CHAPTER XXXVIII

"So the devil prevails often; opponit nubum, he claps a cloud between; some little objection; a stranger is come; or my head aches; or the church is too cold; or I have letters to write; or I am not disposed; or it is not yet time; or the time is past: these, and such as these, are the clouds the devil clasps between heaven and us; but these are such impotent objections, that they were as soon confuted, as pretended, by all men that are not fools, or professed enemies of religion."-JEREMY TAYLOR.

L ADY JULIANA had, in vain, endeavoured to obtain a sick certificate for her daughter, that would have authorized her consigning her to the oblivion of her own apartment. The physicians, whom she consulted, all agreed, for once, in recommending a totally different system to be pursued; and her displeasure, in consequence, was violently excited against the medical tribe in general, and Dr. Redgill in particular. For that worthy, she had, indeed, always entertained a most thorough contempt and aversion; for he was poor, ugly, and vulgar, and these were the three most deadly sins in her calendar. The object of her detestation was, however, completely insensible to its effects. The Doctor, like Achilles, was vulnerable but in one part, and over that she could exercise no control. She had nothing to do with the ménage possessed no influence over Lord Courtland, nor authority over Monsieur Grillade.

She differed from himself as to the dressing of certain dishes; and, in short, he summed up her character in one emphatic sentence, that, in his idea, conveyed severer censure than all that Pope or Young ever wrote "I don't think she has the taste of her mouth!

Thus thwarted in her scheme, Lady Juliana's dislike to her daughter rather increased than diminished and it was well for Mary, that lessons of forbearance had been early infused into her mind; for her spirit was naturally high, and would have revolted from the tyranny and injustice with which she was treated, had she not been taught the practical duties of Christianity, and that "patience, with all its appendages, is the sum total of all our duty that is proper to the day of sorrow.'

Not that Mary sought, by a blind compliance with all her mother's follies and caprices, to ingratiate herself into her favour-even the motive she would have deemed insufficient to have sanctified the deed. And the only arts she employed to win a place in her parent's heart, were ready obedience unvarying sweetness, and uncomplaining submission.

Although Mary possessed none of the sour bigotry of a narrow mind, she was yet punctual in the discharge of her religious duties; and the Sunday following her arrival, as they sat at breakfast, she inquired of her cousin at what time the church-service began.

"I really am not certain-I replied her cousin carelessly. ask??'

believe it is late," "But why do you

"Because I wish to be there in proper time."
"But we scarcely ever go-never, indeed, to

VOL. II.-4

the parish church-and we are rather distant from any other; SO you must say your prayers at home."

"I would certainly prefer going to church," said Mary.

Going to church!" exclaimed Dr. Redgill, in amazement. "I wonder what makes people so keen of going to church! I'm sure there's little good to be got there. For my part, I declare I would just as soon think of going into my grave. Take my word for it, churches and church-yards are rather too nearly related."

"In such a day as this," said Mary, 66 so dry and sunny, I am sure there can be no danger.'

"Take your own way, Miss Mary," said the Doctor; "but I think it my duty to let you know my opinion of churches. I look upon them as extremely prejudicial to the health. They are invariably either too hot or too cold; you are either stewed or starved in them; and, till some improvement takes place, I assure you my foot shall never enter one of them. In fact, they are perfect receptacles of human infirmities. I can tell one of your church-going ladies at a glance: they have all rheumatisms in their shoulders, and colds in their heads, and swelled faces. Besides, it's a poor country church-there's nothing to be seen after you do go."

"I assure you, Lady Juliana will be excessively annoyed if you go," said Lady Emily, as Mary rose to leave the room.

"Surely my mother cannot be displeased at my attending church!" said Mary, in astonishment.

"Yes, she can, and most certainly will. She never goes herself now, since she had a quarrel

with Dr. Barlow, the clergyman; and she can't bear any of the family to attend him."

"And you have my sanction for staying away, Miss Mary," added the Doctor.

"Is he a man of bad character?

asked Mary,

as she stood irresolute whether to proceed.

"Quite the reverse. He is a very good man; but he was scandalized at Lady Juliana's bringing her dogs to church one day, and wrote her what she conceived a most insolent letter about it. But here comes your lady-mamma, and the culprits in question."

"Your Ladyship is just come in time to settle a dispute here,' ," said the Doctor, anxious to turn her attention from a hot muffin, which had just been brought in, and which he meditated appropriating to himself: "I have said all I can- Was you looking at the toast, Lady Emily?)-I must now leave it to your Ladyship to convince this young lady of the folly of going to church."

The Doctor gained his point. The muffin was upon his own plate, while Lady Juliana directed her angry look towards her daughter.

"Who talks of going to church?" demanded she. Mary gently expressed her wish to be permitted to attend divine service.

"I won't permit it. I don't approve of girls going about by themselves. It is vastly improper, and I won't hear of it."

"It is the only place I shall ask to go to," said Mary timidly; but I have always been accustomed to attend church, and—————’

66

That is a sufficient reason for my choosing that you should not attend it here. I won't suffer

a Methodist in the house."

"I assure you, the Methodists are gaining ground very fast," said the Doctor, with his mouth full. "'Pon my soul, I think it's very alarming!

"Pray, what is so alarming in the apprehension?" asked Lady Emily.

"What is so alarming! 'Pon my honour, Lady Emily, I'm astonished to hear you ask such a question; " muttering to himself, "Zealots fanatics enthusiasts bedlamites!

everybody knows what Methodists are."

I'm

sure

"There has been quite enough said upon the subject," said Lady Juliana.

"There are plenty of sermons in the house, Miss Mary," continued the Doctor, who, like many other people, thought he was always doing a meritorious action when he could dissuade anybody from going to church. "I saw a volume somewhere not long ago; and, at anyrate, there's the Spectator, if you want Sunday's reading; some of the papers there are as good as any sermon you'll get from Dr. Barlow."

Mary with fear and hesitation made another attempt to overcome her mother's prejudice, but in vain.

"I desire I may hear no more about it," cried she, raising her voice. "The clergyman is a most improper person. I won't suffer any of my family to attend his church; and therefore, once for all, I won't hear another syllable on the subject.' This was said in a tone and manner not to be disputed, and Mary felt her resolution give way before the displeasure of her mother. A contest of duties was new to her, and she could not all at once resolve upon fulfilling one duty at the expense of another. "Besides," thought she, "my mother