C U^^omjU
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THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
MEMORIALS
SAMUEL GURNET.
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MEMORIALS
SAMUEL GURNEY.
MRS. THOMAS GELBART.
LONDON:
W. AND F. G. CASH, 5, BISHOPSGATE WITHOUT.
DUBLIN: HODGES AND SMITH.
EDINBURGH: JOHN MENZIES.
I
CT
QfUQXr
INTRODUCTION".
In oflFering to the world a memorial, however slight,
of one whose name is publicly known and honoured,
an Editor should be less anxious for credit to himself
in the performance of the task, than that the subject
may not suffer by biographical handling.
It is, therefore, not without some sense of the
incompleteness of this little volume as a sketch, and
its failure as an entire picture, of Samuel Gurney,
that the following pages are sent forth.
The difficulty in their compilation has not been
small, and has arisen less from the scarcity of material
and illustrations of the history of his long and active
life, than from the fact of their being so intimately
connected with those members of his family whose
lives have been long before the public, that it has been
deemed undesirable and needless by his friends to
enter afresh on their detail, and to swell the family
biographies by any volume of size or pretension.
Little, therefore, was left to the work of compiling ;
there were few letters, and no journal from which to
select. The former, while possessing much interest to
those to whom they were addressed, and evidencing
his characteristic kindly feeling and good sense,
were not specimens of epistolary power. Samuel
1.3?w'?i^'7'5
VI INTEODTJCTIO>".
Gurnej was no writer, even on common subjects. And,
as regards his commercial history, it will doubtless
excite neither surprise nor regret, that a female
hand has forborne an attempt, which must have been
fruitless, to narrate with anything like particularity
the course of a London bill broker.
Yet, with all its deficiencies and imperfections, the
little narrative will not, it is believed, be M'ithout its
use ; for it is a story of true heroism. The bold
stand which, from early manhood, Samuel Gurney
was enabled to make against the giant forces of self,
of worldliness, and of avarice ; and the fact that he
attained a dignity of which many a laurel- crowned
man has fallen short — that of a hero at home — best
honoured and most profoundly mourned where best
known, — is an instructive lesson to all.
And, imperfect and incomplete as may be the list
of his acts of benevolence, or of his social and
domestic virtues, who can doubt but that every
sorrow he has soothed, all the penury he has relieved,
the great tide of evil Avliich he set himself to stem,
the freedom for wliich he has lifted up his voice, the
oppression he has lightened, the moral courage he
has shown in many a deed which the world noted
not, has a place in that page where the recording
angel never fails to mark the cup of cold water given
for the Saviour's sake, and for the love of Ilim ?
II. R. Geldart.
Altrin(;ham, Manchesteii,
May, 1857.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTEE I.
PAGE.
Introduction — Birth and Childhood — Traits of Boyish
Character— School Life — Enters on his Business Edu-
cation — St. Mildred's Court — Ambleside — Apprentice-
ship — Marriage — Ham House 1
CHAPTEE II.
The Else and Progress of the Lombard Street Firm —
Money Dealings — Birth of a Son — Letter — Death of
Mr. Gurney of Earlham — Journey on the Continent —
Letter — Priscilla Gurney's Death 17
CHAPTEE III.
The Panic of 1825-26— The House at Upton— Trials-
Fraternal Affection — Theory and Practice — A Case of
Forgery — Justice — ^Moral Heroism — Letter 28
CHAPTEE IV.
Mr. Gurney's Character as a Man of Business — Extracts
from his Letters, &c.— Sympathy with Philanthropic
EflTorts— His Public Speaking — Speech at the London
Tavern 42
CHAPTEE V.
Changes— Dinner to the Officers of the Niger Expedition
at Ham House— Family Love — Kindness to Children
—Visit to Tunbridge Wells— The Queen Dowager and
Mr. Gurney 57
Vlll CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
Tour to Ireland — Extracts from Mr. Gurney's Letters —
Letter from Mrs. Opie — Anecdote — Love of Union —
Bible Society Jubilee, &c 73
CHAPTER VII.
The Infant Colony of Liberia — Mr. Gurney's Interest in
the Subject — Letter from President Roberts — Mr.
Gurney's Letter — Eflforts for Religious Liberty, &c. ... 89
CHAPTER VIIL
Failing Health of Mr. Gurney — Peace Principles —
Picture of Upton — Preparations for Departure — Ex-
tracts from Letters — Departure — Journey — Arrival at
Nice — Letters to Friends, etc 102
CHAPTER IX.
Residence at Nice — Delight in the Beauties of Nature —
Habit of Activity — Efforts to do Good — Accident to
his Carriage — Departure — Homeward Journey — De-
tention at Lyons — Arrival at Paris — Closing Scene ... 122
CHAPTER X.
Funeral at Barking — Extracts from Letters 140
Appendix 161
MEMORIALS
SAMUEL GUHNEY,
CHAPTER I.
INTRODrCTION BIRTH AKD CHILDHOOD TRAITS OF
BOYISH CHAEACTER — SCHOOL LIFE ENTERS OX HIS
BUSINESS EDUCATIOX — ST. MILDEED's COURT — AMBLE-
SIDE — APPRENTICESHIP — MARRIAGE — HAM HOUSE.
A GOOD name is truly a good inheritance in tlie con-
templation of which we delight, whether it be one of
a long line of noble ancestry, or to be traced but a
little way on the scroll of time ; Avhether we find it
among the descendants of those Norman lords, whose
brasses and effigies mark their resting-places Avithin
cathedral walls, or see it rudely carved on the moss-
coA'ered stone of the village churchyard.
No thing of mere inheritance this, however; no
B
2 ME.AIORIALS OF
possession of inalienable security. It is a treasure
wliicli needs vigilance to preserve, and a careful
band to keep from tbe tarnisb of tbe world's contact
— a tarnisb wbicb, alas, is more easily contracted
tbau obliterated !
Tbere is a pleasant, kindly association witb tbe
name owned by tbe subject of tbis little sketch ; its
sound calling up pictures of moral and spiritual
beauty, boly, gentle, and enduring memories of
true beroism and noble-bearted pbilantbropy,
sbedding greater lustre tban ever sbone on the
pathway of Norman or Plantagenet ; for on such a
name tbe voice of inspiration itself has deigned
to breathe the hallowed benediction, " The memory
of tbe just is blessed."
John Gurney, or Gournay, of Norwich, descended
from an ancient house who bad settled in Norfolk at
an early period in our country's history, was a mer-
chant of good repute in that city, and the immediate
ancestor of tbe present family. He embraced the
tenets of the Society of Friends, first introduced
during his lifetime by George Fox, the founder.
John Gurney 's descendant, named also John, mar-
ried, in the year 1775, Catherine, daughter of John
Bell, a London merchant; she being tbe grand-
daughter of Robert Barclay, the well-known apologist
of tbe Quakers, and sister of the talented authoress
Priscilla Wakefield.
lie lived for some years of bis married life at
the little village of Bramerton, near Norwich ; but
SAMUEL GURNEY. 3
removed in the year 1780 to Earlham Hall^ a resi-
dence still nearer the city ; a place so familiar to all
who are acquainted with the memoirs already pub-
lished of other members of the family^ that it needs
little notice in the present sketch. Here it was, in
this old English mansion, that Samuel Gurney first
saw light, on the 18th of October, 1786. He was
the second son and ninth child of ]\Ir. and Mrs.
Gurney's large family of eleven, and is described by
his sister, the present Dowager Lady Buxton, who
gives a pleasant picture of his early days, as a most
lovcable and loving boy.
He had good health ; but, owing to some trilling
malady, was repeatedly sent to the sea-side with her-
self, under the care of a nurse. '' He was,^^ Lady
Buxton relates, " a manly independent boy, full of
play, and remarkable for his activity and good nature,
and fond of going about Avith the sailors and watching
their employments on the shore.^^ The fact of his
immediate predecessors and natviral companions
having been girls does not appear to have had any
influence in directing his amusements and pursuits,
which were eminently of a boyish character. He
would often be found absorbed in the business of
the carpenter's shop, watching with untiring interest
the saw and the plane, Avhilst his younger brother
Joseph was busy at his books, or making verses,
as was his wont in childhood, Avho, according to
his own account in his published autobiography,
describes himself as averse to pursuits of a hardy
4 MEMORIALS OF
order, and fonder of reading and quietly sitting with
his elder sisters than joining his brother Samuel in
manly games, following the men about the farm, or
riding the teain to the hay-field.
In later life Samuel Gurney would often relate
with much amusement a piece of childish fun in
which he indulged, when he used to give sixpences to
a half-witted boy on the premises, to stand at the
farther end of the lawn as a mark for him to shoot
at in his favorite practice of archery. So, likewise,
when his uncle Joseph Gurney, of Lakcnham Grove,
offered him and his brother Joseph the choice of a
gift, he showed his difference of taste from his com-
panion by selecting a trap, bat and ball, for a present ;
whilst the younger rejoiced in the possession of a
Noah's ark.
His brother-in-law Mr. Fry notices a little in-
cident in his early life, very characteristic of his
independence of spirit : —
" He was," Mr. Yry writes, " manly, frank, and cou-
rageous, and, as such boys usually are, at the same time
gentle and kind-hearted ; but, although easy to be en-
treated or persuaded, he was ucverthek'as capable of
considerable firmness and decision, and was sure to mani-
fest a suitable sense of wrong in wise of anything uDJust
or unreasonable.
"I remember hearing that, when about eleven or
twelve years of age, his father on one occasion took him
to tusk rather too strongly, and gave orders as a punish-
ment that he should be sent to bed before his usual time.
However, at a much earlier hour than was prescribed,
SAMUEL GURNEY. 5
Samuel, ou being enquired for, was nowhere to be found,
until, after much searching, he was discovered in bed ;
and, oji being questioned as to the cause of his early-
retirement, declared he had gone to bed from preference,
as there Avas no place he liked so well."
All who know Earlham will readily imagine how
free and joyous child-life must have been there^ as
only country life perhaps can be : but the cloud of
niotherlessness early overshadowed the pleasant pic-
ture, for in the year 1792 Mr. Gurney was left
a widower, when the eldest of his eleven children
w'as scarcely seventeen, and the youngest but two
years of age. Very heavily must this loss have fallen
on all ; but its reality, if not the full sense of
it, yet more so on the younger than the elder
children, who had longer been permitted to enjoy
the privilege of a tender and judicious mother's coun-
sel and guidance. She was a good mother, with an
intellect of no common order, and her influence
over her family a most happy one. Her mantle
seemed to have fallen on the elder daughter,
Catherine, who was marvellously assisted in the
arduous work of training her younger brothers and
sisters, by wisdom, we may believe, not her own. She
had, as we well remember, a happy union of firmness
and kindness in dealing with the young mind, an
excellent judgment, which ever commended itself to
children ; and the motherless ones at Earlham, even
to the time of grey hairs, always regarded their sister
MEMORIALS OF
Catlierine with a mixture of filial reverence and
fraternal love.
At seven years of age the removal of Samuel
Gurney from home to school took place — a matter of
less surprise than regret ; but it is possible that the
restless spirit of a healthy, active lad, so fond of the
farm and the carpenter's shop, of bat and ball and
archery, may occasionally have clashed with the more
sober and intellectual pursuits of the seven sisters.
Still, one can scarcely refrain from pitying the little lad
as we picture him driving with those sisters, who all
accompanied him a short stage on his journey, leaving
the park gates of his beloved home. Pie was surel}'
old enough to have cast many a longing lingering
look behind him, and, but that children seldom think
sorrowfully on the future, which has something
charming in its uncertainty, the farewell must have
been not a little mournful. Arrived at Eaton, a
village about two miles from Earlham on the London
road, they found that the mail coach which they were
to have met had already passed, and were, therefore,
obliged to drive hard to overtake it, when the child
was put quite alone into the rumbling vehicle, and the
little traveller was on his way to London. The roads
were not so faultless then as in the present day ; the
coach was noisy and rumbling ; and if the boy did
not sleep, his night-thoughts, as he crossed the bleak
M aste of Newmarket Heathy could scarcely have been
enviable. All such little disagreeables nuiy be con-
siderably exaggerated to us in tliesc more luxurious
SAMUEL GURNEY. 7
times, however, and doubtless both father and sisters
knew the character with v/hich they had to deal, and
trusted that the bold, fearless child, would not shrink
from worse trials than a solitary journey in a stage
coach from Norwich to London.
This, then, was the early launch on life of Samuel
Gurney. Self-reliance was no lately learned lesson
with him, and it may be that the step was, under the
circumstances, a wise one. But the advantages of the
school were not first-rate, and the contrast between his
life at Wandsworth and Earlham was not favourable
to the former. Here, however, he remained for some
time — how long does not appear — until he joined his
younger brothers, who were enjoying superior educa-
tional advantages under the care of the Rev. Henry
Browne, at Hinghara, in Norfolk. He was a pupil
of the celebrated Dr. Parr, an excellent man and a
good scholar, grounding well in the classics and
other parts of literature, and caring for the boys in
every respect. Mr. Gurney, in thus sending his sons
for education to a clergyman of the Established
Church, did not greatly advance their prospects in
Quakerism ; but, although a member of the Society
of Friends, and brought up in their principles, he was
by no means a strict Quaker, and his constant asso-
ciation, both in business and otherwise, with good
and intelligent people of other persuasions, made
him perhaps less observant than many, of their pecu-
liarities. HoAvever, he provided against the necessity
of their accompanying their tutor to church, by
8 MEMORIALS OF
arranging with a farmer, a member of tlie "\Yymond-
ham Meeting, to receive the three brothers at his
house on the Sunday, and to convey them there in
his cart. "Wymondham being within seven miles of
Earlhara, an opportunity occasionally offered for short
meetings between the brothers and sisters ; but once
two of the more enterprising of the young ladies
walked the whole way to Hingham, a distance of
twelve miles, and back, to enjoy a glimpse of the
boys — an amount of energy and a degree of sisterly
zeal which it is impossible not to admire.
Under Mr. Browne's care and tuition the boys all
prospered ; but Joseph was already far in advance of
his brother Samuel in Latin and Greek, and his
father thinking that, at the age of fourteen, he per-
ceived no literary taste or fondness for study in his
elder boy, removed him from school, and determined
to place him in a situation where he would learn fhc
details of London business. Such a removal seems
premature. Many a lad of considerable talent and
force of character has scarcely conquered the drudgery
of his initiatory studies before the age of fourteen, and
is perhaps then only beginning to acquire the sweets
of learning. There are many causes in a strong,
health}', active lad, of sound physical constitution,
to counteract the full development of the intellec-
tual powers until the superfluous energy of boyhood
sliall have been permitted to run off, and we can
therefore scarcely judge what Samuel Gurncy might
have been in after life, as a literary man, had he been
SAMUEL GURNEY, 9
permitted to devote himself a little longer to tlie
pursuit .of study. He was gifted with strong natural
good sense and clearness of perception, and was by
no means deficient in general and extensive informa-
tion, which he always turned to the best account.
He was well read in history, and had more taste for
reading than persons who knew his subsequent inte-
rest in commercial subjects commonly imagined.
The school life was over, however, and the intro-
duction to his business career was at hand. An
opening occurred at this time which was extremely
favourable to the youth at this important stage of
his life's journey, of which his father gladly availed
himself. One of the elder daughters had three years
previously been united in marriage to Mr. Joseph
Fry of London, who, with his brother, was engaged
in carrying on a bank, as well as an extensive
business in the tea trade ; and, according to a prac-
tice then usual in commercial houses, Samuel Gurney
was apprenticed to his brother-in-law as a member
of the Clothworkers' Company, and received his
first lessons in business in the house in St.
Mildred's Court, Poultry. Mr. John Gurney, who
had up to the date of which we write (1803) been
engaged as a wool-stapler and spinner of worsted
yarn, was now admitted as a partner by his cousin
Bartlett Gurney, into the Norwich Bank, with his
brothers Joseph and Richard. This bank had been
established in 1770, by Henry Gurney, and was sub-
sequently carried on by his son Bartlett. It was,
B 3
10 MEMORIALS OF
therefore^ very important that the young men of the
family should be educated in an intimate acquain-
tance with monetary and commercial transactions,
which consideration possibly had some share in
tliis premature removal from school. It was in
the book-keeping department and in the money
afiPairs of the house that he was principally em-
ployed, and into these he entered with the same
heartiness and whole-mindedness which characterised
all he didj and which constituted his success in after
life. Very frequently has he, in conversation with
Mr. Fry, expressed his sense of the great advantages
he derived from the excellent business training in
St. IVIildred's Court, and his belief that much of his
succeeding prosperity was due to this his first start
in life.
But there were other and more substantial advan-
tages provided for him in an arrangement, which
enabled him to enjoy the watchful care and prayerful
solicitude of his sister Mrs. Fry, by which means
the temptations and dangers of a London life were
guarded against, and the value of such a home at this
critical period of youth can scarcely be over-estimated.
On this subject Lady Buxton remarks —
'* The serious and precious spii'it of tliis sister no doubt
liad an invaluable effect on his miud, and he was uni-
formly steady aud of good and wise conduct, most regular
in every duty, and preserved from the temptations of
youth ; for, altliouf^h he would witli great spirit enter
into pleasauter and lighter pursuits, his charac-
SAMUEL GURNEY. 11
tei'istic was that of sober perseverance iu bis duties.
He was most regular and conscientious in these, never,
for instance, voluntarily staying at home from a place of
worship."
Previous to the year 1802, an intimate friendship
bad been formed between some members of bis family
— especially bis eldest brother John — and Thomas
Fowell Buxton of Earl's ColuCj in Essex ; an intimacy
wbicb was afterwards more entirely cemented by the
marriage of Mr. Buxton to the fourtb daughter of
Mr. Gurney iu the year 1807. A large cheerful
party of the Gurnej-^s being formed to visit the lakes
of England and Scotland, Samuel Guruey was in-
vited to join tbem, and he and Mr. Buxton were
located in a lodging at Ambleside, under the super-
vision of their drawing master, the late John
Crome,
Here they amused themselves and the sisters with
various sports ; but we do not hear of any feats in the
sketching line on the part of either of the youths,
although a masquerading frohc is recorded, when
the future Lombard Street banker, and the embryo
statesman and philanthropist, appeared one day
successfully disguised as poor widows, and entreated
charity of the Miss Gurneys for themselves and
their numerous children. There was, moreover,
abundance of shooting and boating, and altogether
we can imagine the time to have passed merrily
enough at Ambleside and Keswick. But this desul-
tory kind of life did not suit Samuel Gurney. He
12 MEMORIALS OF
was not cut out for a man of pleasure or an idle
country gentleman, and, even at this early age, he
appears to have grown heartily tired of his relaxation,
aud to have longed to return to the books and the
counting-house in the tall, dull, city mansion of St.
Mildred's Court.
The following extracts, from a little sketch kindly
furnished by Miss Fry, will perhaps be more inte-
resting than any formal account of his youth,
between the years 1803 and 1808 : —
" He took to business and liked it ; in the countiug-
house, as Avell as in domestic hfe, ho was extremely
amiable and cheerful, aud was liked and beloved by the
whole establishment.
" When at work he was thoroughly industrious,
although no one more enjoyed to break off from it for
a drive into the country with my father, or to get up
a game at cricket in the fields at Plashet ;* yet in the
evening, on returning to town, he would cheerfully
go down after supper into the counting-house aud call
over the books for an hour or two. He was popular
everywhere, and the family were seldom invited to any
friend's house without being requested to bring Samuel
Gurney with them.
" My father bcai's anotlier liighly honourable testimony
to him : that during all liis knowledge of hhn in youth,
manliood, and age, he never remembers to have heard an
inipropcr word from his lips, or au expression that he
would wish recalled ; nor does he ever recollect detecting
or suspecting liim of an untruth. He was candid,
manly, virtuous.
* Tlio residonce of Mrs. Frv's father.
SAMUEL GURNEY. 13
" The first occasiou on which I find him named in my
mother's journal as resident at St. INIildred's Court, is
November 26th, 1802, when she regrets having con-
tradicted my father before Sam, ' which was a pity, and
not right.' After this his name frequently occurs as
one of the home circle.
" In February, 1803, he was unwell with a cougli,
which made her anxious, and she accompanied him on a
visit to Plashet for change of air, when Dr. Willan was
called in, who thought more seriously of it than she had
done.
" Although not brought up in strict conformity to
the costume or speech of the Society of Friends, he
shewed no propensity to follow fashions or gaiety of
appearance, beyond a respectable and suitable neatness
in his attire. He was, in other words, superior to the
follies and frivolities so prevalent with young men of the
world."
It was probably at this time that he first saw the
object of his affections, — a delicate, fair-haired girl,
the daughter of a Friend in the neighbourhood of
Plashet. Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard, her father and
mother, at that time occupied Ham House, the pro-
perty in former times of the celebrated Dr. Fothergill,
who expended considerable labour on the grounds,
and the remains of whose botanical garden — one of
the earliest efforts of the kind in our country — yet
exist at Upton.*
* There seems a parallel between the characters of Dr. Fothergill and
Samuel Giirney, the two principal occupants of Ham House worthy ot
note.
The physician is described as being of a marvellously genial and
14 MEMORIALS OF
This pleasant residence it was which became in
after years so endeared to Samuel Gui'ney and his
family, and the home where, with the exception of
one year, he passed his married life.
Of his affection for Elizabeth Sheppard, a member
of his family writes : —
" He was charming in his attachment and exceedingly
in love "v\'ith her, being almost afraid to look at or be
near her. She was an uncommonly pretty girl, and
showed a ver}^ tender, serious spirit, which was extremely
winning. I did not see the progress of his attachment,
which existed I forget how long, probably two or three
years, in secret."
Perhaps there is no circumstance of early manhood
which gives a greater colour to the after history than
the choice of a wife, and Solomon surely intended a
benevolent disposition, fond of giving, and sure to give delicately.
He, as well as his successor at Upton, was devoted to his caUiug, not
so much for the remuneration of the profession, as from true love of
the art.
Nothing hurt Fothcrgill's feelings so raucli as an estimate of the
medical profession formed upon lucrative advantages. " My \vish is,"
he said, " to banish all thoughts of practising physic as a money-
getting trade ;" and a similar view of Mr. Gunicy's character as a com-
mercial man may fairly be taken — the interest he took in monetarj'
transactions being apart from the love of mere money -getting. Both
men pursued their vocations con a more ; both rejoiced equally in
success. Both were warm-hearted philanthropists ; and it is worthy of
remark, that the beloved garden and choice plants of the good doctor
wore fully appreciated by the subsequent owner of Ham House.
Fothcrgill might have walked through his consers'atorics with more
scientific delight in his exotics ; but ho could scarcely liave rejoiced
more in the natural beauty of God's " smiles of love," the flowers,
than did his successor.
SAMUEL GURNEY. 15
good wife when lie spoke of that possession as " a good
thing/'- Certainly in the present instance neither the
discernment nor taste of Samuel Gurney were at fault;
for the character of Elizabeth Gurney, during the
whole period of her married life, is a striking parallel
to that of the inimitable description in the last
chapter of Proverbs of the " excellent woman." There
was a sweet unselfishness in her natural disposition
peculiarly endearing and instructive, a lowly esti-
mation of herself, a charity to others, a faithfulness
to duty, a power of sympathy most uncommon,
which, as one of her children remarks, often led
her into great trial, so truly did she suffer with those
who wept, and was ever ready to help and comfort.
Then her utter unworldliness. In the few simple
memorials this good wife and mother has left her
children of her inner life, it is really beautiful to see
how little, as riches increased, she set her heart upon
them, how entirely free from a spirit of ostentation
and display was her daily walk and conversation, and
how her loving gentleness threw a beauty about her
daily paths which must be delightful for her children
to recall among the things of past days.
It will not, it is hoped, be deemed out of place, or
irrelevant to the subject of this memoir, thus to
allude to the sharer of Samuel Gurney 's joys and
sorrows in the journey of life. For it seems impos-
sible in a faithful delineation of his character to omit
a notice of one who, it cannot but be believed,
exerted no mean influence over him.
16 MEMORIALS OF
We are frequently unmindful^ when gazing on a fine
picture, and admiring the spirit and boldness of its
outline^ how much interest and value as a whole is
due to tlie skill with which the artist has thrown in
his background, and we cannot tell how far the com-
pleteness and softened beauty of the Upton home
was owing to the quiet and retiring spirit of this
gentle woman.
The wedding of Samuel Gurney and Elizabeth
Sheppard took place on the 7th of April, 1808; and
the warm and deserved welcome given to the bride
to the bosom of her husband's family, appears to
have been cordially reciprocated by her.
An extract from Mrs. Fry^s journal, dated April 9,
1808, may close this period of his life.
" I was able to attend the wedding which I had so
particularly desired.
" We had a very striking meeting, and I did deeply
feel for dear Samuel and Elizabeth, and desire that tliey
might be blessed.
" The fat of the land was not my desire, but the dew
of heaven.
" They both felt very dear to me."
The marriage was conducted at Barking Meeting,
and, the little tour to the Isle of Wight being over,
the newly-married pair entered on possession of their
apartments at Ham House, still the residence of the
parents of the bride.
SAMUEL GURNEY. 17
CHAPTER II.
THE EISE AND PEOGEESS OF THE LOMBAED STEEET FIEM
— MOIiET DEALINGS — BIRTH OF A SON — LETTEE —
DEATH OF ME. GUENET OF EAELHAM — JOUENET ON
THE CONTINENT — LETTEE — PEISCILLA GUENEY'S
DEATH.
