t only as it refreshes
in their minds the notions of religion, but as it puts both the sexes
upon appearing in their most agreeable forms, and exerting all such
qualities as are apt to give them a figure in the eye of the village.
A country-fellow distinguishes himself as much in the Church-yard, as a
citizen does upon the Change, the whole parish-politicks being generally
discussed in that place either after sermon or before the bell rings.

My friend Sir Roger, being a good churchman, has beautified the inside
of his church with several texts of his own choosing. He has likewise
given a handsome pulpit-cloth, and railed in the communion-table at his
own expense. He has often told me, that at his coming to his estate he
found his parishioners very irregular; and that in order to make them
kneel and join in their responses, he gave every one of them a hassock
and a common prayer-book: and at the same time employed an itinerant
singing-master, who goes about the country for that purpose, to instruct
them rightly in the tunes of the psalms; upon which they now very much
value themselves, and indeed outdo most of the country churches that I
have ever heard.

As Sir Roger is landlord to the whole congregation, he keeps them in
very good order, and will suffer nobody to sleep in it besides himself;
for if by chance he has been surprised into a short nap at sermon, upon
recovering out of it he stands up and looks about him, and if he sees
any body else nodding, either wakes them himself, or sends his servants
to them. Several other of the old Knight's particularities break out
upon these occasions. Sometimes he will be lengthening out a verse in
the singing-psalms, half a minute after the rest of the congregation
have done with it; sometimes, when he is pleased with the matter of his
devotion, he pronounces Amen three or four times to the same prayer; and
sometimes stands up when every body else is upon their knees, to count
the congregation, or see if any of his tenants are missing.

I was yesterday very much surprised to hear my old friend, in the midst
of the service, calling out to one John Mathews to mind what he was
about, and not disturb the congregation. This John Mathews it seems is
remarkable for being an idle fellow, and at that time was kicking his
heels for his diversion. This authority of the Knight, though exerted in
that odd manner which accompanies him in all circumstances of life, has
a very good effect up