_Boy_ (_poring over the Articles_).--
Here are points which--pray, Doctor, what's "Grace of Congruity?"
_Doctor P._ (_sharply_).--You'll find out, young sir, when
you've more ingenuity.
At present, by signing, you pledge yourself merely.
Whate'er it may be, to believe it sincerely,
Both in _dining_ and _signing_ we take the same plan,--
First, swallow all down, then digest--as we can.
_Boy_ (_still reading_).--I've to gulp, I see, St. Athanasius's
Creed,
Which. I'm told, is a very tough morsel indeed;
As he damns--
_Doctor P. (aside)_.--Ay, and so would _I_, willingly, too,
All confounded particular young boobies, like you.
This comes of Reforming!--all's o'er with our land,
When people won't stand what they can't _under_-stand;
Nor perceive that our ever-revered Thirty-Nine
Were made not for men to _believe_ but to _sign_.
_Exit Dr. P. in a passion_.
[1] It appears that when a youth of fifteen went to be matriculated at
Oxford, he was required first to subscribe the Thirty-Nine Articles of
Religious Belief.
LATE TITHE CASE.
_"sic vos non vobis."_
1833.
"The Vicar of Birmingham desires me to state that, in consequence of
the passing of a recent Act of Parliament, he is compelled to adopt
measures which may by some be considered harsh or precipitate; but,
_in duty to what he owes to his successors_, he feels bound to
preserve the rights of the vicarage.
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