id="pgepubid00006">Notes.

WHITEFIELD AND KENNINGTON COMMON.

Your correspondent the Rev. W. Sparrow Simpson (Vol. ix., p. 295.) has given some interesting little notes respecting the past history of Kennington Common. Other notes might be added, and which should not be overlooked in a record of events connected with a spot whose associations and whose name are about to pass away for ever. After all, it is a righteous act, a noble deed, a benevolent mission, that gives a kind of immortality to a locality. It was here that the ever memorable George Whitefield proclaimed in an earnest voice, and with an earnest look, the gospel of Jesus Christ to multitudes of his fellow-creatures. He was wonderfully endowed by God for his great work, and the evidence of his vast success is to be found in the fact that immense numbers flocked from all parts to listen to the tidings which he had to deliver. He had audiences on Kennington Common amounting to ten, twenty and thirty thousand people, great numbers of whom were savingly impressed by his message. He melted their hearts, and sent them away, reflecting on the great problems of man's history, and on the dignity and destiny of the human mind. Take the following from his published diary, which is now scarce, and not much known:

"Sunday, April 29, 1731. At five in the evening went and preached at Kennington Common, about two miles from London, where upwards of 20,000 people were supposed to be present. The wind being for me, it carried the voice to the extremest part of the audience. All stood attentive, and joined in the Psalm and Lord's Prayer so regularly, that I scarce ever preached with more quietness in any church. Many were much affected."

"Sunday, May 6, 1731. At six in the evening preached at Kennington; but such a sight I never saw before. Some supposed there were above 30,000 or 40,000 people, and near fourscore coaches, besides great numbers of horses; and there was such an awful silence amongst them, and the Word of God came with such power, that all seemed pleasingly surprised. I continued my discourse for an hour and a half."

"Sunday, July 22, 1739. Went to St. Paul's and received the blessed Sacrament, and preached in the evening at Kennington Common to about 30,000 hearers. God gave me great power."

"Friday, August 3, 1739. Having spent the day in completing my affairs (about to embark for America), and taking leave of my dear friends, I preached in the evening to near 20,000 at Kennington Common. I chose to discourse on St. Paul's parting speech to the elders at Ephesus, at which the people were exceedingly affected, and almost prevented my making any application. Many tears were shed when I talked of leaving them. I concluded all with a suitable hymn, but could scarce get to the coach for the people thronging me, to take me by the hand, and give me a parting blessing."

Let those who have a deep sympathy with the great and good, who have served their age with exalted devotion and burning zeal, remember that on that very spot which is now called Kennington Park, this extraordinary man lifted up his powerful voice, and with commanding attitude, with the tenderest affection, with persuasive tones, and with thrilling appeals, proclaimed the "glorious gospel of the blessed God" to multitudes of the human family. He preached as in the light, and on the borders of the eternal world. It is such facts as these that will enhance in mind and memory the interest of such a spot. The philosophy of Whitefield's life has yet to be written.

H. M. Bealby.

North Brixton.

ANACHRONISMS.

Mr. Thackeray makes another trip in the present (April) number of The Newcomes. Clive writes a letter dated "May 1, 183—," which is at once answered by Pendennis, who sends him "an extract from Bagham's article on the Royal Academy," and Mr. Thackeray makes the critic ask, "Why have we no picture of the sovereign and her august consort from Smee's brush?" To which it may be answered, "Because, even if the '183—' represents the time of Victoria's reign, her Majesty did not take unto herself an 'august consort' until Feb. 10, 1840." It may also be observed, that in all the illustrations to Mr. Thackeray's delightful story, Mr. Doyle has clothed the dramatis personæ in the dresses of the present day. A notable example of this occurs at p. 75., in his clever sketch of Mrs. Newcome's At Home, "a small early party" given in the year 1833, the date being determined by a very simple act of mental arithmetic, since the author informs us that the colonel went to the party in the mufti-coat "sent him out by Messrs. Stultz to India in the year 1821," and which he had "been in the habit of considering a splendid coat for twelve years past." The anachronism on Mr. Doyle's part is probably intentional. Indeed, he only follows the example which Mr. Thackeray had justified in these words:

"It was the author's intention, faithful to history, to depict all the characters of this tale in their proper costumes, as they wore them at the commencement of the century. But, when I remember the appearance of people in those days, and that an officer and lady were actually habited like this [here follows one of Mr. Thackeray's graphic sketches], I have not the heart to disfigure my heroes and heroines by costumes so hideous; and have, on the contrary, engaged a

model of rank dressed according to the present fashion."—Vanity Fair, note to p. 55.

And, certainly, when one looks at a fashion-book published some twenty years ago, one cannot feel surprised at Mr. Doyle, or any other man of taste, preferring to commit an anachronism, rather than depict frights and monstrosities.

Cuthbert Bede, B.A.

CEPHAS, A BINDER, AND NOT A ROCK.

Some of the multifarious readers of "N. & Q." may feel interested in the suggestion of an original solution on Matt. xvi. 16-19. I submit it (not presumptuously, but hopefully), that its examination and discussion, by your learned readers, may throw more light upon my humble endeavour to elucidate a passage which seems to have been darkened "by a multitude of words."

The solution I propose is an extract from my MS. annotations on the Hebrew Old Testament, and forms a portion of a note on Habakkuk ii. 11. It will be desirable, for the readier comprehension of my exposition, to give the original, with a literal translation, of the verse alluded to:

This verse has passed into a proverb amongst the Jews in every part of the world. It is invariably quoted to express the impossibility of secrecy or concealment; or to intimate the inevitable publicity of a certain fact. In short, the proverb implies the same meaning which our Lord's answer to the Pharisees expressed, viz., "If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out" (Luke xix. 40.). I have myself heard the words under note used as a proverb, in this manner, amongst the Jews of Europe, Asia, and Africa. I am, moreover, inclined to believe that it was