(These people probably did not reflect that catechisms and collects are quite as hard work to the young mind as bookkeeping is to the elderly, and that quite as little feeling of worship enters into the one task as the other.) And then, as regarded that great question of musical services, there might be much to be said on Mr.Slope's side of the question.

It certainly was the fact that people went to the cathedral to hear the music, &c.
&c And so a party absolutely formed itself in Barchester on Mr.Slope's side of the question! This consisted, among the upper classes, chiefly of ladies.

No man--that is, no gentleman--could possibly be attracted by Mr.Slope, or consent to sit at the feet of so abhorrent a Gamaliel.

Ladies are sometimes less nice in their appreciation of physical disqualification; provided that a man speak to them well, they will listen, though he speak from a mouth never so deformed and hideous.

Wilkes was most fortunate as a lover, and the damp, sandy-haired, saucer-eyed, red-fisted Mr.Slope was powerful only over the female breast.
There were, however, one or two of the neighbouring clergy who thought it not quite safe to neglect the baskets in which for the nonce were stored the loaves and fishes of the diocese of Barchester.
They, and they only, came to call on Mr.Slope after his performance in the cathedral pulpit.