Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 17.djvu/365

Rh Henry Theobald, watchmaker. James Peters, draper. Thomas Floyer, silversmith. John Wells, brewer. Samuel Greg, soapboiler. William Cooley, fishmonger. James Harper, hosier. Robert Tucker, stationer. George Ford, ironmonger. Daniel Lynch, apothecary.

Mr. Whiston began by acquainting us, that (contrary to his advertisement) he thought himself in duty and conscience obliged to change the subject matter of his intended discourse. Here he paused, and seemed, for a short space, as it were, lost in devotion and mental prayer; after which, with great earnestness and vehemence, he spake as follows:

"Friends and fellow-citizens, all speculative science is at an end: the period of all things is at hand; on Friday next this world shall be no more. Put not your confidence in me, brethren; for to-morrow morning, five minutes after five, the truth will be evident; in that instant the comet shall appear, of which I have heretofore warned you. As ye have heard, believe. Go hence, and prepare your wives, your families, and friends, for the universal change."

At this solemn and dreadful prediction, the whole Rh