It is not probable that I shall continue the series of sketches to which this trio forms an appropriate introduction. But I am glad thus to acknowledge my indebtedness to a Society to which I owe more than I can ever repay. None of its members long more fervently than I do that the spirit and labours of its first days may distinguish it again. Batheaston, near Bath. LIST OF LETTERS (HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED). _From which extracts are given in this volume._ _From_ Geo. Fox to Robert Barclay, dated 16. X. 1675, quoted pp. 84, 113 " Geo. Keith to R. Barclay, 12. III. 1676 54, 114 " D. Barclay to R. Barclay do. 113 " R. Barclay to the Princess Elizabeth, 6. VII. 1676 121 " the Princess Elizabeth to R. Barclay, Dec. 1, 1676 122 Do. do. Mar. 1, 1677 126 Do. do. July 6, 1677 126 " R. Barclay to the Princess Elizabeth, 6. V. 1679 127 " the Duke of York to R. Barclay, June 27th, 1680 131 " Geo. Fox to R. Barclay, 31. IV. 1680 129 " Christian Barclay to Friends in Aberdeen, 15. VI. 1693 95 " Wm. Penn to R. Barclay, junr., 7. XII. 1694 71 " Hy. Gouldney to R. Barclay, junr., 28. XII. 1694 70 " Sir D. Dalrymple to R. Barclay, junr., July 4th, 1710 76 * * * * * R. Barclay's "Vindication" quoted pp. 91, 120, 137, 138. GEORGE FOX, THE FIRST OF THE QUAKERS. "This man, the first of the Quakers, and by trade a Shoemaker, was one of those to whom, under ruder or purer form, the Divine Idea of the Universe is pleaded to manifest itself."--_Carlyle._ "That nothing may be between you and God, but Christ."--_George Fox._ PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. The Author has long believed that a popular sketch of the Life and Work of George Fox was wanted. His noble labours in the Gospel, and the many excellences of his character are not known as they deserve to be. The story of his life is full of dramatic interest, and the author has endeavoured to tell it with sympathy and yet with faithfulness. Too few outside the Society of Friends are aware of the great and happy change which has lately come over it. The cramping influence of custom and precedent is yielding to the free spirit which first made the Society a power. In the present remodelling of its "Practice and Discipline," the study of its early days is of great importance. And for a fervent and constraining piety, for free and large-hearted devotion to "the truth" wherever it leads, few men are more worthy of study and imitation at the present day than George Fox.