The history of the Robinhood Society: In which the origin of that illustrious body of men is traced; the method of managing their debates is shewn; ... and some original speeches, ... are recorded. ...

THE HISTORY OF THE Robinhood Society.

PART II.

HITHERTO we have been enabled to compile this Histo∣ry by the Manuscript of my Grand-father. He has been, as it were, our Polar Star, by whose Light we have directed our Course; and if that Light shall be adjudged suffi∣cient to reflect a Splendor on so obscure a Subject as that which we have attemp∣ted,

(a Subject whose Original, Rise, and Progress cannot, I believe, be traced with greater Fidelity, involved as it is in the Darkness of Time) and to satisfy the Expectations of the Reader, we shall think ourselves very happy. It is true, that we could have been more minute in the Description of several Things; could have transcribed many Speeches of various Members on different Subjects, which we have entirely omitted; and have given all the Questions that were debated by the Society from their first Establishment in 1613, to the Time of my Grand-father's Death in 1665. But the doing these Things we have conceived unnecessary, since it must have been very dry and in∣sipid to our Readers, a very disagreeable Task for ourselves, and would have swel∣led this History to an enormous Size.

WE shall now, in this Second Part, continue our History from my Grand∣father's Death, till the Removal of the Society to the Essex-Head in Essex-Street, when its original Plan was alter'd, and its Conduct became very different; and shew its various Fortune, till its last Trans∣migration to the Robinhood in Butcher-Row, where it now continues to be held.

MY Father, for some Years before my Grand-father's Death, had been admitted a Member of the Society, and was looked on as a very intelligent and worthy Man. He was not less fond of it than my Grand∣father, and no less particular in transcri∣bing from the Club-Book the various Que∣stions that were inserted there, and the several Arguments that passed pro and con on the Subjects, when they came to be debated. This he performed in the same large Folio Book my Grand-father made Use of for the same Purpose; and which being now in my Possession, enables me to compile this Work.

IN the Year 1667 the Society had some Thoughts of enlarging their Plan, and admitting more Members. They had re∣ceived Applications from several Men of Quality, and great Numbers of others di∣stinguished for Wit and Judgment, for their being admitted to partake of the In∣struction and Entertainment which their Debates afforded; but so general an Ad∣mission was deemed impracticable, on Ac∣count of the great Inconvenience the Members would all be put to, in their Turn, to entertain so many Persons, and

therefore such Applications were to no Purpose.

OCCASIONAL Visitants had been, how∣ever, allowed the Liberty of being present at the Debates, and to speak themselves to the Question if they thought proper. Re∣straint irritates Desire, and Things forbid∣den have greater Charms for Mankind, than those they are at free Liberty to en∣joy. So proved it with those Gentlemen, who, though they had been present at the Debates of the Society, were not Mem∣bers of it. Enraged to find they had not the Liberty of becoming Members, they deviated from the Questions they should have spoken to; and complained, that a Society that was not free for the Reception of every one in general that had an Incli∣nation to frequent it, could have no good Effect, and that, supposing its Influence on the Manners and Principles of those that attended it ever so great, the Public in general could reap no Advantage from it.

IN this Manner the Society went on for some Time, and the Debates were a mot∣ly Mixture of angry Censures and solid Arguments, Animadversions on the Que∣stions proposed, and Complaints of the

narrow Spirit of the Society: So that the original Intention of the first Members was entirely frustrated, and the Satisfaction and Pleasure which must always arise from a reciprocal Communication of Sentiments between learned and ingenious Men, gave Way to private Cabals and personal Invec∣tives; which will ever check the Growth of Knowledge, and choak up the Paths of Truth.

TO put a Stop to these Proceedings, one of the Members, a Man of a violent Spirit, and boisterous Disposition, proposed it to the Consideration of the Society, whether it would not be adviseable to refuse Admit∣tance, for the future, to any Gentleman whatever, that might desire to be an occa∣sional Visitant, and to make such an Order in their Book. And he gave it as his Opi∣nion, that without doing it, the Society must soon fall to the Ground, by the Up∣roar and tumultuous Proceedings which frequently prevailed there.

HE was seconded in his Motion by ano∣ther of the Members, a Man of like Tem∣per with himself; who also gave it as his Opinion, that no Person whatever, let his Fortune or Rank in Life be what it would,

ought to be admitted as an occasional Visi∣tant. He observed, that their Society was of a private Nature; and that, for People to insist on pushing into their Company, and hearing their Sentiments of Men and Things, whether they would or not, was an unparallelled Piece of Assurance, and equally unmannerly with a Beggar, that, cloathed in Rags and Wretchedness, yet, full of a true Hibernian Impudence, would force his Way into a Gentleman's Parlour against his Consent. He expatiated largely on the Folly of first permitting any Gentle∣man to attend there who was not a Mem∣ber, and observed, that though it was a Custom to grant such Permission, yet the Breach of foolish Customs is better than the Observance of them: And concluded, by remarking, that if they had, in that Re∣spect, travelled on in a wrong Road for fif∣teen Years last past, there was no Reason they should still travel in it, especially as they had then experienced the Inconveni∣encies that arose from it.

THE many Debates and Arguments they had at various Times on this Topic, at last produced the following Question:

Whether it is proper to allow any Gentle∣man, who is not a regularly chosen Member of this Society, a Liberty of attending it?

THIS Question gave Rise to many Ar∣guments on both Sides, and produced no small Commotion. The two hot-headed Members I have just mentioned, were of Opinion, that no Man, however dignified or distinguished, ought to have Liberty of coming there; and urged all the Argu∣ments they were Masters of to support their Opinions; which they did not do with the calm Demeanour of a venerable and pacific NESTOR, whose Words fall from him like Flakes of Snow, that melted as they fell, but with all the Fire and Fury of an enraged AJAX.

AS the Issue of this Debate produced a Revolution in the Society not less remark∣able, in Proportion to the Numbers that were affected by it, than the Revolution in the State that happened but two Years afterwards, I shall transcribe the Speech that my Father made on the Occasion, and which, he declares, made such an Impres∣sion on them, that they followed his Ad∣vice,

in the Alteration and Enlargement of their Plan.

I LOOK on this Question, Gentlemen to be of no small Importance; as not only the Well-being, but the very Ex∣istence of our Society must depend on the Determination we make concerning it, and the Influence such Determina∣tion must necessarily have on our Con∣duct. It has been allowed, ye all know, for Gentlemen, recommended by any Member of our Society, to be present at our Debates. How long it has been allowed, I cannot say; but it has been so ever since I have had the Honour of belonging to it. The Ad∣vantage our Society derives from this Permission is not inconsiderable. It re∣ceives a Lustre and Character from the Reports which our occasional Visitants make of it to their Friends; and thus Men of real Genius and Learning are induced to visit us, and by their hear∣ing our Debates, and listening to our Sentiments on Subjects of Importance, or Matters of Controversy, they are excited to give us theirs; and thus we are mutually improved, and mutually obligated. Besides, consider that very

frequently not one Half of the Members attend, and if occasional Visitants were not then to come among us, the De∣bates would grow languid, and no Ar∣gument could subsist. Those Gentle∣men that are for having no Persons to partake of the Entertainment they may expect, and seek for here, but Mem∣bers, seem to resemble an avaritious, covetous old Miser, that hoards up his Bags, and would have no one the bet∣ter for them. Let us not be misers in Knowledge, but despise the Character as much as we do him that closets up his Gold. The worst Avarice is that of Wisdom; and if we really possess any, let us act like the generous Man, and the good Christian, that will commu∣nicate to others the good Things that he hath, and give unto him that want∣eth: If we have not that Wisdom which we may imagine, and without Vanity imagine, People think we have, and which they come here to partake of, they will, perhaps, give us some. Ye all know, Gentlemen, that in the Di∣stribution of Things of this Kind, he that gives away the most is never the poorer for it; his Treasures are not the more exhausted: Then let us not

be afraid that ours will be so, but rather hope that we shall be enriched by the Treasures of those that often visit us, and frequently come to us very oppor∣tunely in the Absence of some of our Members.

ONE Gentleman has observed, that foolish Customs ought to be broke through; and that if we have travelled in a wrong Road for some Time, it is proper to quit it, and travel in a right Road. I allow it, Gentlemen; but he ought to have proved these two Things: He ought to have shewn that our Ad∣mission of Visiters was a foolish Cus∣tom, and that the Road we had hitherto travelled in was a wrong one; but he has not done these Things; he has on∣ly given us his mere Ipse Dixit.

HE has observed likewise, that for People to push themselves into our So∣ciety, to hear our Debates, is as un∣mannerly as for a Beggar to push, with∣out Permission, into a Gentleman's Parlour. This I deny. Gentlemen that come here, do it by the Liberty that is given to each Member, to bring one Friend with him; and therefore,

that is not a Case in Point. As to the Inconveniencies that have arisen, and the Tumults that have been raised, they have not been owing to our admitting Visiters, as that Gentleman has asserted, but to our not admitting more. And really, I am of Opinion, that a Society for free and candid Inquiry, ought to be a free rnd candid Society. But how can it be a free one, if Gentlemen are denied Entrance? How can it be a candid one, if we obstruct the Propaga∣tion of Knowledge?—In short, Gentle∣men, I think our Plan might be im∣proved, and a very necessary Reforma∣tion take Place; a Reformation that will put a Stop to all Manner of Distur∣bances, and increase our Reputation by the Accession of more Members.

