, 1805.
[28]Dundas, who had been Treasurer to the Navy, was impeached on April 29, 1805, on a charge of misappropriating £10,000 worth of public money. He was acquitted June 12, 1805.
[29]William Wilberforce married Barbara, daughter of Isaac Spooner; she was the seventh Barbara in her family, the name having been handed down from mother to daughter. The first Barbara was daughter of Viscount Fauconberg and wife of Sir Henry Slingsby, Bart., who was beheaded on Tower Hill June 8, 1658, by Oliver Cromwell, for loyalty.
[29]William Wilberforce married Barbara, daughter of Isaac Spooner; she was the seventh Barbara in her family, the name having been handed down from mother to daughter. The first Barbara was daughter of Viscount Fauconberg and wife of Sir Henry Slingsby, Bart., who was beheaded on Tower Hill June 8, 1658, by Oliver Cromwell, for loyalty.
[30]She was second daughter of Sir Edward Walpole; her uncle Horace Walpole writes of her: "For beauty I think she is the first match in England, she has infinite wit and vivacity."
[30]She was second daughter of Sir Edward Walpole; her uncle Horace Walpole writes of her: "For beauty I think she is the first match in England, she has infinite wit and vivacity."
[31]"Cœlebs in Search of a Wife," published 1809. Of her publishing experiences, Hannah More writes: "One effect of Cœlebs has pleased me. I always consider a bookseller in respect to a book as I do an undertaker with regard to death—one considers a publication as the other does a corpse, as a thing to grow rich by, but not to be affected with. Davies (Cadell's partner) seems deeply struck, and earnestly implores me to follow up some of the hints respecting Scripture in a work of which he suggests the subject."
[31]"Cœlebs in Search of a Wife," published 1809. Of her publishing experiences, Hannah More writes: "One effect of Cœlebs has pleased me. I always consider a bookseller in respect to a book as I do an undertaker with regard to death—one considers a publication as the other does a corpse, as a thing to grow rich by, but not to be affected with. Davies (Cadell's partner) seems deeply struck, and earnestly implores me to follow up some of the hints respecting Scripture in a work of which he suggests the subject."
[32]"Life and Letters of Maria Edgeworth," by Augustus J. C. Hare.
[32]"Life and Letters of Maria Edgeworth," by Augustus J. C. Hare.
[33]"Poor Burgh almost mad about the Union" ("Life of Wilberforce," vol. ii. p. 359).
[33]"Poor Burgh almost mad about the Union" ("Life of Wilberforce," vol. ii. p. 359).
[34]Lord Redesdale was appointed Lord High Chancellor of Ireland March 15, 1802; he resigned February, 1806.
[34]Lord Redesdale was appointed Lord High Chancellor of Ireland March 15, 1802; he resigned February, 1806.
[35]Wilberforce to Henry Bankes. "Life of W. Wilberforce."
[35]Wilberforce to Henry Bankes. "Life of W. Wilberforce."
[36]Brother to Mr. Pitt, of whom Lord Eldon gave it as his deliberate opinion that "the ablest man I ever knew in the Cabinet was Lord Chatham."
[36]Brother to Mr. Pitt, of whom Lord Eldon gave it as his deliberate opinion that "the ablest man I ever knew in the Cabinet was Lord Chatham."
[37]Part of this letter only is printed in "Life of William Wilberforce."
[37]Part of this letter only is printed in "Life of William Wilberforce."
[38]The third Lord Holland was Fox's nephew, and converted his palace at Kensington into a sort of temple in honour of Fox's memory.
[38]The third Lord Holland was Fox's nephew, and converted his palace at Kensington into a sort of temple in honour of Fox's memory.
[39]Charles Manners Sutton, Speaker of the House of Commons, 1817-1834; created Viscount Canterbury 1835; died 1845.
[39]Charles Manners Sutton, Speaker of the House of Commons, 1817-1834; created Viscount Canterbury 1835; died 1845.
[40]Mr., afterwards Lord, Brougham.
