The mountain Democrat., 1863-10-10
How . wax rpssksa eAe Parsoas.
A late Fr,xSr's MaRAxins contains an

A late Fraz6r's Magazine contains an
article about Scottish parsons, in the
course of which be tells Of the following
trick, plsyed~by Judge Robinson upon
the Synod Of Cleishmaclaver on their way
to the General Assembly of the Scotch
Kirk:
The brethren had started by coach Al
an early hour, and had travelled some
twenty miles before they reached the inn
where breakfast was prepared for them
The keen air Of our northern bills sharp
ems the appetite; and when the brethren
drove up to the inn they were almost fam
ished with hunger. "Now, gentlemen,
Just ten minutes for break fast" said the
coachman, as he entered the landIady's 8
snug little parlor to have his own. Ten
minutesi The time was short, so they
must make the most Of it. They rushed
into the room where the breakfast was
spread, and there, basking his ample per-
son before the fire, stood a portly gentle
man, dressed somewhat like dignitary
Of the Church of England. Their appe-
tite was keener than their curiosity, so
they scarcely looked at the stranger, but
concentrated all their attention on the
viands.
Halfway in the air, before the morsel
had reached their lips, their hands were
arrested by sudden cry of Stop !"-
1t was the supposed dean or bishop. -
GOOD heavens, gentlemen!" he ex-
claimed, have you so far forgotten your
sacred profession us to partake Of food
without invoking blessingP"
Tho brethren looked lika cchoolhovc
detected in some fragrant fault; but be-
fore they had time to remonstrate or ex-
plain, the same voice exclaimed in a tone
which enforced obedience, LET US pray!"
They instinctively sprang to their feet
and assumed the attitude of decorous de-
votion, while the stranger offered up q
prayer which, they themselves admitted,
was superior in unction and expression to
those of DR.. Drawlitout himself He had
only one fault; he did not know when to
stop. The minutes rolled rapidly away,
but the stream of fervent supplication
flowed on without break. They had
terrible struggle-the brethren had-as
they closed one eye in devotion, and ogled
the savory viands with the other; but
whenever the hand approached it was hur.
riedly drawn back before the stern glance
of the stranger, which seemed to compre-
hend them all. The sufferings of Tanta.
lus were nothing to the sufferings Of the
deputation from the Synod of Cleishma-
claver; but all things must come to an
end. "Time is up" said the coachman,
opening the door and wiping his mouth
with the air Of a man who had enjoyed
his breakfast.
The appearance of the coachman and
the sound Of his familiar voice broke the
spell, but there was no time to be lost;
the horses were shaking their heads and
paving the ground in their impatience TO
start; SO they had to take their seats and
turn breakfast and dinner into one.
"Was that tho Bishop of D." said
one of the famished brethren.
"Tbat the Bishop of D--?" exclaim.
ed the coachman, contempt ptuOusly. THAT
was Lord P, the maddest wag in all
the kingdom"
The brethren said nothing but chewed
the cud of bitter fancy till they reached
the next halting place, where they got
something more substantial to chew
Somehow the story oozed out, and the
trick played on the members of the Synod
of CIeishmaclaver called forth many
hearty laugh at the Lord High Commits
sioner's levees, and seriously affected the
gravity Of the Moderator himself.