allow me to presume on an entire exemption from these inconveniences,

In short, it is highly probable, that such a degree of delirious perturbation, from the novelty of every appearance, will ensue, as would entirely disqualify any man for a collected discharge of such an office before an audience, which, in any case, could not be addressed without an entire sobriety, and concentration of the faculties.

Indeed, the whole scheme might be overset by that species of derangement, which all my reflection may be unable to palliate, and which nothing can keep off but a gradual reconcilement to the tumult, and varieties of common life. This trial of transition is aggravated, in my case, by the number and value of my friends, added to my restoration to a part of my family after so long an ab sence. 18

I have found myself in a precarious situa tion, these three or four last days, with my old complaint in my shoulder, for the third or fourth time since my confinement, so that I. have had recourse to my opium; and am rather better to-day,

We are all, as ever, yours,

GILBERT WAKEFIELD,

Soon after he wrote to his daughter, now on a visit at Nottingham, the following letter.* It was the last she received from him during his imprisonment.

MY DEAR ANN,

Dorchester Gaol, May 23, 1801.

I HEAR to-day from my lawyer that I must not go out before the 30th. If this be no mistake, and I have written about it this day, it may be regarded as one of those little embarrassments, which I have suspected, as well as you, might possibly interrupt the joy of our approaching deliverance. One day is now of importance, both because the time of my lectures is fixed, and because we have much packing up of books, and furniture to dispatch, during our short stay at this place.

t

We mean to see Lord Pembroke's and Stonehenge, on our return, and to go through Winchester.

It would have given us great pleasure to have fallen in with Mr. H's plan; but I wish to take an excursion with your mother, yourself and sister, through Cambridge and Lincoln to Nottingham, after my lectures; and thence, inclination, as well as duty, will lead

us to Stockport and Liverpool: but these grand schemes must be suspended for future deliber

ation,

It is very satisfactory information to me, that my letters have contributed so much to your enjoyment during absence from us. I certainly, in writing them, had an immediate view to your gratification.

There certainly can be no objection, in any view, to the attendance of ladies on my lectures: had there been any, I could not have wished yourself and your sister to be present.

As my books are mostly sent away, and my mind entirely directed to other objects than study, my time passes more languidly and wearisomely, than at any period since my confinement; and, indeed, the absence of Mr. " has been attended with more regret than many would suppose; but the regular society of a fellow-creature was always highly valued by me.

n

One consolation of no ordinary kind, with which my solitude has been cheered, is the L:

" One of the debtors, of whom Mr. Wakefield had taken very kind notice, and who had been lately liberated.

Soon after he wrote to his daughter, now on a visit at Nottingham, the following letter." It was the last she received from him during his imprisonment.

MY DEAR ANN,

Dorchester Gaol, May 23, 1801.

"

I HEAR to-day from my lawyer that I must not go out before the 30th. If this be no mistake, and I have written about it this day, it may be regarded as one of those little embarrassments, which I have suspected, as well as you, might possibly interrupt the joy of our approaching deliverance. One day is now of importance, both because the time of my lectures is fixed, and because we have much packing up of books, and furniture to dispatch, during our short stay at this place.

We mean to see Lord Pembroke's and Stonehenge, on our return, and to go through Winchester.

It would have given us great pleasure to have fallen in with Mr. H's plan; but I wish to take an excursion with your mother, yourself and sister, through Cambridge and Lincoln to Nottingham, after my lectures; and thence, inclination, as well as duty, will lead

us to Stockport and Liverpool: but these grand schemes must be suspended for future deliberation.

It is very satisfactory information to me, that my letters have contributed so much to your enjoyment during absence from us. I certainly, in writing them, had an immediate view to your gratification.

There certainly can be no objection, in any view, to the attendance of ladies on my lectures: had there been any, I could not have wished yourself and your sister to be present.

As my books are mostly sent away, and my mind entirely directed to other objects than study, my time passes more languidly and wearisomely, than at any period since my confinement; and, indeed, the absence of Mr.

n has been attended with more regret

than many would suppose; but the regular society of a fellow-creature was always highly valued by me.

One consolation of no ordinary kind, with which my solitude has been cheered, is the

4

" One of the debtors, of whom Mr. Wakefield had taken very kind notice, and who had been lately liberated.