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Monmouth made a descent here his addressing my father thus

in the West, our grandfather (who "cousin, our family were formerly was a man of an excellent charac- remarkable for their stature and ter, of which I have been assured strength, but (continued he) the by several who remembered him) race is dwindled by their taking from a belief, that James II. was wives who were little of stature." breaking in upon the constitution And that at my return home I and introducing popery and arbi- made my mother (who you know trary power, with a great number is an undersized woman) smile on of sober, serious persons took up telling her, that she must need be arms under that unfortunate no- unacceptable to the gentleman we bleman; and, after his defeat, to had been visiting, as being of the avoid the effects which the en- size that had reduced the stature gaging in that inauspicious enter- of his family. But alas! How prize produced, he retired to Lon- few of the patriots, or heroes, don, ull the Revolution put an end which two or three centuries ago to the danger: but being of a distinguished themselves by a love weak constitution he died not for, or defence of their country many years after of a gradual de- have we transmitted down to us: cay and left a wife and two child- three or four of the most illustrious ren, a girl about three years of perhaps we may meet with in the age, and our father near eighteen annals of those times! the rest are all months; and dying intestate, the overwhelmed by the stream of time mother became administatrix; and sunk into oblivion beyond all and soon after intermarried with a recovery!--As to the bearing of the second husband, who spent all he family, I can say nothing to any could possibly lay hold of, of our purpose; this however at the time grandfather's substance: the ef- of my recollecting the foregoing fects of which our father and we particulars, I remember my uncle But a to have mentioned; and, I be have very sensibly felt. wrong step in marriage, as well as lieve, specified what it was, but as in death is not to be corrected: I knew nothing of the science of however, I have heard, that my heraldry, I cannot recollect it: grandmother lamented it to the but I well call to mind, that his last hour of her life. As to those haughty wife at one time in particommissions which any of the fa- cular scornfully smiled at his mily at any time bore in the army, mentioning it, and said her family or what place they filled up in had a coat of arms also, but she the government, I cannot say. was not so vain as to make that But I remember the old gentle- the subject of her conversation. father more my said particularly, that they con- And I have heard tinued about London and left some than once relate that a silver seal, descendants; that they had dis- which was his grandfather's, on tinguished themselves by their which was engraven the family martial deeds; and that they were arms, was laid up by his mother men of great stature and strength as a thing of value; and that of body. For in relating this of when he grew towards the state of them I recollect an oddity in my manhood, he surreptitiously took uncle's conversation which was it away and soon after lost it;

that on his mother's missing it she
made inquiry about it, and on
his acknowledging his taking it,
she gave him repeated charges not
to embezzle or lose it on any ac-
count; that she often interrogated
him about it, even to the end of
her life; but that he never ac-
knowledged his having lost it to
her, well knowing it would give
her much concern, and bring on
himself her just reproaches. But
still as I said above, what the
figure on the coat armour was, I
know nothing of; it being a thing Musbury, Jan. 10, 1757.

which I then understood so little,
that I did not attend thereto, as I
might have done when those op-
portunities offered, which now
are lost for ever. All here are
much as usual as to health; they
join me in my affliction on your
account.

Pray write to me soon, for I shall expect your answer with an impatience equal to that regard, wherewith I am,

Dear Brother,

Your most affectionate and anxious
Brother,
B. H.

EXTRACTS FROM NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Two Letters from Mr. Henderson When I lived at Calne, and preto Dr. Priestley, communicated sently after the publication of my by Dr. P. to the Gentleman's Disquisitions relating to Matter Magazine, April, 1789. [From "A Selection of Curious Articles from the G. M." In 4 volumes, svo. 1811. Vol. III. pp. 167-171.] Dr. Priestley's Introductory Letter.

