The book is in the form of a dialogue between Jack Anvil, the blacksmith, and Tom Hood, the mason. "TOM. But have you read the _Rights of Man_? "JACK. No, not I: I had rather by half read the _Whole Duty of Man_. I have but little time for reading, and such as I should therefore only read a bit of the best." * * * * * "TOM. And what dost thou take a _democrat_ to be? "JACK. One who likes to be governed by a thousand tyrants, and yet can't bear a king." * * * * * "TOM. What is it to be _an enlightened people_? "JACK. To put out the light of the Gospel, confound right and wrong, and grope about in pitch darkness." * * * * * "TOM. And what is _benevolence_? "JACK. Why, in the new-fangled language, it means contempt of religion, aversion to justice, overturning of law, doating on all mankind in general, and hating everybody in particular." For a long time the authorship of the book remained a secret, and Will Chip became a notable figure. The clergy and the land-owners in particular rejoiced over his homely common-sense, and distributed these pamphlets broadcast over the land. One hundred thousand copies were sold in a short time. _Village Politics_ is said to have been one of the strongest influences in England to awaken the common people to the dangers which lie in a sudden overthrow of government. The book was timely, for that decade had become intoxicated by the name of Liberty. To-day democracy and equality are no longer feared. During many years Hannah More worked industriously among the poor of Cheddar and its vicinity. On a visit to the Cliffs of Cheddar she found an ignorant, half-savage people, many of whom dwelt in the caves and fissures of the rocks, and earned a miserable subsistence by selling stalactites and other minerals native to the place, to the travellers who were attracted thither by the beautiful scenery. Among these people Hannah More opened a Sunday-school, and later a day school, where the girls were taught knitting, spinning, and sewing. A girl trained in her school was presented on her marriage day with five shillings, a pair of white stockings, and a new Bible. The teaching in the schools was so practical that within a year schools were opened in nine parishes. In this missionary work, Miss More became intimately acquainted not only with the very poor, but also with the rich farmers living in the neighbourhood and the prosperous tradespeople of the villages. From these better educated men she met with great opposition. One petty landlord met her request for assistance with the remark: "The lower classes are fated to be poor, ignorant and wicked; and wise as you are, you cannot alter what is decreed." Another man informed her that religion was the worst thing for the poor, it made them so lazy and useless. * * * * *