Page:Hannah More (1887 Charlotte Mary Yonge British).djvu/121

Rh once. How Jack Anvil and Tom Hod will bear this I know not, but I shall rejoice at Mr. Chip's elevation, and should be extremely glad at this moment to shake him by the hand, and ask him to take a family dinner with me. He is really a very fine fellow.

It was perhaps a greater compliment, though a less desirable one, that the Axbridge people made Tom Paine's effigy share the fate of Guy Fawkes. Some of the special favourites at Shipham joined them, and the result was a revel at the public-house, of which the Shipham men showed themselves most bitterly ashamed, and the most promising one of all could not for many months, nor till after an earnest conversation with Hannah More, recover his spirits or believe himself forgiven. The answer to Dupont actually raised £240 for the emigrant clergy. At the same time, a pamphlet came out complaining of this benefaction, as interfering with the Divine will that the French priests should starve!