Hitherto we have only seen Samuel Gurney as tlie
diligent apprentice and plodding clerk in liis uncle's
counting-house ; but the elements of something more
than a common man of business were in the youth
who could forego the pleasures of rambling and
shooting amid Westmoreland and Cumberland hills
for the desk and the ledger, and who was conscious
of weariness in a life of mere pastime and amuse-
ment.
He was now about to enter life, at a peculiar period
in the history of the monied world. For a very little
time prior to Mr. Gurnej^'s marriage an important
branch of business had been commenced in the city
of London, and one which had a marked effect on
the commercial and banking interests of the country
at large.
Before the formation of the firm in Lombard Street,
now so well-known under the name of Overend,
Gurney and Co., there had been nothing at all ana-
18 MEMORIALS OF
logous to the system pursued by money dealers at
present.
At this time the city of Norwich carried on a very
lucrative trade in woollen goods with India and China,
under control of the East India Company ; and this
may have been the means of introducing a connection
between the Norwich Bank and Mr, Joseph Smith,
a member of the Society of Friends, then engaged as
a woollen factor in the city of London. The result
of this intercourse was, that Mr. Smith, having ex-
tensive dealings in his trade, was able to employ a
large amount of the surplus money of the Norwich
Bank in discounting the acceptances of his connec-
tions and others, for which he charged the bank the
reasonable commission of one quarter per cent, on
the amount of money thus negotiated. This business
in course of time so increased, that a clerk of Mr.
Smith's, John Overend, a north countryman of
great perseverance and considerable acuteness and
shrewdness, proposed to Mr. Smith that he should
be taken into partnership, and that they should
establish a separate business as bill brokers. This
proposal being rejected, the clerk left the firm, and
suggested to a Mr. Thomas Bichardson, then the
principal clerk in the house of Smith, Wright and
Gray, that they should start this new business on
their own account. The principle on which it was to
be conducted was somewhat novel, and its difference
between this and the former mode was, that instead
of charging the commission of one quarter per cent.
SAMUEL GUKNEY. 19
to those who supplied the capital, they should charge
it to those whose bills were discounted. This plan
meeting with the approval of the Norwich Bank, one
of the clerks, subsequently a partner in that concern,
the late Simon Martin — a man of much practical
knowledge, high principle, and steady perseverance in
all that he undertook — was sent to London, to assist
in the formation of the new and untried business.
And thus from so small a commencement has arisen
the great concern of Overend and Co. It was in the
year 1807, being the one previous to the marriage of
Samuel Gurney, that his father, Mr. John Guruey of
Earlham, having already placed his eldest son in the
branch bank at King's Lynn, with the prospect of a
future partnership, embarked his second son, Samuel,
in business on his own account ; and as an indication
of the well-deserved trust of the father we may
notice the fact that, at the early age of twenty-one,
Samuel Gurney took no inconsiderable share in the
concern of Richardson and Overend. How much
of the safety and success of that vast establishment
was due to his firm, clear, bold, business talent from
early youth, through a long course of years, through
many anxieties and shocks, not a few bankers and
merchants in London can testify.
Amid some clouds of family bereavements the
sunshine of joy broke in on his more immediate
household with the birth of the first-born son, which
event took place at Upton, in the summer of 1809 ;
and in the close City engagements which so constantly
20 MEMC'RIALS OF
occupied her husband during the day^ ]Mrs. Gurney
appears to have found a sweet solace in the almost
engrossing care of the litttle one.
Towards the close of the month of October of
the same year, Samuel Gurney was summoned to
attend the death-bed of his father at Earlham. In
consequence^ however, of the scarlet fever having
been lately prevalent in the family at the Hall, it was
not deemed safe for Mrs. Gurney and the infant son
to join him in this last sad visit to his parent, and
the regrets of the young husband and wife are very
naturally expressed by the latter in being denied the
joy of showing the little grandson to their beloved
parent.
An extract from one of the few letters which have
been preserved of Mr. Guruey's, will show how
seriously at this early stage of his parental life, when
the cares of City business were daily increasing in
their weight, he viewed the responsibility of his
character as a father. The letter, which is to his
wife, is very short, and is dated Liverpool, 6th of
Eighth Month, 1810, during a temporary absence
from home : —
" My mind has been a good deal turned to thee, sin-
cerely desiring that thou and I may be enabled to give
ourselves up to what is best, and that our pursuits in
this world may more and more have tliis tendency ; that
we may be able to grow in what is good, and to set
such an example to our dear little boy, as to make a
lasting impression on his now innocent mind."
SAMUEL GURNEY. 21
In the year 1810, the arrangement to share the roof
of Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard at Upton, gave place to
the more convenient one of occupying a separate resi-
dence at North End. The farewell to Ham House was
rather a sad affair to Mrs. Gurney, who was fondly
attached to the scene of so many of her young and
happy days, and, notwithstanding her content and
thankfulness in entering her new life as mistress of
her beloved husband's household, she naturally
regrets " the last day on which she should call dear
Upton home ;'' little thinking that this house w^ould
yet be associated with still dearer and more mature
joys, not only as the birth-place of so many of her
children, but that those children's chiklren should
tread the nursery floor, and sport on the green lawns
and pleasant garden paths of those shady grounds.
It will not be expected that the life of a man so
deeply and steadily engaged in mercantile affairs
should present any variety of incident for the bio-
grapher to record. The earlier portions of it, indeed,
knew little interruption, and until the year 1817 we
do not hear of any more extended journeys than
those taken at intervals to see his relatives at
Earlham, or to transact matters of business connected
with the Norfolk Bank.
Towards the close of 1817 he joined a family party
in a short tour upon the Continent, principally with
a view of forming a branch Bible Society in Paris, as
well as to procure information respecting the various
systems of prison discipline adopted in the gaols of
22 MEMORIALS OF
Antwerp and Ghent. There are some allusions to
this tour in the Memoirs of Sir Fowell Buxton, and
it is therefore needless to enter into its particulars
here. The interest which Samuel Gurney took in
its object is evident from a letter which has been
preserved; and that he was a most animated and
delightful travelling companion, and highly prized
by the rest of the party, is no less so. In a very
naive letter of Mr. Buxton's, addressed to Mrs.
Gurney, he writes humorously of his own extraor-
dinary stupidity in speaking French, and of Samuel
Guruey's extraordinary capacity : he adds —
" Tour husband is in excellent spirits, and of iufiiiite
value to us. He gets on with bis French a merveiue ;
but be forgets liis Friend's language, r.nd speaks in the
plural number. I tell bim bis principles are so very
precious, that be would not expose tbem to the dangers
of the sea, and has left tbem at home. "We cannot think
of letting him go away until the end of the week ..."
The same sheet contained a tender letter from Mr.
Gurney to his absent wife, manifesting how con-
tinually she and the children were the subjects of his
thoughts, and containing a circumstantial account of
the tour, which in those days was accomplished with
less ease than in the present time of luxurious rail-
way travelling.
In the various efforts of those distinguished
philanthropists, Joseph John Gurney and Fowell
Buxton, and their well-known sister Elizal)ctli Fry, for
the improvement of prison discipline and the reform
SAMUEL GURNEY. 23
of our criminal code, Samuel Gurney heartily united;
and, if liis name is less prominent than theirs in
those efforts, it cannot be denied that without his
constant aid, both by counsel and sympathy, as well
as that of his ever-open hand, many of the bene-
volent schemes of Elizabeth Fry, especially, would
have been greatly contracted, and her usefulness
much hindered.
Although settled in a distant home, the interests of
Samuel Gurney were ever alive to every ch'cumstance
connected with his brothers and sisters. In 1821,
at a period of great mercantile excitement, he
responds to a request to assist in the removal of his
youngest sister Priscilla, then far advanced in pul-
monary consumption, from Earlham to her brother-
in-law's residence at Cromer Hall, in Norfolk,
How beautifully does the softened character of the
judicious and affectionate brother and nurse by the
sick couch contrast with that of the firm man of
business in the bank office of Lombard Street !
An extract from a letter to his wife on this occasion
may be interesting. It bears the date of Cromer,
Second Month 9th, 1821 :—
" Mt Deabest ,
" Thou Avilt have heard from Rachel of our safe arrival
here. We had been a little doubtful whether it might
not have proved too great an excitement to our dear
Priscilla. The contrary provea the case, and I trust it
rather tended to revive her. As far as the circumstances
of the case admitted, Betsy (Elizabeth Fr^^) and I had
a very pleasant journey.
/
2-t MEilOKIALS OF
" Thou wilt liave heard that Priscilla has a good deal
revived from the very low state in which she was a few
days ago, which has enabled her and us also, to value being
together, much more than we could have done a short
time since. She appears to enjoy our sitting with her
quietly, and occasionally reading or entering into conver-
sation among ourselves.
" Notwithstanding the uncommon calmness that per-
vades her mind, she has many deep baptisms to pass
through ; not that she has any apprehensions as to the
futiire, but more, I think, as to the close and near ties she
has to leave. She told Louisa the other day that the pros-
pect of a return to life was attended with much more
conflict than that of death. For myself, I have felt re-
freshed aud have slept well, although having left London
at a critical moment has given me some paia ; not that I
doubt the propriety of my coming, under the information
I then had ; and I must, therefore, leave matters to take
care of themselves. Indeed, it sometimes happens they
do best by themselves, and work their own way better
than we can for them.
" Dear Priscilla continues very calm and peaceful, and
much values my company, which is generally of the quiet
sort, as she prefers it and it suits her."
Again, in a letter to Mrs. Gurney, dated Earlham,
Sixth Month lOth^ 182.2, we see how large were the
powers of Samuel Gurney's sympathy with sorrow in
whatever form it presented itself. It was written on
the occasion of the death of his sister-in-law ^Irs.
J. J. Gurney : —
" jNIr Deahest ,
" Thou Avilt be prepared in some measure for the sad
intelligence of the death of our beloved Jane, which took
SAMUEL GURNEY. 25
place, after a sinking night, at about half-past five o'clock
this morning.
" Joseph, who had passed much of the night in comfort-
able sleep, was called about an hour previously, and was
present at the awful though peaceful close. It Avas a
memorable occasion never to be forgotten. She departed
in perfect quiet, and surely a precious feeling of peace
was abundantly prevalent, our beloved brother being
prepared to give her up into the hands of her righteous
God, in the full faith of her entrance into tlie joy of her
Lord, since which we have all been favoured with much
calm and composure.
" I need hardly add that I have had high satisfaction
in coming when I did ; for, though outward help appears
of little avad. to my beloved brother, yet I shall always
rejoice in having passed through this part of his trial, as
his companion, both personally, and in no small degree of
feeling also. The last two or three days of our dear
sister's life have been nearly clouded by delirium, though
accompanied with much sweetness : and an occasional
lucid interval has been pei'mitted, in which she testified
that all fear of death was taken away through the merits
of her righteous Redeemer.
" In a case in which another is so deeply and exqui-
sitely interested, it seems out of place to bring forward
myself; but to thee, my dear wife, it may be right to say,
that on no occurrence of my life have I been so cast into
the depths as since my arrival here. Indeed, it has been
a severe trial to me ; but I trust, though with fear, I have
not been overlooked in the Divine support so mercifully
handed out.
" How closely has it brought many things to my mind,
especially the tie that exists between us ; and how have I
wanted thy sweet support. Neither has it been unac-
c
26 MEMORIALS OF
companied with earnest desires tliat our love may grow
on the only lasting foundation.
" Our precious children have also been much on my
mind, and I have hoped that the elder ones may partake
of, and not flee from, the sorrow so largely our portion at
this time. Our dear John has been much on my mind.
Surely they may unite with us in seeking consolation at
a throne of grace.
" I trust dear Betsy (Elizabeth Fry) and thee are
thrown much together on this occasion."
After some expressions of his wishes respecting
their attending the funeral, he says —
" But I feel no great care either way, only thou mayst
always rely on my wanting thee at all times ; and shouldst
thou decide on coming, I should see no disadvantage in
our two elder children being thrown into such a scene.
" Our dear brother stands firm on the ground of a
Christian ; but true I'eligiou refines and does not blunt
the feelings, and his are deep indeed, and at times almost
overwhelming.
" In the tenderest love I remain tliine,
" Samuel Gtubnet."
About this time, during a visit to Cromer, we have
this short but interesting allusion to Samuel Gnrncy,
from the pen of Miss Buxton, a family connection,
who resided at a short distance from Northrepps Hall.
In a letter to a fi'icnd she thus mentions the subject
of these pages : —
" Sam Gurney is here as ever cheerful, a well-poised
vessel, a valuable freight, aud the merchandize of it by
SAMUEL GURNEY. 27
some pe.culiar fortune fitted for pleasant traffic here, and
certain also of a good market above. At least if Sam is
not a good fellow, who is good."
From the date of Mr. Sheppard's deaths which
occurred in 1812, Ham House became the settled
residence of Mr. and Mrs. Gurney, and the birth-
place of their numerous family.
c2
28 MEMORIALS OF
CHAPTER III.
THE PANIC OF 1825-26 — THE HOUSE AT UPTOX — TRIALS
ERATEBNAL AEEECTIOK — THEORY AKD PRACTICE — A
CASE OP PORGEBT — JUSTICE — MORAL HEROISM —
LETTER.
The house of Overencl, Gurney and Co. was now
fast rising in tlie scale of commercial prosperity.
The scheme originating with two bankers' clerks, and
carried out with steady perseverance and judgment,
had fully answered, and the foundation was secure.
One well acquainted with Mr. Gurney's character
as a man of business, writes in reference to this
subject :
" It was a remarkable sight to witness the head of
that firm plunge day by day into the vortex of city
business, and return thence to his domestic hearth,
without any trace of a mammon-loving spirit.
" This remarkable absence of care and solicitude on
the score of business, however, was not without its ex-
ceptions ; and tljcre were times, wlien tlie money market
was disturbed and failures impended, that even the calm
mind and self-possession natural to Samuel Gurney
suilered intense anxiety, aud his peace and rest were
disturbed.
" Knowing ultimately as lie did the sufferings which
SAMUEL GURNEY. 29
awaited . those who could uo longer command credit or
obtain supplies from other quarters, this anxiety was felt
more on the account of others than on his own. His
desire was to act fairly and justly to his fellow-creatures,
as well as to himself; and thus did he move onwards
cautiously and step by step, through those troublous
times, lest he shoiJd be led into any error of judgment.
" One must know something practically as well as
theoretically of the magnitude of City transactions con-
centrated in one focus, and have felt the heart-sickening
anxiety which thrilled the man of business at the times
of those fearful monetary panics, to which our commer-
cial country of England is so peculiarly liable, to estimate
the immense weight of responsibility which at such
critical times rested on the mind of Samuel Gurney."
The sudden run upon the banks, both in London
and the provinces, have rendered most memorable
the winter of 1825-6; when more than one banker
could doubtless respond to the sentiment expressed
by Joseph John Gurney, that business was produc-
tive of much trial. Truly it was calculated to test
character and principle, to prove uprightness and
equity. It was a season of universal gloom in town
and country. Houses of long-established credit
began to give way, and confidence seemed at an
end. Most expressive is our word panic, as descrip-
tive of the spirit of that critical time.
It is difficult to conceive a more anxious position
than that occupied by Mr, Gurney at such a time,
from the double pressure of his large concerns both
in London and Norfolk.
30 MEMORIALS OF
The clear, sound judgment evinced by liim in this
terrible emergency, can scarcely be too highly com-
mended or gratefully estimated, as it doubtless saved
hundreds from utter ruin, and promoted, in no
common degree, the safety and interests of a large
portion of the banking and commercial world.
Josej)h John Gurney alludes feelingly in his journal
to the anxieties of this time, and expresses much
sympathy with the trial of faith and patience Avhich the
panic had brought on his beloved brother Samuel.
A calm, or rather lull, succeeded the storm of
1825-G; but in the year 1828 other clouds arose in
the horizon, and broke at length over some very
nearly allied to Mr. Gurney.
All who know Upton and its surroundings — pleasant
beyond belief of those who have never seen it, and
think only of its proximity to the busy world of
London — will readily enter into the pleasures of the
little colony, which, in process of time, formed around
Ham House, an unpretending dwelling in the small
park at Upton, and possessing a home-like old
English beauty of its own.
There is not an approach to grandeur, or even
stateliness, in the mansion. It is just such a place
as a weary traveller would feel a longing to enter,
sure of comfort within its walls. And as lie peeps
through the park gates, and sees groups of children
playing freely under the shadow of a spreading tree,
or perhaps a little band of Sunday scholars, blanched
and sickly, as children from Stratford and Bow are
SAMUEL aiifl,NEY. SI
likely to be^ seated in quiet enjoyment of tlie milk
and buns provided for their scliool-treat within the
enclosure, and merry boys playing cricket on the
grass, he would feel tempted to enter too_, and would
be sure that the owner of Ham House was no
churlish, inhospitable man, but a thorough-going
" old English gentleman/^ And then the quaint,
irregular building of the house, looks so inviting, with
its many chimneys sending up their wreaths of
curling smoke; the walled-iu kitchen- gardens, with
all their tempting abundance ; the friendly tone of
the door-bell ; the peep of the fine-spreading cedars
and sloping green lawn; the conservatory, opening
out of the familiar greenhouse parlour ; the dining-
room, neither too large and dreary, nor too small
and cramped ; the drawing-room, furnished with the
simple elegance characterising the homes of Friends ;
the warm, snug, curtained bed-rooms, with their
pleasant looks-out on to garden and park ; the
nurseries, seldom silent, even now that the children
of Ham House have passed its threshold, but still
gladdened by the voices of children's children — all
speak a welcome. But alas ! the sire's kindly greeting
of children and of grand-childi-en will never more echo
in those hospitable halls, nor the beaming smile of
the late host, so eminently given to hospitality, be
seen by Christmas hearth or beneath the summer
trees of Upton.
A bright centre, a little castle in its way, was Ham
House, around which other members of the family
S2 MEMORIALS OF
instinctively gathered, as though for protection and
shelter. Close by was the dwelling of Mrs. Gurney's
only brother, to whose children, early left motherless,
the kindly watchfulness of that judicious, tender-
hearted relative must have been an inestimable
blessing, and to whom there are some very touching
allusions in the journal of her life. A little further
still, amidst fine trees and overlooking a beautiful and
expansive lawn, was Plashet House, the favourite resi-
dence of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Fry, where she
loved to gather her children around her, and after her
arduous duties at Newgate, or her religious services in
different parts of the country, to renew her strength
and to rest awhile from her labours.
But in 1828 the sorrow-stricken wife and mother
writes : '^ The storm has now entered our own
borders;" and it was even so. The failure of one of the
houses of business in which ]\Ir. Fry was a partner,
involved the whole family in sorrow and perplexity.
The pleasant country home was exchanged for the city
residence in St. Mildred's court, which they occupied
but for a short time however, when they returned to
the neighbourhood of Upton, and once more renewed
their pleasant associations there.
Sorrow and adversity, while it estranges hearts
whose hold it were perhaps scarce worth while to re-
tain, binds the loving and faithful yet closer together ;
and never more brightly than at the present juncture
did the fraternal love of Samuel Gurncy and the
practical benevolence of his character shine forth.
SAMUEL GURNET. 33
" It is impossible/' writes one of his friends on this
subject, "to dive into those most difficult and delicate
cases in which his large circle of relatives and friends
proved his faithfulness. They are cases hidden from
the public eye, and their extent can never be known ;
but that his generosity in these respects was un-
bounded is no secret, and formed, if not the most
distinguished, certainly one of the most beautiful and
interesting, items of his deeds of charity."
The affection which had always existed between
Mrs. Fry and her brother Samuel, was of a very
tender and peculiar nature. She had watched over
his early days with all the mother-sister love which
her sense of their mutual bereavement called forth ;
and now he was about to guard and shield her from
the dart of sorrow, as she had guarded him from the
perils of boyhood and youth.
INIiss Fry here remarks : —
" The tie between my mother and uncle was peculiarly
strong. Before her marriage he was especially her boy.
His residence with her afterwards confirmed it, and the
close neighbourhood in after life rivetted it as strongly
as any earthly union could well be.
"He was to her an ever-ready helper, a pillar of
strength — 'a rock,' as she fondly called him. She brought
him much in return that was interesting, as well as
opening the way, throTigh her public celebrity, to some
distinguished and delightfid society. His judgment, his
liberality, his ever ready-help, with his frequent com-
panionship, were most essentially valuable to her. My
own feeling respecting my uncle was that of ha\T.ug in
c 3
34' MEMORIALS OF
liiin a tower of refuge, to wliicli we miglit safely go for
help and protection, especially during my mother's
illness ; and, since her decease, with increasing know-
ledge of him came increasing love, respect, and admi-
ration. The tenderness, gentleness, and sympathy that
his inner nature possessed, were very delightful to those
who knew him intimately. His great kindness in illness
and suffering, his bright mind and clear head, were
delightful. It was a pleasure to lay a subject before
him, he so instantly understood and comprehended it in
all its bearings, especially when connected with business
or family arrangements."
A reference to an earlier date than that of which
"we are writing seems as though it may appropriately
be introduced hcre^ as illustrative of the tender love
which Elizabeth Fry had ever felt for the brother,
who at this mournful period of her life proved one
of her greatest earthly supports and consolations.
It is an extract from part of Mrs. Fry's unpublished
journal, furnished by one of her daughters.
" Plashct, First Mouth Htb, 1816.
" The turning a new year I felt very much ; more par-
ticularly so, deeply feeling the change in the last, in our
beloved Betsy being taken from us.* And I little ex-
pected, 80 soon upon entering tliis, to have one so dearly
beloved aa my brother Samuel in apparently much danger
of following her, from a luu-t in his arm tliat took serious
hold of liis constitution.
" I fear I flinched. I felt it almost too much, and was
ready to fear whether the floods would not be permitted
to prevail, tliough it was also evident to me that the Evcr-
* A littlo (laughter of Mrs. Fry's, who diod iu early childhood.
SAMUEL GURNET. 85
lasting Arms were iiuderneatli, and in my affliction I truly
felt the heart-tendering consolation of religion. He is one
very near my heart. I have from his early years prayed
for him, Avept over him, and even interceded with strong
intercession of spirit that he miglit not be hurt by evil.
" I am now favoured to see him under the influence of
grace, and I trust established in righteousness, I have
known his help and support many times ; indeed, he has
been a great helper in bearing some of our burdens for
us. I have craved that, if it were right, he might live to
be a blessing to his family, an ornament to the church,
and show forth the praises of his great Lord and Master.
And oh, may his life this time be preserved not only to
glorify Him in life, but may he die the death of the
righteous, and magnify the name of Israel's Shepherd."
It is well known that from an early stage of Sir
T. F. Buxton^s parliamentary career, he had directed
the full powers of his mind and the utmost efforts of
his eloquence to turn the attention of the Legislature
to the reform of the criminal code ; and in this, as
well as in all objects for the promotion of justice and
mercy, Mr. Gurney heartily sympathised. His spirit
of benevolence and Christian philanthropy revolted
at the idea of taking away life, especially for crimes
committed against property, and he united in many
efforts to obtain a reprieve for those unhappy creatures
whose lives had been forfeited to the rigorous laws
then existing.
Several instances of forgery on a very extensive
scale had occui'red, and it cannot be supposed that,
as a banker and man of business, Mr. Gurney could
36 MEMORIALS OF
hold sucli an offence in auglit but detestation. But
the very seventy of the code in itself denied him
redress. Shameful and heinous^ grossly injurious as
the crime was to himself and to all similarly engaged
in business, the law was in his case powerless ; for the
very enactment which rendered forgery punishable
by death, rendered it impossible for one entertaining
his conscientious scruples on capital punishment to
prosecute.
His practice and his theory were consistent, and
the sincerity of his principles — for principles they
were, and not mere morbid and mistaken kindness —
were once tested in a very remarkable manner.
It was discovered that a certain individvxal had
committed forgery on the firm at Lombard Street,
by which considerable loss was sustained. The
culprit was discovered, the guilt clearly proved ; and^
strictly guarded, the man was conveyed to the house
of business for further examination and the decision
of the partners. The thoughts of Samuel Gurney,
when he retired for solemn consideration of the course
to be pursued, may be well imagined. The struggle
was great between justice and mercy.
The crime was one committed against society —
not a personal injury alone; and should it go un-
punished ? Was it right and just to tnrn such a man,
devoid of ])riuciple and conscience, loose on the
world again, uncondcmncd and unrequited? Yet what
was tlic alternative ? To prosecute was to sign his
death warrant. lie thouglit, and we may well
SAMUEL GURNEY. 37
believe he thought prayerfully, ere he came to the de-
cision that he could not take the wretched man's life.
Some hours passed away, and he spurned the thought
of the "legal murder" of one who might yet repent
and live. One can picture his stately form, one
seems to hear his firm step, as he advanced to the
room where the culprit awaited his doom. "We have
thee under our power," were Mr. Gurney's words,
as he bent his scrutinizing look on the man. " By
the law we must hang thee, — but we will not do that;
so'' — opening the private door, — " be off to the con-
tinent, and beware of ever returning." He was then
led out at the back door into the street, and shortly
afterwards left England. He finally took up his
abode at Vevay, and was some years after drowned
in the Lake of Geneva.
This transaction, which was publicly known and
severely animadverted on at the time, had a great
effect in bringing about an alteration of the law.
