Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-01-26
MISC ELL An Y,
Robert Halls COurtship.

A writer in the Boston Reflector gives
the following account of the courtship of
Robert Hail. the celerated pulpit orator of
Great Britain:
''Mr. Hall, or his recovery from his Sc
cond attack of insanity, was residing at En-
derby, the writer thinks, a village in Lei
cestershire, without any pastoral charge
The Rev. Thomas Edmonds. (from whom
this anecdote is derived, and who afterwards
became Mr.. Halls successor at Cambridge,
though not quite his immediate one, was
then pastor of the Baptist Church at Clip
stone, Northamptonshire, a few miles from
Enderby. Mr.. Edmonds was about to leave
home for Lords day to supply destitute
church in the neighborhood. His people
expressed a strong desire to enjoy the SER
vices of Mr.. Hall, on the occasion of their
pastors absence. Their pastor was just as
desirous Of enjoying an evening with Mr..
Hall which might easily be managed, as
his appointment was rot remote-provided
only Mr.. Hall could be persuaded to come
over. But just here lay the difficulty. Mr.
Hall did not like to leave his retreat. 1t
was useless to write to him. Either he
would not answer, or he would resolutely
refuse to come. But he might be sent for,
and brought off by sort of coup de main.
One of Mr.. Edmond's friends undertook
the enterprise, and proved successful Mr.
Hall, however, submitted to the scheme
somewhat ungraciously. He was cross, abb
soIutely cross and gloomy, from the moment
Of the arrival of Mr.. Edmonds' messenger
until that of his own arrival at his brother
minister's dwelling.
''Henceforth new spirit prevailed. Mr.
Hall suddenly became courteous, ,communi-
cative and cheerful. The teatable ceremo-
ny passed off delightfully."-. Then came a
glorious evenings ieie-a-iete between the
two ministers. Then supper, the English
mans fourth and final daily meal, turned
into feast indeed by Mr.. Halls continued
elevation of spirits. Then conversation was
renewed in earnest, with the pipe &c.-the
orthodox accompaniment of the period
Thus matters progressed until midnight =
Mr.. Hall always had special relish for the
heel Of the evening" as he called it. Just
then Mr.. Edmonds left his guest alone for
a few moments. In this interval Mr.. Hall
slipped into the kitchen; there he found
Mary, Mr.. Edmonds' domestic servant.
"'Mary, Mary was his prompt address,
do you love the Lord Jesus Christi Ma
ry was good girl, and member of MIR.
Edmonds' church. She modestly replied,
she hoped she did, Mary, Mary, (was
the instant aud astounding rejonder,) do
you think you could lorp me g This question
was not so readily answered as, the others,
andthe matter was for the present postponed
But it was speedily revived, and brought
under deliberate review. Mr.. and Mrs.
Edmonds were made counsel IN the case.
Mr.. Hall and Mary were betrotbed and it
was arranged that Mary should spend
year in ladies' seminary,to fit her for the
prospect which so strangely and suddenly
had opened before her.
"The change which came over Mr. Hall,
on his arrival at Mr.. Edmonds' residence,
was now explained. Mary had come upon
the scene. Our orator was smitten at sight.
He felt sunshine within, md shed sun
shine without. He followed Mary with his
eye when present, and with his thoughts
when absent. Thus he illustrated one of
his own descriptions, and leaned that the
passion of love lis an influence that is shed
all around us, and pours itself upon us from
every quarter. 1t Gounces in
an apron, and is trailed along with petit
coat No circumspection can preserve us
from it; for it will often steal upon us,
when we are least upon our guard. 1t hides
itself in lock, and waves in ringlets of the
h"T. 1t will enter by an eye, an ear, a
hand or foot. A glance and gaze are
sometimes equally fatal
1.-TWO things may be added, honorable
alike to Mr.. Hall and the lady OF his choice.
He could by no means be induced to break
his engagement, though there were those
who sought to influence him in this dlrec-
ton. And he never had reason to repent
it. AS Mrs. Hall still lives to mourn the
loss of her Incompatible husband says
DIR. Gregory, Il must not permit myself to
testify how highly he esteemed her kind
ness and affection, and how often in his
conversation, as well as in his letters, he
expressed his gratitude to God for giving
hlm so plous, prudent, and devoted Wife
"'No man. says Voltaire, 'is hero to
his rdlet de chambre.' Probably, too, no
minister is always hero in the eyes of his
spouse. Great as he was, and humble as
the original lot of his yoke-fellow, it is cer-
tain that even Mr., Hall was occasionally
the subject of domestic criticism; fact
which may serve to console smaller men,
when exposed to similar trial. Mr..
Hail. his wife would sometimes suggest,
and his daughters, as they advanced in
life, would chime in on mammals side
MIR. Hall, you scarcely did yourself JUS
ticc this morning; or, Mr.. Hall, have you
not fallen below yourself this time p or
words to some such effect. Remarks like
these. however. were alwavs kindly receiv-