From the mean subject of oxen, sheep, and peasants, we return to
personages; i.e., persons of rank and fortune. The bishop, who was
introduced in the foregoing pages, but who has occupied a very small
space there, is now mentioned again, merely that the reader may know he
is at present in the same state as his writings--dying; and that his
friend, the dean, is talked of as the most likely successor to his
dignified office.
The dean, most assuredly, had a strong friendship for the bishop, and
now, most assuredly, wished him to recover; and yet, when he reflected on
the success of his pamphlet a few years past, and of many which he had
written since on the very same subject, he could not but think "that he
had more righteous pretensions to fill the vacant seat of his much
beloved and reverend friend (should fate ordain it to be vacated) than
any other man;" and he knew that it would not take one moment from that
friend's remaining life, should he exert himself, with all due
management, to obtain the elevated station when be should he no more.
In presupposing the death of a friend, the dean, like many other virtuous
men, "always supposed him going to a better place." With perfect
resignation, therefore, he waited whatever change might happen to the
bishop, ready to receive him with open arms if he recovered, or equally
ready, in case of his dissolution, to receive his dignities.
Lady Clementina displayed her sensibility and feeling for the sick
prelate by the extravagance of hysteric fits; except at those times when
she talked seriously with her husband upon the injustice which she
thought would be done to him, and to his many pamphlets and sermons, if
he did not immediately rise to episcopal honour.
"Surely, dean," said she, "should you be disappointed upon this occasion,
you will write no more books for the good of your country?"
"Yes, I will," he replied; "but the next book I write for the good of my
country shall be very different, nay the very reverse of those I have
already written."
"How, dean! would you show yourself changed?"
"No, but I will show that my country is changed."
"What! since you produced your last work; only six weeks ago!"
"Great changes may occur in six days," replied the dean, with a
threatening accent; "and if I find things _have_ taken a new and improper
turn, I will be the first to expose it."
"But before you act in this manner, my dear, surely you will wait--"
"I will wait until the see is disposed of to another," said he.
He did wait: the bishop died. The dean was promoted to the see of ---,
and wrote a folio on the prosperity of our happy country.