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was that the great preacher retired unceremoniously, while his deacons expelled Mr. P. from the premises by force.

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operation my advent had interrupted that, namely, of lacing his boots! The meeting was certainly a select one, as I found I only made number four. Besides Of Mr. Spurgeon, our author has much Mr. Peacock himself, there was an old to tell that is really new to the world at infirm woman occupying a cosy chair in large. "The Tabernacle" is, it seems, the corner, and she was introduced to me by no means the mere "preaching-shop as Mrs. Peacock. She was, I fancy, the it is generally supposed to be; "it is a proprietor's mother; and I afterwards perfect hive of busy workers from sevdiscovered she was a sort of Elisha to en every morning until night. The the deceased Joanna, at least upon her rooms behind and under the vast edifice own showing. I've been in the battle are appropriated to the use of the pastor's fifty year, since Joanna died,' she said: college, where young men are trained for I'm an old campaigner, sir.' A simple the ministry without expense." In one man, well advanced in years too, with room which our daring commissioner spectacles on nose, was reading from the explores, he discovers twenty young Sealed Prophecies of Joanna, a remark- ladies at a Bible-class; and in another, able combination of prose and verse," thirty or forty young men celebrating which gave one rather the idea of alter- the Lord's Supper.” In the spacious nate pages taken from the prophecies of rooms below, tables were being laid for Ezekiel and the History of John Gilpin." sixteen hundred for tea! Mr. Spurgeon, At the first convenient opportunity as he himself confessed, is a sort of Pope our commissioners put the question on over all these people, and though without which, as it seemed to him, the faith of claiming infallibility, he has probably the followers of Joanna appeared to hinge made fewer mistakes than the one who -namely, how was it that their hopes does. His success he attributes entirely did not collapse when the true cause of to the power of prayer. Even "gifts" of that good lady's indisposition was re- a material sort drop in answer to his apvealed by a post mortem examination? peals, and that in abundance. One lady They smiled at my heathen ignorance, a member too of another religious and pointing to the old lady in the corner, body-gave him twenty thousand pounds the two men said: 'There are our hopes. to found his Orphanage at Stockwell, Mrs. Peacock has taken Joanna's place.'" where two hundred and twenty boys are Motives of delicacy prevented our com- boarded, clothed, and taught. On more missioner from hinting at the unlikeli- than one occasion, two thousand pounds hood of a family at the old lady's ad- have been dropped into his letter-box vanced age: but she perceived his diffi- anonymously. When recently attacked culty, and at once relieved him from em- by illness, he began to think the funds barrassment by observing: "It isn't a might suffer through the absence of his material birth as we look for, but a spir- ministrations, but that same evening a itual one." Satan's "indictment," she lady left five hundred pounds at his door, went on to tell him, "was now ready, and and one thousand pounds came in immea jury of twelve saints were almost very diately afterwards. With all this, he is a literally to sit upon him. I'm expecting modest man, and speaks of himself, accuit every day, sir, every hour." She had rately enough, indeed, as "no scholar." published an address to the bishops, But his eloquence and genuine humour dated, as usual with her, from "the Roy- are beyond question. His mighty temple, al Manger," which had been sent in the which holds six thousand persons, is form of a letter to Lambeth, Fulham and filled in every nook and corner every other episcopal residences; but no reply Sunday to hear him preach. had been received upon the matter; though, on the other hand, she felt convinced that a person who had once called upon her, soon afterwards, disguised in a wig, wide-awake, and mean attire, was no other than the Archbishop of Canterbury. Nor had they been more successful with other branches of the church; "our" Mr. Peacock being especially aggrieved with Mr. Spurgeon, to whom he said he had made a mild appeal at a Tabernacle tea-party; the result of which

He lends it once a year to the Primitive Methodists to hold therein their missionary meeting, and the Tabernacle "on the Rant," as it is euphoniously termed, is very curious spectacle indeed. All the speakers were interrupted by the utterances, like pistol-shots, of "Hallelujah and "Glory to God," which proved very disconcerting to our reverend commissioner. A proposal to swell the already large income of the mission, by getting every one in the connection to abandon

