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MAY, 1820.

Memoirs of the Life and Character of the late Robert Spear, Esq. of Manchester.

ROBERT SPEAR was born at Hyde's Cross, in Manchester, Nov. 27, 1762. He was the eldest son of John and Betty Spear. His mother's maiden name was Clegg. His father was a native of Scotland, but his mother was an Englishwoman. His parents were in a respectable way of business as linen drapers, and what was of still greater moment to him, they were persons of exemplary piety, so that he was trained up from his earliest infancy in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. They were dissenters from the established church, and his father was, for many years, an active member and a deacon of the church of the Independent denomination, then assembling for worship in Cannon Street.

He received his education, in part, at the public Grammar School of the town, which, at that time, stood almost as high as any public school in the kingdom*. Mr. Lawson, an eminent scholar, was then head master. His education, however, was completed at a private seminary at Aigburth, near Liverpool.

At a very early age he appears to have given promise. of future excellence and respectability in life, from the remarkable indications of amiableness, piety, and talent, which he then displayed. So interesting was he, as a youth, that the whole religious community of the place seemed unusually concerned for his welfare, when, at the age of fifteen, he was attacked by a most malignant fever, and laid for several days hopeless of recovery. It so happened, that at this time there was a meeting of ministers, from the surrounding country, in Manchester, his anxious father earnestly entreated an interest in their supplications in behalf of his afflicted son. A special meeting for prayer was accordingly held on his account, and it was remarked by all present on

* The late Lord Grey de Wilton, and many persons of rank and literature in the North of England, received the rudiments of their education in this school, as also many excellent scholars, who afterwards graduated at Oxford. It stands connected with Brazen Nose College in that University. The school still maintains a very high character under its present master, Dr. Smith.

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that interesting occasion, that a spirit of uncommon earnest→ ness distinguished the petitions which were presented for him at the throne of grace. Nor was the prayer of faith in vain. The object of their kind and pious solicitude was spared, and, by slow degrees, restored to perfect health. Nothing but the unbroken vigour of a strong and youthful constitution could have sustained him under so severe a shock. But God had gracious designs to accomplish, both towards himself and others, in the mission, the removal, and the sanctification of this early trial. The hallowed impression which it produced upon his own mind was too powerful to be effaced or forgotten, on the return of health. It accompanied and influenced his character and conduct during the whole course of his future life. To the deep concern for the salvation of his soul, awakened by his awful situation at that alarming crisis, sealing upon his heart those lessons of piety in which he had been instructed by his parents from his infancy, may be traced that divine change which was so obvious in his early life, and which became the spring of all those excellencies that distinguished and adorned him in his maturer years.

From this period, it appears that his own views and wishes were directed to the holy ministry; but it did not seem in the opinion of his friends to be that sphere of usefulness for which his talents were adapted, or the providence of God designed him. It was therefore determined, that he should be a tradesman, and, accordingly, at the usual period, he was bound as an apprentice to Messrs. Clegg and Kirkham, who were amongst the first cotton dealers in Manchester. Thus was he early devoted to a branch of trade which was in its infancy, but which has since extended itself to an enormous magnitude, and employed talent, capital, and enterprise, to an extent unexampled in the annals of our commercial history.

It is highly probable, that shortly after his recovery from the fever he publicly devoted himself to God, by becoming a member of the Christian church of which his father wus a deacon; for it is certain, that from this early age he took a deep interest in its concerns, and was actively employed in various ways to promote its prosperity. He was not contented, as too many are, to delay the public acknowledgment of his personal obligations to redeeming love, to some distant period of his life, or to devote only the dregs of his existence to God; but he served him with the best of his powers, and cheerfully consecrated the ardour and activity of youth to the promotion of his glory.

His conduct during his apprenticeship was such as to secure to him the unqualified approbation and confidence of his masters, in so much, that during the last year of his term, they, in conjunction with two other considerable houses in Manchester, entrusted him with an important mission to Lisbon, for the purpose of making large purchases of Brazil cotton, which had not then been imported in any considerable quantity to this country. Here his ardent and enterprising spirit, together with his deep penetration and remarkable talent for business, were amply displayed. Being furnished with a discretionary power, he bought to a much greater extent than his employers had anticipated, and they were not a little alarmed for the issue of the speculation. It surpassed, however, their most sanguine expectations, and secured considerable gain to all the parties concerned in it.

