“In 1801, he commenced a series of lectures to the members of the Askesian Society, which were well attended. In 1802, he was elected a fellow of the Linnean Society, and became, in conjunction with Dr. Babington, a lecturer on chemistry at Guy's Hospital. In 1803, he was chosen one of the presidents of the Physical Society at Guy's; and, by the advice of Davy and John Dalton, of Manchester, accepted a proposition from the Royal Institution to become one of their lecturers. At this period, the demands made upon his time and attention were unusually heavy. He was frequently referred to for chemical analysis, and called upon to perform experiments, which required not only skill and accuracy, but extensive scientific attainments.

"The year 1804 found Mr. Allen, if possible, still more engaged. During the season of that year he delivered at the hospital forty-six lectures on chemistry, as a first course; twenty-six as a second; and fifteen on natural philosophy. Twenty-one other lectures at the Royal Institution made the total number delivered, one hundred and eight.

"In the following years, and amid similar vocations, he contrived to engage largely in botanical studies; 'had always some French work on hand;' made considerable progress in German; paid attention to drawing; read mathematics with a tutor, and pursued astronomical observations somewhat extensively; although, as we shall afterwards have occasion to notice, he was at this very time engaged in an almost countless succession of philanthropic undertakings. He seems also to have been much interested in a series of conversaziones held at Dr. Babington's, where Count Bournon gave instructions in chrystalography; and he subsequently took part with others in the formation of the Mineralogical and Geological Societies. He also became an honorary member of the Board of Agriculture, and delivered lectures to the members, on wheel carriages, on 'roads,' and on the application of mechanical principles to agricultural instruments.'

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"In March 1807, he was introduced, by Earl Morton, at Sir Joseph Banks's; and in the November following was elected a fellow of the Royal Society. A paper, 'on diamonds,*

* This was the later name of the Philosophical Society before referred to.

prepared by Mr. Pepys and himself, was read at the meeting in June, and soon afterwards the two friends presented some valuable researches on carbon, and carbonic acid, which were printed in the Transactions, and excited much interest in the scientific world."

On the 15th January, 1830, he lost a most pious and affectionate mother, to whom he was tenderly attached.

"Soon after this event, it appears, from his journal, that he had serious thoughts of giving up Guy's, in order to be more at liberty to serve the Great Master; but the treasurer was so ' earnest' for his continuance, that he 'could not well get at liberty. His lectures were still crowded with students, and his energy in delivering them was unabated. It was not till the year 1826, that he finally retired from the hospital, closing his connection with it by an address to the students, which was printed and widely circulated. In all his lectures, Mr. Allen had felt it right to urge the claims of Revelation, and to avail himself of every suitable opportunity for directing the minds of his hearers to the Great Source of all wisdom and goodness; but in this, he enlarges on the Divine justice, impressively urges the responsibility of man, and points to the compassion of God, as having provided, 'in the person of the Redeemer, for reconciliation with himself.""

During this period of his life, although apparently engrossed in scientific pursuits, and burthened with the anxieties of an immense business, William Allen found much time for works of faith and labors of love. It is indeed as a philanthropist rather than as a philosopher that his name will go down to posterity, his labors in the cause of humanity having been various, unremitting, and triumphant. As early as 1797 he was actively employed in forming a society for supplying food to the destitute poor in Spitalfields. In the early part of the following year he became one of the Committee of a "Society for bettering the condition of the Poor;" and in both these offices gave his time and personal labor in " domiciliary visits" and attendance at the "soup house." In 1805, he was placed on the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, an institution in which he had from his youth up felt the deepest sympathy, having been intimately acquainted with Thomas Clarkson as early as 1794.

"The date of Mr. Allen's first introduction to Wilberforce is not given. He dines with him, apparently for the first time, in August, 1805, where he meets with Charles Grant, and others. From this time an intimacy subsisted between them which lasted for life. On the 30th July, 1833, Mr. Allen notes in his diary, 'Yesterday, died William Wilberforce.' 'His warfare is accomplished; his course is finished; he kept the faith. Those who regard him merely as a philanthropist, in the worldly sense of that abused term, know but little of his character; his philanthropy took its origin in love to God, it was kindled at the sacred fire of Divine love, and it burned with such bright and steady lustre, only because it was duly replenished from its hallowed source.'*

"In July, 1808, a party of seven dined together at Ploughcourt, and formed 'The Society for diffusing Information on the Subject of Punishment by Death;' Basil Montague undertaking to open a communication with Sir Samuel Romilly on the subject. Mr. Allen's anxiety for the amelioration of the criminal code was very great, and his efforts on behalf of criminals condemned to die for comparatively slight offences were always unwearied and frequently successful.

