for Africa.  And, in this latter point of view, it is worth all the treasure which has been lost in supporting it:  for the Slave-trade, which was the great obstacle to this civilization, being now happily abolished, there is a metropolis, consisting of some hundreds of persons, from which may issue the seeds of reformation to this injured continent; and which, when sown, may be expected to grow into fruit without interruption.  New schools may be transplanted from thence into the interior.  Teachers, and travellers on discovery, may be sent from thence in various directions; who may return to it occasionally as to their homes.  The natives too, able now to travel in safety, may resort to it from various parts.  They may see the improvements which are going on from time to time.  They may send their children to it for education.  And thus it may become the medium[A] of a great intercourse between England and Africa, to the benefit of each other.

[Footnote A:  To promote this desirable end an association took place last year, called The African Institution, under the patronage of the Duke of Gloucester, as president, and of the friends to the African cause, particularly of such as were in parliament, and as belonged to the committee for the abolition of the Slave-trade.]

CHAPTER IV.

Continuation from July 1791 to July 1792—­Author travels round the kingdom again—­Object of his journey—­People begin to leave off the use of sugar—­to form committees—­and to send petitions to Parliament—­Motion made in the House of Commons for the immediate abolition of the trade—­Debates upon it—­Abolition resolved upon, but not to commence till 1796—­Resolution taken to the Lords—­Latter determine upon hearing evidence—­Evidence at length introduced—­Further hearing of it postponed to the next session.

The defeat which we had just sustained, was a matter of great triumph to our opponents.  When they considered the majority in the House of Commons in their favour, they viewed the resolutions of the committee, which have been detailed, as the last spiteful effort of a vanquished and dying animal, and they supposed that they had consigned the question to eternal sleep.  The committee, however, were too deeply attached to the cause, vanquished as they were, to desert it; and they knew also too well the barometer of public feeling, and the occasion of its fluctuations, to despair.  In the year 1787 the members of the House of Commons, as well as the people, were enthusiastic in behalf of the abolition of the trade.  In the year 1788 the fair enthusiasm of the former began to fade.  In 1789 it died.  In 1790 prejudice started up as a noxious weed in its place.  In 1791 this prejudice arrived at its growth.  But to what were these changes owing?—­To delay; during which the mind, having been gradually led to the question as a commercial, had been gradually taken from it as a moral object.  But it was possible to restore the mind to its proper place.  Add to which, that the nation had never deserted the cause during this whole period.