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HISTOEY OP ENGLAND.

CHAP.

III.

orders that none but men of high rank should presume to keepdomestic chaplains.* But these injunctions had become ob-solete. Indeed, during the domination of the Puritans, manyof the ejected ministers of the Church of England could obtainbread and shelter only by attaching themselves to the house-holds of royalist gentlemen; and the habits which had beenformed in those times of trouble continued long after the re-establishment of monarchy and episcopacy. In the mansionsof men of liberal sentiments and cultivated understandings,the chaplain was doubtless treated with urbanity and kindness.His conversation, his literary assistance, his spiritual advice,were considered as an ample return for his food, his lodging,and his stipend. But this was not the general feeling of thecountry gentlemen. The coarse and ignorant squire whothought that it belonged to his dignity to have grace saidevery day at his table by an ecclesiastic in full canonicals,found means to reconcile dignity with economy. A youngLevite — such was the phrase then in use — might be had forhis board, a small garret, and ten pounds a year, and might notonly perform his own professional functions, might not only bethe most patient of butts and of listeners, might not only bealways ready in fine weather for bowls, and in rainy weatherfor shovel-board, butmiglit also save the expense of a gardener,or of a groom. Sometimes the reverend man nailed up theapricots, and sometimes he curried the coach horses. lie castup the farrier’s bills. He walked ten miles with a message or aparcel. He was permitted to dine with the family; but he wasexpected to content himself with the plainest fare. He mightfillhimself with the corned beef and the carrots: but, as soon as thetarts and cheese-cakes made their appearance, he quitted hisseat, and stood aloof till he was summoned to return thanks forthe repast, from a great part of which he had been excluded.**

* See Heylin’s Cyprianus Anglicns.

** Eachard, Causes of the Contempt of the Clergy; Oldham, Satire