YOU experience very clearly, Gentle∣men, that the chief Inconveniencies we are put to, is the Want of Room. Could we but get a larger Place, ca∣pable of holding conveniently a lar∣ger Company, we should neither be so crowded, nor would the Debates meet with such Obstructions. Besides, to speak my Sentiments plainly, I don't

think that meeting at each other's Houses is at all proper. We put our∣selves to many Inconveniencies we might avoid; we suffer many Per∣plexities we have no Occasion to suffer; and we disorder our Family Affairs, when we might avoid doing it.

I AM confident, Gentlemen, there is not a Man among ye, how attached soever he is to the Interest of the Socie∣ty, but dreads the Approach of that Monday, when, perhaps, no less than fifty People are to assemble; and some of us perfectly tremble at it. For my Part, I must contess, that on the Mon∣day Evening the Society meets at my House, I am the unhappiest Creature imaginable; my Wife dislikes it, and my Servants detest it. I doubt not but this is the Case with ye all, Gentlemen, though your Respect for the Society, and for one another, has prevented your making Mention of it. The Method of Meeting at each other's Houses might be extremely proper for the So∣ciety in its Infancy; but I don't appre∣hend it is so now. The same Reasons do not now exist as might then; and

therefore we are not under the same Obligation to follow the same Method of Procedure in this Respect.

WHEN this Society was first institu∣ted, which was fifty-three Years ago, there were only fifteen Members that composed it; and no more were added to it for some considerable Time. No Member then brought a Friend with him; so that the Society might then be, with great Propriety, stiled a private one. But that is not the Case now. Our Number of established Members doubles theirs, and the Number of oc∣casional Visitants that come among us, allowing for the Absence of some Mem∣bers every Monday Night, at least trebles it. The Inconveniency that such a Num∣ber of People occasion to a Family I have before set forth; and therefore shall now deliver it as my Opinion, that this is a Grievance that wants a speedy Re∣dress, and demands our Attention much more than, whether it is proper to al∣low Gentlemen, not Members of our Society, a Liberty of attending it.

This Speech was received with universal Applause. Even the Gentlemen that op∣posed

my Father in the former Part of his Speech, could not but join with him in the latter; and they all came to a Resolution, that their meeting at one another's Houses to debate, threw their Families into great Confusion, was improper in itself, and re∣quired an Alteration.

IN Consequence of this Opinion, the Society came to a Determination, of having their Meetings at some Tavern or Coffee∣house, where they might be accommoda∣ted with a Room sufficient to hold a large Number of Gentlemen, and where every one, whose Curiosity excited him to attend the Debates, might have a Liberty of en∣tering.

IT may easily be imagined, that in a City like London, it could not be a very long Time before a House possessed of such a Room was discovered. Indeed, many such occurred to the Minds of the Mem∣bers; but that which seemed most com∣modious, and best adapted to their Pur∣pose, was the Essex-Head in Essex-Street.

TO this House, therefore, several of the Members went; and having examined it very attentively, reported to their Bre∣thren,

on their Return, that it would, with some Alterations, answer their Pur∣pose extremely well; that they had spoken to the Landlord concerning it; and that he had promised to do every Thing in his Power to make it agreeable to them.

THE Society received this Account with general Approbation; and informing the Landlord of the Nature of their Club, he fitted up the largest Room in his House, fixing Benches therein, so as to make it contain upwards of an hundred Persons.

THE Rules and Orders the Society had before observed, were now altered. Be∣fore, every Member had, in his Turn, defray'd the whole Expence attendant on the Meeting held at his House; but now, they ordered, that every Member, and every Person that came to the Society to hear their Debates, should, previous to his Admission into the Club-Room, take a Ticket at the Bar, for which he should pay Six-pence: That every Six-pence so paid would be received by the Landlord; in Consideration of which, he should furnish them with as much Porter and Lemonade as would amount to the Sum total recei∣ved: That the Price of both those Kinds

of Liquors should be rated at Four-pence a Pot: That if any Gentleman chose other Liquors, he should pay for them separately: And that if any Money remained in the Landlord's Hands, after he had deducted, from the whole Money received, the Price of the Porter and Lemonade he had fur∣nished the Society with, it should be paid to his Servants, in proportionable Shares, in Consideration of the Trouble they were put to.

THEY likewise formed some new Rules with Respect to the Conduct of the Society, and their Methods of Debate; of which the following are the most remarkable.

• ... Ordered, THAT the Society for free and candid Inquiry, be a free one, and open to any Person that thinks pro∣per to attend it.
• ... Ordered, THAT that no Person be admitted a Member of the Society, un∣less he is elected by a Majority of Voices; and that no Meeting be held for the Election of new Members, but once a Quarter, which shall be in a private Room, after the Debates of the Night are over.
• ...

• ... Ordered, THAT Religion and Poli∣tics shall be debated on in this Society, provided Decency and good Order be observed, both in the wording the Que∣stion on those Subjects, and in the Dis∣cussion thereof.
• ... Ordered, THAT more than one Question be debated of a Night, if there is Time sufficient for so doing.
• ... Ordered, THAT no one shall be al∣lowed more than five Minutes to speak to the Question.
• ... Ordered, THAT no Question shall be proposed to the Consideration of the Society, nor admitted in the Book as a Question, unless it is signed by some Name.
• Ordered, THAT no Person shall be obliged to sign his own Name to any Question he shall think proper to pro∣pose, but a fictitious one, if he thinks proper.
• Ordered, THAT in the debating any Question, the Proposer shall not be

• obliged to father it, or to open it by explaining the Terms, and the Manner he would have it considered in, unless he thinks proper: But if no Person owns the Question, it shall go from the President, and be deemed as his; after which it shall be debated in due Order; the Person that sits on the Left Hand of the President to speak to it first, and so on.

THESE are the most material new Re∣gulations which the Society made on their removing to the Essex-Head, their other Rules and Orders being the same as before.

IT is impossible to conceive what Num∣bers of People attended the Society as soon as it was declared a free one, and Liberty was given to every Person to enter it, on pay∣ing Six-pence. No one Topic for Con∣versation so universally prevailed as this. It became a general Subject of Debate with∣out Doors, as much as Philosophy, Meta∣physics, and the Belles Lettres did within. From the Courtier down to the Peasant, from the hoary Sage down to the playful School-boy, Curiosity had extended her Influence, and excited Desires in every

one to visit an Assembly of Men that had rendered themselves so famous.

IN Consequence of such an universal and eager Curiosity, Multitudes of People as∣sembled at the Essex-Head every Monday Night, some as Orators, and some as Au∣ditors; some to be instructed, some to be entertained; some to see, and some to be seen; some to shew their fine Cloaths, and delicate Persons; and some to criti∣cise the Speeches of the Essex-Head Ora∣tors, and entertain their Mistresses with an Account of the Debates, and display their own Sagacity in distinguishing their Merits, and their Defects.

IT is not more wonderful for Critics to congregate at such Places, than for Rooks and Jackdaws to meet in the Fields of human Slaughter. A Critic that has not the Power of speaking a single Sentence in Public, is yet able to dissect the finest Ora∣tions of the finest Orators; he can dimi∣nish the Graces of Elocution and Action, and exaggerate little Defects, with all the petulance of Pedantry, and Rage of Cen∣sure.

SUCH Critics are like Eunuchs: They have not Vigour nor Courage to act man∣fully themselves, and they envy and cen∣sure those that do. When they come into a public Assembly, it is not to partake of its Entertainments, but to seek Occasions of finding Fault, and giving an ill-natured Turn to the most harmless Amusements. They are like so many Hounds at a Car∣case, devouring their Prey as fast as they can, and growling all the Time they are eating.

THERE was likewise a Number of these Gentlemen of a higher Class, the Writing Critics, who attended the Society, in Search of fresh Topics to exercise their Abilities, and amuse the Public. They knew that the Passion for Novelties must be gratified; and when almost every Sub∣ject had been exhausted, and every Field been so much traversed, as to render the Whole a common, beaten, and highway Path, it was necessary for those Sportsmen to turn out of the common Road, where nothing but common Objects, and Things that have been a thousand Times descri∣bed, meet the Eye, and strike into bye Lanes and covert Places, where, perhaps,

Plenty of original and curious Game might he started, hunted down with Sport and Plea∣sure, and be at length cooked, and served up as a choice Dish for the public Taste.

THIS was the Case of the Essex Head Society. While it was confined within the Bounds of each Member's House, the Public in general knew but little of it, and the venal Authors of those Days, not having Intimacy and Interest enough with any of the Members to gain Admittance, were of Course disabled from informing the World of the Nature of the Society, and signalizing themselves, by striking into a new Species of Writing, and entertain∣ing the Public with a new Subject. Not but of late Years the Race of Writing-Critics is greatly improved. Formerly, those Votaries of Dullness never attempted to write on Subjects of which they had no Knowledge; but now, grown more vivacious, and cultivating the finer Powers of Imagination, they can traduce Men whom they never knew, refute Arguments they do not understand, and pronounce Sentence on Books they have not read.