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beer and tobacco, was received with vol- one at Islington, but the Head of the leys of these ejaculations, concerning Church was in a rich purple cope: the which Dr. Davies tells an excellent sacrificial garments were of white satin. story: "A lady sat at a Primitive Metho- embroidered with gold; there were mindist Chapel close by a poor man who was isters in black tippets, and ministers in remarkably ill shod, and whose exclama- white tippets, and ministers in short surtions were in inverse proportion to his plices with coloured stoles. The musical shoe-leather. He kept crying out 'Glory performances were magnificent, and there be to God!' until he quite annoyed her; was a special prayer "for the low estate and, on leaving chapel, the lady told him of the church." But there were no "prosuch was the case, promising him a new phetic utterances ;" and if there were pair of boots if he would restrain himself any "unknown tongues," our commiswithin due bounds. He did so for sev- sioner did not hear them. eral days; but afterwards some particu- From the performances in Gordon larly exciting cause occurred, and he Square to High Mass in Southwark, started up in chapel, shouting out there is but a small step, and we will not 'Boots or no boots, glory be to God!" pursue the indefatigable Dr. Davies Some of the preachers had considerable thither. The Passionist Fathers at Higheloquence, but the letter was never in gate; the West London Synagogue: use except where it ought not to be. the "Plumstead Peculiars" people that The conclusion of the chief divine won't call in a doctor, though when tried. seemed to be, that there were at present for manslaughter for their neglect of their seven hundred millions of human beings sick they call in a lawyer to defend them : whose future must be despaired of, and the Sandemanians, a mild and tearful though there were nominally nearly half sect, who seem to suffer greatly from that number of Christians, many of them depression; the Christadelphians; the were very "dark." This gentleman was Jumpers who don't die: No, sir," great at quoting hymns; and as some fa- said one of their chief priests, "we have miliar line struck their ears, his listeners never given the undertaker a job yet, and would cry out, like the intelligent small don't mean to;" and yet the Connection boy in a vivâ voce class : “I know it; Hal- is seven years old, and numbers some lelujah!" whereupon he entreated them two hundred in London; all these and a to restrain themselves till the end of score of other sects were investigated by each verse, and then cry hallelujah as our author and reported on. We have only much as they liked." There was one space, however, for a brief notice of two really striking illustration of the numeri- of them; and among all these various cal strength of the Connection. "Once congregations it would perhaps be hard in every six hours the pearly gates of to find any more dissimilar-the feloniheaven are thrown back for a Primitive ous flock presided over by the famous Methodist to pass behind them." And the belief of these remarkable people seems to be that they are thrown back for nobody else.

Ned Wright, and the Quakers. The account which is given us of these latter is by no means what most of us would expect: the starch seems to have been A place of worship very different from, taken out of them of late years in a marthe Tabernacle, and imposing from quite vellous degree. The young ladies of the other reasons, is the Irvingite Chapel in congregation are described as not being Gordon Square. The disciples, indeed, Quakerish at all: "silks rustled up the of the great Edward are not numerous; narrow aisle," by no means of that hue of the apostolate itself, restored by the pro- silver gray which was once distinctive of phetic call in 1832 to its original number the sect; the bonnets were as "killing" of twelve, has now dwindled down to as in any fashionable church; and I three; but the splendours of ceremonial noticed upon the ungloved hand of a still survive, and attract the curious. At youthful Quaker matron considerably the week-day evening service, our com- more jewelled circlets than the weddingmissioner counted no less than fourteen ring and keeper." The men had in many persons"in vestments;" while the num- cases long beards, and some "quite a ber of the congregation this, however, rakish-looking moustache." At eleven was in their church at Paddington Green o'clock, the "silent service" commenced:

