engage the active mind of Dr. Estlin, he never refused his purse to any more than one hundred and twenty gentlemen on foot, the carriages of many of them following. The burial service was performed by the Rev. Dr. Carpenter, his successor in the pastoral office; and on the next Sunday an affecting and consolatory sermon was preached by his old friend the Rev. James Manning, of Exeter. The chapel was hung with black, and the whole congregation put on mourning. Dr. Estlin was twice married; first to Miss Coates, of Bristol, by whom he had one son who died before him, but who has left a family; in the second instance to Miss Bishop, of Bristol, who, with six children, survives to cherish and do honour to his memory. The writer of this memoir could have enlarged upon feelings the result of private friendship, but has preferred touching upon no topics which are not equally interesting to all who knew the subject of it. A. L. B. The Union of Wisdom and Integrity recommended, in a Discourse delivered before the Unitarian Society in the West of England. 1901. Sermons designed chiefly as a Preservative from Infidelity and Religious Indifference. 1802. Discourses on Universal Restitution. 1813. The General Prayer Book; containing Forms of Prayer on principles common to all Christians, for Religious Societies, for Families, and for Individuals. Chiefly selected from the Scriptures, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Writings of various Authors. 1814. General Instructions in the Doctrines and Duties of Religion, altered from "Practical Instructions." 3rd Edition. 1815. A Unitarian Christian's Statement and Defence of his Principles, with reference particularly to the Charges of the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of St. David's; with Notes. 1815. A Sermon on Persecution, with Extracts from the Rev. Clement Perrot's Report of the Persecutions of the French Protestants. 1816. Dr. Estlin had also prepared for publication two volumes of Lectures on Moral Philosophy, which he had been accustomed to deliver to his pupils and family on Sunday evenings, and to which many of them may probably trace impressions the most favourable to the formation of a virtuous character. These will speedily be given to the world, although they have not received his last corrections. ORIGINAL LETTERS. From Messrs. Palmer and Muir. [Communicated by Mr. Rutt.] SIR, Clapton, Sept. 29th, 1817. HOPE I shall not be judged too from the effects to which Mr. Palmer alludes; though I am persuaded, after having referred to what I then wrote to Mr. Muir, that Mr. Palmer did nothing unworthy of his general pro I fond of a favourite theme if I offer per spirit and high integrity. you a few more letters, which have come in my way since those were sent, which you inserted pp. 203 and 261. There are still surviving among your readers, some who knew the writers, and a few more, who feel an interest in their story. The First letter refers to a circumstance, very unpleasant at the time, The Third and Fourth letters are copies, taken for me soon after the originals arrived. The Fourth was written to a gentleman of Scotland, who took the most affectionate interest in all Mr. Muir's concerns. I hope he is still living, though I have not seen him for more than twenty years. The picture of Dr. Price, which was the print by Holloway, I well remember to have seen adorning the chimney-piece of the room where Mr. Muir was detained in Newgate. The Fifth letter is the original, communicated to me, I believe, by that gentleman, of Mr. Muir's two friends, to whom it is directed. Your readers, by referring to the former pages of this volume, may preserve the connexion of the letters, and perhaps find them explaining each other. J. T. RUTT. Letter I. Stanislaus Hulk, Feb. 7th, 1794. I have received another affecting testimony of your sympathy, and your concern for the liberties of your coun try, outraged in my person. Every situation has its peculiar consolations; mine are not wanting; the greatest of all, possibly, the approbation and regard of such men as yourself. I will do nothing to forfeit them. I petitioned the King for justice, I petition the House of Commons as the constitutional guardian of the rights and liberties of the subject, and as the overseer of the criminal courts. In this I do what I think right. My views are very limited, and I may be wrong; but I think it every thing to bring on public discussion as often as possible. I am sorry that my friend Muir sees differently, as it would be better if we drew together. I am still more sorry that my Scotch friends should reprobate the measure with such freeness. But I am sure that my petitions might be signed by any man of honour and my principles. I have been indiscreet in revealing a sentence of Mr. Vaughan's letter, where I thought I was in perfect safety. This gives me great pain. Make up matters between us by bringing him and Mr.