Honeftus, to the Author of the Police. faction to paffengers going about their ordinary concerns, or to foreigners to ftumble by accident on a yawning church-yard: That of St. Clement Danes, in the Strand, is a public nuifance, and ought inftantly to be remedied. There are many more of the fame fort, and though fome few parishes have of late years purchased burying-grounds in the out parts of the town, yet still the rich are fuffered to be buried both in the churches and in the church yards, while the poorer fort only are fent to the burying-grounds. The church and church-yard of St. Andrew's, Holborn, of St. Giles's, and St. Martin's in the fields, St. Paul, Covent-Garden, with feveral others, ftill fuffer this horrid abuse; and I am fully perfuaded that many epidemical difeafes are circulated by it. The putrid fore throat and fever, is one of the difeafes easily contracted by noxious vapours, and why fhould the life of one citizen be hazarded merely to retain a favage cuftom, which Hottentot's would be ashamed of-they would never entertain the brutish sentiment of making the dead the footstools to the altars of their gods. But, Sir, the truth of the matter is, that notwithstanding all our pretenfions to religious and civil freedom beyond the neighbouring kingdoms, we are ftill flaves to bigotry and fuperftition, and our priefts ftill rule us with a ftrong and mighty arm. Any rational alterations in civil matters may be fafely propofed, and if they are for the general good of the nation, it is probable they may be liftened to, and encouraged; but every innovation in ecclefiaftical matters in England is facrilege, and though our high-priests cannot put the propofer to death, yet every other mark of their vengeance, fuch as abufe in print, private defamation, vexatious law-fuits, &c. will be put in motion by the pillars of churchmen's rights; witnefs the present propofed application to parliament for relief in the matter of fubfcription. The true caufe, therefore, why peftis lential church-yards are not fuppreffed, and burying in churches forbid, is, that great emoluments arife from the fees for the ground; and that there 203 are ftill remaining thoufands of fuperftitious, or vain English men and women, who wish to lay their bones upon thofe of their relations, to have their mouldering coffins kept from ter, in a dry ground, or to be placed in fome fnug part of the church. wa But the legiflature fhould interpofe, if no found arguments will prevail, and enact a law, that the churches fhould be kept facred for the fole purpofe of public worship, agreeable to the dignity of the Chriftian religion; that all burial places fhould be one mile at leaft diftant from every avenue, or public road to the capital; that they fhould be inclofed within very high brick walls, and that no persons fhould be fuffered to build any dwelling-houfe, or houfes, within a quarter of a mile of any burial ground. I humbly apprehend fuch a regulation to be a proper object of the Police; and as for thofe weak, unworthy Chriftians, who take any thought concerning where their bodies are depofited, I fhall conclude with reminding them; that there can be no difference between the idle credulity of the bigotted Roman Catholick, who believes there is flesh and blood in a confecrated wafer; and the folly of a fuperftitious Proteftant, who gives orders in his life-time, to have his inanimate lump of clay depofited in this or that confecrated ground-at a distance from, or clofe to the altar-under a facred roof, or in the open air. Thefe free thoughts, I hope, will rot be difagreeable to your readers, who will find that there is fcarce a family in England, but entertains more or lefs of the dregs of Romish fuperft:tion. SIR, ( 204 ) To the AUTHOR of the POLICE. AM aftonished that Sir John Fieldin taken notice of fo infamous a meeting upon the Sabbath as fubfifts at prefent at a coffee-house in Long-Acre. It is the bufinefs of every alien, as well as fubject in thefe kingdoms, to conform apparently to the laws, and religion practifed in them. And though Romans, Atheifts, or Deifts, they are not to disturb the law and religion of the land. The old adage, should in in all cafes be strictly attended to" Do, as they do at Rome." The Calcannon Club, is fo named from an Erfe word, fignifying beef and cabbage-which is the diet of the members; who meet every Sunday evening to roar bawdy fongs, and get drunk. Here you will find the low abandoned player-the Irifh fharper the half-pay officer, and the poor peer pompous baronet-and fimple knight, who club their pence and their bawdy catch-in derifion of the Lord's Day, in contempt of virtue, order, decency, and manners. This club has