As the matter then stood, a great deal of trouble and
misrepresentation ensued to Mr. Gurney, for the eye
of the world did not view the affair in the same light
as himself, and there was considerable fear that he
would be prosecuted for having let the forger escape
condign punishment. His wife mentions this period
of trial and severe conflict to her husband very
feelingly; but expresses her thankfulness that his
religion shone so brightly through all the transaction,
and records her experience of the truth, that "to
B8 MEMORIALS OF
tlie upriglit man there should light arise out of
darkness/'
Many instances might be given of Mr. Gurney's
firmness of purpose^ in the proper notice and punish-
ment of an infringement of honesty and truth. He
was benevolent and tender-hearted, but not Aveak.
One anecdote which rests on good authority, may
illustrate this feature of his character. He was,
among many other educational and philanthropic
efforts, deeply interested in the British and Foreign
School Society, and frequently assisted young men
to avail themselves of the advantages which their
Training Institution offers "to those desirous of be-
coming qualified as teachers. It is probable that his
kindness was occasionally misplaced ; and on one oc-
casion, on his arrival in Lombard Street at his usual
hour in the morning, he found a young man of
respectable appearance awaiting him, who, as he had
learned, had been making an improper use of the
means provided for this purpose, and had proved him-
self, in fact, a complete impostor. Mr. Gurncy at once
apprised him, that with the will to assist the deserving,
he had likewise the determination to punish the de-
ceiver; and as soon as some affairs in business had
been transacted he told him of his true position. The
youth begged for mercy, but iu vain. " No,'' was
the emphatic answer ; " thy crime is too great to be
passed over ;" and, dismissing the policeman at the
young man's earnest request, Mr. Gurney walked
SAMUEL GURNEY. 89
arm in arm with him to the Mansion House, stated
his charge, and the result "vvas his committal for three
months to prison.
The same authority for the above story relates
rather a characteristic one, of a somewhat different
nature ; but, as evincing something of the wisdom of
Solomon in deciding a questionable point, and a
rigorous love of justice, it may be introduced here.
On several occasions the poultry had been stolen
from Ham House, and the means to put a stop to
the annoyance were for some time in abeyance. At
last a thief bolder than the rest cast a wistful eye
upon a peacock. The bird was accordingly trans-
ported from the fresh air of Upton to some close
abode in the densely populated district of Spitalfields.
A reward of £20 was immediately offered for the
missing bird, and information against the thieves.
One of the number turned informer for the sake of
the reward; the thief was brought to justice; and
when the important but difficult point was mooted
as to the bird being truly Mr. Gurney's property, he
requested the magistrate to send an officer to put
the peacock down in any part of the park, and de-
clared that if the bird was his it would roost on a
particular branch of one of the cedar trees. The
trial was made; the peacock^s instinct was not at
fault, for it reinstated itself, to its perfect satisfaction
and that of its owner, on the leafy branches of the
favourite tree.
A letter from a son of the Chevalier Buusen, in-
40 MEMORIALS OF
serted by his permission^ will show another and very
eminent feature in Samuel Gurney's character, and
one in which many a so-called hero has proved
lamentably deficient — the virtue of moral courage.
The letter needs no comment, and the facts speak
for themselves.
" Early in the summer of 1854, I spent a week at
B Hall, the country seat of . This geutleman,
an eminent London merchant, and during many years a
member of Parliament, took much pleasure, in the course
of our nocturnal couversatious, in reviewing the varied
incidents of his life, and the characters of men with whom
he had become acquainted. As might perhaps be ex-
pected from such an account, many of the cases related
were of a nature to show how widely spread is the domi-
nion of evil — how men in high places and in low places
were known to have given way to unfaithfulness in
their respective trusts, to avarice, intrigue, and uutruth-
fulness. Impatient to hear more cheerful descriptions of
human nature, I ventured to interrupt a string of such
anecdotes. ' Surely, Mr. ,' I said, ' you have not
lived thus long without experiencing that there is true
nobiUty and high unselfish principle among men.' My
host raised his head significantly, and replied, * Yes,
I have seen a noble deed, and the man who did it
is old Sam Gurney. Tou may have read,' he con-
tinued, * about 's trial in the year 18 — , when one of
the first silversniitlis in the City, and a man of high
esteem for his upriglitnoss, was accused of forgery.
The excitement as to tlie probable result of this in-
quiry was intense, and tlie opinions of men dillered widely.
On the morning of the decisive day I cliauced to hear
that my friejid Gurney was prepared to stand by the
SAMUEL GURNET. 41
prisoner in the dock. I immediately proceeded to Lom-
bard Street, where I found him occupied with the vast
interests of his business, and asked him hastily whether
common report were true. Upon which he said, ' After
a most anxious investigation of the matter, I am firmly
convinced of that man's innocence. I deem it my duty
to express this conviction publicly, and will join — ~ in
the felon's dock.' And most assuredly he went ; nor
could any one easily forget the intense sensation pro-
duced in the crowd of spectators when, on the px'isoner
being conducted to his place, the stately figure of Samuel
Gurney presented itself to the public gaze by the side of
the innocent silversmith.
" The anecdote is told without comment, and yet it
would call forth many. Eor the noble deed related,
though in no wise astonishing, nay, not even remarkable,
to those who know the power that uplifted the meek and
single-hearted believer, yet cheers one in the contem-
plation of that rarest of virtues, moral coiorage, meek
and unobtrusive in its proceeding, yet steadfast and
unflinching."
42 MEMORIALS OF
CHAPTER IV.
MR. GTJE>'ET's CHAEACTEE AS A MA]!f OF BUSFN'ESS —
EXTEACTS FEOM HIS LETTEES, ETC SYMPATHY "WITH
PHILAXTHEOPIO EEEOETS — HIS PUBLIC SPEAKING
SPEECH AT THE LOXDOIS^ TAVEEK.
Were we only to contemplate the character of Samuel
Gurney as a man of business, the glance would be
but a cursory one, from which the writer, no less
than the generality of readers, would doubtless turn
aside and say, that "all is vanity and vexation of
spirit."
It has been sometimes urged against men of wealth
and substance, whose lives have been passed amid the
engagements of commercial life, that the tide of
human sympathies has been closed or impeded, and
that in the grand effort to heap up riclics their bene-
volent energies have been dwarfed and paral3^zcd; and
truth and experience will bear witness to this fact in
many cases. They that will be rich fall into divers
temptations ; and it would be a bold assertion to make
of any prosperous man that he never fell into the
snares which the world lays deceitfully in his path.
A minister in the Society of Friends, many years
since, when driving with Mr. Gurney into the City
from Upton, felt it right in his ministerial capacity
to address his companion on tlie peculiar dangers
and temptations incident to such a life, faithfully
SAMUEL GURNEY. 43
representing to him the tendency of human nature
to absorption in any worldly occupation^ especially
the acquisition of riches ; and suggested how happy
and useful his life might be as a country gentleman,
ministering to the necessities of those around him, and
devoting his time and energies to philanthropic pur-
suits. He received the word of exhortation meekly
and thoughtfully; but replied, with his habitual
frankness and sincerity, that he could not, he believed,
live apart from an employment which had become
almost natural to him ; and that unfortunately, not
being " bookish like his brother Joseph," he should
be at a loss without his business.
This was undoubtedly true. Business was to him
something more than employment; it was his "hobby"
— it was that in which he eminently excelled, and in
which he displayed his rare judgment, decision, and
courage. He loved success ; but it was rather for its
own sake than for the mere increase of possession
which it brought, and he had a solemn sense of the
responsibility attached to such a talent, and the
importance of using it for the glory of God and the
benefit of his fellow-creatures.
His early education had been with a view to
making, not a literary, but a commercial man. From
the age of sixteen he had been thrown into close
association with the monicd world, and his lot had
been cast in the heart of a great city.
But with all this taste, both natural and acquired,
for business, there was marvellously little of its taint
44 MEMORIALS OF
adhering to him. " He is the only man I have ever
seen/' says the Rev. Henry Tacey^ of S wanton
Morley, "that has passed through the burning, fiery
furnace, without the smell of it in some way hanging
about his garmeats." Still it was a furnace, and
that he felt it to be so the following extracts from
his own letters testify.
The first is addressed to his brother, Mr. J. J,
Gm'ney, and bears date Fourth Month, 1825.
" As for myself, I may fairly acknowledge I have been
too much occupied in my worldly pursuits, aud, what is
worse, I do not at present see my way clear out of them.
I moiu-n over this at times, but perhaps there is groimd
for hope that relief may come.
" A Lombard Street business, especially our o^^'u, is so
very engrossing, and does in reality require such unre-
mitting attention, that escape is not easy. I sometimes
feel inclined to envy some of you in the devotion or
calliDg of your lives, with all its trials and baptisms.
" I can only salve over my own mind with the thought
that my worldly engrossments have not been entirely my
o^vn choosing — have come upon me unsought, and may
be for the present my calling."
To a member of the Society of Friends, who had
written to him on the subject of his close application
to business, he replies from Upton.
"Second Month 12th, 1846.
" My veet deae Fbiend,
. . . . Greatly do I value tliy Christian sympathy
and religious concern. May the prayer of tliy lioart for
me be answered, and mav I bo enabled to see aud to
SAMUEL GURNEY. 45
follow that path, if there be one to be granted, out of the
worldly pursuits in which at this time I am so much
occupied.
" It is true we have had a very anxious time in the
City, and are in measure likely to have a continuance of
it for some time. Many are suiFering from it. Under
such circumstances, critical to so many, it appears need-
ful and my place and duty to be on the spot at this time.
" Whether the present state of things will lead to a
decrease of my business cares, or a release altogether, I
cannot see ; but am prepared to rejoice over either, if
it open the way for my taking more part, if rightly
laid upon me, in those things which I value above any-
thing else.
" Thy attached brother,
" (Claiming a continuance of thy honest
" and tender concern,)
" Samuel Guenet."
Several letters from Mr. J. J. Giirney indicate
a brotherly anxiety that the man of business might
be preserved unspotted from the world.
"Maycst thou, my beloved brother," he writes, "be
preserved in close watchfulness, with prayer, that the
trammels of the world may not hinder the growth of the
immortal seed, or prevent thy being wholly dedicated to
the love, fear, and service of God. The world will have
its cares, but we need not imbibe its spirit ; and let us
henceforth keep our hands clean, perfecting holiness in
the fear of the Lord."
And again, some years afterwards, when on a
journey of religious service in Lincolnshire and
Yorkshire : —
46 MEMORIALS OF
"My heart very much turns to thee, from whom I
have in every way derived so much assistance and en-
couragement.
" I feel it profitahle to be extricated for a season from
the thoughts of this world ; and that thou mayest be
favoured to arise from time to time above the trammels
of business, and to hold communion with thy God in
spirit, is my earnest desire and prayer."
]Mr. Gurney always maintained, in his path of
daily and anxious responsibility, a spirit of calm and
quiet decision of purpose, and he felt his position to
be one of serious importance, not affecting his own
interests alone, but those of a large proportion of his
fellow-countrymen; and it may be noted that he
took the deeper interest in every commercial ques-
tion, because he believed the spread of commerce was
an effectual means of promoting peace and good-will
among men.
He was in the habit of referring every event in the
course of his City affairs to the overruling providence
of God, and was singularly little elated by gain or
depressed by loss. It is said tliat on one occasion,
being informed on his arrival in town of the loss of
a considerable sum through sonic unexpected failure,
his reply was, " Well, I am glad of it : it will be a
good lesson for you young men, and will teach you
the uncertainty of riches."
A short address to his family, written in prospect
of a journey on the Continent with liis sister, IMrs.
Fry, may properly be given in this place, as it had
SAMUEL GURI^EY. 47
an especial bearing on the subject before us. It is
dated —
" Upton, Second Month 24th, 1840.
" To MY BELOVED "VVlEE AND CHILDREN,
" Feeling the seriousness of leaving home at this time
with your Aunt Fry, for the Continent, I incline to add
these few lines as instructions to you, in addition to my
wdl.
" And now, my beloved children, seeing that it has
pleased a bountiful Providence to bless us in basket and
in store, I feel very desirous that the property you are
each likely to possess may be in truth a blessing and not
a disadvantage to you, religiously or temporally. I
desire that it may be the means of procuring you the
comforts and advantages of life, and enable you to gladden
the hearts of your fellow-men.
" If this be its application, and you are enabled to
do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your
God, then, indeed, will your property be a blessing to
you, and to those with whom you may be connected in
life. If, on the other hand, it be applied to over-indul-
gence and self-exaltation, taking you off from the ground
of Christian humility, then, indeed, will this gift of God
turn to evil, and truly do I warn you all against it.
" I confidently trust that your lives, amongst other
duties, will be marked by a tender, watchful, dutiful care
over my tenderly beloved wife, your faithful mother, and
that it may be continued unceasingly to the last hour of
her life.
" Accept this instruction and advice from your tenderly
attached husband and father.
" Samuel Guenet."
48 MEMORIALS OF
Evidently in allusion to a similar subject is a letter
addressed to jNIrs. Gurney by one of his sisters.
" I must tell thee what a comfort and satisfaction has
been my dearest brother's letter. To find that you were
neither of you vexed with my freedom, and to find his
deep seriousness of mind on the subject, is charming. I
know well thy personal generosity, and thy little desire
for the abundant wealth Grod has bestowed upon you,
and was sure thou woiddst respond to my feelings.
" I always do feel thee, dearest sister, an example
of sympathy and tender consideration for others. How
heartily I acknowledge that you do walk worthy of your
high calling — that your light does very remarkably shine
before men — that you are appointed as instruments of
good and helps to others."
To continue this little sketch with strict reference
to dates or details would be impossible. He left
behind liim no journal^ and but few letters remain
which would possess general interest, or any circum-
stantial record of the events of his life. It was, as
has already been hinted, passed principally in London
and in the midst of his family, varied occasionally
by tours on philanthropic missions, or short excui*-
sions in England or abroad. But as he advanced
to maturer life, we see him more and more in the
character of the philanthropist, and ever at hand
when duty called to promote any object which he
considered would tend to the benefit of mankind.
His was a direct mission, no less than that of other
members of his family more prominently before
the public eye; and in much of the benevolent
SAMUEL GUP.NEY. 49
machinery so beautifully worked by them, he might
almost be called the main stay.
Now we see him beside his sister Elizabeth Fry,
as she stands before the rulers of the earth, pleading
for the prisoner in the dimgeon, the desolate and
oppressed, and ever feeling strength in his presence
and silent sympathy : or travelling with her in foreign
lauds, cheering her arduous path by his own buoy-
ancy of spirit, and untii'ing energy in promoting the
objects of her labours ; throwing a pleasantness and
brightness on her ofttimes saddened and tempest-
tossed way, which was most helpful. During one of
Mrs. Fry's later continental visits, on which Mr.
Gurney is mentioned by her as proving in an especial
manner her "faithful friend, wise counsellor, and
most loving brother," a Prussian gentleman once
described to me the striking appearance which this
brother and sister presented as they went on their
way of mercy ; the stately form, the strong arm, and
the self-possession of the former, as he sate by her
side at the public meeting, or offered her his support
on her visits to the prison or the hospital.
There was a peculiar humility and teachableness
in Samuel Gurney in holy things, which I remember
struck me considerably in early childhood, during his
visits to his brother at Norwich, a kind of reverent
meekness in listening to him as well as to his sister,
as ministers of religion, which was very instructive
in a man of his otherwise bold and independent
spirit. It was as though, being led into more
D
50 MEMORIALS OF
worldly and stirring scenes, he loved to turn aside
from these at timeSj and to follow these pilgrims on
that which might seem a more sacred path.
In pubUc life, especially during the last few years,
he frequently appeared as the hearty and powerful
advocate, if not the eloquent speaker, at meetings in
support of various societies ; and his addresses from
the platform on these occasions were characterised
by the clear-headedness and sound sense so eminently
his own. At times, when addressing an audience on
any subject that greatly interested him, his depth
of feeling, conveyed in the rich and varied tones of
his voice, his expressive countenance and dignified
bearing, could scarcely fail to impress his hearers.
One who had ample opportunity of judging of this
matter, describes his talent for public speaking as
one of no mean order, and possessing many sterling
qualities — clearness, conciseness and force ; and, had
he ever been called to parliament, such as would
have doubtless given him a conspicuous place among
the senators of the land.
The same writer alludes to Mr. Gurncy as j^rcsent
at an important gathering of a committee for the
civilisation of Africa, at which various plans were
discussed, to be laid before government — plans in-
volving large interests and outlays, and requiring
much experience and sage counsel.
Eminent men were there — Sir R. II. Inglis, Sir T.
Acland, SirT. F. Buxton, and Dr. Lushington, — and
amidst these the voice of Mr. Gurncy was heard
SAMUEL aURNEY. 51
enunciating his views in his usual frank and impressive
manner, and that with a fine bearing, and in such a
style as to call forth the admiration of the listeners ;
competent judges, be it remembered, of true and
telling eloquence.
A good specimen of his speeches, although it is
not assumed that it is one of the best, is that which
is appended to this chapter ; but, like all those which
are reported, it loses much in the process. The life,
the energy, the changing expression of countenance,
and the variety of tone, the beaming earnest look,
the sparkling eye, no reporter's pen nor artist's
pencil could convey. It was on the question of
the Caifre war, and was delivered at the London
Tavern, to a numerous assembly.
It is needless now to enter into the question of
that bloody and disastrous war in Caffreland, which
must, whatever may be our views of the justice and
expediency of peace principles, be considered as a
blot on the page of our nation's history, and must
fill the soul alike with horror and compassion.
A report of the speech appeared in the Patriot,
November 13th, 1851, from which a few extracts will
sufiice : —
" A public meeting was held on Tuesday evening last,
at the London Tavern, to investigate the causes of, and
to consider a remedy for, the deplorable war now pre-
vailing in South Africa. The large room was densely
crowded.
" Samuel Grurney, Esq., took the chair at half-past six,
and after a few introductory words, said, A meeting has
c 2
52 MEMOEIALS OF
been called by the Aborigines' Protection Society and
Peace Society unitedly, to consider tbe subject of the
disastrous war tbat is now raging within the colony of the
Cape of Grood Hope, with their neighbours the Caffres.
In that war I have no hesitation in saying that there
does exist an awful infringement of the principles of both
these Societies which have thus called us together. I think
they have done right in thus securing an occasion on
which to put forth their sentiments to the public, and
which I believe to be very important as touching the
welfare of the people of the colony, whom I, for one,
desire should be our neighbours and friends. I do not
pretend to say that the Caffres have not, in many
instances, infringed the rules of propriety, possibly to a
degree which, according to the views of many men, may
warrant Avhat may be termed (I do not like tlie word
punishment,) but at least prevention of its continuance.
I do not profess to know very minutely the history of our
Cape colony, or its origin. But I know that there have
been asuccession of warsrbetweeu the British colonists and
the Caffres ; and as long ago as 1835, my friend William
Allen, whose name will always be held in higli honour in
this as well as other countries, said to me that if the
system of coercion then in force were continued, a war
would certainly arise, and that the consequences would
be awful. I deeply regret that the system to which he
referred has continued to be in force, and not only so,
but that it lias from time to time been increased, and the
result has been not only one but several wars
" In 183G,the governor of that day, in a war which then
arose, took possession of a certain territory to the east
of the river Kye, and called it Queen Adelaide — a disgrace
to a name that has ever been dear and honoured in our
country. To the lasting honour of King William IV.,
the news no sooner reached hiiii, lluiu he refused to
SAMUEL GURNET. 53
accept the territory tlius acquired, and at once ordered
the governor to give it back to the people to whom it
belonged. On that memorable occasion, truth, righte-
ousness, mercy, and good policy were for once followed,
and the effect was a great diminution of the evils which
had previously existed between the colonists and Caffres.
In 1846 a different course was adopted, and has, I believe,
been continued ever since. Eecourse has always been had
to force to give the Caffres civilisation, or what we call
civilisation ; I won't say Christianity, for a greater per-
version of Christianity, in my opinion, cannot exist.
The inevitable consequences of this course have been
continual irritation to the natives, and deep regret to the
friends of humanity. I say it with regret, and yet I
believe it to be true ; I trust it may not, and I will
therefore only ask the question — Is it true that a
governor of the British colony of the Cape has actually
put his foot on the neck of a chief of that country ? Is
it possible that such an act could have been perpetrated ?
Will such conduct produce those sentiments which we
are anxious to see prevail in the colony ? I trust that
this, which has been stated as a fact, may not be such ;
but J. fear it is.
" Then, again, what are the words — I trust they were
not the words — said to have been used by a British
governor ? And here I must refer to a pamphlet ;
though, as a general rule, I do not like to refer to
pamphlets. Is it possible, I ask, that a British governor
could have used the words which I am about to read,
in an official document ? ' I will expel for ever those
treacherous savages, whom I will destroy and extermi-
nate.' Is that language to be used by a representative
of this people of England ? Now I venture to say,
that, if the mind of the people of this country could
be taken on this point, there would not be one out
54 MEMORIALS OF
of a million found to sanction it. I should be glad
to believe that such language was not used ; but it is
set down here, in the book which I hold in my hand,
in quotation marks, and I am afraid that it may
be true that a British governor used the words. Is
it not a sad thing that such expressions should go
forth from a representative of our nation towards a
people who ought to be, and who might be, our friends
and allies and good customers. Let me for a moment
touch upon the expense of all this : although the question
of mere money may be the lowest view in which we can
look at the subject, it is far from unimportant. The war
in which we are now engaged will cost an immense sum
of money. I have heard it estimated at three millions;
but I trust that this is very much beyond the mark.
But supposing that it is only one million sterling, what
shall we obtain in return, even if we succeed in re-
covering the territory sought to be obtained ? Next to
nothing, if not worse than nothing. It is an utterly bad
appropriation of the money of the realm. I am sure that
the people of England, could their voices be heard, would
deeply deplore their money being so spent
" There is one other point to which I will refer. It is a
matter of real sorrow to me, and I think extremely bad
policy, tliat all our governors at the Cape, and the agents
we have employed to make peace if possible, have aU
been military men. I am quite satisfied that if you will
employ such men, that their reliance will, in almost aU
cases, be upon the sword, and that you will never effect
an honourable peace by such means. And is it proper,
is it right, that the power of the sword be looked to and
trusted in, rather than the power of Christian conduct,
manifested in a friendly and mutual negotiation. I do
think that the British Government has made a very great
mistake in employing only military men for governors
SAMUEL GURNEY. 55
and snch-like offices, instead of men engaged in commerce
— men of common life ; or rather let us say, and above
all, men of Christian principle, who are fully sensible of
the fact that there is in Christianity that which is appli-
cable to the policy of common life, and not to large
matters alone, but to our domestic concerns.
" The question of war, my friends, is a very difficult one
to deal with ; and therefore I do not think it good policy
to argue the question before us to-night on the broad
ground of the Peace Society. Some here may not be
able to go to the same length with myself and many of
my friends. Let us argue it, then, on ground where we
are all agreed. It is admitted by the great body of the
people of this country that war is a grave evil, and
fraught with difficulties ; while, however, it is necessary
on some occasions. Now I am not prepared to take that
as my principle, but I believe it would be safe to take it
as the basis of the argument at present.
" I believe that the history of our connection with the
Caffres will fully prove that the use of the sword was the
worst possible policy that could have been had recourse
to. In illustration of this, I may just turn to a paragraph
in the despatch of Lord Glenelg, vo-itten in 1835, when
he gave up the territory to which I have already referred,
at the command of Bang William. He says that, ' in
our relations with the aboi'iginal tribes of Southern Africa,
we have not yet tried the efficiency of a systematic and
persevering adherence to justice, conciliation, and for-
bearance, with honest elforts by which civilisation may be
advanced, and Christianity diffused amongst them. But
such a system must be immediately established, and
rigidly enforced.' Now, my friends, this is the point to
which we want to come : we want to throw entirely on
one side those atrocious sentiments which I read to you
56 MEMOEIALS OF
at tlie beginning' of my remarks, touching the extermi-
nation of that unfortunate race, the dwellers in South
Africa, and to substitute them with such as those enu-
merated by Lord Glenelg, believing that this policy is
the only one that can be adopted with Christian propriety,
and that it will certainly tend to the prosperity and
stability of the colony."
SAMUEL GURNET.
CHAPTER V.
CHANGES — DINNEE TO THE OEFICEES OF THE NIGER EX-
PEDITION AT HAM HOUSE — FAMILY LOVE — KINDNESS
TO CHILDEEN — VISIT TO TUNBEIDGE WELLS — THE
QUEEN DOWAGEE AND ME. GUENEY.
Time had done its accustomed work in the family of
Samuel Gurney, and altliougli hitherto in his imme-
diate household the angel of life had been more
frequent in its visits than the angel of death, yet
relative sorrows and bereavements incident to all
large circles, must of necessity frequently have called
forth the sympathies of one so largely possessed as
he was of social affections.
In the early part of 1837, Mr, Joseph John
Gurney announced his intention to leave England,
on a religious visit to America. His departure from
England took place in the summer of the same year,
and in the autumn of 1840 Mr. Gurney had the joy
of welcoming his long-absent brother to English
shores again. A peaceful and most joyous reunion
it was, a season of family refreshment, and a repose
before many trials yet hidden from their view.
The summer of 1840 had been a time of active
preparation for the celebrated Niger expedition, a
subject into which Mr, Gurney very warmly entered.
It was, as is well known, a darling project of Sir T. F.
