to

without wealth or Irish connection, and without the smallest claim upon the consideration of the University, except what his personal and academical character afforded. Such an offer it was not easy reject, and he was, as he says at the time, "extremely agitated and pleased by it." He weighed the pleasure, the distinction, the influence, promised by the political career, thus unexpectedly opened before him; and he set against these considerations, the duties which his approaching marriage would bring upon him. Prudence prevailed, and he declined the proposal. His friend Mr. North writes to him:

"I think all hearts would have been in your favour, if you had made your appearance- and still they cannot convince themselves that you intend to go boldly through with your resolution- Come then, my guide, my genius, come along!' You were mistaken in thinking Fortune (in one sense) a necessary qualification for a college member; there is an honourable exception for the Universities."

Mr. Buxton, however, had come to a deliberate decision, and it was not to be shaken. He reached England at the end of April, and in the following month his marriage took place.

In one of his papers he thus alludes to the closing circumstances of his academical career:

"On May 13. 1807, I obtained the object of my long attachment-having refused, in consequence of the prospect of this marriage, a most honourable token of the esteem of the University of Dublin. The prospect was indeed flattering to youthful ambition,-to become a member of Parliament, and my constituents men of thought and education, and honour and principle, my companions, my competitors, those who had known me, and observed me for years.

-

1802-1807.

HIS MARRIAGE.

29

"I feel now a pride to recollect that it was from these men I received this mark of approbation,- from men, with whom I had no family alliance, not even the natural connection of compatriotism, and without high birth or splendid fortune or numerous connections to recommend me. I suspended my determination for one day, beset by my friends, who were astonished at the appearance of a doubt, and having closely considered all points, I determined to decline the intended honour, and from that day to this, thanks to God, I have never lamented the determination."

CHAPTER III.

1807-1812.

ENTERS TRUMAN'S BREWERY.-OCCUPATIONS IN LONDON.—LETTER FROM MR. TWISS.

CORRESPONDENCE.

DEATH OF EDWARD

BUXTON. -EXERTIONS IN THE BREWERY.

THE first few months of Mr. Buxton's married life were passed at a small cottage close to his grandmother's seat at Bellfield, and in the neighbourhood of his mother, who had contracted a second marriage with Mr. Edmund Henning, and had left Essex to reside at Weymouth.

His expectations of wealth had been disappointed, and he found that his fortunes must depend upon his own exertions. After deliberate consideration, he relinquished the idea of following the profession of the law, and entered into negotiations in different quarters, with a view to establishing himself in business. For a while these were unsuccessful, and during this time he suffered severely from the pain of present inaction, and the obscurity that rested on the future.

In after life, when referring to this period, he said, "I longed for any employment that would produce me a hundred a year, if I had to work twelve hours a day for it." Nearly a year passed away before his anxieties were brought to a conclusion. The winter was spent at Earlham, where his first child was born.

1807-1812. ENTERS TRUMAN'S BREWERY.

31

Soon afterwards, in a letter, writing to his wife from London, he says, "I slept at Brick Lane; my uncles Sampson and Osgood Hanbury were there, and revived my old feelings of good nephewship, they treated me so kindly. This morning I met Mr. Randall and your father. I think that I shall become a Blackwell Hall factor."

This intention was prevented by an unexpected turn in his fortunes, resulting from his friendly interview with his uncles. Within a few days Mr. Sampson Hanbury of Truman's Brewery offered him a situation in that establishment, with a prospect of becoming a partner after three years' probation. He joyfully acceded to the proposal, and entered with great ardour upon his new sphere of action. He writes (July, 1808,) to his mother, "I was up this morning at four, and do not expect to finish my day's work before twelve to-night-my excuse for silence. I have not neglected your business." At the close of the year he succeeded Mr. Hanbury in the occupation of a house connected with the brewery, in which he continued to reside for several years.

During these years Mr. Buxton's correspondence was not extensive. Among the few letters which have been preserved is the following, addressed to his wife, who had accompanied one of her brothers to the Isle of Wight. Mr. Buxton had arranged to join them there; but on arriving at Southampton, he found that all communication with the island was interdicted, on account of the secret expedition to Walcheren, then about to sail from Cowes.

"Southampton, June 15. 1809. "Now that I have finished my coffee, I think I cannot employ my time more profitably or more pleasantly than in sending a few lines to you. I am afraid the embargo has been a great trouble to you. It was so to me when I first arrived, as the idea of spending some time with your party was particularly pleasant; however, either by the aid of 'divine philosophy,' or from finding that the misfortune was irremediable, in a short time I was reconciled to my fate, and began to consider how best to enjoy what was within my reach. As I could not have the living companions that I most wished for, I went to a bookseller's shop to endeavour to find some agreeable dead ones, and having made choice of Tristram Shandy' and a Patriot King,' I proceeded in their honourable company to the water side, took a boat, and went off to Netley Abbey. I thoroughly enjoyed this excursion. First I went all over the interior, and then walked leisurely round it at some distance, stopping and reading at every scene that I particularly liked. Then I went up into the wood, to a spot which seems to have been formed for a dining-room. While the boatman was at dinner, I went over into the next field to a higher ground. I hope this did not escape you. The four ivy-covered broken towers just below, a party dining on the grass plat, the intermediate distance of trees, and the sea behind, made it, I think, the finest view I ever saw. I only hope you have sketched it; and, next to it, I should wish for a drawing of the nearest window from the inside-I mean the one that is tolerably perfect, with a great deal of ivy over the middle pillar. I had a pleasant row home, and have since been thinking about your party with the greatest pleasure, and, amongst other thoughts connected with you, it has forcibly struck me how beneficial it is sometimes to be amongst strangers, it gives such a taste and a relish for the society of those one loves."

Although, during his term of probation at the brewery, he was closely occupied in making himself master of his new vocation, he yet found time for