Nay, the Writing-Critics of the present Age, are so sagacious, that even the raw

and undisciplined can form a right Judg∣ment of every new Production, by read∣ing only the first ten Lines; and as to Veterans, the Cooks of Monthly Hashes for the public Palate, they can discover an Author by his Style, and of Course know, in ten Minutes, whether they are to praise or censure his Piece: Though, indeed, to their Credit it must be observ'd, that they are not absolute Slaves to malig∣nant Obduracy; for, after they have vowed to damn a Work and its Author to Contempt and Obscurity, a Beef-Steak and a Bottle of Wine have had a wonder∣ful Efficacy in softening the Severity of their Dispositions, making them adore and cherish that very Work, which, without the Interposition and Agency of the Wine and the Beef, they would have butchered without Decency, and devoured without Remorse.

SO much for Critics of every Species.—I shall now return to my History, and as I am too poor to give a Beef-Steak and a Bottle to secure it from the Reviewer's Place of Torment, it must of Course be —, but no Matter.

AS the Society was now declared to be free, and Religion and Politics, those in∣exhaustible Topics of Conversation, were allowed to be handled, the Room was crowded every Night, and Orators, like Mushrooms in a foggy Morning, started up from every Seat. The Exclusion of these Subjects from their Debates before, had, in the general Opinion of the Society, robbed them of much Entertainment and Knowledge. They, therefore, departed from the Maxims of the original Members, who had declared, that the Christian Reli∣gion being of Divine Original, could not but be pure and holy, and therefore not a fit Object for the Debates of Disputing Clubs; and that for Philosophers and stu∣dious Men, who wanted only to cultivate their rational Faculties by the Discussion of useful Subjects, to wade into the Depths of Politics, and to take on them the Li∣berty of scrutinizing into the Measures of State, would be an unwarrantable Action, and productive of no Good.

NAY, as it is usual not only with private Men, but with public Assemblies, to run into Extremes; so our Society now deba∣ted

very few Questions, but what were religious, or political.

TRUE Religion, they observed, like Silver seven Times purified in the Fire, appear'd the brighter the more it was exa∣mined into; and it was the indispensible Duty of every Man, to search the Scrip∣tures, and to endeavour to give an Answer to him that asketh a Reason for the Hope that is in him. Nay, without doing it, every Man must be extremely criminal; since, if the only Reason a Man can give for his being of any particular Persuasion with Respect to his Religious Principles, is, that his Father and Mother were of the same Religion he was, and that he professed that Religion, because he was educated in it; then, by a Parity of Rea∣son, a Hottentot, or a Mahometan, a Jew, or a Pagan, has as strong Reasons for his Mode of Religious Worship, and is as justifiable in the Continuance of it, as the Christian. As to the seeming Impropriety of debating on Religion in a Public House, and examining into its Principles over a Pot of Beer, they concluded, it was not only warrantable, but laudable, and infi∣nitely better than doing it in private

Houses, where they could not have an Opportunity to instruct their Minds and refresh their Bodies at the same Time: For they insisted, that in all Debates whatever, more especially on Religion, the Conversation grows languid and insipid, in Proportion as the Speakers grow hungry and thirsty; and therefore, a Welch Rab∣bit and a Pot of Beer, were as necessary Requisites for a professed Orator, as Know∣ledge and Elocution, or even a Subject to harangue on.

AS to the Admission of Political Ques∣tions, they observ'd, that in this Land of Liberty, where the Goddess herself reigns with so much Lustre, and infuses her chearing Influence into every Breast, it is absolutely necessary for every one who has the Good of his Country at Heart, to scrutinize into, and examine the Measures which are from Time to Time taken by our State Pilots, in the Management of, and steering the Political Vessel: That it is a Duty incumbent on every Man in a free State, in a Rank of Life, and posses∣sed of Abilities beyond the Vulgar, to fathom the Depths of Government, and to point out and expose the hidden Rocks

and dangerous Shoals, on which Statesmen often split: That as we are all Links of one great Chain, we are all interested in the Fate of each other, and bound by the most solemn Ties of doing our utmost, for the Support and Welfare of that Com∣munity to which we belong: And, that though to direct the Helm of State requires an able Head and an incorrupt Heart, Practice and Experience, Courage and Prudence; yet, it has been found, that as a Pigmy mounted on the Shoulders of a Giant, may be able to see farther than the Giant himself, so People not conversant with State Affairs, may strike out some Road, that, being pursued, may lead to Glory and Happiness, and make some Observations, of which those that have the Direction of public Affairs, may avail themselves.

FOR these, and some other Reasons equally cogent, they determined, that Re∣ligion and Politics should find a Place in their Debates, and employ their Attention as much as any other Subjects.

THE first Question they had of a reli∣gious Nature, was the following; which the Reader will perceive was as ingenious

as it was modest, highly emblematical of that Freedom of Enquiry which afterwards prevailed in that free Society.

Whether Faith and Belief are not one and the same Thing? And, if so, Whether it is in the least meritorious to believe what we cannot help upon the Conviction of the Senses? ANTI-FIDELIS.

MANY Arguments were urged on both Sides, and Religion and Reason were ban∣died to and fro by the various Disputants, as a Foot-ball is by a Company of Soldiers, or a Shuttlecock by the alternate Strokes of sounding Battledores.

THE Affirmatives strongly insisted that Faith was nothing but a Conviction in the Mind, of the Truth of any particular Doctrine, or Thing; that we could not help, from the internal Evidence we have of Things, to believe or disbelieve them; that in Consequence of our examining them, we form our Opinion, or in other Words, our Faith; and that since the Evidence produced within every Man's Mind, is more or less forcible, in Propor∣tion as it strikes the Imagination, it is no

Wonder that the Opinion, or Faith of Mankind, should be so greatly different, and that one should firmly believe what another so strenuously denies. They al∣ledged, that if a Man did all in his Power to arrive at a due Knowledge of Things, and in Consequence of his gaining the best Information he could, grounded his Belief, he was not culpable, let that Belief be what it would; but any one that sits down contented with Things as he finds them, and believes them without a free and im∣partial Examination of their Nature and Tendency, is extremely culpable; since he only believes what he has been taught, as a Parrot may prate what he has been in∣structed in. That to examine into the Truth of any Doctrine before we assent to it, is our Duty; that implicit Faith is a Monster in its Nature, and worthy only of Papal Regions, where the Mind is fet∣tered and Credulity and Ignorance stalls at large.

MANY other Arguments were produced, in Support of the Opinions of those inge∣nious Gentlemen, which it would be too tedious to enumerate; the Result, how∣ever, of their Enquiries, and the Inferen∣ces they drew from their Propositions,

were, that Faith, of whatever Kind or Nature soever, was not in the least meri∣torious, and of consequence not necessary to Salvation; since it depended only on the Formation of our Minds, and their Capability of distinguishing with Precision and Accuracy, the Nature of Things, which accordingly influenced us to reject or admit, to believe or disbelieve any Pro∣position or Doctrine which came under the Examination of our Senses; and that an Infidel and a Christian, are alike accepta∣ble to God, and useful Members of the Community.

I SHALL not give the Substance of what was said on the other Side of the Question, for the greater Part of the Speakers were those who disbelieved the Truth of the Christian Religion; and those who spoke in its Defence, injured the Cause they should have supported, and betrayed the Fort they should have defended, by their feeble and ridiculous Arguments. To re∣fute, therefore, the Observations before made, would not be to record the Proceed∣ings of the Society, but to give my own Opinion.

ONE Observation I must, however, be permitted to make. An ignorant Chris∣tian that pretends to defend Christianity against the Attacks of Infidels, is the greatest Enemy it can have. The Shafts of Ridicule pointed against it by its Foes, are too blunted, and the divine Shield of Truth, which Christianity has to defend her, is too strong for any Impression to be made on it. It must not be concluded therefore, that if, in public Societies, Christianity is not always defended with a cool and intrepid Spirit, against the hot Assaults of a whole Legion of Adversaries, that it is not defensible. Let but the pre∣tended Friends of Christianity hold their Tongues, and it will defend itself; but if they open the Gate to its Foes, it is no Wonder that they should enter, and tri∣umph without a Victory.

TO give the Reader as satisfactory Ac∣count of the Society as I can, and to en∣able him to form an adequate Idea of the Members that composed it, I shall trans∣cribe a few of the Questions they debated, and give a brief History of a few of the principal Speakers.

SOME of the Questions that adorn the Book of Debates, and called forth the Oratorial Abilities of the Members, are as follow:

RELIGIOUS QUESTIONS.

Whether the Ceremonies and Practice of Mankind, relative to Marriage, under the Mosaic Dispensation, were super∣seded, or set aside by the Christian Revelation? JUDAEUS.

Whether the Character of the Man after GOD's own Heart, is proper for the Imitation of People in these Days? TITUS.

Whether a Plurality of Wives, practised by the first Race of Men, is not justi∣fiable by the present, as the Doctrine and Practice were not abrogated by the first Christians? ANGLICANUS.

Whether the Doctrine of the Trinity can be justified either by Reason or Scripture? ANTI-TRINITARIAN.

Whether a positive Command to believe in Doctrines we have no Conception of, and cannot compel our Reason to sub∣mit to, has not a manifest Tendency to hoodwink our rational Faculties, and to put us on a Level with Beasts, whom we command to perform our Wills without giving them any Reasons for our so doing? PHILO-LIBERTATIS.