- to dinner. Farewell, dear Citizen: in behalf of such men easy are the sufferings of your obliged, T. F. PALMER. Mr. Rutt. Letter II. Surprize, Spithead, Mar. 12th, 1794. No one is more entitled to a letter from me than yourself, for I have not experienced more kindness from my near relations. I know and I esteem the motive. Every day I will endeavour to become more worthy of it. The sigual for sailing is flying: two days are the limits, I apprehend, of our stay. At present nothing can be more uncomfortable than our situation; it is so damp and unwholesome that the health of us all is affected: but I know that it will not last long; and I have very good reasons for believing, that our situation at B. B. will be infinitely better than we have been taught to expect. The doctor (Thompson) who goes out with us is a very intelligent man, and a free settler, Mr. Boston, remarkably so. They have both a turn for Natural History and Chemistry. In these pursuits I mean to amuse myself, for in spite of the benevolence and good scuse of our friend—1 am not Quixote enough to attempt reformation in religion or politics under a military government, with a halter round my neck. He You will indulge me with a letter by every opportunity, and with the Cambridge Intelligencer of our friend Flower The letter you sent me was from my most esteemed and excellent friend, Mr. Turner, of Newcastle. tells me that he has desired Mr. Johnson to transmit me a token of his friendship. Possibly there will not be time to get this now; but I should be glad to have it by the first opportunity, together with Dunn's Atlas, if that honest man Mr. Johnson, dare trust another. Farewell, dear Sir: from your obliged and affectionate Mr. Rutt. T. F. PALMER. Letter III. Sydney, New South Wales, DEAR SIR, The gentleman who delivers this letter and packet is Mr, White, Principal Surgeon to the establishment of New South Wales. Tell my friends that I am greatly obliged to him, more indeed than I can estimate, for daring to countenance and to take by the hand, in the region of despotism, an oppressed man accused of the crime of murder. He has given me a cottage and four acres of land. His kindness to me in the situation that I arrived here in, will plead in his favour to all the good' and worthy; but did they know his general character they would not want my feeble testimony to his worth. His loss will be felt far and wide, but by none more than myself, to whom it was his constant study to render every service. Though planted in the land of lawless power and rigorous discipline, he has sentiments of liberty not uncongenial with your own. I am, dear Sir, your most obedient and affectionate servant, THOMAS FYSHE PALMER. Letter IV. Sydney, 13th Dec. 1794. MY DEAREST FRIEND, FOR by that name I shall always address you, I am perfectly well: I am pleased with my situation, as much as a person can be who is for ever separated from all they loved, and from all they respected. But I feel no regret, for in the cause of the people I consider my life and my happiness as things of no value. I can only write you a few lines; I have been constantly occupied in preparing the evidence in exculpation, and the defence of Messrs. Palmer and Skirving. That affair will make a noise in Europe. Skirving, Palmer and myself, now live in the utmost harmony. From our society Margarott is expelled. Would you believe it? We have been employed in celebrating the anniversary of the first convention, which met upon the 11th December, 1792. Last night we all supped in the Secretary's house [Skirving's], this night in Palmer's, and to-morrow in mine, over the water, in a small farm I purchased for £30 sterling. You see we still have some little enjoyments. Of our treatment here I cannot speak too highly. Gratitude will for ever bind me to the officers, civil and military. I shudder to ask the vain question, What news? I avert my eyes from my friends. Their remembrance is the only idea which disturbs the repose of my tomb; for so i must call this situation of privation from all that was dear to me. Remember me earnestly and affectionately to them all, to Lindsay, Shields, Dr. Hamilton, Bell, Higginson, Maxwell, Dyer, Brand Hollis, Joyce, Dr. Disney. Tell Dr. Disney I gave away his Works at Rio Janeiro to an excellent man, whom I am proud to call my friend, my affectionate friend, the Abbot of St. Antonio. In the magnificent library of that monastery, the picture of Dr. Price, given me by is suspended. To that li brary I likewise presented the Memoirs of Mr. Hollis, the gift of that excellent man Mr. B. Hollis. As a small matter of curiosity, I send you some Latin addresses I received from the good fathers. They may gratify my friends; they may convince them that liberality of sentiment is confined to no soil and to no climate. I shall always with tender respect think upon Raymont Binna fort: the happiest, the most peaceful evenings