ward building of Hocus's country-house[1]. This affair between Hocus and Mrs. Bull was now so open, that all the world were scandalised at it; John was not so clodpated, but at last he took the hint. The parson of the parish preaching one day with more zeal than sense against adultery[2], Mrs Bull told her husband, that he was a very uncivil fellow to use such coarse language before people of condition; that Hocus was of the same mind; and that they would join to have him turned out of his living for using personal reflections[3]. How do you mean, says John, by personal reflections? I hope in God, wife, he did not reflect upon you? "No, thank God, my reputation is too well established in the world to receive any hurt from such a foul-mouthed scoundrel as he; his doctrine tends only to make husbands tyrants, and wives slaves; must we be shut up, and husbands left to their liberty? Very pretty indeed! a wife must never go abroad with a Platonick to see a play or a ball; she must never stir without her husband, nor walk in Spring-garden with a cousin. I do say, husband, and I will stand by it, that without the innocent freedoms of life, matri-
- ↑ who settled upon him the manor of Woodstock, and afterward entailed that, with 5000l. per annum, payable out of the post-office, to descend with his honours; over and above this, an immense sum was expended in building Blenheim-house. About this time (Nov. 6. 1709)
- ↑ Dr. Henry Sacheverell preached a sermon against popular resistance of regal authority.
- ↑ The house of commons voted this sermon a libel on her majesty and her government, the revolution, the protestant successson, and the parliament: they impeached him of high crimes and misdemeanours; he was silenced for three years, and the sermon burnt by the hangman.
