Joseph Andrews, vol 2 | Page 7

being set before them, the three travellers fell to
eating, with appetites infinitely more voracious than are to be found at
the most exquisite eating-houses in the parish of St. James's.
The gentleman expressed great delight in the hearty and cheerful
behaviour of Adams; and particularly in the familiarity with which he

conversed with Joseph and Fanny, whom he often called his children; a
term he explained to mean no more than his parishioners; saying, "He
looked on all those whom God had intrusted to his care to stand to him
in that relation." The gentleman, shaking him by the hand, highly
applauded those sentiments. "They are, indeed," says he, "the true
principles of a Christian divine; and I heartily wish they were universal;
but, on the contrary, I am sorry to say the parson of our parish, instead
of esteeming his poor parishioners as a part of his family, seems rather
to consider them as not of the same species with himself. He seldom
speaks to any, unless some few of the richest of us; nay, indeed, he will
not move his hat to the others. I often laugh when I behold him on
Sundays strutting along the churchyard like a turkey-cock through rows
of his parishioners, who bow to him with as much submission, and are
as unregarded, as a set of servile courtiers by the proudest prince in
Christendom. But if such temporal pride is ridiculous, surely the
spiritual is odious and detestable; if such a puffed--up empty human
bladder, strutting in princely robes, justly moves one's derision, surely
in the habit of a priest it must raise our scorn."
"Doubtless," answered Adams, "your opinion is right; but I hope such
examples are rare. The clergy whom I have the honour to know
maintain a different behaviour; and you will allow me, sir, that the
readiness which too many of the laity show to contemn the order may
be one reason of their avoiding too much humility." "Very true,
indeed," says the gentleman; "I find, sir, you are a man of excellent
sense, and am happy in this opportunity of knowing you; perhaps our
accidental meeting may not be disadvantageous to you neither. At
present I shall only say to you that the incumbent of this living is old
and infirm, and that it is in my gift. Doctor, give me your hand; and
assure yourself of it at his decease." Adams told him, "He was never
more confounded in his life than at his utter incapacity to make any
return to such noble and unmerited generosity." "A mere trifle, sir,"
cries the gentleman, "scarce worth your acceptance; a little more than
three hundred a year. I wish it was double the value for your sake."
Adams bowed, and cried from the emotions of his gratitude; when the
other asked him, "If he was married, or had any children, besides those
in the spiritual sense he had mentioned." "Sir," replied the parson, "I

have a wife and six at your service." "That is unlucky," says the
gentleman; "for I would otherwise have taken you into my own house
as my chaplain; however, I have another in the parish (for the
parsonage-house is not good enough), which I will furnish for you.
Pray, does your wife understand a dairy?" "I can't profess she does,"
says Adams. "I am sorry for it," quoth the gentleman; "I would have
given you half-a-dozen cows, and very good grounds to have
maintained them." "Sir," said Adams, in an ecstasy, "you are too liberal;
indeed you are." "Not at all," cries the gentleman: "I esteem riches only
as they give me an opportunity of doing good; and I never saw one
whom I had a greater inclination to serve." At which words he shook
him heartily by the hand, and told him he had sufficient room in his
house to entertain him and his friends. Adams begged he might give
him no such trouble; that they could be very well accommodated in the
house where they were; forgetting they had not a sixpenny piece among
them. The gentleman would not be denied; and, informing himself how
far they were travelling, he said it was too long a journey to take on
foot, and begged that they would favour him by suffering him to lend
them a servant and horses; adding, withal, that, if they would do him
the pleasure of their company only two days, he would furnish them
with his coach and six. Adams, turning to Joseph, said, "How lucky is
this gentleman's goodness to you, who I am afraid would be scarce able
to hold out on your lame leg!" and then, addressing the person who
made him these liberal promises, after much bowing, he cried out,
"Blessed be the hour which first