. At length, in 1814, the great Joanna
dazzled the eyes of her adherents and the world at large with her
"Prophecies concerning the Prince of Peace." This delectable manifesto
flatly announced to mankind that the second Shiloh, so long expected,
would be born of the Prophetess at midnight, on October 19, in that
same year, _i. e._ 1814. The inspired writer was then enceinte, although
a virgin, as she expressly and solemnly declared, and in the
sixty-fourth year of her age. Among the other preternatural concomitants
of this anticipated eventful birth, was the fact that the period of her
pregnancy had lasted for several years.

Of course, this stupendous announcement threw the whole sect into
ecstasies of religious exultation; while, on the other hand, it afforded
a fruitful subject of ridicule for the utterly irreverent London
pamphleteers. Poor Sharp, who had caused a magnificent cradle and
baby-wardrobe to be got ready at his own expense, was most unmercifully
scored. The infant was caricatured with a long gray beard and
spectacles, with Sharp in a duster carefully rocking him to sleep, while
Joanna the Prophetess treated the engraver to some "cuts" in her own
style, with a bunch of twigs.

On the appointed night, the street in which Joanna lived was thronged
with the faithful, who, undeterred by sarcasm, fully credited her
prediction. They bivouacked on the side-walks in motley crowds of men,
women, and children; and as the hours wore on, and their interest
increased, burst forth into spontaneous psalmody. The adjacent
thoroughfares were as densely jammed with curious and incredulous
spectators, and the mutton pie and ballad businesses flourished
extensively. The interior of the house, with the exception of the sick
chamber, was illuminated in all directions, and the dignitaries of the
sect held the ante-rooms and corridors, "in full fig," to receive the
expected guest. But the evening passed, then midnight came, then
morning, but alas! no Shiloh; and, little by little, the disappointed
throngs dispersed! Poor Joanna, however, kept her bed, and finally,
after many fresh paroxysms and prophecies, on the 27th of December,
1814, gave up the ghost--the indefatigable Sharp still declaring that
she had gone to heaven for a season, only to legitimatize the unborn
infant, and would re-arise again from death, after four days, with the
Shiloh in her arms. So firm was this faith in him and many other
respectable persons, that