I forbear mentioning the private confessions of particular ladies to their husbands; for as their children were born in wedlock, and of consequence are legitimate, it would be an invidious task to record them as bastards; and particularly after their several husbands have so charitably forgiven them. The evening and night through the whole town were spent in devotions both public and private; the churches for this one day were so crowded by the nobility and gentry, that thousands of common people were seen praying in the public streets. In short, one would have thought the whole town had been really and seriously religious. But what was very remarkable, all the different persuasions kept by themselves, for as each thought the other would be damned, not one would join in prayer with the other. At length Friday came, and the people covered all the streets; expecting, watching, and praying. But as the day wore away, their fears first began to abate, then lessened every hour, at night they were almost extinct, till the total darkness, that hitherto used to terrify, now comforted every freethinker and atheist. Great numbers went together to the taverns, bespoke suppers, and broke up whole hogsheads for joy. The subject of all wit and conversation was to ridicule the prophecy, and rally each other. All the quality and gentry were perfectly ashamed, nay, some utterly disowned that they had manifested any signs of religion. But the next day even the common people, as well as their betters, appeared in their usual state of indifference. They drank, they whored, they swore, they lied, they cheated, they quarrelled, they murdered. In short, the world went on in the old channel. I need not give any instances of what will so easily be credited; but I cannot omit relating, that Mr. Woolston advertised in that very Saturday's Evening Post, a new Treatise against the Miracles of our Saviour; and that the few who had given up their pensions the day before, solicited to have them continued: which as they had not been thrown up upon any ministerial point, I am informed was readily granted. INDEX. Abjuration oath. Accusation, false, a means for injuring a community. Action, motives for, often interested. Administration and Legislature. Agriculture, encouraged by the clergy. Alberoni, Cardinal. Ale-houses, should be closed at midnight. Alsatia. Ammianus Marcellinus. Anabaptists. Anne, Queen, her good qualities, "Bounty" of. Arber, Mr. Edward. Arians. Arius. Army, English, its bad discipline. Aristotle, his dictum about happiness and wisdom. Asgill, John, biographical sketch of. Athanasian creed. Atheism, not worse than superstition or enthusiasm, rise of, due to the Rebellion and murder of King Charles I. Atheist, a perfect, is a perfectly moral man. Atheology. Atterbury, Bishop. Austin.