Whether the Doctrines of Christianity are not irreconcileable to the Reason, and repugnant to the Interests of Mankind? DRACO.

Whether the Exercise of our rational Fa∣culties, independent of any supernatural Assistance, be not sufficient to guide us to Salvation? And if it is not a gross Affront to the Wisdom of the Great First Cause to suppose the contrary? BRITANNICUS.

Whether it is consistent with the Common Sense of Mankind to believe, that the Divine LOGOS, or Word, or Su∣preme Being, could be born of a Vir∣gin? NEGATIVUS.

Whether any one is accountable to any Body of Men whatever for his religi∣ous Sentiments? CHRISTIANUS.

Whether the Variety of Religious Systems, all pretending to have the Divine Au∣thority of the Sacred Writings for their Foundation, does not warrant an un∣prejudiced and a rational Person to sus∣pect the Authenticity of those Writings? Or, if not, to decline being a Member of any visible Church? CHUBB.

As these Questions are sufficient to shew into what Extravagancies Men may be led by the Freedom of Enquiry, some, though not expunged from the Book of Debates, are yet omitted here, as too impious and blasphemous to be repeated.

POLITICAL QUESTIONS.

Whether the Power lodged in a Prime Minister, be not too great to be en∣trusted with any Subject; and if, in

Time, it will not sap the very Vitals of our Constitution? ARISTARCHUS.

Whether, if it can be undeniably proved, that a K— has broke his Coronation Oath, the Subjects are not discharged from their Allegiance? DUBITOR.

Whether a Monarch, who loads an unde∣serving Favourite with Treasures, and who hears and sees every thing with HIS Ears and Eyes, merits the glorious Title of a Patriot King, notwithstand∣ing the fulsome Adulation and servile Compliments paid him by dependent Sy∣cophants and venal Authors? REPUBLICANUS.

Whether the great Snow we had some time past* 3.1, attended with a smart Frost, has not had a wonderful Effect in freez∣ing

and congealing the Senses of some certain Ministers? SARCASTICUS.

Whether a King, who, in a Speech he makes from his Throne, solemnly declares he will perform certain Actions which he never does perform, asserts manifest Falsehoods that are evident to the whole Nation, and endeavours to make his Subjects believe that black is white, and that two and two make five, is a bet∣ter Monarch than Alfred or Constan∣tine? ANTONINUS.

Whether the Smiles of a Monarch can purify the Heart of a Gamester, or the Bed of a Countess sanctify Lewdness and Adultery, notwithstanding both the UTOPIAN Monarch and Countess are bedawbed over by venal Pens, and re∣presented as Pious, Good, Great, and every Thing that is excellent? DUN SCOTUS.

Whether the notorious Practice of the Mi∣nistry's interfering with the Election of Members of Parliament, and the Arts of Bribery and Corruption, so univer∣sally known to be made Use of on those

Occasions, do not reflect Dishonour on the — that permits or connives at those illegal Practices, which manifestly tend to destroy the Freedom of the Sub∣ject? MARCUS AURELIUS.

Whether triennial Parliaments would not be for the good of this Nation? AUGUSTUS.

THESE are some of the Religious and Political Questions debated by the Soci∣ety, and from their Nature and Tendency the Reader is enabled to judge of the rest. He may observe, that the most abstruse, and the most easy Subjects, are alike de∣bated on; those that the greatest human Faculties cannot reach, and those that the veriest Blockhead can understand.

THE Absurdity of such Questions must appear to every one. What can be more ridiculous, than for a Society of Philoso∣phers and Christians to endeavour to explain Mysteries, to fathom what is unfathom∣able, and to conceive what is inconcei∣vable? Such is the Pride of human Wit, and such our Delight in reconciling Para∣doxes, and fighting with Shadows, that we neglect the Study of Subjects that are of

the last Importance, and easy to be under∣stood, and employ our Thoughts on those that are out of the Reach of finite Capa∣cities, and which, could they be explained and understood, would cease to be myste∣rious; for, as an eminent Divine has just∣ly observed, a Mystery explained is a Con∣tradiction in Terms, since, being explained, it becomes no Mystery at all.

NOR less absurd and ridiculous is the de∣bating on Subjects that can admit of no rational Debate, or the least Doubt. Why should an Assembly of Men, whose pro∣fessed Intention is to improve one ano∣ther, propose a Queston, Whether Vice is Vice or not? For that is the whole Pur∣port of the sixth Political Question before set down. That Vice is intrinsically Vice, in Subject or in King, can admit of no Dispute: No Power, no Rank, no For∣tune can alter the Essence of Things, however they may gild them over, and conceal their native Horror. As to the other Questions, both Religious and Poli∣tical, I forbear commenting on them: But I must needs observe, that I think the first are extremely indecent, and the latter vastly bold, to be discussed in a public So∣ciety; to say nothing of the Application

that every one cannot help making when attentively considering the last.

I COME now to perform the Promise I before made, of giving a concise Account of a few of the principal Speakers in this illustrious Society: But as some of them are still living, instead of their real Names, I shall characterise them under fictitious ones.

POMPONIUS ATTICUS was a young Gentleman of Genius and Judg∣ment, of a graceful Presence, and ready Elocution. But Fancy frequently got the better of sober Reflection, and hurried him into Inconsistencies and Paradoxes, which all his Wit and Learning could not support. He was, according to the recei∣ved Meaning of the Word, a Deist; but, according to a true Expression of that Cha∣racter, an Unbeliever of the Truth of the Christian Religion, and the Divinity of its Author. He had an Estate left him by his deceased Father, of seven hundred a Year, which he had mortgaged to almost its full Value at different Times, and dissipated the Produce in the Pursuit of fashionable Vices and Follies; so that, at the Age of twenty-seven, when he first became a

Member of the Essex-Head Society, an Annuity for Life of sixty Pounds only re∣mained. A loose and disorderly Life gene∣rally brings on some Rebukes of Consci∣ence, and some alarming Reflections. To prevent their Influence, returning Appe∣tite and strong Temptation present them∣selves, and enlisting the Will under their Banners, Reason is seduced, and Consci∣ence smothered. But, as under the most mountainous Oppression, these rigid Mo∣nitors will call sorth, with a loud Voice, and bid their Master beware of the gilded Poison that presents itself to his View, and dash the unblessed Cup from his desiring Lips; so, POMPONIUS feeling the dread∣ful Consequences of Vice, and attending to the Monitors within, resolved to reform his Life, and to forsake the Companions of his Wickedness. But this Resolution was but transitory: The first fine Woman he saw disarmed him, and he fell from his Heroism. A Continuance in Wickedness debilitates the Faculties, and urges us to defend what we practise. Instead, there∣fore, of leaving off the Practice of Vice, POMPONIUS began to extenuate it—to justify it—and to admire it. He now commenced a philosophic Rake, defended his Actions by Figures of Speech, and ha∣rangued

on the Expediency and Utility of Fornication, with the choicest Metaphors. He was now surprised at his former Pusil∣lanimity and Doubt; and was clearly of Opinion, that the Practice of Whoredom was justifiable by Reason, that great Lord Chief Justice in the Court of Man, and tended greatly to the Support of the Com∣mon-Wealth. The Transition of this State of Mind, into a perfect Composure and Serenity in the Practice of Vice, is very quick. Before we have deviated from the Path of Duty, indeed, Consci∣ence, that ill-natured Snarler, that Enemy to our Happiness, suggests a thousand Rea∣sons for our Continuance in the same Road, and pretends to assert, that the pleasant Views, and delightful Prospects we see on each Side of us, are unreal, and a mere Moc∣kery of the Senses; and warns us, with an an earnest and a loud Voice, not to for∣sake the Road we are in, to grasp at Sha∣dows, or to catch Butterflies. Nobly disdaining to be controuled by so rigid a Monitor, we quit the Path in which we safely trod, and turn towards the Bowers of Bliss, and Beds of Roses, where Sy∣rens solicit our Approach, and urge us to recreate our jaded Senses, and refresh our tired Limbs. We comply with the kind

Invitation: We are lulled to rest by the soft Melody of ensnaring Voices: We en∣ter the Bowers of Bliss; we throw our∣selves on the Beds of Roses, fully persua∣ded we shall there be happy—But, ah! what Horror invades us, when we find Harpies and Furies are the Inhabitants of those Bowers, and that Adders, and Vi∣pers, and Scorpions, lurk beneath the Rose Beds!

So was it with POMPONIUS. But of the latter Pa t of this Description he ex∣perienced not the Truth, 'till Conviction came to him on a Death-Bed—Fre∣quenting the Essex-Head Society, he was considered by all as a fine Speaker, and close Reasoner. No Christian dared enter the Lists with our Unbeliever; but if, rash and impetuous, by Chance any one at∣tempted it, he was sure of being foiled.

IN this Manner he went on 'till he ar∣rived at the Age of Forty, happy in his Vices, and perfectly convinced of their Innocence. His deistical Notions were confirmed by the Authority of many Writers of the first Note, and many Speakers of the same Sentiments, that attended the Society; and they encouraged

each other in them, and from Time to Time entertained the World with their Productions, in Order, as themselves ob∣served, that the Cause of Truth should be propagated, and Bigotry and Superstition be banished from the World.

