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Rh described in the preceding chapter, for it is similar to that of the monastic clergy who undertake parochial duties. On Sunday their work is long and laborious: during the week they visit their parishioners and the more attractive of their neighbours’ parishioners (which dangerous practice is called ‘poaching,’ and is watched accordingly), take tea and supper and play cards with them; visit, dine and wine with each other; picnics, parties, entertainments, meetings, special services (with luncheons), visits to the cardinal (after a polite invitation called a compareat), occasional holidays help to fill up the inside of the week. They are forbidden under pain of suspension to enter a theatre, or witness theatrical performances of any kind: under Manning, Corney Grain and even Olympia were not thought to be included, but Cardinal Vaughan has proscribed even those relaxations.

They cordially hate the monastic clergy—who have secured most of the best parishes in the diocese—but do not object to dine with them occasionally: I have heard one, at a dinner (though towards its close) in a monastery, unburden his mind about monks in general and our friars in particular in a way which would have been warmly approved by the Protestant Alliance Association. With nuns they are usually on very good terms: they find pupils and novices for the convent, and in return are invited to the innumerable special services, luncheons,