There could be no better proof of how easily true religion
could be brought into contempt. The Elder foreclosed with the
spirit, considered himself unsafe in the chair, and was about to
relieve it, when Dandy caught him in his arms like a lifeless mass,
and carried him to a settee, upon which he spread him, like a
substance to be bleached in the sun.
"Gentlemen! the Elder is completely unreverenced,-he is the most
versatile individual that ever wore black cloth. I reverence him for
his qualities," says Marston: then, turning to Maxwell, he
continued, "you must excuse this little joviality; it occurs but
seldom, and the southern people take it for what it is worth,
excusing, or forgetting its effects."
"Don't speak of it-it's not unlike our English do at times-nor do
our ministers form exceptions; but they do such things under a
monster protection, without reckoning the effect," the Englishman
replied, looking round as if he missed the presence of Franconia.
The Elder, soon in a profound sleep, was beset by swarms of
mosquitoes preying upon his haggard face, as if it were good food.
"He's a pretty picture," says Marston, looking upon the sleeping
Elder with a frown, and then working his fingers through his crispy
red hair. "A hard subject for the student's knife he'll make, won't
he?" To add to the comical appearance of the reverend gentleman,
Marston, rising from his seat, approached him, drew the spectacles
from his pocket, and placed them on the tip of his nose, adding
piquancy to his already indescribable physiognomy.
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