more open joining with the Quakers, brought himself under that reproachful name. His companions' wonted compliments and caresses were turned into scoff and derision. He was made a bye-word, scorn and contempt, both to professors and profane."

His father receiving information, what danger his son was in of becoming a Quaker, remanded him home; and the son readily obeyed. His manner of deportment, and the solid concern of mind he appeared to be under, were manifest indications of the truth of the information his father had received, who now again attacked him afresh, but finding him too fixed to be brought to a general compliance with the customary compliments of the times, seemed inclinable to have borne with him in other respects, provided he would be uncovered in the presence of the king, the Duke of York, and himself. This being proposed, he desired time to consider of it, which his father supposing to be with an intention of consulting his friends, the Quakers, about it, he assured him that he would see the face of none of them, but retire to his chamber till he should return him an answer. Accordingly he withdrew, humbling himself before God, with fasting and supplication, to know his heavenly mind and will, and became so strengthened in his resolution, that, returning to his father, he humbly signified that he could not comply with his desire.

All endeavours proving ineffectual to shake his constancy, and his father seeing himself utterly disappointed in all his hopes, again turned him out of doors. After a considerable time, his steady perseverance evincing his integrity, his father's wrath became somewhat abated, so that he winked at his return to, and continuance with his family; and though he did not publicly seem to countenance him, yet when imprisoned for being at meetings, he would privately use his interest to get him released. In the twenty-fourth year of his age, he became a minister among the Quakers, and continuing his useful labours, invited the people to that serenity and peace of conscience he himself witnessed, until the close of his life.

A spirit warmed with the love of God and devoted to his service, ever pursues its main purpose, for when restrained from preaching, he applied himself to writing. The first of his publications appears to have been entitled, "Truth Exalted." Several treatises were also the fruits of his solitude, particularly that excellent one entitled, "No Cross, no Crown." Even to enumerate their titles one would here occupy too much room, but to those inclined to peruse his writings, we refer to his works, in 5 vols. 8vo.

In the year 1670, came forth the Conventicle Act, prohibiting Dissenters' meetings, under several penalties. The edge of this new weapon was soon turned upon the Quakers, who, not accustomed to flinch in the cause of religion, stood most exposed. Being forcibly kept out of their meeting-house in Gracechurch street, they met as near it in the street as

they could and William Penn there preaching, was apprehended and committed to Newgate, and at the next sessions at the Old Bailey, was, together with William Mead, indicted for "being present at, and preaching to, an unlawful, seditious, and riotous assembly." At his trial he made a brave defence, discovering at once both the free spirit of an Englishman, and the undaunted magnanimity of a Christian, insomuch that notwithstanding the most partial frowns and menaces of the bench, the jury acquitted him. Not long after this trial and his discharge from Newgate, his father died perfectly reconciled to his son, and left him both his paternal blessing, and an estate of fifteen hundred pounds a year.

He took leave of his son with these remarkable words: "Son William, if you and your friends keep to your plain way of preaching, and keep to your plain way of living, you will make an end of the priests to the end of the world. Bury me by my mother; live all in love; shun all manner of evil; and I pray God to bless you all: and he will bless you."

In February, 1670-1, Penn, preaching at a meeting in Wheeler street, Spitalfields, was pulled down and led out by soldiers into the street, and carried away to the Tower, by order of Sir John Robinson, Lieutenant of the Tower, and examined before him and several others, and committed by their orders to Newgate for six months. Being at liberty at the expiration of that time, he soon after went to Holland and Germany, where he zealously endeavoured to propagate the principles of the Quakers.

In March, 1680-1, he obtained from Charles II. a grant of the territory which now bears the name of Pennsylvania. This was in compensation of a crown debt due to his father, as well as for public services. Having previously published an account of the province, inviting emigrants to accompany him thither, he set sail in June, 1682, with many friends, especially Quakers, and after a prosperous voyage of six weeks, they came within sight of the American coast. Sailing up the river they were received by the inhabitants with demonstrations of joy and satisfaction. Having landed at Newcastle, a place mostly inhabited by the Dutch, Penn next day summoned the people to the court-house, where possession of the country was legally given him. He previously exhibited the plan of the province, granted him by the king, to the delegates of the American Indians, who had appointed many chiefs and persons of distinction to represent them, and to the latter he presented many valuable presents, the produce of English manufacture, as a testimony of that treaty of amity and good understanding, which, by his benevolent disposition, he ardently wished to establish with the native inhabitants at large. He then more fully stated the purpose of his coming, and the benevolent objects of his government, giving them assurances of a free enjoyment of liberty of conscience in things spiritual, and of perfect civil freedom in matters temporal recommending to them to live in sobriety and peace, one with another.

