ABSTRACT
William Godwin and Thomas Holcroft were among the most powerful and admired writers of their day. Their style (for example, read Caleb Williams and Hugh Trevor) was vigorous and captivating, yet were they among the most diffuse and tiresome of speakers. They were members of "The Philomathean Society". The society met once a fortnight, to debate a subject previously proposed. So prolix were both these gentlemen, that a committee of the society was instructed to buy, and did buy, two fifteen minute glasses, the society having adopted a rule, that no member should speak for a longer time. John Binns had no recollection ever to have seen either of those glasses turned when any member, other than Godwin or Holcroft rose to speak.
