Ghap. XIV.] AND Religion. 243 



church, when a church really means a body of people ; 

 so we are apt to look xipon the priest as being religious, 

 and especially when we call him the reverend; and, it 

 often sadly occurs that no two things can be wider from 

 each other in this quality. Some writer has said, that 

 he would willingly leave to the clergy every thing above 

 the tops of the chimneys ; which, perhaps, was making 

 their possessions rather too ethereal ; but, since our law 

 calls them " spiritual -persons ;" since they profess, that 

 " their kingdom is not of this world," and, since those of 

 our church have solemnly declared, that they believed 

 themselves to be called to the ministry " by the Holy 

 " Ghost:'' it is, I think, a little out of character for 

 them to come poking and grunting and grumbling about 

 after our eggs, potatoes, and sucking pigs. 



442. However, upon the general question of the 

 utility or non-utility of paid religious teachers, let men 

 decide for themselves; but if teachers be to be paid, it 

 seems a clear point, in my mind, that they should be 

 paid upon the American plan : and this, 1 tliink, must 

 be obvious to every one, who is able to take a view of 

 the English Clergy. They are appointed by the abso- 

 lute will of the Boroughmongers. They care nothing 

 for the good will of their congregation or parish. It is 

 as good to them to be hated by their parishioners as to 

 be loved by them. They very frequently never even 

 see their parish more than once in four or five years. 

 They solemnly declare at the altar, that they believe 

 themselves called by the Holy Ghost to take on them 

 the cure of souls ; they get possession of a living ; and 

 leave the cure of souls to some curate, to whom they give 

 a tenth part, perhaps, of the income. Many of them 

 have tico livings, at thirty miles distance from each 

 other. They live at neither very irequently ; and, when 

 they do, they only add to the annoyance which their 

 curate gives. 



443. As to their general character and conduct ; in 

 what public transaction of pre-eminent scandal have 

 they not taken a part ? AVho were found most intimate 

 with Mrs. Clarke, and most busy in her commission 

 dealing affairs'? Clergymen of the Church of England. 

 This i« notorious.- Miss Tocker tells of the tivo livinqs 



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