(PN) (of times}, it was the age (PN) {of wisdom}, it was the

age (PN) {of foolishness}, it was the epoch (PN) {of belief}, it

was the epoch (PN) {of incredulity}, it was the season (PN)

{of Light}, it was the season (PN){of Darkness}, it was the

spring (PN) {of hope}, it was the winter (PN) {of despair},

we had everything (DO) {before us}, we had nothing (DO)

{before us}, we were all going direct {to Heaven}, we were all

going direct the other way -- the period was so far {like the 

present period}, that some {of its noisiest authorities} insisted

{on its being received}, {for good} or {for evil}, {in the superlative 

degree} {of comparison} only.

      There^[Note] were a king (PN) {with a large jaw} and a

queen (PN) {with a plain face}, {on the throne} {of England};

there^[Note] were a king (PN) {with a large jaw}and a queen 

(PN) {with a fair face}, {on the throne} {of France}. {In both 

countries} it was clearer (PA) {than crystal} {to the lords} {of

the State preserves} {of loaves and fishes}, that things {in general}

were settled {for ever}.

     It was the year (PN) {of Our Lord} one thousand seven hundred

and seventy-five. Spiritual  revelations were conceded {to 

England} {at that favoured period}, as {at this}. Mrs.

Southcott had recently attained her five-and-twentieth blessed

birthday (DO), {of whom} a prophetic private {in the Life 

Guards} had heralded the sublime appearance (DO)  {by 

announcing} that arrangements were made {for the swallowing 

up} {of London and Westminster}. Even the Cock-lane ghost had 

been laid only a round dozen {of years}, {after rapping out its

messages}, as the spirits {of this very year} last past 

(supernaturally deficient {in originality}) rapped out theirs (DO).

Mere messages {in the earthly order} {of events} had lately come

{to the English Crown and People}, {from a congress} {of British

subjects} {in America}: which, strange to relate, have proved

more important (PA) {to the human race}  {than any

communications} yet received {through any} {of the chickens}

{of the Cock-lane brood}.