resent might hear it. This is also done to enable the friends of the
deceased to know not only those who show them this mark of respect,
but those who neglect it, in order that they may treat them in the same
manner on similar occasions. The amount of money so received is very
great; for there is a kind of emulation among the people, as to who will
act with most decency and spirit, that is exceedingly beneficial to
the priest. In such instances the difference of religion is judiciously
overlooked; for although the prayers of Protestants are declined on
those occasions, yet it seems the same objection does not hold good
against their money, and accordingly they pay as well as the rest. When
the priest came round to where I stood, he shook hands with my brother,
with whom he appeared to be on very friendly and familiar terms; he and
I were then introduced to each other.

"Come," said he, with a very droll expression of countenance, shaking
the plate at the same time up near my brother's nose,--"Come, Mr.
D'Arcy, down with your offerings, if you wish to have a friend with St.
Peter when you go as far as the gates; down with your money, sir, and
you shall be remembered, depend upon it."

"Ah," said my brother, pulling out a guinea, "I would with the greatest
pleasure; but I fear this guinea is not orthodox. I'm afraid it has a
heretical mark upon it."

"In that case," replied his Reverence laughing heartily, "your only plan
is to return it to the bosom of the church, by laying it on the plate
here--it will then be within the pale, you know."

This reply produced a great deal of good-humor among that part of the
crowd which immediately surrounded them--not excepting his nearest
relations, who laughed heartily--

"Well," said my brother, as he laid it on the plate, "how many prayers
will you offer up in my favor for this?"

"Leave that to myself," said his Reverence, looking at the money; "it
will be before you, I say, when you go to St. Peter."

He then held the plate over to me in a droll manner; and I added another
guinea to my brother's gift; for which I had the satisfaction of having
my name called out so loud, that it might be heard a quarter of a mile
off.

"God bless you, sir," said the priest, "and I thank you."

"John," said I, when he left us, "I think that is a pleasant and rather
a sensible man?"

"He's as jovial a soul," replied my brother, "as ever gave birth to a
jest, and he sings a right good son