A MELANCHOLY Sequel remains to complete the Story. Shall I relate, or leave the Imagination to guess at the Power of Sickness, and the Prospect of Death?—No; there is no Occasion. Suffice it to say, that the witty, the face∣tious, the learned POMPONIUS, retracted the Opinions he had espoused, and declared that he felt Christianity was no empty Name, no Juggle or Trick put upon Mankind by artful Priests, to fetter Rea∣son, and impose on the Senses, but a sub∣stantial Good, which its Professors may possess, but of which he could entertain no Idea, but from the Despair and Horror he felt from the Want of it.—These Things he now declared; but where de∣clared them? Alas! on a Bed from whence he never more arose into this World: His immortal Spirit freed from its Imprison∣ment in the Body, entered the Regions of Eternity.

A VERY different Kind of Being was that whose History I shall now give. GRIPUS was born of very mean and poor Parents at Shiffnall in Shropshire, who, with great Difficulty, brought him up to a Knowledge of Reading and Writing. At the Age of thirteen, he was put Ap∣prentice to a Peruke-maker, and on his Arrival to his twenty-second Year, with eleven Shillings and nine Pence only, he set out for London. On his coming to this great City, and examining into the State of his Finances, he found he had one Shilling and three Pence Halspenny left. With that Sum he determined to try his Fortune, and looked out for a Place in the Capacity of a Journeyman Barber. His Endeavours were crown'd with Success: He found a Place, and he was happy. Nine Months he continued here, and saved up the Sum of seven Pounds nine Shillings. It was a Fortune to him, and he resolv'd to improve it; but not in the Business he was bred to, for he found it would not answer his Purpose. With seven Pounds and nine Shillings only, GRIPUS enter'd the Alley, and took on him a Business he knew nothing of; but he had heard that small Sums had pro∣duced

immense Fortunes in it. He was ignorant and illiterate to the last Degree; had no Accomplishments that could re∣commend him to the Notice of the World, or rescue him, according to all Probability, from that low and mean State he had been bred in, and was then subject to.

AS Fortune is hoodwink'd, and re∣gardless of the Merits of her Suitors, it frequently happens, that the Unworthy are admitted into her Temple, and re∣ceiv'd as her peculiar Favourites, while the Learned and Ingenious languish in Ob∣scurity, or drag a heavy, galling Chain, condemn'd to Penury and Want. GRIPUS experienced the Truth of this Observation. With not a single Qualification that could intitle him to the Regard of any one, or rescue him from the servile and ignomi∣nious State he had been used to, he met with great Success, and abounded in Af∣fluence; Wealth flow'd in fast upon him, while Men of infinitely greater Merit were sinking beneath a Load of Misfor∣tunes, and patiently enduring the Frowns of Fortune. The Alley prov'd a real Friend to him, and his Substance conti∣nually increased. As he grew more weal∣thy, he was more parsimonious; and he

seldom or never spent more than three Half-pence for his Breakfast, three Pence Half-penny for his Dinner, and three Half-pence for a Nipperkin of home∣brewed, either at the Crooked Billet in Shire Lane, or the Welch Harp in Full∣wood's Rents.

IN about twenty Years he had amassed together the Sum of Twenty Thousand Pounds, with the greatest Part of which he purchased an Estate in Shropshire, and laid out the Remainder in the Stocks. His Substance, like a Snow-ball, was conti∣nually increasing, and with it the Desire of more. Like the Grave, his Lust for Money was boundless, and he endea∣vour'd to obtain it by all the Means in his Power.

ON his Arrival to his forty-seventh Year, Curiosity brought him to the Essex Head, and Avarice kept him there. Six-pence a Night was, indeed, more than he had made it a Rule to spend; but for that Six-pence he might drink a Gallon or two of good Porter, and on the Days he went there, he took Care to drink none any where else; so that he justly

consider'd, that if he drank but three full Pots, he was Three-pence Gainer.

IT can scarcely be expected that such a Genius as I am describing, could be an Orator; but he was as good a Drinker as any of them, and though he could neither speak to a Question, or comprehend the Force of any Argument, yet while the Debates were held, he could amuse him∣self with his Tankard, and smoke his Pipe; and after they were finished, could for two or three Hours longer, smoke his Pipe, and amuse himself with his Tan∣kard—and all for Six-pence.

IN this Manner old GRIPUS went on 'till the last Day of his Life, the Jest of Fools, the Contempt of Coxcombs, the Pity of Men of Sense, and the Detestation of his Relations; though, indeed, these latter being needy, paid him some Court, and shewed him some Respect, which his Wealth, not his Merit, extorted; mere

"Mouth-Honour, which the poor Heart would fain have denied."

GRIPUS had many Relations, who stood in Need of his Bounty; but, insen∣sible

to every Thing but the Lust of Mo∣ney, dead to all the social Feelings of the Soul, he cared not a Straw if his Kindred and all Mankind were at the Bottom of the Sea, so that he could stand safely on Land, survey the Scene, and, like a Sussex or Cornish Savage, pillage the Wreck.

A LENGTH of Years, however, weigh'd him down at las;t, and he fell ill. Death was written in his Face, and he was pro∣nounced incurable. The Landlord, in whose House he had for many Years lodged by Way of Cheapness, had Two Hundred Pounds in his Hands belonging to GRIPUS; and this Sum, he determin'd, by some Artifice, to appropriate to his own Use. How this was to be obtain'd, was the grand Question, and well worthy the Contriver's Genius. WILL was no less a Miser than GRIPUS, and had, by keeping a mean, beggarly Coffee-House, in a dirty Lane, saved up Three or Four Thousand Pounds; but he consider'd, that Two Hundred would be a good Ad∣dition to it. The Scheme being at length duly adjusted, WILL made his Appear∣ance before GRIPUS, attended by two Witnesses, who were to stand concealed, hear the Discourse, and, if necessary, give

in Evidence of it.

"I have Two Hun∣dred Pounds of yours in my Hands, Mr. GRIPUS, said WILL, and I want to know what I must do with it."

GRIPUS, rack'd with Pain, and scarce sensible of any Thing, replied,

"Keep it yourself."

A Wink of the Eye, and a Projection of the Hand, now were necessary, to bring the two Witnesses forward. They came.

"What must I do with the Two Hundred Pounds, Mr. GRIPUS? As you are now, in all Pro∣bability, on a Death-bed, it is best to settle these Affairs."—

"You may keep it yourself, answer'd the sick Man."

"Then you give and bestow the Two Hundred Pounds on me, don't you?"—

"I do, reply'd he."

This was sufficient. WILL hasten'd down Stairs, had an Affidavit drawn of the Legacy given him, and in a short Time after GRIPUS expired; That GRIPUS who lived despised and hated, and died unlamented.

ANOTHER Member of the Society, was Father MURTAGH O'FLAHERTY, a Popish Priest. Ireland gave him Birth, St. Omer's Education, and England a good Income. He had for a long Time,

after his Return from St. Omer's, resided in the North of Ireland, and was look'd on as a very learned and able Divine. The Aged revered him for his Judgment; and the Youthful for his gay and lively Dispo∣sition, freed from the Austerity and Ri∣gour that frequently make Wisdom odious. MURTAGH would demonstrate with the greatest Clearness, that Mirth and Chear∣fulness were not in the least inconsistent with Religion; that a Bottle of good Claret fortified the Body, and raised the Spirits; and that the Joys which a good Tavern and boon Companions afford, were not to be despised by Men of Sense.

IN Consequence of this natural Propen∣sity, this longing Desire to be happy, and to make others so, Father MURTAGH would frequent Clubs, and sing Catches, speak Speeches, drink Toasts, break Glas∣ses, and tell merry Stories, with any one: And though some rigid Priests, and severe Moralists, would censure him behind his Back for his immoral Conduct, as they term'd it, yet, when he appear'd before them, he had such a pretty Way, such a forcible Method of vindicating his Beha∣viour, and winning their Affections, that

they could not find in their Hearts to blame him.

BUT, with such Accomplishments, if he was a Favourite of the Men, what must he be with the Women? They per∣fectly idolized him, and, in Return, Fa∣ther MURTAGH had no less Passion and Veneration for them. Indeed, there was another Circumstance, which, though it may be deem'd a Trifle by some Folks, had a wonderful Effect in forcing the Af∣fections of the Fair. As he acted in the Character of a Confessor, to rivet the Esteem of his Penitents, he used Lenity instead of Severity, and in Cases where some Confessors would have scourged with a Rod of Iron, he rebuked with the Mildness of a Father, and exhorted them to a contrary Conduct, if they would avoid his just Indignation. These lenient and gentle Methods prevail'd where rough and violent ones would not. The human Mind is rather won by Entreaty, than dragged by Force, and receives Conviction from a Friend that soothes its Anguish, and makes Allowance for its Frailties; when, by a contrary Conduct, venial Er∣ror might rise to Guilt, and youthful In∣dulgence

terminate in confirmed Wicked∣ness and obstinate Villainy.