He was at this period but little more than twenty years of age; and interested as we feel in the successful issue of his first great commercial enterprise, it is with much higher pleasure that we proceed to notice the powerful operation of Christian principles upon his character and conduct, amidst the strong and peculiar temptations to which this voyage exposed him. It appears from his journal, that he endured much scorn and ridicule on account of his religious sentiments. This circumstance, however, did not induce him, in the smallest degree, to conceal or disavow them. While at Falmouth, waiting for the sailing of the packet, he had sufficient fortitude to decline an invitation to a splendid party on the Sabbath, from a conscientious regard to the sanctity of the day, and preference to the sacred engagements of the sanc tuary; and though he mixed, while in Lisbon, with the first nobility and gentry of the place, he yet maintained an honourable consistency, and never lost sight of his Christian character, in forbidden compliance with the habits and maxims of the world. Thus he returned to his native land, uninjured by the contamination of foreign manners and gay society.

The appeal of the Psalmist will put us in possession of the secret of his security in these critical circumstances: "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." His Sabbaths, and a considerable portion of every day while there, were devoted to a secret and diligent perusal of the Holy Scriptures. It will, perhaps, be matter of surprise to many, how he could consecrate so much time to such a purpose, without injury to the commercial speculation upon which he came;

out a truly devotional spirit can create time for the indulgence of its own desires, without impeding the pursuits of business, or infringing on the hours which they demand; and such of our commercial men who plead the want of time, as an excuse for the neglect of sacred duties, are left, by the interesting example of Mr. Spear, without excuse.

On his return from Lisbon, and the expiration of his apprenticeship, which occurred about the same time, he entered into business on his own account, and continued alone, in trade, for two years. The providence of God smiled on his exertions. The enterprise and activity which he displayed soon rendered him conspicuous amongst commercial men; and the expectation was early entertained, by those who witnessed his rise, that he would speedily advance to the attainment of considerable wealth.

In January 1788, Mr. Spear entered into partnership with Richard Arkwright, Esq. of Willersley, in Derbyshire, son of the celebrated Sir Richard Arkwright. This partnership, which extended to the cotton trade only, was dissolved at the close of the following year. The period of their union was one of terrible convulsion and distress to the commercial world, and they, with most others, were made to feel its severity. But although Mr. Spear, for his share of the concern, lost a considerable sum of money, yet it does not appear that this circumstance had any influence on his mind, to produce depression of spirit or vain regret: he regarded all as the result of an arrangement beyond his control, and infinitely wise and good; while he maintained his confidence in God, and hoped for better times.

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Immediately after his separation from Mr. Arkwright, whose friendship he enjoyed till the close of his life, he entered into a mercantile connexion with Messrs. Brocklehurst and Whittenbury, of Manchester. This continued till 1793 or 4, when he separated from them, and began business again by himself.

Being now entirely alone, he gave scope to his bold and enterprising spirit, and the first important step he took was visiting France, with a view to promote his interests in trade. While there, by mere accident, he observed some cotton which the French had thrown away from some parcels, as too long in staple, and too fine for use. By way of speculation he purchased a quantity of this, and prevailed on some spinners in Manchester to give it a trial. This was almost the first sea-island cotton ever imported into this country. It answered remarkably well, insomuch that

he was induced to send out an agent to Savannah, for the purpose of promoting the cultivation of this cotton, making the most advantageous purchases, and shipping it off to England. Thus he introduced a new branch of trade, and laid the foundation of his own ample fortune; for he had the business almost entirely to himself for three years, and rapidly accumulated wealth. At length, however, the secret of his prosperity was discovered. Other mercantile houses embarked in the same speculation, and large importations came into the market, by means of which it was suddenly and unexpectedly depressed. Thus the tide of prosperity that set in- full upon him was arrested in a moment, and he himself saved, as by a miracle, from utter ruin. The remarkable interposition of the kind Providence that watched over him and his affairs, by means of which he was delivered, deserves especial notice. In the full expectation that cotton would still continue to rise, although at that time it was at more than its ordinary price, he determined to increase his speculations in it. He accordingly purchased all on which he could lay his hand in Manchester and Liverpool, and sent out orders to his agent in Savannah to buy whatever he could procure in that place, at certain limits, much higher than he had been accustomed to allow. It so happened, however, that not many days after the departure of these orders, the markets began to decline so rapidly, that the loss which he sustained by the purchases he had made in England only, soon amounted to upwards of £20,000. In this alarming state of things, he, and several other Christian friends who were in similar circumstances, met together at his house to unite in prayer to God, and deliberation amongst themselves. It was immediately determined to send out a second agent to America, to prevent, if possible, the execution of the order which had been forwarded to the first. An individual was appointed, who sailed immediately for Savannah; but contrary winds obliged the vessel to return, and being unable to procure an immediate passage to that port, he sailed by the first ship to New York, intending to accomplish the remainder of his journey overland to Savannah. Upon his arrival in New York, previous to his entering the harbour, several boats surrounded the vessel to conduct the passengers on shore. Into one of these he was received, and while in the boat, fell into conversation with a stranger, who inquired with great eagerness the news from England; and on learning that he came from Manchester, asked him if he knew Mr. Robert Spear; on his replying in

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