“REVEREND SIR,--As the commissioners cannot doubt but you have plate for which you have hitherto neglected to make entry, they have directed me to inform you, that they expect you forthwith to make due entry of all your plate, such entry to bear date from the commencement of the plate duty, or from such time as you have owned, used, had, or kept any quantity of silver plate, chargeable by the act of parliament; as, in default hereof, the board will be obliged to signify your refusal to their lordships. An immediate answer is desired.” Think of John Wesley, always on the wing, having a hoard of silver plate to adorn his sumptuous table when feasting his Epicurean coadjutors and his dinner loving friends. The idea was almost too silly to be ridiculous. Wesley seems to have thought it so; and his answer (with which we close the present year) was as follows. “SIR,--I have _two_ silver teaspoons at _London_, and _two_ at _Bristol_. This is all the plate which I have at present; and I shall not buy any more, while so many round me want bread. “I am, sir, your most humble servant, “JOHN WESLEY.” FOOTNOTES: [255] Wesley’s Works, vol. xi., p. 290. [256] Manuscript letter. [257] Wesley’s Works, vol. xi., p. 290. [258] _Methodist Magazine_, 1824, p. 568. [259] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., pp. 395-397. [260] _Methodist Magazine_, 1845, p. 522. [261] _Methodist Magazine_, 1830, p. 310. [262] Ibid. 1803, p. 289. [263] Ibid. 1847, p. 102. [264] Ibid. 1816, p. 446. [265] City Road society book. [266] _Methodist Magazine_, 1823, p. 202. [267] Ibid. 1827, p. 430. [268] _Methodist Magazine_, 1832, p. 466. [269] Ibid. 1837, p. 399. [270] Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 134. [271] It is a disgraceful fact that Charles Wesley was buried, not at the expense of the London circuit, but by private subscription. Nineteen London Methodists subscribed £10 13_s._ 6_d._, and William Marriott made up the deficiency of £3 3_s._ The pages in the old society book, on which this account is written, were wafered together by four large wafers, doubtless for the purpose of hiding the shame of the old Methodists of 1788. [272] The following was written to Robert Dall, one of Wesley’s itinerants. “BANFF, _January 1, 1777_.