FATHER MURTAGH being such a pro∣fessed Admirer of the Fair, and treating them with such Mildness, he had so won their Hearts, that they resounded his Praises continually. They insisted on it, he was the best Priest in the Kingdom, the most learned and judicious Man, and infinitely the best qualified to be a Confes∣sor. In short, they would confess to no one but Father MURTAGH. Father MURTAGH was the universal Cry.

THIS Trade continued so long, that a Conspiracy was formed by his envious Bre∣thren against his Monopoly, and by Force of Bribes and Numbers, he fell a Victim to popular Wrath, and priestly Artifice.

FOR a long Time the good Man, poor and friendless, wandered about, a melan∣choly Proof of the unhappy Fate that may attend Men of the greatest Parts, and of the Want of Gratitude for past Favours, when the Power of continuing them is taken away.

FINDING he could scarcely support him∣self in Ireland, he came to London, and soon formed an Acquaintance with many People of his own Religion. An Irish Roman Catholick Priest need never fear wanting a Beef-Steak and a Pot of Porter for his Dinner in London: Nay, he need not fear wanting Venison or Ortolans, and good Claret. There are Abundance of Papists in this City, who regard their Priests as so many Demi-Gods, and who will think themselves as highly honoured with their Presence at Dinner or Supper, as BAUCIS and PHILEMON thought them∣selves by the Presence of their heavenly Guest; and in consequence of this Opi∣nion, the Markets are ransacked for the choicest Viands, and the Wine Vaults for the best Wines, to entertain them. As stolen Interviews between Lovers are the sweetest, so the Necessity the Roman Ca∣tholic Clergy are under to keep themselves concealed, in order to gain Proselytes, and pervert the People to their Religion, give a Relish to their Entertainments which they would otherwise want.

FATHER MURTAGH soon saved up a good deal of Money, and lived as elegantly

as his Heart could wish. He attended eve∣ry Monday night at the Essex-Head, spoke to the Questions in the Character of a Pro∣testant, yet could not help betraying the cloven Foot on some Occasions. After the Debates of the Evening were over, and the Company entered into private Conferences with each other, Father Murtagh would single out that Person whom he conceived most fit for his Purpose, and use the greatest Industry and exert all his Abilities, to de∣preciate the established Religion of this Kingdom, and extol that of the Roman Catholic, and his Endeavours were often successful.

HE is now very old, and having for many Years attended at the Essex-Head Society, he comes to the Robinhood; but not con∣stantly, on Account of his Age and Infir∣mities.

BOB SCAMPER was a Man very different from the three I have been de∣scribing: BOB was born in the West of England, and was reckoned a Youth of enterprising Genius, and ready Parts. At the Age of eighteen he came to London, and having spent the five Guineas he brought up with him on Women of the Town,

was greatly at a Loss to what to betake himself. Poverty stared him in the Face, and tho' he had some good natural Parts, and a great Assurance, yet having no Learn∣ing, he could get no genteel Employment. His Female associates, however, soon fur∣nished Hints, which a Lad of his ready Wit and enterprising Spirit, easily understood, and as intrepidly executed. He turned Collector on the Road, and having Suc∣cess, rioted in the Spoils he had taken, and with his Girls enjoyed all the Happiness he desired: Not but that sometimes it was dashed with some Remorse, and the Dread of the fatal Consequences that might ensue. But Excess of drinking, the Company of Libertines, and the Conversation of his Women, dispersed the Clouds that obscured his Happiness, and confirmed him in the Resolution he had taken to plunder and rob the Public, and to gain a Livelihood by the bold Hands of Violence.

A CONTINUANCE in Wickedness fa∣miliarises the Mind to it, and what at first a Man would start even to think of, he at length practises without Horror. All Guilt is progressive: We go not at once, but Step by Step, into the Extremes of Vice; and tho' it is impossible to silence the Cries

of Conscience, and to stifle the Dictates of Reason all at once, yet an habitual Viola∣tion of their Admonitions, brings us to an Insensibility of the Horror of our Crimes, and renders us quite callous to the Sense of Shame, and deaf to every Thing but the importunate Cravings of sensual Appetite.

BOB SCAMPER experienced the Truth of these Observations. In the Day-Time he mounted his Horse, and robbed on the Highway with the same Composure, as any other Man follows his customary Occupation, and at Night he spent the ill∣got Treasure among Whores and Thieves, the Encouragers of his Wickedness, and the Sharers of his Spoils.

THIS was a worthy Member of a So∣ciety that met to improve themselves by free and candid Inquiry; but Captain SCAMPER, as he was intitled, was well received by all. He was a tall handsome Fellow, endued with a Power of Face that disdained a Blush, and though not wise was witty, though not learned was ingeni∣ous, and had a Power of imposing on the Understandings of those he conversed with, and making them believe him to be what he was not. He dressed well, had a free

and degagée Air, wanted not Words, and addressed the Passions of those he conversed with, with such Skill and Success, that you could not help giving him Credit for much more Understanding than he pos∣sessed.

THERE are two Kinds of People that are better thought of in most Companies, than their intrinsic Merit deserves: These are the solemn Prig, and well-dressed Cox∣comb. The first, by the Help of a full∣trimmed grave Suit, and a large Peruque, a sagacious Look, and a slow Deli∣very, shall make you take him for a second SOLON. The most unmeaning Speech, the tritest Observation, the most superficial Hint, delivered in a dry, yet important, slow but solemn Tone, and enforced by some shakes of the Head, shrugs of the Shoulders, and significant Hand-Oratory, shall be received as the Dictates of Wisdom, and procure the Speaker the Character of the SOLOMON of the Age.

THE other, aided by his Taylor, Mil∣lener, and Barber, tho' he gives Vent to the Fulness of his Soul only by dry Jokes, and insipid Remarks, is yet listened to with

Attention, and heard with Pleasure. No one will dare to contradict the Assertions of a Wit, with laced Cloaths, Bag-Wig, and a Sword; and thus Folly is received for Wisdom, and vivacious Impudence for Ge∣nius.

SCAMPER was to be ranked in this second Class of Orators. He spoke to eve∣ry Question, and tho' what he said had no great Depth or much Meaning in it, yet being delivered from the Mouth of a Man that was extremely well dressed, and with no bad Accent or ill Grace, it was always well received, and the Speaker was con∣sidered as a very great Genius, and an Or∣nament to the Society.

BUT this Ornament of the Society did not last above five Years and a Half. He had committed a Robbery on Hounslow-Heath, and taken a Booty of no less than three Hundred Guineas. The Gentle∣man he had robbed, happened accidentally to come to the Essex-Head one Monday Evening, and the Moment he entered the Room, Captain SCAMPER had got up to speak to the Question. The Question was

Whether the Doctrine of Repentance taught by the Christian Religion, has not a manifest Tendency to encourage Wickedness? DEISTICUS.

SCAMPER, after desiring the Presi∣dent to read the Question again, spoke to it in the best Manner he could. He vindi∣cated Christianity in general, and demon∣strated that all its Doctrines tended to the Support of Morality, by discountenancing all Manner of Vice. He shewed its su∣perior Excellency over all the Religions that had ever appeared in the World; he proved the Authenticity of the Sacred Writings, and defied the Deists, with all their Ingenuity, to point out any Defects in them. He observed of our Saviour's Sermon on the Mount, that as it compre∣hended in one concise View, all the Doc∣trines and Precepts of Christiany, so it was the most sublime System of Ethics in the World. He took Notice, that not only the Philosophers and Sages of the Heathen World, considered abstractedly, were un∣able to form a complete System of moral Duties, but that all their Writings put to∣gether were insufficient to form such a System, and that if all their Morality was

to be extracted, that is, all their Excellen∣cies to be reduced into a System, it would still be an imperfect one. He then spoke more immediately to the Question, and deli∣vered it as his Opinion, that the Doctrine of Repentance, as taught by the established Church, of which, he said, he was not a∣shamed to own himself a Member, so far from encouraging Wickedness, had the greatest Tendency imaginable to annihilate it; for he observed, that the Repentance taught in the Gospel, is not merely a Sor∣row for our past Sins, but likewise a Reso∣lution of reforming our Conduct for the fu∣ture. As to the Objection that had been brought by a Deist, who observed, that Repentance was no Atonement, he said, it was very true, if we speak as Deists, but if we believe as Christians, it must be looked on as an Atonement, since GOD, in those Books which Christians believe were writ∣ten by his Inspiration, has been graciously pleased to declare, he will receive it as such. Our Duty he observed, without Doubt, it was always incumbent on us to practise; and after the Commission of the greatest Sins, and our sincere Repentance of them, we perform no more than our Duty, by living a Righteous and a Holy Life: But as the Deity had declared to

every one, even the greatest of Sinners, that though his Crimes were as red as Scarlet, yet by Repentance the should be made as white as Snow; it is certainly a Doctrine that encourages the Soul, and supports it under the Reproaches of Conscience, that would otherwise whip us with her Scor∣pions, and throw us into the Agonies of Despair and Horror. He concluded, by drawing a Contrast between the Repen∣tance of the Protestant, and the Absolution of the Roman Catholic Church; and in∣sisted, that the former tended to our spi∣ritual and temporal Welfare, and the latter to the Destruction of both.