Buxton's, and the co-operation and hearty sympathy of
D 3
58 MEMORIALS OP
his brother-in-law were extremely valuable. Indeed,
to his mercantile mind, the idea of introducing civil-
isation by means of legitimate commerce was highly
promising, and he never ceased to take a deep interest
in the traffic of Western Africa. The charge of the
expedition, and the command of three iron steamers,
fitted out for the voyage, was committed to Captain
Henry Dundas Trotter, Commander William Allen,
and Commander Bird Allen. These gentlemen, in
conjunction with Mr. William Cook, the well-known
captain of the Cambria, were empowered to make
treaties with the native chiefs for the abolition of the
slave trade. The African Civilisation Society also
engaged several scientific men to accompany the
expedition, the object of which was to explore the
great artery of Western Africa, the river Niger, to
examine the capabilities of the country along its
banks and to clear the road for commercial enterprise.
The agricultural experiment, and the proposition to
purchase a tract of land in a healthy situation, were
adopted, and, on the 14th of April, 1841, the expe-
dition was to sail.
Early in the March of that year, ]\Ir. Gurney
invited a large party of the officers of the Niger
expedition to take a farewell dinner with liim at
Upton; an interesting account of which gathering
has been preserved.
" The room filled rapidly, and to ovei'flowing at last.
Sir T. F. Buxton taking on liinisclf the chief of the Lutro-
SAMUEL GURNET. 59
ductions, leading up tlie guests as tliey arrived to IMrs.
G-urney.
" The AsTiantee Princes were present. Captain "William
Allen, editor of ' Views on the Niger,' Sir E. Parry,
Captain and Mrs. Trotter, Sir R. H, Inglis, and many
more. After dinner, Mr. Grurney made one of his most
hearty speeches of welcome, with sincere expressions of
interest in the success of the expedition, and a well
merited eulogium on the noble volunteers in so hazardous
an enterprise.
" Sir R. H. Inglis followed, and said he considered it
the greatest undertaking, not excepting that over which
Sir E. Parry presided, which had ever been entered upon."
The account concludes thus : —
" He was followed by Sir E. Parry, and soon after
they joined the ladies in the drawing-room. When they
were seated, Mr. Gurney made a very suitable com-
mencement, by reading the last chapter of the 1st of
Thessalonians very impressively ; and, after a short
silence, Mrs. Pry addressed us most appropriately, and
finished by offering a beautiful and very touching prayer
for those who were to be left desolate.
" The scene was most interesting ; the room filled chiefly
with men — both of those who had borne the burden and
heat of the day, and those who were about to enter upon
it, and those also very new to life. I never remember
to have been more struck with any company : the young
and the strong man, the veteran and the hoary-headed,
all bowed under the solemn truths of the gospel, poured
forth in sweet accents from a woman's mouth. All
were evidently delighted, one of the younger men re-
marking to S , ' I suppose this is a privilege you
often partake of; but it has been a great and rare treat
60 MEMORIALS OF
to US.' It was nearly eleven before they dispersed, all
much pleased with their evening."
Another letter states that Mr. Garney spoke
admirably, mentioning the expedition as the only
one which had gone out with purely philanthropic
and religious objects.
The sequel of this expedition is well known. At
the time of its origination it had its bitter opponents
— but, although fraught with sorrow and disappoint-
ment, it can scarcely be called a failure. Seed was
sown at that time. The principles of humanity were
expounded, and received well by the chiefs ; and all
classes, Captain William Allen asserts, earnestly
desired the presence of British influence, as the
surest means of ameliorating their condition and
procuring a cessation of their many desolating wars.
The climate, however, thwarted their eflforts :
forty-one persons, amongst whom was Captain Bird
Allen, fell victims to the African fever.
We may quote the words of a contemporary
writer in praise of the scheme : —
" The expedition possessed all that modern science
and human skill, undaunted courage and detormiucd
enterprise, could minister to its success. To its olliccrs
and men, dead as well as living, the highest credit
appears due. They conquered all hut impossibilities;
nature they could not conquer."
The disappointment, and above all the loss of
so many valuable lives, were severe trials to Sir
SAMUEL GURNET. 61
Fowcll Buxton. He rarely permitted himself to
speak of itj and his health, which had for some time
been failing, now rapidly gave way. Yet fervent
were his prayers, and strong his confidence, that this
seeming failure might, in God's providence, be made
an ultimate benefit to Africa ; and the event has
proved that his confidence was not unfounded.
How cheering, through all the vicissitudes of the
expedition, were the sympathy and practical aid of
Mr. Gurney to Sir Fowcll Buxton, he often testified.
" I am glad," he wrote to his brother-in-law, " that
Africa has a friend like you, able and willing to give."
Again, the high appreciation in which Sir F.
Buxton held the generous aid of Mr. Gurney, is
illustrated by a striking remark in a letter from his
eldest daughter to Mrs. Gurney : —
" "When Sir Fowell called on one occasion, on the
Secretary of State, in reference to the Niger expedition,
and found the government, as he thought, somewhat
niggardly, he exclaimed, ' Well ; I go into tlie City, and
I see brokers who behave like princes ; and I come
to Downing Street, and see princes who behave like
brokers !' "
It may be added that a second expedition was
sent up the Niger and Tshadda in 1854, which, pro-
fiting by the experience of the preceding one, was
accomplished without a casualty.
" The reception," writes the Eev. S. Crowther, " we
met with all along from the kings and chiefs of the
62 MEMORIALS OF
coimtries on tlie Tsliadda, was beyond expectation. The
natives had been disappointed that the expedition of
1841 had not been followed up. They were anxious for
trade, desirous of intercourse with Europeans, and
willing to receive teachers and missionaries among
them."
The government have recently decided on sending
a steamer every year, for five years, up the river, to
keep it open, to foster the trade, and to give the
natives assurance of protection and support.
There is abundant promise that negro-traders from
Sierra Leone will, under these circumstances, form
settlements on the river, and that, in course of time,
an extensive commerce in palm oil, cotton and ivory,
may arise on the ruins of the slave-trade, and
materially tend to promote the blessings of civilisa-
tion and Christianity.
In 1845 the death of Sir Fowell Buxton occurred,
and the same year Elizabeth Fry was called to rest
from her labours. The latter event is thus alluded
to by Mr. Gurney, in a communication, dated
Ramsgatc, Tenth Month 4th, 1845 :—
" I arrived here after a sad journey, but not until late,
and tlie deeply affecting intelligence met me at the
Albion. After breakfast I came to this sad liouse, and
entered the mournful scene. It is touching in the
extreme, viewing the earthly remains of one so tenderly
beloved, and whose stream of life has run so parallel with
my own for so many years. Her work is finished ; and
marvellously fiiitliful has she been in the jierformauce of
it from early life. I can only say, may the voyage of my
SAMUEL GURNET. 63
life end in the same glorious liarbour that she has
undoubtedly entered."
A little more tlian another year and wc find
Mr, Gurncy again a mourner. Already four of the
band of seven sisters had passed away. The friend
almost of a lifetime — Sir T. F. Buxton — was gone, and
now, in the calm and beautiful stillness of death,
during the winter sleep of nature, amidst the leafless
trees of his Earlham home, lay the much-loved and
honoured brother, Joseph John Gurney. Mr. Gurney
writes of this occasion as one that knew no parallel
in his life : —
"I was greatly shaken," he says, "on my arrival last
night, (the 4th of January,) to find my beloved and
honoured brother gone ; — gone to that haven of rest and
peace promised to those who faint not, but follow the
Lord Jesus Christ to the end. It is to me, however, a
very deep sorrow, and shakes me to a degree not before
experienced. I do not mean bodily, but as relates to all
earthly things. On my arrival, I found a peaceful feeling
pervading the house He last walked into his
dressing-room in the morning, and never returned to his
room."
And again, on the 6th, another letter to his wife
states : —
" I am calmed, but continue very sorrowful, beyond all
former experience. I read (at the family worship) a
chapter in Isaiah, the same chosen the last morning
at which he was present ; also a hymn — ' The Death
of a Christian!' This was followed by a prayer from
r. Cunningham; then by our beloved sister C , in
64 MEMORIALS OF
mmistrj. It was a favoured, but very touching oppor-
tunity. "We passed yesterday afternoon quietly, but
sorrowfully. There is a universal feeling of solemn
sorrow spread over the neighbourhood — the shops of
Norwich being generally shut."
How beautifully, doubtless, were the truths con-
tained in those sweet lines, read by Samuel Gurney
at that solemn season, realized in the experience of
his deceased brother. We can almost fancy we hear
the deep tones of his voice, chastened and somewhat
softened by affliction, as he read : —
"Rejoice for a brother dcceas'd ;
Our loss is his infinite gain ;
A soul out of jjrison releas'd,
And freed from his bodily chain.
With songs let us foUow his flight,
And mount with his spirit aboTC :
Escaped to the mansions of light,
And lodged in the Eden of love.
" Our brother the haven liath gain'd,
Outflying the temjjcst and wind ;
His rest he hath sooner obtain'd.
And left his comijanions behind
StUl toss'd on a sea of distress,
Hard toiling to make the blest shore ;
Where all is assm-ance and peace.
And sorrow and sin are no more.
" There all the ship's company moet,
Who sailed with the Saviour beneath ;
With shouting each other they gi'eot.
And triumph o'er trouble and death.
The voyage of life's at an end ;
The mortal affliction is passed :
The ago that in heaven they spend
For over and over shall last."
SAMUEL GURNET. 65
On the funeral day, as Samuel Gurney stood beside
that brother's grave, his hair even then silvered over,
and the light of his eye subdued, one was reminded
of the last tree of the forest, and, noble as the tree
still was, could not but anticipate that its day too
might not be far off. Happy as the domestic circum-
stances of Samuel Gurney were — his own immediate
circle at Ham House never yet, with the exception
of a little grandchild, having been visited by death —
it was, doubtless, a sore trial to his affectionate
nature to feel that those friends and companions who
had gone hand in hand with him so long on life's
journey had thus left him to tread it almost alone.
But the bright example of their holy and self-denying
lives animated and strengthened him on his way ;
and it seemed as if, on ascending to the skies, their
mantles had fallen on him ; for he knew no weariness
in well-doing, and from that time it may be said
that his activity rather increased than abated with
decKning years, and that he did indeed strive to
follow those who, through faith and patience, had
inherited the promises.
Meanwhile, amidst many trials, his large family of
children had continued to prosper, and were most of
them happily married and settled in life, whilst the
tender mother of those children still remained to be
to the children's children a mother once again.
We have hitherto seen little of Samuel Gurney at
home. Yet it was there and in his paternal capa-
city that he eminently shone, and in the little, no less
66 MEMOEIALS OF
than in the greater duties of life, he adorned his
Christian profession.
One cannot pass by this portion of his history in
silence, it is so exquisitely tender and fraught with
so much interest. And although, perhaps, some who
take up these simple records may lay down the book
with a smile, not unmixed with contempt, that such
trifles should be deemed worthy to hold a place in
a printed volume, we may remind such, that more
celebrated men than the banker of Lombard Street
have been caught at a game on all fours with their
children, and that those whose voices have shaken
Christendom have been known to rock the cradle of
an infant, and to rejoice in the development of baby
hfe.
Among so many simple memorials of that fatherly
love, selection becomes difficult; but there is not
one of his nine children who could not have fur-
nished many an interesting detail of his family life
and domestic vu'tues.
When we recall certain pictures of home, and
those not to be sought alone in the upper circles of
society, where the father is more of a stranger to his
child than tlie very gardener or lacquey ; when we
see the formal introduction to the dining-room at
dessert, or the hushed participation of the more sub-
stantial meal, where the children are taught to be
"seen and not heard;" tlie morning kiss ere the
gentlfman of business or pleasure goes on his day's
engagements, or the evening good-night, with the
SAMUEL GURNET. 67
cold word of censure, maybe of some reported fault —
just a mere recognition of paternal duty, a conscience-
queller to some voice within which tells the father
that the child is his own, given him to train for
eternity ; when we remember all this — and, alas !
the picture is not coloured — we can but turn right
joyously to scenes in the Upton home, where the
man who but the hour before looked as though the
trifles of child-life could have no place in his thoughts
evermore, was welcomed by his children rejoicing in
the very sound of his voice, and in the very name of
father.
We see him at the end of a long dining-table at
Ham House, smiling brightly around, and after seat-
ing his various guests, retaining one little fair-haired
daughter by his side, and giving her the honour of
cutting the tart or preparing the fruit.
This same daughter being his OAvn special mes-
senger, was always rewarded with sundry pence, and
partaking so far of her parent's business of mind as
actually to keep a bill against him with many curious
items — how great a contrast to the Lombard Street
bills over which the same eye had run an hour or
two before ! —
s.
d.
" Eeading thirty pages at ^d. .
. 1
3
Peeling an apple .
.
1
Lighting a fire
.
1'
&c. &e.
"With immixed pleasure was the sound of the car-
riage wheels always heard, announcing the father^s
68 MEMORIALS OF
return from London ! and little did some of the City
men with whom he had so lately mingled imagine how
anxious was Samuel Gurney to fulfil his home en-
gagementSj the promised walk in winter with his
dear girls before the dinner hour, or to join them in
the survey of garden and park in the pleasant spring
season.
Nothing that affected them was trifling in his
eyes ; he -saewed the different indications of their
characters in early life as matters of the deepest
interest, and was ever more ready to commend than
to blame. And if there were faults to name,
" how deep, how solemn, were his outpourings of
sorrow, yet of sympathy with the offender," one
of his daughters says she can never forget. His grief,
not his anger, was their severest punishment. Yes, the
rule of the Upton household was a rule of love ; and
so successful was it, that another of his children
remarks, " I do not, really, remember caring for
any thing which he disliked or disapproved."
Fathers and mothers ! here is a fine comment, in
few, simple words, on the law of kindness. Win
love and respect, and obedience is secure. Tastes
arc not to be forced, but gently directed. "I love that
which my father loves, because I love my father,"
may apply to higher things than mere earthly affec-
tions. A great step is taken in the religious
education of our beloved ones, when we have secured
their perfect love.
" I never met with a cool welcome, however tired
SAMUEL GURNEY. 69
my father raight he," says a younger daughter. " He
could not hear a child cry with indifference ; such a
sound often brought him into the nursery to soothe
the grief with his honied words/^ He was not a mere
moraliser on childish grief, this good father. Mise-
rable comforters, these philosophic parents ! No,
he was, as this same daughter remarks, '' my true
comforter and sympathiser ;" and again " in illness,
his tenderness and discernment were unequalled."
This peculiar and rare gift of good nursing was
often experienced, not only by his own children in
the days of his manly vigour, but when age crept
upon him he has been known to leave his bed four
or five times, for many successive nights, to look at
a sick grandchild, a helpless infant, liking to give it
food and medicine himself, in his own loving and
winning manner.
This love for children, so characteristic of the
great and good, was not confined to those of his own
family. In the different schools, especially those be-
longing to the Society of which he was a member, his
presence was ever hailed as a signal for some treat.
One school especially, in the neighbourhood of
London, shared often in the hospitable kindness of
the master of Ham House ; and the boys who were
punctual in returning to school on the day of its
re-assembling, were rewarded by an invitation to
dine with him that day month, when his face used
to beam with joy as he saw the lads running wild
over the grounds, free from the restraints and disci-
70 MEMORIALS OF
pline of school life, or joyfully rambling through his
park and gardens. He used to like to see his young
nephews and friends too, on their return to his
neighbourhood for the holidays, but was not by
any means exacting in his requirements. One thing
he used to say, he did wish them to come and say
" Farewell." The greeting on their return home he
was willing to excuse, but he had always something
to say to them before the school life began again.
It is probable that the boys received something
besides golden words and stimulating counsel on
these occasions, and that the hand did not often
close empty after one of those hearty shakes which
Samuel Gurney could so well give.
In the year 1849, an interesting little episode
occurred in his life, during a visit to Tunbridge
Wells, to which place his youngest daughter, then in
delicate health, had been ordered for change of air.
His love to his children in health could only be
surpassed by his extreme tenderness towards them in
the hour of sickness and trial. He never forgot when
they were married, that he was their father still ;
business never detained him long from their couch of
suffering, and his numberless little attentions at such
times have soothed many a weary hour.
It was during this visit to the Calverley Hotel, that
the Queen Dowager, Adelaide, also became an inmate
of the house ; and one day, whilst at his post beside
his daugliter"'s bed, a tap at tlie door was heard, and
in a moment Queen Adelaide herself, who had pre-
SAMUEL GURNEY. 71
viously shewn some kind attention to the party,
entered ; she walked up to the bed^ took the hand of
the sufferer, and kindly and affectionately bent her
looks of compassionate interest on the young face.
The interview was a very gratifying one, and as Mr.
Gurney conducted the venerable queen to her own
apartments, she said how pleased she had been to
make his acquaintance, and that of Mrs. Gurney.
In a day or two she brought Louis Philippe to call,
and the Queen of the French was very chatty with
Mr. Gurney about his sister Elizabeth Fry, and her
" excellente vie -P whilst the ex-king expressed the
deep sympathy he had felt with the family in her
irreparable loss. The Due and Duchesse D'Aumale
stood at the door all the time, wondering not a little,
our informant says, to whom the royal party were
all so polite, not having heard the king's whispered
question on the entrance, whether it were '' le
Quaker Gurney ?"
The kindness and attention of the Queen Dowager
to the invalid were unceasing, and her pleasant little
visits, so friendly and unaffected, although preserv-
ing her queenly dignity throughout, were very
cheering. She was always free and communicative
at such times, and gentleness and sympathy itself.
On the return of the family to Upton, in com-
pliance with Queen Adelaide's desire, Mr. and Mrs.
Gurney visited her at Bushey. She was very affable,
and made them heartily welcome, talking to Mrs.
Gurney, with true womanly instinct, of her little
72 MEMORIALS OF
daughter, who died at three months old — of whom
she showed her a statue; mentioned a fearful
storm which had happened the day before, and said,
she always felt safer and happier on sea during a
tempest than on land, because, human help being so
utterly in vain, she had a more lively sense of being
under God^s care, which, though equally certain on
shore, she did not so realise.
She talked to Mr. Gurney of the long-ago annoy-
ances and anxieties during the Reform Bill excite-
ments, and the unpopularity she and the King
encountered ; then, wishing to show her visitors the
grounds, they all set forth in a little procession of
open carriages, drawn by bay ponies, the queen quite
enjoying to point out the beauties of park and
pheasantry, as well as of the greenhouse, and
pleased to give INIr. Gurney cuttings of her choicest
geraniums; and when they left, after a long visit,
expressed a hope to see them again, with their
daughter R , whose illness at Tunbridge Wells
she remembered with much interest.
The second visit never took place, owing to the
increased illness and subsequent death of the ven-
erable queen shortly after.
SAMUEL GURNEY. 73
CHAPTER VI.
TOUE TO lEELAND — EXTEACTS FEOM ME. GUEITEY's
LETTEES — LETTEE FEOM MES. OPIE — ANECDOTE —
LOVE OF UNION — BIBLE SOCIETY JUBILEE, ETC.
During the autumn of 1849^ Mr. Guruey, accom-
panied by one of his sons, and other members of his
family, made a tour to Ireland ; and in the course of
the journey, as may readily be conceived, his feelings
of compassion and interest were deeply moved on
behalf of the starving population, still under dreadful
suflFering from the pressure of want during the me-
morable year of scarcity which had passed. Traces
of his liberality were not wanting as he journeyed
from place to place, and the memory of that visit to
Ireland cannot yet have faded from the minds of
many who saw and knew the extent of his bene-
volence.
At Dublin we find him at one time entertained
with every mark of respect by the Lord Lieutenant,
and on another occasion amidst the little Irish
children of the Model School, smiling kindly at
the 1300 pupils, and charming them — less, perhaps,
by his parting address, appropriate and winning as
the speech was, than by the announcement of his
intended gift of threepence to every child in the
E
74 MEMORIALS OF
upper school^ and twopence to every infant. The
clieering is reported to have been enthusiastic,
although the master — Avho appears to have Httle
calculated the resources of a London banker —
gravely thought it would cost a great deal ; more
perhaps, than the English gentleman imagined.
An extract or two from some of the few letters
preserved during this journey, may be interesting.
One is dated from Ballina; written at an inn, which
he describes as a rambling Paddy hotel, where " dirt
is more prevalent than shoes :" —
" This place — Balliua — suiFered much from the famine,
and even now the whole population, poor and rich, are
still feeling its effects. We see close by this town a
large number of cottages unroofed and empty ; unroofed
on purpose to drive the population out of them. Many
have wandered away, many are dead, and many in the
Union House. In consequence of the number of poor,
and their not being able to pay rates, the Union House
is bankrupt. I found an execution put into it, and all
the stock, fm-niture, &c., is to be sold off this week, when
the poor people will have to lie on straw, and the
guardians must feed them as well as they can."
There is no mention in any of Mr. Gurney's
correspondence with his friends in England, of the
benevolent act which followed. The thought of
mercy must surely have been in his heart, hoMcver,
when he penned the above lines. The contem-
plation of the destitution which the wretched
inmates of Ballina Union would endure, if tlieir
SAMUEL GUENEY. 75
beds and furniture were really seized for debt, so
touched his heart, that he bought the whole of the
furniture for .€200, that, being his own property, it
might be saved from the hands of the creditors.
These are the facts of the case, which were somewhat
over-stated in the Illustrated London Neivs of July
5th, 1856. The benevolent feeling was the same;
but the judgment exercised in the present instance
was greater than would have been the case, had he,
from a merely generous impulse, discharged the
whole debts of one Union at such a time of universal
distress and pressure. Again he writes : —
" There are many indications of the late famine to be
observed. The country-people having exhausted their
property, have very little to carry to their weekly markets,
which have become poorly supplied and thinly attended.
This place did export lai-ge quantities of oats, and now it
has to import large quantities of Indian corn, &c. ; being
forced to pay for the imports, instead of receiving money
for the exports, is a fearful drain upon a country already
so much exhausted. Poverty appears to reign triumphant
in this afflicted district ; neither do I see much relief at
hand, the famine has so destroyed everything.
" The system of given relief, without which, however,
many would have starved, confirms idle, thriftless habits,
and neutralizes the natural powers of the people, which
ought to be, and in a large degree might be, stimulated
to bring about gradually a better state of things.
" Generally speaking, we have been fairly accommo-
dated. It certainly would not suit thee to drive up to
one of these dreary hotels, Avhere the women, many of
them are without shoes — the passages apparently never
E 2
76 MEMORIALS OF
washed — the furniture old and shabby. This is dis-
couraging at first ; but give them a little time, the room
lighted, &c., and things wear a better aspect. The linen
is invariably clean, and the beds comfortable."
A little later he writes from Balinasloe, and
reports an interesting tour through the Western
part of the County of Galway : —
" We found, on our arrival at Clifden, that a meeting
of the Bible Society was being held in a neighbouring
school-room. We went there and were much interested.
Three clergymen were present, and their statements of
the number of conversions from Popery were very
striking. The famine in many places appears to have
had the effect of shakmg dependence on the priests. The
gentleman in the chair, Dr. A , invited us to dinner :
we accepted his invitation, and found ourselves in a very
agreeable family
" When at B , I forgot to say that I called on the
Eoman Catholic bishop. I did not like his appearance,
which was certainly not one of spirituality, or that which
appears to me episcopal. At Westport we met, at the
hotel, the Protestant Bishop of Tuam, and I really felt
there was much of the true bishop in him, and the
sweetness of liis spirit might be felt.
" From Clifden went to Balligualiuish, the residence
formerly of Martin (the Member of Parliament so active
in his efforts against practices of cruelty to animals),
and the visit here interested me a good deal on many
grounds, and brought thee and thy interest strongly to
my mind."*
• The tender-hearted wife of Mr. Gumey, to wliom the letter is
ikddresaed, was deeply interested in this subject.
SAMUEL GURNEY. 77
" It is a fine but desolate country, on a beautiful lake.
The house is just now occupied as an hotel.
" All the district from Ballina to Galway suffered
severely from the famine, the marks of which are still
distinct. The population is greatly reduced, a vast many
houses are in ruins, and a very general poverty prevails.
Indeed to the eye the whole district, with all its natural
beauties, is one of great desolation. The Union-houses are
very full, many hundreds of children in all, and many
about the country bearing marks of very inadequate food.
" In the Union-houses the children just come in could
easily be distinguished from the others, by their emaciated
appearance. No poor houses were adequate to the
demands upon them, and large warehouses (become
useless from the destructive effects of the scarcity,) are
made auxiliary workhouses, and are full of paupers. All
this cast a very sombre effect over this part of our
journey, and alloyed the pleasure we should otherwise
have had from the charms of this magnificent scenery."
There is no note of any of Samuel Gurney's con-
tributions to the relief of this suffering, and it is
worthy of remark that in his gifts generally he was
quiet and unostentatious ; his left hand often knowing
not what his right hand did, in as much as many of
his immediate family were scarcely aware of the
extent and amount of his charities.
A letter from Mrs. Opie, addressed to INIrs.
Gurney shortly after, refers to her husband's visit to
Ireland, extracts from which are subjoined : —
" Castle Meadow (Norwich,) Tenth Month 4th, 1849.
" Mt deae Feiend,
" I have been for many months going to write to thee
to congratulate thee on several occasions, but I have not
78 MEMORIALS OF
done so, from indolence probably, or other causes ; and
now lately, however, I have a fresh opportunity to con-
gratulate thee, and I will not pass it by in silence.
" Thy husband's return home from Ireland, and the
manner in which he and his son were received there, is,
I am sure, a cause of congratulation to thee and thy
whole family, and I heartily unite in your well-grounded
satisfaction.
" General Shaldham, a never seen but regular corre-
spondent of mine since the famine, who lives near Cork,
writes thus to me in his last letter : —
" ' The mention made in the papers of your friend Mr.
