A story is current of a celebrated NOUVEAU-RICHE, who having had
occasion to oblige that excellent prelate the Bishop of Bullocksmithy,
asked his Lordship, in return, to confirm his children privately in his
Lordship's own chapel; which ceremony the grateful prelate accordingly
performed. Can satire go farther than this? Is there even in this most
amusing of prints, any more NAIVE absurdity? It is as if a man wouldn't
go to heaven unless he went in a special train, or as if he thought (as
some people think about vaccination) Confirmation more effectual when
administered at first hand. When that eminent person, the Begum Sumroo,
died, it is said she left ten thousand pounds to the Pope, and ten
thousand to the Archbishop of Canterbury,--so that there should be no
mistake,--so as to make sure of having the ecclesiastical authorities on
her side. This is only a little more openly and undisguisedly snobbish
than the cases before alluded to. A well-bred Snob is just as secretly
proud of his riches and honours as a PARVENU Snob who makes the most
ludicrous exhibition of them; and a high-born Marchioness or Duchess
just as vain of herself and her diamonds, as Queen Quashyboo, who sews a
pair of epaulets on to her skirt, and turns out in state in a cocked hat
and feathers.
It is not out of disrespect to my 'Peerage,' which I love and honour,
(indeed, have I not said before, that I should be ready to jump out of
my skin if two Dukes would walk down Pall Mall with me?)--it is not out
of disrespect for the individuals, that I wish these titles had never
been invented; but, consider, if there were no tree, there would be no
shadow; and how much more honest society would be, and how much more
serviceable the clergy would be (which is our present consideration), if
these temptations of rank and continual baits of worldliness were not in
existence, and perpetually thrown out to lead them astray.
I have seen many examples of their falling away. When, for instance, Tom
Sniffle first went into the country as Curate for Mr. Fuddleston (Sir
Huddleston Fuddleston's brother), who resided on some other living,
there could not be a more kind, hardworking, and excellent creature
than Tom. He had his aunt to live with him. His conduct to his poor was
admirable. He wrote annually reams of the best-intentioned and vapid
sermons. When Lord Brandyball's family came down into the country, and
invited him to dine at Brandyball Park, Sniffle was so agitated that he
almost forgot how to say grace, and upset a bowl of currant-jelly sauce
in Lady Fanny Toffy's lap.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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