John Woolman in England: 1772 (review)

BOOK REVIEWS59 is written in a most readable German and contributes valuable points of view to the historiography of Friends as well as of Pennsylvania and Colonial America in general. Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaWilliam Hubben John Woolman in England: 1772. By Henry J. Cadbury London: Friends' Historical Society. 1971. Supplement No. 32 to the Journal of the Friends' Historical Society. 142 pages, index. $4. John Woolman's account of his experiences and observations in England, as recorded in the twelfth chapter of his Journal, provide valuable insight into his character, his sense of God's presence, and his social concerns. But it does not give a complete picture of his itinerary, activities, or message. Nor does it indicate the reactions of others to him. In the present volume Henry Cadbury attempts to fill in these gaps in order to illuminate Woolman's account and make it more meaningful. Witii his characteristic thoroughness and meticulous attention to detail, Dr. Cadbury examines the original sources, minutes of meetings, letters, journals of Friends, and officiai records. He corrects many errors in the Gummere and Whitney versions of Woolman's Journal, as well as in odier sources, and dispels prevalent misconceptions. He supplies material lacking in published records, such as a significant paragraph in the letter of William Tuke to Reuben Haines shortly after Woolman's death (p. 121). He also raises questions to which no answer is yet available. A notable contribution of this volume is that it brings together the reactions of British Friends to Woolman. All agree as to his "singularity," made conspicuous by his undyed apparel and his refusal to use die products of slave labor There is agreement also that this singularity did not prevent his making a salutary and lasting impression. Most frequently noted were his depth of character and insight, his close relationship to God, and the basic soundness of his concerns regarding slavery and the right use of material goods. He was a living example of the truth that one can best affect odiers for. good not by lowering oneself to their standards, but by maintaining one's integrity at as high an ethical and spiritual level as possible. He was especially concerned to talk with young people, upon whom he sometimes made a profound impact. (See pp. 118-119.) Dr. Cadbury examines carefully the alleged rebuff and subsequent acceptance of Woolman by the London Yearly Meeting. He also provides additional data and insight regarding the manner in which Woolman parted widi his family when he left for England. An instance of drawing upon various sources to shed light on Woolman's Journal is found on pp. 110-111. Here the author shows that Woolman's gentle criticism of John Wilson for gratifying the "pride of people" stemmed from Wilson's occupation as a shearer and dyer of wool. Woolman had scruples against the use of dyed cloth, reinforced by his recent journey on foot through territory where the manufacture of dyes polluted the air and ground. Other significant contributions of this volume are the many biographical sketches, thirteen excerpts concerning Woolman from the correspondence of Samuel Emlen during his religious mission to Europe, a description of 60QUAKER HISTORY die sources Dr. Cadbury used (including a table of "Letters, Notes, etc., Written by Woolman in England"), and a map of the places Woolman visited. In one respect die present volume is out of date: it was published just before the appearance of The Journal and Major Essays of John Woolman (New York and London: Oxford University Press, 1971), the only complete and accurate edition of Woolman's Journal. Hence it states that MS. R3 (in the Rutgers University Library) and MS. T (a version of the sea voyage) have not been collated with die final holograph of die Journal. These collations were made and die results set forth in the Oxford University Press volume. Also, the author's references to die Journal are necessarily to die inadequate Gummere and Whitney editions. However, it will not be difficult for the reader to locate die corresponding passages in the Oxford volume. The present reviewer highly recommends Dr. Cadbury's study, which is now available at the Friends Book Store in...