London debates: 1794

1871. January 2, 1794 London Forum

'Is it from a prior Disappointment in Love, or delusive Principle of Avarice, or laudable Desire of rendering the connubial State happy, that so many Persons marry for Interest?'

Daily Advertiser January 1

1872. January 9, 1794 London Forum

'Has the Superstition of the Roman Catholicks or the Enthusiasm of the Methodists tended more to injure the general Interests of Religion? Religious discussion, when conducted with Liberality and Candour, is peculiarly to the reasoning Powers of Man.'

Daily Advertiser January 8

1873. January 16, 1794 London Forum

'Has the Superstition of the Roman Catholicks or the Enthusiasm of the Methodists tended more to injure the general Interests of Religion? The Charge of Plagiarism advanced against John Wesley from Dr. Johnson's Taxation no Tyranny, which gave such Offence to a clerical Character apparently of the methodistical Communion, will doubtless then be seriously investigated and correctly decided.'

Daily Advertiser January 15

1874. January 23, 1794 London Forum

'Has the Superstition of the Roman Catholicks or the Enthusiasm of the Methodists tended more to injure the general Interests of Religion?'

Daily Advertiser January 22

1875. January 30, 1794 London Forum

'Has the Superstition of the Roman Catholicks or the Enthusiasm of the Methodists tended more to injure the general Interests of Religion? The Question . . . was determined in favour of the Methodists.'

Daily Advertiser January 29

1876. February 6, 1794 London Forum

'Does the vast Body of Evidence recorded in sacred and prophane antient and modern History, combined with the Testimony of respectable living Characters, justify an Opinion that Dreams are sometimes Presages of future Events, or are they always to be accounted the Rovings of a bewildered Imagination?'

Daily Advertiser February 5

1877. February 13, 1794 London Forum

'Which is the greater Absurdity, to refuse a Divorce between Man and Wife when they are heartily tired of each other, or to dissolve a Marriage Covenant where mutual Affection subsists?'

Daily Advertiser February 12

1878. February 20, 1794 London Forum

'Ought the lamentable Fates of Rosamond and Jane Shore to be considered as memorable Instances of the Instability of all human Greatness, or to be held up to the Fair Sex as striking Examples of that just Punishment attendant on a Dereliction from Female Virtue?'

Daily Advertiser February 19

1879. February 27, 1794 London Forum

'Which is the greatest Nuisance to Society, a fraudulent Bankrupt, a pettyfogging Attorney, or a Lottery Shark who lives by illegal Insurance?'

Daily Advertiser February 26

1880. March 6, 1794 London Forum

'Is the Opinion of Mr. Pitt, last Week delivered in the House of Commons true, [that] the Decree of the French Convention for emancipating their Negroes in the West-Indies, a new and additional Reason for an immediate Abolition of the African Slave Trade?'

Daily Advertiser March 5

1881. March 13, 1794 London Forum

'Is the Opinion of Mr. Pitt, last Week delivered in the House of Commons true, [that] the Decree of the French Convention for emancipating their Negroes in the West-Indies is a new an additional Reason for an immediate Abolition of the African Slave Trade?

The Audience . . . were unanimous in expressing their Reprobation of the Slave Trade, and their Hope that the wise and virtuous Exertions of the British Parliament would speedily abolish in toto a Traffick so abhorrent to the Feelings of Humanity.'

Daily Advertiser March 12

1882. March 20, 1794 London Forum

'Is which Situation is most Happiness to be found, the elevated Walks of Wealth and Grandeur, the busy Scenes of Trade and Commerce, or the humble Shades of domestick Ease and Retirement?

Complaints of Unhappiness have so long been re-echoed from one Rank of Life to another that an Enquiry into the Source of such a general Failure in the universal Pursuit cannot but forcibly engage publick Attention.'

Daily Advertiser March 19

1883. March 27, 1794 London Forum

'In this expensive and fashionable Age ought two Persons possessed of mutual Affection, but destitute of Fortune, to marry, trusting in Providence and Industry for Support, or to separate from prudential Motives?'

