month*. Their hymns are selected from the compositions of their prophetess; but that, if she is inspired, it is at least not from any spring in Parnassus, will probably be clear to all who shall peruse the following verses:

"The blood of all that you have slain,
They all were murder'd by such men ;
Who now appear, these things to mock,
And now on them I'll bring the stroke ;
As down the kettle then did fall †,

You shall perceive I'll bring on all."

Having established her churches, and being weary of her wanderings, the prophetess has now fixed her residence in the metropolis, where she has lived for some years in a secret chamber, seen by few, and, latterly, spoken to by none. Here, however, according to her own account, she has been favoured with that extraordinary vision, of which it may be proper to record the particulars. "On the 14th of October 1813," such is the statement in her Third Book of Wonders, "I was ordered to sit up all night in my room by myself, which I did. Many extraordinary things were revealed to me, and I was ordered to hold that night in everlasting remembrance. About twelve o'clock I looked at the candle; there ap

* Three hundred persons recently received the sacrament at the hands of the Gibeonite, Tozer.

+Alluding to her kettle falling from the fire, while Joanna was sitting on the tripod.

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peared something like a large bowl behind it, with a point towards the candle. The candle was flaming very bright, and there appeared a ring as red as scarlet, circled round the middle of the flame; immediately there appeared a hand as white as snow, which came out between the bowl and the candle, and, after having gashed my breast, pointed towards me. I trembled to see it, and was answered, Fear not, it is I.' I was then ordered to put on my glasses, and the hand appeared the second time, more brilliant than before; but then the flame of the candle seemed parted in two, and looked in a different manner from the first, but burnt very bright, The hand was pointed towards me the second time, as white as snow, and a red cuff was upon the wrist *."

In this manner it was revealed to her that she should shortly have a miraculous conception, similar to that of the blessed Virgin; and that before the end of the harvest 1814 she should bring forth the Shiloh, who shall lead the Israelites into the promised land, and establish the mil lennium upon earth. That this deluded woman should believe her own lie, it is not inconsistent with the experience of past ages to suppose; but that it should obtain implicit credit among a large

*Third Book of Wonders.-As this idea is plagiarized from the hand-writing in Belshazzar's vision, it is termed, very pro perly," a SECOND-HAND prophecy." P. 57.

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body of people, in different parts of the country, can only be accounted for by recollecting, that there are various shades of mental derangement, and that this unhappy malady is often discovered on one subject, by persons who discourse and act rationally upon every other. So strong, however, is the credence in the approaching fulfilment of the prediction, that the Southcottians have actually prepared a magnificent cradle, with splendid decorations and appendages of every kind to corre-, spond, for the reception of the celestial guest. This singular curiosity has been seen by many persons during several days of the last month, July 1814, at Seddons's the cabinet-maker, in Aldersgate Street *,

* Under the impression that so lamentable a specimen of English credulity would hardly obtain credit in after-times, if supported only by vague reports in the newspapers, I was resolved to obtain as satisfactory evidence for the existence of the costly furniture, as should preclude the possibility of a doubt. On Saturday, July 30, the cradle was removed to the house of Mr. Hows, 10, Pollard's Lane, near Bethnal Green. Disappointed at Seddons's, where I had called a day or two afterwards, I went on Friday, Aug. 5, to this same pork, butcher's in Pollard's Lane, which I found with some difficulty. Unfortunately, the object of my search had been packed up a few hours before my arrival ; but the housekeeper, after some hesitation, indulged me with a view of the case. Returning to Seddons's, I obtained a more minute account of this monument of gross fatuity, than had appeared in the public journals. The following then may be relied on as a sorrect description. It is a crib of satin-wood, three feet six

At this time, Mr. Tozer was contributing to

inches by two feet, with brass trellis side and foot-board: the feet are elegantly turned, carved, and gilt; and run upon casters. Inside is a swing cot caned, which swings on the centre. At each end there are gold mouldings. The cornice and canopy are of white and gold; and the latter is surmounted by a globe of gold, with a golden dove carrying in its mouth an olive-branch. The curtains are of blue damask, with gold fringe, and white muslin curtains underneath: the external curtains are looped up with rich golden tassels. On the head-cloth a crown and star are brilliantly embroidered; and above it appears in Hebrew characters, the word "Shiloh." Along the cornice are inscribed, likewise in letters of gold, the English words-(would that, for the sake of England, these also had been unintelligible to the multitude!) "A free-will offering of faith to the promised seed."

This royal manger is equipped with a lamb's wool mattress, a white fustian down bed, down pillow, and two superfine blankets. There are also damask napkins, sheeting of the finest linen, and golden pap-spoons.

Although, having now conversed with six persons who had seen the cradle, I could entertain no doubt as to its existence, I addressed as polite and delicate a note as I could pen, to Mr. Hows, stating the motive of my curiosity, and offering, if he would yet condescend to gratify it, to be answerable for the expense attending the opening of the case. But this president of the committee has not deigned to oblige me with a reply. It has been stated, that the cradle is the sole gift of a lady of fortune. I believe, however, on good authority, that the expenses are to be defrayed by subscription. Such contributions are levied out of the pittances of the lower classes; many of whom deprive themselves of necessaries to support the delusion. Surely, if the magistracy have power to send astrologers, fortune-tellers, and swindlers, to the house of correction, so flagrant an evil as this ought not to be suffered to escape.

the success of the delusion, by declaring from his

In addition to the equipments of the cradle, a font of pure gold has been ordered; and a pair of white satin shoes, having the words King of Salem, Priest of God, richly embroidered in silver on the satin, were made a month ago by Taylor in Bond Street. To ascertain this, I went this day, Aug. 12, 1814, to Taylor, the well-known " Ambassador of Morocco;" who acknowledged the truth of it, in the hearing of the Rev. Edward Williams, Curate of St. George's, Hanover Square.

But the silver cup and salver, presented by the maniacs of Birmingham, is still more blasphemous than any thing which `has yet been noticed. The cup contains a quart; and on the salver is engraved, "Hail, Messiah! Prince of Salem." On the lid of the cup is a dove, with an olive-branch: the inscription round the rim, "Of the increase of his government, and peace, there shall be no end;" and on a shield on the body, "This present was sent as a token of love to the Prince of Peace, from a part of the believers in the divine mission of Joanna Southcott, at Birmingham." Encircled with vinebranches, appears the figure of a child destroying a serpent, having the motto, "It shall bruise thy head, then it is finished:" on the other side, a shield, with the inscription, "And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me." In another division are three angels, saying prayers, surrounded by rays, with the words, " Glory to God! Hallelujah! the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." A pair of goblets, accompany the cup; on one of which is inscribed,

"Their palaces shall rise, the joyful Son
Shall finish what his short-liv'd Sire begun."

On the other,

"Their vines a shadow to their race shall yield,

And the same hand that sowed, shall reap, the field."

The engravings and inscriptions are said to do honour to the young artist who has dared to sit at work on such a gross im