14 CHAP. I. 1789. Mother. Religious Character. I can testify to this fact, that very strong prejudice may be raised without any degree or sort of knowledge in justification of the sentiment. I knew too I was, or rather that my friends were Presbyterians, and I had a vague notion that the Independents were more orthodox than was reasonable, and that there was a degree of rationality compatible with sound doctrine. Mr. Lincolne, too, our minister, was much more of a gentleman and scholar than Mr. Waldegrave, the Independent Minister. Among my letters are a number by my dear mother. Her memory is very dear to me, but I would not have these letters survive me. They would not agreeably impress a stranger, but they express the warm affections of a fond mother, full of anxiety for the Iwelfare of her children. Her mother-love was combined with earnest piety. She had no doctrinal zeal, and seems, though educated in a rigidly orthodox family, to have had very little knowledge of religious controversy. It is worth mentioning that I have found my mother's Experience, that is the paper she delivered in before she was admitted a member of the church at Wattisfield. The paper is in one respect curious; it shows that at that time even among the Independents, doctrinal faith was not the subject of a formal profession, though of course inferred. In this paper there is no allusion to the Trinity, or any other disputed doctrine. Indeed, the word belief scarcely occurs. The one sentiment which runs throughout is a consciousness of personal unworthiness, with which are combined a of H. C. R.'s Mother. desire to be united to the Church, and a reliance upon the merits of Christ. Therefore her orthodoxy was indisputable. But when in after life her brother (the Minister, Mr. Habakkuk Crabb) became heretical, either Arian or Unitarian, and his son also professed liberal opinions, she was not disturbed by these things of which she had a very slight knowledge. 15 CHAP. I. 1789. Dr. Priestley. CHAPTER II. AN ARTICLED CLERK AT COLCHESTER. WHILE I lived as an articled clerk with Mr. Francis of Colchester, I learned the ordinary routine of an attorney's office and was absorbed in newspaper and pamphlet reading, in which religious controversy was included. On religious subjects I seem very quietly to have given up my orthodoxy, and to have felt strongly for Dr. Priestley on account of the Birmingham riots; but even the orthodox Dissenters became sympathizing on that occasion. I attended a meeting of Dissenters at Chelmsford to appoint deputies to go to London to concert measures for the repeal of The Corporation and Test Act; we dined together, and among the toasts given was one in honour of Dr. Priestley and other Christian sufferers. I recollect that I was irritated by the objection of one who was present that he did not know Dr. Priestley to be a Christian. I replied that if this gentleman had read Priestley's Letter to the Swedenborgians he would have learned more of real Christianity than he seemed to know. I had myself, however, not formed any distinct religious opinions, but felt deeply the importance of religious liberty and the rights of conscience. Through Mr. Dobson, who afterwards became a distinguished mathematician at Cambridge, I formed an acquaintance with a number of French emigrants on Colchester. their escape from France during the horrors of the Revolution, and my compassion for them modified my Jacobinical feelings. I was, however, a Jacobin notwithstanding, and felt great interest in one Mr. Patmore, who was indicted for selling some of Paine's works, and ultimately escaped through a defect in the indictment. But my Journal records my shock at the death of the King of France. My French attachment expired with the Brissotine party, though in my occasional pious moods I used to pray for the French. 17 CHAP. II. 1790-1795. French Revolution. At the Spring assizes of 1791, when I had nearly Erskine. attained my sixteenth year, I had the delight of hearing Erskine. It was a high enjoyment, and I was able to profit by it. The subject of the trial was the validity of a will-Braham v. Rivett. Erskine came down specially retained for the plaintiff, and defendant. The trial lasted two days. Mingay for the The title of the heir being admitted, the proof of the will was gone into at once. I have a recollection of many of the circumstances after more than fifty-four years; but of nothing do I retain so perfect a recollection as of the figure and voice of Erskine. There was a charm in his voice, a fascination in his eye, and so completely had he won my affection that I am sure had the verdict been given against him I should have burst out crying. Of the facts and of the evidence I do not pretend to recollect anything beyond my impressions and sensations. My pocket-book records that Erskine was engaged two and a half hours in opening the case, and Mingay two hours and twenty minutes in his speech in defence. E.'s reply occupied three hours. The testatrix was VOL. I. C 18 CHAP. II. Clerk at an old lady in a state of imbecility. The evil spirit 1790-1795 of the case was an attorney. Mingay was loud and violent, and gave Erskine an opportunity of turning into ridicule his imagery and illustrations. For instance, M. having compared R. to the Devil going into the Garden of Eden, E. drew a closer parallel than M. intended. Satan's first sight of Eve was related in Milton's words "Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye, In every gesture dignity and love;" and then a picture of idiotcy from Swift was contrasted. in a state of excitement A new trial was granted, and ultimately the will was set aside. I have said I profited by Erskine. I remarked his great artifice, if I may call it so; and in a small way I afterwards practised it. It lay in his frequent repetitions. He had one or two leading arguments and main facts on which he was constantly dwelling. But then he had marvellous skill in varying his phraseology, so that no one was sensible of tautology in the expressions. Like the doubling of a hare he was perpetually coming to his old place. Other great advocates |