"I say, Ned Turgis, if the plague increases, as there is every likelihood it will, Solomon Eagle will be the only preacher left in Saint Paul's.

Neither deans, prebends, minor-canons, nor vicars will attend.

As it is, they have almost abandoned it." "Shame on them!" exclaimed Leonard Holt, who, being much interested in the conversation of the masons, had silently approached them.

"At this season, more than ever, they are bound to attend to their duty." "Why, so I think," rejoined Gatford; "but I suppose they consider self-preservation their first duty.

They aver that all assemblages, whether called together for religious purposes or not, are dangerous, and likely to extend the pestilence." "And yet crowds are permitted to assemble for purposes of amusement, if not for worship, in those holy walls," returned Leonard.
"Not so," replied Gatford.