of rural England. Old Sharmarkay, the squire, attended by his son, takes his place close to the pulpit; and although the Honoratioren have no padded and cushioned pews they comport themselves very much as if they had. Recognitions of the most distant description are allowed before the service commences: looking around is strictly forbidden during prayers; but all do not regard the prohibition, especially when a new moustache enters. Leaving the church, men shake hands, stand for a moment to exchange friendly gossip, or address a few words to the preacher, and then walk home to dinner. There are many salient points of difference. No bonnets appear in public: the squire, after prayers, gives alms to the poor, and departs escorted by two dozen matchlockmen, who perseveringly fire their shotted guns, as in Ireland, blunderbusses.[1]
- ↑ So in the last century the Highland piper played before the Laird every Sunday on his way to the Kirk, which he circled three times; performing the family march, which implied defiance to all enemies of the clan. In Ireland, in the early part of the present century, gentlemen went to church with a brace of bull-dogs or a brass blunderbuss, the article to clear a staircase.
