Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1885-09-10
Church Mdnners--Some Foreign aud
Domestic Instances.

mouth last May he attended service in the
parish church one Sunday without being
recognized, and. having taken his seat in a
large empty pew, he was presently ordered
TO quit il by the owner, who arrived late and
fuming, but resolved to insist on his rights.
The episode has led to a correspondence
with the Bishop of Norwich, who has writ
ten expressing hope that the deplorable
incident may be the means of efectually
putting down the unjust claim of any par
ishioners to an exclusive right in the parish
churches of the land Ii may console the
Prince to learn that the Duke of yelling
ton once suffered a similar indignity. He
was staying at Walmer, and walked into
Deal one Sunday To attend evering service.
On entering the church he noticed that
large square pew in Il desirable position was
standing empty, so he seated himself in it.
When the service had proceeded some little
time AN upstart looking woman appeared at
the door of the pew and desired the Duke
to Come OUT aud, when he had obeyed
her command she went in, shut the door,
and ensconced herself in Il space which
would have accommodated dozen persons.
The Duke quietly took p ace in the free
seats, and at the close of the service desired
the beadle (who was in prodigiouS iluster
at having missed the great man TO 60 and
tell that lady that she turned the Duke Of
Wellington out of her pew The effect of
this news on British suob of the most
rampant species may be imagined. The
lady would probably have crawled TO Wal
mer on hands nd knees, only 10 obtain a
recognition from the Duke; aud here, when
she had the chance of making his acquaint-
ance, and praying cheek by jowl with him,
she had deliberately insultcd him. This
experience, however, was wholesome one,
as it converted the Duke to the system of
open pews, aud shortly aiterward he made
extensive atcra ions in that direction at
Stmthfeldsaye."
The above article from AN English paper
shows that bad manners and inhospitality
in church are not confined 10 America. No
obsCrvant person can have failed TO notice
in our large, and especially in our fashion,
able churches in America, a growing dis
position to suggest I" the pale spectrum Of
the salt" between the wealthy and we'll
dressed stranger within their gates"
Perhaps we should not have used the adjec-
tive growing, however, rs il is rather re-
turn to the naughty exclusiveness of our
Colonial aristocracy than natural outcome
of republican institutions. 1t may be said
in defense of our ancestors that il was
pride of pedigree, rather than possession, in
those days-a circumstance which makes
it shade less odious.
One of the many anecdotes handed down
of the King Carter" who figured in Vir-
gina in ye olden time is that the rector
of the church which he attended never
dreamed Of beginning the services until the
great man was in bis place, and that when
he appeared the congreg .tion rose and stood
until he and his family were seated. In
lovely contrast with this turning Of the
house of God into theatre for the display
of wealth and consequence, is the story told
by a lineal descendant of King Carter Of
the generation just now passing away from
the earth. lie WAS giving an account Of
the beginning of his affection for young
lady, herself the representative Of one Of
the most influential families in her section
of the State stranger in the church,
was seated rather near the door, aud ! OBJ
served feeble old woman, evidently q
stranger also, making her way slowly up TO
the main aisle Of the church, looking from
side TO side As if in search of familiar face.
She was unnoticed by the occupants of the
pews she passed, aud, doubtless in an en-
bsrrassment al her unpleasant situation, she
dropped the cane With which she was stead.
yng her feeble footing. Many eyes we're
turned in the direction Of the noise, and
lovely young lady in one Of the front pews
rose aud, coming down 10 her, took her arm
and guided her with tender compassion and
courtesy 10 a seat in her own pew did
not know even the name af the young lady,
but my love commenced then aud there"
An incident well known in Richmond
during the late war was more like the ex-
periences Of the Duke and Prince Albert
Victor Mrs. Gen. Lee whose infrm health
made it impossible for her to be regular
attendant at church, took her seat one Sab
bath morning at St Pauls church, in the
pew of friend who had urged upon her 10
use it as her own. few minutes later
young lady, who temporarily made part Of
the family of that friend, arrived at the
pew door and stood, as if petrihcd with
naughty astonishment AZ she continued
~ stand and to regard Mrs Lee with super
cilious impertinence that high-bed la
dy, unwilling 70 prolong scene 80 little
suited to the sacred place and her own char
acter, arose and left the pew. In an instan.
all the doors on that side Of the church
were opened aud half the congregation rose
in eager invitation. VIVA, the young lady's
emotions were when she realized that she
had publicly and wantouly insultcd tie
wife Of him whom the whole South delight
Cd to honor, we have never heard but il il
.. l.. t....I sI.t l. 49,. Iftt.