Grurney's Irish travels, has put us all on the quivive, and
we are not without hopes of seeing such a distinguished
character in the far West. Though not fond of pageantry,
he and all the other munificent members of his persua-
sion ought to have triumphal arches erected wherever he
goes, as a mark of gratitude from the poor of this
country.
" ' During the famine nothing came near the donations
of the Quakers of England ; their exertions have never
ceased since.' This we knew before, but it is pleasant to
hear it from an Irish resident.
" Sir Edward Buxton, wlio, with his dear
wife, called on me twice on their way to L , told
me that the party were everywhere received in Ireland
in the most flattering manner ....
" Thine, &c.
" Amelia Opie."
An extract from an Irish paper of 18 10 may be
interesting, as referring to Mr. Gurney's journey : —
" It was really beautiful to see tliis excellent man,
whose monetary transactions arc said to exceed those of
I
SAMUEL GURNEY. 79
any single individual in the inighty British empire,
address himself to the task of questioning those humble
children in the simplest elements of knowledge, with as
much earnestness and interest as if his life had no other
object than the good work of educating the poor. He
had previously \dsited the schools of the National Board
in Dublin, and, like our gracious Queen, and every other
really unprejudiced person, who impartially examines
these institutions, was at once struck with the admirable
adaptation of the system there pursued to the peculiar
circumstances of this country. In passing through
Larne, he accidentally encountered an old acquaintance,
Charles M'Garel, Esq., who has been all along a steady
and zealous supporter of the Larne schools, and who
accompanied Mr. Gumey to visit these establishments.
To those who are at aU acquainted with Larne, it need
not be told, that no school in L'eland more fully or more
happily exemplifies the principles and chief aim in the
National System of Education, than does the Larne
school. There are five distinct denominations of Chris-
tians at Larne, all forming large congregations, and having
separate places of worship ; yet the Lame school finds
zealous supporters amongst the members of each and
aU of them ; and to the children of the poorer classes
belonging to each, it furnishes a sound moral and
secular education, without sectarianism, or interference
Avith the religious peculiarities of any. It may well be
supposed, that a system based on such principles of
religious forbearance, without the least promise of re-
ligious conviction, fully harmonized with the views of
such a truly Christian philanthropist as Mr. Gurney,
whose grand principle of religious action is, as he him-
self expressed it, ' love to all.' After quitting the
schools, with the conduct and management of which he
expressed himself highly pleased, he, and the members
80 MEMORIALS OF
of his family by whom lie was accompanied, including
his son-in-law, Sir Edward Buxton, adjourned to the
Magheramorne, where they spent the remainder of the
day with its hospitable owner. The appearance of
comfort and well-being which the tenantry and labourers
on Mr. M'Garel's well-managed estate exhibited, was a
source of true gratification to those benevolent strangers,
who had not ventured to anticipate such evidences of
comfort in any part of Ireland. Mr. Grurney purposes
visiting the west of Ireland, and judging for himself as
to the truth of those representations now so current in
England — namely, that no country in Europe, or perhaps
in the world, affords such a field for the beneficial, and,
at the same time, profitable investment of English
capital, as the west and south of Ireland present.
Happy, indeed, will it be for Connaught and Munster,
if that opinion be confirmed by a judgment so sound
and far-sighted as Mr. Grurney's is acknowledged to be.
Should he himself be inclined to set the example of
such investment, and thereby induce others, like-minded,
to come and do likevrise, then, indeed, the friends of
Ireland might look forward with hope to a new and very
different order of things from what has hitherto sub-
sisted in the relation of landlord and tenant in Ireland."
Many are the solid remembrances of the more
prominent features of Mr. Gurney's charities ; but,
besides those deeds more generally known to the
public, there were many lesser streams of silent
benevolence, alike flowing from the fountain of love
to God and man, which spread refreshment around.
We have already alluded to his kindly aid to many
members of his large family connection, but it might
SAMUEL aURNEY. 81
be said, that not only there, but elsewhere, he was
wonderfully gifted, not only with the will, but with
the power to help.
Besides his eflSciency in action, his very presence
seemed to impart strength, courage and calm, in any
emergency, whilst his practical wisdom, his clear and
decisive mind, and noble spirit of charity, led many
to bring cases of difficulty before him, from ex-
perience how sure and effective was his aid. Many a
rich man will give a five-pound note rather than five
minutes consideration of a difficult matter. It may
be truly said of Samuel Gurney, that he loved to do
good service, whether by advice or by money — by his
sound judgment or well-apportioned aid. Parents
who had wild and reckless sons have gone to him
with their burdened hearts, and have been sure of
ready sympathy and practical help and kindness.
He really took trouble to serve his fellow-creatures,
and a narration of his mere alms-giving, extensive as
it was, would give a very limited idea of the good he
effected during the journey of life. He had a kind,
delicate way of giving, proving the pleasure which
his nature took in the happiness of his fellow- crea-
tures. Trifles often convey great gratification. One
of his clerks relates an instance of this nature, which
as it evidently has not been too trivial to remember,
may not be so to record : —
" One afternoon, as Mr. Gurney was leaving Lombard
Street, I saw bim taking up a large hamper of game, to
carry to his carriage. I immediately came forward and
E 3
83 MEMORIALS OF
took it from Mm, He looked pleased, and in his powerful
and hearty voice exclaimed, ' Dost thou know H — 's in
Leadenhall Market ?' I replied in the affirmative. 'Then
go there and order thyself a right down good turkey,
and put it down to my account.' "
We may imagine the turkey thus given to have
been well appreciated.
A Friend, intimately acquainted with ]Mr. Gurney,
thus speaks on the same subject : —
" The multitude could estimate the vast extent of his
public benefactions ; the religious Society of which he
was a member could gratefully participate in the generous
diffusion of those temporal blessings which his wealth
afforded; but there were also many recipients of a warm-
hearted and silent benevolence that was unknown to all,
save to those who were the sharers in his friendship and
bounty. A portion of a letter he addressed to one of
these, shows how strongly his mind was imbued with the
consciousness that he was but a steioard, who must give
an account of his stewardship, and of the use of those
gifts entrusted to his care.
" ' The early disciples of our Lord held their property
in common. Christians of the present day have not felt
it laid upon them to adopt the same practice ; but I liave
often thought that a higher degree tlian exists oi' fellow-
ship in our good gifts of Providence is desirable, and
would be a mark of our Christian disposition one towards
another. 1 liave often thought that tlie same Christian
disposition would lead many more readily to receive and
to partake of those good gifts of which others are but
the stewards, than exists in the minds of some. True
Christianity leads to an enlaiya/icni of' mind in these
respects. And now, my dear friend, I intend tlie latter
SAMUEL GURNEY. 83
clause of my lecture to apply to tliee, for I incline to the
opinion that thou art deficient in that virtue ; and thus,
having given thee the lecture, I now proceed to tell thee
my views and wishes about thee.' "
The letter concludes with his liberal intentions
towards the person to whom it was addressed.
How striking an example of the character of the
steward of God does this letter manifest : how
easily to be distinguished are these and similar
acts of Christian charity^ from the spurious liberality
which gives only because not to give would lose
favour in the eyes of men. "Verily, such have
their reward."
Consistently with the feeling of stewardship which
actuated so many of his deeds, he was by no means
an indiscriminate almsgiver. He was just in his
charities; not impulsively nor lavishly giving, but
duly considering, not what he was inclined to give,
but in what way his money, God's sacred trust to
him, would be most beneficial to his fellow-creatures.
Many of the schemes of benevolence in his own imme-
diate neighbourhood proved considerable judgment,
as well as kind consideration, and had generally for
their object, not the immediate relief of present
pressure alone, but the future good of the recipients
of his bounty. To help the poor man to help
himself, is a principle too often overlooked in our
public and private benefactions. There is a charity
both noxious and dej. rading ; a system of gifts among
our poor which smothers the manly independence
84 MEMORIALS OF
of our nature, and sovrs the seeds of thriftless
idleness.
The detail of Mr. Gumey's plans in his own
particular neighbourhood would scarcely afford suf-
ficient variety, or perhaps of actual originality, for
insertion here; but they were marked by the same
good sense and well-proportioned kindliness of heart
which characterised all his actions. The allotment
of small plots of land, let at a low rent to the
industrious labourer, in the vicinity of Ham House,
answered well. Another judicious mode of aiding
the very poor, during the late years of high prices,
was by distributing tickets, through the district
visitors, which authorised the holders to buy bread
at the ordinary price of cheaper times, he paying the
difference to the bakers. The list of public charities
to which Samuel Gurney so largely contributed
would not be difficult to make, but a record would
scai'cely be interesting. He had, truly, abundant
calls on his abundant means ; and whenever the
cause was one unconnected with party feeling, and
not involving the question of religious liberty or
principle, there his co-operation Avas sure to be
hearty, and liis donation princely.
To the Bi'itish and Foreign School Society he was
a faitliful friend ; and on the decease of William
Allen, in 1813, he succeeded him in the office of
treasurer. He lived to be the oldest member on the
committee, and continued his warm interest in the
Society until his failing health obliged him to with-
*</
SAMUEL aURNEY. 85
draw, alike from the engagements of business and
benevolence. The following testimonial is taken
from the Educational Record : —
" At a meeting of the general committee of the British
and Foreign School Society, held at the Society's house,
Friday, June 20tl], 1856 ; R. Forster, Esq., in the chair :
The attention of the committee having been called to the
mournful intelligence received since the last meeting, of
the death of the treasurer, it was resolved, on the motion
of J. Corderoy, Esq., seconded by Hugh Owen, Esq., that
the following record be entered on the minutes : — ' Died
at Paris, on the 5th instant, in the seventy-first year of his
age, Samuel Gurney, Esq., one of the earliest supporters
of the society, and during the last thirteen years its
honoured and able treasurer. Of Mr. Giu-ney, as a
Christian philanthropist, it is not needful to speak. The
beneficence that marked his busy life — his strong good
sense — his frank bearing — his expansive charities — his
ready hand and kindly heart, have long secured for him a
lasting place in the affections of the generous and the
good ; and his private virtues have equally endeared
him to those who enjoyed his closer and more familiar
friendship.' "
Among many similar objects, one which lay very
near his heart during the later days of his life, was
that of the various refuges and reformatories, one of
which was the '' Home in the East.^^ This Home Jiad
in view the thousands of friendless lads in our great
city, who, having been deserted by their parents,
knew no better shelter than that of the prison or
police court.
86 MEMORIALS OF
jNIany a time, as tlie good man passed in his
carriage through the eastern thoroughfare, abound-
ing in gin-shops, and crowded with little ragged
children, and their reckless, drunken parents, must
his kindly heart have ached at the contrast between
their condition and that of the better clad and
better cared-for children in the more immediate
neighbourhood of his own peaceful home. " The
Home in the East " is an industrial school and
dormitory, into which thii'ty-five poor lads have been
received, fed, clothed, and taught some useful trade.
" ' I am prepared to say,' said he, when advocating
the claims of this Kefuge, ' that there is nothiug which
exerts so powerful an influence upon the hardest hearts
as Christian Mndness. The most hopeless, the most
abandoned, those wliom no prison discipline could con-
trol, have been subdued by its law.' "
Well indeed could the speaker, at the close of his
long life, bear witness to the truth, that the law of
kindness and of mercy had, in his OAvn experience,
and in that of his fellow-labourers now entered into
rest, been an invincible weapon ; and doubtless he is
now rejoicing with them in the success of tliosc
efforts which had caused the chords of tenderness
and sympathy to vibrate in many a human soul,
and had wooed the hitherto hardened offender to
softer and tenderer feelings.
The interest which ]\Ir. Gurncy took in the Bible
Society, both in his own neighbourhood and other
places, was considerable. It was to him peculiarly
SAMUEL GURNEY. 87
dear, and its catholicity of principles commended
itself with no common degree to his noble heart.
On one occasion, the jubilee of the society, he
invited the foreign agents to a social dinner at Ham
House, and, previously to the business of the evening,
twenty-four sate down at his hospitable board. A
letter, too long for insertion, describes this me-
morable and interesting occasion.
All the local Bible committee were there in the
evening, the clergy and dissenting ministers of the
parish, and the face of Mr. Gurney was radiant with
delight at the union and cordial feeling which
prevailed. All seemed happy and friendly together,
under the influence of the spirit of that Bible which
may truly be called the peacemaker.
Many a heart-stirring tale was told that night of the
work carried on in the East, Africa, Spain, Switzer-
land, and Italy, and one of the agents reported of
the thousands of Bibles which were sent out of
Austria on mules, under the guard of a strong
mounted police. All went on admirably; it was a
meeting after Samuel Gurney's own heart, and very
pleasant will its memory be to those foreign agents in
their laborious lives — a green spot of refreshment to
their souls in times of Aveariness and discouragement.
An extract from a letter of a valued friend of Mr.
Gurney's, the late Mr. William Forster, whose life of
usefulness and self-denying devotion was suddenly cut
short during a visit to America, will suitably conclude
this chapter. The letter was addressed to his wife from
88 MEMOEIALS OF
Tenessee and was dictated in a time of great weak-
ness, and in the solemn prospect of speedy death.
" IMy dear, my faithftd, tender, generous fi-iend,
Samuel Gumey, was to me more almost than I can men-
tion. It touches me so much to think of all his real
kindness manifested to me throughout this concern.
"What I should, what I could have done without it, I know
not. Our last half-hour together at Norwich is ahout
as much now as I can allow myself to think of."
SAMUEL GURNEY. 89
CHAPTER VII.
THE IITFANT COLONY OF LIBEEIA — ME. GUBNEY's INTEEEST
IN THE SUBJECT — LETTEE EEOM PEESIDENT EOBEETS
ME. GUENEY'S LETTEE — EEEOETS EOE EELIGIOUS
LIBEETY, ETC.
The little African republic of Liberia lias of late
years excited considerable interest in our country,
and it is no matter of surprise, therefore, that Mr.
Gurney, the known friend of the slave and the foe
of oppression in every form, should warmly enter
into a plan which promised so much for the meliora-
tion of that portion of his fellow-creatures who had
known the galling chain of slavery. We have seen,
indeed, that tlie charity of Samuel Gurney began at
home, but it was an expansive and far-extending
spirit ; and from the year 1 848, when his interest was
first awakened in Liberia, he enlisted himself as a
firm friend and supporter of this infant common-
wealth.
A slight sketch of the past and present condition
of Liberia, and of the share which Mr. Gurney may
be said to have had in its advancing prosperity-, will
not perhaps be out of place, and will help to
illustrate a great point in his character — namely, the
judicious use which he made of the large means
which God had given to him.
90 MEMORIALS OF
In most of our modern maps the coast of Upper
Guinea is divided into four sections — the Slave, the
Gold, the Ivory, and the Grain Coast. The three first-
named divisions face to the southward, the line of
coast running nearly east and west, and forming the
northern shore of the Gulf of Guinea. But at Cape
Palmas, which is the western limit of the Ivory Coast,
the line of shore bends to the north-west, facing the
Atlantic, and keeps on in this direction beyond Sierra
Leone, nearly to the mouth of the river Gambia.
The southern portion of this coast, between Cape
Palmas and Sierra Leone, is the fertile region formerly
known as the Grain Coast. The native inhabitants,
though as barbarous in most respects as their
neighbours, were somewhat more industrious, being
employed in agricultural pursuits. The slaye-dealers
as well as the honest traders who visited the Guinea
Coast, were accustomed to purchase here their supplies
of rice, &c. The influence of this trade, but for the
counteraction of one yet more powerful, woiild have
been highly beneficial ; but, unhappily, the slave-trade
was in activity, to the demoralization and almost
total extermination of the people. In 1823, shortly
after the arrival of the first Libcrian colonists on the
Grain Coast, the governor of the settlement, in his
journey of 150 miles along the coast, found indica-
tions to prove how populous the injured and stripped
district liad been. Now it was nearly desolated of
inhabitants, covered with dense forests and bramble
thickets, and where along the beautiful river were
SAMUEL GURNEY. 91
scattered in Africans better days well-filled ham-
lets, the country lay waste and forsaken. Such was
the state of that part of Africa in which the new
colony was first founded. It was at first very small in
extent, and was obtained by purchase and treaty from
the native kings ; but it has gradually been enlarged by
the same honourable means, and now comprises within
its jurisdiction not less than 20,000 square miles —
three times the area of Wales, or about equal to two-
thii'ds of that of Scotland. Its population consists of
12,000 colonists from America, all men of colour,
with 340,000 natives who have voluntarily placed
themselves under the laws of the republic. The slave-
trade has been abolished, forests and brambles are
gradually disappearing. Christian villages are spring-
ing up, and little vessels laden with palm oil, dye
woods, rice, coffee, and other productions, now ply
along the coast ; and thespot where the great slave
market of the Grain Coast was once held is now
marked by the capital of Liberia, a growing sea-port
town of 2000 inhabitants. Stores are built, the sound
of the church bell is heard, and schools and charitable
associations are prospering. It has its newspaper,
its literary institution, its stores, wharves, lighthouse,
and court-house, and Monrovia bids fair to take an
honourable place in the future history of the State.
The colony had been fostered and controlled up
to the year 184-7 by the American Colonization
Society, and the benevolence of the founders had, at
the outset, been admired by many of those who were
92 MEMORIALS OF
nevertheless disposed to doubt its success. But when
the anti-slavery question gained ground in the United
States^ and the number of abolitionists, hitherto small,
increased, a strong feeling was aroused against the
Colonization Society, and by many, and those among
the most logical and enlightened, it was declared to be
the worst enemy of the coloured man, whether slave or
free. It was, they affirmed, a slaveholders' association,
and its real objectwas to relieve the Slave Statesof their
free coloured population, whose presence alarmed and
annoyed the slave owners. The unfortunate creatures,
they declared, when committed to the society's charge,
were transported to a b arbarousand unhealthy coast,
and left to perish in misery. By Avithdrawing the
free people of colour from the country, the society
would deprive the slaves of the sympathy and assist-
ance of this portion of their race, and render their
situation more Avretched than ever. These and similar
statements were very injurious to the society — the
receipts fell off; it became embarrassed, and had to
compound with its creditors. The Colony however,
revived, and evidences of its progress, notwithstanding
the late cloud, became known both in America and
England. Sometimes a colonist who had been a little
prosperous in Liberia, went over to America and
brought back his relatives to the colony. English and
American naval officers gave favourable reports of the
state of its civilisation, good government and industry.
Sometimes a merchant captain, after strolling tlirough
the cheerful streets of Monrovia, or dining with some
SAMUEL GUENEY. 93
colonial official, would return home to furnish his
friends and the newspapers with a wonderful story of
the thriving town of black citizens on the African
coast, where no profane word was to be heard^ nor
could a creature be found, either for love or money,
to work on a Sunday.
The first elective institutions of Liberia were simple;
but as in twelve years the colony increased and new
settlements were founded, it became expedient to
unite them all under one system of government, and
accordingly a governor was appointed and paid by
the society.
Mr. Thomas Buchanan was the first and only white
governor who held office in the colony. He entered
on his duties in 1839, and died of the African fever
in 1841. Mr. Roberts was, at that time, lieutenant-
governor, and the official duties devolved on him until
a successor should be found.
The experiment which was to test the capacity of
a community of that class for self-government may
be said to have had its satisfactory solution at that
period. The lieutenant-governor was a fair specimen
of the class of public men which the new settlement
might be expected to produce. He was an intelligent,
clear-headed man, and his public documents and des-
patches have been pronounced as comparing favour-
ably, in point of force of reasoning and clearness of
statement, with the best state-papers of our time.
His parents were free persons of African descent, and
had emigrated to Liberia in 1829.
94 MEMORIALS OF
To detail the history of this interesting colony,
and the circumstances which led to its separation
from the Colonization Society, at full length, would
be foreign to our purpose. In 1848, Mr. Roberts,
then governor, paid his first visit to England, and
was introduced to Mr. Gurney, who, with many
abolitionists, had shared in the prejudices against
the old Society, from which, by this time, Liberia
was severed. He came with the news that Liberia
had established an independent government. " With
this new order of things " (we quote President
Roberts' own words), ^' a Christian State had
sprung up on the shores of benighted Africa. Now
that Liberia was an independent State, struggling
to maintain, though an humble, yet an honour-
able position on the national platform, and with
the prospect of accomplishing much good for Afi'ica,
Mr. Gurney believed she ought to be sustained by
all Christian philanthropists, and with these views
lie received me most kindly, assuring me of his best
wishes for the success of Liberia, He greatly as-
sisted me in the main object of my visit to Europe,
viz., to obtain a recognition of the independence of
the new State Dining one evening with
Chevalier Bunsen, in company with Mr. Gurney, and
several other gentlemen, the conversation turned on
the subject of the slave-trade, and I was mention-
ing to Lord Ashley (now Lord Shaftesbury) that if
Liberia had a little pecuniary assistance to enable
her to extend her political jurisdiction over the
SAMUEL GUKNEY. 95
territory of Gallenas^ a notorious slave-mart near
her north-western frontier, she could give an
effectual check to the slave-trade on the entire
West Coast. On being informed that about two
thousand pounds would effect this object, his lord-
ship immediately appealed to Mr. Gurney to aid in
the desii'able effort. Mr. Gurney readily entertained
the proposition, and the next day pledged himself
for the payment of one thousand pounds, on the con-
dition of the purchase of the Gallenas territory and
its incorporation with Liberia being effected. The
Liberian Government, however, only succeeded in
purchasing a portion of the territory, but acquired
the right of the remainder, and political jurisdiction
over the whole."
On this subject President Roberts thus wrote to
Mr. Gurney from Devonport : —
"November 30th, 1848.
"Deae Sie,
" Tour esteemed favour is duly received, containing
your engagement to forward to Monrovia, on the comple-
tion of a contract with the native chiefs for the sale of Gal-
lenas, merchandize to the value of one thousand poimds,
to enable the public of Liberia to secure, by honourable
purchase, the territory lyuig between its north-western
boundary and the British colony of Sierra Leone.
"I am happy to be able to inform you that on Tuesday
morning, before leaving Loudon, I had an interview with
Lord Auckland, and conversed with his lordship on the
subject of the slave-trade, and of the assistance we re-
quired to extirpate the slave factories at the Gallenas,
and abolish the traffic in slaves on that part of the West
Coast."
96 MEMORIALS OF
It is probable that Mr. Gurney's kind propositioD,
on the faith of which the Liberian Government pro-
ceeded at once to the acquisition of the Gallenas^
saved hundreds, perhaps thousands, of poor Africans
from becoming the victims of slave- dealers. Before
President Roberts left England, INIr. Gurney furnished
him with a liberal supply of valuable books which he
thought would be serviceable in the new country.
In 1851, the Times thus reports of the new re-
public : —
" Late accounts from Liberia give a favourable descrip-
tion of the state of the country. Settlements were being
formed in the ulterior, and the natives at the newly ac-
quired territory of the Gallenas, had furnished proof of
their readiness to abandon the slave-trade, by giving notice
to President Roberts and Commodore Panshawe of a
Spanish brig hovering on the coast for slaves. A new
town is to be formed at GaUenas, and is to receive the
name of Gurney, after Mr. Samuel Giu-ney of London."
We subjoin a letter of Mr. Gurney's to Mr. Roberts,
dated —
" London, First Montli 12th, 1852.
" Mt dear Priend,
" I have the pleasure of sending this by Captain Straw,
who is about to embark for Liberia with a cargo of mer-
chandise, intending to bring back cotton so far as it is
practicable.
" I trust from tliat wliich lias been cultivated under
his auspices, and left under care since his last visit to your
country, a considerable quantity will be ready for him.
" Seeing that Liberia is adapted to the growth of that
plant, should its cultivation there largely increase it would
tend greatly to the prosperity of the republic ; it would
SAMUEL GUBNEY. 97
I apprehend, not only find profitable employment for
your people, but, in its sale to Europeans, would supply
the country with money, not only as revenue, but as a
circulating medium. It appears to me, therefore, very
desirable to protect and encourage an extension of its
growth.
" Would it not answer to establish a copper coinage ?
If thou thinks that it would, I am disposed to send the
republic £100 or £200 sterling in copper coins as an ex-
periment. If I do, should it be our English coinage in
pence and half-pence ; or should I have a die struck on
purpose ?
" I continue my warm interest in the prosperity of the
republic, and should be very glad to hear from time to
time of her progress, and, I trust, of her well-doing. I
do my best on all occasions to protect her rising reputa-
tion ; but there are those disposed to complain, especially
as to the faithful care of all merchandise belonging to Euro-
peans. I need not tell thee how very important to your
true interest it is to have a good reputation in these
matters, collectively as a republic, and in your individual
capacities. Increased care will, I trust, prevail in these
important points, &c., &c.,
" Thy friend and well-wisher,
" Samuel Gueitet."
Among other efforts to advance commerce in
Liberia, Mr. Gurney engaged witli some gentlemen in
Manchester to open a cotton farm in connection with
the palm oil trade of the coast : " but this scheme/'
Mr. Roberts says, " I regret to state failed, owing to
bad management on the spot.'' This concern for its
welfare continued to a late period of his life. As
recently as October 30th, 1855, when suffering from
F
98 MEMORIALS OF
failing health, according to Mr. Roberts, he wrote to
him as warmly as ever, and, " after alluding to some
matters on which I addressed him, he says, — ' I feel
much interest in thy prosperity, and desire that the
blessing of God may be abundantly bestowed on thee.
I feel much interest in your young republic. Any-
thing that secures her prosperity and well-doing
delights me much, and I shall always be glad to do
anything that will promote this. I augur favourably
of your ha\'ing a coinage peculiarly Liberian. If it
becomes popular and gets into circulation, would it
not be desirable to have a fresh supply ? I should
in this case be very willing to repeat the transaction,
taking upon myself the cost of at least =€100. I
await thy reply to this proposition.^ " ^Ir. Roberts
adds, " The people of Liberia properly estimated Mr.
