Page:Duty and Inclination 2.pdf/139

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DUTY AND INCLINATION.
137

way capable of receiving the life-giving spirit of truth? I had supposed them ignorant and illiterate beyond measure."

"If you allude," replied the Doctor, "to the extremely poor, they are as you describe them; they can but comprehend the harsh jargon of their native language; but these are few comparatively to the many honest and industrious families with whom I have formed acquaintance."

The road was inconveniently rugged for any other mode of conveyance than the one they had chosen, deviating from the open path to pursue new ones, making their route easy by occasionally resting as they proceeded, to dwell upon those conspicuous beauties that on all sides attracted the eye.

Having reached the village, they fastened their horses to a shed, where were some farmers' boys, to whom they gave them in charge, and then went on foot to visit the Welsh Curate, who weekly officiated in the small chapel contiguous to his dwelling. He was a man in low circumstances, but of somewhat acute comprehension,—yet much prejudiced, illiberal in his way of thinking, and, by gross misconceptions, perverting the truths of the Holy Word, in such a way as to make it but little intelligible to the ignorant, or satisfactory to