'I took occasion, during the night of the 5th and 6th of June, to test the strength of his opinions respecting revelation. I purposely made him a very late visit; it was a time which seemed to sort exactly with my errand; it was midnight: he was in great distress, constantly exclaiming in the words above mentioned; when, after a considerable preface, I addressed him in the following manner, the nurse being present: 'Mr. Paine, your opinions, by a large portion of the community, have been treated with deference: you have never been in the habit of mixing in your conversation words of course; you have never indulged in the practice of profane swearing; you must be sensible that we are acquainted with your religious opinions as they are given to the world. What must we think of your present conduct? Why do you call upon Jesus Christ to help you? Do you believe that he can help you? Do you believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ? Come now, answer me honestly: I want an answer as from the lips of a dying man, for I verily believe that you will not live twenty-four hours.' I waited some time at the end of every question; he did not answer, but ceased to exclaim in the above manner. Again I addressed him: Mr. Paine, you have not answered my questions; will you answer them? Allow me to ask again-Do you believe? or let me qualify the question-do you wish to believe, that Jesus Christ is the son of God?' After a pause of some minutes, he answered, I have no wish to believe on that subject.' I then left him, and know not whether he afterwards spoke to any person, on any subject, though he lived till the morning of the 8th. ८ "Such conduct, under usual circumstances, I conceive absolutely unaccountable, though with diffi dence I would remark, not so much so in the present instance; for though the first necessary and general result of conviction be a sincere wish to atone for evil committed, yet it may be a question worthy of able consideration, whether excessive pride of opinion, consummate vanity, and inordinate self-love, might not prevent or retard that otherwise natural consequence?'-See an interesting letter written by Dr. Manley, who attended the subject of these remarks in his last illness, in Cheetham's Life of Paine, 11.-SAINT BARNABAS. Our saint's proper name was Joses; he was descended of the tribe of Levi, and born at Cyprus. His parents being rich, had him educated at Jerusalem, under the care of Gamaliel, a learned Jew; and, after his conversion, he preached the Gospel with Paul, in various countries, for fourteen years. Barnabas suffered martyrdom at Salamis, in his native island :-being shut up all night in the synagogue by some Jews, he was, the next morning, cruelly tortured, and afterwards stoned to death. The Epistle which he wrote is considered genuine, though not admitted into the canon of the church. *15. 1752.-DR. JOSEPH BUTLER DIED. His work on the Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed, to the Constitution and Course of Nature, if well studied, affords a satisfactory answer to every objection which fatal ingenuity can bring against the scriptures. #16. 1722.-DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH DIED. A stroke of the palsy, in May 1716, was the first symptom of that malady which, after many severe illnesses, proved fatal to him. During these years he, nevertheless, entered into public affairs, was zealous for the capital conviction of Lord Oxford (Harley), gained £100,000 by the South-Sea scheme, attended Parliament to within six months of his decease, and was engaged in law-suits and contracts for the building of Blenheim, towards which he ultimately contributed £60,000 out of his immense private fortune, in addition to £260,000 paid by the country, In domestic life this great warrior was kind and affectionate. In his latter days he was much amused with the education and plays of his grandchildren, and devoted to his favourite game of whist. On the night preceding his death, prayers being read to him as usual, the Duchess asked him if he had heard them, he replied, 'Yes, and joined in them.' At four the next morning, he expired without a sigh, at the age of 72. His remains were attended to the grave by a royally magnificent funeral procession, and deposited in Westminster Abbey, whence they were soon after removed to the chapel at Blenheim. 17.-ST. ALBAN. St. Alban, the first Christian martyr in this island, suffered in 303. He was converted to Christianity by Amphialus, a priest of Caerleon in Monmouthshire, who, flying from persecution, was hospitably entertained by St. Alban, at Verulam, in Hertfordshire, now called, from him, St. Albans. Amphialus being closely pursued, made his escape, dressed in St. Alban's clothes. This, however, being soon discovered, exposed St. Alban to the fury of the Pagans; and our saint refusing to perform the sacrifice to their gods, was first miserably tortured, and then put to death. *17. 1719.-ADDISON DIED. Dr. Johnson's delineation of the character of Addison concludes by observing with Tickell, that he employed wit on the side of virtue and religion. He not only made the proper use of wit himself, but taught it to others: he dissipated the prejudice that had long connected gaiety with vice, and easiness of manners with laxity of principles. He restored virtue to its dignity, and taught innocence not to be ashamed. This is an elevation of literary character, ' above all Greek, above all Roman fame.' Cowper, in his Table Talk, speaking of the writers who suc ceeded the profligate wits of Charles the Second's time, says: In front of these came ADDISON. In him To polish, furnish, and delight the mind. The anecdote of his sending for his pupil, Lord Warwick, a young man of very irregular life, when upon his death-bed, is well known, yet deserves to be repeated. The young nobleman requesting, with great tenderness, to hear his last injunctions, Addison merely replied, "See with what peace a Christian can die!" *18. 1815. BATTLE OF WATERLOO. HYMN to the GOD of PEACE. Instead of the trumpet of war, Let Mercy's sweet message be heard, Unite in the bands of Thy word; The plough and the pruner restore, To kindle the world to a flame; And Peace to all nations proclaim! T. BECK. 20.-TRANSLATION OF EDWARD, King of the West Saxons. Edward, being barbarously murdered by his mother-in-law, was first buried at Warham, without any solemnity; but, after three years, was carried by Duke Alferus to the minster of Shrewsbury, and there interred with great pomp. 21.-LONGEST DAY. This day is, in London, 16 h. 34 m. 5s., allowing 9 m. 16 s. for refraction. 24. ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST AND MIDSUMMER DAY. For information respecting customs on this day, see the six previous volumes of Time's Telescope. 29.-SAINT PETER. Peter's original name, Simon, was not abolished by Christ, but that of Cephas was added to it, which, in Syriac, the vulgar language of the Jews, signifies a stone or rock; hence the Greek IIérpos, and our Peter. The apostle's father was Jonah, probably a fisherman of Bethsaida. His brother Andrew, being first converted, was said to be an instrument of Peter's conversion, John i, 40, 41. *JUNE 1819.-STEAM COACHES. The Americans have applied the power of steam to supersede that of horses in propelling stagecoaches. In the state of Kentucky, a stage-coach is now established, with a steam engine, which travels at the rate of twelve miles an hour: it can be stopped instantly, and set again in motion with its former velocity, and is so constructed that the passengers sit within two feet of the ground. The velocity depends on the size of the wheels. *JUNE 1816.-REV. JEREMIAH JOYCE DIED. He was a self-taught man, and was indebted chiefly to his industry for his rise in life: he was as much celebrated for his zeal and integrity as his learning; and is well known as the author of many justly po |