MR. URBAN,

As one of your correspondents has expressed a desire of having some information concerning the late Mr. Henderson's pretension to intercourse with spirits, &c. I send you two of his letters to me, which are curious in themselves, and may throw some light on the subject. They will likewise give a better idea of the man than any thing written by another person concerning him can do. Also, as I imagine it is generally supposed that I am the person intended by the Doctor, whom the writer of Mr. Henderson's life re presents as believing he had this power, the reader may be able to judge from the second letter of the probability of this circumstance.

and Spirit, I received an anony. mous letter from Bristol about some intercourse with spirits; and hearing that Miss Hannah More had said, that the letter probably came from Mr. Henderson, I wrote to him about it; and as the letter was carried by a friend who was going to Oxford, I told Mr. Henderson, that, if he could call up any spirit, my friend was wil ling to be disposed of as he should think proper for the purpose. In what manner I expressed myself I do not now recollect; but it is evident that Mr. Henderson did not consider me as very credulous on the subject.

J. PRIESTLEY.

Mr. Henderson's First Letter.
Hanham, Aug. 29, 1774.
SIR,

I hope your goodness will pardon this presumption from a stranger unworthy your notice; and likewise my not franking this letter,

as I have no franks and can get cord with the speeches of Christ none. If you can condescend therein recorded. I believe the thus much, I have one request doctrine of original sin to be abmore, that you would answer me. surd. I believe the spirit of God I was brought up with some only assists our apprehension. I prejudices of education, which I believe the foreknowledge of God, hope I have now got over. This held by the Arminians, to be I owe in no small measure to the equal to the decree of God, held candour of my father, who, though by the Calvinists; that they are he inculcated his own principles both wrong; and the truth is, on me, left me to my own judg- the pains of hell are purga. ment. At first I received these tory. These I believe; and have principles without hesitation, and reasons which I think substantial soon became acquainted with the for them. Many things I yet best arguments for them. I had doubt of; among these are the no opportunity for a long time to Trinity, and the mediation of converse with judicious men of Christ.

contrary sentiments, so that I I am in such a state of mind easily vanquished those who con- as to be shocked at no assertion, tradicted me. But yet my mind and to submit to any argument suggested many difficulties which which I cannot answer. I could not solve. Hence I began I beg that you would be to doubt. Imparting my doubts pleased to assist me in the mediato some friends, I was told there tion of Christ; for I own I do not were mysteries in religion; that I like the doctrine of his being a should take God's word for them, sacrifice; yet he is so represented and pry no further. This satisfied by Paul and John. And, though me for a while, but not long; for I am not certain of the infallibility I considered, let a mystery be of the Epistles, yet I do not chuse what it may, God would not de- to contradict them, lest they may liver absurdities. Again, it does be true. not follow that all our bible is divine because some is. And if any part of our Bible contain ab. at Mr. Wait's, grocer, in Castle. surdities, &c. that part is not street, Bristol.

divine. I could not get books on

any subject. I wanted instruction

JOHN HENDERSON.
P. S. Please to direct for me,

on predestination, remission of Mr. Henderson's Second Letter. sins, assistance of the spirit, eter- SIR, nity of hell torments, and various

I hope you will not take it other points. My friends could ill, when your friend informs not satisfy me. At length I sur. you that I have not seen him. I mounted these difficulties, wading was from my rooms (for a few through many doubts, and little hours) when he came to seek me. less than infidelity. I now be. I staid at home all the following lieve that the prophecies in our day, but found no more of him. Bible were given by God; that Had I known where he lodged in the Gospels are true; that Oxford, I should have visited him. whatever we believe should ac. Excuse me then that I must take

the other communication you pro. posed, and send this by post.

unwilling to change; 3, Nor a despiser of those who thought Of the anonymous letter from otherwise than I. I mention my Bristol, which you mention, I being very doubtful, the rather know nothing. It was, probably, because you will agree with me, written by some one, I hope well- that, when one thinks no certainty meaning, who wished to check is to be found, one will be less your philosophic Disquisitions of nice in assenting to insufficient Matter and Spirit. That such evidence. Perhaps I am an ininformation should excite the cu- stance. I have nothing to add of riosity, especially of one so incredulous, I cannot wonder. But such curiosity I neither blame nor neglect.

That I may satisfy you, I will tell you, 1. Who I am; 2. Whether I believe those things; 3. Whether I be willing to demonstrate their truth sensibly; 4. What good ground that information had.

myself, but to thank you for your kind attention to letters of mine (some years ago), for your hints, and the books you lent and gave to me. Do not you recollect it?

