I have strange tidings to communicate. The King and his Cabinet have quarrelled concerning the emancipation (as it is called) of the Irish Roman Catholics, and Pitt, Dundas, Lord Grenville, Windham, and probably Lord Spencer also, and Lord Camden, are to go out of office. I think you will guess who is to succeed-the Speaker, with Pitt's friendly concurrence. Grant is to be Attorney-General'-the main pillar, Hawkesbury, Secretary of State-Mitford, Speakerand of the younger or inferior, as many continue as Mr. Pitt can prevail to stay in. He has acted most magnanimously and patriotically.

"The Speaker, we know, is a man of talents and integrity, and of generous feelings, but not qualified for such rough and rude work as he may have to encounter, but if peace be made the government may last.

"I am so pressed for time to-day, that I cannot write fully; but I could not leave you uninformed on a point of such importance. It is strange, and certainly argues great precipitancy and want of foresight, that this was not settled one way or other last year when the Union took place, or at least agreed on so far as to preclude all difference at St. James's. These particulars are not yet known, so do not talk of them un

1 Sir Edward Law, afterwards Lord Ellenborough, was made AttorneyGeneral; Sir William Grant continuing to be Solicitor-General.

less they are come out otherwise. But I fear the deed is done. The King and Pitt part on affectionate terms. The King saying, that it is a struggle between duty and affection, in which duty carries it. I am vexed that some of the Cabinet whom I least affect are to continue. But it is so uncertain whether you will not have left Muncaster before this reaches you, that I am the rather disposed to break off.

Yours ever affectionately,

W. WILBERFORCE."

It was well understood that more pacific counsels were to be expected from the new administration, and many of his friends hoped therefore that Mr. Wilberforce would be included in its number. He himself just felt the influence of the eddy which was sweeping by him. "I am too much for a Christian, yet not greatly, intruded on by earthly things, in consequence of these late political changes, and all the considerations which they call forth. I was for a little intoxicated, and had risings of ambition. Blessed be God for this day of rest and religious occupation, wherein earthly things assume their true size and comparative insignificance; ambition is stunted, and I hope my affections in some degree rise to things above." His views upon the Slave Trade differed too decidedly from those of the new Cabinet to allow him to take office with them, and he continued therefore with unbroken cheerfulness his independent labours. His Journal, Sunday, Feb. 8.

995

3

great present object was to relieve that distress, which the failure of the harvest, and the continuance of the war, had produced in the manufacturing districts. "Indifferent health alone prevented" him "from going down into the West Riding, to ascertain facts" for himself; and his private aid was given so liberally, that he speaks of having "spent this year almost £3000 more than his income;" and as "thinking in consequence of giving up his villa for a few seasons." "I should thus save £400 or £500 per annum, which I could give to the poor. Yet to give up the means of receiving friends there, where by attending family prayers, and in other ways, an impression may be made upon them, seems a great concession. And with Broomfield I can by management give away at least one-fourth of my income. O Lord, guide me right. But there or wherever else I am, O Lord, do Thou grant me Thy Holy Spirit to fill me with every Christian grace; love, joy, peace, long-suffering." From Palace Yard, he writes in February to Mr. Hey.

66

My dear Sir,

"House of Commons, Feb. 25.

I have been sending a supply of money to a few friends, in different parts of the manufacturing

3 To William Hey Esq. Jan. 21.

4 "Of the above large sum," is his remark at the close of the year's account-book, "much not recurring expenses, and charity much increased by the distress of the times." The sum of £3173 is accounted for as bestowed during this year in charity.

Diary, Jan. 21, 1802.

6 Journal, Sunday, Feb. 28, 1802.

1801.

DISTRESS IN YORKSHIRE.

5

districts of the West Riding, conceiving that in these times of extreme pressure, though an individual purse could do but little, yet that it might effect something; and that it was well to enable the clergy to be active and assiduous in the relief of the general distress. I have sent to Mr. Powley and Mr. Kilvington; they, I think, will relieve their own country poor. I sent a trifle to Mr. Miles Atkinson, but I have thought that Leeds would be likely to fare better than almost any country place, from the number of affluent residents, and therefore that I had better direct my little stream towards a different spot. I have heard however that Pudsey and its neighbourhood are in extreme distress, and that scarcely any merchants or gentlemen live in that parish. I have therefore resolved to beg you to apply any sum not exceeding £50 for their relief. I cannot get any bill to-day, but I will send you one shortly.

"What is to be done? I own I think that government should relieve, privately, some of the most distressed of the poor districts, afterwards alleging that they did not do so publicly for fear of producing a mischievous effect abroad. I must break off.

Yours very sincerely,

W. WILBERForce.”

for

Some such measure he continued earnestly to press, deeming it "hard to call on the land alone to pay the subsistence of the manufacturers, if they should be thrown out of employment for some months by the

continuance of hostilities."7 "Much busied about the manufacturers in the West Riding. The committee about the poor makes no progress. People hard-hearted in general.' "Addington wavering

"8

about plan, and not for giving public money." "Our dear and benevolent friend," writes Dr. Milner 10 from Palace Yard," absolutely exhausts his strength on this subject. He is the most feeling soul I ever knew; and also the most patient and indefatigable in endeavouring to lessen the miseries of the people : and how he does get misrepresented and abused! But you may kick him as long and as much as you please; if he could but fill the bellies of the poor, he would willingly submit to it all." "I find more persons approving my idea about the poor. I am nearly resolved to move for a million for their relief." 11 "Poor relief put off most shabbily till after Easter-sad workwhilst we hear of increasing distress, and even tumult and insurrection. Much hurt by the coldness and dilatoriness of government."1 "At last, got measure through of allowing parishes to borrow on their rates.' "Doubtful what course to pursue, for want of support, except to the plan of lending to the parishes, which I abhor.” 14

13

Throughout this spring his Diary contains many interesting notices of passing events. "Feb. 23rd. Heard in the House of the King's being ill in the old

7 To William Hey Esq. April 7.

9 Diary, March 10.

11 Diary, March 31.

13 Ib. March 20.

8 Diary, March 19.

10 To William Hey Esq. March 18.

12 Ib. April 1.

14 Ib. April 20.