LETTER XIX.

_THE POOR OF THE BOROUGH._

THE PARISH-CLERK.

Nam dives qui fieri vult, Et citò vult fieri; sed quæ reverentia legum, Quis metus aut pudor est unquam properantis avari?

_Juvenal._ Sat. 14 [vv. 176-8].

Nocte brevem si forte indulsit cura soporem, Et toto versata thoro jam membra quiescunt, Continuò templum et violati Numinis aras, Et, quod præcipuis mentem sudoribus urget, Te videt in somnis; tua sacra et major imago Humanâ turbat pavidum, cogitque fateri.

_Juvenal._ Sat. 13 [vv. 217-22].

The Parish-Clerk began his Duties with the late Vicar, a grave and austere Man; one fully orthodox; a Detecter and Opposer of the Wiles of Satan--His Opinion of his own Fortitude--The more frail offended by these Professions--His good Advice gives further Provocation--They invent Stratagems to overcome his Virtue--His Triumph--He is yet not invulnerable: is assaulted by Fear of Want, and Avarice--He gradually yields to the Seduction--He reasons with himself and is persuaded--He offends, but with Terror; repeats his Offence; grows familiar with Crime; is detected--His Sufferings and Death.