fubfifted two winters too long, and from a refpect to my Creator, in obedience to the law-in veneration of religion, I do humbly befeech Sir John Fielding to remove this abominable nuisance for ever from the town. And should the heads of this infernal hydra spring again-I will exert the magic of the pen-to lay the demon by fome most pious exorcifm. For fhame, blush, ye attendants on fuch prostituted revelsnor debase your manhood by mixing with fuch a diabolical abandoned race. Be advised, and be led from the wicked path-by the piety of PARADEL. For the OXFORD MAGAZINE. FROM the scheme projecting to claration of Jefus and his Apostles. epifcopife America, I have been led to make the following remarks, which are humbly fubmitted to public confideration. It does not appear from the N. T. writings, which are allowed, by proteftants, to be the only divine canon to the Chriftian church, that any officer fhould be admitted with civil or fecular power, who may exercife any jurifdiction over the faith, worship, or confciences of men, in religious matters. See Matth. XX. 25 to 28. And the reafon is conclufive, viz. The kingdom of Chrift is not of this world: John xviii. 36. Again, an hierachy imports, an order of fubordination; but this is not compatible with the most exprefs de The argument for prelatical Epifcopacy is fully confuted, in Milton's profe works, Vol. 1. page 32. 40. Edit. of 1753. See Matth. xxiii. 8. John v. 44. Philip ii. 3. 2 Cor. iv. 24. Rom. xiv. 4. ch. 12, 10, 16, a defire of Pre-eminence in rank, was that depraved fpirit in the Apoftles, which their mafter did rebuke and cenfure. Matth. xviii. the begining of Mark ix. 34. Luke ix. 46. ch. xxii. 24. The claim of reverence due to Apoftles and Evangelifts, was folely from their having the Gospel-mejage committed to them, which is not the cafe now, nor ever has been fince the apoftolic age; after the written-canon had been once common to all Chriftians. 'Till this divine canon was committed to writing, it was indeed very neceffary that Apoftles and Evangelifts fhould qualify and ordain elders, over-feers, or bithops, and deacons. But fince the extraordinary gifts have ceased, the fame reafon does not operate; but the chriftian people have, every where, a right The Jealous Hufband cured. right to judge of and chufe their own pastors. In thofe parts of the Christian church, where there have been no diofcefan bifhops, there has ever been as much of the fpirit of chriftianity, and as much efficacy in the adminiftration of Gof-pel ordinances, as where an hierarchy has been countenanced; and there is reafon to conclude, more. Do but feparate from an ecclefiaftical hierarchy, the worldly emoluments of opulence and civil dignities, or power; and the prefent moft vehement contenders for diofcefan epifcopacy would be for ever filent. Nor is it probable, that a fingle mitred Clergyman, would have any felicity in his appointment. Diofcefan Epifcopacy has no meaning, but what it borrows from this world. And confequently cannot belong to a kingdom that is not of this world. What the celebrated Dr. Ben, Hoadley + faid, is fully in point: "I hold not my mitre as a minister of Jefus Chrift, but of the ftate." Diofcefan Epifcopacy has generally been fubfervient to the fchemes of a civil defpotism; and therefore has been fo much countenanced by all defpotic princes, one would from hence be tempted to conclude, no other motive can operate for epifcopizing America, than that of establishing a defpotifm through the British dominions. What fays F. Patfall, in his apology for the Catholics of Great Britain ?- "I do -not fpeak, fays he, of mere deifm; we have, alas! but too many here in England not ashamed of the character, men dignified in church and state: fuch are the bleffings of the Gospel The late Bp. of Winchester. 205 liberty of the reformation, and fuck its most delectable fruits But all general Councils have confifted chiefly of fuch Bishops;-And yet L. Lyttleton fays, "it was very dangerous for princes to fuffer thofe great cabals of Ecclefiaftics §. And Abp. Wake has affirmed more than manifeft ufelefsness, when he obferved," the certainty of revelation, the authority of the holy fcriptures, and the commonly avowed principles of religion, render it not only needlefs, but abjurd for a fynod to be called to debate over again the fundamentals of piety." -Now if the hierarchical Church-officers, are of no ufe, but hurtful when confulting together upon religious matters; it is not reasonable to conclude, that fingly, and feparately, they can render the leaft advantage to religion. An hurtful aggregate, must be made up of hurtful writers. And if what the above Apologift says be true, "that we have many men dignified in the church, who are not afhamed of the deiftical character," it is not reasonable to imagine, that the fpread of diofcefan Epifcopacy can do any real fervice to the cause of chriftianity in the world.