Gurney, Joseph John (1788-1847)

Familiar Sketch of the Late William Wilberforce

Norwich

Josiah Fletcher

1838

"Although we may have fondly loved them [the dead], and may hallow the memory of their good qualities, we cannot always summon their image before us, and by the power of conception gaze on their features, and listen to their voice; but I venture to express my conviction, that no one who has been accustomed to observe Wilberforce will ever find the slightest difficulty in picturing him on the tablet of the mind."

The picture which the dead leave on the minds of their survivors, is not always lively or distinct. Although we may have fondly loved them, and may hallow the memory of their good qualities, we cannot always summon their image before us, and by the power of conception gaze on their features, and listen to their voice; but I venture to express my conviction, that no one who has been accustomed to observe Wilberforce will ever find the slightest difficulty in picturing him on the tablet of the mind. Who that knew him, can fail to recall the rapid movements of his somewhat diminutive form, the illumination of his expressive countenance, and the nimble finger with which he used to seize on every little object which happened to adorn or diversify his path? Much less can we forget his vivacious wit--so playful, yet so harmless--the glow of his affections--the urbanity of his manners--and the wondrous celerity with which he was ever wont to turn from one bright thought to another. Above all, however, his friends will never cease to remember that peculiar sunshine which he threw over a company by the influence of a mind perpetually tuned to love and praise.
(pp. 8-9)

Writing::Tablet

Reading

Gurney, Joseph John, Familiar Sketch of the Late William Wilberforce (Norwich: Josiah Fletcher; London: W. Ball, Aldine Chambers, 1838). <Link to Internet Archive>

08/31/2011