it is true, not
in lying miracles, but they propagate God's Word. I remember only a few
months ago, having occasion for a Bible, going to an establishment, {23}
the object of which was to send Bibles all over the world. The
supporters of that establishment could have no self-interested views; for
I was supplied by them with a noble-sized Bible at a price so small as to
preclude the idea that it could bring any profit to the vendors.'

The countenance of the man in black slightly fell. 'I know the people to
whom you allude,' said he; 'indeed, unknown to them, I have frequently
been to see them, and observed their ways. I tell you frankly that there
is not a set of people in this kingdom who have caused our Church so much
trouble and uneasiness. I should rather say that they alone cause us
any; for as for the rest, what with their drowsiness, their plethora,
their folly, and their vanity, they are doing us anything but mischief.
These fellows are a pestilent set of heretics, whom we would gladly see
burnt; they are, with the most untiring perseverance, and in spite of
divers minatory declarations of the holy father, scattering their books
abroad through all Europe, and have caused many people in Catholic
countries to think that hitherto their priesthood have endeavoured, as
much as possible, to keep them blinded. There is one fellow amongst them
for whom we entertain a particular aversion; a big, burly parson, with
the face of a lion, the voice of a buffalo, and a fist like a
sledge-hammer. The last time I was there, I observed that his eye was
upon me, and I did not like the glance he gave me at all; I observed him
clench his fist, and I took my departure as fast as I conveniently could.
Whether he suspected who I was, I know not; but I did not like his look
at all, and do not intend to go again.'

'Well, then,' said I, 'you confess that you have redoubtable enemies to
your plans in these regions, and that even amongst the ecclesiastics
there are some widely different from those of the plethoric and Platitude
schools.'

'It is but too true,' said the man in black; 'and if the rest of your
Church were like them we should quickly bid adieu to all hope of
converting these regions, but we are thankful to be able to say that such
folks are not numerous; there are, moreover, causes at work quite
sufficient to undermine even their zeal. Their sons return at the
vacations, from Oxford and Cambridge, puppies, full of t