Ixvi PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



pace with its progress. He took an active practical interest in the 

 Yorkshire Philosophical Society, and thoronghly enjoyed the very 

 pleasant fellowship which its meetings at that time afforded. He 

 also held the office of Lecturer on Botany at the York School of 

 Medicine. 



Mr. Hincks was an ardent politician. He belonged to the politi- 

 cal school known as philosophical radicals, and held and maintained 

 his opinions with the resoluteness and warmth that were natural to 

 his character. He took a deep interest in all movements for the 

 extension of popular rights and the elevation of the people ; and 

 paid special attention to those economical questions which have 

 assumed so much importance of late years. 



He continued to hold his tutorship at the college for twelve years ; 

 hut in 1839 he resigned his office, and removed to London, At this 

 time he received into his house young men who were studying in 

 University College, to whom he acted as a tutor ; he also engaged 

 in private teaching. In addition to these occupations he resumed 

 ministerial work by taking charge of the Stamford-Street congre- 

 gation, which was then in a very depressed condition, but was 

 fortunate in possessing a small knot of earnest men and women, to 

 whom he became warmly attached, and between whom and himself 

 there always existed the most cordial relations. 



In 1842 he added to his already laborious duties by undertaking 

 the editorship of the ' Inquirer ' newspaper. This paper owed its 

 existence to a gentleman who, feeling strongly the importance of 

 securing a weekly organ for the Unitarian body, proposed to supply 

 the necessary capital, and, while retaining himself the proprietorship 

 and general control, to entrust the literary management to a compe- 

 tent editor. He offered the position to Mr. Hincks, on favourable 

 terms ; and as the project commanded his hearty sympathy, he 

 readily accepted it, and entered at once upon its duties. The first 

 number appeared on July 9, 1842 ; but after the publication of the 

 fourth number he was compelled to abandon the undertaking. At 

 this juncture, Mr. Richard Taylor, the well-known printer, offered 

 to assume the responsibilities of proprietor and publisher ; and by 

 Mr. Hincks's exertions the ' Inquirer,' in little more than two months, 

 attained a circulation of 600 copies weekly, and ultimately of nearly 

 1000. 



Mr. Hincks continued to conduct the ' Inquirer ' till about the 

 middle of the year 1847 ; and on his retirement an influential 

 committee was appointed for the purpose of raising a sum of money 



