great departed, applied to him the beautiful lines of Cowper. "A veteran warrior in the Christian field, Who never saw the sword he could not wield; Had wit, as bright as ready to produce; BOYHOOD OF SIR THOMAS FOWELL BUXTON. THIS worthy and wonderful man whose career well merits the serious attention, and study of all who look to raising themselves in the world by the intellect and capacity with which Providence has blessed them, and rendering services to humanity, was born on the 1st of April-a somewhat inauspicious day-in the year 1786, at Castle Hedingham, in Essex, where his father, the High Sheriff of the county, was then residing; though his usual seat was Earl's Colne, in the same shire. The elder Buxton was a man of a gentle and kindly disposition, given to field-sports, and highly popular in the neighborhood, distinguished for his hospitality and for-what was of still more consequence-attention to relieving the miseries and necessities of the poor and needy. I' died at Earl's Colne, in 1792, leaving his wide tery against the continuance of slavery representing the county of York, he att nence never before reached by any pri of Parliament; he incessantly watche terests of his African clients; and surv of the measure of emancipation passing Commons. In introducing it, the Color of the day paid this graceful and affecti the worth of the veteran philanthropist : without the deepest emotion I recollect t yet living one of the earliest, one of the mc one of the most conscientious, one of th quent, one of the most zealous friends of cause, who watched it in its dawn. still remains to see, I trust, the final con of the great and glorious work which he the first to commence, and to exclaim, ' Lc thy servant depart in peace!' He expired on the 29th of July, 1833, Act was passing. Shortly before he excla fervor "Thank God that I should hav witness a day when England is willing to gi millions sterling for the abolition of slavery The announcement of his death was re the House of Commons, of which he had so a most distinguished member, with peculia Mr. Buxton alluded to the event; and in c his love and reverence for the characte Winn, when cas BOYHOOD OF SHE "HOLAS FI ine, and ordered pel as a punishhe school, Bux1 stoutly denied persisted in it; r found that boy 1 now." ng been in boyeering temper." ed to his mother, self-willed now; THIS worthy and wonder well merits the serous atter who look to raising themselves the end." One ates that Buxton intellect and capacity with e for the tallness blessed them, and rendering was born on the 1st of Apri cious day-in the year 1766. in Essex, where his father, the High Sherif of the County, was then residing; though his usunen: was Earl's Colne, in the same shire. The elder Burton was a man of a gentle and kindly disposition, given to field-sports, and highly popular in the neighborhood, distinguished for his hospitality and for-what was of still more consequence attention to relieving the miseries and necessities of the poor and needy. He died at Earl's Colne, in 1792, leaving his widow ng his playmates o far from exhibard distinguished done for him by ocated by proving otector when size, ere in requisition. ich progress in his s Colne, where his more enduring impent at school. At with three sons and two daughters. This lady, a woman of energy, intellect, strong faculties, strong affections, and apparently a little eccentric, belonged to the Society of Friends; but her husband, having been a member of the Church, and her sons baptized accordingly, she, not being of the strictest sect, wisely and meritoriously refrained from exerting her influence as mother and guardian to bring them over to her persuasion. She strove to inspire them with a profound regard for the Holy Scriptures, and to implant in them a high standard of morality; but exhibited no particular anxiety to see them distinguished by broad-brimmed hats and buttonless coats. It was said of Buxton that he never was a child— that he was a man in petticoats. At all events, he was uncommonly vigorous in his early days, and showed a bold and determined character. On one occasion, being requested to convey a message to a pig-driver who had passed along the road, he set off in pursuit, and though one of his shoes was swamped and lost in the mud, continued to track the man by the footmarks of the grunting drove through intricate, miry lanes, for nearly three miles, and never halted till he had overtaken him in the market-town of Coggeshall and delivered his message. At the age of four years and a half he was sent to school at Kingston, but was so severely treated, and so sadly stinted in his food, that his health gave way, and removal was the consequence. This was shortly after his father's death, and led to his being sent to Greenwich, where, so far from having hardships to endure, he found in Dr. Charles Burney a most kind and judicious master. One day he was accused by an usher of talking during school time, and ordered to learn the collect, epistle, and gospel as a punishment. When Dr. Burney entered the school, Buxton appealed to him for redress, and stoutly denied the charge. The usher as strongly persisted in it; out Dr. Burney said, "No! I never found that boy tell a lie, and will not disbelieve him now." Buxton describes himself as having been in boynood of a "daring, violent, domineering temper." When this characteristic was remarked to his mother, 'Never mind," she replied, "he is self-willed now; you will see it turn out well in the end." One of his schoolfellows, Mr. Twiss, states that Buxton was then, as in after-life, remarkable for the tallness of his stature, and was known among his playmates as "Elephant Buxton;" but that, so far from exhibiting any of the talent which afterward distinguished him, he often had his Latin lessons done for him by his friend, whose services he reciprocated by proving a most valuable ally and faithful protector when size, and strength, and hard knocks, were in requisition. Consequently, he did not make much progress in his studies and the holidays at Earl's Colne, where his continued to reside, left a more enduring imsion on him than the time spent at school. Αι |