Valentine M'Clutchy, The Irish Agent / The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two

ffice-Family Devotions-Substitute for Breakf

e person. An attorney, no doubt, is at all times an amiable, honest, and feeling individual, simply upon professional principles; but when to all this is added the benignant influence of serious and decided piety, it would not be an easy task to find, among the s

eet but serious smile, and said to her companion, "My dear friend, or sister, in this case I permit you." And on the contrary, if religion felt over sensitive or scrupulous, law had fifty arguments of safety, and precedent, and high authority to justify her. But, indeed, we may observe, that in a religious attorney these illiberal scruples do not often occur. Mr. M'Slime knew the advantages of religion too well, to feel that contraction of the mind and principles, which in so many ordinary cases occasions religion and common moral

n, and a good-humored lubricity of temper, that could turn with equal flexibility and suavity to every incident of life, no matter how trying to the erring heart. All the hinges of his spirit seemed to have been graciously and abundantly oiled, and such was his serenity, that it was quite evident he had a light within him. It was truly a pleasure to speak to, or tra

lness of his benevolence, he found it necessary to enumerate their faults, and place them, as it were, in a catalogue, it was done in a spirit of such love, mingled with sorrow, that

, have the pleasure of plucking them out of the burning. He never went without a Bible and a variety of tracts in his pocket, and seldom was missed from the platform of a religious meeting. He received subscriptions for a

filled with the usual works on his profession, whilst hung upon the walls, and consequently nearer observation, were two or three pensile shelves, on which were to be found a small collection of religious volumes, tracts, a

self heard; after waiting patiently for some time, however, he knocked again, and at length the door was opened by a very pretty servant girl, ab

e you'd be kind enough to say that

followed by six or eight others, each in a different key, but all with such reluctance to approach their leader, that from a principle of unworthiness, they allowed him, as the more pious, to get far in advance of them. In this manner they sang two verses, and it was remarkable, that although on coming to the conclusion, Solomon was far ahead, and the rest nowhere, yet, from the same principle of unworthiness, they left the finish, as they did the start, altogether to himself. The psalm was accordingly wound up by a kind of understanding or accompaniment between his mouth and nose, which

n immortal soul to be saved to stand in my office-and as you have one to be saved, Darby, you must sit. The pride of

would be well for the world if every attorney in it was like you, s

y, if you have not that

si

that which I ought in conscience, to have written-but indeed my conscience often leads me to the-what should I say?-the merciful side in these matters. No, Darby, my friend, you cannot see into my heart, or you would not s

ore, sir, under the h

easonable for you to think so-but this was on

on, sir, I did

with me never to lose an opportunity of throwing in a word in season-but as the affairs of this life must be attended to-only in a secondary degree, I admit-I will,

t just then in the best possible disposition to draw much edification from it. After poring over it with a very sombre face for some time, he at length looked shrewdly at

and I am sorry to hear, it from your lips:-the Bible is a sp

fast to-day yet, how will it be sarviceable? wil

t figuratively, which in point of fact is the same thing, or a greater-it will enable you to bear hunger as a dispensation, Darby, to which it is your duty as a Christian to submit. Nay, it will do more, my fr

t I'll tell you what, sir, ordher me my breakfast, and then I'll be spakin' to you. A hungry man-or a hungry woman, or her hungry childre' can't eat Bibles; although it is well known, God knows, that when hunger, and famine, and starvation are widin them and upon them, that the same Bible, but nothing else, is; handed to them by pious pe

st degree offended, Darby-you will yet, I trust, live to know better, may He grant it! I overlook t

as Christians ought, Darby. You have asked me for a breakfast, but I overlook that also-I ought to overlook it as a Christian; for is not your immortal soul of infinitely greater value than your perishable body? Undoubtedly-and as a proof that I value it more, receive this-this, my brother sinne

rous and Christian act in you to give it-espishilly since it cost you nothing-but for all that, u

rvation, "have you heard, within the last day or two, an

t it is useless: he curses and damns them right and left, and won't be attended by any one but her-hadn't you betther try him, Mr. M'Slime? May be you might succeed. Who knows but

y, my patience, so strongly tried. His language I will not repeat-but canting knave, hypocrite, rascal attor-no, it is useless and uned

ntices, which was returned, passed out, and le

M'Slime would say, we think if only due to our readers to let the

ions with respect to M'Loughlin and Harman are premature. There is a screw loose somewhere, so to speak, that is all-but I believe, I can say, that if your father, Deaker, will act to our purposes, all will be as we could wish. This is a delicate subject, my dear friend, but still I am of opinion that if you could, by any practicable means; soften the unfortunate female who possesses such an ascendancy over him, all will be right. I would, myself, undertake the perilous task for your sake-and perilous to ordinary men I admit it would be, for she is beyond question exceedingly c

e bonds of C

mon M

itle of 'The Spiritual Attorney, or A Sure Guide to the Other World.' I have not yet had time to look at anything but the title page, and consequently am not able to inform you

e as

M'Sl