it came
thus on me unawares? It was unfeeling and heartless in you not to have
prepared me for it."

The proctor actually imagined, and not without reason, that the worthy
doctor was beginning to get beside himself, as it is termed, on hearing
such a charge as this brought against him; and he was about to express
his astonishment at it, when Mr. Temple, his curate, who resided in the
parsonage, made his appearance, and joined them at Dr. Turbot's request.
"Temple," said he, as the latter portion of his body began to pursue
the other through the room, "are you aware of the frightful condition to
which the country has come?"

"Who can be ignorant of it?" replied Temple; "how can any man live in
the country, and not know it?"

"Yes, sir," replied Turbot, tartly, "I have lived in the country, and,
until a few minutes ago, I was ignorant of the extent to which it has
come."

"Well, sir," said Temple, "that is odd enough; for, to my own knowledge,
your information has been both regular and authentic upon this subject
at all events. Our friend Purcel, here, has not left you in ignorance of
it."

"Yes," said Turbot, "but he had the country as bad three years ago as
it is now. Was this fair? Why, I took it for granted that all his alarms
and terrors were the mere play and subterfuge of the proctor upon the
parson, and, consequently, thought little of it; but here I am stranded
at once, wrecked, and left on my bottom. How will I meet my tradesmen?
how will I continue my establishment? and, what is worse, how can I
break it up? You know, Temple, I cannot, unfortunately, live without
luxuries. They are essential to my health, and if suddenly deprived
of them, as I am likely to be, I cannot answer to society for the
consequences."

"Sir," said Temple, "it is quite obvious that a period of severe trial
and chastening is at hand, or I should rather say, has already arrived.
Many of our calling, I am grieved I to know, are even now severely
suffering, and suffering, I must add, with unexampled patience and
fortitude under great and trying privations. Yet I trust that the health
of the general body will be improved by it, and purged of the grossness
and worldly feeling which have hitherto, I fear, too much characterized
it. Many, I know, may think we are merely in the hands of man, but
for my part, I think, and earnestly hope, that we are in those of God
himself, and that He chasteneth no only because He loveth."

"This is mo