[This work is by Sir Bulstrode Whitelocke. The edition of 1682,
possessed by our correspondent, was published by Arthur, Earl of
Anglesea, who took considerable liberties with the manuscript. The best
edition, containing the passages cancelled by the Earl, is that of
1732, fol. "This work," says Bishop Warburton, "that has been so much
cried up, is a meagre diary, wrote by a poor-spirited, self-interested,
and self-conceited lawyer of eminence, but full of facts." At p. 378.
(edit. 1682) occurs the following entry:--"From the council of state,
Cromwell and his son Ireton went home with Whitelocke to supper, where
they were very cheerful, and seemed extremely well-pleased; they
discoursed together till twelve o'clock at night, and told many
wonderful observations of God's providence in the affairs of the war,
and in the business of the army's coming to London, and seizing the
members of the house, in all which were miraculous passages." To this
sentence in the copy now before us, some sturdy royalist has added the
following MS. note:--"Whitelocke reports this of himself, as being well
pleased with it; and the success of their villany they accounted God's
providence!"]
_Standing when the Lord's Prayer is read._--On Sunday, January 8, the
second lesson for morning service is the sixth chapter of St. Matthew, in
which occurs the Lord's Prayer. When the officiating clergyman began to
read the ninth verse, in which the prayer commences, the congregation at
Bristol Cathedral rose, and remained _standing_ till its conclusion. Is
this custom observed in other places? and (if there is to be a change of
position) why do the congregation _stand_, and not _kneel_, the usual
posture of prayer in the Church of England?