estimate the weight of evidence produced. Any person, who was not in the secret, would have imagined it was prepared for the occasion.

As we were walking home, I said to Mr. Hall, 'What an astonishing sermon you have given us this morning, sir! I never heard you deliver a discourse with so much rapidity.' "Why, sir," he replied, "my only chance of getting through was by galloping on as fast as I could: I was thrown on my resources; and had no conception of its being the assizes, till I entered the pulpit and saw the counsellors. I never preached from that subject before, sir." I said,' But when could you prepare the sermon, sir? for we have been together all the week, and you have had no time.'

66

Why, sir, I will tell you: I thought of it at intervals, and during the night. Beddome's Sermons, which you lent me, suggested the subject; and I fixed the outline in my mind; and perhaps was excited by the unexpected appearance of men of talent."

Being desirous to learn from Mr. Hall the particulars of the interview between the celebrated Mr. Hone and himself, I mentioned to Mr. Hall that I had been informed Mr. Hone called upon him, at Watford, for an explanation and an apology, and that he complied with the request. "Well, sir, what of that? Who told you? What have you heard?" I replied, It has been stated that Mr. Hone considered his reputation was injured, by being coupled with Carlile, in the Reply to the Strictures in the Christian Guardian, where

he is charged with blasphemy. He denied the charge, and begged to be informed on what work, or passage in his writings, the charge was founded. 'There can be no mistake, sir,' said Mr. Hone, 'for, in the next page, you define blasphemy, which you say is "the speaking contumeliously of God:" now, sir, where have I spoken "contumeliously of God?" "Well, sir," said Mr. Hall, "the account is mainly correct: I was wrong, and I certainly did apologize to Mr. Hone; there is nothing contrary to true dignity in that, sir. I once made you an apology, when you were a young man, sir, on discovering that I had been mistaken. To confess an error, is an act of common justice between man and man.* Now, sir, I will tell you the sequel. I said, 'I am not acquainted, Mr. Hone, with your writings; but I am bound to believe you, when you say, that you have never made use of blasphemous language, and that you are a believer in Christianity; but by some means I have received the impression, in common with several other persons, that you cherished the same principles with Carlile. I hope, sir, as that is not the case, that you will take an early opportunity of making your belief known to the public: it will be the best method of doing away with the unfavourable impression.' Mr. Hone left me perfectly satisfied. Sir," he continued, } "it is false honour, and false dignity, when we refuse to apologize for an error. Men frequently subject themselves to the necessity either of telling

* See Works of the Rev. Robert Hall, Vol. V. Letter LIII. to the Rev. James Phillips.

a lie,* or hazarding their own lives, or the life of a fellow-creature, merely to support an imaginary dignity."Yes, sir,' I replied, this reminds me of a circumstance which occurred some few years since, at the opening of a new session in parliament. The late Mr. Whitbread having inveighed, in strong terms, against the conduct of Mr. Perceval's administration, was called to order by Mr. Perceval, who rose, with great warmth, and said the honourable gentleman was pursuing the same course of argument and invectives, in opposing the measures of government, as he had done in the former sessions; and then became quite personal, adding, "So true is it

'Destroy the web of sophistry, in vain ;

The creature's at its dirty work again.'

Mr. Whitbread instantly called him to order, and demanded satisfaction for such contemptuous language. Mr. Perceval, instead of acknowledging his error, and making a direct apology, shielded himself by the subterfuge, that "he did not mean any thing personal." Now, Sir, not only Mr. Whitbread, but all who heard or read Mr. Perceval's language, must know that he was personal. The whole point was in the words "the creature," and the "dirty work:" stripped of its personality, there could be no meaning in the allusion.' "Certainly not," said Mr. Hall; "Mr. Perceval ought at once to have expressed his regret for having wounded the feelings of Mr. Whitbread, or have confessed that he had been betrayed by the heat

Lord Bacon says, "When a man lieth he is brave towards God and a coward towards men."

of debate, and have begged his pardon: that, sir, would have been noble and truly dignified."

While Mr. Hall was at all times willing to concede the rights of others, he was equally tenacious of his own: and such was his commanding appearance, that none dared to commit the slightest rudeness in his company.

Some years before this period, he learned, from undoubted authority, that a clergyman of his acquaintance had made some unjust and illiberal charges against the baptists and himself. An explanation was demanded, which was for a long time delayed. Mr. Hall, consequently, declined all intercourse with the clergyman. Two mutual friends at length waited on Mr. Hall, to inquire the terms upon which he would meet this gentleman at a dinner party. He replied, that he had not the slightest objection to do so, provided their friend would either make him an apology, or declare that he did not allude to himself, directly or indirectly. On this being stated to the gentleman, he chose the latter alternative. The parties met, and a partial reconciliation took place. When Mr. Hall informed me of the circumstance, I said, 'You know, sir, from the best authority, that he did allude to you, both directly and indirectly.' "Very well, sir," he replied, "Mr. — had his choice, either to deny it, or to make an apology. If he chose to tell a lie, that is not my concern: my honour, as a gentleman and a minister, is satisfied."

On the Christian duty of forgiveness, Mr. Hall was of opinion that the injury or offence ought

first to be acknowledged, according to the words of our Saviour: Take heed to yourselves; if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him, and if he repent, forgive him; and if he trespass against thee seven times a day, and seven times in a day turn to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him.

Mr. Hall shewed me his copy of Walton's Polyglot, and explained some of its various readings. This led to a discussion of several passages in the Hebrew text. I asked his opinion of the eightyfourth Psalm, part of which appeared to be unintelligible, both in the common English version, and in the version by Cranmer. He immediately turned to the Psalm, and translated it into English. When reading the fifth verse, he said, "You are right, sir; there is a difficulty, I think the sense cannot be given without paraphrase."

The following versions, with the original text, are inserted for the convenience of the reader :

Hebrew Text.

:

her an house, and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young: even thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house they will be alway praising thee.