than two or threefold.—This is not all:
my wife keeps a Public-House, and as my parish is
so wide that some of my parishioners have to come
from ten to fifteen miles to church, you will readily
allow that some refreshment before they return must
occasionally be necessary, and where can they have
it more properly than where their journey is half
performed? Now, sir, from your general knowledge
of the world, I make no doubt but you are well assured
that the most general topicks, in conversation at
Public-Houses, are Politics and Religion, with which,
God knows, ninety-nine out of one hundred of those
who participate in the general clamour are totally
unacquainted; and that perpetually ringing in the
ears of a Pastor, who has the welfare and happiness
of his flock at heart, must be no small mortification.
To divert their attention from those foibles over
their cups, I take down my violin and play them a
few tunes, which gives me an opportunity of seeing
that they get no more liquor than necessary for refreshment;
and if the young people propose a dance I seldom answer
in the negative; nevertheless when I announce it time
for their return they are ever ready to obey my commands,
and generally with the donation of sixpence, they
shake hands with my children, and bid God bless them.—Thus
my parishioners derive a triple advantage, being instructed,
fed and amused at the same time: moreover, this
method of spending their Sundays being so congenial
with their inclinations, that they are imperceptibly
led along the path of piety and morality ...’”
with many other arguments Mr Carter supported his case
so that “the Archdeacon very candidly acknowledged
the propriety of Mr C.’s arguments in defence
of his conduct, and complimented him on his discernment
in using the most convenient vehicle for instruction.”
Concerning a case of bear-baiting we have a most detailed
account which Calvert heads with “The Baiting
of a Bear at Pickering, Tuesday, Aug. 15th, 1809,
which I did myself witness.” Then he begins:
“A week Wednesday senight there did with drum
and pan pipes parade publickly the streets of this
town two mountebanks leading by a chain a monster brown
bruin which, as well as it being a good dancer and
handing of its pole, its master did aclaim it to be
the master of any dog of no odds what be its breed
and which they would match for a crown to come off
conqueror if given fair play and a fifteen-foot chain.
Now it happening that in these parts there be living
several sporting men some of which be owners of bull
dogs of good courage and nowther dog nor master ever
shirking a fight more than one dog was entered for
to test its skill.”
A day was fixed for the contests which were to take
place in the castleyard, and soon the news was so
handed from mouth to mouth that the demand for seats
in the rough wooden stand, erected for those who chose
to pay, was so great that another stand was built
and the first one was enlarged.