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'Early in the year 1813, Mr. Allen was planning the establishment of Savings' Banks.' The next year he is assisting in the formation of the 'Peace Society,' and in 1815 projecting an institution for the reformation of juvenile criminals.

"But there is literally no end of his devices for doing good. His diary groans under such activities. The very pages," says Mr. Dunn, "become heavy and oppressed with the ever returning record of conferences, committees, and appointments.

"To the promotion of popular education, Mr. Allen, it is well-known, was through life zealously devoted. In mentioning the first visit he paid to Lancaster's school, in the Boroughroad, he says, 'I can never forget the impression which the scene made upon me. Here I beheld a thousand children collected from the streets, where they were learning nothing but mischief, all reduced to the most perfect order, and training to habits of subordination and usefulness, while learning the great

* These observations were adopted from a brief obituary of the deceased.

truths of the gospel from the Bible. The feelings of the spectator while contemplating the results which might take place in this country and the world in general, by the extension of the system thus brought into practice by this meritorious young man, were overpowering, and found vent in tears of joy.'

"In the year 1808, Lancaster resigned his affairs, which were then sadly embarrassed, into the hands of trustees; and on the formation of the British and Foreign School Society, which took place in the course of that year, Mr. Allen became treasurer, and for thirty-five years sustained this office."

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The great respect entertained by his own body towards Mr. Allen, caused him in 1811, to be set apart as Overseer among the Friends. My prayer," says he, on the occasion, with becoming modesty, "is to be preserved from doing any harm, if I can do no good."

In 1814, the Emperor Alexander visited London, and without the usual forms of introduction, at once admitted Mr. Allen to closest intimacy and accompanied him to a Friend's Meeting House, which the emperor had spontaneously expressed a strong desire to see.

Europe, Mr. Allen "The king," says "While I was hold

During a philanthropic tour in Northern had an interview with the King of Sweden. Mr. Allen, " was most kind and cordial. ing his hand, to take leave, in the love which I felt for him, I expressed my desire that the Lord would bless and preserve him. It seemed to go to his heart, and he presented his cheek for me to kiss, first one, then the other; he took the same leave of my companions, and commended himself to our prayers."

This was in the autumn of 1818. "On the 12th of November, in that year, the travellers arrived at the outposts of Petersburg, the snow everywhere on the ground, and the roads rough.

Their first formal visit (the Emperor being absent) was to Prince Alexander Galitzin; then to Lord Cathcart; and afterwards to the Princess Sophia Mestchersky. Everybody received them gladly. The Lord set before them 'an open door.' Mr. Allen describes his visits to the Princes Sophia as

Mr. Dunn's account has been already given in this Magazine. See our Volume for 1848, p.

visits to a 'a sister and dear Christian friend.' She conversed without the least restraint on religious subjects, and gave evidence of true piety and deep understanding. The following description is given of the interior of her palace, in the depth of Russian Winter:

"The large room has a very lofty ceiling, and is just like a shrubbery. There are some fine tall trees in boxes, and very pretty trellis work, covered with a beautiful creeper from New Holland; the plants are all evergreens, and in a healthy, flourishing state; among them are cages of singing birds, some of which are of magnificent plumage; and there was one elegant pair of Indian sparrows. Their stoves, and their universal system of double windows, keep up a uniform and very agreeable temperature throughout all the apartments, and even passages of a Russian house. The princess's apartment is so large, and so much divided by shrubs and trelliswork, that two or three parties might converse at the same time without interrupting each other.'

Dining with the minister of the interior at a large party, Papof, the confidential secretary of Prince Galitzin, sat next to Mr. Allen, and entered freely into religious conversation. Papof talked like an experienced Christian.' He spoke feelingly of seasons of desertion and dryness, in which he said that all he could do was to come to the Saviour with the appeal, 'Thou knowest that I love thee. If I perish, I perish, but it shall be at thy feet. I have no hope but in thee; and if thou wilt not look upon me any more, I must still love thee.' But then he sweetly remarked, that after these deep trials the light of the Lord's countenance shone upon him again, and he went on his way rejoicing.'

"Prince Galitzin, himself, was not less sensible of the necessity and value of experimental piety. He repeatedly sent for the two strangers, entered into their plans, urged them to communicate freely with him at all times, and sometimes united with them in prayer for the Divine blessing upon their labors."

Amidst the splendors of a Court, the most magnificent, perhaps, in Europe, Mr. Allen never lost sight of his mission. Hospitals, prisons, lunatic asylums, and even military schools,