[40]Mr., afterwards Lord, Brougham.
[41]Mr. Manning became bankrupt in the winter of 1830-31.
[41]Mr. Manning became bankrupt in the winter of 1830-31.
[42]Mr. James Stephen married Wilberforce's sister.
[42]Mr. James Stephen married Wilberforce's sister.
[43]Mr. Wilberforce's second daughter.
[43]Mr. Wilberforce's second daughter.
[44]Part of this letter is in "Life of Wilberforce."
[44]Part of this letter is in "Life of Wilberforce."
[45]This thought, thus strongly impressed on Samuel's mind, was many years afterwards expanded by him into the lovely allegory of the "Children and the Lion," published in "Agathos and other Stories."
[45]This thought, thus strongly impressed on Samuel's mind, was many years afterwards expanded by him into the lovely allegory of the "Children and the Lion," published in "Agathos and other Stories."
[46]Bishop Wilberforce once told Dr. Woodford (Bishop of Ely) that he was naturally indolent and had at first "to flog himself up to his work." (Life, vol. iii. p. 305). To those who remember Bishop Wilberforce, and to readers of his Life, these passages must appear surprising indeed. They afford a striking instance of a natural defect turned into the contrary Christian grace.
[46]Bishop Wilberforce once told Dr. Woodford (Bishop of Ely) that he was naturally indolent and had at first "to flog himself up to his work." (Life, vol. iii. p. 305). To those who remember Bishop Wilberforce, and to readers of his Life, these passages must appear surprising indeed. They afford a striking instance of a natural defect turned into the contrary Christian grace.
[47]Part of this letter is in the "Life of Wilberforce."
[47]Part of this letter is in the "Life of Wilberforce."
[48]Part of this letter is in Bishop Wilberforce's Life.
[48]Part of this letter is in Bishop Wilberforce's Life.
[49]Born 1779, younger son of Wilberforce's intimate friend, Right Hon. Charles Grant. Robert was in Parliament, 1818-34: was Judge-Advocate-General: knighted, 1834, and made Governor-General of Bombay: a persistent advocate of Jewish emancipation: author of pamphlets on Indian affairs and many well-known hymns: died 1838.
[49]Born 1779, younger son of Wilberforce's intimate friend, Right Hon. Charles Grant. Robert was in Parliament, 1818-34: was Judge-Advocate-General: knighted, 1834, and made Governor-General of Bombay: a persistent advocate of Jewish emancipation: author of pamphlets on Indian affairs and many well-known hymns: died 1838.
[50]Part of this letter is in the "Life of Wilberforce."
[50]Part of this letter is in the "Life of Wilberforce."
[51]Part of this letter is in the "Life of Wilberforce."
[51]Part of this letter is in the "Life of Wilberforce."
[52]A single year's almsgiving exceeded £3,000. "Life of Bishop Wilberforce," vol. i. p. 22.
[52]A single year's almsgiving exceeded £3,000. "Life of Bishop Wilberforce," vol. i. p. 22.
[53]Eldest son of Wilberforce's old friend and ally, Henry Thornton, of Battersea, Rise, who died in 1815. The Henry Thornton of the text was only twenty-five years old when this letter was written.
[53]Eldest son of Wilberforce's old friend and ally, Henry Thornton, of Battersea, Rise, who died in 1815. The Henry Thornton of the text was only twenty-five years old when this letter was written.
[54]The beginning of this letter is in the "Life of Wilberforce."
[54]The beginning of this letter is in the "Life of Wilberforce."
[55]Lea, Lincolnshire—the residence of Sir C. and Lady Anderson. The son, in his turn, Sir Charles Anderson, was Bishop Wilberforce's life-long friend.
[55]Lea, Lincolnshire—the residence of Sir C. and Lady Anderson. The son, in his turn, Sir Charles Anderson, was Bishop Wilberforce's life-long friend.
[56]The Rev. John Sargent, of Lavington, father of Mrs. Samuel Wilberforce.
[56]The Rev. John Sargent, of Lavington, father of Mrs. Samuel Wilberforce.
