{5} For the geographical solecism of “a western _latitude_,” the author
has only to plead, that the people of whom he treats, acknowledge no
points of the compass but those of _east_ and _west_; and that the term
_longitude_ has scarcely any place in their language.
{10} This _somehow_ and _somewhere_ existence of people of Fashion might
lead a stranger to suppose, that they have no permanent dwelling-place.
He must, however, be told, that, while they are thus migrating from place
to place, without comfort, and without respect, many of them are actually
turning their backs upon the conveniences of a family mansion, and the
consequence of a dependent tenantry. This disposition to emigration in
persons of distinction, has been so admirably noticed in a late elegant
and interesting work, that I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of
transcribing the passage.
“That there exists at present amongst us a lamentable want of rural
philosophy, or of that wisdom which teaches a man at once to enjoy
and to improve a life of retirement, is, I think, a point too obvious
to be contested. Whence is it else, that the ancient mansions of our
nobility and gentry, notwithstanding all the attractions of rural
beauty, and every elegance of accommodation, can no longer retain
their owners, who, _at the approach of winter_, _pour into the
metropolis_, _and even in the summer months wander to the sea-coast
or to some other place of Fashionable resort_? This unsettled
humour, in the midst of such advantages, plainly argues much inward
disorder, and points out the need as well as the excellency of that
discipline which can inspire a pure taste of nature, furnish
occupation in the peaceful labours of husbandry, and, what is nobler
still, open the sources of moral and intellectual
enjoyment.”—_Preface to Rural Philosophy_, _by_ ELY BATES, Esq. p. 9.
{12} His Majesty’s Birth-Day.
{29} Vide Paley’s Mor. Philos. vol. i. p. 1.
{42} For an account of this transaction, see the trial of Captain
Macnamara for the murder of Colonel Montgomery; in which it will appear,
that though the Captain admitted _the fact_, yet the jury acquitted him
of the _crime_. Such complaisance on the part of juries is particularly
favourable to this summary mode of terminating differences. Fatal duels
are now become almost as common as highway robberies, and make almost as
little impression upon the public mind. The _murdered_ is carried to his
grave, and the _murderer_ received back into society, with the same
honour, as if the one had done his duty in sacrificing his life, and the
other had only done _his_ in taking it away.
{53} “In the worst moments of his pain he cried out, that he sincerely
hoped, _the agonies he then endured might expiate the sins he had
committed_.” * * * * “I wish with all my soul (says the writer of the
Memoir) that the unthinking votaries of dissipation and infidelity could
all have been present at the death-bed of this poor man; could have heard
his expressions of contrition for his past misconduct, and of _reliance
upon the mercy of his Creator_.”—_Vide Memoir of the late Lord
Camelford_, _by the Rev. —_, &c.
{57} Vide the titles of certain country-dances, the Pantomime of Don
Juan, and the ballets at the Opera House, on the vigils of the Sabbath.
{66} The Bishop of Durham animadverts (with just severity) upon “_the
great neglect of church in the Sunday afternoons_, _when the duties of
religion are deserted for the fashions or friendship if the world_.”
Vide Charge for 1801.
{104} If the reader should have a difficulty in discovering the full
import of this remark, he is requested to consider that the peculiar
_term_ appropriated to _swearing_ is capable of becoming either a verb, a
substantive, a participial adjective, or an adverb: and he will find that
it is used under all these forms by people of Fashion.
{116} How much the Fashionable World are indebted to the legislature for
refusing to accede to Lord Belgrave (now Earl Grosvenor’s) motion against
Sunday newspapers, in 1799, may be learnt (among other things) from the
following advertisement which appeared in the Morning Post for October
26, 1805:
“The British Neptune, or Naval, Military, and _Fashionable_ Sunday
Advertiser, _will always contain real critiques upon Theatrical
Performances_.”
Such entertaining publications as these, issued and hawked about on the
Lord’s Day, are a concession to the Fashionable infirmities of the age,
for which those who are wearied of their Bibles, cannot be sufficiently
thankful.
If any of my readers wish to see this subject seriously discussed, he
will find something to his purpose in the 6th chapter of “The Christian
Monitor for the last Days.”
N.B. While this note was passing through the press, a Sunday _Evening_
Paper was announced for publication: and, as if it were not sufficient to
break the laws, without at the same time libelling them, this “Sunday
Evening Gazette,” which is to employ compositors, pressmen, venders,
hawkers, &c. on the Lord’s Day, is to be called—The Constitution!!!
{119} A distinguished Prelate, who gained the ear of the Fashionable
World to a degree beyond all former example, has adverted to this “rage
for amusement” with such apostolical earnestness, at the close of a
lecture delivered to perhaps the greatest number of Fashionable people
that ever assembled for a similar purpose within the walls of a church,
that I shall avail myself of the passage, as well to confirm my statement
as to embellish my pages.
“When I consider that the time of the year is now approaching, in
which the gaieties and amusements of this vast metropolis are
generally engaged in with incredible alacrity and ardour, and
multitudes are pouring in from every part of the kingdom to take
their share in them; and when I recollect further, that at this very
period in the last year, a degree of extravagance and wildness of
pleasure took place, which gave pain to every serious mind, and was
almost unexampled in any former times, I am not, I confess, without
some apprehensions that the same scenes of levity and dissipation may
again recur; and that some of those who now hear me (of the younger
part more especially) may be drawn too far into this Fashionable
vortex, and lose, in that giddy tumult of diversion, all remembrance
of what has passed in this sacred place.” _Bp Porteus on St.
Matthew, Vol. II. Lect._ 18, p. 161.