OLD ESSEX GARDENERS AND THEIR GARDENS. 103
school at Ackworth in 1779, by which not only middle class but
the poorest members received an education such as was not
attained generally for nearly a century later—"as good an educa-
"tion as many think fit to give their dogs and horses." He was
the intimate friend of John Howard, giving evidence with him
before the House of Commons which led to the passing of the 1774
Act relating to the health of prisoners in gaol, and was appointed
with him and George Whatley a commissioner for erecting suitable
buildings for carrying into execution the new system of correction.
He recommended radical changes in the methods of burial in
towns and suggested Moorfields as a London cemetery; he was
interested in canals; he tried to introduce public bathing. 
When the War of American Independence threatened he strove
with all his might to effect a compromise which would prevent
the foundation of a most glorious future of Empire being dug up
through insufferable ignorance and pride—and afterwards he
tried equally hard for reconciliation.
Such a man had an enormous circle of friends, and his time
became more and more occupied by his profession and his
philanthropic interests. He could seldom visit his garden except
on Saturdays, and it is told of him that he drove down sometimes
after dark and went round to look at some of his treasures by the
light of a lantern. He never attained that period of leisure to
which he had so long looked forward, but the future of his garden,
could he have foreseen it, was as he would have wished, for it is
now West Ham Park.
In this sketch it has not been possible to include all Essex
gardeners who are known to have influenced Horticulture. Suffi-
cient has been said, however, to show that Essex played its part
in enriching gardens when the love of gardening was not so
widespread as it is today.