A clergyman conducting a chaotic christening. Colour mezzotint by J. Sympson, 173-, after W. Hogarth.

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<p>Sir Richard Blackmore was a physician who wrote numerous epic poems such as 'Eliza: an epic poem in ten books' (1705). John Henley was a dissenting minister who preached at the Oratory in Clare Market (Houghton Street, London). An example of his published sermons is 'Sion in perfect beauty: or, the heaven of heavens: a sermon deliver'd in the Oratory by Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, on Sunday, April 26, 1730' (London 1730)</p>

1 print : etching, with engraving ; platemark 16.9 x 10.8 cm

A student reads to an audience the epic poems of Sir Richard Blackmore and the sermons of John ("Orator") Henley to find out which is the more soporific; his audience fall asleep with boredom. Etching by C. Grignion after F. Hayman.

<p>The lettering on this print identifies the preacher with the eccentric John Henley, born in Melton Mowbray in 1692, where, as a school teacher, he introduced liberal educational methods. In London he held charity sermons to the poor at Oratory Chapel, which he founded at Clare Market, London (on the site around the present London School of Economics buildings in Houghton Street). He founded a news-sheet called the Hyp Doctor. However, the preacher in the painting by Hogarth on which this print is based is also identified with Cornelius Ford, cousin of Dr Samuel Johnson: this identification is based on information given by Hester Thrale to J. Ireland (Paulson, loc. cit.)</p>

1 print : mezzotint, printed in blue ; image 29 x 39.8 cm

Eighteenth Century collections online

A guide to the oratory: or, an historical account of the new sect of the Henleyarians. Containing, I. The birth, education and qualifications of the founder, John Henley, M. A. Poet, Preacher and Orator. II. Of his Acquiring the Title of Restorer of the Ancient Elocution, and his Founding the Oratory. III. The Confession of Faith signed by Himself, and of his new Common-Prayer-Book. VI. A full Answer to his Antagonists.

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Henley, John, 1692-1756

Images

Works

A student reads to an audience the epic poems of Sir Richard Blackmore and the sermons of John ("Orator") Henley to find out which is the more soporific; his audience fall asleep with boredom. Etching by C. Grignion after F. Hayman.

A clergyman conducting a chaotic christening. Colour mezzotint by J. Sympson, 173-, after W. Hogarth.

Oratory transactions. ... By J.Henley, M.A.

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Henley, John, 1692-1756

Images

Works

A student reads to an audience the epic poems of Sir Richard Blackmore and the sermons of John ("Orator") Henley to find out which is the more soporific; his audience fall asleep with boredom. Etching by C. Grignion after F. Hayman.

A clergyman conducting a chaotic christening. Colour mezzotint by J. Sympson, 173-, after W. Hogarth.

Oratory transactions. ... By J.Henley, M.A.

Wellcome Collection

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