than under slavery. As it has been well put, the bad planters
regarded their slave-apprentices as a bad farmer regards a farm near the
end of an expiring term. In 1836 Buxton moved for a select committee to
inquire into the working of the system. Mr. Gladstone defended it, and
he warned parliament against 'incautious and precipitate anticipations
of entire success' (March 22). Six days later he was appointed a member
of the apprenticeship committee which at once began to investigate the
complaints from Jamaica. Mr. Gladstone acted as the representative of
the planters on the committee, and he paid very close attention to the
proceedings during two sessions. In the spring of 1838 a motion was made
to accelerate by two years the end of the apprenticeship system on the
slave plantations of the West Indies. Brougham had been raising a
tempest of humane sentiment by more than one of his most magnificent
speeches. The leading men on both sides in parliament were openly and
strongly against a disturbance of the settlement, but the feeling in the
constituencies was hot, and in liberal and tory camp alike members in
fear and trembling tried to make up their minds. Sir George Grey made an
effective case for the law as it stood, and Peel spoke on the same side;
but it was agreed that Mr. Gladstone, by his union of fervour,
elevation, and a complete mastery of the facts of the case, went deeper
than either. Even unwilling witnesses 'felt bound to admit the great
ability he displayed.' His address was completely that of an advocate,
and he did not even affect to look on both sides of the question,
expressing his joy that the day had at length arrived when he could meet
the charges against the planters and enter upon their defence.

_March 30th._--Spoke from 11 to 1. Received with the greatest and
most affecting kindness from, all parties, both during and after.
Through the debate I felt the most painful depression. Except Mr.
Plumptre and Lord John Russell, all who spoke damaged the question
to the utmost possible degree. Prayer earnest for the moment was
wrung from me in my necessity; I hope it was not a blasphemous
prayer, for support in pleading the cause of justice.... I am half
insensible even in the moment of delight to such pleasures as this
kind of occasion affords. But this is a dangerous state;
indifference to the world is not love of God....

SP