CHAPTER I.

BOYHOOD.

1726-1742.

MOST persons, when standing under the dome

of St. Paul's Cathedral, are attracted by a conspicuous statue to the left, as they enter the choir. Attired in Roman costume, with sandaled feet, a key in one hand, a scroll in the other,-broken chains lying on the top of a pedestal—the figure would scarcely, even with the latter device, suggest the man it is intended to represent, were it not for the inscribed name, JOHN HOWARD. His real appearance strangely differed from such a classic ideal. His character did not rest on the study of Roman or Greek literature, he felt no admiration for its philosophers or poets, and was utterly devoid of sympathy with its triumphant warriors. His simplicity and naturalness presented a contrast to the guise and attitude assigned by the sculptor.

An epitaph, composed by his friend, Samuel Whitbread, M.P., informs us that Howard was born at Hackney, in the County of Middlesex in the year 1726. It may be presumed that he had authority for this statement; yet successive biographers give different accounts as to the place and date of the philanthropist's birth. According to an unsupported tradition, he first saw the light at Cardington. His earliest

B

Biographer,1 who was on terms of intimate acquaintance, informs us that his father had a house, first at Enfield, and afterwards at Hackney; adding—“ It was, I believe, at the former of these places, that Mr. Howard was born." With this statement agrees the testimony of a second witness "well acquainted with him." On the other hand, writers, soon after his death, speak of him as born at Clapton, within the parish of Hackney; one of them cites Howard's authority to that effect. This, I think, in connection with the inscription in St. Paul's, sufficiently settles the point. The years 1724 and 1727 have been assigned as the period of his birth; but the date 1726 on the monument is confirmed by the words of a person, who stated that Howard told him in 1787, he was then sixty-one years of age.

John Stowe, in his "Survey of London," remarks: "On the north side of the priory of St. Bartholomew is a lane truly called Long, which reacheth from Smithfield to Aldersgate Street; built on both sides with tenements for brokers, tipplers, and such-like." After Stowe's time, the brokers predominated; and an annotator upon Strype describes Long Lane as "a place of note for the sale of apparel, linen, upholsterers' goods, both second-hand and new, but chiefly old." It is more than probable, many a thrifty tradesman in that neighbourhood made a decent fortune; but no gains were ever turned to such a use as those acquired by one citizen, who lived there in the first quarter of the last century. For John Howard's father was partner in a firm that had a very considerable upholstery and carpet business" somewhere

1 Dr. Aiken.

about the corner of Long Lane; and he so prospered that he was fined for refusing to serve as Sheriff in 1739, when the son had reached the age of thirteen. A fortune inherited from his parent mainly contributed to the resources on which he drew so largely in his memorable career.

The elder Howard was a decidedly pious man. "He maintained," we are informed, "great order and regularity in his house; and to his constant observance of the Sabbath, and of the duty of family prayer, his son, perhaps, was indebted for that piety which ever after formed a distinguished feature in his character." Whether the worthy upholsterer retired from business before or after his son's birth, is not clear; but if the conclusion adopted as to the birth-place of the latter be correct, it would seem likely that the family at the time were living, not in the city, but amidst Clapton green fields. In a still more rustic locality however he spent his earliest years, for he turned out a sickly child; and after his mother's death,—of whom we can gather nothing except that her maiden name was Cholmley, and that she died soon after his birth, -he was taken to Cardington, where his father held some property. Nursed there by the wife of John Prole, of whom I shall have much to say hereafter, he derived benefit from country breezes and wholesome diet; this village, three miles from Bedford, became the scene of his early boyhood, whilst the old trees, the older church, and the winding Ouse older still, formed the background of his earliest recollections.

When of sufficient age, he was sent to the town of Hertford, and placed under the tuition of a school

master named Worsley. This person is said by some to have been a "good Greek scholar;" but, whether through the master's fault or the pupil's inaptitude, or, it might be, through directions from the parent, who did not wish him to be classically drilled, the lad learned little; for it is reported by Dr. Aiken, that in later life, he declared, "with more indignation than he commonly expressed, how, after a continuance of seven years at this school, he left it, not fairly taught one thing."1

The elder Howard dwelt in the parish of Hackney, celebrated as the residence of Dr. Bates; of Matthew Henry after he left Chester; and of other Nonconformist celebrities. His principles,—for he was an Independent, would be strengthened by the traditions and social atmosphere of the neighbourhood; and it was a natural thing for him to entrust his son's education to a member of his own communion. Dr. Aiken speaks of this schoolmaster, as "extremely deficient in qualifications requisite for such an office," and of opulent Dissenters amongst Independents as peculiarly liable to misplace confidence in defective teachers. We can imagine the pupil at Hertford as thin and fragile, with a benevolent countenance, prominent nose, bright eyes, and thin lips, the last showing he had a will of his own; hair cut short in front, and curled behind, his clothes like a court dress in miniature-they complete the boy's portrait.

The next step in his education requires more explanation than it has received from his biographers. The Act of Uniformity in 1662 excluded Noncon

1 A View of the Characer and Public Services of the late John Howard, Esq., LL.D., F.R.S. By John Aiken, M.D.