Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/193

Rh me for using the word ironically; for there never could at any moment be a particle of real reverence borne towards a preacher, who laying under imputations of a heinous nature, should acknowledge them in the pulpit. His congregation seemed even to stick to him the closer, the more proof of his guilt there was adduced against him; until at length the inexorable fiat of the law took him from their sight into solitary imprisonment.

Who has not heard of O'Meara, who by dint of corruption, and a harlot's interest, sought to seat himself in one of the highest pinnacles of the church? Mrs. Clarke had another of the same cloth, who intermeddled in her dirty business; and the Reverend Mr, Williams, was only discharged from the custody of the sergeant at arms upon a plea of madness. Not so mad, either: he can play a rubber at whist, or a game at cribbage, as keenly as the best that ever lived; and although he seems lame, if he loses he can run away; if he wins he can threaten, hector, bully, and, it is believed, can fight. He can swear too; but once on a time the magistrate would not permit him.

The reverend Augustus B***y is no longer a clergyman, though he has undergone his degrees, and has advanced a step or two in the