ar, they were too apt to indulge themselves
in all pleasures, particularly those of the table. Opposition to the
rigid preciseness of their antagonists increased their inclination to
good fellow-ship; and the character of a man of pleasure was affected
among them, as a sure pledge of attachment to the church and monarchy.
Even when ruined by confiscations and sequestrations, they endeavored
to maintain the appearance of a careless and social jollity. "As much as
hope is superior to fear," said a poor and merry cavalier, "so much is
our situation preferable to that of our enemies. We laugh while they
tremble."

* Sir Philip Warwick.

The gloomy enthusiasm which prevailed among the parliamentary party, is
surely the most curious spectacle presented by any history; and the
most instructive, as well as entertaining, to a philosophical mind.
All recreations were in a manner suspended by the rigid severity of
the Presbyterians and Independents. Horse-races and cock-matches were
prohibited as the greatest enormities.[*]

* Killing no Murder

Even bear-baiting was esteemed heathenish and unchristian: the sport
of it, not the inhumanity, gave offence. Colonel Hewson, from his pious
zeal, marched with his regiment into London, and destroyed all the bears
which were kept there for the diversion of the citizens. This adventure
seems to have given birth to the fiction of Hudibras. Though the English
nation be naturally candid and sincere, hypocrisy prevailed among them
beyond any example in ancient or modern times. The religious hypocrisy,
it may be remarked, is of a peculiar nature; and being generally unknown
to the person himself, though more dangerous, it implies less falsehood
than any other species of insincerity. The Old Testament, preferably
to the New, was the favorite of all the sectaries. The Eastern poetical
style of that composition made it more easily susceptible of a turn
which was agreeable to them.

We have had occasion, in the course of this work, to speak of the
many sects which prevailed in England: to enumerate them all would
be impossible. The Quakers, however, are so considerable, at least so
singular, as to merit some attention; and as they renounced by principle
the use of arms, they never made such a figure in public transactions as
to enter into any part of our narrative.

The religion of the Quakers, like most others, began with the lowest
vulgar, and, in its progress, came at last to com