SELINA, COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON, occasions, she had laboured to do good among the nobility and gentry who crowded thither. In 1765, encouraged by the success which had attended the opening of her chapel at Brighton, she purchased a piece of ground at Bath, and erected a chapel there, which was opened by Whitfield, in the October of the same year. Several eminent divines officiated there. Wesley offered to preach, and the gossiping letter-writer, Horace Walpole, in visiting Bath, described him as " wondrous clever, but as evidently an actor as Garrick ;" his sermon, he admits, had " parts and eloquence " in it, but he accuses the preacher of unduly elevating his 'Voice towards the end, and " acting very vulgar enthusiasm." Numerous members of the aristocracy attended this chapel; among others, Lords Chatham, Rockingham, and Camden. Curtained seats immediately ad- joining the door were reserved for the Bishops, who could thus hear without being seen,-a privilege of which many prelates availed themselves, and which caused a witty lady of rank to denominate this part of the meeting-house " Nicodemus's Corner !" Lady Huntingdon also built, hired, or purchased chapels at Oathall, Bretby, and many other places ; but her zeal increasing with her success, these chapels multiplied so rapidly throughout England, Ireland, and Wales, that the preachers who had hitherto laboured with her were unequal to the task, and she invited laymen of piety and abilities to minister in the congregations she had established. 26
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=