The clergy of the district were the bravest men
by far.
There was a Mr. Roberson of Heald's Hall, a friend of Mr. Bronte's who
has left a deep impression of himself on the public mind. He lived near
Heckmondwike, a large, straggling, dirty village, not two miles from Roe
Head. It was principally inhabited by blanket weavers, who worked in
their own cottages; and Heald's Hall is the largest house in the village,
of which Mr. Roberson was the vicar. At his own cost, he built a
handsome church at Liversedge, on a hill opposite the one on which his
house stood, which was the first attempt in the West Riding to meet the
wants of the overgrown population, and made many personal sacrifices for
his opinions, both religious and political, which were of the true old-
fashioned Tory stamp. He hated everything which he fancied had a
tendency towards anarchy. He was loyal in every fibre to Church and
King; and would have proudly laid down his life, any day, for what he
believed to be right and true. But he was a man of an imperial will, and
by it he bore down opposition, till tradition represents him as having
something grimly demoniac about him. He was intimate with Cartwright,
and aware of the attack likely to be made on his mill; accordingly, it is
said, he armed himself and his household, and was prepared to come to the
rescue, in the event of a signal being given that aid was needed.
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