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congregation several of the leading families of the town, 

 the scheme failed, and the building was sold to the Cor- 

 poration. 



"At the time of Mr. Bentle/s residence in Liverpool the 

 slave trade was in its zenith ; and so identified were the 

 inhabitants generally with that accursed traffic, that it has 

 been forcibly remarked by one who knew Liverpool well at 

 that period of her history, that it was safer for a man there 

 to deny the being of a God than question the lawfulness 

 of slavery and the slave trade. Mr. B. was then the decided 

 enemy to the trade in human beings, and was indefatigable 

 in his endeavours to persuade the merchants and masters 

 of vessels trading to Africa, to promote a trade in ivory, 

 palm oil, woods, and other produce of the country; but all 

 his exertions were fruitless, ' Sinews bought and sold' 

 afforded a better profit, and the bells of St. Nicholas' Church 

 rang their merry peals on the periodical returns of the ships 

 from their diabolical voyages. Mr. Bentley's philanthrophic 

 schemes were ridiculed, and his pursuits and habits being 

 of too refined a nature for the people of Liverpool of that 

 day, he did not, although highly respected, become a popular 

 man. 



" Mr. B., as might be expected, took a lively interest in the 

 struggle of the American colonies with the mother country, 

 sympathising with the former, and deprecating the unwise 

 course pursued by the latter. He became intimately acquainted 

 with Franklin, and at an after period enjoyed the society of 

 that great philosopher and diplomatist at his own residence, 

 on several occasions. 



" A visit of the celebrated Mr. Wedgwood to Liverpool, was 

 the cause of that gentleman's introduction to Mr. Bentley, 

 and an offer of partnership in his manufactory. Mr. Marryat, 

 in his interesting volume on 'Pottery and Porcelain,' says, 

 speaking of this event, 'Li his partner Mr. Bentley, who 

 managed the honse in London, he (Mr. Wedgwood) found a 