Daily Advertiser March 26

1884. April 3, 1794 London Forum

'Which is most agreeable to Revelation, Reason and moral Virtue, Socinianism, as propagated by Drs. Price and Priestley; Arminianism, as preached by the late Rev. Mr. Wesley; absolute Predestination, as taught by Calvin; or the universal Restoration maintained by the Rev. Mr. Winchester?

The four opposing Systems of the present Question may be said to occupy almost the whole Circle of religious Opinion.'

Daily Advertiser April 2

1885. April 10, 1794 London Forum

'Which is most agreeable to Revelation, Reason and moral Virtue, Socinianism, as propagated by Drs. Price and Priestley; Arminianism, as preached by the late Rev. Mr. Wesley; absolute Predestination, as taught by Calvin; or the universal Restoration maintained by the Rev. Mr. Winchester?'

Daily Advertiser April 9

1886. April 17, 1794 London Forum

'Which is most agreeable to Revelation, Reason and moral Virtue, Socinianism, as propagated by Drs. Price and Priestley; Arminianism, as preached by the late Rev. Mr. Wesley; absolute Predestination, as taught by Calvin; or the universal Restoration maintained by the Rev. Mr. Winchester?'

Daily Advertiser April 16

1887. April 24, 1794 London Forum

'Which is most agreeable to Revelation, Reason and moral Virtue, Socinianism, as propagated by Drs. Price and Priestley; Arminianism, as preached by the late Rev. Mr. Wesley; absolute Predestination, as taught by Calvin; or the universal Restoration maintained by the Rev. Mr. Winchester?'

Daily Advertiser April 23

1888. May 1, 1794 London Forum

'Will the Laws of Conscience and Honour justify a Man without Rank and Fortune in clandestinely marrying a young Lady who is in Possession of both?'

Daily Advertiser April 30

1889. May 8, 1794 London Forum

'Is the following Assertion of that great moral Luminary, Dr. Johnson, the Result of vulgar and superstitious Fear, or the conviction of Truth supported by Evidence, "The Belief in Apparitions which prevails perhaps as far as human Nature is diffused could become universal only by its Truths, the Doubts of single Cavillers can very little weaken the general Evidence, since some who would deny it with their Tongues confess it by their Fears"?'

Daily Advertiser May 7

1890. May 15, 1794 London Forum

'Which has done the greater Injury to the real Interests of Religion, the superstitious Enthusiasm of the Fanatick, or the lukewarm Inattention of the regular Church Clergy?

That there has been of late Years an alarming Decay of vital Religion is a melancholy truth confirmed by general Experience, and yet never did the Annals of religious History present to the serious observer so extensive a Variety of professing Sects as prevail at the present Day. This apparent Paradox can only be resolved by one of the two causes stated in the Question.'

Daily Advertiser May 14

1891. October 13, 1794 Morning Chronicle

'Several respectable Inhabitants of Westminster, having expressed their regret at the discontinuance of the WESTMINSTER FORUM, a Society of Gentlemen purpose tomorrow evening to open the GREAT ROOM, PANTON STREET in the Haymarket for FREE DEBATE, when the following classical and appropriate Question will be discussed, viz. Was Lucius Virginius justifiable or censurable for putting his Daughter to death, to prevent her Dishonour by the Tyrant Appius?'

The audience declared that Virginius was unjustifiable.

1892. October 21, 1794 Westminster Forum

'Are there more moral effects and less evils resulting from a Play-house, or a Methodist meeting?'

Morning Chronicle October 20

1893. October 28, 1794 Westminster Forum

GOD ALMIGHTY'S NEPHEW

'Ought RICHARD BROTHERS (who stiles himself GOD ALMIGHTY'S NEPHEW) to be received as a Prophet, or punished as an Imposter?

Richard Brothers, in two recent publications, has not only proclaimed himself a "Prophet of the Most High" but declared that he is next spring to proceed into Cheapside, turn his wand into a serpent, an earthquake is to ensue, and he is to be publicly acknowledged the Rod of the Stem of Jesse, the deliverer of the Jews, who is to lead that people in triumph to Jerusalem. To crown the whole, he assumes the title of "God Almighty's Nephew", and boasts with a most astonishing degree of assurance of "the divine communications of his uncle".

Impartiality compels the Managers to withhold their opinion of this blasphemous farrago. But they think it is a duty which they owe the peace of their country to undeceive many weak minds from groundless apprehension.'

