Joseph Kinghorn of Norwich

to give me again his kindly and cordial welcome, as oft-times before!

On further examination, I found many drawers filled with letters, those of earlier dates methodically folded and endorsed; the later correspondence had grown beyond his leisure for arrangement, and piles on piles had been left open. When at length I ascertained the real extent of the correspondence-by arranging it chronologically, and numbering the letters-I felt overwhelmed at the idea of reading, in order to bring into use, such a mass of materials as I found myself to possess. I however consulted London publishers as to the probability of sale; they altogether discouraged me, and advised me not to incur publication unless I could lay some solid basis by a good list of subscribers. I felt that it would be very mortifying should I find the life of my friend, after involving much labour, to remain waste paper, and as I was at that time occupied, and remained so for some years afterwards, in preparing my edition of Sir Thomas Browne's Works, I regarded it as an object to be at least postponed. After that work was accomplished, we resumed the reading and considering Mr. Kinghorn's correspondence, in the course of which many hundred letters were destroyed as useless. The labour, however, I found to be very heavy, and years were therein consumed. But other and younger help, more zealous, was at hand as years passed by, the author of the present volume, even when a mere child, took very great interest in these letters, and I was cheered on; and, as he grew older, entreated by all means to proceed with the work. Accordingly a transcription was commenced of the letters which were thought suitable for insertion, and instead of my remaining the solitary workman, the labour became a family compact. In order to bring into clearer view the principal personages of the history, I drew up an introductory chapter, and several passages in the course of the volume were also written by myself, as recording events or conversations which had passed

PREFACE.

under my own knowledge; all of which are distinguished either by signature or pronoun. Nearly all the editorial and narrative portion of the work, however, was my son's, to whom, therefore, the authorship of the volume is due.

While the work was in progress it was resolved to open a subscription, and I am bound to express my hearty thanks for the very liberal and general response which it has received, as well as to all those friends who have kindly contributed letters or otherwise assisted us.

The long lapse of time since the departure of our dear friend has, alas, swept away many who would have delighted to read the book. This, too, has deprived me of not a few whose letters would have contributed to its pages. Of these I especially deplore the decease of my early and valued friend the Rev. WILLIAM HAWKINS. His letters to Mr. KINGHORN were very numerous, and with the answers, would, no doubt, have enhanced the interest of the volume.

I cannot close without offering my most affectionate tribute to the memory of Mr. KINGHORN. He has been to me, when early deprived of my parents, more than a father; from childhood his care, his counsels, and instructions guided me, and through life his affectionate sympathy ever attended me, in health and sickness, in prosperity and adversity. I owe him the deepest respect, affection, and gratitude.

In one respect, especially, I wish briefly to sketch my view of him. I refer to his very remarkable unity of aim as well as of character and action, throughout his entire course. From the time when, as a youth, he devoted himself to the service of God in the ministry of his word, he never once turned aside from the object before him, but pursued it incessantly in faith and humility. Moreover, he never sought great things for himself; it seems he would have remained with the small congregation at Fairford had they only been united; and from his subsequent and more important position no solicitations, however urgent and repeated, could induce

him to remove, even to a more honourable and lucrative one. He remained with those over whom God had placed him, to the end of his pilgrimage. He had an irrepressible thirst for the acquirement of knowledge throughout his life; his stores of information of all kinds connected with his sacred vocation constantly accumulated, as book after book he laboured to make his own, and language after language he strove to acquire, all to be consecrated to the great and sacred aim of his life, the glory of God and the good of immortal souls. May the Lord of the vineyard send forth many more such faithful labourers, and grant that the perusal of this volume may be a source of interest, edification, and encouragement to those who are devoting themselves to the ministry of the Word.

HAMPSTEAD, FEB. 19TH, 1855.

SIMON WILKIN.

I think it well, in presenting the present work to the public, to guard against a misunderstanding which may arise from the use of pronouns of the first person singular; they always refer to my father; as, had any other arrangement been adopted, many interesting narrative portions of the work either would have lost their identity, or must have been thrown into notes.

MARTIN HOOD WILKIN.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER

Page.

CHAPTER I. 1766-1770: ÆT. 1-4.

Families of Kinghorn, Angus, and Jopling; a Christmas

Party; Love Letters; Marriage; Birth of Joseph King-

horn; an Ancient Apartment; Leadings of Providence;

Tuthill Stairs; Invitation to Bishop Burton .

HAPTER II. 1770-1780 · ÆT. 4-14.

Journey to Bishop Burton; David Kinghorn's Ordination;

Recreations; Visit to London in 1771; Mr. Gurney; the