Page:Lettersconcerni01conggoog.djvu/64

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the English Nation.
39

dignities till very late, at a time of life when men are sensible of no other passion but avarice, that is, when their ambition craves a supply. Employments are here bestow'd both in the church and, the army, as a reward for long services; and we never see youngsters made bishops or colonels immediately upon their laying aside the academical gown; and besides, most of the clergy are married. The stiff and awkward air contracted by them at the university, and the little familiarity the men of this country have with the ladies, commonly oblige a bishop to confine himself to, and rest contented with his own. Clergymen sometimes take a glass at the tavern, custom giving them a sanction on this occasion; and if they fuddle themselves 'tis in a very serious manner, and without giving the least scandal.

That sable mix'd kind of mortal (not to be defin'd) who is neither of the clergy nor of the laity; in a word, the thing call'd Abbé in France, is a species quite unknown in England. All the clergy here are very much upon the reserve, and most

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