are in some degree or other interested to exclaim against this tax, and those who had rather spend their time and money at playhouses, &c., than employ them to any better purposes, I hope I may safely say there is not a man of sound sense and of a real benevolent disposition to be met with, but upon calmly weighing the arguments, will acquiesce in the propriety, usefulness, and even expediency of this tax on public diversions, which I trust will be extended throughout England, as well as the metropolis."

"What a scandal would it have been even to heathen Rome, what a demonstration of the decay of her glory, what an evidence of the corruption of her manners, what direful proof that all attention to the public welfare was absorbed by luxury and effeminacy, if the great business of the Senate had ever been postponed or stood still, in order that the senators themselves might attend at the theatre to see some foreigner cut capers, and pay their tribute of money and praise to his excellences. Yet was not this actually done last year at the time of Monsieur Vestris's benefit? Blush England! Blush England! Blush Chris

tian Protestant!

Pudet hæc opprobria nobis

Et dici potuisse, et non potuisse refelli.

"Mr. Burke, with a proper tincture of wit, satire, and manly courage, mentioned the above circumstance in the House of Commons at the time. But the name of The Vestris was too dear to be thus brought up with impunity, for the next day, ignorance and impudence joined their united forces to ridicule Mr. Burke in some of the public papers.

"Is it not then time, high time, that these sort of places should be taxed towards the exigencies of the

state, when, notwithstanding the empire is crumbling into ruins, we are so lost to all feeling of our own, and to the miseries of our fellow-creatures, that we can annually pay as much to the support of French and Italian singers and dancers, whether the this, or the that, or the other, as would relieve thousands of poor, sick, industrious families, who are destitute of all the necessaries of life; and as would fit out several ships of the line for the public service." The note of Sir James Wright on these observations was, "Before I had read the above very forcible arguments for the taxation of the theatres, it seemed to me a hardship to render the recreations of the public less attainable; but I am now convinced it would be right to tax them."

Mr. Hill concluded his tract with a serious address to the two first of the three classes into which, he said, Parliament, and indeed all society was divided. "First; those who pay no credit at all to Christianity; secondly, those who give their assent to the truth of Christianity, and yet live in direct opposition to it; thirdly, those who both believe and practise Christianity." In addressing the second of these classes in the House of Commons, Mr. Hill commended the laudable custom of commencing business with prayer, but complained that the solemn duty was deserted by all but the speaker. "Insomuch," he declared, "that if a member came to the door of the House during the time of prayer, he was generally accosted with 'Sir,' or My Lord, the speaker is going to prayers,' or, the speaker is at prayers;' and the answer generally returned by his Lordship or the honourable gentleman was, Very well, Mr. Pearson, then I will walk about a little till prayers are over.' "Of a day

The doorkeeper, I presume.

302

PRAYERS IN THE HOUSE. THE SABBATH.

indeed," he added, " in which some interesting debate "in is expected, perhaps forty or fifty members are assembled before, and whilst the Church service is reading. And what are they assembled for? To write their names and take their places. And what is going on whilst we are supposed to be entreating the divine blessing on our endeavours, that' peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us?' Every thing but praying. One reading a petition, another a bill, a third a report, a fourth whispering to his neighbour, &c." On this Sir James Wright remarked, "True and well observed." Mr. Hill further stated

that he found from the journals, that at no great distance from this time there was an order of the House, that if any member was not at prayers, he should forfeit one shilling. This, Sir James Wright called "a good hint for a small taxation, which might either increase the revenue, or improve morality and religion." After adding a few more things, in the same style of honest rebuke of the carelessness respecting religion, which marked the career of the great men of those days, Mr. Hill said, "But among all our crying national sins, I must not omit to mention particularly our dreadful profanation of the Lord's day." He declared it to be the day in which of all others in our Christian nation, God was most signally dishonoured. His words are, "I may venture to affirm there is more idle visiting, unnecessary travelling, gluttonous feasting, and trifling dissipation on that day, than on all the other six days of the week; not to mention that there is now a public newspaper printed and hawked about every Sunday morning, and that machines, diligences, &c. are openly and constantly advertised to set out on that day." The little tract then concluded with a serious and faithful warning.

TESTIMONY TO THE WORTH OF MR. HILL.

303

This was the character of the "Sky-Rocket," which certainly contains a mournful picture of many of the evils of the day in which it was written, and a faithful testimony against them, although every friend of Mr. Richard Hill will be free to confess that there were some things in it which had been better omitted. The whole course of Mr. Hill's public life naturally drew down upon him the unsparing censure of those whose vices he attacked, and of all who, though they knew not why, were enemies to Methodism. It seemed indeed to be the opinion of the age that any thing was preferable to that: in short, as it was once said by a lady of fashion, that "surely it was better to sin a little, than to be so very good!" Yet even they who disapproved Mr. Hill's religion, were obliged to give their testimony to his irreproachable character and the high integrity of his motives. A distinguished member of Parliament who knew him well, could find nothing to "disapprove in his conduct," except "his introducing religion, or quoting Scripture in some of his speeches." To this declaration that gentleman added, "In every other respect, I think Mr. Hill's conduct is, and has been, that of an upright, conscientious member of Parliament, who is biassed by no party, and who wishes always to act as he judges right. Nor do I know any one member of the House who thinks otherwise of him. In this point of view, Mr. Hill has my sincere esteem and approbation, and I hope ever to live in friendship with him, and to give him every support in my power." A more decided proof of the worth of Mr. Hill can scarcely be needed than that which is contained in these words.

1 Mr. Hill thought so himself after its publication, and with his usual candour acknowledged it in print.

304

THELYPTHORA OPPOSED BY MR. HILL.

Such indeed was his character, and it commanded, in spite of the prevailing prejudice against religion, that homage which the most reluctant were obliged to award to one whose actions were based upon sincerity and

truth.

While the important events narrated in this chapter were proceeding, Mr. Hill had the painful duty to perform of becoming the public opponent of an old friend. The absurd work of the Rev. Mr. Madan called "Thelypthora, or a Treatise on Female Ruin," was the cause of this trial. He was a man much beloved by Mr. Hill, who, before he exposed the follies of his notions on polygamy, remonstrated with him in the most affectionate terms, against printing a book which would cast a perpetual shade over the author's reputation, and be most injurious to the cause of religion. His advice was not attended to, and the silly work came out. These pages shall not contain a single quotation from such a production. Mr. Hill thought it was incumbent on him to oppose the opinions it asserted, and I shall have sufficiently performed my duty as a biographer, in giving an extract from a review of his refutation of Mr. Madan. "Amongst the most respectable opponents of Thelypthora," says the Monthly Review, "is the ingenious and worthy author of the present work. We have read this address with pleasure and satisfaction. The argumentative part is, in general, solid and judicious, and the lighter part is entertaining and sprightly. The language, though not remarkable for its elegance, is easy and perspicuous; and the knowledge displayed in it, though

' Entitled "The Blessings of Polygamy, displayed, in an affectionate address to the Rev. Mr. Madan, occasioned by his late work, entitled, Thelypthora."