congregation?" said Phil; "and as to the history of Susanna, that's all
over the parish these two days. Her father brought the matter before the
congregation, and so far Solomon's hypocrisy is exposed."

"In that case, then," said Val, "something may be done yet. We must only
now endeavor to impress Lord Cumber with a strong sense of what is due
to public opinion, which would be outraged by having such a Law Agent
on his estate. Come, leave the matter to me, and we shall turn Solomon's
flank yet; I know he hates me, because I curtailed his pickings, by
adopting the system of not giving leases, unless to those on whom we
can depend. Besides, the little scoundrel has no political opinions
whatsoever, although an Orangeman."

"Come, my old cock, no hypocrisy; what political opinions have you got?"

"Very strong ones, Phil."

"What are they?--you hate the papists, I suppose?"

"Cursed stuff, Phil; the papists are as good as other people; but still
I hate them, Phil, because it's my interest to do so. A man that's not
an anti-papist now is nothing, and has no chance. No, Phil, I am not
without a political opinion, notwithstanding, and a strong one too."

"What is it, then?"

"Here," said he, laying his hand upon his breast, "here is my political
opinion. Valentine M'Glutchy, Phil, is my political creed, and my
religious one too."

"After all," replied Phil, "you are a chip of the old block."

"Yes, Phil; but I don't parade it to the world as he does--and there's
the difference."

"Well, thank heaven," said the son, "I have no brains for any creed; but
I know I hate Popery and the Papists as I do the devil."

"And that, Phil, is the enlightened sentiment upon which all bigotry and
mutual hatred between creeds is based. But you, Phil, could never be
so vexatious as a foe to Popery as I could--your very passions and
prejudices would occasionally obstruct you even in persecution--but I--I
can do it coolly, clearly, and upon purely philosophical principles.
I hate M'Loughlin upon personal principles--I hate the man, not his
religion; and here there must be passion: but in matters of religion,
Phil, there is nothing so powerful--so destructive--so lasting--so sharp
in persecution--and so successful, as a passionless resentment. That,
Phil, is the abiding and imperishable resentment of churches and creeds,
which has deluged the world with human blood."

"Curse your philosophy, I don't understand it; when I hate, I hate