it not be a round slouch, which I abhor, but a smart well-cocked fashionable affair. A fashionable hat likewise for your mother; a black one if they are worn, otherwise chip. Yours, my dear William, TO THE REV. JOHN NEWTON. MY DEAR FRIEND, W. C. March 29, 1784. It being his majesty's pleasure that I should yet have another opportunity to write before he dissolves the parliament, I avail myself of it with all possible alacrity. I thank you for your last, which was not the less welcome for coming, like an extraordinary gazette, at a time when it was not expected. As when the sea is uncommonly agitated, the water finds its way into creeks and holes of rocks, which in its calmer state it never reaches, in like manner the effect of these turbulent times is felt even at Orchard side, where in general we live as undisturbed by the political element, as shrimps or cockles that have been accidentally deposited in some hollow beyond the water mark, by the usual dashing of the waves. We were sitting yesterday after dinner, the two ladies and myself, very composedly, and without the least apprehension of any such intrusion in our snug parlour, one lady knitting, the other netting, and the gentleman winding worsted, when to our unspeakable surprise a mob appeared before the window; a smart rap was heard at the door, the boys halloo'd, and the maid announced Mr. Grenville. Puss' was unfortunately let out of her box, so that the candidate, with all his good friends at his heels, was refused admittance at the grand entry, and referred to the back door, as the only possible way of approach. Candidates are creatures not very susceptible of affronts, and would rather, I suppose, climb in at a window, than be absolutely excluded. In a minute, the yard, the kitchen, and the parlour, were filled. Mr. Grenville advancing toward me shook me by the hand with a degree of cordiality that was extremely seducing. As soon as he and as many more as could find chairs were seated, he began to open the intent of his visit. I told him I had no vote, for which he readily gave me credit. I assured him I had no influence, which he was not equally inclined to believe, and the less, no doubt, because Mr. Ashburner, the drapier, addressing himself to me at this moment, informed me that I had a great deal. Supposing that I could not be possessed of such a treasure without knowing it, I ventured to confirm my first assertion, by saying, that if I had any I was utterly at a loss to imagine where it could be, or wherein it consisted. Thus ended the conference. Mr. Grenville squeezed me by the hand again, kissed the ladies, and withdrew. He kissed likewise the maid in the kitchen, and seemed upon the whole a most loving, kissing, kind-hearted gentleman. He is very young, genteel, and handsome. He has a pair of very good eyes in his head, which not being sufficient as it should seem for the many nice and difficult purposes of a senator, he has a third also, which he His tame hare. wore suspended by a ribband from his buttonhole. The boys halloo'd, the dogs barked, Puss scampered, the hero, with his long train of obsequious followers, withdrew. We made ourselves very merry with the adventure, and in a short time settled into our former tranquillity, never probably to be thus interrupted more. I thought myself, however, happy in being able to affirm truly that I had not that influence for which he sued; and which, had I been possessed of it, with my present views of the dispute between the Crown and the Commons, I must have refused him, for he is on the side of the former. It is comfortable to be of no consequence in a world where one cannot exercise any without disobliging somebody. The town however seems to be much at his service, and if he be equally successful throughout the county, he will undoubtedly gain his election. Mr. Ashburner perhaps was a little mortified, because it was evident that I owed the honour of this visit to his misrepresentation of my importance. But had he thought proper to assure Mr. Grenville that I had three heads, I should not I suppose have been bound to produce them. Mr. Scott, who you say was so much admired in your pulpit, would be equally admired in his own, at least by all capable judges, were he not so apt to be angry with his congregation. This hurts him, and had he the understanding and eloquence of Paul himself, would still hurt him. He seldom, hardly ever indeed, preaches a gentle, well-tempered sermon, but I hear it highly commended: but warmth of temper, indulged to a degree that may be called scolding, defeats the end of preaching. It is a misapplication S. C.-5. C of his powers, which it also cripples, and teases away his hearers. But he is a good man, and may perhaps outgrow it. Many thanks for the worsted, which is excellent. We are as well as a spring hardly less severe than the severest winter will give us leave to be. united love, we conclude ourselves yours Newton's affectionate and faithful With our and Mrs. W. C. TO THE REV. JOHN NEWTON. MY DEAR FRIEND, April, 1784. HAVING been obliged by the account given of Corporal East in your last, to form a less favourable opinion of his pretensions to the Christian character than his apparent modesty and spirituality had filled me with, I am not sorry to have had an opportunity to speak my mind to him. After the arrival of your letter I likewise saw Mr. Bull, who related to me what had passed between him and a certain other soldier, on the subject of that man's character and conduct. The regiment being disembodied, he paid me a second visit last Thursday morning, in his way to London, where, he said, he expected to find work, having sought it in vain at Northampton. I saw him coming, and being at first very unwilling to enter upon the business of crimination, sent him word that we were engaged. This was true, for we were just sitting down to breakfast, at which time one generally finds a mere spectator inconvenient. I meant that he should walk off, but he did not choose to understand me. After breakfast, therefore, I ordered him into the parlour. In the first place, I told him he had misinformed us when he said that you had sent him, you being yourself the witness; he was unwilling to confess a direct falsehood, and therefore replied, that he was much mistaken if you had not. I rejoined, You certainly then are much mistaken. I next addressed him with a long detail of the particular crimes with which his fellow-soldier and. common report had charged him. But here again he found it convenient to have a bad memory. He could not recollect that he had ever been guilty of swearing, since he made a profession; or of gaming, except that once he threw dice for a mutton pie; or of drunkenness more than once, since he became a militia man. The best advice I could give him was to confront his accuser in the presence of Mr. Bull, before whom he had lodged his accusation; but he said the man was gone into Bedfordshire, and where to find him he knew not. Thus we parted,— he disappointed, that instead of money, which I dare say he came for, he had met with a reproof; and I glad to be rid of him in a way which pretty well secures me from the danger of seeing him again. He did not weep, but he trembled so that his knees would hardly support him. I have heard worse of him since, and worse than I am willing to believe, notwithstanding my present thoughts of him. People that are but little acquainted with the terrors of divine wrath, are not much afraid of trifling with their Maker. But for my own part I would sooner take Empedocles's leap, and fling myself into Mount |