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- was but twenty: like the American how the boys and girls were kept dumb army, the colonels almost outnumbered and unoccupied seems little short of a the privates, but unlike it the uniforms miracle, but so all remained for nearly were superb. "The Angel"-not the an hour! In the life of the author of

the Ingoldsby Legends, there is a most you travel to Maidstone? Did they take humorous anecdote of himself and Theo- you in a coach and pair?' asked Ned. dore Hook buying a bun of pantomimic Yes, sir,' faltered the lad, evidently nonproportions, and proposing it as a prize plussed. 'Ah! you can go out, my boy; for the Quaker, who, under these circum- I knew you were not a thief.' The pracstances, should speak first; in the pres- tised eye had spotted him in a moment. ent case it was a lady who would have He lacked, not the white wedding-robe, earned the bun. She delivered a brief but the black qualification of conviction but practical address; after which was for crime, and so was walked out into the more silence. Then suddenly, at the darkness. Ned tells me he has constantstroke of one, "hats were reassumed, and ly to be on his guard against this kind of a general shaking of hands commenced fraud. To get one of those paper-bags with animated conversation and every now being handed round, each containappearance of relief from conscious re-ing half a loaf and a bun, with a jorum of straint." soup that is to follow, men and boys will assume a 'virtue' though they have it not; but they have no chance with Ned. He has been through it all himself, and is still as sharp as a nail."

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To attend the ministrations of Ned Wright - unless one is a convicted thief -requires a special invitation. His congregation is naturally jealous lest, under the pretence of curiosity or piety, some After supper commenced the spiritual policeman should attend the service and work, which, though admirable in itself, pick out the man who is “wanted;" but was still curiously mixed up with mateour reverend commissioner contrived to rial and practical arguments. First, a obtain admittance without qualifying him- gentleman from Port Arthur described self for the Old Bailey. He procured a in a graphic manner the miseries of concard of welcome, which ran as follows: vict-life, and how he had been besought Mission Hall, Hales Street, High Street, by one who suffered from it "to go and Deptford. Admit the bearer to Ned speak to the Deptford boys;" and then Wright's supper for men and boys who "Ned" followed with his homely elohave been convicted of felony. Doors quence, the burden of which was, not open at 5.30. Supper at 6 precisely." On only that thieving was sinful, but that it the back of the card was written: "Please never pays. "You thieves," cried he take care that this ticket does not fall boldly, are all cowards and fools." into the hands of detectives, and oblige They need not be offended, since he had yours truly, Edward Wright." Upon been one himself, as he at once proceedreaching the neighbourhood of the Mis- ed to tell them. At the great fire at sion Hall, our author was much impor- Cotton's Wharf, Ned was following the tuned for cards by the male population, calling of a lighter-man, and, coming who, although, alas! with every qualifica- down stream at the time, ran his barge tion to be of the congregation, are much ashore, stole a boat, and filled his pockets too numerous, it seems, for the limits of with money by rowing people at a shilthe pastor's hospitality. In the chapel ling a head up and down to see the fire. were seated about a hundred guests, "What was the consequence?" asked "from the lad of eleven who had served he. "Why, next morning, I found myhis seven days in Maidstone Jail, to the self lying dead drunk in a gutter in Toogray-haired and sturdy culprit who had ley Street, with my pockets empty." He 'done' three terms of penal servitude." next heard from a pal that the fat had Most of these gentry had got very short run down the gratings into the sewers, hair indeed. 66 A curly-wigged little chap where it had hardened, and was to be of ten was seated on a back bench; and had for the taking. Ned and five others though my unpractised eye did not notice got sacks from a rag-shop, and lanterns, his exuberant chevelure, his cleanliness and worked their way through the sewer, and prettiness led me to say: 'Surely, up to their middles in water, to where the Mr. Wright, that boy is not a thief?' fat was lying thick on the surface, "like 'You shall see,' said Ned. He went to a tub of butter cut in two." In his eagerthe boy, and asked him: 'Are you a ness to reach it, Ned outstripped the rest, thief? Yes, sir,' was the prompt re- and, just as he was nearing it, one of his ply, with a ready statement of the offence mates opened his lantern to light a pipe. which had got him seven days in Maid- This caught the sewer-gas, and ignited stone jail. Now, what did you sleep on the fat between him and his companions. when you were there, my boy?' Po- He stood there, and vowed to God, if he licemen's jackets, sir.' And how did' got out, he would alter his course; ther

CENTURY.

