likely to last for ever, if my somewhat unmanageable companion in that pilgrimage had not interrupted the zeal of the showman.40 Me. Who was he? 41 Og. An Englishman, named Gratian Black,11 a learned and pious man, but not so well affected towards this part of religion as I could wish. Me. Some Wickliffite, I suppose. Og. I do not think so; although he had read Wickliffe's books; where he got them I cannot say. Me. Did he offend the priest? his treasures. Og. When an arm was brought forward which had still the bloody flesh adhering to it, he drew back from kissing it, and even betrayed some signs of disgust. The priest presently shut up We next viewed the altar-picture and ornaments, and then the articles which are kept under the altar,-all most sumptuous; you would say that Midas and Croesus were beggars, if you saw that vast assemblage of gold and silver. Me. Was there no kissing here? Og. No; but another kind of sentiment came across my mind. Me. What was that? Og. I sighed that I had no such relics at home. Me. What an impious thought! Og. I confess it, and I devoutly prayed the saint for pardon before I moved a step from the church. After this, we were led into the sacristy." Good * God! what a display was there of silken vestments, what an array of golden candlesticks! 42 There we saw the pastoral staff of Saint Thomas. It appeared to be a cane covered with silver plate; it was of very little weight, and no workmanship, nor stood higher than to the waist.4 Me. Was there no cross? 43 Og. I saw none. A pall was shown, which, though wholly of silk, was of a coarse texture, and unadorned with gold or jewels. There was also a sudary, dirty from wear, and retaining manifest stains of blood. These monuments of the simplicity of ancient times we willingly kissed. in Me. Are not they shown to everybody? Me. Whence then was such confidence reposed you that no secret thing was reserved? 44 Og. I had some acquaintance with the reverend father William Warham, the archbishop; he had given me three words of introduction. "This was probably the chapel of Saint Andrew, which in Hollar's plan is marked as the vestiarium.”—(Willis.) It is accordingly marked Sacristy in the Plan given in this volume. Me. I hear from many that he is a man endowed with singular courtesy. Og. You would rather say that he is courtesy itself, if you knew him. He has such learning, such simplicity of manners, such piety of life, that you would find him deficient in no quality of a perfect prelate. From this place, then, we were conducted back to the upper floor, for behind the high altar you ascend again, as into a new church. There, in a little chapel, is shown the whole figure of the excellent man, gilt, and adorned with many jewels. 45 Here an unforeseen incident nearly destroyed all our pleasure. Me. What misfortune have you now to relate? Og. My companion Gratian by no means advanced in favour; after a short prayer he asked the attendant priest, "Well," says he, "good father, is it true what I hear, that Thomas while alive was exceedingly kind to the poor?" "Most true," said he; and he began to relate many of his acts of beneficence towards the destitute. Then Gratian remarked, "I should not suppose that such disposition of his is changed, unless perhaps increased." The priest assented. He said again : "Since, then, that most holy man was so liberal towards the poor whilst he was still poor himself, and required the aid of money for his bodily necessities, do you not think, that now, when he is so wealthy, nor lacks anything, he would take it very contentedly, if any poor woman, having starving children at home, or daughters in danger of prostitution from want of dowry, or a husband laid up with disease, and destitute of all assistance, should first pray for pardon, and then take from these so great riches some small portion for the relief of her family, as if receiving from a consenting person, either as a gift or a loan?" When the attendant on the golden head made no answer to this, Gratian, being of an ardent temper, added, "I am clearly convinced that the most holy man would rather rejoice that even when dead he should relieve by his riches the wants of the poor." the priest began to knit his brows, to protrude his lips, and to look upon us with Gorgonian eyes: nor do I doubt that he would have cast us out of the church with disgrace and reproaches, if he had not known that we were recommended by the Archbishop. However, I pacified the man's anger with some apologies, declaring that Gratian had said nothing seriously, but had merely indulged his usual habit of banter; and at the same time I laid down a few pence. Then Me. I really very much commend your piety. But still it sometimes seriously occurs to me, whether those can be regarded as blameless who consume so much wealth in building, adorning, and enriching churches, that they altogether exceed all moderation.46 I confess that in sacred vestments and in the vessels of the Church a dignity is due to divine worship: and I would wish the structure to have its majesty. But to what purpose are so many holy-water vessels, so many candlesticks, so many golden statues? to what purpose the immense cost of what they call organs? Nor, meanwhile, are we content with single organs only. To what purpose is that musical din, provided at great expense, whilst at the same time our brethren and sisters, the living temples of Christ, are wasting with thirst and hunger? Og. In these matters, indeed, no pious and wise man would not prefer moderation; but, since this fault arises from a species of extravagant piety, it claims indulgence, especially when we recollect the contrary fault of those who despoil churches of their wealth. This is generally given by princes and monarchs, and would have a worse destination in gambling or in war. And, if you alienate anything from this source, at first it is regarded as |