-Moft affuredly, the inftitution is in enmity with religious liberty, as is demonftrated by the power it at this day gives to all attempts to remove fubfcriptions to articles of faith, of human invention; and its unfriendlinefs to the moft facred rights of private judgment. The PREACHER. Page 40. For the OXFORD MAGAZINE. The JEALOUS HUSBAND cured. An Italian Tale, founded on real incidents. Vamable and accomp ifhed young IOLETTA was one of the most ladies of Pija: to a heart formed by nature for uncommon fectibility, was joined an eaty, generous, unfufpecting freedom of deportment; and to the charms of beauty, the added a refined tafte fer polite knowledge, and even for the learned fciences, to rarely cultivated by the fair fex. The private education The Jealons Husband cured. education of a brother, the idol of the family, and whom the fincerly loved, gave her mind a bias for literature. The greatest mafters in every branch of learning were retained to educate the young marquis at home; and Violetta foon found more than one inducement to avail herself of their inftructions. Leander, a youth of quality in the neighbourhood, being educated in the fame manner, frequently paid vifits to the young marquis by the direction of their parents, who engaged them in little controverfies and difcuffions, as a proper means to excite emulation, and to difcover the progrefs they had made in their studies. By a natural union of fentiments Leander and Violetta early difcovered an inclination for each other, and as Leander appeared to be devoted to science, the hopes of being a fuitable companion for this worthy youth, animated Violetta to apply her delf clofely to the fame ftudies by stealth, 'till in the end, fhe made a rapid progrefs, and surprised both tutors and pupils. As the father of Leander was poffelfed of a confiderable fortune, the old marquis did not think proper to difcourage the apparent fymptoms of a tender paffion, which were obferved to increase daily in the young couple. An explanation between the two families ended in a refolution to complete their mutual felicity, as foon as their age would admit of uniting them by marriage. In the interval, Leander was fent to travel, and Violetta was placed in a Convent. From all but her particular friends, fhe concealed her attachment to books, and appearing in the Convent to fhew only the ordinary accomplishments of her fex, fuch as fine needle work, embroidery, &c. fhe was regarded as a perfon of a very limited capacity, becaufe fhe was not fo forward as her companions, and preferred retirement to gay company. But her time was chiefly occupied in attaining thofe branches of learning, which the thought would make her more amiable in the eyes of the judicious Leander. As for Leander's parents they faw this alliance in fo favourable a light, that they purchafed for their fon an honourable office under the govern ment, with a view of fettling them in a condition of life fuitable to the rank of the two families. In this fituation of affairs, all their schemes of feeing Leander and Violetta united, were fruftrated by a revolution of fortune in her favour, which obliged her to difdictates of her heart. pofe of her hand, in violation of the marquis, her brother, had obtained a The young commiffion in the French army, he was expected home at the end of the campaign, and it was then proposed to give Violetta to Leander, when the fatal news arrived, that he was flain in the battle of Fontenoy. Violetta by the death of her brother became fole heiress of her ancient and noble house; and though the old marquis entertained the higheft fentiments of esteem and friendship for Leander, he could not think of bestowing the heiress of his family on a younger brother. Those who are acquainted with the scrupulous nicety, with which the Italian nobility fupport the dignity of their noble fathat he fought another alliance. A milies will not therefore be furprised, Count of the fame name, who bore the fame arms, and could challenge a defcent from the fame illuftrious anceftry, was deftined to fupplant the unfortunate Leander. A private country gentleman in Italy would have taken the fame ftep to prevent the extinction of his name, no wonder then, that this ridiculous custom determined the marquis to court the alliance of the count, to force the inclinations of his daughto break his word with Leander, and ter. mental accomplishments were a decent The happy fruits of Violetta's fentirefignation to the