rd to protect himself
from the blow. "It's a lie, sir," repeated his Eeverence; "you don't
fulfil it. What is the church?"

"The church is the congregation of the faithful that purfiss the true
faith, and are obadient to the Pope."

"And who do you pay tithes to?"

"To the parson, sir."

"And, you poor varmint you, is he obadient to the Pope?"

Kelly only smiled at the want of comprehension which prevented him from
seeing the thing according to the view which his Reverence took of it.

"Well, now," continued Father Philemy, "who are the lawful pastors of
God's church?"

"You are, sir: and all our own priests."

"And who ought you to pay your tithes to?"

"To you, sir, in coorse; sure I always knew that, your Rev'rence."

"And what's the reason, then, you don't pay them to me, instead of the
parson?"

This was a puzzler to Kelly, who only knew his own side of the question.
"You have me there, sir," he replied, with a grin.

"Because," said his Reverence, "the Protestants, for the present, have,
the law of the land on their side, and power over you to compel the
payment of tithes to themselves; but we have right, justice, and the law
of God on ours; and, if every thing was in its proper place, it is not
to the parsons, but to us, that you would pay them."

"Well, well, sir," replied Kelly, who now experienced a community of
feeling upon the subject with his Reverence, that instantly threw him
into a familiarity of manner which he thought the point between them
justified--"who knows, sir?" said he with a knowing smile, "there's a
good time coming, yer Rev'rence."

"Ay," said Father Philemy, "wait till we get once into the Big* House,
and if we don't turn the scales--if the Established Church doesn't
go down, why, it won't be our fault. Now, Kelly, all's right but the
money--have you brought your dues?"

* Parliament. This was written before the passing of
the Emancipation Bill.

"Here it is, sir," said Kelly, handing him his dues for the last year.

It is to be observed here, that, according as the penitents went to be
examined, or to kneel down to confess, a certain sum was exacted from
each, which varied according to the arrears that might have been due to
the priest. Indeed, it is not unusual for the host and hostess, on these
occasions, to be refused a participation in the sacrament, until they
pay this money, notwithstanding the considerable expense they are put to
in entertaining not o