Gurney's kind interest in their behalf, and the Legis-
lature on two occasions adopted, unanimously, reso-
lutions expressive of their thanks and appreciation of
his kindness. *''
Among the many footprints which Mr. Gurney
has left in the track of time, few perhaps may be as
enduring as Liberia; and surely it is well worth while
• The productions of Liberia, both natural and cultivated, are nume-
rous, and indeed there is no reason to doubt that every species of
tropical produce thrives in the country. Rico is abundant, Indian corn,
sweet potatoes, cassava root, be.ans, peas, water-melons, pino-apples,
oranges, lemons, guavas, and many other fruits, grow well.
For information respecting the c<»lony of Liberia, with the ex-
ception of Mr. Gurney 's letters, the editor is indebted to President
Roberts himself.
SAMUEL aURNEY. 99
for those in life's morning to look around and see if
there be no spot on God's earth where they may erect
some monument, however humble, to prove that they
have not lived in vain. There was no pause in the
activity of his life, which was spent in doing good
and communicating. Onwards was his motto ; selfish
ease and indulgence were not among his enjoyments :
living to himself would have been a weary life to
him.
In 1853 we have a record of his benevolent exer-
tions in the cause of religious liberty, the precise
circumstances of which need not to be detailed. The
sufferings for conscience' sake of some subjects of the
King of Prussia excited his commiseration ; but he
did not content himself with quiet pity, — he appealed,
and the result was a gratifying announcement, through
the Chevalier Bunsen, that the application had been
favourably received, and that the petition forwarded
to the king for religious protection was granted ; with
the additional assurance from his Majesty that he
would never allow any thing to be done in his country
which was not in strict accordance with the principles
of religious liberty, or which might afflict his " good
friend Gurney.'^
Another manifestation of his spirit of enlarged
benevolence occurred about the year 1855, and has
likewise reference to Prussia. The circumstances
are related by Cornelius Hanbury, Esq., who was
also warmly interested in the case, and are given
principally in his own words.
F 2
100 MEMORIALS OF
" The kindness of Samuel Giu'ney's disposition was
displayed in the prompt and efficient manner in -which he
undertook to intercede with the King of Prussia on
behalf of a young man in his dominions, who was sulFer-
ing for conscience' sake. He had been a student in a com-
mercial school, and afterwards entered the college at
Giessen, where he remained eighteen months, and was
then called on to enter into military service. He took the
oath of allegiance to the king and then applied for per-
mission to continue bis studies another year, wbich was
granted.
" Doubts had previously arisen in his mind respecting
tbe Eoman Catholic religion, in whicb he had been edu-
cated, and he availed himself of this time of leisvu-e to
examine different professions of fiiith.
" Having heard of some of tbe Society of Friends living
at Minden, he sought their acquaintance, and, from inter-
course with them, and the perusal of their books, he
decided to adopt their views. He was now called upon
again to perform military duty ; but his religious convic-
tions had so clearly shown him that war was utterly in-
consistent with Christianity, that he drew up a protest,
giving his reasons for non-compliance with the Govern-
ment's requisition.
This refusal involved him in a course of severe trial,
which he endured with great patience.* He was tried
several times by a ccturt-martial, wliich sentenced him to
three years and a half imprisonment. His case was then
referred to tlie king. The late Samuel Gurmy, being
made acquainted with the suft'erings he had undergone,
and tlie hardships still impending, WTote to the king on
* One infliction lo which his continued refusal sulijcctcil him wan
t)iat of incarceration in a room 80 constructed that it was imiiossiMc
for him to lie down.
SAMUEL GURNET. 101
his behalf, requesting him to institute an enquiry and
convince himself whether the scruples of the young man
were not grounded on Christian principles."
The result of tliis enquiry was so favourable, and
the testimony of the military authorities to the private
conduct of the prisoner so good, that he was at once
released from all future claims to military service,
but awarded two years' confinement in a civil prison.
After the expiration of a twelvemonth, the prisoner,
with the aj)probation of the directors, addressed
a petition to the king for his liberty, which was
granted : an act of liberation which never gladdened
the benevolent heart of Samuel Gurney on earth ; for,
ere the tidings of the release had reached England,
he had passed away to the land of peace and rest.
102 MEMORIALS OF
CHAPTER VIII.
TAILING HEALTH OF ME. GITEKET — PEACE PEINCIPLES —
PICTUEE OF UPTON — PEEPAEATIOSS FOE DEPAETUEB
EXTRACTS FEOM LETTEES DEPAETITEE — JOTJENEIT
— AREIVAL AT NICE — LETTEES TO FEIENDS, ETC.
There are few spectacles more mournful than that
of an unloved and unloving old age. The worldly
man, whose heart has been with his treasure upon
earth, travelling to the grave in heart-solitude, his
mind and body alike weakened in power, desire fail-
ing, the very grasshopper becoming a burden, seated
with folded hands and in apathy of soul whilst the
earthly tabernacle is being taken down, without one
bright glimpse of the house eternal in the heavens,
is a melancholy sight indeed ; but such is no picture
of the close of Samuel Gurney's life, — one of service
and of love. The evening hours, although not un-
clouded by earthly sorrows and anxieties, M'cre gilded
with the soft beams of the Sun of Righteousness.
Old friends and familiar companions of youth and
manhood were passing away, lie was often called
to stand by tlie grave's brink, where the little child
he had loved, the brother or the sister, was about to
be buried out of sight. The failing health of Mrs.
Gurncy was long a source of deep trial ; but it called
forth in an especial manner the tcudcrcst feelings of
SAMUEL GURNEY. 103
his nature, and liis conduct towards her in her days
of weakness and infirmity has been described, by one
well acquainted with his home life, as showing " a
care almost maternal."
The details of his career during the last years of
his hfe are not numerous. His unceasing watchful-
ness over his beloved wife withdrew him, in a measure,
from the more stirring scenes of life and from close
application to business. The principal event of 1853
was his visit to Paris, in company with the deputation
to the Emperor of the French ; among the members of
which were Sir James Duke, Messrs. Glyn, Barclay,
Gladstone, Sir E. N. Buxton, and other influential
persons. The object of this deputation was to
present to the Emperor a declaration, signed by 4000
of the merchants and traders of London, expressive
of their earnest desire for the long continuance of
peace and amity between the two nations, their re-
solution to do everything in their power to maintain
it, and their fervent hope that the inhabitants of
both countries would in future vie with each other
in cultivating the arts of peace, and in extending the
sources of social improvement, for their mutual
benefit.
The Emperor^s reply was short and emphatic, con-
cluding with these words : "Like you I desire peace,
and to draw closer the bonds which unite our two
countries."
The following letter, addressed to Mrs. Gurney
from Paris, briefly records the interview : —
104 MEMORIALS OF
"Third Month 28th, 1853.
" Mt Deaeest ,
" We have had an interview with the Emperor, and were
most graciously received. He expressed his gratification
at the proceeding, spoke of the danger he thought that the
harmony of the two countries had incurred, in consequence
of what had appeared from England last year, and invited
us all to dine with him on Fifth-day ; for which occasion,
of course, we must stop. I have had an intei'esting inter-
view, in company with the deputation, with Monsieur
Drouyn de Lhuys, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and also
with my old friend Achille Fould. We all dine with the
former to-morrow, and with the latter the next day ; so
our association will be of an interesting description."
The following letter to Monsieur Achille Fould,
written, probably, soon after the above, and of which
Mr. Gurney had preserved a copy, but bearing no
date, is transcribed : —
"Mt deab Feiend,
" It was a high satisfaction to me, as well as a pleasure,
to receive the intelligence contained in thy letter of the
19th.
" The effect of the reduction of tlie army of France will
be very beneficial, not only upon that country, but as an
example to Europe generally. It will be felt as an in-
dication of the pacific intentions of the Emperor, and
lias in this respect a very favourable influence ii])()n the
public mind of England. I can assure thee I take many
opportunities to press this view on the minds of people
of influence. After all that France lias had to pass
througli of late years, I am rejoiced to observe the settle-
ment aud increased prosperity that liat^ been so appa-
SAMUEL GURNEY. 105
rent in that country since tliis time last year. She owes
much, in my judgment, to Louis Napoleon.
" I do heartily desire and do very much expect to
witness it in the exalted position he is likely to occupy ;
that by a continuance of the same line of policy, so peace-
ful in its character, the natural resources of the great
empire will be more and more developed, to the increasing
welfare and happiness of the people. This will lead to
the further reduction of the army, which will be followed
by the rest of Europe. I apprehend the system of a
standing army to be the greatest evil, and fraught with
the greatest practical danger, of anything in Europe at
this period of her history. I presume, at this time of
profound peace in Europe, two millions of her inhabitants
in the prime of life are made unprofitable labourers, at a
cost of two hundred millions sterling."
The promotion of tlie cause of peace on earth was
viewed by Mr. Gurneynot only as a religious question,
and under a solemn sense of the incompatibility of
war with the precepts of the New Testament, but as
a matter of policy, economy and humanity. He
continually dwelt on the subject in conversation, and
never missed an opportunity of bringing before others
those views with which his own mind was so deeply
impressed. Most consistently too were the prin-
ciples of peace and charity carried out in his own
particular sphere, in his household, and in the details
of his daily life. He rarely seemed to perceive a
fault or an offence against himself; and when perceived,
entire forgiveness was the residt, accompanied by
deeds of kindness — returns of good for the evil. The
same spirit was manifested iu the delicate office of
F 3
106 iMEMORIALS OF
peacemaking, which he was frequently called on to
exercise, and for which his sound judgment and clear
mind, no less than his loving spirit, peculiarly qualified
him.
His was a most rightly balanced mind; he was
wonderfully gifted with the power of keeping each
interest in its proper place : business for business
hours, home duties each in their right order, with
their right share of absorption. He could throw his
whole soul for the time being into whatever was
before him as a duty ; and there seemed no clashing,
in spite of their variety.
Whilst his wife was declining, he was called to close
trial in the suffering illness of his sister Mrs. Francis
Cunningham, between whom and himself a very
strong tie of love and sympathy existed. After Mrs.
Gurney's death, which occurred in the February of
1855, we hear of his repeated visits to his beloved
sister, whose dependence on this " prince of brothers,"
as she liked to call him, was ever responded to with
fond attention. Although attached to diflerent
religious persuasions, they were bound in true unity
of spirit and oneness in Christ : they might truly be
said to be helpers one of another. jNIrs. Cunningham
always rejoiced to receive from him his vaiious gifts
of love, frequently coming to him as to a never-failing
fund of strength, and gladly acknowledging her de-
pendence on him for many a charitable aid in the
parish where her lot was cast. His farewell visit took
place two days before her death, in August, 1855,
SAMUEL GURNET. 107
and it was sad to mark at that time the change in his
own appearance ; so much of the vigour of his man-
hood was departed.
At Earlham and Cromer, among his grandchildren,
however, Mr. Gurney seemed to renew his youth.
His appearance on the sands of the latter place has
been described as very striking, when surrounded by
the clusters of young bright faces, listening to their
eager talk, and promising fishing-nets to one, and
scientific apparatus to another, with an interest which
beamed from his face, somewhat saddened as it was
by the sense of his late heavy bereavement.
There are those who will long remember a gather-
ing in the drawing-room at Colne House, prompted
by Mr. Gurney, to hear a lecture on the moon by
Dr. Maun, then staying at Cromer; with what pleasure
he received the various parties of friends and strangers
on the lawn, that bright summer evening, placing
them zealously to the best advantage in the crowded
drawing-room, and at the close of the lecture ad-
dressing the company in a few earnest words of ex-
hortation to pursue the subject for themselves, and
manifesting such care that all, especially the young,
should go away edified.
The change, meantime, which his family had re-
marked during Mrs. Gurney's illness, became more
and more evident. Still he was susceptible of as
much enjoyment and interest in his children as ever.
To those who lived near him it was his delight to
108 MEMOKIALS OF
drive over frequently, and he ever carried gladness
and sunshine into their dwellings. He was now
reaping the golden harvest of love sown so long in
the childhood of his beloved ones; and sure was the
welcome which those children gave him, deep the
thrill of joy of which all were sensible whenever they
caught a glimpse of the silvery hair and pale face,
though alas ! touchingly unlike the ruddy hue of the
father of yore.
Life, if it were to him no longer joyful, was still
peaceful and happy ; and as he had never lived shut
up in the close crust of selfishness, so now, though
he had ceased in some measure personally to enjoy,
he could relatively rejoice.
" Often has he retaarked to me," writes a relative,
"with deep gratitude, the unusual prosperity which had
attended his career: how little there had been of sorrow
and suftering ; how many were the mercies and blessings
which had attended him and his dear wife, who, out of so
large a family, had not ever lost a child."
The grandchildren, as has already been hinted, were
a source of great pleasure and interest, and his en-
joyment in the visits of his married daughters at Ham
House was incomplete if they came unaccompanied by
the little ones. The mother, in her early morning visit
to the nursery, was sure to find, wlien the grandfather
was staying in the house, that he liad been already
there, enjoying the sights and sounds of the nursery
SAMUEL GURNET. 109
world, even to the bath and the breakfast. ^lany
people have a kind of passive endurance of children,
and a preference for the orderly and sedate ones (as
rarities, indeed); but this was not the case with
Mr. Gui-ney, he equally liked '' the quiet plodding
little L , and the restless and more troublesome
G ."
Not a little saddening is the thought that all this
child-love, of which so many memorials remain, is but
as a tale that is told. Those very rocking-boats on
the beautiful green lawn, little as a landscape gardener
might commend their effect, but which draw out the
mother's heart to the memory of such a grandfather,
are among the smaller proofs of that thoughtful and
considerate regard for others which marks so many of
the arrangements of Ham House. Consideration,
indeed, that blessed domestic virtue, the absence of
which mars many a fair home picture, was a pervading
spirit there ; and more, perhaps, than any other in-
fluence, maintained that quiet flow of peace which
was so remarkable in Samuel GurneVs dwelling.
It is a pleasanter walk through the grounds and
the out-houses, too, than you would readily conceive :
for, without professing the least amateurship of model
farms, Alderney cows, and rare cattle, or the slightest
understanding of fine breeds of horses or poultry,
one must be dense indeed not to appreciate the
beautiful arrangements for the happy lives of every
animated being about the premises, and acknowledge
110 MEMORIALS OF
that biped and quadruped, each really revelled in
his own particular way in the enclosure of that
domain; that cows, horses, birds and rabbits, alike,
were as happy as the day was long. Then there is
the little retirement of a good old servant just at
the end of the garden, — a neatly furnished well-
carpeted dwelling, adorned with more than one
picture of the family. After forty years' service,
how soothing in the evening of her life must it be
to the faithful INIartha to recall her beloved master
and mistress, buried, indeed, out of sight, but never
to be forgotten. And those poor old people in the
almshouses, — how gratefully must they look on the
little trifles gratuitously provided for them; whilst
the very farm servants and the whole household could
tell tales of acts of kindness in many little things,
to which one would sooner be tired of listening,
maybe, than they of telling.
We linger in such a home, and almost regret to
withdraw our own thoughts from the spot ; but the
time was come when the master of all these i^osses-
sions received the call to set his house in order.
Willingly, and even cheerfully, with a spirit of
childlike submission, he yielded to the advice of his
physicians and the desire of his friends, that lie should
try the efl'ect of a milder climate during the winter.
" Nothing was more striking to mo," writes one of his
family, " than the entire ciilinii(\ss and clieerl'ulueas with
SAMUEL GURNEY. Ill
whicli he arranged his outward affairs before leaving
home. He entirely laid aside aU those objects into
which he had been wont to enter with so much of lively-
interest and vigour : all were given up without an ap-
parent regret."
In a letter to a friend, in the prospect of leaving
England for the Continent, he himself says : —
" We are fearfully and wonderfully made and circum-
stanced, and can only cast ourselves upon the merciful
and pro\ddential care of Him, without whose permission
a sparrow even does not fall to the ground."
Again, to the same friend, in a farewell letter, he
remarks : —
"I feel how very much I leave in going ; but my medical
friends and my family all encourage it, so that I submit ;
but I feel it to be a submission. I am, under this dis-
pensation (one doubtless of mercy), peaceful and con-
tented, without any anxious care as to the future, which,
as relates to myself, is very obsciu'e. I endeavour to
cherish the desire to cast myself upon the mercy of God,
through our Saviour Jesus Christ."
The fine trees in the long-loved and shady garden,
beneath whose branches he had loved to sit for so
many years, were clad in their autumn mantle. The
fall of the leaf seemed indicative of his fading life;
but the broad -spreading cedar, which stretched its
branches over the green turf, might well remind him
of the undying spring which awaited him in the
world to come. The farewells to his old neighbours
113 MEMORIALS OF
and friends could not but be mournful ; tbe leave-
taking between him and Lis friend Lady P was
very interesting. " I must not forget/' he replied
in answer to the hope she expressed that the journey
would do him good, — " I must not forget that I have
nearly reached three-score years and ten. When I
think of this I must not be anxious either way ; but
my view is that I shall be permitted to see my neigh-
bours again."
He took his last walk round the garden on the
afternoon of this day, still speaking calmly of the
future and all its uncertainty. The morning dawn
was bright^ and the autumn sun illumined the varied
tints of the trees, and, for the last time, the faint
autumn song of the few remaining birds sounded
in his ears. Still all was sweet and peaceful. The
Bible was opened as usual, and once more his voice
was heard in the solemn family worship ; but his
children who were present must have felt, and doubt-
less many of them did feel, that it might be for the
last time in his English dwelling. He then visited
the kitchen to bid adieu to liis servants, shaking hands
with each one in turn, although the effort was almost
too much. Yet, on going back to the drawing-room
to await the arrival of tlic carriage, he exerted him-
self in his usual considerate manner to comfort his
old servant Martha, Avho sate weeping beside him
on the sofa, and then, the moment of departure being
come, he rose and crossed the threshold, never more
I
SAMUEL GURNEY. 113
to pass it until that mournful return when life, the
animator and the beautifier, had fled/ and the kindly-
spirit was with God who gave it. " To me," remarks
a daughter who did not accompany the travellers, and
who has described the parting scene, "was then his
death : nothing since has been so painful."
Mr. Gurney always took a lively pleasure in tra-
velling, and he was by no means lost to that pleasure
now. The first pang of separation over, the change
indeed appeared refreshing, and notwithstanding the
excitement and painful eflbrt of the morning, and
the thick mist which was enveloping everything on
his arrival at Folkstone, he drove in the afternoon to
Shornclifi", to visit the camp of the Foreign Legion
there ; talking to the soldiers with his usual animation,
and testifying the greatest interest in the scene.
A similar visit was paid to the camp at Boulogne,
and he was able on his arrival at Paris to enjoy the
Palais de I'lndustrie ; though so inadequate were his
failing powers to the necessary exertion that it was
affecting to witness the effort.
A friend who saw Mr. Gurney at this time re-
marked, in a subsequent letter to one of his family : —
" I have such a sweet interesting picture of your dear
father iu my memory, such as I saw him at Paris in
November ; so calm, so reverend, and so full of peace. He
evidently felt the futui*e most uncertain, but assured me
that as to this world he had arranged everything."
The journey through France was productive of real
enjoyment to the invalid. The party rested three
114 MEMORIALS OF
days at Nismes, in order to visit tlie little colony of
Friends at Congenies, with whom he passed an inte-
resting Sunday ; and he was delighted to welcome
his simple French brethren and sisters to an evening
repast on the occasion — an event, doubtless, in their
primitive and quiet lives.
His feelings were often called forth as he journeyed,
by the soldiers going and returning from the Crimea ;
and once, when driving through the market-place at
Avignon, his interest was so excited by a poor wounded
Zouave that he stopped the carriage, and learned that
the soldier had been disabled at the taking of the
Malakhoff. "Ah Monsieur," answered the poor
man in reply to some further enquiries respecting
the horrid scene, " il faut le voir pour le con9evoir/'
Mr. Gurney was sensibly touched by the words, and
it is remarkable that at scarcely any time of his illness
was he so absorbed in thought for himself as to be
callous to the joys and sorrows, not only of those near
and dear to him, but of his fellow-creatures at large.
Unselfishness in an invalid is a rare qualification, but
one seldom learned on a sick couch.
There was every prospect of comfort iu the con-
templated residence at Nice. He frequently spoke
of his perfect satisfaction in the arrangements ; his
companions so exactly suited him. He had an in-
valuable nurse and companion in his daughter, Miss
Gurney ; and the cheering society of his son-in-law
Sir Edward Buxton, with Lady Buxton and some of
his grandchildren, considerably softened his banish-
SAMUEL GURNEY. 115
ment from England, and drew a little home circle of
familiar faces around him. The large and commodious
house at Nice afforded ample accommodation for the
two families^ and for some time after the arrival there
it was difficult to say whether he lost or gained
strength. Two or three letters, addressed to old and
dear friends in England at the close of the year^
convey his own impressions on the subject, which were
usually correct. The first in point of date is as
follows : —
"Nice, Twelfth Month 8th, 1855.
" Mt yert dear Friend,
" It is Pirst-day morning, and some of the party here
are gone to the Yaudois Chapel, others to that in connec-
tion with the English national Establishment. I have
enjoyed and valued a time alone of profound quietude,
may I not add measurably of solemn worship, aud now
feel disposed to acknowledge the receipt of thy brotherly
epistle
" In respect of myself I cannot speak with much as-
surance ; my powers are greatly reduced, especially in
walking. Going upstairs is nearly beyond my power ;
but I am peaceful and contented, and remarkably clear of
corroding care.
" At times, I fear a Httle whether my ease of mind may
not arise from apathy ; but at other times I cberish the
desire to cast myself upon the mercy of God, through
Christ Jesus, and from this my peace maj^ emanate.
"The place and its situation have many charms, which
I am enabled occasionally to enjoy ; but my powers, even
in this respect, are hmited to drives in a pony phaeton
which I have hired. The climate is a great improvement
upon ours. The sky has been nearly unclouded for the
116 MEMORIALS OF
last fortuiglit ; bright, sunnv days, and starlight nights
with brilliant sunrisings and settings.
" Sometimes it has been as warm as our summers ; just
now however it is cold, but dry and clear
" We meet together on First-day, and a family of
Plymouth Brethren have asked permission to sit with us,
to which we of course agree.
"I somewhat feel the weight of this gathering — a gather-
ing in some measure, I trust, in the name of the Lord ;
but it is, in fact, a refreshing and consoling time. Por
Quakerism, as it exists in its various bearings, is that only
which meets my natural taste, and I also consider it to
be simple Christianity without the attempt of man to
adorn or improve it : but in saying this I am well assured
how very much some of us, as such, have come short, and
how much also of true practical Christianity there is
amongst others.
" There is a congregation of Vaudois in this place. My
daughter has attended their worship and speaks very
favourably of their simplicity and apparent piety, and
soundness of Christian faith I have deeply
felt the sudden death of my valued and lionoured friend
"W. T. Clayton, and yesterday's post brought me the
intelligence of the death of my old friend Thomas Pirn of
Kingstown, and of oiir dear friend Stephen GreUet ; and
this morning I learn the death, by accident, of my dear
friend and relative Charles Barclay, of Bury Hill.
These give forth the language loudly, ' Be ye therefore
ready,' — a language peculiarly aj)plicable to myself at this
time.
" wot thou give my love to S. E. and to the officers of
the school* generally, and in an especial manner to all
the children. May they not only be industrious and
• Ono of t)ic public schools connected with the Society of Friends.
SAMUEL GURNET. 117
obedient as scholars, truthful and kind one to another,
but may they above all cherish in their inmost hearts a
fear of God, — I mean a fear that will preserve them from
evil, — and then a love of God will follow, which will lead
them into all good. They cannot have a better prepara-
tion for this world, or for that which is to come.
" Thy attached brother,
" Samuel Guenet."
A second letter to which allusion has been made
commences thus : —
Nice, Twelfth Month 19th, 1855.
" Mt much-loted Pbiend,
" Thy letter of 12th inst. has reached me, and its
receipt is very acceptable and somewhat encouraging.
Thy opinion of me is, however, so mvich above my own
mark as to myself that I can hardly keep pace with it ;
but I may acknowledge, with thankfulness, that I am
preserved in much peace and ease of mind, although very
feeble in bodily power. My medical adviser here assures
me that I am better ; but here again my own feelings are
rather below those of my friend — for such I can truly
caU Dr. T .
" Edward Buxton and I have hired a capital house
between us. We are cheered by a large detachment of
his children. I have felt very much the death of Stephen
Grellet — more so that of my very dear and honoured
friend , taken, I doubt not, in wisdom and in mercy,
but in the prime of life, leaving to struggle in this world
a widow and young family. I have felt it so much that
I have ventured to write to the Avidow on the subject,
expressing my interest and sympathy.
" This place has much charm in it — mountains topt,
some of them with snow, others with olives and orange
lis MEMORIALS OF
trees to the Xortli, East, and West, and to the South
the Mediterranean with its beautiful bays, are all attrac-
tive ; but the latter loses much in the absence of the
cheering change produced by tides in our northern seas.
The climate is very fine ; the weather, although now
cold, allows of our sitting out-of-doors and basking in
the sun on most days in the middle of the day, but it
turns cold as the sun declines. The peasants, at this
time, are a good deal engaged in making hay ; this, with
their pleasing bright dresses, help to make a drive
pleasant.
