Page images
PDF
EPUB

The NEGRO SLAVE TRADE is here introduced; and great praise is bestowed on the minority on that question in the House of Commons, and their determined perseverance, in renewing their applications and exertions for attaining their end. No mention, however, is made of white, olive, or copper-coloured slaves; nor any approbation expressed of that French Convention, which, as by one acclamation, decreed the whole race free. Notwithstanding all the horrors which accompanied a period of the revolution, philanthropy almost tempts me to say, I hope not indiscreetly, now we have a peace, that one godlike act in the eye of justice, remunerates, and will remunerate them for their losses and sufferings, and that the conduct of that assembly of atheists, as Hannah and many others in this country, called them, does, in that respect, disgrace that of our British christian senate. Upon these, and such questions, Wm. Pitt knew that it was safe to vote for their emancipation, because the dealers in black men were powerful in the house, and that he should see himself agreeably left in a minority, and by that manœuvre preserve his popularity, and, on that subject, the good opinion of both parties.

I heartily agree with Mrs. More, when she says, vol. 4, p. 433, that

“It was a melancholy sight to see multitudes of travel"lers (the journey of life) heedlessly pacing on, boasting

[ocr errors]

they had light enough of their own, and despising the "offer of more. But what astonished me most of all was, "to see many, and some of them too. accounted men of first rate wit, actually busy in blowing out their own

[ocr errors]

86

light (conscience) because while any spark of it remained, "it only served to torment them, and point out things which they did not wish to see. And having once blown out "their own light, they were not easy till they had blown " out that of their neighbours also; so that a good part of "the wilderness seemed to exhibit a sort of universal blind"man's buff, each endeavouring to catch his neighbour, "while his own voluntary blindness exposed him to be caught himself; so that each was actually falling into "the snare he was laying for another, till at length, as "selfishness is the natural consequence of blindness, catch "he that catch can,' became the general motto of the "wilderness."

66

[ocr errors]

The lady clearly illustrates this phenomenon in the human character, by her own conduct in proselytism, and as a person of some "wit,"" actually "busied" in blowing out her own light, that she may not see by its internal reflection the heinousness of her "evil deeds," viz. accusing the brethren in private letters, secret accusations, defamation, evil and scandalous reports. She is now literally playing" blind-man's buff," to save some remains of her holiness, and privately hires men of servile minds publicly to vouch for her, she herself lurking behind the scene; so that she has fallen into the snare she was laying for others, by her "catch "he that catch can." And as Sir A. expressed it, <6 reports are abroad" that her mind now torments her, her conscience being roused, and that she has been seen, like a tragedy queen (acting perhaps one of the female characters in her own plays) tearing her shawl in a paroxysm of rage, and trampling it under her foot. Be that as it may, pray her conscience may turn her the right

I

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

"Now I saw (ibidem) that there were some others who "were busy in strewing the most gaudy flowers over the "numerous bogs, and precipices, and pit-falls, with which "the wilderness abounded; and thus making danger and death "look so gay, that poor thoughtless creatures seemed to delight "in their own destruction. Those pit-falls did not appear "deep or dangerous to the eye, because over them were raised gay edifices (the theatre and opera: with as great propriety "might any actress or opera girl preach and write against plays as H. More) with alluring names. These were

66

66

[ocr errors]

"filled with singing men and singing women, and with dancing, and feasting, and gaming, and drinking, and “jollity, and madness. But though the scenery was gay, "the footing was unsound. The floors were full of holes,

through which the unthinking merry-makers were con"tinually sinking. Some tumbled through in the middle "of a song; more at the end of a feast; and though there was many a cup of intoxication wreathed round with flowers, yet there was always poison at the bottom."

66

[ocr errors]

Reader!" what need have you of more wit"nesses?" H. More, who thus preaches against theatrical amusements and pleasures, has, in the 3d vol. of her works, published several plays, that could not be acted without the accompaniments she here reprobates. She herself, formerly, viewed and directed the scenery, the actions, and partook of the "voluptuousness" she describes, when her plays were acted at Drury-Lane, Covent-Garden, and Bath; and to the representation of which, and of other less chaste plays, their scholars, young ladies, were led by her and her sisters. She sells poison from one part of her shop, and an antidote

from the other. What are we to conclude from all this bustle of writing and publishing plays, and poems, and songs, and censure, censure, and sermons against plays, and a vindication of the innocence of the drama, but that it is all for money, for fame! She may use the motto on an old book stall, "To 66 BE SOLD- BOOKS OF DIVINITY and BOOKS Of '66 DIVERSION!!"

[ocr errors]

In her continuation of the allegory of human life, the lady has had another vision she says, and on that account, and for many other reasons, she certainly merits the title of visionary, which she calls the " STRAIGHT GATE and the BROAD WAY.” Through this world, her " LAND of MISERY," two ways lay leading, but must pass through a " DARK SHADOWY VALLEY," to the " HAPPY LAND;" the one the BROAD, TEMPTING WAY, the other the NARROW WAY. The map and road book, are the holy scriptures. The BEACONS and LIGHT HOUSES, are the teachers of religion. The narrow road was difficult and rough, but infallibly safe; medio tutissimus ibis, and had its comforts and pleasures. The broad way was tempting, with gaudy flowers and luxurious fruits. The travellers this way, she says, write books and plays (as she has done) and paint and sing, and dance and drink, as they go along, and seem remarkably fond of red sheep, and Eldorado pebbles, with which, and flowers, they so load themselves, when they can scramble enough of them, that they can scarcely move forwards. On this road, she tells us, are a great many MEN-traps, and spring-guns!!

She describes a party, of neither hot nor cold, who split a direction, trust in the Lord, and be doing good, i. e. pervert the scripture, and because they will be saved their own way, take the first clause, i. e. trust in the Lord, and elect themselves, and leave others to strive and perform good works. These self-elected, are described as often boasting of their own inward bright burning light, in order to get the praises of men. The piece ends with few entering in at the straight gate, and multitudes, the bulk of the human species, going in at the broad way to "everlasting chains and pe"nal fire." She is much afraid of fat people entering in at the narrow gate, and thinks lean folks have a better chance. It reminds me of a goodnatured, honest and worthy curate, who, though his salary was small, thrived so well on it, that by the "blessing of God," as he said, he was in as good a condition as if he had been a pluralist.He told me, that one Sunday morning he rode into the country to do duty for a friend, and having an imperfect idea of the way, coming to a place where the road divided into two, the one wide and the other narrow, he enquired of a lank, black-haired, undertaker-looking man, whom he just then overtook, and afterwards learned was a methodist preacher, the way to St. Mary's; was answered, after stedfastly looking at him—“ Sir, "the BROAD WAY is your road! the BROAD WAY, "Sir, the BROAD WAY!"

PARLEY THE PORTER, is another allegory, of the same complexion. A castle in a garden, in

« PreviousContinue »