The others, on the contrary, were in a
perpetual flutter and whisper; they betrayed a continual consciousness
of finery, and a sorry ambition of being the wonders of a rural
congregation.
The old gentleman was the only one really attentive to the
service. He took the whole burden of family devotion upon himself,
standing bolt upright, and uttering the responses with a loud voice
that might be heard all over the church. It was evident that he was
one of those thorough church and king men, who connect the idea of
devotion and loyalty; who consider the Deity, somehow or other, of the
government party, and religion "a very excellent sort of thing, that
ought to be countenanced and kept up."
When he joined so loudly in the service, it seemed more by way of
example to the lower orders, to show them that, though so great and
wealthy, he was not above being religious; as I have seen a turtle-fed
alderman swallow publicly a basin of charity soup, smacking his lips
at every mouthful, and pronouncing it "excellent food for the poor."
When the service was at an end, I was curious to witness the several
exits of my groups. The young noblemen and their sisters, as the day
was fine, preferred strolling home across the fields, chatting with
the country people as they went. The others departed as they came,
in grand parade. Again were the equipages wheeled up to the gate.
There was again the smacking of whips, the clattering of hoofs, and
the glittering of harness. The horses started off almost at a bound;
the villagers again hurried to right and left; the wheels threw up a
cloud of dust; and the aspiring family was rapt out of sight in a
whirlwind.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8