The National Register.
London, England, 1808-11-06 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL lIIWiIgTEIts

beighten the 'abet of his peculiarities. I (mid
willingly
describe his preaching, but the powers of description abso-
lutely fail me on this occasion. When 1 attempt to catch
the features of his oratory, t am so divided between merri-
ment and admiration, that 1 know not how to express the
mingled feelings with which 1 am agitated only by the re-
men►brauce oI his discourses. Laughing is nut alwa; s
scoffing. I do not design to deride Mr. Lindell ; but though
he may tell me (as he told the audience at Orange-street,
last Sunday Evening), in reprobation of my conduct,
•` 1 a'n't a funny preacher," still 1 must persist, if we are
to admit the evidence of our own senses, I must still per-
sist, 1 aver, in thinking him one of the drollest divines that
ever pounced into a pulpit.—

" I don't come here," indignantly exclaimed our
preacher, '6 to spout to fine folks ; nor do I preach as a
schoolboy reads his lesson, but" —6' Your loins,"
said he, at another time, speaking of afflictions, " are
&sided; and men walk over your heads." 6‘ About eighteen
fears ago," said *he, retracing his progress in piety, " 1
ound it very hard to separate mysel.f from young persons of
both sexes. Then, he shortly after added,—" It is your
vile propenSities [flow did I treinble for the " fine folks,"
just behind him, almost within the reach of his strong and
uplifted arm, in the gallery that keep you from Christ.
You wilt be dimn'd Or your filthiness!' I suppose some
of the female part of the " fine folks" reddened at tins tre
inendous denunciation ; for, if I saw rightly, I perceived
several ladies attempt to cover their faces with their fans.
What can I say more ? Mr. Lindell is, 1 now repeat it, one
of the most truly original preachers that ever ascended the
stairs of any pulpit. lie is boldly commanding, and he is
irresistably humourous. Every where is he great : but at
Orange-street, among the "fitte,folks," oh !---
" His happy eloquence is here at home."

Mr. GEORGE CLAYTON now claims my consideration.
He is young. poplar, and aspiring; tollowed by the Mul-
titude, and desirous of their distinction. He has recently
commenced his labours at Orange-street ; hut, as lie seerns
anxious to render himself very agreeable to the frequenters
of its chapel, it behoves me to investigate his mmisterial
qualifications.

I cannot rank Mr. G. Clayton quite so hie' as some part
of the religious public seem inclined to exalt hire. He paid
his court, howerer, tolerably well to the masters of his
new pulpit. svbeii h, preyed chapel mil:lit be al-
ways the " of se:,H 7)r !leaven !" if lam dis-
posed to dispute Ins ability, I cal therefore still praise his
dexterity. He is son studied, if he aims to be foremost
among extempore preachers ; and he is too re!glii-ent, it
he wishes to acquire the honour of being considered bound-
ly logical. His epithets arc often strangely applied. What
reasoning man ever talked of punishment as " the reward
due to crimes ?" His metaphors are no less fawity than his
epithets ; and, like too many others who labour to preach
fluently, he is compelled frequently to correct himself
recalling his words. He has the art, rather than the gift,
of preaching. There is one master-defect in him, common
to those who arc destined to the pulpit from the cradle,-
he dues not know enough of human experience and feel-
ings. He
has been too food to do good. Ills illustrations
are not sufficiently intelligible ; nor do his exhortations
find their way instantly to the heart. He succeeds better
in intercession, than in exposition : he prays better than
be preaches.

I now take my leave of the Managers of Orange-street
Chapel. They are happily in possession of one of the most
thriving conventicles in this metropolis; and, in order to in-
sure its stability, they have only to continue to employ
their present organisL and singers, and look oui for truly
eminent ministers. I siispezt they know better than to
flatter themselves with ani icipating blessings on their valise,
without taking the measiires necebsary to procure success.
immter 4, 180?.

O.N Ntittl:,.

LEGAL .ABUSLS.

TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD ELLENBOR

Mr LORD,

DEErLy sensible of the evils arising from the pi
lice of the law, and determined, for the benefit of to
to investigate their Causes and expme their consek
whom can 1 so properly address myself as to Lord Illet
There existsnuly one opinion, my Lord, respecting yol
and, as there seems no doubt eutertaiued of your abil;
professional imposition. let me presume Om your ill 4
remedy it where reform is practicable, or to puilis,
reformation is hopeless, will be found equally %locum!
If it be true of human governments, as Pope asser'

" That which is best adininister'd is best,
if, and experience appears to corroborate it, there
priety in this position of our poet, it most emphatica,
to the administration of judicial arairs. Fruitless har
vigilance of patriotic ancestors, and vain is the ex,
political constitutions, unless the concerns of the coum
rected 1). judgment and transacted with equity. You,
must he fully aware of the truth. of this remark, and
tent of its application. Of the arts that are employe)
public justice, and the efforts that arc made to of
counteract it, you cannot be absolutely ignorant. NI,
ever, remaius concerning which it were desirable y,
still he apprised. There are cases of which it is imp,
you to take immediate cognizance ; there are complai,
never reach your ears; there are griivances which for
in rain fur the scrutiny of your wisdom, and which, try
unostentatious, are humble suitors for the intcrpositit
authority.

Laws ought not to be converted into snare.. It na
cites surprise, and may justly awaken indignation,
was designed for protection becomes the instrument
'ion. Men do nut commonly expect to be poisoned b,
they daily e.tt, or to find them•elves buried in the ri
house the,; are accustomed safely to inhabit. This
ortl.nary course of thingN.

I am, my Lord, perfectly serintr. My language re:
strongly metaphorical, b it it is hourly illitiorabil ad%
tied. Wnet.ter it accrue fram ignorance or peculatii
ness or knavery, elegance or effrontery, multitudes 01
individads are continually smarti,ig under the lash o!
whose pr:ife.)sors, with certain illustriow exception,
olive to the bar, evince the most sovereign contempt
fortunate suderers, and, indeed, for truth and justice.
Permit Inv, therefore, to entre.tt your Lordship's ci
towards the undertaking in which I purpose to engagi
here plead calmly, hut the cause of those wit(
advocates else w- here. Iful v case:: 5h.0:41 not al ora
demand high considerati.m, let me remind you, my ,
petty ills, as they incessantly recur, are, like petty pet
ultimately product of results the most fatal. They
the uniatermi!tial; fever of the social system. The pi
di:orice may, retie:in unobserved, hot, if not timely au
treated, its consequences may he easily predict/A.
It is them to these lesser evils of the state, these I
chiefs, that I would occasionally tura your Lordsh
ludividtials, my Lord, are not so much alrectet
changes, as they are indisposed by the misconduct of
proceedings injuriously interfere w itb private interest
subversive of social happiness.

I have now the honour to subscribe myself, my I.
very humble Servant,_ _

A GRATUITOUS BARI:.

** As the GR 4,11111'01;S nA nft f STF,It intenN trial
various Lex•al Malpreetieet, he strongly •nolicits an
:xwounicatiolis cm the objcets of bis inquiry. He is