[5] For the geographical solecism of “a western latitude,” the author has only to plead, that the people of whom he treats, acknowledge no points of the compass but those of east and west; and that the term longitude has scarcely any place in their language.[10] This somehow and somewhere existence of people of Fashion might lead a stranger to suppose, that they have no permanent dwelling-place. He must, however, be told, that, while they are thus migrating from place to place, without comfort, and without respect, many of them are actually turning their backs upon the conveniences of a family mansion, and the consequence of a dependent tenantry. This disposition to emigration in persons of distinction, has been so admirably noticed in a late elegant and interesting work, that I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of transcribing the passage.

“That there exists at present amongst us a lamentable want of rural philosophy, or of that wisdom which teaches a man at once to enjoy and to improve a life of retirement, is, I think, a point too obvious to be contested. Whence is it else, that the ancient mansions of our nobility and gentry, notwithstanding all the attractions of rural beauty, and every elegance of accommodation, can no longer retain their owners, who, at the approach of winter, pour into the metropolis, and even in the summer months wander to the sea-coast or to some other place of Fashionable resort? This unsettled humour, in the midst of such advantages, plainly argues much inward disorder, and points out the need as well as the excellency of that discipline which can inspire a pure taste of nature, furnish occupation in the peaceful labours of husbandry, and, what is nobler still, open the sources of moral and intellectual enjoyment.”—Preface to Rural Philosophy, by Ely Bates, Esq. p. 9.

[12] His Majesty’s Birth-Day.[29] Vide Paley’s Mor. Philos. vol. i. p. 1.[42] For an account of this transaction, see the trial of Captain Macnamara for the murder of Colonel Montgomery; in which it will appear, that though the Captain admitted the fact, yet the jury acquitted him of the crime. Such complaisance on the part of juries is particularly favourable to this summary mode of terminating differences. Fatal duels are now become almost as common as highway robberies, and make almost as little impression upon the public mind. The murdered is carried to his grave, and the murderer received back into society, with the same honour, as if the one had done his duty in sacrificing his life, and the other had only done his in taking it away.[53] “In the worst moments of his pain he cried out, that he sincerely hoped, the agonies he then endured might expiate the sins he had committed.” * * * * “I wish with all my soul (says the writer of the Memoir) that the unthinking votaries of dissipation and infidelity could all have been present at the death-bed of this poor man; could have heard his expressions of contrition for his past misconduct, and of reliance upon the mercy of his Creator.”—Vide Memoir of the late Lord Camelford, by the Rev. —, &c.[57] Vide the titles of certain country-dances, the Pantomime of Don Juan, and the ballets at the Opera House, on the vigils of the Sabbath.[66] The Bishop of Durham animadverts (with just severity) upon “the great neglect of church in the Sunday afternoons, when the duties of religion are deserted for the fashions or friendship if the world.” Vide Charge for 1801.[104] If the reader should have a difficulty in discovering the full import of this remark, he is requested to consider that the peculiar term appropriated to swearing is capable of becoming either a verb, a substantive, a participial adjective, or an adverb: and he will find that it is used under all these forms by people of Fashion.[116] How much the Fashionable World are indebted to the legislature for refusing to accede to Lord Belgrave (now Earl Grosvenor’s) motion against Sunday newspapers, in 1799, may be learnt (among other things) from the following advertisement which appeared in the Morning Post for October 26, 1805:

“The British Neptune, or Naval, Military, and Fashionable Sunday Advertiser, will always contain real critiques upon Theatrical Performances.”

Such entertaining publications as these, issued and hawked about on the Lord’s Day, are a concession to the Fashionable infirmities of the age, for which those who are wearied of their Bibles, cannot be sufficiently thankful.

If any of my readers wish to see this subject seriously discussed, he will find something to his purpose in the 6th chapter of “The Christian Monitor for the last Days.”

N.B. While this note was passing through the press, a Sunday Evening Paper was announced for publication: and, as if it were not sufficient to break the laws, without at the same time libelling them, this “Sunday Evening Gazette,” which is to employ compositors, pressmen, venders, hawkers, &c. on the Lord’s Day, is to be called—The Constitution!!![119] A distinguished Prelate, who gained the ear of the Fashionable World to a degree beyond all former example, has adverted to this “rage for amusement” with such apostolical earnestness, at the close of a lecture delivered to perhaps the greatest number of Fashionable people that ever assembled for a similar purpose within the walls of a church, that I shall avail myself of the passage, as well to confirm my statement as to embellish my pages.

“When I consider that the time of the year is now approaching, in which the gaieties and amusements of this vast metropolis are generally engaged in with incredible alacrity and ardour, and multitudes are pouring in from every part of the kingdom to take their share in them; and when I recollect further, that at this very period in the last year, a degree of extravagance and wildness of pleasure took place, which gave pain to every serious mind, and was almost unexampled in any former times, I am not, I confess, without some apprehensions that the same scenes of levity and dissipation may again recur; and that some of those who now hear me (of the younger part more especially) may be drawn too far into this Fashionable vortex, and lose, in that giddy tumult of diversion, all remembrance of what has passed in this sacred place.” Bp Porteus on St. Matthew, Vol. II. Lect. 18, p. 161.