Note 171 — LIFE AND LETTERS. (continued 4)

At the date of this letter, the public mind was much agitated by the question of Parliamentary Reform, and an alarming spirit of lawlessness prevailed in many parts of the kingdom. In a few weeks after this was written, the city of Bristol was for about two days in the hands of a numerous mob; setting all authority at defiance, and committing the most fearful depredations, burnings, &c. These events, happening within a few miles of Mr. M.’s residence, would doubtless increase his forebodings as to his native land, and his desire to remove to a foreign scene of ministerial labour.