AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 45 



N. S.* of my dissatisfaction, who candidly told me he 



thought the action inconsistent with Christianity; however,' 



it lay not with him to suppress it, as being subjective 



to thy government. I am certain thy predecessor, and 



my master, W. D.,f did detest this action, and directly 



forbid it, so as not to suffer it to be clone. I have also 



been informed that thy predecessor, E. E., a man to be 



honoured for his faith and piety, thought it his duty, for 



some years past, publickly to reprehend the abettors of 



cockfighting. * * * 



HENRY HINGESTON. 

 17th 12th mo., 1700." 



The writer of this letter was the son of William 

 Hingcston, an upright, faithful man, and one of the first 

 in Devonshire who embraced the principles of "Friends." 

 He suffered much for conscience sake during the long 

 period of their persecution. His son Henry was the author 

 of a book entitled "A Dreadful Alarm, &c, an Address 

 to England, containing sundry warnings and admonitions 

 to the inhabitants thereof, of all degrees and persuasions, 

 but more particularly to those of the town of Kingsbridge, 

 in Devon (the place of my nativity and abode), and parts 

 adjacent." In this part of his work the writer severely 

 condemns the vices and follies of his neighbours in such 

 matters as throwing at cocks, bull-baiting, and wrecking; 

 and includes in his condemnation the pastimes of football, 

 shooting, keeling (i. e., skittle playing), carding, dicing, 

 dancing, and the prevalent feasting and drunkenness of 

 his day-t 



* Rev. Nathaniel Seaman, 

 f William Duncombe. 



% Probably II. II. 's objection to some of these pastimes was on the ground 

 of the betting and drinking which usually accompanied them. 



