Letter to William Hayley, Felpham, to William Wilberforce, 1807 September 13 : autograph manuscript signed with initials.

Commenting on Wilberforce's decision not to visit him at the present time; saying "You acted wisely in avoiding this cell at present for the old Hermit is so fond of Children that had He happen'd to find a dear Wilberforce suddenly bewildered within his precincts, He would have been almost tempted to kidnap the Infant altho like other kidnappers little able to train Him according to the merit of the young Stranger - But seriously I pray that Haven may long preserve to you the said stranger as a source of inexhaustible delight;" apologizing for his inability to contribute further to his project saying "I now hasten to dispatch to you the little Bank not that I had prepared to present to you in person. I am sorry to add that it must be my last Contribution to your beneficent project as some very singular pecuniary mischances have oblig'd me to impose on myself a very rigid system of Economy very foreign to my nature. But I have jus begun it with a chearful spirit by giving to a belov'd Relation a favorite Horse to free myself from the havy Expence of a stable. I console miyself for the privation by saying that a Hermit in Heart (which I hope I am) is better without Horses than with them & a man on the verge of his grand Climacteric is safer under two indifferent Legs of his own than by adding to them four borrowed from a beautiful & useful animal yet frequently subject to perilous mischances. - I beg your pardon for talking so long on myself. I felt it incumbent on me to explain to you my real motive for a masure which must otherwise appear to you capricious or illiberal. This will find you I trust safely landed in London with all your inestimable Cargo of domestic Treasure. It will gratify me to hear that your moments of peculiar anxiety have passed according to your wish & are followed by unclouded Joy;" adding, in a postscript dated "Sept: 27 1807", I bless God for all the Benefits that He bestows upon you, for they are Lessons to encourage Mankind in the noblest Exertions of philanthropy. To every contemplative mortal, that rightly feels the service you have rendered to the human race, it must be a cordial Gratification to know that you are eminently happy on Earth, & that God may long preserve you so is the fervent wish and prayer / of your sincer / & affectionate / Hermit / as I think you must be overwhelm'd with Letters of Congratulation, I will only say that my Benediction ever attends you in every Character & especially now as a Husband & a Father."