Page:Hannah More (1887 Charlotte Mary Yonge British).djvu/140

128 gone out at the present day, but which was supposed to be the chief grace of young ladies, who were taught to consider that feebleness was their charm, and to "cherish a species of feeling which, if not checked, terminates in excessive selfishness," and the writer complained that "the poets, who, to do them justice, are always ready to lend a helping hand when any mischief is to be done, have contributed their full share towards confirming these feminine follies."

The latter part of the book dealt with deeper questions, not condemning a share in public amusements for grown persons, but discouraging them, and making the test of their lawfulness, whether we can ask a blessing on our enjoyment from our Maker, and thank him for it.

Then follows a wise chapter on "Worldly Spirit," and lastly a statement of the primary doctrines of Christianity, laying very great stress upon the corruption of human nature, and the necessity of a change of heart and life in building up the Christian character, and ending with a dissertation on the duty and necessity of Prayer.

That this somewhat unguarded statement as to the mischief done by the poets occasioned an attack from Peter Pindar, which Bishop Porteous called gross and coarse ribaldry, rancour and profaneness, mattered little; but it was a greater injury that the connection with Wilberforce, at a time when all efforts against