337 



roe and all your family : and believe me ever, my 

 dear Sir, 



Your affectionate and devoted Friend, 



J. E. Smith. 



Mr. Roscoe to Sir J. E. Smith. 



My dear Friend, Allerton, June 25, 1807. 



I have for some time past rejoiced in the thought 

 that I am likely to see you in Lancashire in the 

 course of the present summer. I already anticipate 

 the happiness I shall have in your society at Aller- 

 ton, where I must at least claim some portion of 

 your time, and where I shall be delighted to stroll 

 and saunter with you through the fields in an even- 

 ing, instead of being locked up balloting for com- 

 mittees in St. Stephen's. In truth, my dear friend, 

 it requires but little of the efforts of others to drive 

 me from public life. The only wonder is, that I 

 was ever brought into it; and I sink back with such 

 a rapidity of gravitation into my natural inclination 

 for quiet and retirement, that I totally despair of 

 ever being roused again to a similar exertion. Add 

 to this, that the one great object which was con- 

 tinually before my eyes is now attained, and I shall 

 have the perpetual gratification of thinking that I 

 gave my vote in the assembly of the nation for 

 abolishing the slave-trade to Africa. Though not 

 insensible to the state of the country, yet I see no 

 question of equal magnitude ; and am fully aware 

 how little my efforts could avail in the political 



VOL. II. z 



