is one more thing I wish to tell you, that you may share my pleasure about it, as I hope and believe you will.  I think there can be no man here who has not a respect, and some of you, I am sure, have a very high regard, for my friend Adam Bede.  It is well known to every one in this neighbourhood that there is no man whose word can be more depended on than his; that whatever he undertakes to do, he does well, and is as careful for the interests of those who employ him as for his own.  I’m proud to say that I was very fond of Adam when I was a little boy, and I have never lost my old feeling for him—­I think that shows that I know a good fellow when I find him.  It has long been my wish that he should have the management of the woods on the estate, which happen to be very valuable, not only because I think so highly of his character, but because he has the knowledge and the skill which fit him for the place.  And I am happy to tell you that it is my grandfather’s wish too, and it is now settled that Adam shall manage the woods—­a change which I am sure will be very much for the advantage of the estate; and I hope you will by and by join me in drinking his health, and in wishing him all the prosperity in life that he deserves.  But there is a still older friend of mine than Adam Bede present, and I need not tell you that it is Mr. Irwine.  I’m sure you will agree with me that we must drink no other person’s health until we have drunk his.  I know you have all reason to love him, but no one of his parishioners has so much reason as I. Come, charge your glasses, and let us drink to our excellent rector—­three times three!”

This toast was drunk with all the enthusiasm that was wanting to the last, and it certainly was the most picturesque moment in the scene when Mr. Irwine got up to speak, and all the faces in the room were turned towards him.  The superior refinement of his face was much more striking than that of Arthur’s when seen in comparison with the people round them.  Arthur’s was a much commoner British face, and the splendour of his new-fashioned clothes was more akin to the young farmer’s taste in costume than Mr. Irwine’s powder and the well-brushed but well-worn black, which seemed to be his chosen suit for great occasions; for he had the mysterious secret of never wearing a new-looking coat.

“This is not the first time, by a great many,” he said, “that I have had to thank my parishioners for giving me tokens of their goodwill, but neighbourly kindness is among those things that are the more precious the older they get.  Indeed, our pleasant meeting to-day is a proof that when what is good comes of age and is likely to live, there is reason for rejoicing, and the relation between us as clergyman and parishioners came of age two years ago, for it is three-and-twenty years since I first came among you, and I see some tall fine-looking young men here, as well as some blooming young women, that were far from looking as