Bishop Sherlock however soon had an opportunity of shining in his proper sphere, and effecting more good than he could expect to produce by controversy. In the month of February, 1750, a violent shock of an earthquake, which had been, as it were, announced by some remarkable coruscations of aurora borealis, with tremendous tempests of thunder, lightning, hail, and rain, greatly terrified the inhabitants of the metropolis: and this terror was redoubled by a similar phenomenon, on the very same day of the following month, between five and six in the morning. The shock was immediately preceded by a succession of thick low flashes of lightning, and a rumbling noise like that of a heavy carriage rolling over a hollow pavement: its vibrations shook every house from top to bottom, and in many places the church-bells were heard to strike; people started naked from their beds, and ran to their doors and windows in a state of distraction; yet no house was overthrown and no life was lost. However the periodical recurrence of the shocks, and the superior violence of the second, made a deep impression on the minds of the more ignorant and superstitious part of the community; who began to fear lest another such visitation might be attended with more dismal consequences. These sentiments of terror and dismay soon spread, and were augmented to an extraordinary degree by a fanatical soldier, who went about the streets preaching up repentance, and boldly prophesying that another shock on the same day in April would lay the mighty Babylon in ruins. Considering the infectious nature of fear and superstition,' says the historian,* and the emphatic manner in which the imagination had been prepared and prepossessed, it was no * Smollett in his History of England: reign of George II. SHERL. VOL. I. d wonder that the prediction of this illiterate enthusiast should have contributed in a great measure to augment the general terror. The churches were crowded with penitent sinners; the sons of riot and profligacy were overawed into sobriety and decorum. The streets no longer resounded with execrations or the noise of brutal licentiousness; and the hand of charity was liberally opened. Those whom fortune had enabled to retire from the devoted city, fled to the country with hurry and precipitation; insomuch that the highways were encumbered with horses and carriages. Many who had in the beginning combated these groundless fears with the weapons of reason and ridicule, began insensibly to imbibe the contagion, and felt their hearts fail in proportion as the hour of probation approached even science and philosophy were not proof against the unaccountable effects of this communication: in after ages it will hardly be believed that on the evening of the 8th day of April, the open fields that skirt the metropolis were filled with an incredible number of people assembled in chairs, in chaises, and coaches, as well as on foot, who waited in the most fearful suspense, until morning and the return of day disproved the truth of the dreaded prophecy. Then their fears vanished; they returned to their respective habitations in a transport of joy ; were soon reconciled to their abandoned vices, which they seemed to resume with redoubled affection; and once more bade defiance to the vengeance of heaven.' The Bishop of London took advantage of the peculiar state of feeling into which the public mind had been forced by these extraordinary events, to address 'a Pastoral Letter to the Clergy and Inhabitants of London and Westminster, on occasion of the late Earthquakes.' This was bought up and read with such avidity by all ranks of people, that more than 100,000 copies were sold within a month. A tract also which he composed on the observance of Good Friday is said to have had great effect, in a moral and religious point of view. Nor would it be right if we omitted to mention his admirable Charge, the only one he published,* which he printed and distributed among his clergy in 1759, and in which a profound knowlege of the law, both of church and state, is applied with paternal affection to their use and service. It is thus noticed by that eminent critic, Mr. Jonathan Toup, at a time when it excited a considerable controversy, and some illiberal feeling against its author: The Bishop of London's late charge against non-residence is such a masterly, sensible, and seasonable piece, that it deserves the attention of every clergyman; nay, I could wish that every parish would get a copy of it, to be kept in the vestry-room, for the service and inspection of future incumbents; for I am of the same opinion with the author of a late spirited letter to the Bishop of E-that the residence of the clergy is absolutely necessary to the wellbeing of Christianity. The apology which Dr. -— has lately published in answer to the Bishop of London, is not properly an apology for the clergy, but an apology for a set of worthless, insignificant ecclesiastics, who scarce deserve the name of clergymen ; who, instead of residing on their proper cures, where they are in duty and con *It appears that he was able to make only one general visitation of his diocese in person, on account of his growing infirmities: though certain it is,' says Dr. Nichols, that for the first three or four years he applied himself closely to business, &c.: nay, he extended his care to parts abroad, and began his correspondence there, which would have been very useful to the church, if his health had permitted him to carry it on.'-Funeral Sermon. science bound to reside, and living decently and hospitably in their several parishes, are idling away their time in borough-towns, and busying themselves there about matters which do not concern them.'* With all his dignities, Bishop Sherlock had still kept possession of his favorite piece of preferment, the Mastership of the Temple, residing and preaching there during Term, and enjoying its beloved and long-cherished society. But in the year 1753,† when his increasing infirmities rendered him incapable of performing the functions of this office, he resigned it with the following letter of acknowlegement, which was received by those to whom it was addressed, with mingled feelings of admiration and regret : To the Treasurers, &c. of the two Societies of the Temple. Gentlemen, Fulham, Nov. 5, 1753. His Majesty having been graciously pleased (in consideration of my age and infirmities) to accept of my resignation of the mastership of the Temple, permit me to take the opportunity of your meeting, after the recess of the vacation, to return you my thanks for your great goodness to me, during the continuance of the long course of my ministry among you. It would be a satisfaction and pleasure to me to acknowlege these obligations, and to express the sense I have of them, in person. But as I cannot promise myself, in the uncertain state of my health, that I shall be able to do it in proper time, I shall beg leave to do it by writing; and to assure you, that I shall always remember the many instances of your favor to me, some of which were so distinguishing marks of your approbation of my services, as I must never—I can never forget; and yet * Nichols's Lit. Anecd. vol. ii. p. 342. + Even in 1751 he was obliged to use an amanuensis, as he informs Dr. Parsons, an eminent physician of that day, in a letter published by Nichols in his Lit. Anecdotes, vol. v. p. 480. to mention them particularly, might be construed as an effect rather of vanity than of gratitude. I esteem my relation to the two societies to have been the greatest happiness of my life, as it introduced me to the acquaintance of some of the greatest men of the age, and afforded me the opportunities of improvement, by living and conversing with gentlemen of a liberal education, and of great learning and experience. I am Gentlemen, Your most obedient, and most humble servant, But it was not for long that the Bishop's bodily weakness permitted him to exercise the active duties of his episcopal charge. About this time it pleased God to afflict him with a dangerous illness, by which, though he recovered from it, he almost lost the total use of his limbs, and was so far deprived of his speech, as to be unable to enjoy the advantages of a free conversation.* Yet his mind partook of none of these infirmities-he still attended to the punctual dispatch of business, giving directions, dictating letters whenever the importance of the case required it, and demanding from all whom he employed, an exact account of their various transactions. • Under all his infirmities,' says Dr. Nichols, his soul broke through, like the sun from the cloud, and was visible to every eye. There was a dignity in his aspect and countenance to the very last. last. His reason sat enthroned within him; and no one could approach him without having his mind filled with that respect and veneration which was due to so great a character.' It was under the last stage of bodily decay, with the retention of his powerful faculties and discriminative judg * Dr. Nichols's Funeral Sermon, Gent. Mag. 1762. p. 24. |