Rusper is a parish in England, a parish ence obscure, now destined to inglorious fame. The Rector has written a book about it and about (meaning himself and the parish), and the book is entitled: "Five Years of Hell in a Country Parish." It is an arresting title, a shocking title, the kind of title one does not expect from a Rector the outstanding feature of Rectors being, one hears, respectability and good repute, or of any rate a reputation for respectability. Accordingly, we cannot refrain from expressing grave disapproval of the Rector's choice in titles. The offending word may be educationally appropriate to the pulpit, but, does seem somewhat out of place on the title page of a five-shilling expose of the parish. Let the Rector now speak: isa pecan for slane back-biting "Rusper has become a byword. It
and gossip, and, as sich, it will probably appear in the standard Eng: lish dictionary of the future.""
Not having all the evidence before us, We may not pass judgement upon the social amenities ct Rusper. The reflexion occurs, however, that an incunibent capable of writing so "crushing" an indictment is precisely the kind of man whose presence in the parish was calculated to add little to the genial virtues of the flock. We suspect him of being no novice in the gentle art of making enemies, nor can we suppose his interpretation of the blessedness of giving to have been truly scriptural. This is the kind of "stuff" he has been "giving'em" in Rusper: cheek? Did he meekly apologize for maltreatment of babes and brides and promise to put a little "pep" into the business of being melancholy? Not at all. He went back 2 few years in history, and adopted the "eye for an eye" policy: as witness the following:
"Some of the wives nudge and kick their husbands behind the shelter "Some of the lady worshippers thrust out their tongues in the direetion of other worshippers.""
"One or two ladies specialize in footwear. The scrutinize my boots to seo that they are properly blackened, and that the polish is of the radiance which they consider requisite.""
"Many of the men in the parish are women."
We commend this last blow as being a beautifully timed uppercut in social combat. Just another quotation from: the rectorial tittle-
"There are no Helens of Troy in Rusper. Beauty does not bloom here. Some women there are who, denied beauty of face and form, make them. selves still more repellant by their thoughts, words and deeds. Long hours spect in idle and venomous gossip seem to leave a mark on their plain and vacant faces.
Here is indubitable proof that "some of the men in the parish are women." The writer was too modest to include himself, and we take the liberty of doing him that tardy honour. His account of an erring flock and distracted shepherd will amuse many. But on the whole it makes sorry reading. For it isa sad loss to have rare comedy written by a disgruntled moralist in satirical mood, with one eye on the publisher and the other on the parish pump. came to Ruspor because the people of the parish fancied they wanted a strong man. T soon found they wanted a jelly-fish.""
Obviously, as the sequel shows, the writer succeeded in neither capacity.
Bases ann Bripes.
The Rector goes on to say that his "imaginary crimes" included the following heinous departures from orthodoxy "My voice lacked the melancholy tone.'
sang too loudly.""
raced through the service like a man about to catch a train." (He certainly caught a tartar).
let the children fall when I baptized them."
Pinched them to make them ery?
"eT married the wrong couple."* "I put the wedding ring on a lady's The reader now sees the true inwardness of the situation: the Rector was absent-minded (from whatsoever cause matters not) and Rusper lacked a sense of humour. These crimes should have occasioned
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.