1836.

REFLECTIONS.

413

again, that if we pray for the Holy Spirit, it will be given us; that is the promise; Luke, ix. 13. Then comes the point which I venture to urge, prayer to God for the Holy Spirit to teach us all the truths essential to our salvation; to reveal Christ to our understandings, to impart to us that holiness which is required of his disciples, to give us true repentance, and to prepare us for the day of judgment. I am persuaded you will forgive me for thus unburthening my mind. It is some effort to me to do so, and I am sure you will ascribe it to its true motive."

As usual, the year was closed by him with an enumeration of the mercies received during its course. To his list of domestic blessings, he now adds his little grandson, who, he says, " is a source of delight, and infinite amusement."

He proceeds:

"The accounts from the West Indies of the conduct of our Negroes, is gratifying in the last degree; so that that subject, which for eleven years was a source of daily disquietude, is now the refreshment and solace to which I continually turn. The history of the past year is of favours heaped upon me and mine, on the right hand and on the left."

After expressing his earnest desire that the Lord might be with him in every public duty (enumerating "the report about the Aborigines; all that relates to the Negroes; the Apprenticeship Committee; the Mico fund; our speeches, and all our doings "), he adds:

"Guide me aright in all that I may say or do about the Church questions, and let me take no part which shall impair the real efficiency of that which I am sure I love and admire.

sisters, and dear friends, and myself also, with the best of blessings, for Christ's sake.

"Thou hast given me a goodly heritage,' is the language which I ought continually to be using. In what respect have I not been bountifully dealt with? Especially in having pursuits in life so deeply interesting as they proceed, and so full of promise as to the vast importance of their results, that they may well satisfy my whole mind? I would not change objects with any man.'

The following description of Mr. Buxton's appearance and manner at this period of his life is from the pen of the Rev. John Richards, long a valued inmate of his family:

:

"I shall never forget my first interview with your father. I had been passing the night at Ham House, where he was expected by an early coach from Norfolk. We were already seated at the breakfast-table, when his arrival was announced, and in he walked, stooping as he passed beneath the door-way, and then drawing himself up to the full height of his commanding form. My thoughts had been previously busy pourtraying the image of one with whom I was to be brought into such close contact, and that, as you may suppose, with an interest which excited me; but, as he stood dilated before me, though his frame was not so firmly knit together as to convey the idea of robust strength, the real impression was certainly one of awe. This feeling, however, soon subsided on witnessing the joyous hilarity with which he returned the greetings of his nieces, or, if it recurred for a moment, when, on being presented to him, he surveyed me with a somewhat scrutinizing look, it was at once completely dispelled by the warmth of his welcome and the kindness of his manner; and I was not long in discovering, from the playful sallies and affectionate tones of his conversation, that within that manly form there glowed the sensitive heart of a child."

CHAP. XXV.

415

CHAPTER XXV.

1837, 1838.

ABORIGINES' REPORT.-CORRESPONDENCE.-ELECTION.-DEFEAT AT

WITH the session of 1836, had closed the sitting of the Aborigines' Committee, and the drawing up of its report was entrusted to Mr. Buxton as its chairman. He was anxious to render this report a sort of manual for the future treatment of aboriginal nations, in connection with our colonies. Accordingly, in January, 1837, he invited Dr. Philip to Northrepps, and commenced his work.

"Dr. Philip has been here three days," he writes. "We are in the heart of the Report on Aborigines. Oh! for a spirit of wisdom poured down on our labours."

The object of the report was to prove, first, the destructive cruelty to which the native tribes had generally been subjected: and, secondly, that wherever they had received equitable and humane treatment, they had increased in numbers, acquired the arts of civilized life, and accepted the blessings of religion.

"The next few months are very important, as in them the Aborigines' Report will be settled. Most earnestly I pray that it may stop the oppressor, and open the door for the admission of multitudes of heathens to the fold of Christ.

"Then there is the Apprenticeship Committee, which I bring forward on the 20th; and the Slave Trade Question, and East Indian slavery; and other deep and various interests which will speedily be unfolded. Grant, O Lord of mercy, that in all I have to do, I may be steered by thee; that each event may be fraught with mercy; that the influence of thy grace may operate more directly and more forcibly on my heart than it has hitherto done; that thy blessing may reside with my family, my friends, and my fellow-workers; with the Aborigines, the West Indies, Africa, India; and if I have offended, forgive me, or at least shield me from the dreadful punishment. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.

"I must confess I look back without much sense of satisfaction to my course on the English Church Rate bill. I did desire and pray to be guided aright; but yet I have a lurking suspicion that secondary motives did, in some measure, bias my judgment. If it were so, I beseech thy forgiveness, O Lord, and pray that in future nothing may influence me, or turn me aside from what is my duty to thee."

Many of his papers and letters at this period are full of expressions of those grateful feelings to which his heart had always been disposed, but which seem to have risen higher and higher after the great purpose of his life, the abolition of slavery, had been achieved. In this strain, he writes from Northrepps:“May 14. 1837.

I dwelt much yesterday, and still more to-day, on the mercy which has been showered upon me by a gracious and indulgent Lord. I feel that I cannot be grateful enough for the heaps and loads of mercies which have been my lot, since my marriage thirty years ago. That may fairly stand among earthly blessings as number one.

"Then, my success in business, so good and so untroublesome; my scat in Parliament for nineteen years, and the

1837.

ABORIGINES' REPORT.

objects which have been entrusted to me.

417

My

children, my brothers and sisters, my friends; the success which has crowned my public labours. These are a few, and but a few, of my sources of grateful satisfaction.

66

My cup runneth over; surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life, and (may it be!) I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits (and every clause in that catalogue of mercies, each of which has been offered for my acceptance). He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.

"Farewell! Farewell! I must go and hear the birds sing, and turn my eyes to the wonderful Giver of such stores of mercies."

During this session, Mr. Buxton was chiefly occupied in completing, and carrying through the committee, the report on the treatment of Aborigines, which had been drawn up with so much care at Northrepps. Before it was printed, it was carefully revised by Sir George Grey, and it appears to have had considerable weight with the Government in promoting the equitable treatment of the natives in our colonial dominions.

It was with peculiar satisfaction that he saw this work completed; for it was very doubtful whether he would long have the opportunity of continuing his exertions in the House of Commons. The death of the King, on the 20th of June, produced an immediate dissolution of Parliament, and Mr. Buxton's return for Weymouth had never before appeared so insecure.

On account of his health he had felt serious doubts as to standing again; and he had been advised by many to withdraw, at least for a time; but he was no