334 Catholic Priest" s Account of his Flock. 



We joined a fellow traveller who informed 

 us, he was a catholic priest on his way to his 

 parish, which contained five hundred families 

 spread over a space of fifteen miles. His duties 

 compelled him to keep a horse, and with ^ 

 salary of only thirty-six pounds a year was he 

 to support himself and his palfrey. When on 

 duty he was lodged with some of his flock, who 

 were of the poorest description, and who found 

 his salary and the support of the chapels, of 

 which there were several, very burthensome. It 

 can scarce be doubted that the great body of 

 the lower order of catholics would rejoice to 

 have the stipends of their priests paid, and 

 their chapels kept in repair, by government. 



The account we received from this stranger 

 of the morals of the people was highly in their 

 favor. The number of children born out of 

 wedlock, he assured us, was small ; and it rarely 

 happened that the parties did not marry, unless 

 there was something highly objectionable in the 

 character of the young woman, in whose favor 

 the priest always exerted himself, if her pre- 

 vious conduct entitled her to his assistance. 

 With respect to the married women, infidelity 

 was scarce ever heard of; and as to peculations, 

 open and exposed as are potatoes, their " staff 

 of life," it was seldom known, even in times of 



