had been
properly submissive to her parents, such calamities would never have
befallen her. Then, again, I was greatly struck with the fate that
overtook Mercutio--a most suitable punishment for his persistent use of
foul language. Did you ever see it in that light, Mr. Glazzard?"

"I confess it is new to me. I shall think it over."

The Mayor beamed with gratification.

"No one denies," struck in Mr. Vialls, "that to a pure mind all things
are pure. Shakespeare is undoubtedly a great poet, and a soul bent on
edification can extract much good from him. But for people in general,
especially young people, assuredly he cannot be recommended, even in
the study. I confess I have neither time nor much inclination for
poetry--except that of the sacred volume, which is poetry indeed. I
have occasionally found pleasure in Longfellow"----

"Pardon me," interrupted the Mayor--"Longfellow?--the author of that
poem called 'Excelsior'?"

"Yes."

"Now, really--I am surprised--I should have thought--the fact is, when
Raglan was at school, he had to learn 'Excelsior,' and I happened to
glance over it. I was slightly acquainted with the piece, but I had
quite forgotten that it contained what seems to me very gross
indelicacy--very gross indeed. Do you remember a verse beginning (I
must ask your pardon for quoting it, Mr. Vialls)--

'Oh stay, the maiden cried, and rest
Thy weary head upon this breast.'
Surely, that is all but indecency.

In fact, I wrote at once to the master and drew his attention to the
passage, requesting that my boy might never be asked to repeat such a
poem. The force of my objection was not at once admitted, strange to
say; but in the end I gained my point."

Mr. Vialls screwed up his lips and frowned at the table-cloth, but said
nothing.

"Our task nowadays," pursued the Mayor, with confidence, "is to
preserve the purity of home. Our homes are being invaded by dangerous
influences we must resist. The family should be a bulwark of virtue--of
all the virtues--holiness, charity, peace."

He lingered on the last word, and his gaze became abstracted.

"Very true, very true indeed!" cried the clergyman. "For one thing, how
careful a parent should be with regard to the periodical literature
which is allowed to enter his house, This morning, in a home I will not
mention, my eye fell upon a weekly paper which I should have thought
perfectly sound in its teaching; yet, behold, there was an article of