[_i.e., RICHARD STEELE_].
_Another description of the miseries of the Domestic Chaplain, in_ 1713,
A.D.
[_The Guardian_. No. 173. Thursday, 17 Sept. 1713.]
When I am disposed to give myself a day's rest, I order the _Lion_ to be
opened [_i.e., a letter-box at BUTTON's Coffee-house_], and search into
that magazine of intelligence for such letters as are to my purpose. The
first I looked into, comes to me from one who is Chaplain to a great
family.
He treats himself, in the beginning of it, after such a manner as I am
persuaded no Man of Sense would treat him. Even the Lawyer, and the
Physician to a Man of Quality, expect to be used like gentlemen; and much
more, may any one of so superior a profession!
I am by no means encouraging that dispute, Whether the Chaplain, or the
Master of the house be the better man, and the more to be respected? The
two learned authors, Dr. HICKS and Mr. COLLIER (to whom I might add
several others) are to be excused, if they have carried the point a
little too high in favour of the Chaplain: since in so corrupt an Age as
that we live in, the popular opinion runs so far into the other extreme.
The only controversy between the Patron and the Chaplain ought to be,
Which should promote the good designs and interests of each other most?
And, for my own part, I think it is the happiest circumstance in a great
Estate or Title, that it qualifies a man for choosing, out of such a
learned and valuable body of men as that of the English Clergy, a friend,
a spiritual guide, and a companion.
The letter which I have received from one of this Order, is as follows:
_Mr. Guardian,
I hope you will not only indulge me in the liberty of two or three
questions; but also in the solution of them.
I haw had the honour, many years, of being Chaplain in a noble
Family; and of being accounted the_ highest servant _in the house:
either out of respect to my Cloth, or because I lie in the
uppermost garret.
Whilst my old Lord lived, his table was always adorned with useful
Learning and innocent Mirth, as well as covered with Plenty. I was
not looked upon as a piece of furniture, fit only to sanctify and
garnish a feast; but treated as a Gentleman, and generally desired
to fill up the conversation, an hour after I had done my duty_
[i.e., said grace after dinner].
_But now my young Lord is come to the Estate, I find I am looked
upon as a_ Censor Morum, _an obstacle to mirth and talk: and
suffered to retire constantly with_ "Prosperity to the Church!" _in
my mouth_ [i.e., after drinking this toast].
_I declare, solemnly, Sir, that I have heard nothing from all the
fine Gentlemen who visit us, more remarkable, for half a year, than
that one young Lord was seven times drunk at Genoa.
I have lately taken the liberty to stay three or four rounds_
[i.e., of the bottle] _beyond [the toast of]_ The Church! _to see
what topics of discourse they went upon: but, to my great surprise,
have hardly heard a word all the time, besides the Toasts. Then
they all stared full in my face, and shewed all the actions of
uneasiness till I was gone.
Immediately upon my departure, to use the words of an old Comedy,
"I find by the noise they make, that they had a mind to be
private."
I am at a loss to imagine what conversation they have among one
another, which I may not be present at: since I love innocent Mirth
as much as any of them; and am shocked with no freedoms whatsoever,
which are inconsistent with Christianity.
I have, with much ado, maintained my post hitherto at the dessert,
and every day eat a tart in the face of my Patron: but how long I
shall be invested with this privilege, I do not know. For the
servants, who do not see me supported as I was in my old Lord's
time, begin to brush very familiarly by me: and they thrust aside
my chair, when they set the sweetmeats on the table.
I have been born and educated a Gentleman, and desire you will make
the public sensible that the Christian Priesthood was never
thought, in any Age or country, to debase the Man who is a member
of it. Among the great services which your useful Papers daily do
to Religion, this perhaps will not be the least: and it will lay a
very great obligation on
Your unknown servant,