MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 133 



haps, think of this, nor its consequences ; neither 

 did they ever contemplate the mighty events they 

 were thus bringing about in rearing and establish- 

 ing the wisest and greatest republic and nation 

 the world ever saw. When its immense territory 

 is filled with an enlightened population, and its 

 government, like a rock, founded on the liberties 

 and the rights of man, it is beyond human com- 

 prehension to foresee the strides the nation will 

 make towards perfection. It is likely they will 

 cast a compassionate eye on the rest of the world, 

 grovelling under arbitrary power, banish it from 

 the face of the earth, and kill despots with a 

 frown.* One would fain hope, however, that kings 

 and their advisers will coolly reflect upon the 

 improving intellect of mankind, and take measures 

 to govern in a way more befitting the state of the 

 people over whom they are called upon to rule. 



During the long continuance of this war, and 

 the debatings as before noticed, I became ac- 

 quainted with a number of genteel young menf of 

 a literary turn, who kept a library of books, and 

 held their meetings in a room at Sam. Alcock's, at 

 the sign of the Cannon, at the foot of the old Flesh 

 Market, and I used to frequent this house in the 

 evenings to get my pint of ale and a cake, and to 

 hear the news and to have a bit of chat or 

 conversation with some of them when they ad- 

 journed from their book society. I did not 



* " Thus far," says a note in the original MS, "from p. 35 " (p. 42 

 in this book) "was written while confined by a fit of the gout at 

 home from 29 May till 24 June, 1823." 



f Joseph Hubbuck, woollen draper (see p. 118), Moses Marshall, 

 cashier at the bank, John Gale, sword bearer, Gilfrid Ward (of 

 facetious memory), woollen draper, and many others of an intelligent, 

 cheerful, and pleasant character. 