After about two years' residence there, all things being in a thriving and prosperous condition, he returned to England; and James II. coming soon after to the throne, he was taken into favour by that monarch, who, though a bigot in religion, was nevertheless a friend to toleration.

At the Revolution, being suspected of disaffection to the government, and looked upon as a papist or Jesuit, under the mask of a Quaker, he was examined before the Privy Council, December, 1688; but on giving security, was discharged. In 1690, when the French fleet threatened a descent on England, he was again examined before the council, upon an accusation of corresponding with King James; and was held to bail for some time, but discharged in Trinity Term. He was attacked a third time the same year, and deprived of the privilege of appointing a governor for Pennsylvania, till upon his vindication of himself, he was restored to his right of government. He designed now to go over a second time to Pennsylvania, and published proposals in print for another settlement there; when a fresh accusation appeared against him, backed by the oath of one William Fuller, who was afterwards declared by parliament to be a notorious impostor. A warrant was granted for Penn's apprehension, which he narrowly escaped, at his return from George Fox's funeral, (the founder and head of the Quakers, in the year 1650,) the 16th of January, 1690, upon which he concealed himself for two or three years, and during his recess wrote several pieces. At the end of 1693, through the interest of Lord Somers and others, he was admitted to appear before the king and council, when he represented his innocence so effectually that he was acquitted.

In 1699, he again went out to Pennsylvania, accompanied by his family, and was received by the colonists with demonstrations of the most cordial welcome.

During his absence, some persons endeavoured to undermine both his and other proprietary governments, under pretence of advancing the prerogative of the crown, and a bill for that purpose was brought into the House of Lords. His friends, the proprietors and adventurers then in England, immediately represented the hardship of their case to the parliament, soliciting time for his return to answer for himself, and accordingly pressing him to come over as soon as possible. He, seeing it necessary to comply, summoned an assembly at Philadelphia, to whom, September 15, 1701, he made a speech, declaring the reasons for his leaving them; and the next day took shipping for England, where he arrived about the middle of December. After his return, the bill, which, through the solicitations of his friends, had been postponed the last session of parliament, was wholly laid aside.

In the year 1707, he was unhappily involved in a suit at law with the executors of a person who had formerly been his steward; against whose demands he thought both conscience and justice required his endeavours to

defend himself. But his cause, though many thought him aggrieved, was attended with such circumstances, that the Court of Chancery did not think it proper to relieve him; wherefore he was obliged to dwell in the Olà Bailey, within the rules of the Fleet, some part both of this and the next ensuing year, until such time as the matter in dispute was accommodated. In the year 1710, the air of London not agreeing with his declining constitution, he took a seat at Rushcomb, in Buckinghamshire. Here he had three fits of apoplexy in 1712, the last of which sensibly impaired his memory and his understanding. Yet his religious zeal never abated; and up to 1716, he still frequently went to the meeting at Reading. Two friends calling upon him at this time, although very weak, he expressed himself sensibly, and when they took leave of him said, "My love is with you; the Lord preserve you; and remember me in the Everlasting Covenant."

After a life of ceaseless activity and usefulness, Penn closed his earthly career on the 13th of May, 1718, in the 76th year of his age. He was buried at Jourdans, in Buckinghamshire, where several of his family had also been interred.

HE career and fate of this man afford a memorable instance of the truth of the adage, that "evil communication corrupts good manners," and that perseverance in vice, however speciously disguised, is sooner or later followed by severe retribution. They also exhibit the humiliating spectacle of one who was on the high road to civic honour and distinction, forgetting his station in society, and either from heedless infatuation or the basest cupidity, not only associating with common thieves and burglars, but actually participating in their crimes. This melancholy exhibition took place in "moral and religious" Scotland, in the year 1788. William Brodie was the son of Francis Brodie, Convener of the Trades, and many years member of the City Council of Edinburgh. The father died in 1780; and William, being his only son, succeeded to the extensive business, which he had carried on as a wright and cabinet-maker in the Lawn-market. The son also succeeded to his father's civic influence, for in the following year he was elected a Deacon-councillor of the city. This fair beginning was followed up for a few years by a specious outward ob