of my life were spent in his apartments. You must send him copies of my trial, of my engraved picture, and of every thing relating to me. requests. The address is easy; to him at the Monastery of St. Antonio, at Rio Janeiro. I have a neat little house here. I have another two miles distant at the farm across the water. A servant of a friend, who has a taste for drawing, has sketched the landscape; I have sent it to my mother; you may see it. This from you he I pray to Almighty God that all has succeeded with you, that you are firmly settled: but, indeed, my dear Moffatt, even in writing to you I feel pain, for I dread, but cannot know the storms which at this moment may be blasting individuals and desolating our country. I have not a moment's time to write. Tell all my friends I have been entirely occupied in drawing the papers in Palmer's and in Skirving's case. This must be my apology. The sincerest wishes of my heart attend Mrs. Moffatt. Do you remember Mrs. Thomson? She has acted to me in every respect during the voyage as a sister; she begs leave to testify to Mrs. M. her esteem. Remember me to Lord Lauderdale, Messrs. Maitland, Grey, Sheridan, Thomson. I fondly trust that they enjoy the confidence of the people, and no longer vote in the minority. Write me long and fully; send me the newspapers, pamphlets, &c. &c. Annexed to this letter I will send you a list of the articles I may want. When any money is transmitted, cause a considerable part of it to be laid out at the Cape or at Rio Janeiro in rum, tobacco, sugar, &c. &c. which are invaluable, and the only medium of exchange. We bought some rum at Rio for 18d. the gallon, and can sell it for 30s. Our friends can easily find some person at the Cape, at Batavia, to take the charge of this, with every ship for the port, and will write to R. Binnafort, at Rio Janeiro. Be extremely attentive to this circumstance, as it is of the highest moment. Our mercantile friends can easily settle this. Let them likewise, upon consideration, settle it at Rio, as our friend the Abbot may be recalled to Portugal, of which he had some idea. In a country like this, where money is really of no value, and rum every thing, you must perceive the necessity of my having a constant supply by every vessel. For a goat I would pay, in money, £10 sterling now, for less than eight gallons of spirits, at 18d. the gallon, I can make the same purchase. If it is possible, when you settle your correspondence, cause £50 or £60 sterling worth of rum to be purchased at Rio Janeiro, or at the Cape. Tobacco at Rio sells for 3d. per lb. here at 3s. 6d. That, too, is an article to be considered. Now, my dearest friend, I must conclude, but even in closing a letter to you, it is like taking farewell for ever. I pray for every blessing of heaven upon you and your family. No day passes without you living in my thoughts. I open to you my whole soul. Others might smile, but I close this letter in tears. Yours sincerely and unalterably, Let sume time, in expressing sentiments of which, if ever I had been devoid, I never would have had any pretensions to their notice. Their reflexions may, perhaps, turn upon me. Tell them I live, live faithful to the cause of freedom, and live in a manner not unworthy of its adherents. Surrounded by successive scenes of manifold aftliction, the prospect of life, as it lengthens, darkening, I say, and say in the sincerity of my soul, that the sufferings of individual man ought never to be reckoned in 'account, if conducive to the sum of general happiness. then this end require greater sacrifices, life or years of exile, protracted unto the term of life, these sacrifices 1 am prepared to offer. Nor is this the effect of enthusiasm. Enthusiasm may dazzle its victim and his spectators in the glare of public exhibition, but in dungeons, in the long years of obscure exile, surrounded by beings who degrade the name of man, it must subside, it must dissipate and leave to the mind a solitary and a fearful void. Let me then repeat, without ostentation, what, upon entering the career of life, I have proclaimed. I have been, I am, and until I sink into the grave, I shall continue to be, the advocate of the oppressed. Every letter I write, my friends, I consider as a renewal of my oath to the cause of man, and, I hope I do it with a correspondent solemnity. I wish my letters to reach you, I wish them to afford no handles of persecution or misconstruction against you, and I purposely avoid all poli. tical reflexions and all political conjectures. I pray Almighty God, my good friends, that you enjoy in your persons, your circumstances and your families, his choicest blessings. I again congratulate Mr. and Mrs. —, and let them believe my heart is sincerely attached to them. It is painful for me to begin a letter. It is more painful to conclude. But in these days, My dear friends, I am ever yours, Mr. [Received Mar. 14, 1797.] |