man, very fond of his dinner, a man of infinite pluck, and much
attached to the Cathedral, towards the reparation of which he had
contributed liberally. And, having an ear for music, he had done much
to raise the character of the choir. Though Dr. Pountner's sermons were
supposed to be the worst ever heard from the pulpit of the Cathedral,
he was, on account of the above good deeds, the most popular clergyman
in the city. "So I'm told you've been distinguishing yourself, Mr.
Dean," said the Doctor, meeting our friend in the close.

"Have I done so lately, more than is usual with me?" asked the Dean,
who had not hitherto heard of the rumour of his performances.

"I am told that you were so much ahead the other day in the hunting
field, that you were unable to give assistance to the poor lady who
broke her arm."

"Oh, that's it! If I do anything at all, though I may do it but once in
a dozen years, I like to do it well, Dr. Pountner. I wish I thought
that you could follow my example, and take a little exercise. It would
be very good for you." The Doctor was a heavy man, and hardly walked
much beyond the confines of the Close or his own garden. Though a bold
man, he was not so ready as the Dean, and had no answer at hand. "Yes,"
continued our friend, "I did go a mile or two with them, and I enjoyed
it amazingly. I wish with all my heart there was no prejudice against
clergymen hunting."

"I think it would be an abominable practice," said Dr. Pountner,
passing on.

The Dean himself would have thought nothing more about it had there not
appeared a few lines on the subject in a weekly newspaper called the
"Brotherton Church," which was held to be a pestilential little rag by
all the Close. Deans, canons, and minor canons were all agreed as to
this, Dr. Pountner hating the "Brotherton Church" quite as sincerely as
did the Dean. The "Brotherton Church" was edited nominally by a
certain Mr. Grease,--a very pious man who had long striven, but
hitherto in vain, to get orders. But it was supposed by many that the
paper was chiefly inspired by Mr. Groschut. It was always very
laudatory of the Bishop. It had distinguished itself by its elaborate
opposition to ritual. Its mission was to put down popery in the diocese
of Brotherton. It always sneered at the Chapter generally, and very
often said severe things of the Dean. On this occasion the paragraph
was as follows; "There is a rumour current that Dean Lovelace was out
with the