With fruitful mercies, as that barren ground,
Where I did make my best and longest stay,
And bore the heat and burden of the day;
Mercies grew thicker there than summer flowers:
They over-numbered my daies and hours.
There was my dearest flock, and special charge,
Our hearts in mutual love thou didst enlarge:
'Twas there that mercy did my labours bless,
With the most great and wonderful success."
While prosecuting my inquiries, I was shown the house in which he is said to have resided. It is situated in the High Street, and was, at the time of my visit, inhabited by a grocer; but I had my doubts, from a difference of opinion I heard stated as to this being the actual house. After looking at this house, I visited the vestry of the Unitarian Chapel, and examined the pulpit; the description of which given by your correspondent is very correct. He omits to mention Job Orton's chair, which was shown me, as well as that of Bishop Hall. From all I could learn at the time, and since, I should say that there is not the slightest probability of any engraving having been published of this pulpit. Sketches may have been made by private hands, but nothing I believe in this way has ever been given to the public. I have long taken a deep interest in everything, pertaining to Richard Baxter. I some years ago collected ninety-seven out of the one hundred and sixty-eight works which he wrote, most of them the original editions, and principally on controversial subjects. After they had served the purpose for which I purchased them, I parted with them, reserving to myself the first editions of the choicest of his practical writings. The folio edition of his works contains only his practical treatises. One of the most remarkable facts connected with the history of Baxter, is the prodigious amount of mechanical drudgery to which he must have patiently submitted in the production of his varied publications. He had a very delicate frame: he was continually unwell, and often greatly afflicted. To this constant ailment of body he refers in a very affecting note in his Paraphrase on the New Testament under the fifth verse in the fifth chapter of the Gospel of St. John. The reference is to the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda, who had an infirmity thirty and eight years.