DURING all the Time this great Advo∣cate for Religion and Morality was speak∣ing, the Gentleman eyed him attentively, and thought he had seen him somewhere before. He went up close to him, and after a minute examination of his Person and Manner, at length recollected that it was on Hounslow-Heath he had the Mis∣fortune to have seen him. Without saying any Thing to him, or to the Company, he withdrew, and in about a Quarter of an Hour returned with his Servant, who was present at the Robbery, and with a Con∣stable, who was to take Care of SCAM∣PER,

if the Servant agreed with his Master in the Identity of the Person.

THE Servant had no sooner entered the Room, than, without his Master's pointing the Object out, he swore that the tall Gen∣tleman in laced Cloaths, near the Presi∣dent, was the Man that robbed his Master on Hounslow-Heath. This was sufficient. The Constable went up to him, and tap∣ping him on the Shoulder, said, he should be glad to speak to him. The Captain obeyed, and they withdrew out of the Disputing-Room, attended by the Gentle∣man and his Servant. They had no sooner reached the Stairs, than SCAMPER wanted to know the Gentleman's Commands.

"Oh, says the Constable, there is a Coach waiting at the Door, and if you'll enter it, you'll know presently."

SCAMPER declin'd it, but the Constable was importunate, and being somewhat irritated at his Obstinacy, told him he must enter it. The Captain stared, bit his Lips, and was mute. The Gentleman and his Servant now came up, and the latter opening the Coach-Door, waited for his Master to enter. But he was too complaisant to go in before the Captain, and bowing to him, asked him to go in

first. The Captain still declin'd it, and they insisted on it in a higher Tone, and declar'd that he should go whether he would or not. Already was half the Captain's Sword out of the Scabbard, and he had resolv'd to resist their utmost Efforts, when a Whistle from the Constable made him stare, and of a Sudden suspend his Action. Immediately three strapping Fel∣lows came up, and the Constable pointing to SCAMPER, and telling them to do their Duty, they took away his Sword, hurried him into the Coach, the Gentleman, his Servant, and the Constable following, and drove off to Justice DE VEIL'S.

I SHALL not multiply Words. The Gentleman and his Servant swore positively that he was the Person that robb'd them on Hounslow Heath. He was search'd. A Powder Horn, a Pair of Pistols, a Mask, and some other Things were found on him. His Mittimus was made, and he was sent to Newgate.

IN a Fortnight, Abundance of People swore to their being robb'd by him; and by means of some of his Girls, three of his Confederates were taken, and sent to bear him Company. In due Time, their Trials

came on at the Old Baily, and they were found guilty, and sentenced to be hang'd.

SCAMPER had very little Hopes of gaining a Reprieve, yet did not prepare for Death in the Manner he ought. His favourite Doctrine, Repentance, he hardly thought of, at least he did not practise it. He drank to such Excess, that when the Hour came that he was to suffer an igno∣minious Death in the Sight of a nume∣rous and gaping Populace, he seem'd quite insensible of his Fate.

HE was put into the Cart with his Companions, and they were driven to Tyburn. The fatal Rope was fasten'd round their Necks—the Ordinary told them they were going to another World—the Cart was driven away—and they were left suspended in the Air.

THUS perish'd BOB SCAMPER, a Man of no mean Abilities, but who prostituted them to infamous Purposes, and lived an immoral, vicious Life, though ever ha∣ranguing in the Society, on the Beauty of Holiness, and the Necessity of Repentance.—I wish this were not a common Case in the World.

ANOTHER Member of the Society, not less worthy than this, was TOM RAKE∣WELL. TOM, after having receiv'd an Education, that barely enabled him to read and write, was sent from the West of England to London, and there bound Ap∣prentice to a Grocer. But TOM'S Genius was not to be confin'd within so narrow a Channel. He soared to higher Things, and was ambitious enough to attempt get∣ting on the Stage, where all his Desires were placed, and all his Hopes terminated. He offer'd himself to FLEETWOOD, the Manager, and was refused. Not daunted, however, at this Repulse, he ran away from his Master in the third Year of his Apprenticeship, went to Norwich, where a Company of Strollers were then per∣forming, made a Tender of his Services, and was accepted. The pitiful Income of a strolling Player was too scanty for our Hero, and the Debts he had contracted were so numerous, and his Creditors so pressing, that Norwich became quickly too hot to hold him. He, therefore, set out from that Place for Newcastle upon Tyne, where there was another Company of Players: But, to enable himself to travel with greater Conveniency, he took with

him as large a Bundle of the Manager's Cloaths as he could carry, and set out early in the Morning in a Post-Chaise.

HE quickly converted his Effects into ready Money, and reach'd Newcastle in two Days. But he was soon forced to decamp. The News of his being there, having reached his quondam Companions at Norwich, a Hue and Cry was raised, and two of the Actors were sent to Newcastle to apprehend him. RAKEWELL, by some Means, had Intelligence of their Arrival, and guessed their Errand; but declin'd the Honour of their Company, by leaving the Town so precipitately, that he had not even Time to pay the Landlord of the Inn he had set up at, a Score of thirty-seven shillings.

FROM hence he went to Exeter, at which Town he was born; and going to his Father, told him a long Story of his Master's ill Usage, and of the Impossibility of his living with him. His Father pro∣duced a Letter from his Master, informing him of his Son's running away without any Cause, but of his Readiness to pardon him if he would return. The Father and Son had now a great Contest, and the Master's

Letter had greater Weight with the old Man, than the Son's Assertions. He, however, promised RAKEWELL, that he would write to his Master in his Favour, and that 'till he could receive an Answer, he might stay with him. The Son ac∣quiesced with the Proposal, seem'd pleased with it, and the old Man immediately wrote, extenuating his Son's Guilt, and apologizing for the Misconduct which the Weakness incident to Youth had drawn him into.

THREE Days after, TOM got up at One in the Morning, and opening a Bu∣reau, found a Purse with no less than fifty-seven Guineas in it, being the poor old Man's whole Fortune, and which he had been hoarding up ever since his Son was first sent to London, out of the small Profits that accrued to him from a little Trade he had as a Peruke-maker. This was a Fortune to the over-joyed Youth, and putting it safe in his Pocket, he took his Stick, and walk'd 'till Seven in the Morning very briskly, when he had reach'd ****. Here he breakfasted, and the Stage-Coach coming by, he agreed with the Driver for his Passage to London.

HE had no sooner arriv'd at the Metro∣polis, than the Scenes he had before been engag'd in, were renew'd, and the same Pranks play'd over again. While he was in his Apprenticeship, an indulgent Master had permitted him, after the Business of the Night was over, and Shop was shut, to spend his Evenings abroad. A Youth of such a Disposition as TOM had, it may naturally be imagin'd, did not spend them in very good Company, nor very inno∣cently. The Houses he frequented were either Brothels, or Night-Houses, and the Company consisted of wild, and thoughtless young Apprentices like him∣self, or thorough-paced Rogues, who ini∣tiated the young ones into all the iniquitous Schemes and Arts they were Masters of. Tutors of Villainy like these, for whom Tyburn groans, abound in Houses of this Sort, and young Scholars attend there in great Numbers.

TOM keeping very bad Hours, was fre∣quently lock'd out; but after he had the Experience of three Weeks Learning from a Veteran, he knew how to seduce his Master's Maid, and to prevail on her to let him in at any Hour. This Kindness went not unrewarded: To discharge his

Obligations to her, TOM robb'd his Master of Tea, Sugar, Spices and Snuff.

THIS was a pretty Life, which he now not only renew'd, but improv'd. He be∣came a complete Buck and Blood, sallied out every Night in Quest of Adventures, beat the Watch, bullied Constables, de∣molished Lamps, kicked Waiters, bilked Bawdy-Houses, and went Home reeling to Bed.

ABOUT the Time he return'd to London from Exeter, he attended the Essex-Head Society. Their Debates charmed him, and he thought if he could be admitted a Member of so respectable and learned a Body, he should be quite happy. If Hap∣piness consisted in being a Member, he was soon in Possession of it, for he was chosen Nem. Con.

RAKEWELL had a great Talent for Disputation. He had a ready Wit, great Volubility of Speech, and wanted not for a consummate Assurance. These Accomplishments must have endeared him greatly to the Society, and he was look'd on as a valuable Acquisition. It is true, there was no Solidity of Judgment, no Depth of Knowledge in him, any more

than in his Friend SCAMPER; but he had no less Art in exciting the Admiration of the Superficial, and the Ignorant, (a vast Body of Men!) and in making his Tinsel Ornaments pass for real Plate.

RAKEWELL's chief Fort was Re∣ligion. He distinguish'd himself greatly on Subjects of this Kind, and was thought to be as good an Orthodox Member as any in the Society. He combated the Deists with the invincible Armour of Revealed Religion, and played off the great Guns of Mysteries against them with no little Success. As the Doctrine of occult Causes is the greatest Friend of Metaphysicians and natural Philosophers, and serves as a Retreat for them where no Foes can enter; so, when pressed by Argument, or urged by Authority, the Deists would demand Reasons for Assertions, and Proofs for Ipse Dixits, RAKEWELL would prudently retire from the Charge, and tell them that where Faith begins, Reason ends—that the Natural Man cannot comprehend Spi∣ritual Subjects—that what is an Object of Faith, cannot be intelligible by Reason—and that though Revealed Religion may seem above Reason, yet it is not against it. These, and many other Answers of the like Kind, he gave to the Heterodox

Gentry, and ever shew'd an inviolable Resolution to defend Religion in general, and the Establish'd Church in particular, against all the Attacks of their Foes: In Consequence of which, the Society look'd on him as an honourable Member, and a very learned and ingenious Man. After Debates on such Subjects, and Holy Ar∣guments alledged in Favour of his Opi∣nions, our Orator would leave the Society, and proceed to his usual Night Entertain∣ments, of breaking the Lamps, and going Home to his Girls, where he rioted in Excess of Wickedness.

