| Citation |
SCG-C.733.021
3-10 Mar 1733:11, 12 (60)
From the London Magazine. Grubstreet Journal, No. 119.
This paper is a satyr upon the neglect and abuse of
divine worship. One who signs himself a free Briton, says,
that notwithstanding what a late writer has advanced, he has
been informed by physicians, that there is no more danger of
getting the piles at Church than at the playhouse;
especially if soft primitive velvet cushions can be had to
sit upon.
Some regulations, he confesses is necessary, for quieting
the tender consciences of those dissenters passing under no
denomination, and for inducing them, once a week, at least,
to go to church. And he hopes this work is in great
forwardness, since, as a former correspondent has observed,
the use of Lillobolero, Jumping Joan, &c. is more reasonably
permitted. He proposes therefore, that between the services
on Sundays and Holidays we may be entertained, sometimes
with a new minuet, sometimes a rigadoon, but above all a
reviving jigg after the sermon. And he would not have us
restrained from the violin, hautboy, trumpet, French-horn,
flute, &c. any more than the organ, which is modern musick,
when compar'd with some others. For,
--long a ago,
Ere heaving bellows learn'd to blow,
While organs yet were mute;
Timotheus, with his breathing flute,
And sounding lyre,
Could swell the soul to rage,
Or kindle soft desire.
Dryden's Ode on St Caecilia's Day.
He further proposes, that there may be no vocal musick in
churches, unless Italian eunuch's might be imported for that
purpose; and one or more placed in every parish, to sing a
favourite song from one of our best operas. He also
proposes dancing, that such people may be brought to hear
divine service, upon the prospect of seeing it, as at
present don't know what the inside of a church is like; and
that bashfulness may be no obstruction, he is for allowing
of Quality to come in masquerade.
The sermons, he thinks, should be in the manner of that
very Reverend Divine, Mr. H--ly. The prayers may be as they
are; for no body of fashion has leisure to attend them:
Whilst they are reading, the gentlemen are displaying their
snuff-boxes, rings, &c. and the ladies are employed in
adjusting their dresses; and both sexes in twenty other
amusements.
. . . [10 lines] He concludes, that he is certain, if
the divines would come into his schemes, their churches
would be filled with the most polite people, and their
assemblies be counted as entertaining the genteel as any
others, not excepting ever masquerades and operas.
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