abfolute will of her reluctantly, to the count, who confiderfather. She gave her hand, though ing this inflance of filial piety as a pledge of conjugal virtue, readily received him free access to his house, and by Leander into the lift of his friends, gave this means alleviated the misfortune that had well nigh deftroyed the tranquility of Leander's life. frequently, they read together, and dence. The Feolous Husband cured. dence. Violetta efteemed her husband, and perceived an attachment arifing in her breast, which was likely to be productive of warm affection for him. The count admired his lady, and was paffionately fond of her. Leander, reconciled to his fate by the strength of philofophy, gave way to his inclination for folitude, and the enjoyment of that intimate friendship which fubfifted between the count, himself, and Violetta; he fold his employment, which had only been purchased on account of his intended marriage with Violetta, and retired to the village where the count chiefly refided, at the estate belonging to Violetta's father, on whofe decease he had fucceeded to the inheritance. In hort, the felicity of these three perfons was as complete as could be expected, confidering the former fituation of Leander and Violetta, when fuddenly their happinefs was interrupted by the venomous tongue of flander. As the count faw the best company, and spent part of the year at Pifa, it happened that he fometimes left Violetta in the country, and engaged in the amufements of the city, with gentlemen of his own rank and quality, amongst whom there are always fome libertines, who take a pleasure in rallying married men, and often, without 'any malicious intention, deftroy the domeftic peace of a family, by ill-judged farcafins, and indifcreet reflections. The count falling into company of this caft, was furprifed at the ralleries he fuffered on account of his lady's tafte for retirement; and it was faid, that her inclination was more decifive in favour of the preceptor than of the fcience. This artful infinuation fowed the feeds of jealoufy in the mind of the distracted count, who now watched the conduct of Leander and Violetta, and in every look and action found food for his new phrenzy. In fact, they had given but too much occafion for fufpicion; had jealousy with her jaundice eye paid clote attention to their behaviour! Leander could hardly live without Violetta, and Violetta had no fentiments, no opinions, but what concurred with thofe of Leander. They bots equally funned the wild uproar of dilipation and riot, they preferred 207 peaceful folitude to the amufements of the polite; the theatres, balls, affemblies, and public entertainments had no charms for them; they ftudioufly avoid ed all the idle fops, and talkative females of the age; they detefted cards, and unless they accidentally met with a perfon of refined judgment, who equally defpifed the Beau monde, they were generally feen indulging themfelves in their rural walks alone. But when once the count's fufpicions were on foot, what feemed before to be only an innocent harmony of difpofitions wore a criminal aspect. No longer able to bear their familiar intercourse, he imparted his uneafinefs to Violetta and infifted on her breaking off all correfpondence with Leander. Affecting as was this ftroke to the delicate Violettas fhe knew how to fubmit to the rights of a difcontented husband, and being well acquainted with the virtuous fentiments and fortitude of Leander, fhe gave him intelligence of this fresh difafter in a pathetic letter, in which the urged the moft folid reafons for determining no longer to receive his visits, or keep up any correfpondence on an pretext. Jealoufy however, is a disease which is feldom cured. The count feigned to be fatisfied, in reality what could he defire more. His lady had broke off all acquaintance with Leander, who on his part, carefully avoided all companies, and every place where it was probable he might meet Violetta. Three years paffed on in this difagreeable manner, when a litigious law-fuit was commenced against the count, by some near relations fof the late marquis, who pretended that he had no right to difpofe of his estate in favour of his daughter, to the exclufion of the male heirs of her family. If thefe pretenfions were well founded, the count faw himfelf in danger of lofing the great fortune he had acquired by his marriage, and as for his own, it was fcarce fufficient to maintain him as a private gentleman. He feigned on this occafion to be extremely unhappy, but his real chagrin arofe from corroding jealousy, which made him fufpect, notwithstanding all his precaution, that a fecret connection ftill fubfifted between Lean der |