CHAPTER XII.

Why not let well alone?

Nor yet,

(Grave this within thy heart!) if spiritual things
Be lost, through apathy, or scorn, or fear,
Shalt thou thy humbler franchises support,
However hardly won or justly dear.

WORDSWORTH.

Ir is of the greatest importance in a parish to have the principal residents religious and well disposed. There are amongst our English gentry many bright examples of truly religious men and devoted members of the Church, who gladly co-operate with the clergyman in all his exertions for the benefit of his flock, of which they do not disdain to consider themselves as humble members. Others there are who, without these high and holy motives, still are, as they term it, supporters of the Church and friends of the clergy. They know full well that the precept and example of a zealous clergyman are of inestimable value to preserve good order amongst their tenants and labourers; and duly appreciate the influence which they have in keeping the lower classes

sober and honest, instead of being drunkards and poachers.

From conservative principles such as these, many English gentlemen extend their aid to the parochial clergyman so long as he does not interfere with their comforts or habits, and provided he keeps to the accustomed routine. But if he goes beyond the beaten track, and introduces any seeming novelties, or advocates unusual strictness, then the jealousy of the squire is rather apt to be excited; for he is no great theologian, and is little able to judge whether the apparent novelties be judicious or otherwise. He sees only that the old beaten track is departed from, and at once sets down the deviation as a novelty. The evangelical clergy used to be objects of great jealousy to the English gentry; but now their zeal has ceased to cause opposition, and the doctrines of evangelism are so prevalent, at least in a modified form, in most parishes, that any marked departure from them is viewed as an innovation.

I was fortunate in having a very worthy gentleman, of the good old English sort, as the principal resident in my parish. Sir John Somerville, a baronet of good family and fortune, was the owner of a fine mansion and the greater part of the property in Somerton. He had been member for the county in several parliaments, which of course took him a good deal to London; but the rest of his time he spent usually at his country-seat. His family consisted of his lady-a very exemplary and right-principled

gentlewoman; a son, who was at Oxford; and two daughters, Martha and Agnes. These young ladies were well brought up by their mother, and taught to interest themselves in the welfare of their poorer neighbours. Yet there was a considerable difference in their character. Martha was more active and bustling than her sister. She was indefatigable in teaching her class in the Sunday-school; and might be often seen hastening through the village with baskets of provisions, or bundles of linen, for sick persons. Though well intentioned, she was rather deficient in judgment; and it is related of her, that once, when she went to pay a visit to the fastingwoman at Tutbury, she took a basket containing a good supply of calves-foot jelly and other delicacies for the invalid. On the whole, she was not so much liked as her sister, being fond of managing and giving directions, and without that delicacy of feeling and kind sympathy for those whom she befriended, which is so sure to win their affection. Agnes, on the other hand, was kindness itself. Every one loved Agnes. The countenance of the suffering patient was lighted up with a glad smile at her approach; age forgot its infirmities, and disease its sorrows, when she was present. Another difference between her and her sister was, that Martha was always wanting little alterations made in the parochial arrangements, and made a great fuss about trifles. Agnes went on calmly and quietly in her path of duty, intent mainly on the one thing needful.

One morning I received a visit from Sir John, which was no unusual occurrence, as he took great interest in the poor, and often consulted me about · them.

"I am anxious," he said, "to know what you think about poor Carter. I fear his leg will never be thoroughly restored, unless he is put under the regular and constant attendance of a first-rate surgeon. Do you not think we had better send him to the Infirmary?"

:

"Certainly he will have the best chance of being perfectly cured if he is sent there."

"Well, I have got a ticket for him; and will tell William to drive him over to Ashford in the covered cart with springs. We must put in a good feather-bed for him to lie on. By the by, do you think he is properly supplied with linen ?”

"I fear not, Sir John. His wife is but an untidy person, and does not keep him very comfortable."

“Well, well, I will speak to Lady Somerville. We must see him properly fitted out."

Here a pause ensued; and I fancied, from Sir John's manner, that poor Carter's accident was not the only object of his visit. However, having no clue to the thoughts of my worthy parishioner, I considered it better to remain silent, in order to give him an opportunity of saying what he wished. At last Sir John, of his own accord, broached the subject.

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"I am anxious, Mr. Leslie, to speak a word

with you on a subject with regard to which I should scarcely feel myself justified in addressing you, were it not that I trust we are on such terms of intimacy and friendship as to warrant me in taking the liberty." There was a good deal more of formality in this speech than Sir John usually exhibited, as he was generally plain-spoken, and employed very little circumlocution.

I assured him that I should at all times be most ready to converse with him, or any other parishioner, on subjects connected with my office; only, of course, reserving to myself the privilege of acting as, after mature deliberation, I considered most accordant with my duty.

"I beg you will not think that I would presume to dictate- I am no theologian, Mr. Leslie; but still, in the course of reading and conversation, one hears these subjects discussed. Even the columns of newspapers are filled with religious controversy, which, in my humble opinion, had much better be omitted."

I quite agreed with my worthy friend in his view so far.

"I am told," continued Sir John, "that there is a new school of theologians recently sprung up at Oxford, who have put forth a series of publications called Tracts for the Times. Have you seen any these Tracts, Mr. Leslie ?"

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of

• I have, Sir John; I know the contents of them pretty well; and so, indeed, do you."