mind of his sensibility was not a little distressing. He used frequently to remark that a constant eye-witness alone, could think it possible that so much unhappiness should exist, as every day presented itself to his observation. In the sufferings of the prisoners in general, he took a lively and even affectionate interest, supplying many of their wants, and shewing, by every means in his power, how anxious he was to mitigate their distress.

In a letter dated but a very few days after his arrival, he thus interposed for the relief of a debtor, and, after some exertions in his behalf, he had the satisfaction of succeeding.

"A young man accosted me this morning, who is thrown into this gaol for ten pounds, by a tailor of --street, London, for a suit of clothes during his apprenticeship. He seems an ingenuous youth, and, if the case be attended with no peculiar aggravation, it is possible that the man might relent upon proper application. I am persuaded you will not think the trouble of a call ill repaid, by the chance of such a kindness as the liberation of a youth from confinement, for such a trifle."

In the course of this narrative we shall have occasion to enlarge upon a subject so honourable to our friend's character; for in

this, as in every other situation of life, it might be justly said of him,

"Still to relieve the wretched was his pride,

And ev❜n his failings lean'd to virtue's side."

CHAP. IX.

Visits to Mr. Wakefield-Literary Projects—Mr. Dodson's

Legacy.
1799.

IN September of this year one of the present writers made an excursion to Dorchester, to visit Mr. Wakefield.

The presence of a friend, whom he had long honoured with his confidence, appeared to revive all his former vivacity. The gloomy scenes, continually in his view, would naturally, as we have already remarked, affect his spirits during the hours of solitude to which he was doomed by the regulations of the prison. But the powers of his mind seemed to have lost nothing of their native vigour and elasticity.

His conversation continually turned upon subjects connected with the discovery and cultivation of useful knowledge. The acquisition and communication of important truth might, indeed, be said to form his ruling passion. Various were the works which he ex

pressed a wish to execute, had not the absence of his library proved an insuperable obstacle. Yet, while his literary pursuits were thus obstructed, he was engaged in a more than usual exercise of the duties of humanity.

It excited no common interest to observe the kindness and courtesy of his behaviour towards all the prisoners. They, in return, were eager to seize every opportunity of evincing their gratitude for an attention to which they were so little accustomed. Of the greater part of them it might be truly said, that with the exception of himself, they had

"No eye to mark their sufferings with a tear,

No friend to comfort, and no hope to cheer." a

He took great pains to enquire into their peculiar cases, and made them the subject of frequent conversation with his friends, who, in several instances, had the satisfaction of contributing to their relief. One instance has been already noticed, and more might be added, even from our own personal knowledge. The prisoners frequently requested him to draw up petitions in their behalf, for mercy, or for mitigation of punishment. These of

Day's "Dying Negro."

fices of Christian charity, and a thousand others, did he most cheerfully perform.

It was indeed a sentiment frequently urged by him, that the most exalted endowments of intellect, unaccompanied by a disposition to active benevolence, forfeited all claim to respect.

The following extract from his manuscript papers forcibly inculcates the same doctrine.

• The following account of Mr. Wakefield's minute attentions to the wants of the prisoners we received from an eyewitness in his own family. It places him in so amiable a point of view as to require no apology for it's insertion.

"During the high price of bread, he bought large quantities of mackarel, which he distributed amongst the prisoners: he also occasionally gave them money for tea; sixpence to each of the men, and a shilling to the women. To such of them, who were desirous of employing themselves in reading on Sundays, and after their work, he gave Testaments. In the winter of the year 1799 and 1800 the weather was remarkably severe, and he supplied them with potatoes, tobacco, and other things, of which they stood in need, as their portion of bread was comparatively small, and the quality very inferior. He likewise contributed greatly to the comfort of the debtors, by giving them his advice in their affairs, and sending the newspapers to them daily. He also wrote letters for them to their friends, and was the means of procuring the liberation of several. To them likewise he gave money for coals and other necessaries. After their release many of them sent small presents of fish, and other trifling things, to shew their gratitude for his kindness."