delightful as being pungent
from the beginning to the end and as being unalloyed with any dry
didactic wisdom, Mr Alf's man, who did that business, declared that it
was really important that the nation at large and especially the
electors of Westminster should know what was the nature of Mr
Melmotte's faith. That he was a man of a highly religious temperament
was most certain by his munificent charities on behalf of religion.
Two noble donations, which by chance had been made just at this
crisis, were doubtless no more than the regular continuation of his
ordinary flow of Christian benevolence. The 'Evening Pulpit' by no
means insinuated that the gifts were intended to have any reference to
the approaching election. Far be it from the 'Evening Pulpit' to
imagine that so great a man as Mr Melmotte looked for any return in
this world from his charitable generosity. But still, as Protestants
naturally desired to be represented in Parliament by a Protestant
member, and as Roman Catholics as naturally desired to be represented
by a Roman Catholic, perhaps Mr Melmotte would not object to declare
his creed.

This was biting, and of course did mischief; but Mr Melmotte and his
manager were not foolish enough to allow it to actuate them in any
way. He had thrown his bread upon the waters, assisting St Fabricius
with one hand and the Protestant curates with the other, and must
leave the results to take care of themselves. If the Protestants chose
to believe that he was hyper-protestant, and the Catholics that he was
tending towards papacy, so much the better for him. Any enthusiastic
religionists wishing to enjoy such convictions would not allow
themselves to be enlightened by the manifestly interested malignity of
Mr Alf's newspaper.

It may be doubted whether the donation to the Curates' Aid Society did
have much effect. It may perhaps have induced a resolution in some few
to go to the poll whose minds were active in regard to religion and
torpid as to politics. But the donation to St Fabricius certainly had
results. It was taken up and made much of by the Roman Catholic party
generally, till a report got itself spread abroad and almost believed
that Mr Melmotte was going to join the Church of Rome. These
manoeuvres require most delicate handling, or evil may follow instead
of good. On the second afternoon after the question had been asked in
the 'Evening Pulpit,' an answer to it appeared, 'For Priest and not
for Parson.' T