Morning Chronicle October 27

1894. November 11, 1794 Westminster Forum

'To which of the following Causes mentioned by Mr. Hayley in his celebrated HISTORY OF OLD MAIDS, ought the Number of those Ladies to be imputed - The Perfidy of the Male Sex - Disappointment in the Tender Passion - or Peculiarity of Person and Temper?'

Morning Chronicle November 10

1895. November 18, 1794 Westminster Forum

SPIES, ROBBERS

'Which is the worst Character, the SPY, or the COMMON ROBBER?'

It was determined that 'The Spy is a more nefarious Character than the Common Robber.'

Morning Chronicle November 17

1896. November 25, 1794 Westminster Forum

'Which ought to be pronounced the most flagrant attack on British credulity, the Prophecies of Richard Brothers (who styles himself God Almighty's Nephew!), the Cock-lane Ghost, or the Bottle Conjuror?

We have some considerable reason to expect Mr. Brothers will pay us a visit.'

Morning Chronicle

1897. December 2, 1794 Westminster Forum

'To bear which of the following situations demands the greatest exertion of fortitude: the Loss of Fortune; Ruin of Reputation; or a total Disappointment in the Tender Passion?'

Morning Herald

1898. December 4, 1794 London Forum

'Which of the following illustrious Characters has rendered the most essential services to his Country, the late immortal Earl of Chatham, the virtuous George Washington, or the patriotic Kosciusko?

The Managers have only to observe, that public debate is the best medium to illustrate such a resplendent class of characters, such a constellation of patriotic integrity, since, while we pay that tribute of respect which is due to the public virtues of others, we excite in ourselves a lively yet respectful, an animated yet loyal attachment to the constitutional liberties of our country.'

Morning Herald December 3

1899. December 9, 1794 Westminster Forum

'Which have proved themselves the truest Friends of their King and Country, those Persons who have endeavoured to procure a Reform of Parliament, or those who have resisted that Measure, as ill-timed and dangerous?

While doubt and uncertainty hung over the public mind, it became necessary to wave the right of debating political subjects. This was a sacrifice which the Managers offered to the quiet of their country. Stimulated by the same motive, a wish to promote order, they have yielded to the solicitation of several respectable and independent inhabitants of Westminster, and brought forward the above seasonable and appropriate subject. Gentlemen who intend to speak to the Question are strongly recommended to rest their arguments on Constitutional grounds.'

Morning Chronicle

1900. December 16, 1794 Westminster Forum

'Which have proved themselves the truest Friends of their King and Country, those Persons who have endeavoured to procure a Reform of

Parliament, or those who have resisted that Measure, as ill-timed and dangerous?'

Morning Chronicle

1901. December 18, 1794 London Forum

'Ought not every man who seduces a Female to be obliged by law to marry her?'

Morning Chronicle

1902. December 23, 1794 Westminster Forum

'Which have proved themselves the truest Friends of their King and Country, those Persons who have endeavoured to procure a Reform of Parliament, or those who have resisted that Measure, as ill-timed and dangerous?'

Morning Chronicle

1903. December 26, 1794 London Forum

'Are the Predictions of Richard Brothers, who stiles himself God Almighty's Nephew (relative to the present awful crisis of Europe, the eventual situation of this Kingdom, and his immediate appearance as the Prince and Prophet to conduct the Jews to Jerusalem) Missions of Divine Authenticity, Effects of Insanity, or artful Contrivances of am ambitious Imposter to aggrandize himself at the expence of public credulity?

Imposture, dangerous at all times, is never so truly destructive as when it allies itself to religious enthusiasm. . . [His] Principles, which, however apparently absurd, are rendered peculiarly interesting by the present disordered state of all civilized Governments, and the unprecedented convulsions which now agitate the whole of the European Continent.'

Morning Chronicle

1904. December 30, 1794 Westminster Forum

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM

'Which have proved themselves the TRUE FRIENDS OF THEIR KING AND COUNTRY - those Persons who have endeavoured to procure a CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IN PARLIAMENT - or those who have opposed that Measure, as ill-timed and dangerous?'

Morning Chronicle