Rev. James Plumptre, Great Gransden, to Newton Bosworth, Hackney, 21 April 1831.

Plumptre writes:

“I had never the happiness of hearing Mr Hall, or of being in his company.  I have often wished to hear him; but my principles (which you, perhaps, will call my prejudices) prevented my goingg to a Dissenting Place of Worship; but I should have like to have heard him on neutral ground, at a Bible-Society Meeting.  I have read several of his Discourses, particularly those on Infidelity, on the Death of the Princess Charlotte, and on the Death of Dr Ryland, all which I greatly admire.  Mr H’s coming to Cambridge and his early days there, was at a time of very strong religious and political excitement, and I was one of the strongly excited, and looked upon a Dissenting Minister with no friendly eye; and, though an accession, I trust, of the Christian Sprit has made me view all things, and especially a difference in religious opinions, in a quite altered light; yet probably my mind has never done justice to Mr H: indeed how should it, when I had never heard him, either in public or in private!  To me he had the appearance of a heavy nasty man.  You speak of a noble form, and a benignant and enlightened, nay a blazing, eye.   I will endeavour to view him in future as reflected in your clear Mirror.  I shall await with anxiety the publication of his remains and writings.  I think I saw in the papers that Dr Gregory is to be his Biographer.  He cannot be in better hands.  I hope Dr G. is in better health,and with strength equal to the task.” He also mentions Bosworth’s recent publication of his Remarks upon the Present State of the Dissenting Interest, with Hints for its Improvement by means of a consolidated Union.  He did not know that Bosworth was now in the ministry as well as still managing an academy.

Text: Cambridge UL, ADD. MS. 5864/f. 47.