From Nature.

plunging into the water, he swam under | scribes the investigations of them as the fire, and got back safely. "Just so," having taught himself, is one of Tolerance he said, " 'you are brave when being and Charity; and even if missing that, 'jollied' by your pals, but cowards when these revelations of "Unorthodox Lonin the silent cell. You are fools, too. don" cannot fail, as it seems to us, to be You get nothing out of your thieving. interesting to every thoughtful mind. A lad in this room stole a pair of boots, worth five shillings and sixpence, and sold them for one penny; another, a jug worth one shilling, for which he got a halfpenny." Then a hymn was sung, to the tune of "Just before the battle, MINERS' RULES IN THE SEVENTEENTH mother;" and on went Ned again, actually forcing the fellows to listen to him with his tremendous lung-power and peculiar habit of dropping down on any "larky" listener. 66 Look you here!" he said. "There was a fellow kicking at the door just now. I went out, and found a chap as big and ugly as myself, and pinched his nose rather hard. You wouldn't do that if I was along-side you." He ended with a really eloquent though homely picture of Christ crucified between two thieves, and taking one with him to Paradise. "The devil says," he concluded, "Can God have such fellows as you in heaven?' Yes, He can. I have been worse than any of you. Before I was seventeen, I fought young Cooper of Redhill for two hours and twenty minutes, was flogged in her Majesty's navy, and tried and convicted at Newgate for felony. I came, like that thief, to Jesus Christ. Take my word for it, thieving don't pay."

After all was over, many staid "to speak with Ned," and as it really seemed for nothing more was to be got to eat with sincere intentions of amendment. Some were still strong and hopeful for the future; others "utterly heart-broken at the idea of anybody taking notice of them." At all events, as our author well remarks, these living bundles of rags, dirty and shock-headed though they were, afforded a happy contrast-there, on their bended knees, or recalling from old Sunday-school days snatches of old hymns to the shouting rabble kicking at the door without.

ON looking over a package of old papers I have found some documents, of which I enclose copies, written by a German miner, named Brandshagen, who was employed by my ancestor, Sir Philip Egerton, to superintend the attempt to work copper in the New Red Sandstone strata of Cheshire in the year 1697. the rules for miners of that age afford so strong a contrast to the unruly behaviour of that class at the present day, they may perhaps interest some of the readers of NATURE. P. DE M. GREY-EGERTON.

Worthy & most honourable Sir,

As

Your worship give most humbly thanks for employment meself and my countrymen about your Worship mines, which I have enjoyed now above + weekes, & not to be att all further unacquainted unto your Worship, I could not forbeare to give a true & plain account of what I have observed in this time about these mines, as good as my smal understanding in ye English linguage would permit, & if it was in any way acceptable then my wishes & desires where fulfilled. I have this time also endeavoured to blow up ye rocks by guns powder, as the best way to kill them, butt in ye first time I found ye elements as aire & water where against my designe, ye last I have conquered, and hope I shall do so ye other next time when I have occasion for it. I found also some other small things which would not so soon agree with my hands, for there are many years past, that I did work under ground with my owne There are in Dr. Davies's volume many hands, butt all these things are now dismore graphic descriptions, and curious ceased, onely that I was lately too covetillustrations of the variety of our forms ous & would have more rocks blown up of creed most of these sects seem then my powder was able to; what other earnest, genuine, and well-conducted in blasts for effect have done, your Worship their relations to their fellow-creatures; can be informed of it by Mr. Smith. I the majority of them are confident not shall endeavour all what is in my power only that their narrow formulas contain to serve your Worship with that underall that man's spiritual nature demands, standing I have about mines to which I but that its food is to be found nowhere have employed meself now above 15 year, else. The lesson that our author de-in spending a great deal of money as well

