The pamphlet which follows is written in ridicule of Whiston’s prophetic pronouncements.  Scott ascribes its authorship to Swift; but the “Miscellanies” of 1747 and Hawkesworth in the edition of 1766 of Swift’s Works place it in the list of “Contents,” with other pieces, under the heading, “By Mr. Pope and Mr. Gay.”

The present text is practically that given by Scott, which is based on that in the third edition of the “Miscellanies” of 1732.

[T.S.]

  A TRUE AND FAITHFUL
  NARRATIVE

  OF

  What passed in London, during the General Consternation
  of all Ranks and Degrees of Mankind;

  ON TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, and
  FRIDAY last.

On Tuesday the 13th of October, Mr. Whiston held his lecture, near the Royal Exchange, to an audience of fourteen worthy citizens, his subscribers and constant hearers.  Besides these, there were five chance auditors for that night only, who had paid their shillings a-piece.  I think myself obliged to be very particular in this relation, lest my veracity should be suspected; which makes me appeal to the men who were present; of which number I myself was one.  Their names are,

  Henry Watson, Haberdasher. 
  George Hancock, Druggist. 
  John Lewis, Dry-Salter.
  William Jones, Corn-Chandler.
  Henry Theobald, Watchmaker. 
  James Peters, Draper. 
  Thomas Floyer, Silver-Smith.
  John Wells, Brewer. 
  Samuel Greg, Soap-Boiler. 
  William Cooley, Fish-monger. 
  James Harper, Hosier. 
  Robert Tucker, Stationer. 
  George Ford, Iron-monger. 
  Daniel Lynch, Apothecary.

William Bennet,    }
David Somers,      }
Charles Lock,      } Apprentices. 
Leonard Daval,     }
Henry Croft,       }

Mr. Whiston began by acquainting us, that (contrary to his advertisement) he thought himself in duty and conscience obliged to change the subject matter of his intended discourse.  Here he paused, and seemed, for a short space, as it were, lost in devotion and mental prayer; after which, with great earnestness and vehemence, he spake as follows: 

“Friends and fellow-citizens, all speculative science is at an end:  the period of all things is at hand; on Friday next this world shall be no more.  Put not your confidence in me, brethren; for to-morrow morning, five minutes after five, the truth will be evident; in that instant the comet shall appear, of which I have heretofore warned you.  As ye have heard, believe.  Go hence, and prepare your wives, your families, and friends, for the universal change.”

At this solemn and dreadful prediction, the whole society appeared in the utmost astonishment:  but it would be unjust not to remember, that Mr. Whiston himself was in so calm a temper, as to return a shilling a-piece to the youths, who had been disappointed of their lecture, which I thought, from a man of his integrity, a convincing proof of his own faith in the prediction.