Page:Memoirs of the Lives.djvu/65

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

53

His remains were interred in Friend's burial ground at Abington; and tile inventory of his effects, taken after his decease, exhibited his estate to be worth five hundred and eighteen pounds, twelve shillings and nine pence, all of which was personal property.

The most delicate and difficult part of the office voluntarily undertaken by his biographer, is to form an impartial and generous estimate of the character of Benjamin Lay.

A respectful consideration for the opinions of those whose eye may trace the story of his life, as here delineated, it might be supposed, would teach the propriety of leaving this duty to be performed by the unbiassed exercise of every reader's judgment. This right the author feels no desire to infringe; and he is fully convinced of his utter inability to control the decision of others, by the conclusion he forms; though, he confesses, he would be happy to make on the mind of every individual, a favourable impression concerning the merits of Lay.