After this every one must goe to his post, & diligently performe to what ye steward shall order him, in doing ye contrary he shall be duely punished, & he who shall leave ye work within ye duely hours & before ye signe is given, shall loose 6d. or for every half-an-hour 2d. as ye steward shall think fitt, & he that is found neglectfull shall every time have forfeited 2d.

for learning as travelling in many places to ye honour & glory of him, & to ye benin Europe where good mines where, to efit & blessinesse of ye mines Lords & come to any perfection in this art. I their whole familie. have received now my things for examination of ye oare, which I will doe as soon as possibly I can come to it in this desolate place, where nothing in ye world is to be had for any commodities what soever it may be, & whilst we are strangers here, & must buy all things for ready, it is impossible to life of what your Worship has allowed unto us & therefore I doubt not your Worship will make a distinction between workmen & workmen, with which I recommend me into your Worship' favour allways remaining Your Worship most humble Servant, J. A. BRANDSHAGEN. Bickerton, Sept. ye 24th, 1697 For the Right Honourable Sr Phillipp Egerton, Knt., these.

Rules for all Workmen in general. One of every Workmen he may be of what sort he will shall come half an hour before ye duely time & give a certain number of strucks with a hammer on an Iron plate, erected to this purpose, to give a Signe to ye other workmen to Come att work, half an hour after he shall doe so att a second time by an other zumber of strucks & shall streike no more then ye duely strucks by forfeiting 2d., he has ye same signes to give all day when ye miners shall come out & goe under ground again, & this shall doc one workman after an other from day to day, & he who has done ve businesse this day shall remember to his follower that he has to Coe ye same next day, & he that wilfully neglected these remembrance shall be punished together with him that shall doe this businesse next day (if he neglect it) for he himself must be careful about ye time & day to doe this, & he that shall give ye signs too late, has forfeited 6d., & he that shall not doe it att all shall loose all his wages, due to him, & by consent of ye mines Lords shall be turned of from ye work.

In ye morning before ye last struck is done on ye Iron plate every workman belonging to ye ntines must appeare to ye appointed place near ye work, or he has forfeited 2d, & he that comes half-anhour after, 2d. more, & so following for every half-an-hour 2d., and this is understood of all times when ye signe is given. When they are together they may doe a short prayer that God may give his blessing to their work, that it may raise

When it is pay-day, every workman before he gett money must shew to ye steward his tools and other things what is trusted in his hand by ye lost of all his wages, & if there should want any of such things, he must leave so much money of his wages as it is worthy in ye stewards hand till he restores ye same.

He that hindered one an other in his work it may be in what way it will, either by ill words, quarreling or in other ways, must duely be punished as ye steward thinks fitt, because every one must be quiet with his work; have they any thing one against an other they may bring it before ye stewart, or cleare their things after ye work is done att an other place.

No body shall be permitted without leave of ye steward to take any oare away for a shewing piece, or under any other pretext, but he may ye same aske from ye steward & be content with that he gives him, and if any should doe ye contrary, he is so heigh to punish as ye steward shall think sufficient.

No body shall bring any person or persons not belonging to ye mines, either under ground or at any other place where ye oares or other things are, without permission of ye steward, & that by ye penalty of one shilling.

Every man must be in a Christian-like behaviour, and he that speekes blasphemes, or gives scandales, or does other things near ye mines with which God is offended, shall every time be punished with 4d. or more according to his crime.

When it is pay-day every one must be of a modest behaviour against ye steward, and must not murmur against him when his wages is decurted for punishment, butt must bring his complaints (if he has any against it) before ye mines Lord, if nevertheless that he has gotten his wages, he must not go from ye steward away, till ye whole payment is done, & can give witnesse that every one has received his due.

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