in my reverie for some time, and probably should have
continued longer, had I not been suddenly aroused by the voice of Mr.
Platitude raised to a very high key. 'Yes, my dear sir,' said he, 'it is
but too true; I have it on good authority--a gone church--a lost church--a
ruined church--a demolished church is the Church of England. Toleration
to Dissenters!--oh, monstrous!'

'I suppose,' said my host, 'that the repeal of the Test Acts will be
merely a precursor of the emancipation of the Papists?'

'Of the Catholics,' said the Reverend Mr. Platitude. 'Ahem. There was a
time, as I believe you are aware, my dear sir, when I was as much opposed
to the emancipation of the Catholics as it was possible for any one to
be; but I was prejudiced, my dear sir, labouring under a cloud of most
unfortunate prejudice; but I thank my Maker I am so no longer. I have
travelled, as you are aware. It is only by travelling that one can rub
off prejudices; I think you will agree with me there. I am speaking to a
traveller. I left behind all my prejudices in Italy. The Catholics are
at least our fellow-Christians. I thank Heaven that I am no longer an
enemy to Catholic emancipation.'

'And yet you would not tolerate Dissenters?'

'Dissenters, my dear sir; I hope you would not class such a set as the
Dissenters with Catholics?'

'Perhaps it would be unjust,' said my host, 'though to which of the two
parties is another thing; but permit me to ask you a question: Does it
not smack somewhat of paradox to talk of Catholics, whilst you admit
there are Dissenters? If there are Dissenters, how should there be
Catholics?'

'It is not my fault that there are Dissenters,' said the Reverend Mr.
Platitude; 'if I had my will I would neither admit there were any, nor
permit any to be.'

'Of course you would admit there were such as long as they existed; but
how would you get rid of them?'

'I would have the Church exert its authority.'

'What do you mean by exerting its authority?'

'I would not have the Church bear the sword in vain.'

'What, the sword of St. Peter? You remember what the founder of the
religion which you profess said about the sword, "He who striketh with it
. . . " I think those who have called themselves the Church have had
enough of the sword. Two can play with the sword, Mr. Platitude. The
Church of Rome tried the sword with the Lutherans: how did it fare with
the Church of Rome? The Church of England tried