THE REV. JOHN RUSSELL. 201 



black coats crossing the road in close pursuit, 

 he turned to his chaplain, and said in a 

 solemn tone, "Alas I this neighbourhood must 

 have been visited by some fearful epidemic. 

 I never saw so many men in mourning 

 before." 



The chaplain knew the country better than 

 the bishop, and said nothing; while he identified 

 the mourners, one after the other, as brethren 

 of his own cloth, and personal friends. But 

 not long did that keen and far-sighted prelate 

 remain unacquainted with the habits of his 

 clergv in this respect ; and although for years 

 he did all in his power to discountenance and 

 suppress the practice, the love of hunting was 

 too strong even for him ; it still flourished like 

 a plant indigenous to the soil — deep-rooted and 

 ineradicable. 



Russell, as might be expected, became the 

 especial object of his fatherly solicitude ; he 

 held what is called "a chapter living," and 

 besides, he was known by the bishop to be 

 an able and popular preacher, and as such, it 

 was only natural that his diocesan should be 

 doubly anxious lest the effects of his ministerial 

 eloquence should be weakened by his prominent 

 and avowed association with the hunting-field. 

 "As von live," would the bishop say, "so will 

 men believe ; and if the shepherd go astray, 

 well may the flock." 



