words:--

"'I have a wife and thirteen children, and with a stipend of L20 per
annum, increased only by a few trifling surplice fees, I will not impose
upon your understanding by attempting to advance any argument to show the
impossibility of us all being supported from my church preferment: But I
am fortunate enough to live in a neighbourhood where there are many
rivulets which abound with fish, and being particularly partial to
angling, I am frequently so successful as to catch more than my family can
consume while good, of which I make presents to the neighbouring gentry,
all of whom are so generously grateful as to requite me with something
else of seldom less value than two or threefold.--This is not all: my wife
keeps a Public-House, and as my parish is so wide that some of my
parishioners have to come from ten to fifteen miles to church, you will
readily allow that some refreshment before they return must occasionally
be necessary, and where can they have it more properly than where their
journey is half performed? Now, sir, from your general knowledge of the
world, I make no doubt but you are well assured that the most general
topicks, in conversation at Public-Houses, are Politics and Religion, with
which, God knows, ninety-nine out of one hundred of those who participate
in the general clamour are totally unacquainted; and that perpetually
ringing in the ears of a Pastor, who has the welfare and happiness of his
flock at heart, must be no small mortification. To divert their attention
from those foibles over their cups, I take down my violin and play them a
few tunes, which gives me an opportunity of seeing that they get no more
liquor than necessary for refreshment; and if the young people propose a
dance I seldom answer in the negative; nevertheless when I announce it
time for their return they are ever ready to obey my commands, and
generally with the donation of sixpence, they shake hands with my
children, and bid God bless them.--Thus my parishioners derive a triple
advantage, being instructed, fed and amused at the same time: moreover,
this method of spending their Sundays being so congenial with their
inclinations, that they are imperceptibly led along the path of piety and
morality ...'" with many other arguments Mr Carter supported his case so
that "the Archdeacon very candidly acknowledged the propriety of Mr C.'s
arguments in defence of his conduct, and complimented him on his
discernment in using th