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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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^ . . p ^ ft'O . f , hi ^ lijfe » assunie <) a graver cast , $ t * tnq bundei * of them was the same—Miiily concord was the theme which best aspiied his muse .
' €€ Strength may decay , But not love grow cold , " ? as a sentiment felt by him towards very member of his family , and was as lincercly responded by them . In 1785 , Dr . Enfield accepted an inviatiou from the congregation at Norwich ; o succeed Mr . George Morgan as their minister . This was a connexion of
mutual , and , I believe , unmixed satisfaction to both parties . Dr . Enfield ' s great aceeptabieness as a preacher , his high literary character , his delightful maruiers , the cheerfulness and intelligence of his conversation , left nothing in his congregation to desire ; and his opinion of
Norwich is thus expressed hi a letter written to-uiy father from Liverpool , dated Dec . 1796 : " My ramble / ' says he , " though it has afforded me much pleasure , lias only served to confirm me in the persuasion that there is no place in England where a man of letters may pass his days more happily than in Norwich . When it
is finished , I shall , with great delight , return to my beloved circle of intelligent , liberal and kind friends . "
In 1786 , the manufacturers and yarnmakers of Norwich were , in common with all persons engaged in the consumption of long wool , alarmed at an attempt which was made by the landed interest to obtain permission for its exportation . A Coriimittee of Deputies met in London from the manufacturing towns in Yorkshire , the West of England , Norfolk .
Suffolk and Essex . My father was chosen one of the Deputies for Norwich . He drew tip the petition to the Legislature which was adopted by this body , stating , In a very clear and forcible way , their case ; ^ ttid he was one of the number appointed to conduct a conference with Mr . Pitt on this subject * He also engaged in a long newspaper controversy with Arthur Young on the policy ani J ustice of
the measure . The manufacturers on this occasion were successful , and their victory was celebrated at Norwich with great triumph . The severe contest for the representation of the city , which took place
this year , between Mr . Hobart and Sir Thomas Beevor , gav-e occasion to many } eux d ' esprits from my father ' s pen . Though abounding with humour , and in sonae instances with allusions to peculiarities , habits or manners of the leaders of the opposite party 3 there is not a tinge of ill-nature about them . On this
occasion the Whig party was defeated . h * 1780 he ' relinquished the combing business , and , ia conjunction with Mr .
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Thoiaas Barnard , engaged * ip 4 ^ a / wool and yarn factor X&W / ij > e best means of k&owing how laueh this connexion contributed to my fathers happiness . It continued for thirteen years and ( to use his own wor&s ) . with a
harmony not interrupted for a single moment , " It was about this time that He wrote a short poem , entitled " The Nursery / ' which so accurately depicts his wishes and views as a father , that I shall transcribe a few stanzas from it , especially as it has never been published .
< For me—what various tasks demand my care ! What pleasing toil , what sweet solicitude ! Each tender plant requires its separate share ,
For while the labourer sleeps , the soil grows rude : More shade or genial warmth must be supplied . More foresight lent to guard , more gentleness to guide .
" More firm resolve to check the wild desire , More skill to guide it to its proper end ; When modest merit wishes to retire , More prudent Warmth to flatter and
commend ; More self-command , more watchings , broken sleep , More care for worldly things , yet seem to hold them dreap .
< Dear , lovely babes , that bring this weight of care , Sweet cares ! that bind ye closer to iny heart , A heart more proucl your filial loves to share
Than all that ease and affluence could impart , O meekly bend to my indulgent reign , Which asks no tyrant * s rod , no mindsubduing chain .
The dawu of liberty in France was hailed with joy by the patriots of England . JSuch persons only as remember those days know to what a height popular enthusiasm can be roused . Aud it was
an enthusiasm which no subsequent events will lead any generous mind to be ashamed of . Many patriotic songs were written on this memorable occasion , ani 1 have always thought my father ' s
Trumpet of Liberty" one of the most successful . Certainly I never saw a multitude so moved by music as by this . It * y » written , composed aud sung by m « y father , for the first time , at a public dwi neNpn the 5 th November , 1789 , to celebratej the anniversary of the Revolqtion ^ iA l ' ^ , he engaged very heartily in Che > ud » Kj endeavour to dfisptace Mr , Wiudham froP 1
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86 Ob \ tuary . ~« Mr * jQhn , T $ ttfar .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1826, page 486, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2551/page/42/
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