a number of valuable publications issued at this time,—­able pamphlets from the pens of Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Stephen, and others.  The labors of the London Society have already been noticed; and after the passage of the law of 1807 we find in existence the “African Institution,” under which name the friends of the negro were associated for the purpose of watching over his interests, more particularly with regard to the operation of the law.  But during the period of repose which followed the first anti-slavery triumph, a portion of this body, losing its original activity, had become comparatively supine.

In 1818, Thomas Fowell Buxton, whose Quaker mother had instilled into him a hatred of African Slavery, became a member of Parliament.  Having soon after joined himself to the African Institution, he became somewhat mortified at the apathy of the friends of the slave, as here embodied.  He was frank and outspoken, and gave expression to his indignant feeling without reserve.  The next day the young member for Weymouth found himself addressed by Wilberforce, for whom he entertained a high veneration, and warmly thanked for the earnest utterance of his sentiments the evening before.

After this Mr. Wilberforce conferred freely with Mr. Buxton upon the subject of Slavery in its manifold details.  In a letter written not far from this time he unfolded the matter concerning the negroes of the West Indian plantations, the cruelties to which they were subjected, and the abuses which grew out of the system.  Something must be done.  Measures must be taken of a protective character at least, and the work must be prosecuted with vigor.  Such was the view presented by Mr. Wilberforce.  Warned by age and infirmity that the period of his retirement from public life could not be far distant, he wished that the cause which had been with him a paramount one might be passed to able and faithful hands.

How Mr. Buxton responded to this call the subsequent history of the anti-slavery cause unfolds.  He had already shown, that, as a member of the House, he was to make no light impression, whatever might be the objects which should enlist his efforts.

At this juncture there was formed in London a new anti-slavery society.  Its object was explicitly stated to be “the mitigation and gradual abolition of Slavery throughout the British dominions.”  In looking over the names of its officers and leading members, we find not those of the early Abolitionists alone:  by the side of Zachary Macaulay we find the name of his more distinguished son, and that of Wilberforce is similarly followed.