DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62037#0148
no JOHN RAPHAEL SMITH
I. Before any inscription.
II. At bottom, in scratched letters, Pubd i\th May
1777, by W Humphrey, Gerrard Street, Soho.
III. As described.
Born 1729 ; died 1777. He was a clergyman, who published
a variety of edifying books, and also edited the Christian
Magazine. He was also an eloquent preacher ; duchesses were
moved to tears by his sermons, and Society looked upon him
as its special saviour. Finally his fashionable lady friends pro-
cured him the post of Chaplain to the King. He had a chapel in
Pimlico, called Charlotte Chapel, after the Oueen, where he drew
immense congregations. But he had a convivial side to his char-
acter. In very early life he had married a lady of doubtful reputa-
tion, and published some facetious poems and one loose novel
(The Sisters). This frivolous aspect of the great divine appears
to have been merely hidden, not extinguished. He lived freely ;
scandal became busy with his name; his debts accumulated.
All the support of his congregation was insufficient to brace his
moral character. His steps downward were even more rapid
than his steps upward. He committed forgery, and, although
he made restitution of the money, was sentenced to be hanged.
Samuel Johnson intervened in his favour, and endeavoured to
obtain a pardon from the King. He also wrote the speech Dodd
delivered before his sentence, and the sermon he preached to his
fellow-prisoners prior to his execution. Monster meetings were
held and petitions signed, but the narrow morality of the King
was outraged by the way Dodd had disgraced his office and his
position, and he proved obdurate. The popular preacher was
hanged on 27th June 1777, to the great entertainment of his
sympathisers, who thronged to see him swing, almost as eagerly
as they had thronged to hear him preach.
DODD. Wheatley.
See “ Miss Younge, Dodd, Love, and Waldron,”
No. 382.
115. DODD. Wheatley.
W.L. With Mrs. Pope (Miss Younge) as Viola, Act
I. Before any inscription.
II. At bottom, in scratched letters, Pubd i\th May
1777, by W Humphrey, Gerrard Street, Soho.
III. As described.
Born 1729 ; died 1777. He was a clergyman, who published
a variety of edifying books, and also edited the Christian
Magazine. He was also an eloquent preacher ; duchesses were
moved to tears by his sermons, and Society looked upon him
as its special saviour. Finally his fashionable lady friends pro-
cured him the post of Chaplain to the King. He had a chapel in
Pimlico, called Charlotte Chapel, after the Oueen, where he drew
immense congregations. But he had a convivial side to his char-
acter. In very early life he had married a lady of doubtful reputa-
tion, and published some facetious poems and one loose novel
(The Sisters). This frivolous aspect of the great divine appears
to have been merely hidden, not extinguished. He lived freely ;
scandal became busy with his name; his debts accumulated.
All the support of his congregation was insufficient to brace his
moral character. His steps downward were even more rapid
than his steps upward. He committed forgery, and, although
he made restitution of the money, was sentenced to be hanged.
Samuel Johnson intervened in his favour, and endeavoured to
obtain a pardon from the King. He also wrote the speech Dodd
delivered before his sentence, and the sermon he preached to his
fellow-prisoners prior to his execution. Monster meetings were
held and petitions signed, but the narrow morality of the King
was outraged by the way Dodd had disgraced his office and his
position, and he proved obdurate. The popular preacher was
hanged on 27th June 1777, to the great entertainment of his
sympathisers, who thronged to see him swing, almost as eagerly
as they had thronged to hear him preach.
DODD. Wheatley.
See “ Miss Younge, Dodd, Love, and Waldron,”
No. 382.
115. DODD. Wheatley.
W.L. With Mrs. Pope (Miss Younge) as Viola, Act