The Marquis and the Land-Agent; A Tale of the Eighteenth Century

Abstract

There is a well-known story about the late Archbishop Temple, that he once had to listen to a sermon by a youthful and inexperienced clergyman, and to dine with him afterwards; the young man, by way of making conversation during the meal, ventured to remark, “ I think, my lord, that I chose a good text for my sermon ”. Instantly there came the grim reply, “ There was nothing wrong with the text ”. It may be that the consequence of my having selected a seductive title which does not possess a very close connection with the actual subject of my address will be that, when we adjourn presently, I may get the impression that my audience has consisted entirely of archbishops.