[57]His life had been recently published.
[57]His life had been recently published.
[58]The first few lines of this letter are in the "Life of Bishop Wilberforce."
[58]The first few lines of this letter are in the "Life of Bishop Wilberforce."
[59]Checkendon, on the Chiltern Hills in Oxfordshire, Samuel Wilberforce's first curacy, where his memory was long cherished.
[59]Checkendon, on the Chiltern Hills in Oxfordshire, Samuel Wilberforce's first curacy, where his memory was long cherished.
[60]Samuel's birthday.
[60]Samuel's birthday.
[61]Only son of Wilberforce's eldest son William.
[61]Only son of Wilberforce's eldest son William.
[62]The leader of these riots, whose exact personality is unknown, was called "Jack Swing," and in this name the mob sent their threats and summonses.
[62]The leader of these riots, whose exact personality is unknown, was called "Jack Swing," and in this name the mob sent their threats and summonses.
[63]"Magnalia Christi Americana, or Ecclesiastical History of New England," by Cotton Mather, D.D. It was a costly book with a large map. Southey considered it one of the most "singular books in this or any other language."
[63]"Magnalia Christi Americana, or Ecclesiastical History of New England," by Cotton Mather, D.D. It was a costly book with a large map. Southey considered it one of the most "singular books in this or any other language."
[64]Mr. Wilberforce's brother-in-law.
[64]Mr. Wilberforce's brother-in-law.
[65]The seat of J. S. Harford, Esq.
[65]The seat of J. S. Harford, Esq.
[66]Lord Grey's Reform Bill had amongst its most vehement opponents Sir C. Wetherell, Recorder of Bristol. On his arrival in that city the riots began there by an attack upon his carriage, after which "Bristol was the theatre of the most disgraceful outrages that have been perpetrated in this country since the riots of London, 1780." (An. Reg.1831.)
[66]Lord Grey's Reform Bill had amongst its most vehement opponents Sir C. Wetherell, Recorder of Bristol. On his arrival in that city the riots began there by an attack upon his carriage, after which "Bristol was the theatre of the most disgraceful outrages that have been perpetrated in this country since the riots of London, 1780." (An. Reg.1831.)
[67]Mrs. Wilberforce writes to her son Samuel: "Shall I send you the deeds, &c., to take care of for the family, and the plate to bury in your garden? I think you will be safe in the Isle of Wight. Do not let my fears be mentioned; they say we should all appear brave and bold."
[67]Mrs. Wilberforce writes to her son Samuel: "Shall I send you the deeds, &c., to take care of for the family, and the plate to bury in your garden? I think you will be safe in the Isle of Wight. Do not let my fears be mentioned; they say we should all appear brave and bold."
[68]T. Blanco White, a Spaniard by birth, left the Church of Rome and joined the Church of England, and also became a naturalised Englishman. He was closely connected with the Oxford movement, but lapsed into Socinianism. He died in 1841.
[68]T. Blanco White, a Spaniard by birth, left the Church of Rome and joined the Church of England, and also became a naturalised Englishman. He was closely connected with the Oxford movement, but lapsed into Socinianism. He died in 1841.
[69]Dr. Thomas Rennell: he was appointed in 1805 and was succeeded in 1840 by Dr. Garnier.
[69]Dr. Thomas Rennell: he was appointed in 1805 and was succeeded in 1840 by Dr. Garnier.
[70]Only son of Wilberforce's eldest son William.
[70]Only son of Wilberforce's eldest son William.
[71]"My most faithful friend, William Smith" ("Life of Wilberforce," vol. iii. p. 536).
[71]"My most faithful friend, William Smith" ("Life of Wilberforce," vol. iii. p. 536).
[72]Macaulay.
[72]Macaulay.
Transcriber's note:The following corrections have been made:On page10, "compleatly" was changed to "completely" (completely happy).On page22, "compleat" was changed to "complete" (complete concert).On page241, "worldy" was changed to "worldly" (viewed in a worldly).