Serves only to wash out the spirit of man.
The doctor, under the attraction of his new acquaintance, had allowed more time than usual to elapse between his visits to Gryll Grange, and when he resumed them he was not long without communicating the metamorphosis of the old Tower, and the singularities of its inhabitants. They dined well as usual, and drank their wine cool.
Miss Gryll. There are many things in what you have told us that excite my curiosity; but first, what do you suppose is the young gentleman's religion?
The Rev2. Dr. Opimian. From the great liking3 he seems to have taken to me, I should think he was of the Church of England, if I did not rather explain it by our Greek sympathy. At the same time, he kept very carefully in view that Saint Catharine is a saint of the English Church Calendar. I imagine there is less of true piety4 than of an abstract notion of ideal beauty, even in his devotion to her. But it is so far satisfactory that he wished to prove his religion, such as it is, to be within the pale of the Church of England.
Miss Gryll. I like the idea of his closing the day with a hymn5, sung in concert by his seven Vestals.
The Rev. Dr. Opimian. I am glad you think charitably of the damsels. It is not every lady that would. But I am satisfied they deserve it.
Mr. Gryll. I should like to know the young gentleman. I wish you could manage to bring him here. Should not you like to see him, Morgana?
Miss Gryll. Yes, uncle.
Mr. Gryll. Try what you can do, doctor. We shall have before long some poetical6 and philosophical7 visitors. That may tempt8 him to join us.
The Rev. Dr. Opimian. It may; but I am not confident. He seems to me to be indisposed to general society, and to care for nothing but woods, rivers, and the sea; Greek poetry, Saint Catharine, and the seven Vestals. However, I will try what can be done.
Mr. Gryll. But, doctor, I think he would scarcely have provided such a spacious9 dining-room, and so much domestic accommodation, if he had intended to shut himself up from society altogether. I expect that some day when you go there you will find a large party. Try if he will co-operate in the Aristophanic comedy.
The Rev. Dr. Opimian. A good idea. That may be something to his mind.
Miss Gryll. Talking of comedy, doctor, what has become of Lord Curryfin, and his lecture on fish.
The Rev. Dr. Opimian. Why, Lord Michin Malicho,{1} Lord Facing-both-ways, and two or three other arch-quacks, have taken to merry-andrewising in a new arena10, which they call the Science of Pantopragmatics, and they have bitten Lord Curryfin into tumbling with them; but the mania11 will
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CHAPTER IX SAINT CATHARINE
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