II. Do I believe those things? 1, I have no reason to think them absurd or impossible; 2, They are commonly asserted in all ages; 3, And generally believed, 4, I find myself more at ease in beI. As to myself, I shall only lieving them; my notions are suitwrite what I think pertinent to able. Thence, it may be on bad this purpose. I had a small proof, I assert that there are such school education. I loved read things. You will the less wonder ing and thought from my earliest at such a belief, when I add, that years. Peculiarly I was attached I not only assent to spirits, appa to religious, and, though at first ritions, magic and witchcraft, I knew not the term, metaphysic but that I allow Behmen's philostudies. These (both in the au- sophy and Swedenborg's visions. thors and systems, or courses of Yea, I deny hardly any thing of learning), having no teacher, that sort. So you will perceive meeting with none but such as that I easily believe, and require slighted, blamed, pitied my turn not too much demonstration. of thinking, or only wondered at it-these I pursued not regularly, but as they occurred to a boy discountenanced, uninformed, with scattered intervals of scanty lei. sure, and a very few unselect, outof-the-way books. As one thought introduces another, so does a book. Both increased to me in time. So did some kind and degree of seem. demonstrations. ing knowledge. Opinions multi. when I had asked, 'Would you plied and varied; but doubts ex- be convinced if I shewed you a ceeded. Sceptical as those made spirit?' answered, No; I should me, they did me good; 1. In grant any thing at the time, but making me never positive; 2, Nor afterwards I should think you had

III. Whether I be willing to demonstrate their truth sensibly? 1, I do not know that I can give any such exhibition. 2, The faith itself is not interesting, nor have I the least wish to convince any. 3, My conscience is not clear that such acts are innocent. 4, They would not be, at least may not, A sensible man,

6

frighted me out of my senses, and apprehensions for your philosophy, then you could make me believe on account of any experimental any nonsense.'

knowledge of mine. If I can say any thing more that is worth the while on this subject, or a better, I shall be glad of an epistle from you.

JOHN HENDERSON. Pembroke College, Oxford; or at Hanham, near Bristol, when in that Country.

IV. What good ground had that information? I will tell you all I know. I have asked Miss More. She says, had you asked her, she would have told you that Farewel, I esteem you; and she knew nothing of the matter. opinions I regard little. I am Many people have known that obliged by your friendly expresI studied astrology, geomancy, sions in the letter. I wish you and magic, and was of an ab- all good and success in doing it. stract mind. They surmised. I should have answered sooner, Common things looked extraordi- but for bad eyes, and the comnary. Little things were greater. pany of strangers. I was reported a conjuror. I was teazed to tell fortunes, raise spirits, and sometimes to cast out a devil. Some pretended to a graver curiosity, and asked me for a positive answer to, 'Have you not seen and raised a spirit? I always replied, I will tell you any thing about them out of books, but as to my own experience I will not MR. URBAN, say. Can you deny it?" I said, Much has been said in your "I will not deny it.' Thence, they Miscellany, respecting the late affirmed it abroad. To sum up Mr. Henderson, of Pembroke all: 1, I believe. 2. I think I College, Oxford, whose extraor have reason. 3, No one was ever witness to any appearance with me. 4, I never told any one that ever I raised a spirit. 5, I will not deny it; I have said some times, that I thought I had seen a spirit.

As I take it, your main wish is to know, 1, IfI believe such an exhibition possible? I do. 2, If I have done it? I never did say, nor mean to say, that I have; (but for some reason) I will not deny it. 3, If I can do it? I do not know that I can. 4, If I be willing to try? I had rather be excused.

Anecdotes of Mr. Henderson, of
Pembroke College, Oxford.
[From the same. Vol. IV. pp. 221--224.]
April 3, 1789.

dinary abilities, and eccentricity of character, justly rendered him during his life, an object of general curiosity, and will continue to stamp an adscititious value on any authentic particulars that may

be recorded of him.

A correspondent in your last Magazine requests Mr. Agutter to favour the world with an ac. count of "the literary courses Mr. Henderson took, and the various authors he conversed with, in his penetrations of the obscure regions of magic, divinity, and physic." As Mr. Agutter will in all probability return a copious

I have now answered your letter as satisfactorily as I can. *He died Nov. 2, 1788, in the 326 You see you need not be in any year of his age.

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