Critical and miscellaneous essays, by an octogenarian (J. Roche).

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Privately printed, 1850

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Page 83 - It was on the day, or rather night, of the 27th of June 1787, between the hours of eleven and twelve, that I wrote the last lines of the last page, in a summer-house in my garden. After laying down my pen, I took several turns in a berceau, or covered walk of acacias, which commands a prospect of the country, the lake, and the mountains. The air was temperate, the sky was serene, the silver orb of the moon was reflected from the waters, and all nature was silent.
Page 87 - Mahomet was distinguished by the beauty of his person, an outward gift which is seldom despised, except by those to whom it has been refused. Before he spoke, the orator engaged on his side the affections of a public or private audience. They applauded his commanding presence, his majestic aspect, his piercing eye, his gracious smile, his flowing beard, his countenance that painted every sensation of the soul, and his gestures that enforced...
Page 1 - God and religion, is that of blasphemy against the Almighty, by denying his being or providence ; or by contumelious reproaches of our Saviour Christ. Whither also may be referred all profane scoffing at the holy scripture, . or exposing it to contempt and ridicule.
Page 87 - His face was broad and fat, his mouth wide, and without any other expression than that of imbecility. His eyes vacant and spiritless, and the corpulence of his whole person, was far better fitted to communicate the idea of a turtle-eating alderman, than of a refined philosopher. His speech in English was rendered ridiculous by the broadest Scotch accent, and his French was, if possible, still more laughable; so that wisdom most certainly never disguised herself before in so uncouth a garb.
Page 360 - As for nobility in particular persons, it is a reverend thing to see an ancient castle or building not in decay, or to see a fair timber tree sound and perfect; how much more to behold an ancient noble family, which hath stood against the waves and weathers of time?
Page 434 - shall be taken, accepted, and reputed the only supreme head on earth of the Church of England, and shall have and enjoy annexed and united to the Imperial Crown of this realm as well the title and...
Page 512 - Adolphus does not take at all, and consequently sells very little: it is certainly informing, and full of good matter ; but it is as certain too, that the style is execrable : where the devil he picked it up, I cannot conceive, for it is a bad style, of a new and singular kind; it is full of Latinisms, Gallicisms, Germanisms, and all isms but Anglicisms ; in some places pompous, in others vulgar and low.
Page 433 - Biblia — the Bible, that is, the Holy Scripture of the Olde and New Testament faithfully and truly translated out of Douche and Latyn in to Englishe.
Page 415 - Insuper eadem sacrosancta Synodus considerans non parum utilitatis accedere posse Ecclesiae Dei , si ex omnibus Latinis editionibus , quae circumferuntur sacrorum librorum, quaenam pro authentica habenda sit, innotescat : statuit et declarat, ut haec ipsa vetus, et vulgata editio, quae longo tot saeculorum usu in ipsa Ecclesia probata est, in publicis lectionibus, disputationibus , praedicationibus , et expositionibus pro authentica habeatur; et ut nemo illam rejicere quovis praetextu audeat, vel...
Page 58 - I was unable to resist the weight of historical evidence, that within the same period most of the leading doctrines of popery were already introduced in theory and practice : nor was my conclusion absurd, that miracles are the test of truth, and that the church must be orthodox and pure which was so often approved by the visible interposition of the Deity.

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