must draw to a conclusion, assuring you, that I am, dear sir, your
sincere friend and pastor,

ZACHARIAH PRINGLE.


The impression which this letter made on the auditors of Mr.
Micklewham was highly favourable to the Doctor--all bore testimony
to his benevolence and piety; and Mrs. Glibbans expressed, in very
loquacious terms, her satisfaction at the neglect to which prelacy
was consigned. The only person who seemed to be affected by other
than the most sedate feelings on the occasion was the Rev. Mr.
Snodgrass, who was observed to smile in a very unbecoming manner at
some parts of the Doctor's account of his reception at St. Paul's.
Indeed, it was apparently with the utmost difficulty that the young
clergyman could restrain himself from giving liberty to his risible
faculties. It is really surprising how differently the same thing
affects different people. "The Doctor and Mrs. Pringle giving a
guinea at the door of St. Paul's for the poor need not make folk
laugh," said Mrs. Glibbans; "for is it not written, that whosoever
giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord?" "True, my dear madam,"
replied Mr. Snodgrass, "but the Lord to whom our friends in this
case gave their money is the Lord Bishop of London; all the
collection made at the doors of St. Paul's Cathedral is, I
understand, a perquisite of the Bishop's." In this the reverend
gentleman was not very correctly informed, for, in the first place,
it is not a collection, but an exaction; and, in the second place,
it is only sanctioned by the Bishop, who allows the inferior clergy
to share the gains among themselves. Mrs. Glibbans, however, on
hearing his explanation, exclaimed, "Gude be about us!" and pushing