Page:A history of booksellers, the old and the new.djvu/375

335 BUTTERWORTH AND CHURCHILL. 335 Bristol ; but at the early age of fourteen, his education (inasmuch as book-learning was concerned) was con- sidered at an end, and he entered the large sugar- refinery of Mr. Stock, of Bristol. But the hot atmo- sphere, and the incessant and laborious toil, proved too much for young Butterworth's health, though the work had otherwise been rendered pleasant enough through his master's kindness. As he had already shown much business talent and ability, Stock urged Mr. Joseph Butterworth, his own relation by marriage, and Henry Butterworth's uncle, to do something for the lad. Joseph Butterworth accordingly made over- tures to Henry's family, and though they were loath to send their son to the distant trials and temptations of the metropolis, the offer was a tempting one, as it contained a tacit promise of admitting him, at some future time, to a partnership in the enormous business. Young Butterworth at once determined to accept the proposal ; and on the 5th December, 1801, he arrived in London by the Bristol coach, having left Bristol straightway, without even having had an opportunity of bidding his relatives farewell. The business carried on at No. 43, Fleet Street, was on a very extensive scale, and Joseph Butterworth was not only a well-known member of Parliament, but was an exceedingly wealthy and zealous philanthropist ; and at his uncle's dinner table young Henry Butter- worth met many eminent and good men who were associated together to fight in a common cause among others we may particularize Wilberforce, Teignmouth, Liverpool, Bexley, Zachary Macaulay, and Robert and Charles Grant and from the time of his first introduction he enrolled his name among these ardent religious and social reformers. Young Butterworth entered very heartily into the