" There is much opening for the circulation of the
Scriptures and religious books I can, how-
ever, do nothing myself in the cause, excepting being
ready to aid in a pecuniary manner when wanted ; my
feeble state prevents action on my part.
" In much love, in which the Bustons and Sarah unite,
" Thy attached friend,
" Samtjel Gfunet."
Another letter, written shortly after, to J. Bevan
Braithwaite, Esq., may also be given. He thus
writes : —
" Nice, Twelfth Month 26th, 1855.
" My deae Bevan,
" I duly received thy interesting and comforting letter,
full f)f interest on various points. In respect of myself,
I remain very feeble, certainly not less so than a little
time back ; but I am preserved in much calmness and
peace of mind. Although I drive out for a short })eriod
on most days, my powers arc such that I am a good deal
indoors ; but we have a capital suite of rooms having a
southern aspect, into which the sun shines on most days.
" In respect of Macaulay : it is a little mortifying that
SAMUEL GURNEY. 119
he should so have held up our honourable predecessors,
Penn and Fox. Not that they were perfect or were ever
held up as such, as far as I know ; hut they were extra-
ordinary men, wonderfully elucidating and maintaining
the truth. I am not prepared, however, to say that Fox
was clear of eccentricities, or that at times he was not
to a certain extent under such influence in his conduct ;
but, taking him for all in all, he was wonderfully gifted
and enlightened. It will probably be considered by
Friends whether there should be an answer, somewhat
official, to these attacks on our two worthies. I rather
lean to it, although it would be impossible to reach wherever
Macaulay's book may go ; yet, if well done, it might have
a beneficial effect upon the public mind and upon our
young people.
" There is, however, one consolation : ' The truth as it
is in Jesus,' — the truth as maintained by Friends — is vin-
changeable, and remains the same, however feeble, or even
faulty, its supporters may have been and are.
" There is great openness in this country at the present
time for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and re-
ligious tracts, and I am very anxious that advantage should
be taken of it while the door is open ; but it requires great
discretion, lest the very eftbrt tend to limit the power
that now exists.
" The Madiai are here, and a depot (of which they have
the management) is just opened for the British and
Foreign Bible Society. He is somewhat broken down ;
but I trust after a time, sufficient energy may be thrown
into the work.
" The king, they tell me, is a man of his word, and,
having granted a constitution and a large degree of reli-
gious liberty, will keep to it.
" In much love, &c.,
" Samuel Gtjenet."
120 MEMOKIALS OF
An interesting letter Avhich he wrote in the begin-
ning of January to a servant much respected, and
one who had been much engaged in personal attend-
ance on him before his leaving England, is one among
many pleasant records of the good feeling Avhich sub
sisted between master and servant. It is dated
" Nice, First Month 4th, 1856.
" Deae Peieih) J. H.
" I was gratified yesterday by the receipt of thy letter,
and in an especial manner by thy expressions and wishes
about myself.
" Brought into a weak state, as is my case, I have fre-
quently felt for thee that the personal care of me has
fallen, from my having come into a foreign land, into
other hands. I however full well know, that, had it been
otherwise, how acceptable and valuable to me would have
been thy faithful attentions.
" Here for the present we must leave it. But it will
be satisfxctory to thee, and to my servants generally, to
know that nothing can be more afiectionately and effi-
ciently attentive than B is ; so that, with D 's aid
and my daughter's superintendence, with a first-rate
medical attendant at hand, my outward circumstances
are very favourable.
"We have also an excellent house oecupjdng the
ground and first-floor ; there being a beautiful suite of
rooms with a southern aspect on the first-floor, a large
drawing-room in the centre, and apartments for me and
my daughter at one end, and Sir Edward and Lady
Buxton at the other. I am well pleased to say tliat he
is much better; and they and tlieir cliihhvu tliat are
here make a most clieerful family party, with wliom it is
very pleasant for us to unite.
SAMUEL GURNEY. 121
" I was glad to learn by thy letter of so many of our
Ham House interests, and I should wish to have a letter
from thee every two or three weeks giving me similar
details.
" I wish thee to call on C and obtain from him a
report of the present position of the British School, giving
to him my best respects. I also wish thee to see S
(the National School master), and procure from him the
particulars of the distribution of bread and coal tickets ;
and I should like also to know as much as I can of the
state of the "West Ham poor.
" I am in a very feeble condition, with my power of
exertion much circumscribed ; but am preserved in much
calmness and peace of mind, which is cause for thank-
fulness.
" I wish to be remembered very kindly to the household
[particularising many members of it] and to all on the
premises, and in an especial manner to H and INIartha,
and thy little boy.
" I am, with much respect, thy friend and master,
" Samuel Queney."
132 MEMORIALS OF
CHAPTER IX.
RESIDENCE AT NICE — DELIGHT IN THE BEAUTIES OF
NATUEE — HABIT OE ACTIVITY — EEFOllTS TO DO GOOD
ACCIDENT TO HIS CAEEIAGE — DEPAETTJEE HOME-
WABD JOTJENET — DETENTION AT LYONS — AEEITAL AT
PAEIS — CLOSING SCENE.
The sunsliiue of Nice and the soft breezes from the
Mediterraueau revived^ but they did not restore.
Health "was still unattained, and, although a relative
at an early period of Mr. Gurney's sojourn in the
south speaks a little hopefully of a " strength in his
voice, and something like a return of the old buoyant
and animated manner," there was no real ground
gained, and a little later the same friend writes thus
to England : —
" We went this afternoon to Nice, to join the Gurneys
at meeting in their own house. S. G. was but feeble ;
but so sweet and loving, that it was both touching and
comforting to be with him. He expressed the comfort it
was to him to have his friends by him, and hoped we should
be comforted together. He then read, with a strong voice
and beautifully impressive manner, the latter part of the
24th of St. INIatthew, beginning at the parable of the fig-
tree,* — words that came Avith additional force and so-
lemnity in his present state. Of his bodily condition he
* Tlieso meetings were always coiniiioiiccd by reading a cliaptor or
portion of Scripture.
SAMUEL GDRNEY. 123
afterwards spoke as feeble, but that his nights were better,
and added, ' I am quite easy and peaceful.' At this time
he not unfrequently drove to our house two or three
times, walking to the end of our terrace, and once came
to luncheon, on which day he seemed better than usual,
and even enjoyed talking to on business.
But there was no steady progress, and on the 23rd
of December, on arriving at Maison Saissi, the resi-
dence of Mr. Gurney and Sir E. N. Buxton, for the
weekly meeting, Mrs. reports : —
" We found S. Gr. had been very poorly yesterday with
an attack of something more than faintness, in which he
would have fallen, had not Breitschmidt providentially
been in the room and supported him to the sofa. Then
sickness came on, and he is left very feeble, and looking
more ill than ever."
In reply to an expression of hope that he would
soon recover his usual strength, he said, "That is
scarcely my mind ; but I don't know." He evidently
felt the separation from home. " Still," he said, " I
think this suits me better ; I have all I can desire. At
home it might have been too much for me : all is
ordered in best wisdom." He spoke very nicely to
his little nephew who was present, the grandchild
of his beloved brother J. J. Gurney, telling the boy
how earnestly he hoped that he would follow in the
footsteps of that dear grandfather who was no more,
for that he would never find a better course.
Early in January, there seemed a little rise, and
he looked more like himself again ; his life, possibly,
G 2
124 MEMORIALS OF
was prolonged by the "warmtli of the climate, and he
was thoroughly at rest and contented with every
arrangement, frequently expressing to his daughter
how exactly the whole plan suited him. He over-
flowed with love to the absent, often sending most
affectionate messages to his friends in England, and
evidently dwelling much, in thought, upon them. It
was really wonderful, and one cannot but look upon
it as a Christian grace from Him who knew his
servant's frame, that after a life of such activity and
prominence — such a continual pursuit of objects of
interest and importance — he should have been so con-
tent with the passive condition now apportioned him.
It was a merciful pause ; an answer, perhaps, to the
Psalmist's prayer, " Spare me that I may recover
strength before I go hence and be no more."
Time never hung heavy, his children and grand-
children were sources of the utmost enjoyment, and,
ever rejoicing in the beauties of nature, he was con-
sciously alive to those of his present southern dwelling.
His companions recall with lively pleasure liis en-
joyment with them of the sea and country. The
drives to the Porte, and perhaps the sudden deter-
mination to row round the rocky points to Villa
Franca, hailing the fishing-boats on the way, for the
purpose of examining the exquisitely tinted little fish
with which the bay abounds, and the often pleasurable
drive home in the carriage wliich awaited them at
the picturesque town of Villa Franca, the road from
M'liicli place abounds in beautiful views ; when, as
SAMUEL GUIINEY. ] 25
they passed along, the invalid would sometimes stop
the carriage, tempted by the sight of the wild
flowers, to gather some of the lovely treasures of
the way-side, those flowers so often bearing messages
of comfort to the sick and sorrowful, Avhich reach
not the heart of the vigorous and healthy.
Still keenly alive to natural beauties, he fully
appreciated the charms of the locality, and used to
dwell with peculiar delight on the view from the
bridge across the Var, the channelled bed of which —
or rushing torrents, according to the variations in the
weather — was bounded by a glorious background of
snowy peaks. Here he would often linger, pacing up
and down in quiet enjoyment, or pausing to speak a
kindly word to the poor Sardinian soldier in his long
grey coat.
He seldom appears to have cherished any decided
hope, even at temporary amendment or hopeful symp-
toms. When told that he seemed a little better, he
would reply, " I am not better, I am not so well ; still
I ought to call it better ; it is better as the Lord
wills."
As January advanced, the decline, although still
gradual, was perceptible. He was generally obliged to
recline, even during the little service in the drawing-
room on Sunday afternoon, which, however, he con-
tinued to enjoy, and he still read the chapter in the
Bible, at its commencement, expressing on one occa-
sion the belief in His presence who had promised to be
with the two or three gathered together in his name.
126 MEMORIALS OF
and the refreshment which that presence would afford.
It was a very low season with the invalid^ however :
" less and less power of enjoyment, more sense of the
depression of physical suffering and weakness/'
" Ah V he remarked one day, " patience is at a low
ebb with me/^ The reply was, that, although from
weakness he might feel his faith and patience tried,
yet he might still know tliat the Rock was under-
neath. With touching humility, yet a little sadly, as
it seemed, he answered, " Ah ! if I am on the Rock !"
Humility was indeed a striking characteristic of
his mental condition throughout his whole illness,
never liking to appropriate a word to himself which
he felt beyond his experience. He was, to use his
own expression, " peaceful, but not abounding : no
great things to boast of." He was much comforted
on being told that a Friend had remembered him in
prayer at Plaistow meeting, and said two or three
times, " It is very sweet — very consoling." Some-
times when feeling revived he would talk, with a little
hope in his tone, of a return to England, for he wished
to die at home ; but would add : " But I leave it ;"
and once with a peaceful smile he remarked : " It
seems to me that my life has come to its conclusion.
I have given up and settled all my worldly affairs ;
I have seen my children settled in life ; and now
it appears as though my own course had come to its
natural termination." Two of his sons had joined
him in the winter, and were a great solace to him ;
and in jNtarch the Dowager Lady Buxton and other
SAMUEL GURNEY. 127
members of the family were added to the circle at
Nice. His great delight in giving pleasure seemed
unabated. It was instructive to witness how earnest,
even in his enfeebled state, he was for the gratifi-
cation of others. Thus, on the departure of some
of the party on a trip to Rome, his parting gifts
were as thoughtful and generous as ever, and he
entered with as great an interest into the pleasure
and benefit of the tour as though he were to enjoy it.
An accident, the eflPects of which might have been
fatal to INIr. Gurney and his companion, occurred in
the early spring, aud is thus described by his daughter
Lady Buxton to one of his grandchildren : —
" Tour grandfather and I drove out together, and, after
calliug on Lady S at the Victoria Hotel, we were
turning the corner by the Jardin des Plantes, when
something frightened one of the horses, which began
kicking violently. Breitschmidt jumped down to seize
the heads, hut fell. Our driver most foolishly left his
post aud followed him, leaving us helpless, and tlie ter-
rified horses dashed off" with fearful violence. It was
awful to see the people and feel that we must go over
them ; but the tremendous swing of the carriage turning
up the Eue de la Croix de Marbre was fearful. We
seemed to fly round and up in the air before we were
dashed over with the utmost violence on the pavement.
The panel broke in close to your grandfiither's head, and
the window shattered mider him. In this manner we
were dragged along, until the horses broke away and we
suddenly stopped. A screaming crowd soon surrounded
us, and assisted poor bleeding Breitschmidt to raise the
carriage and help us out. A kind neighbour answered
128 MEMORIALS OF
our assurances of not being hurt by an expression of
thankfulness to God ; and how sweetly did your grand-
father's countenance respond to this ! I shall never forget
his serene composure then, nor the magic touch of his hand
laid upon me in those previous terrible moments. His true
charity and kindness was all alive ; and the great anxiety
was, that our cowardly driver should not suffer," &c.
To satisfy this anxiety, and to redeem the man's
character, Mr. Gurney obtained his daughter's con-
sent (no small effort of courage) to drive out on the
following day with the same horses and driver. The
shock of this accident did not appear to produce any
lasting consequences ; but there was now progressive
weakness, although the fluctuations in his state, and
consequently in his capacity for enjoyment, were
many.
He strongly sympathised in the various efforts
going forward for the spread of Christian instruction
in the Sardinian States. Unequal to any personal
exertion, he was the more earnest that his com-
panions should be diligent in promoting this object,
especially the circulation of the Scriptures ; and
he often visited the depot of the Bible Society at
Nice, chatting with its superintendent, Francesco
Madiai, on the progress of the work, and making
purchases of the Scx'iptures, both in Italian and
French, for distri))ution.
lie had a very intelligent, earnest-spirited, Italian
barber at this time, whose morning visit appears to
have been looked forward to by Mr. Gurucy Avith
pleasure. The Italian's conversation, however, was
SAMUEL OURNEY. 129
by Ho means like that of his fraternity in general,
but characterised by simple, honest piety and zeal.
Being a labourer for the spiritual good of the soldiers
around, the details of his success Avere always listened
to with interest. On one occasion, after Mr. Gurney
had presented him with a copy of a little work, by
Mr. J. J. Gurney, " On Love to God," G , the
barber, brought him the gratifying intelligence that
he had lent it to an officer, who was so interested
by its perusal that he declined retui-ning it. A
handsome bible was procured at a subsequent time
for another officer, and sent by Mr. Gurney as a
present. Indeed, although his own harvest might
be said to be well-nigh over, he was ever thinking
of the duty of seed-sowing for the benefit of those
who were to wait yet a little longer in the fields of
life. The power of reading was much gone ; but
he took great delight in the little newspaper the
" Avenir," of Nice, which was daily brought in
with his breakfast, and its columns were at once
sought with eagerness for the telegraphic price of
funds, as indicative of the progress of the Paris
Conferences ; indeed, the negotiations for peace were
among his deepest interests at this time, and the
favourable prospects and results cheering amidst
much suflFering. Towards the close of INIarch, the
Dowager Lady Buxton writes as follows of her own
impressions of her brother's state : —
" I have had an interesting talk with my dearest
brother. He came into the large drawing-room after he
G 3
130 MEMORIALS OF
was dressed, looking rather better than yesterday^nd
gave me a warm welcome. He said to me as he lay in
his own drawing-room, where I followed him, that much
peace was granted. He could not say that any very
bright or clear views were given him ; but he was under
feelings of safety and quietness about his state, without
many fears or much doubting ; that the only outward
thing as to himself that he much desired or pi'ayed for
was, that he might be permitted to end his days in. Ham
House, and be laid by his dear wife ; but this desire was
in submission, and he committed the future to God.
He implied that recovery was not his desire ; but he left
that, as not his concern, and was willing to accept the
will of God. He spoke of Francis Cunningham as of
one to whom he was bound in true unity of spii-it and
hearty affection, and of others with great love. He
expressed the utmost satisfaction and comfoi't in his
children, particularly dwelling on tlie peculiar capa-
bilities of each as his nurses and companions, and was
full of gratitude."
The course was still downwards. On the 1st of
April, his sister remarks to one of his absent
children : —
" Your father looked very ill yesterday. Tet he
roused up at times to speak and was then like himself.
He is usually very silent, and notices little the transac-
tions of the day, but when he does so he shows more
power than we are ready to expect. He does not see the
grandcliildren much now, indeed, scarcely at all ; not
even Louisa, wlio was almost essential to him ; nor does
he ask for tlicin, or any one. It is curious to observe
the change in this respect. He scarcely moves frouj
his sofa at all."
SAMUEL GURNEY. 131
On the ICth of April the experiment of change
was tried, and the journey was accompKshed to
Mentoni, The phice pleased the invalid, and,
although tired with his journey, he would, with his
usual consideration and kind-heartedness, send for
the landlord, that he might express to him his satis-
faction with his accommodation at the hotel. The
change of scene fully seemed to cheer him, and he
was amused and interested at the description given
hy his daughters of the business going on in the
town, the trading in lemons, wine, and oil, and
catching the little fish, bianchetti, on the shore.
He was able fully to enjoy the next day's drive,
and quite luxuriated in the magnificence of the
scenery ; but, evidently, the delight was greatly en-
hanced by the hope which this increase of power
held out for the longer journey homewards. For,
with all the charms of that beautiful landscape,
and the soft balmy air which fanned him on the
southern shores, he must have dwelt with yearning
fondness on the far-off home, whose name had
magic in its sound, and have remembered that —
" The very whispers of the wind had there
A flute-like harmony, that seemed to bear
Greeting from some bright shore,
Where none have said farewell! where no decay
Lends the faint crimson to the djnng day,
Where the storm's might is o'er."
On the 24th, the party returned to Nice, and
prepared for an immediate departure to England.
132 MEMORIALS OF
On the 29tli his sister "v^rites of his condition,
and adds : —
" He is the child of God lying passively in his Father's
arms, given up to his holy will, v^-aiting upon him in
spirit ; yet with very Httle power, as I believe, to exercise
spiritual gifts. Such is his great weakness ; but the
prayer is that of the heart patiently looking upwards.
The desire of the heart is to Him, and the Lord Jesus
is his dependence and his portion. As to the world and
the things of it, they have little attraction for him now.
His power of enjoyment in anything is gone, though he
still most fondly loves his own, and is enlarged in love to
the church of Christ. His children are bis greatest
comfort and inestimable blessings, never failing in power
to help him. He has not to bear great discomfort ;
and I think generally is in a calm, resting state of mind.
Amused he can be for a few moments by the newspaper ;
but by little else : sometimes a Friend's life ; sometimes
a letter, or little business matters. His mind breaks out
brightly at times ; his voice so strong — his knoN\ ledge so
correct — his mind so clear. AV^hen Edward (Sir E. N.
Buxton) read to him the Articles of Peace, he took them
up one by one, explaining them to me as though in
perfect health. He was delighted and interested in
them, and these returns of power we occasionally ob-
serve ; then he will fall back again in silence and
exhaustion, and we are afraid of any effort or dis-
turbance. He was entirely of the mind that it was
right for liim to go home if possible. He wished for
some reading. I took the last part of the 8th cliapter
of Romans : — ' For I am persuaded, that neither death,
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come, nor lieiglit, nor
depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate
SAMUEL GDRNEY. 133
US from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord !' Very comforting to us both were the
precious words, and truly we did feel united in the
blessed hope that nothing could separate us from that
love, or from one another through him. We had a great
deal of conversation after this.
"April 30 ill. — The above I wrote while he was dressing,
and now continue the history.
" The attendants cleared off the last things, and, being
ready, I took a small portion of the Service for the Sick,
and we were comforted and helped by thus seeking the
blessing of Grod before their departure. S came
and led his father down the large staircase to the
carriage standing below. Many were gathered around.
He got in, arranged his pillows, and took leave of each
person separately. He had said to me just before that
he did not feel his life to be in present danger. He
knew his extreme frailty, and that at any moment the
change might come ; but he did not feel the end ap-
proaching. He had an interesting parting interview
with Mr. Childers, the English clergyman ; when Mr.
Grurney remarked, that the prayer of the publican was
all that was left him, and that he had scarcely been
favoured with the evidences of acceptance which some
had enjoyed.' Mr. Childers replied, — ' But they that
love him are known of him ;' to which IVIr. Gurney
assented most cordially and impressively."
With Monsieur Pillatte^ the pasteur of the Vaudois
at Nice, he had also a farewell interview. A friend
of the family, who has recently been there, thus
mentions the remembrance in which Mr. Gurney is
still held in that place : —
" Most pleasant was it to find how sweetly the recol-
lection of your precious father is embalmed in the
134 MEMORIALS OF
memory of many at Nice. The pasteur Pillatte seemed
to deliglit in speaking of him, and particularly of their
last interview ; in which, he says, ' He did so plainly
and so seriously tell me just what he thought a minister
of the gospel of Christ ought to be. It was good for
me to hear him, and I have often thought of it since.
He told me that they should be earnest and simple, and
place their whole dependence on the influence of the
Spirit of God. Thus thou wilt perceive that thy
beloved father was a preacher of righteousness on his
dying bed, and many seemed to be impressed by the
patience and cheerful resignation of his Christian spirit."
After leaving Nice^ the travellers rested a few days
at Cannes, where he experienced some rem^al. He
was greatly cheered, too, in the prospect of a valued
attendant's arrival, for whom a telegraphic message
had been dispatched, and when lie was announced
his face beamed with brightness. He had a mar-
vellous capacity for attaching his domestics to him,
and the service of all Avas most emphatically love
service. The thoughtfulness for others never
forsook him. So anxious was he that the little
things often overlooked should be remembered,
that, among purchases of bottles of perfume, he even
suggested that the attendant above alluded to would
perhaps like some for his wife.
While at Cannes, his usual monthly accounts came
in, which made him nervous, and he observed Avith
child-like simplicity — "My accounts frighten me, as
to whether I have not too much. I don't like to
think of it ; for ' where the treasure is, tliere the
heart will be also.' " On some one rcmarkinir that
SAMUEL GURNET. 135
his delight had ever been in dispensing of his trea-
sure to others^ he answered in a sweet, solemn tone,
" That is what I fear about ; I feel it most weightily."
He almost seemed to regret the appearance of these
papers, and to shrink from being, as he said, called
thus back to worldly things again. Indeed, his
humble, conscientious spirit, was most touching, and
his entire truthfulness and sincerity very instructive.
In dictating a letter to his brother in England, he
told his daughter to write — " I am thankful to have
got thus far on my journey; but/^ and he paused,
and meekly said, " No ; don^t put that. It is so
much to be thankful. Write it is cause for thank-
fulness : that is much safer."
The Sabbath at Cannes was peculiarly peaceful.
He asked for his favourite chapter, the 14th of Luke,
one on which he frequently dwelt with great comfort
in seasons of depression ; for he felt, he said, that he
might be invited to take a place at the Gospel feast,
amongst the halt and the poor, the maimed, the lame,
and the blind, and compelled to come in. They left
Cannes on the 7th, for Vidauban, and the journey
was easily accomplished. He even appeared to enter
with something of amusement and enjoyment into
the discomforts of a very unaccommodating hotel at
Brignolles, the town being all astir in expectation of
an archbishop's \nsit on the following day.
The six hours' journey to Marseille s was acon-
siderable tax on his strength, and he appeared to
suffer great exhaustion from the effort ; yet, languid
136 MEMORIALS OF
and weak as he was, lie rarely failed to inquire what
sort of rooms the others had, and delighted to find
they were so pleasant at Marseilles. A thoroughly
unselfish invalid is a rare and beautiful sight, but we
must not forget that self-denial and control are not
lessons easily learned on a sick couch ; we must
practise them in the hour of health, and they will not
fail us in the day of trial and adversity. Thus, when
the time was come for one of his daughters to return
with her husband to England, there was not one
detaining word. " It is quite right," was his ready
assent, " to return to your children : you have been
most invaluable to me, and truly faithful. It is very
uncertain whether we meet again ; but, however that
may be, my best blessing goes with you." And
the father and daughter parted, never to meet again
on earth.
The most formidable part of the journey was now
before him. Hitherto he had travelled with compa-
rative ease in his own comfortable carriage ; but the
railway had now to be encountered. On quitting
Marseilles he proceeded to Avignon, and thence to
Valence and Lyons, where, owing to an accident
to the pole of his travelling carriage at the station,
the transit to the hotel had to be performed in a
rough vehicle out of the street. A severe accession
of illness followed, Jind he was so greatly prostrated,
that all idea of moving homeward seemed abandoned.
It was at the time of the inundation of Lyons and
the adjacent country, — the floods of tlic Saouc were
SAMUEL GURNEY. ]37
rapidly increasing ; in many streets and squares the
water was deep, and there was no traffic but by
boats ; but, although there was some amusement to
the invalid in watching these boats from the windows
of the hotel, the state of things was anxiousl}'^ viewed
by the arrangers of his journey, who felt how formid-
able were these additional difficulties of the way. The
drive to the station was somewhat lengthened by the
needful detour to avoid the water j but this obstacle
was in time removed, and, after more than a weeVs de-
tention, Mr. Gurney having again revived, the attempt
was made to move forward to Macon, which journey
was accomplished with unlooked-for ease and refresh-
ment. Dijon, Montbard, and Sens, were succes-
sively reached, and the journey to Paris was finally
accomplished on tlie 31st of May. He was cheered
as he took possession of his apartments at the hotel,
and expressed himself comfortable, and relieved at
being there ; but on the following day some of those
around him perceived a considerable depression ; and
on the next a physician was summoned, who at once
took a most discouraging view of the case. Not-
withstanding his great uneasiness from weakness
and exhaustion, he was remarkably calm. On the
last night of his life it might be said that an
unusual covering of peace was over him. His
tenderness to those around was unspeakable. '^ It
is peace, be still," he often repeated ; and when
again and again disturbed b}^ the distressing sickness,
he very sweetly said : " We must pray for a con-
138 MEMOKIALS OF
tinuance of our ' peace, be still.' " And truly it was
as though the Saviour himself were present in the
swelling flood; for the calm was not of earth in
that dying chamber.
