136
DEATH OF LORD LAVINGTON.
methodists which Mr. Gilbert had established, but which since his death had been scattered about for want of a pastor. A further notice of Mr. Baxter and his praiseworthy exertions will be found in another part of the work. In 1806, the abolition of the slave trade was again brought before the English parliament, and considerable progress was made towards its accomplishment. A bill was also passed prohibiting the exportation of slaves from the British colonies after the first of January in the succeeding year. On the 22nd of January, 1807, the total abolition of the slave trade was accomplished, and the bill ordained that no slaves should be landed in any of the British colonies after the 1st of March, 1808. Thus this great work was ended, which had been annually discussed since 1787 ; and Mr. Wilberforce reaped the reward of his labours. For two hundred and forty-four years had England allowed this blood-stained traffic, and shut her ears to the cries of the distressed Africans ; but a more glorious era had dawned—liberty was exerting her power, and paving the way to the future freedom of that despised race. About the middle of the year died the Right Honourable Ralph Lord Lavington, Baron of Lavington, one of his majesty's most honourable privy council, knight companion of the most honourable order of the Bath, captain-general and commander-in-chief of his majesty's Leeward Caribbee Islands. His lordship, it is said, was a very hospitable man, andveryfond of splendour; his Christmas balls and routs were upon the highest scale of magnificence ; but he was a great stickler for etiquette, and a firm upholder of difference of rank and colour. It is asserted, that he would not upon any occasion, receive a letter or parcel from the fingers of a black or coloured man, and in order to guard against such horrible defilement, he had a golden instrument wrought something like a pair of sugar tongs, with which he was accustomed to hold the presented article.
In his household