It became now not so much a trial for academical reputation, as for the production of a work, which might be useful to injured Africa.

And keeping this idea in my mind ever after the perusal of Benezet, I always slept with a candle in my room, that I might rise out of my bed and put down such thoughts as might occur to me in the night, if I judged them valuable, conceiving that no arguments of any moment should be lost in so great a cause.

Having at length finished this painful task, I sent my Essay to the vice-chancellor, and soon afterwards found myself honoured as before with the first prize.
As it is usual to read these Essays publicly in the senate-house soon after the prize is adjudged, I was called to Cambridge for this purpose.
I went and performed my office.

On returning however to London, the subject of it almost wholly engrossed my thoughts.

I became at times very seriously affected while upon the road.