Page:Modern literature (1804 Volume 1).djvu/255

 parts of Mr. Fox's conduct, which I by no means approve. I very much blame his support of the dissenters, and his friendly disposition to Priestley, a heretic and infidel, and one that would destroy our church: one that has himself boasted that he would blow up the church with gunpowder. Can one that is preparing to blow up the church, be called a friend to the church? mark that." Mrs. Halifax, the lady whom we have before mentioned, being a sound churchwoman, agreed with the censure of Priestley, and observed that "that was a very strong argement, that those who would set fire to a place could not wish well to the owner. There was," says she, "in our neighbourhood, a barn set on fire on purpose the other week, and all the country said it must have been done in malice." Our hero praised the sagacity of those who found out that wilful in