DURHAM AND NORTHUMBERLAND. 155

upon the exertions of the society, and ledmany persons to fear that the security, whichat that particular time seemed to be theexclusive object of their attention, was yet im-possible to be attained. Luckily, however, itwas a question in which humanity was deeplyconcerned, and benevolence would not sufferthe stimulus of its own dictate to be over-come by a hopeless aspect, or by gloomyopinions.

Many writers, seeing the illiberality andpartiality of the above sentiment, commentedseverely and extensively upon it; and so far re-opened the portals of hope, that this despond-ing opinion was very shortly looked upon asimproper, either to repress or discontinue theexertions of the society.

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