His favourite hymn may well describe the foun-
dation of this peace on the solemn threshold of
eternity. It was one on which throughout his
illness he had dwelt with especial comfort^ as de-
scriptive of his feelings : —
" Just as I am, without one plea,
But tliat thy blood was shod for me,
And that thou bid'st me come to thee.
Oh, Lamb of God, I come !
Just as I am — thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve, —
Because thy promise I believe,
Oh, Lamb of God, I come !
Just as I am — thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down :
Now to be thine, yea, thine alone.
Oh, Lamb of God, I come !"
And he was going to meet the Saviour just in
the spirit which the Saviour would recognise and
welcome ; just as he was, with the prayer of the
publican on his lips, and no pica before his God
but that of Jesus and his merits. And with this
trust, this simple child-like faith in entering the
valley, it mattered little that the dying bed was
in a foreign land, and that the spirit was to take
its flight, not from the beloved Ham House home,
but in the midst of a large hotel, in a great foreign
SAMUEL CURNEY. 139
metropolis. lie once said distinctly : " Though I
pass through the valley of the shadow of death, I
will fear no evil, for thou art with me /' and again
he uttered his frequent expression : " God be mer-
ciful to me, a sinner." He was much tried at times
by the sense of illness and exhaustion, and earnestly
craved patience ; saying, with deep submission of
spirit : " O Lord ! let thy will be done, notwith-
standing my impatience.'^ The end was come : and
with the Everlasting Arms underneath, and many
of the children whom he loved gathered around
his bed, and faithful servants watching for the last
breath with fervent prayers, he entered into rest
at a quarter before six, on the 5th of June, 1856.
The rough passage was passed, the eternal haven
was gained, and there was peace on the shore
beyond. It was not permitted him to reach his
beloved earthly home. He who is infinite in wisdom
saw fit to arrest his course and to remove his servant
to a better home — " a house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens.' '
140 MEMORIALS OF
CHAPTER X.
FUNEEAL AT BAKKI>^G — EXTEACTS FEOM LETTEES.
Mr. Gurnet's desire to be laid beside those he loved,
and especially that his remains might rest with
those of the faithful companion of forty- six years of
his life's pilgrimage, was fulfilled. His grave is in
the quiet cemetery belonging to the Society of
Friends at Barking, and thither was he followed by
"devout men with great lamentation.^' A letter
from ]Miss Fry of Plashet to some absent friends so
well describes this memorable occasion, that it is
with few omissions inserted,
"Plashet Cottage, Thursday, June 19th, 1856.
" Mt deae
" Having been so far removed from us all ou occasion
of our beloved uncle Gurney's funeral, — a memorable
occasion it was, — I shall endeavour to describe to you, as
miuutely as I can, what came under my own observation.
It was, in prospect, a somewliat formidable affair, from
the anticipation of great numbers ; not only the very
large family circle, including the ladies and many of the
cbildreu, but the neighbourliood ; a public meeting baving
been held at Stratford, at which the vicar presided, to
arrange for a large official attendance of the tradesmen
and parisliioncrs, of which the arrangements were left to
SAMUEL GURNEY, 141
the churchwardens, &c. This gratifjdng expression of
sympathy our cousins resolved to accept. Our dear
uncle was attached to his neighbours : he was so friendly,
so hearty, so open to them all, that one could not wish
to exclude those sincere mourners on this the last event
of his life
" We found, on our arrival at the house, that a great
many carriages were drawn up on the grass in the park.
Being a little late, we were immediately shown into the
dining-room ; in the centre of which was the coffin ;
around the room in double, triple, quadruple rows sat
a very large assembly, in profound silence. The darkened
light, the solemnity of heartfelt grief spread over the whole
was very impressive. The little rustle of our entrance
over, the silence again prevailed ; no sound but occasion-
ally that of suppressed weeping. The Avords of Scripture
came powerfully to my mind as descriptive of the state
of that company : — ' I was dumb with silence, I opened
not my mouth, because thou didst it.' After awhile the
very text was quoted by one of the company, and we
had some valuable Friends' ministry. The family — his
children I mean — then withdrew up stairs, and refresh-
ments were provided in the drawing-room. The carriages
soon came round, and we began to get in. The park
seemed full of them, and the drive was bordered on both
sides by detachments of the National, British, and other
schools of the parish. On turning out of the gate we
saw the lane full of people, many in mourning, and many
a tearful eye and quivering lip was among those poor
women ; but the singular sight was a long file of carriages
extending half-way down the road to East Ham. There
were, we afterwards heard, thirty-eight of them ; they
contained the clergy, dissenting ministers, parish au-
thorities, and priacipal inhabitants of West Ham and
Stratford, and were preceded by a procession of working
142 MEMORIALS OF
men on foot. All these moved on before the hearse :
when it moved they moved, when it rested they stood
still. Those at the last never saw the beginning, those
at the beginning never saw the last; it seemed one
interminable line of carriages (eighty-eight in all), of
which the hearse was about the middle. And lohat a
man lay within it, whom we all were there assembled to
carry to his grave ; and in grief and in love and honour
we did it, children, grandchildren, relations, friends,
dependants, neighbours. There was no official, anonymous
attendance ; it was heartfelt participation in the interest
of the occasion and in the sorrow of so great a loss.
" At length this long procession reached Barking,
where all crowding and pressure were prevented by
prenous careful arrangements. The AVest Ham deputa-
tion stood on one side, on a sort of platform, and near
the grave many gentlemen (I believe the clergymen, &c.)
lined the sides of the path. There were twelve clergymen
of the Church of England there. Of the concourse pre-
sent 1 can give no idea of numbers, whetlier hundreds or
thousands. It was indescribably quiet, solemn, and well-
conducted. The Friend ministers also had a sort of
little platform, forming one side of a large square round
the grave, Avhich answered well. After prayer and exhor-
tation from some of the Friends present, we returned to
our carriages. All our dear uncle's children were there
except Edward and Catherine Buxton, still abroad.
" It was a very solemn day — one in which, I trust,
we were in degree elevated above the grave, — one in
which also the memory of the just was held in remem-
brance ; his great, his good qualities, and withal his
liuiiiility. One of his dying expressions was dwelt on,
that he could get no further than the Publican in saying,
' God be merciful to me a sinner.'
" We may almost say that Sunday was a continuance
SAMUEL GUENEY. 143
of the funeral service ; at Plaistow meeting was a veiy
large attendance of Friends and the family. The
ministry of J. H, on our individual responsibility was
truly edifying, rousing, and encouraging. The text
was, ' I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no
labour : other men laboured, and ye are entered into their
labours.' — John iv, 38. He recalled the circumstances
of the world, — our English Avorld, — fifty years ago ; and
the work of the first labourers, who held the plough
with strong arms, broke up the hard clods of prejudice
and ignorance, and sowed the seeds that our more feeble
hands now reap. He named the Bible Society, Negro
Slavery, Schools, Prison Discipline, Capital Punishments,
&c. ; and then he urged us all to faithfulness and
Christian perseverance, even with the sickle ; and then
it was his belief that some would be found fitted again to
take the plough and break up fresh soil, and open fresh
fields for labour, A German Priend, B. S., dwelt more
on the heavenly inheritance, both as it was possessed by
the redeemed departed ones before the throne, and as
it was to be hoped for, and striven after, by those who
are still pilgrims on the earth.
" All the churches and chapels in the parish were
hung with black, and funeral sermons at all of them, with
very crowded attendance, and each person says that he
thinks the one he heard was the most interesting.
" Yours most affectionately,
" Katheeine Pet.
" This letter conveys no idea of the deep aflB.iction of
our hearts, and the loss altogether ; that is beyond
words.
" To Mes. Ceesswell, Geneve."
Shortly after the funeral, the following address
was presented by the clergy and parishioners of West
144 MEMORIALS OF
Ham to the family; the deputation being headed
by the Rev. A. J. Ram^ the vicar : —
" The undersigned inhabitants of the parish of "West
Ham hereby respectfully offer to the family of the late
Samuel Gurney, Esq., the expression of their sincere
sympathy and condolence, on occasion of the lamented
decease of one who had occupied so prominent a position
among the benefactors of mankind.
" They cannot forget on the present occasion that
their departed friend belonged to a family whose history
has been long associated with deeds of enliglitened piety
and active benevolence : the names of Elizabeth Ery and
JosejDh John Gurney have left an imperishable record of
indefatigable exertion and successful effort amid the
abodes of ignorance, misery, and crime. To the tablet
of frrateful remembrance must now be added the name of
Samuel Gurney, their beloved brother, whose life, like
theirs, was devoted to * works of faith, and labours of
love,' and who with them, we trust, ' through fiiith and
patience, now inherits the promises.'
" Distinguished in life by high position in the com-
mercial world, blessed with abundant wealth, and actuated
by the noble motive of Christian principle, his sympathies
were elicited by every form of human suffering, and his
munificent charities gained for him a Avorld-wide repu-
tation, they extended through the whole range of physical
and moral evil: alike opou-heartcd and opcni-handed to
all who needed his assistance — to his generous support
of numerous public institutions, as Bible societies, schools,
and hospitals, may be added the incalculable amount of
private benefactions recorded only in the hearts of their
recipients, by a grateful sense of his worth, and deep
regrets at his death.
" Borne to his grave amid the tears of his sorrowing
SAMUEL GURNEY. 145
family, and the sincere regard of all classes of the
parishioners who then assembled to do honour to his
memory, their beloved friend and generous benefactor is
no more seen in the midst of them ! All that remains is
to leave in the bosom of his family this memorial of
esteem for the character and virtues of the departed, and
this expression of sympathy with his mourning relatives,
encouraged by the gracious assurance that ' Blessed are
the dead which die in the Lord, they rest from their
labours, and their works do follow them.' "
Signed by all the Clergy of West Ham and Strat-
ford, and upwards of four hundred of the principal
parishioners.
To this address a reply was returned by the
family, followed by some appropriate remarks by
Sii' Edward North Buxton.
The scene of this presentation was a touching one.
A truly appropriate comment on the close of such a
life j a spontaneous, and therefore a most valuable,
testimony to the estimation in which those who
knew him well as a neighbour, and honoured him as
a patriarch in their midst, held the memory of Mr.
Gurney. It was not a mere formal expression of
condolence, nor a document of adulation; but a
genuine manifestation of sympathy in a bereavement
which affected all classes of the community with one
common sense of sorrow and of loss.
In conclusion, there is one thought which must
suggest itself to the reader in the contemplation of
this character, however feebly portrayed in the
foregoing sketch : — the insufficiency of all things apart
146 MEMORIALS OF
from the Gospel to sustain in the hour of trial and
conflict ; to comfort in the prospect of death. Wealth,
station^ influence, the solace of filial love and heart-
devotion, the remembrance of past acts of benevo-
lence and efi'orts in the cause of philanthropy, could
not have cheered the failing spirit in the evening
shadows, or ministered to his aid on the solemn
entrance into the dark valley. One thing was found
to be needful then; faith and dependence on the
work of the Saviour, and on that only — and to such
dependence we must all be brought, if we would
realize the peace which rested on his death-bed — the
peace of God, which passeth understanding.
One or two quotations from letters, &c., bearing
on different parts of Mr. Gurney's character, and an
extract of some importance from the " Annual
Monitor,^' a periodical published by the Society of
Friends, will close these memoranda of the life of
Mr. Gurney.
Of his own letters but few remain. He Avas not a
writer, nor was lie in the practice of keeping a
journal. He was by no means free in the expression
of his sentiments on religious subjects ; and on this
feature of his character a fi'iend remarks : —
" He was deeply imbued with a sense of liis own
unworthiness ; humble, and conscious of his iutirmities.
His religious impressions were never acknowledged in a
mauner that could savour of sclf-rightcousucss ; on the
contrary, if at all manifested, they bespoke an abased and
SAMUEL GURNEY. 147
reverential sense of unfitness to speak of the things of
God ; yet he was coustraiued at times, by his love to the
cause of Christ, to make instructive confession to his
name."
A member of the Society of Friends^ and one inti-
mately acquainted with ]\Ir. Gurney's character, gives
this testimony, which we quote from his pen : —
" In the integrity of his heart he thought and acted
and accomplished ; and it was in the daily exercise of the
faculties which God had bestowed upon him, and the
upright fulfilment of those duties which each day brought
to his hand, that he was upheld and rode the storms of
life. That which his hand found to do, he did with his
might As his means enlarged, so did his
heart also ; his sphere became not only one of important
active benevolence, but of very powerful influence in the
commercial world. Let none say in his heart that such
a chance rarel}'^ beials a man, and that he was a favourite
of Heaven ; but let such look at the outset in life of
Samuel Gurney, and judge whether the high position
which he attained was not rather a consequence of the
purity of the standard which he upheld, than the result
of any fortuitous arrangement of circumstances : let him
consider, if he stiU stand on the threshold of life, whether
the example of such a man does not preach a louder
sermon than words.
" Those who knew him intimately could best appre-
ciate the full and varied worth of his character. A noble
simplicity stamped it, and there was the full cultivation
of every faculty and feeling, the power to grasp and to
simplify questions of the heaviest responsibility, and
to meet with the tenderest pity and sympathy the
trials of those around him. His children can best testify
H 2
148 MEMORIALS OF
to the fulness of the tide of domestic affection, which
flowed throughout his house. There he basked in a
perpetual sunshine, and there he rested and renewed his
strength for the toils of the morrow. Servants and
dependents looked up to him as their father; they fer-
vently loved and deeply lamented him. Surely the
removal of such a man from the world is a public, no less
than a private loss. We may look back with thankfiil-
ness on his career ; but where shall we find another to fill
his vacant place ?"
His kindness and gentleness to inferiors and de-
pendents was remarkable^ and the following anecdote,
related by an eye-witness, is a pleasing illustration of
this trait of character : —
" In 1854, a poor widow whom he almost supported,
lost her only child : he attended the funeral, as he
thought it would comfort her. It was a pouring wet
day ; and after the interment, seeing the widow's cloak
wet, he went up to her, untied it himself, shook it, held
it to the fire, and then tied it on again." The writer
adds, " if he had been waiting on the Queen he could
not have done it more courteously."
FEOM X OLEEGTMAN.
" My thoughts, as I preached from Luke xv. this
morning, ever turned to him ; as in his character I
seemed to see that bearing and forbearing, that active
and seeking love which our Heavenly Father has to us.
To bear and forbear, to subject all his actions
and decisions to the severest scrutiny as before liis God,
and ever to be thinking of, and carrying out, some act of
kindness and generosity, seem to me to have been the
most striking traits of his loveable character."
SAMUEL GURNEY. 149
FEOM THE EET, FRANCIS CUNNINGHAM.
" There was such honhomie iu his deeds of kindness
towards all, especially towards children, that they felt
his friendship and remembered his beneficence. Shewing
mercy with cheerfulness was one of his characteristics."
FEOM HIS EXCELLENCY THE CHEYALIEE BUNSEN.
" Charlottenburg, June 10th, 1856.
"My dear S ,
" I address these lines of heartfelt sympathy and
condolence to you ; but all you and yours have sufiered
an irreparable loss, as we have all, and so have the poor
and afflicted. "We shall never see his like again. He,
as well as his departed brother and his sisters, were the
ornaments of a generation now descending into the
grave. Peculiar circumstances of the national and
Christian mind and of the Society of Friends had given
them a peculiar position. This he filled with that
colossal common sense and right-mindedness which con-
stitute the real genius, and often command fickle
fortune.
" If the merchants of England may be called, like
those of Tyre iu the Bible — -princes, he was without
doubt the prince of merchants ; and why ? Because he
was more than a merchant : he was a complete and
sincere Christian. I know nothing more striking than
the juxtaposition of his last weeks and days and poor
's living death ; who, for his idolatry of money, has
been visited by the delusion that he is a beggar, and
must be paid nine shillings every Saturday to be sure of
his reception in the workhouse. And still what an
eminent man was in business. But your dear
father had not his heart where his earthly treasure
was. It was with his God and with humanity, and
150 MEMORIALS OF SAMUEL GUKNEY.
in particular witli his suffering brethren. Upton and
you all will be blessed for the good which has been
concentrated there for so many years. The death-blow
was struck long ago, and we must therefore be thankful
for his relief from agonizing pain.
" His blessed spirit will rejoice now ouly in one thiag,
— in seeing those whom he loved so tenderly, and for
whom he cared so quite as a father, united in the
bonds of Christian love and affection.
" Tour affectionate uncle and friend,
" BUNSEN."
151
APPENDIX.
The following is extracted from the " Annual
Monitor/^ a Periodical Obituary of Members of the
Society of Friends : —
" The death of Samuel Gumey has been felt as a serious
loss by a large cu'cle of relations and friends, both within
and beyond the limits of our religious Society. He was
born at Earlham Hall, near Norwich, in the year 1787,
but early settled in London as a Bill-broker, in which
business he remained until the close of Hfe.
"By his uprightness in his pecuniary transactions,
and by his Christian consistency as a Friend, combined
with frank and affable manners and a generous dispo-
sition, he rose to a position of considerable influence
among his feUow-citizens ; yet through life he rather
shunned than desired those appointments in civil society
which were placed within his reach. His mind was
early brought under the power of Divine grace, and he
became, from conviction, conscientiously attached to the
Christian principles and testimonies which distinguish
our religious Society. He valued our Christian discipline,
and was a very useful member in the exercise and right
maintenance of it, willingly yielding his time and his
talents to the service of the Church. His judgment
on qi;estions of importance was sound — the result of
independent consideration. He endeavoured with kind-
ness, faithfulness, and impartiality, to discharge the
duty of an Overseer, an oflB.ce which he held in his
152 APPENDIX.
own Monthly Meeting for many years. He was also
in the station of an Elder in the Church ; and whilst
often, to his own humiliation, apprehending that he was
little qualified for such an appointment, he was desirous
to be helped of the Lord to occupy the post aright.
He extended sympathy, encouragement, or counsel,
towards those engaged in the ministry of the Gospel,
often treating with marked tenderness and respect those
of this class amongst us who had but little of this
world's goods, or but few advantages as to literary
education. And we believe it is not unsuitable on this
occasion to add, that he manifested strong Christian
sympathy, as an Elder and a true helper, to his sister
Elizabeth Ery, and his brother Joseph John Gurney,
highly honouring their gifts and calling, not as of
themselves, or in which any could glory, but as freely
conferred by Him who qualifieth for service according
to the purposes of his own will.
" Samuel Gurney partook largely of worldly prosperity;
he had a numerous family, and sought to train them in
the fear of the Lord ; and whilst enjoying life, it was
with an earnest desire that this might be with a con-
tinual reference to the Author of all his blessings.
He became a rich man, and we believe that it may
be said he sought to fulfil tlie injunction of the Psalmist,
" If riches increase set not your heart upon them." He
was given to hospitality, and liberal to the poor. He
had a pleasure in giving, and did it privately and un-
ostentatiously, to many in straitened circumstances,
to whom he tliought such gifts woidd be peculiarly
acceptable. His kindness in this respect was often
exercised to his fellow-nuMiibers, and it would bo an
omission not to acknowledge his liberality to Ackworth
School, to which institution he held the office of treasurer
for upwards of forty years, and in the moral and religious
APPENDIX. 153
welfare of whicli he ever cherished a warm Christian
interest. But his benevolence was by no means confined
^vithin the limits of our own Society. Being blessed
with a largeness of heart in no small degree commen-
surate with his ample means, his mind was ever open to
sympathize with the distressed of every name, and to
the wretched and the outcasts of society he often proved
a kind and liberal helper. Writing to a friend, ex-
pressing his willingness to assist a young man who was
about to be released from the term of punishment which
his misconduct had brought upon him, he characteristically
says, 'My feelings yesterday were a good deal touched
by the case of . I cannot but have a good hope
about him, if a favourable position be found for him. I
am afraid of sending him abroad into the wide world,
but should much prefer a guarded situation in England,
in which he might have an opportunity of re-establishing
his character. And why should he not ? If such a
soul can be saved from ruin — what a blessed restdt ! I
sometimes tliink what many of us would have leen under
similar temptations!^ Such was the disposition which,
through Divine grace, had become, it may be said,
habitual, with our beloved friend. Large were the
allowances which he was accustomed to make for others,
' considering ' himself, according to the apostolic precept,
' that he also was tempted.' And whilst firm against the
transgression, he was ever ready to make the way
open for the retiu-ning prodigal. It was not, however,
only with money that he hel])ed others : his extensive
knowledge of commercial matters, the integrity of his
principles, and his readiness to sympathize with those in
trouble, led others to consult him in tlieii* difficvJties.
He patiently listened to them, and willingly assisted
them by his counsel and experience.
" "With others of a generation now passing away, and
154 APPENDIX.
of whom but few survive, he took a warm interest in the
termination of the African slave-trade and of British
Colonial slavery — indeed of slavery everyw-here — uniting
in measures for the carrying out of these objects by his
money, his judgment, and his personal exertions with
those in powder.
" Brief and imperfect as the present sketch must
necessarily be, it would not be right here to omit to
notice his habitual reverence in regard to Divine things.
He never permitted himself to talk of them lightly.
The words of the Lord were to him precious ; and very
seriously did he feel their sacred obligation. His manner
of reading the Holy Scriptures in his family circle was
peculiarly impressive ; and not less so, the often deep
solemnity of the lengthened period of silence afterwards,
as well as of the pause for silent waiting both before and
after meals, giving striking evidence that what he sought
for w'as something beyond the mere practice of that
•which is approved — not merely silence, but worship, —
even the worship of the Father, ' in spirit and in truth.'
He loved the simplicity, freedom, and spirituality of the
manner of worship which distinguishes Friends, often
saying that nothing was to him like ' a good Meeting.'
But he W'as strongly impressed with the conviction of
the necessity of an earnest exercise of soul in this
important duty. 'The worship of God,' to use his own
words in conversation with a fi'iciid, ' is not, in my view,
to be found in a state of indolence. I look upon it as
man's highest ])rivilege, and as demanding for its right
performance the diligent exercise, in deep submission to
the work of the Holy Spirit, of the very highest faculties
of the soul.'
" Before he had much withdrawn from ])ublic lil'e, his
beloved wife, who had for forty-six years been the faithful
sharer in his cares and duties, became seriously ill. Her
APPENDIX. 155
illness was protracted. His anxious care and affectionate
watching over her affected his own health. This was
further enfeebled by the cares of business necessarily
connected with the house of which he was a partner.
" In the autumn of last year he went with some of
his family to Nice, on the shores of the Mediterranean.
His mind had become remarkably detached from the
busy scenes of life. He felt that the time was come for
him to leave those things, and to withdraw from those
duties which, as a Christian and a citizen, had for so
many years occupied his thoughts and his time, and the
performance of which had been to him not only a duty
but a pleasure.
" It was hoped that the genial climate of that latitude
would be restorative of his health. This, however, he
never fully calculated upon. "Whilst feeling that he
had been but an unprofitable servant, he was enabled
to commit himself as into the hands of a faithful Creator.
The journey was accomplished without much difficulty,
and he and his companions arrived at Nice towards the
end of the Eleventh Mouth. He spent several months
there. The retreat was grateful to him. He often said
that the words of the publican were those which he
could appropriate to himself with the most comfort, —
' Grod be merciful to me a sinner.' Thus humble, he
was preserved in much peace amid the sinkings of
nature, and the trials arising from physical depression
and from bodily suffering. His trust had long been in
Christ as his Saviour ; and this trust remained with him
to the end. He retained an unshaken attachment to
the religious body which had long been dear to him, and,
whenever he was equal to it, he enjoyed on First-days the
holding of a little meeting for the woi'ship of Grod after
the simple manner of Friends, with his own family, a
few friends, and some of his near relatives then in the
156 APPENDIX.
neighbourliood ; and he felt tliem to be hours of spiritual
refreshment. On one of these occasions, he expressed
the comfort it ^vas to him thus to have his friends with
him, and hoped that He who promised to he with the
two or three would be with them, and that they might
know something of being refreshed together in his
presence. It Avas a solemn meeting, and they truly felt
this to be the ease. At another time he said to one of his
relatives on leaving her, ' I am feeble to-day both in body
and mind — favoured to be generally peaceful, but not
abounding — no great things to boast of.' His humility
was strikingly characteristic, not liking to appropriate a
word to himself which was beyond his own experience ;
at the same time the atmosphere around him was that of
peace and love, and it was evident that his mind was
centred in the Lord.
" They tarried at Nice until the spring had made some
advance, and then left for England, hoping that they
should be favoured to return home. But He, who is
perfect in wisdom and in love, saw meet to order other-
wise. They arrived in Paris in the early part of the
Sixth Month. Our beloved friend was much more
unwell the latter part of the journey thither : he became
seriously ill soon after they reached the hotel ; and in
the course of a very few days peacefully expired in the
seventieth year of his age.
" He left nine children, and upwards of forty grand-
children ; but his eldest son, John Gurney, of Earlham
Hall, near Norwicli, did not long survive him. He died
on the 23rd of Ninth Month, aged forty-seven years."
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