BY some Means or other, RAKEWELL had got acquainted with an old Maiden Lady, worth no less than Thirteen Hun∣dred Pounds. After paying his Addresses to her for some Time, he gain'd her Heart, and a Day was proposed for Marriage. The antiquated Virgin, not doubting the Ho∣nour of her Lover, the Day before the intended Marriage, transferr'd over her whole Fortune to him. The Lover was now happy. He sold out the Thirteen Hundred Pounds Old South Sea An∣nuities, and Three per Cent. Bank An∣nuities, immediately. With the Money these produced, he set up a Chariot and Pair, took genteel Lodgings in Pall-Mall,

and appear'd in every Respect as a Man of Fortune, quite regardless of the Attempts that might be made on him by the Sons of Law, and hoping to find out some other wealthy Dame, with whom he might meet with equal Success.

BUT though RAKEWELL was safe with Respect to the Revenge threaten'd him by the Lady he had tricked, and her Friends, yet his high Living and Extravagance soon dissipated his Substance, and he was at a Loss what to do. Paying ready Money for some Time, however, induced Trades∣men to give him Credit; and having run in Tick to the Amount of Three Hundred Pounds, with various People; and being dunned, and threatened several Times by the most Importunate of them, he was in∣duced to shift his Quarters, to go away from his Lodgings without settling with his Landlord or his Footman (for he kept one to the last) and set out again for Exeter.

ON his Arrival there he told his Father a miserable Story, of his having been rob∣bed of Five Hundred Guineas, of his ha∣ving a Combat with the Highwaymen that had robbed him, and of his having em∣ploy'd several active Fellows to go in Search of them. His Father seeing him

well-dressed, and appear more like a Lord than his Son, testified his Joy at his Re∣turn. RAKEWELL then voluntarily men∣tioned his having robbed him of fifty-seven Guineas; and, putting a Bill in his Hand, drawn on the most eminent Banker in London, for One Hundred Pounds, told him, he was not to look on that as a Re∣compence in full, but as an Earnest only of what he should receive. He then in∣formed him of his having married a Lady worth Twenty Thousand Pounds but a Fortnight ago; that he was then going to Penzance to settle Affairs with her Guar∣dian, and would return to London in five Days, where his Lady impatiently expect∣ed him.

THE good old Man was so overjoy'd at hearing this Account of his Son's good Fortune, that he fell on his Neck, and kissed him, and with Tears in his Eyes told him, that he was glad to hear of his Success in Life; but that he had no Occa∣sion for the Hundred Pounds he had given him, he having, by his Care and Industry, since his leaving him last, saved up Twen∣ty-seven Pounds; and therefore he begged him to take back again his generous Gift of a Hundred Pounds, as, till his Affairs were settled, he might have Occasion for it.

BUT this RAKEWELL declined, and observed, that the Trifle he had given him, he could well spare; that he insisted on his keeping it; and that in a Fort∣night he might have the Pleasure of treb∣ling it to him. The old Man, filled with Joy at seeing such a Son, seemed perfectly happy; went about to his Friends—told them of his Son's good Fortune—invited them to his House—bought the greatest Dainties he could possibly procure—and at Eight at Night the House was full of Guests, drinking Wine, Punch, and Beer, while roast Geese were at the Fire, Fowls in the Pot, and some other substantial Dishes provided, to entertain the Friends on the Prodigal's Return; a Prodigal, that had been guilty of some Er∣rors, that had been bred in Obscurity, and was now raised to great Grandeur.

THE Evening was spent in great Jolity, and all but RAKEWELL were perfecty in∣toxicated. After all the Company was gone, the old Man, whose Heart was now quite merry, went to a private Clo∣set, took out a Bottle of excellent Citron Water, and desired his Son to take a Glass. The Son obeyed him, and the Father fol∣lowed the Example. One Glass intro∣duced

another, another followed, and, in short, the Duumvirate emptied the Bottle. The Son was now what they call half-seas over; but the old Man was so intoxicated, he could heither sit or stand. With some Difficulty RAKEWELL got him to-bed, took the Key out of the Door, locked it, and then—went down Stairs.

HE began now to ransack the House, immediately seized the old Man's twenty-seven Pounds, and took every Thing away he could conveniently carry. He then went to the Inn he had put up at on his first coming to Town, ordered a Post Chaise, and told the Driver to go on as fast as he could.

A CHANGE of Chaises soon brought him to London; and it happening to be on a Monday Night, he attended at the Essex-Head Society, and spoke to the Question, which was;

Whether, even in this World, a vicious and immoral Man, is not severely pu∣nished? And if Virtue distressed, does not feel greater Happiness than exal∣ted Vice? PLATO.

RAKEWELL took the Affirmative Side of the Question, and proved, beyond all Manner of Contradiction, that Vice and Immorality met with its Punishment, by inflicting the Stings of Conscience at pre∣sent, and the Dread of future Pain. Not that this Doctrine, he observed, tended in the least to set aside that of a future Retri∣bution of Rewards and Punishments in another State; where, as we are taught by the Christian Religion, that Suffering Virtue will meet its ample Reward, and Triumphant Vice be suitably punished: But the Commission of good Actions, and the Consciousness of our having performed our Duty, gave a placid Serenity to our Minds, and a Composure to our Thoughts: A Felicity which the Huzzas of applau∣ding Thousands could not give, nor the Hisses of detracting and bitter Enemies take away. He took Notice also of the Distresses and Agonies of Mind a wicked Man always laboured under, through a Fear of being exposed, and his Wicked∣ness revealed to the World; which would consequentially draw on him the severe Penalties of the Law, and the just Detes∣tation of Mankind. He insisted on it, that the continual Apprehensions of Disco∣very a wicked Man must be under, and

the Terrors of an abused Conscience, must prevent the Approaches of Happiness, and dash the Cup of Pleasure with a great De∣gree of nauseous and bitter Herbs. He then launched out into the Pleasures of Vir∣tue and Religion; and made it appear, that their Votaries reaped greater Satis∣faction, and tasted a more home-felt Plea∣sure than could possibly result from the highest Gratifications of sensual Appetite, or mere Animal Bliss. To prove these Assertions, he quoted a few Authors he had either read or heard of, as Enforcers of his Sentiments, and as Authors of his Doc∣trine: A great Name frequently proves more than a sound Argument; and People, with whom Learning and Reason have no Sort of Weight, are yet prevailed on to resign their Judgments, and to give up their Opinions to an Antient whom Time has sanctified, or to an illustrious Ortho∣dox Writer, whose Notions and Senti∣ments have been honoured and embraced by the World.

THE Speech RAKEWELL delivered was well received, and the Society thought no one could excel him in Propriety of Thought, or Regularity of Conduct. Af∣ter the Debates were over, RAKEWELL left the Society, and traversed the Streets,

till he met with a Female he liked, and with whom he went to the most conveni∣ent Bagnio.

IN this Manner he continued for some Time, an unaccountable Aenigma, which none was able to solve: But being at ength discovered to have robbed a Gentle∣man of Eminence in Grosvenor-Square, he was tried, convicted, and condemned, and executed at Tyburn, at the very Time that his Colleague and Companion, the facetious BOB SCAMPER suffered.—Thus was the Society deprived of two of their best Members, the most powerful and ornamental Pillars of their Fabric.

FOR some short Time after this the So∣ciety was observed to dwindle away, and its staunch Advocates and firm Friends be∣gan to fear that its Dissolution was nigh. Some imputed it to the Absence of two of their best Speakers, and the Despair the Public in general had of hearing any Thing debated on by able Orators, now the best were gone: Some imagined, that the melancholy Fate of those two Mem∣bers deterred People from attending a So∣ciety on which they had once reflected such Honour, and which was now disgraced by

their ignominious Death; and some were earnestly wishing for its Annihilation.

IT was not long, however, before the Fears of the one Party, and the Hopes of the other were turned into Certainty. The Society triumphed, their Friends rejoiced, and their Enemies were disappointed.

To give a long Detail of every Event that happened in this Society, to particu∣larize all their Proceedings, and to cha∣racterize all their Members, would exceed the Bounds I have prescribed myself, and would be uncommonly tedious: I shall therefore only observe, that from the Time the Society was removed to the Essex-Head, it increased both in Num∣bers and in Reputation; and so well was it known, that Gentlemen who lived in the Country, as well as Foreigners of all Nations, if in the least curious, learned, or ingenious, resorted to it to hear De∣bates that had so much attracted the At∣tention, and extorted the Admiration of the World.

End of the SECOND PART.

Notes

• * 3.1

  The great Snow here alluded to happened in 1674, and continued without Intermission eleven Days. Great Damages were occasioned thereby, Huts and little Houses were intirely covered, the Current of our Rivers was stopped, and Multitudes of People miserably perished.