t for laymen, perhaps for a priesthood."

"The most forcible part of my Reply is on that head: read it
attentively. I think that, of all sections of mankind, the clergy are
those to whom, not only for their own sakes, but for the sake of the
community, marriage should be most commended. Why, sir," continued the
vicar, warming up into oratorical enthusiasm, "are you not aware that
there are no homes in England from which men who have served and adorned
their country have issued forth in such prodigal numbers as those of
the clergy of our Church? What other class can produce a list so crowded
with eminent names as we can boast in the sons we have reared and sent
forth into the world? How many statesmen, soldiers, sailors, lawyers,
physicians, authors, men of science, have been the sons of us village
pastors? Naturally: for with us they receive careful education; they
acquire of necessity the simple tastes and disciplined habits which lead
to industry and perseverance; and, for the most part, they carry with
them throughout life a purer moral code, a more systematic reverence for
things and thoughts religious, associated with their earliest images
of affection and respect, than can be expected from the sons of laymen
whose parents are wholly temporal and worldly. Sir, I maintain that this
is a cogent argument, to be considered well by the nation, not only in
favour of a married clergy,--for, on that score, a million of Roaches
could not convert public opinion in this country,--but in favour of the
Church, the Established Church, which has been so fertile a nursery
of illustrious laymen; and I have often thought that one main and
undetected cause of the lower tone of morality, public and private,
of the greater corruption of manners, of the more prevalent scorn
of religion which we see, for instance, in a country so civilized as
France, is, that its clergy can train no sons to carry into the contests
of earth the steadfast belief in accountability to Heaven."

"I thank you with a full heart," said Kenelm. "I shall ponder well over
all that you have so earnestly said. I am already disposed to give up
all lingering crotchets as to a bachelor clergy; but, as a layman,
I fear that I shall never attain to the purified philanthropy of Mr.
Decimus Roach, and, if ever I do marry, it will be very much for my
personal satisfaction."

Mr. Emlyn laughed good-humouredly, and, as they had now reached the
bridge, shook hands with Kenelm