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the book of snobs-第15章

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inconvenient; but genuine zeal。



But if the clergyman did in the Duke's case what be would

NOT do in Smith's; if be has no more acquaintance with

the Coeurdelion family than I have with the Royal and

Serene House of Saxe…Coburg Gotha;THEN; I confess; my

dear Snobling; your question might elicit a disagreeable

reply; and one which I respectfully decline to give。  I

wonder what Sir George Tufto would say; if a sentry left

his post because a noble lord (not the least connected

with the service) begged the sentinel not to do his duty!



Alas! that the beadle who canes little boys and drives

them out; cannot drive worldliness out too; what is

worldliness but snobbishness?  When; for instance; I read

in the newspapers that the Right Reverend the Lord

Charles James administered the rite of confirmation to a

PARTY OF THE JUVENILE NOBILITY at the Chapel Royal;as

if the Chapel Royal were a sort of ecclesiastical

Almack's; and young people were to get ready for the next

world in little exclusive genteel knots of the

aristocracy; who were not to be disturbed in their

journey thither by the company of the vulgar:when I

read such a paragraph as that (and one or two such

generally appear during the present fashionable season);

it seems to me to be the most odious; mean and disgusting

part of that odious; mean; and disgusting publication;

the COURT CIRCULAR; and that snobbishness is therein

carried to quite an awful pitch。  What; gentlemen; can't

we even in the Church acknowledge a republic?  There; at

least; the Heralds' College itself might allow that we

all of us have the same pedigree; and are direct

descendants of Eve and Adam; whose inheritance is divided

amongst us。



I hereby call upon all Dukes; Earls; Baronets; and other

potentates; not to lend themselves to this shameful

scandal and error; and beseech all Bishops who read this

publication to take the matter into consideration; and to

protest against the continuance of the practice; and to

declare; 'We WON'T confirm or christen Lord Tomnoddy; or

Sir Carnaby Jenks; to the exclusion of any other young

Christian;' the which declaration if their Lordships are

induced to make; a great LAPIS OFFENSIONIS will be

removed; and the Snob Papers will not have been written

in vain。



A story is current of a celebrated NOUVEAU…RICHE; who

having had occasion to oblige that excellent prelate the

Bishop of Bullocksmithy; asked his Lordship; in return;

to confirm his children privately in his Lordship's own

chapel; which ceremony the grateful prelate accordingly

performed。  Can satire go farther than this?  Is there

even in this most amusing of prints; any more NAIVE

absurdity?  It is as if a man wouldn't go to heaven

unless he went in a special train; or as if he thought

(as some people think about vaccination) Confirmation

more effectual when administered at first hand。  When

that eminent person; the Begum Sumroo; died; it is said

she left ten thousand pounds to the Pope; and ten

thousand to the Archbishop of Canterbury;so that there

should be no mistake;so as to make sure of having the

ecclesiastical authorities on her side。  This is only a

little more openly and undisguisedly snobbish than the

cases before alluded to。  A well…bred Snob is just as

secretly proud of his riches and honours as a PARVENU

Snob who makes the most ludicrous exhibition of them; and

a high…born Marchioness or Duchess just as vain of

herself and her diamonds; as Queen Quashyboo; who sews a

pair of epaulets on to her skirt; and turns out in state

in a cocked hat and feathers。



It is not out of disrespect to my 'Peerage;' which I love

and honour; (indeed; have I not said before; that I

should be ready to jump out of my skin if two Dukes would

walk down Pall Mall with me?)it is not out of

disrespect for the individuals; that I wish these titles

had never been invented; but; consider; if there were no

tree; there would be no shadow; and how much more honest

society would be; and how much more serviceable the

clergy would be (which is our present consideration); if

these temptations of rank and continual baits of

worldliness were not in existence; and perpetually thrown

out to lead them astray。



I have seen many examples of their falling away。  When;

for instance; Tom Sniffle first went into the country as

Curate for Mr。 Fuddleston (Sir Huddleston Fuddleston's

brother); who resided on some other living; there could

not be a more kind; hardworking; and excellent creature

than Tom。  He had his aunt to live with him。  His conduct

to his poor was admirable。  He wrote annually reams of

the best…intentioned and vapid sermons。  When Lord

Brandyball's family came down into the country; and

invited him to dine at Brandyball Park; Sniffle was so

agitated that he almost forgot how to say grace; and

upset a bowl of currant…jelly sauce in Lady Fanny

Toffy's lap。



What was the consequence of his intimacy with that noble

family?  He quarrelled with his aunt for dining out every

night。  The wretch forgot his poor altogether; and killed

his old nag by always riding over to Brandyball; where he

revelled in the maddest passion for Lady Fanny。  He

ordered the neatest new clothes and ecclesiastical

waistcoats from London; he appeared with corazza…shirts;

lackered boots; and perfumery; he bought a blood…horse

from Bob Toffy: was seen at archery meetings; public

breakfasts;actually at cover; and; I blush to say; that

I saw him in a stall at the Opera; and afterwards riding

by Lady Fanny's side in Rotten Row。  He DOUBLE…BARRELLED

his name; (as many poor Snobs do;) and instead of T。

Sniffle; as formerly; came out; in a porcelain card; as

Rev。 T。 D'Arcy Sniffle; Burlington Hotel。



The end of all this may be imagined: when the Earl of

Brandyball was made acquainted with the curate's love for

Lady Fanny; he had that fit of the gout which so nearly

carried him off (to the inexpressible grief of his son;

Lord Alicompayne); and uttered that remarkable speech to

Sniffle; which disposed of the claims of the latter:'

If I didn't respect the Church; Sir;' his Lordship said;

'by Jove; I'd kick you downstairs:' his Lordship then

fell back into the fit aforesaid; and Lady Fanny; as we

all know; married General Podager。



As for poor Tom; he was over head and ears in debt as

well as in love: his creditors came down upon him。  Mr。

Hemp; of Portugal Street; proclaimed his name lately as a

reverend outlaw; and he has been seen at various foreign

watering…places; sometimes doing duty; sometimes

'coaching' a stray gentleman's son at Carlsruhe or

Kissingen; sometimesmust we say it? lurking about the

roulette…tables with a tuft to his chin。



If temptation had not come upon this unhappy fellow in

the shape of a Lord Brandyball; he might still have been

following his profession; humbly and worthily。  He might

have married his cousin with four thousand pounds; the

wine…merc
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