"I would, then, observe, in the first place, that the compilers of the Book of Common Prayer, having prefixed a General Confession and Absolution to the morning and evening service, there appears no very urgent reason why the people should not come to church until a considerable time after those prayers have been put up. But I shall not enlarge on this part of my subject, because it would probably lead me into a long and perhaps unpleasant dissertation on indolence. I am aware that many entertainments which promise excess and midnight revelling, are appointed purposely to be held on Saturday, because Sunday is accounted a Dies non, and therefore a few hours may be borrowed from it, without loss of time or hindrance of business.' I allow also, that what I complain of may not be practised out of any particular disrespect to the church service, but merely as a part of that general law which enjoins that all appointments should be kept late, or, in other words, that no person pretending in any degree to exist in genteel life should ever be in time on any occasion whatever. Sanctioned, therefore, as this practice is by the highest authorities, it would ill become me to object to it, if I did not apprehend that the advocates for lateness

have forgot that there is a material difference in the two cases, which ought to suggest a dif, ferent practice. If a party, for example, determine to keep a dinner engagement as late as possible, they have the satisfaction of knowing that the rest of the company must wait for them, and the dinner be nearly spoiled by the delay. But in the case now before us, the clergyman is under an obligation to begin at a fixed hour, and there is, I believe, no instance of putting back the prayers in compliment to those who are absent. Whether, if the same punctuality were enjoined in other engagements, any of the party would be willing to give up the first course, or be content to pop in one by one when the dinner is half over, I leave to their sober consideration, and proceed to other matters.

"When, for any reason, persons are detained until the service is one third, or one half over, it is not absolutely necessary that they should, immediately on entrance, inform their friends why they were detained, The Rubrick has not appointed that the clergyman should make a stop for this purpose; and if he does not, there must be a clashing of subjects not of the most reverent kind. I do not say that apologies for such delays are unnecessary; but it is the

general opinion that, if made in this way, they are not made in the proper time, or to the pro

per person.

"There being in most cases a sufficient space allowed, either before going, or after returning from church, to make bows, throw nods, exhibit curtsies, and exchange compliments; these, it is presumed, may be dispensed with during the psalms or lessons, even if the curate's voice should not happen to be louder than the voices of two or three persons talking in a pew.

"As disputes respecting hassocks, sometimes of a very serious kind, will peradventure occur, especially where those conveniencies have been mislaid or misplaced either by design or accident; all such disputes, particularly if carried on with a peculiar elevation of the voice, and certain angry motions of the head, may be very safely adjusted before the service begins, nearly as well as during the prayers, unless where it is necessary to assert one's dignity, by drawing public attention.

"If any person comes from a considerable distance, he may be cordially forgiven, if he does not begin an account of his journey the moment he takes his seat. The violence of the shower, the identical tree he stood under,

the starting of his horse at the lightning, the behaviour of the woman at the Bear's Head, or the man at the turnpike-gate, are all matters capable of being postponed without injury to the feelings of devotion or the powers of nar

ration.

"Those who happen to have a voice peculiarly harsh and disagreeable, are respectfully requested to observe that they afford very little gratification to the hearers around them, by repeating the prayers in a louder voice than any one else; and some part of this intimation is particularly recommended to those who think they can sing.

“If Mrs. Jenkyns sports a new bonnet, that does not become her face at all, or Mrs. Tomkins's fine lace-veil be discovered during the sermon (although it be well known that she bought it of Lady Spendthrift's woman), there is no immediate necessity for disturbing any part of the congregation by remarks on those objects, or even by wondering where they get money to pay for them. It is the opinion of very sensible persons that all matters of debtor and creditor may be advantageously discussed during the week.

the

"When children are introduced, it has been supposed that it would be an improvement

to teach them how to behave, especially as sleeping, snoring, and squalling, are amusements which might as well be enjoyed at home. There they would create much less disturbance to those who are of opinion that the quiet of a whole congregation is of more importance than the indulgence of one child, although it may be "the prettiest dear" that ever was spoiled.

"If a new-married couple enter the church, and it be absolutely impossible not to stare at them, and point them out to others who happen not to know them, their characters may be spared until after the prayer against envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness,' is fairly got rid of. There will be time enough then to wonder how he should marry such a dowdy creature, or how she should think of a tradesman, when her father left her such a fortune!

Simpering and smirking behind a fan, yawning in the folds of a fine handkerchief, looking every way but at the preacher, whispering every thing that comes uppermost, and smiling at something that came in one's head that very moment,' are not ranked by the ablest Divines among the infallible symptoms of devotion, even if the clerk should make a

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