Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/50

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.


a Play-Houſe can enjoy their Laugh at Exeter Hall. This Orator was a Clergyman of ſome Kind, tor he was called Reverend in the Hand-bill, and dreſſed in a clerical Habit, but his Eyes and Face blazing with Wrath, did ſtorm like a Madman againſt the Maynooth Grant and the Pope of Rome; and howled as fierce as a Hyæna. The other a Clergyman too, and looked as much like one, with his ſneering angry Viſage, and did vehemently harangue, crying bitterly out on ſome of my Lords and the Members of the Commons Houſe that had voted for Popiſh Endowment His Oration a Medley of Sarcaſm, Invedive, and Buffoonery, and wound up with a Flouriſh of Patriotiſm and Loyalty. The Speeches received with Applauſe and Laughter, but alſo with Interruptions and crying to turn Somebody out. The Speakers on a Platform, whereon they bounced backwards and forwards, having Rails in Front as if to hinder them from breaking looſe on the Audience. Behind them a Crowd of dainty ſmooth Gentlemen in Black, with white Neckerchiefs, and to fee how demure they looked, as if Butter would not melt in their Mouths! In the Body of the Hall a goodly Number of Heads, but by far the Mod of them in Bonnets. The two chief Speeches lafted an Hour and a Half each, and the Chairman leaving his Seat, I away, my Head aching through the Raving. Such Violence, methinks, do only prove that there are other Bigots betides Papiſts; and is the word Means of enforcing any Truth; for they that ſpeak in Anger and Paſſion are commonly concluded by indifferent People to be in the Wrong. The Society complaining of want of Funds, which I do not wonder at, for I fear me the Subſcribers have but few Catholiques converted for their Money.