I
leave you to judge whether their characters, that of the lady
especially, was calculated to do away my prejudices. I had learned from
my favorite Roman poet a precept in composition, of never making a God
appear, except on occasions worthy of a God. I have since had reason to
think this rule as justly theological as it is classical. So thought not
the Ranbys.

"It will, indeed, readily be allowed by every reflecting mind, as God is
to be viewed in all his works, so his 'never-failing providence ordereth
all things both in heaven and on earth.' But surely there is something
very offensive in the indecent familiarity with which the name of God
and Providence is brought in on every trivial occasion, as was the
constant practice of Mr. and Mrs. Ranby. I was not even then so
illogical a reasoner as to allow a general and deny a particular
Providence. If the one were true, I inferred that the other could not be
false. But I felt that the religion of these people was of a slight
texture and a bad taste. I was disgusted with littleness in some
instances, and with inconsistency in others. Still their absurdity gave
me no right to suspect their sincerity.

"Whenever Mrs. Ranby had a petty inclination to gratify, she had always
recourse to what she called the _leadings of Providence_. In matters of
no more moment than whether she should drink tea with one neighbor
instead of another, she was _impelled_, or _directed_, or _overruled_. I
observed that she always took care to interpret these _leadings_ to her
own taste, and under their sanction she always did what her fancy led
her to do. She professed to follow this guidance on such minute
occasions, that I had almost said her piety seemed a little impious. To
the actual dispensations of Providence, especially when they came in a
trying or adverse shape, I did not observe more submission than I had
seen in persons who could not be suspected of religion. I must own to
you also, that as I am rather fastidious, I began to fancy that vulgar
language, quaint phrases, and false grammar, were necessarily connected
with religion. The sacrifice of taste and elegance, seemed
indispensable, and I was inclined to fear that if _they_ were right, it
would be impossible to get to heaven with good English."

"Though I grant there is some truth in your remarks, sir," said I, "you
must allow that when men are determined at all events to hunt down
religious characters, they are never at a loss t