Memoir of Richard Allen. By Hannah Maria Wigham. (Hodder and
Stoughton.)—Richard Allen was a Quaker of Dublin, by °coupe- tion a mercer. He took a leading part in philanthropic movements, notably in that for the final abolition of slavery. There was some- thing of unreasoning opposition to what was, as if he would have reversed the well-known dictum into " Whatever is, is wrong ;" but, on the whole, he was an admirable specimen of the philanthropic enthusiast. One of the most striking scenes in the book is the description of the debate which ended in a vote for the immediate abolition of the apprenticeship. The result was finally secured by a clever ruse. Lord John Russell declared that he would move the rescinding of the vote ; but the news was sent out to Jamaica by the special exertions of one of the abolitionists; and the Colonial House, rather than be coerced by the Government at home, themselves voted the abolition.
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