t positively, so look to it."

When they entered the library, the table of which was covered with
religious magazines, missionary papers, and reports of religious
societies, both at home and abroad, Mr. Lucre, after throwing himself
into a rich cushioned arm-chair, motioned to his curate to take a seat.

"I have sent for you, Clement," said he, "to have your advice and
assistance on a subject, in which, I feel confident, that as a sincere
and zealous Protestant, you will take a warm interest. You have heard of
the establishment of our New Reformation Society, of course."

"I believe it is pretty generally known," replied Clement.

"It is now," replied Lucre; "but our objects are admirable. We propose
to carry controversy into all the strongholds of Popery--to enlighten
both priest and people, and, if possible, to transfer the whole Popish
population--_per satiram_--by the lump, as it were--"

"_Per saturum_, I believe," observed Clement, bowing, "if I may take the
liberty."

"Sati, satu--well, you may be right; my memory, Clement, retains large
passages best, and ever did--to transfer the whole Popish population
to the Established Church. It is a noble, a glorious speculation, if it
only can be accomplished. Think of the advantages it would confer upon
us! What stability would it not give the Church."

"I cannot exactly see what peculiar stability it would give the Church,"
replied Clement, "with the exception of mere numbers alone."

"How so--what do you mean?"

"Why, sir," replied Clement, "if we had the numbers you speak of
to-morrow, we would be certainly worse off than we are today. They could
only pay us our tithes, and that they do as it is; if they formed a
portion, and the largest portion they would form, of our church, think
of the immense number of clergy they would require to look to their
religious wants--the number of churches and chapels of ease that must be
built--the number of livings that must be divided--nay, my dear sir, in
addition to this, you may easily see, that for every one bishop now, we
should have at least four, then, and that the incomes would diminish in
proportion. As it is now, sir, we have the tithes without the trouble of
laboring for them, but it would be a different case in your new position
of affairs."

Mr. Lucre, who, in the heat of his zeal, had neither permitted himself
to see matters in this light, nor to perceive that Clement's arguments
concealed, under a grave asp