He abhorred hypocrisy and vice and was unsparing in his condemnation of both.

He enjoyed a controversy and was quick to discover the weak points in his opponent's arguments and to make the most of them.
These characteristics he carried with him through life, becoming, however, broader-minded and more tolerant as he grew in years and experience.
Morse's father had given him many letters of introduction to eminent men in England.

Most of these he neglected to deliver, pleading in extenuation of his apparent carelessness that he could not spare the time from his artistic studies to fulfill all the duties that would be expected of him in society, and that he also could not afford the expenses necessary to a well-dressed man.
The following note from William Wilberforce explains itself, but there seems to be some confusion of dates, for Morse had just said in his letter of January 1st that he dined at Mr.Wilberforce's over a week before.
KENSINGTON GORE, January 4, 1813.
SIR,--I cannot help entertaining some apprehension of my not having received some letter or some card which you may have done me the favor of leaving at my house.

Be this, however, as it may, I gladly avail myself of the sanction of a letter from your father for introducing myself to you; and, as many calls are mere matters of form, I take the liberty of begging the favor of your company at dinner on Wednesday next, at a quarter before five o'clock, at Kensington Gore (one mile from Hyde Park corner), and of thereby securing the pleasure of an acquaintance with you.
The high respect which I have always entertained for your father, in addition to the many obliging marks of attention which I have received from him, render me desirous of becoming personally known to you, and enable me with truth to assure you I am, with good will, sir, Your faithful servant, W.WILBERFORCE.
Among Morse's friends in London during the period of his student years, were Coleridge, Rogers, Lamb, and others whose names are familiar ones in the literary world.
While the letters of those days give only hints of the delightful intercourse between these congenial souls, the recollection of them was enshrined in the memory of some of their contemporaries, and the following reminiscences, preserved by Mr.James Wynne and recorded by Mr.
Prune in his biography, will be found interesting:-- "Coleridge, who was a visitor at the rooms of Leslie and Morse, frequently made his appearance under the influence of those fits of despondency to which he was subject.

On these occasions, by a preconcerted plan, they often drew him from this state to one of brilliant imagination.
"'I was just wishing to see you,' said Morse on one of these occasions when Coleridge entered with a hesitating step, and replied to their frank salutations with a gloomy aspect and deep-drawn sighs.