1826-1826] Anti-Slavery Agitation 181 



than an invalid. He has invalid habits also, which I am 

 not at all sure is a bad thing for him, as it gives him thought 

 and occupation. Last week I was amazed at his watching 

 the clock to have his tea precisely as the clock was at half- 

 past eight. Eliza had had the tea in for our whole party 

 at eight or perhaps a little before on Jane's account. The 

 general tea was finished at quarter-past eight, and he sat 

 watching the clock till the right minute to order in the tea- 

 kettle. He puts Jane and Eliza something beside their 

 patience, so it is well that he will have an establishment of 

 MB own, and arrange his meals according to his own fancy. 



This is exactly as I remember him 40 years later. But 

 he had a kindly simple nature, and, like his father, was de- 

 voted to flowers and gardening. When he came to Maer, 

 Bessy in her abounding hospitality said to him, " Allen, 

 remember we shall always be glad to see you any and every 

 time." This speech was taken literally, and I believe for 

 years he came up once in the morning to see what letters had 

 come, once in the afternoon, I suppose to see what they were 

 going to do, whilst in the evening when they came out from 

 dinner he was settled in the one armchair. His uncle Jos 

 occasionally talked of representing to him that they some- 

 times wanted to be alone, but was too kind-hearted ever 

 to carry out his intention. However by 1833 these visits 

 had come to an end, I think through some representation 

 of his brother Robert. Emma Wedgwood wrote in that 

 year: "Nothing can be more modest than he is; indeed I 

 wish he would come in sometimes without being asked. 

 He is so thoroughly amiable that one gets fond of him." 



One constant interest of the Maer family during these 

 years was the anti-slavery agitation. Bessy wrote (March 

 13, 1826): "We are exceedingly interested in the abolition 

 of slavery. Jos has exerted himself wonderfully for a man 

 of his retired habits in getting up a County Petition, and has 

 succeeded and it has been presented. We have also got up 

 a local one from the four neighbouring parishes hereabouts ; 

 and I hope shall never let the matter rest. There is cer- 

 tainly a great stir in England at this moment. The Clergy 

 and the Methodists have taken it up very warmly, and now 

 that England is awakened I trust in God this enormity will 

 cease." And two years later: " Sarah [Wedgwood] is ab- 



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