for Allsop's fortune was so settled that no share of it would come to his
grand-niece,--another reason for conscience to gulp down that unhappy
impediment of speech. Certainly, during this visit, Morley's scruples
relaxed; but when he returned home they came back with greater force than
ever,--with greater force, because he felt that now not only a spiritual
ambition, but a human love was a casuist in favour of self-interest. He
had returned on a visit to Humberston Rectory about a week previous to
the date of this chapter; the niece was not there. Sternly he had forced
himself to examine a little more closely into the condition of the flock
which (if he accepted the charge) he would have to guide, and the duties
that devolved upon a chief pastor in a populous trading town. He became
appalled. Humberston, like most towns under the political influence of a
great House, was rent by parties,--one party, who succeeded in returning
one of the two members for Parliament, all for the House of Montfort; the
other party, who returned also their member, all against it. By one half
the town, whatever came from Montfort Court was sure to be regarded with
a most malignant and distorted vision. Meanwhile, though Mr. Allsop was
popular with the higher classes and with such of the extreme poor as his
charity relieved, his pastoral influence generally was a dead letter.
His curate, who preached for him--a good young man, but extremely dull-
was not one of those preachers who fill a church. Tradesmen wanted an
excuse to stay away or choose another place of worship; and they
contrived to hear some passages in the sermons--over which, while the
curate mumbled, they habitually slept--that they declared to be
"Puseyite." The church became deserted; and about the same time a very
eloquent Dissenting minister appeared at Humberston, and even professed
Church folks went to hear him. George Morley, alas! perceived that at
Humberston, if the Church there were to hold her own, a powerful and
popular preacher was essentially required. His mind was now made up. At
Carr Vipont's suggestion the bishop of the diocese, being then at his