[6]

-Popularity-His quips and witticisms-Sermon of the patron and the apples-Bribes-Tricks of trade-Homely advice-Use of his wit-Latimer and the Bishop-Summary of his character.

CHAP. IV.-DONNE, HALL, BURTON AND Fuller.

39-52

Dryden's opinion of Donne-Isaac Walton-His sermonsSpecimens of humour. HALL-Satires, &c. ROBERT BURTON-Anatomy of melancholy-Dr. Johnson. THOMAS FULLER- Sketch of his life-Works-Humour-Specimens-Anecdotes.

CHAP. V.-PURITAN HUMORISTS.

53-68

ANDREW MARVEL Birth--Education - Milton's Assistant Secretary to Cromwell-Becomes Member for Hull-Death-His writings-Controversy with Parker-Specimens of his humourParodies-Anecdote-Good nature-General character. THOMAS ADAMS-Life-Works-Humour-Devil's banquet-Smart rebukes. JOHN BRADBURY-Anecdotes.

CHAP. VI.-ROBERT SOUTH AND S. WESLEY.

69-84

SOUTH-Life-Sermons - Wit Eloquence-Specimens Anecdotes. S. WESLEY-Life Vigorous intellect - Wit and humour-Vivacious anecdotes-Rebukes a swearer-Connection with Athenian Oracle-Specimens of its humour-Have women souls-How to reclaim a head-strong wife-Poems-"Maggots "Tyreman's description-Practical jokes-Reproof of niggardliness --Anecdote of his curate. 85-100

CHAP. VII.-DEAN SWIFT AND LAURENCE STERNE.

SWIFT-Life-Tale of a tub-Meditations on a broomstickGulliver's travels-Unpopularity-Tide turned-Drapier letters--

Specimens-Anecdotes. STERNE-Life-Works.

101-113

CHAP. VIII.-JOHN BERRIDGE AND ROWLAND HILL.

BERRIDGE-Life-Christian world unmasked-SpecimensHomely style - Amusing letters. ROWLAND HILL-LifePopularity-Humour-Anecdotes-Death. 114-140

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CHAP. IX.-ROBERT HALL AND ROBERT ROBINSON.

HALL—Life— Pulpit oratory - Literary ability — Works — Specimens-Anecdotes - Death. ROBINSON Humour Village sermons-Specimens-Similes-Morning exercises-Strong common sense-Rebukes a twaddler-Humorous letters-Death.

CHAP. X.-CHRISTMAS EVANS.

141-161

Religious condition of Wales-Great revival-Williams-Elias -David Davis-Anecdotes-Evans' first attempt to preachMarriage Specimens Powerful effects of his preaching Parables-Anecdotes of Sammy Breeze.

CHAP. XI.-SYDNEY SMITH.

162-181

Birth and parentage-Education-Enters the church Becomes tutor to Squire's son-Edinburgh-Starts Edinburgh Review-Amusing incident-Removes to London-LectureshipPopularity-Moral philosophy-Raising the wind-Foston-le-Clay, Yorkshire-Difficulties-Resolution-A queer horse-A pompous caller-Anecdotes-Removes into Somersetshire-Specimens of wit and humour-Speech at Taunton-His interest in the welfare of the people-Parody of the style of Sir James Mackintosh— Folly of indiscriminate praise-Smart rebukes-Reviews-Opinions respecting him-No mere jester-Moore's epigram.

182-199

CHAP. XII.—Barham, Whately, and WILBERFORCE.

Beneficial effects of recreation —Shakespeare. BARHAM— Birth-Education-Seriously hurt Enters Oxford - Amusing anecdotes-Enters the church-Bentley's Magazine-Ingoldsby Legends-Anecdotes-Specimens-Death. WHATELY-Birth and

Anecdotes

Education - Writings - Anecdotes - Life and letters -Young Englanders-Catching fish with Latin-Speech in House of LordsSpecimens Amusing letters His unbounded generosity-Disinterestedness - Humility-Last sickness — Unwavering faith-Death, BISHOP WILBERFORCE- Anecdotes—

Conversational powers-defects.

200-225

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CHAP. XIII.-NORMAN MACLEOD.

Birth and education-His father's influence upon him in early life-Early manifestations of his humour-No mere joker-Journal -Principal Shairp's testimony-Amusing letter-Poetic wit-Visit to America-Anecdotes-Serious illness- Amusing letter - Anecdotes-Liberal views.

CHAP. XIV.-THOMAS BINNEY, 1798-1873.

226-245

Birth-Occupation-Becomes a minister-Popularity as an author-Illness-Death-Anecdotes-Wit and humonr-Dr. Harris -Amusing incidents-Sir T. F. Buxton, &c. &c.

246-252

OUR RELIGIOUS HUMORISTS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

ELIGIOUS humorists! We fancy we hear someone exclaim, "Is it possible for anyone truly religious to indulge in humour?" Certainly it is, unless it be a sin to smile or a crime to be happy. There is a humorous side to our nature as well as a sober and sedate one, and to fight against our nature is not the way to serve the cause of sound morality or true religion. Were not men and women made to laugh as well as to weep, and much more for smiles than for tears? And if unseasonable mirth is sometimes rebuked in the Scriptures, is not also unseasonable fasting and solemnity? Be assured that because a face is uncommonly long, it does not follow that its possessor is

B

uncommonly pious. We would as soon trust а
countenance got up on the broad as on the long gauge.
Our Heavenly Father, who has given us all things
richly to enjoy, has evidently formed us for happiness,
and would have us use all his gifts accordingly. He
might have created us without a sense to discern
fragrance in the rose, sweetness in honey, or beauty in
the landscape; but having bestowed these senses it is
evident that he intends the healthy exercise of them to
our enjoyment. But what of the sense of humour?
Finding as we do this faculty in one form or another
in almost every one, is it unreasonable to assume that
it has a Divine origin, and has been bestowed upon men
for some beneficent purpose? Man has so many evils
to contend against that the wonder is that our poor
humanity does not sink under its burden. May it not
be that He who has given to the reed its power
rise upright from the stormy blast," has also given
humour to man to assist him to mount above the
adverse billows of life's rough sea? For unquestionably
a lively wit, or playful imagination, is an element of
buoyancy, a sweetener of the bitter cup of life. There
is a time to laugh as well as a time to weep, and the
sense of the ludicrous may serve to chase away the
gloom of many an anxious moment, and lessen the
burden of many an earthly care. Cowper, who could
be both grave and gay, asks :-

"Is sparkling wit the world's exclusive right?
The fixed fee simple of the vain and light?
Can hopes of heaven, bright prospects of an hour,

"to