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heaven and earth are moved, and the pens and the tongues of the venal employed to blacken and disgrace the very name of liberty; insomuch, that it was profane and criminal, even in England, to pronounce the word; and the people of that nation are instigated to massacre one another. All these crimes are charged to liberty; and to these H. M. gave her voice. No man abhors more than I do the French enormities.

That this criticism may not be considered as malicious, let the reader only look at the answer she makes her Jack Anvil give to Tom Hod's question of "What dost thou take French liberty to be?" and the seven following interrogatories, and then, giving the devil his due, let him judge and pronounce whether she be a temporizing venal creature. Let him read also the answer to the question, "Dost thou then believe they are as cruel as some folks pretend?" And let him determine whether she be hypocrite, christian, liar or what. Has she not leaped for joy when she heard of the slaughter of thousands on both sides? All this is in direct opposition to the principles of christianity, of which she makes so much profession.

It would seem that superstition had hitherto been a necessary ingredient in every, even the purest religion. This drove men to a contempt of all religion, to infidelity and atheism, with which the French are charged. But if religion were purified of superstition and refined to pure christianity, then philosophers would become christians.

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VOL. II. DRAMAS.

ABOUT this time Miss H. More was attending the play-houses, picking up all the knowledge she could meet with, to qualify herself for a play-wright. She had, it is said, more than one offer of matrimony. A gentleman on the stage made her proposals, which were listened to for a considerable time; but his troop decamping, on his departure with them, a sea captain next presented himself. During the sailor's visits, and while his vessel was preparing for her voyage, a man of good fortune made his appearance, and being dressed in a red coat, always ensnaring of the female heart, every attention was paid him, and love obtained an easy victory; but after a long and tedious courtship, whether owing to her violence of temper, or to what cause, I have not been able to discover, it ended in a separation. I have, however, heard many anecdotes not worth relating. It was at this time too, she met with an advantageous bargain, by purchasing an annuity of 2001. a year for her life, at a very easy rate.

She was now, on the addition of 2001. a year, and her interest in the school, increasing her popularity daily, for money recommends; and her sacred dramas, which were much puffed by her party among the methodists, contributed to her advancement. Her books, though trifling, always added to her income, for the saints took care to buy them. Her plays, and her attachment to the play-house, as her finances permitted it, induced her to pass a

part of the winter in London, and these opportunities she improved, by universal flattery, of adding to the number of her acquaintances and friends. Her marriage disappointment is said to have soured her temper, and resolving against any further attempt to enter that state, she cast about for some mode besides writing, for the employment of her mind and body; and religion, to her active and ambitious soul, presented itself as an instrument and means of acquiring popularity and consequence, as well as promotive of her future welfare. The methodistical societies, "which are neither of nor out of the church," appeared the most convenient, for thus she could enjoy all the advantages of a separatist, without appearing to be one.

But it is not from H. More only, that the world has learned that austerity is not virtue, and that the semblance of virtue is widely different from virtue herself. Her conversion, which was then talked of, is yet to come. Her heart may now, for any thing I know, be, by God's blessing, softened, having discovered that semblance and reality are in their nature different; and these late detections of her mental character, may become the means of bringing her back from a visionary to a rational piety; for true religion is not the business of life but a rule of conduct.

In the account which Mrs. Robinson, the celebrated Perdita, left behind her of her own life, she mentions the five sisters in the following words. "The early hours of boarding school study, I pas"sed under the tuition of the Misses More, sisters "to the lady of that name, whose talents have been

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"so often celebrated. The education of their young pupils was undertaken by the five sisters. In my "mind's eye, I see them now before me; while every circumstance of those early days, is mi"nutely and indelibly impressed on my memory.

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"I remember the first time I ever was present at "a dramatic representation; it was the benefit of "the great actor, Mr. Powel, who was proceed. ing rapidly towards the highest paths of fame, "when death dropped the oblivious curtain, and "closed the scene for ever. The part which he performed was King Lear; his wife, afterwards "Mrs. Fisher, played Cordelia, but not with suffi"cient eclat to render the profession an object for "her future exertions. The whole school attended; "Mrs. Powel's two daughters being then pupils of "the Misses More."

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The formal stateliness of that species of prosaic verse employed by the writers of English tragedy, is so familiar to British ears and eyes, as the channel and conductor of heroic virtue, or of atrocious crime, that the person who ventures to use it exclusively for sacred or ludicrous subjects, is more likely rather to excite our risibility and cause disgust, than secure our approbation and sympathy. Although it may be allowed, that virtue may be taught on the stage and vice corrected, yet in Britain, there is and ever will be, a prejudice with the graver order of the people against it. The attitudes, the songs, often the sentiment and expression, the characters represented, as well as that of many of those who act them, are not calculated to remove that prejudice; and it would be difficult to determine, whether the

morals of the people are mended or corrupted by the theatre. The safest judgment is to consider it as a place of entertainment and amusement.

The holy bible is either the inspired word of God, or it is the venerable history of a people who have been, and are the peculiar object of God's providential regard. In the former light it has been always viewed and received by all christians, and especially by protestants. To attempt, therefore, the illustration or improvement of any scriptural story in that measured prose, and in a dramatic method and form, with even the best intention, if it does not travesty, it at least lessens our veneration for the subjects of scripture, and always excites disgust. H. More, therefore, appears guilty of at least an error of judgment, by the publication of scripture plays, and holy bible tragedies. If the bible be the word of God, and who can doubt it, I cannot but call that part of her works impiety. In sacred poesy, even the learned and pious Dr. Watts was not very successful; what execution then could we expect from the illiterate H. More? There is neither invention, genius, plot or description in her dramas. I am not the only critic of this opinion.

"And sacred dramas wrote by Hannah More,
"Where all the nine and little Moses snore.".

Her muse is always hobbling and ever out of nature. Her Miriam does neither feel nor speak like a sister.

Vol. 2, p. 32. MIRIAM.

"Yes, I have laid him in his wat'ry bed,

"His wat❜ry grave, I fear !-I tremble still; "It was a cruel task-still I must weep!

"But ah, my mother! who shall sooth thy griefs?

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